Gyeongsangnam-do(Geochang-gun)

Cheoyongam is a very small rocky island sitting in the middle of Gaeunpo Inlet in front of Saejuk Village in Hwangseong-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan. It is a historic islet related to the famous folktale of Cheoyong. The tale is about a dragon that emerged from the east sea along with his seven sons at the end of the Silla Kingdom (57BC - 935AD). One of the dragon’s sons named Cheoyong came to the capital and married a beautiful woman. One night, he found an evil spirit trying to attack his wife so he sang and danced, whereupon the spirit presented itself and kneeled in apology. Since then, people have used the image of Cheoyong to dispel evil spirits. The dance that Cheoyong is said to have performed has been titled Cheoyongmu and has been designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property. Cheoyongam is the sacred rock where the dragon in the tale is said to have appeared. There are many attractions nearby including Mokdo Island (Natural Monument No. 65), which offers magnificent lush greenery all year round.


Jeollanam-do(Jangheung-gun)

From Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문), the heart of downtown Seoul, straight down to the very the tip of the peninsula lies the warmest place on the Korean mainland, Jangheung County’s Jeongnamjin (정남진). The region has a diverse natural environment including stunning views of mountains, fields, the ocean, lakes, rivers and streams. It also as well as cultural sites such as Cheongwansan Mountain, Bangchon Cultural Village, and Borimsa Temple, one of the three major Borimsa Temples in Asia. The Jeongnamjin district has a wide variety of tourist attractions nearby such as the Samsan Embankment, a provincial park on Cheongwansan Mountain; a literature park; and Sodeungseom Island, the filming place of the movie “Festival”. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunrise or take a seawater bath at Anyang water gate. There are a diverse number of events based on natural resources of the area like the Jeam Azalea Festival, Pen Shell Festival, Pike Eel Festival, Aqua Festival, Gaemegi Fishing Festival, and the Cheongwan Mountain Eulalie Festival. Area size: A total of 618㎢ (farmland 23%, forest 66.5%, others 10.5%) Administrative districts: 295 villages, 7 townships, and 3 towns


Jeollanam-do(Gokseong-gun)

Located on the foot of Mt. Dongrisan, Taeansa Temple was built by three monks during the reign of the Silla King, Gyeongdeok (742). Afterwards, monk Hyecheol constructed a large temple with 132 rooms during Koryeo Taejo’s reign, which was established as a central seminary of the Mt. Dongrisan area. In the precincts there are four treasures, including Hyecheolguksa Sari Pagoda (national treasure no. 273), Gwangjaseonsa Pagoda (national treasure 274) and Neungpagak (regional tangible asset no. 82) which are worth seeing. However, it was badly damaged during the Korean War and had been refurbished since then. An invigorating valley and a shady nook can be reached just 1.8km from the entrance of the temple. It is a popular trail during the fall, with its bright maple leaves.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

Hansando Island, located in the middle of Hallyeo Haesang National Park, is an important historical site. This is where General Lee Sun-Shin (1545 ~ 1598) won his great victory using the "Turtle Boat" (an ironclad warship shaped as a tortoise) by commanding the naval forces of Chungcheong, Jeolla and Gyeongsang Provinces at the beginning of Imjinwaeran, the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592-1598).In Hansando Island, a 960 square km large forest is blanketed with camellias and old red pines. In the woods, there is Jeseungdang, which was the strategic headquarters of General Lee Sun-Shin where he commanded the war for five years during the Japanese occupation of Korea in 1592. Jeseungdang has a five-page documentary called Chungmugong that recorded the activities of Lee Sun-Shin which depicts the events of that period. You can also see the barracks, The Suru Watch Tower, and Hansanjeong, where soldiers were trained in archery. The Suru Watch Tower overlooks a fine view of the sea, along with a view of Jeseungdang.The active cultivation of oysters, ascidians, brown seaweed and pearls is attracting more tourists to this area. The coast of Hansando has also become a famous fishing spot. 


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changnyeong-gun)


Gwangju(Buk-gu)

Gwangju Pyeongchon Village, located north of Mudeungsan Mountain, is a cozy farming village made up of four villages Dongrim, Daman, Woosung, and Dangmoe. The village still has an excellence natural preservation, growing environmental-friendly rice in the fields and Punam stream that runs through the middle of the village houses fireflies and otters. Also the village keeps the tradition of making pottery as the village was the place that made grayish-blue-powdered celadon during the Joseon Dynasty. The village street corner offers visitors to Mudeungsan Mountain a place to rest with Mudol-gil shelter and Bandi-lodging.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gimcheon-si)


Jeollanam-do(Gwangyang-si)

Baegunsan Recreational Forest (백운산자연휴양림) has Baegunsan Mountain that rises 1,218ms high above the sea level as the highest peak in the forest. Its artificial and natural forests of large pine trees offer a great view as the trees stand in harmony. Visitors are awed to see the beautiful valleys in the forests of Japanese cedars and Japanese cypresses. In early spring (February – March) about 7,000 camellia flowers are in full blossom. Baegunsan Mountain (백운산) is the treasure house of Korea’s eco system. Plenty of rare plants and animals are growing there and the sap of gorosoe trees, which is believed to be good for health, is available in the spring. The Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest is a truly blessed forest.  


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

A short, hour-long ferry ride from Tongyeong Port will take you to the best attraction of Hallyeo Maritime National Park, Somaemuldo Island. Located at the end of the Korean Peninsula, the island is well known for its oddly shaped rocks of the coast cliffs, the clear and blue sea, the beautiful Deungdaesum Island, which is often shown in movies and commercials.Passing through the 500~600-year-old camelli woods for 30 min from the pier at Somaemuldo Island, you will get to Mangtaebong Peak, the top of the island. The peak is a natural observatory to enjoy the many islands of Tongyeong and Geoje Haeguemgang River. The view of Deungdaesum Island is indescribably beautiful. Somaemuldo Island is also one of the best tourist sites toward the end of the year because of the magnificent view of the sunset and sunrise.The highlight of Somaemuldo Island is Deungdaesum Island, also called 'Haegeumdo.' This island is so small that it takes only 20 min to walk around. The white lighthouse on the hill and green grass make for romantic scenery. The lighthouse, which is the only facility on the island, was bulit by Japan during the Japanese Colonial Period (1910-1945). The 150-meter waterway from Somaemuldo Island to Deungdaesum Island is where the miracle of Moses takes place. Two islands are connected with a gravel road twice a day when the tides ebb. Deungdaesum Island, covered with wild camomiles from late October to early November, is especially fantastic.


Jeollanam-do(Sinan-gun)

Hongdo Island is located 115 km southwest of Mokpo Harbor. It is composed of about 20 islands, and because it has an usual reddish-brown color about it, it is called Hongdo (Red Island). When the sun sets over the island, the whole area takes on a reddish hue.The seashore is bordered by towering sea cliffs with diverse shapes of rocks. With the blue sea and green forest, it remains the most spectacular sight in the Southern Sea. Hongdo Island has 33 officially designated beautiful sceneries, but the most famous of them all is the Hongdosipkyeong. Along with Nammun Rock and Seokhwagul Cave, Hongdosipkyeong shows off the beauty of Hongdo Island, and if you take a ferry to the island, you can see almost all of Hongdosipkyeong. It takes about 2 hours to go around the island, and you can explore the mysterious nature and its beauty. On the island, there are about 270 kinds of evergreens and 170 types of animals. As the government wanted to preserve the natural state of the island, it was designated as a Natural Preserved Area in 1965, and since 1981, has became part of Dadohae Marine National Park. With forests of pine trees and chestnut trees, it is also the native home of the very rare daeyeoppung reed.Because the entire island of Hongdo has been declared a Natural Monument, people are not allowed to enter areas other than the villages and designated tourist areas. Because of this, you cannot bring out even one stone or a pocket of grass from the island. Visitors that break the rules will be fined.