Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

Yeongnangho Lake is actually a naturally formed lagoon with a depth of 1.21 Km2 and a circumference of 7.8 Km. The name ‘Yeongnangho’ originated in Silla Period (57 BC – AD 935), when a young man named Hwarang and his friend Yeongnang were returning from the Geumgansan Mountains and they encountered a lake. Awestruck at the beauty of the lake they named it after Yeongnang.Nearby Yeongnangho Lake is a resort with a golf course and canoe rentals, as well as many pedestrian pathways that joggers enjoy in morning. When visiting the lake, one must be sure to stop by the Beombawi Rock; 'Beom' means tiger in English. This rock takes on the form of a tiger. Many visitors climb this rock to enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding area. 


Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , Former Jeju

Jeju opened an exclusive theatre for Nanta, a non-verbal performance, which has now become a representative cultural tourist item in Korea, on April 2008. The Jeju Theatre for Nanta, located at Art Theater of Jeju Media Center, has a total of 336 seats inclusive of 128 of VIP seats and 208 of S-class seats. Visitors may enjoy the exciting rhythm of Nanta, which is marking its 11th year in Jeju Island, a natural tourist attraction in Korea. The non-verbal performance has become one of the most popular events among local/international visitors to Jeju as the place has relatively fewer leisure activities to do at night.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Herbnara Farm, opened in 1994, has almost 100 kinds of herbs covering a total area of 12 k㎡. It consists of seven theme gardens, ponds and galleries including the Herb Garden, Children Garden, Fragrance Garden, and Water Garden. The uniquely decorated buildings and signs make visitors feel as if they are living in a fairy tale. Inside the farm, there are several spots for taking photos alongside the herbs; descriptions and effects are posted at each herb patch.A restaurant and cafeteria provide some dishes and drinks made of herbs cultivated on the farm. Bibimbap, steamed chicken with jeon, and the popular, herb salad with freshly picked flowers, are just some of the items on the menu. Free herbal tea is given to people who eat at the restaurant. There is also an exhibition room, which displays and sells herb related products such as herbal tea, herbal oil, herbal soap, etc.The farm can best be enjoyed from June to August and takes approximately one hour to tour the entire premises. Visitors can also enjoy the refreshing waters that run through the Heungjeong Valley at the entrance of the farm in the summer season.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

The site of Hwangnyongsa Temple is located in front of the Bunhwangsa Temple in Guhang-dong, Gyeongju. During the Silla Era, the Hwangnyongsa Temple was the nation’s largest temple and housed the bulk of the country’s major Buddhist treasures.Construction of the temple began in 553 on a field near the royal compound of Banwolseong under the commission of King Jinheung. The king originally planned to build a palace, but decided to build a temple instead, after receiving reports that a yellow dragon had been spotted on the building site. The temple was thus named Hwangnyongsa (Temple of Yellow Dragon) and was completed in 569, seventeen years after construction began. The temple murals feature an old pine tree drawn by Artist Solgeo. During the Silla Era, the temple was the center of state-sanctioned Buddhism.Later, when monk Jajang was studying in Tang, he came across a god as he was passing by the Taihe Pond. The god said to him, “the yellow dragon, which is my eldest son, is guarding Hwangnyongsa Temple upon orders of Brahma, the Creator. If you build a nine-story pagoda upon your return to Silla, the neighboring states will surrender and pay tribute, and the royal cause will be stronger. Once the construction of the pagoda is complete, prepare a memorial service for the local gods and pardon any of the country's criminals. If you follow all I have told you, no other state will dare invade Silla.”After this encounter, Jajang returned to Silla and convinced Queen Seondeok to build the nine-story pagoda. Master architect Abiji of the neighboring state Baekje designed the pagoda and the project was built by Yongchun and his 200 men using wood and stone. The night before the columns were to be erected, Architect Abiji of Baekje dreamed of the fall of Baekje and refused to complete the project. With a peal of thunder, an old monk and a man of great strength suddenly appeared from the temple's main hall, erected the columns, and magically disappeared. Abiji was so shocked at the sight that he accepted his country’s future demise as the fate of the gods and once again restarted work on the temple. (From Samgungnyusa, the Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms)In the twenty-three years following the completion of the pagoda, Queen Seondeok unified the Three Kingdoms; later, numerous scholars pointed to the pagoda as a contributing factor in the unification. Of the three treasures of Silla (the Jangyukjonsang statue, the nine-story pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple, and the Heavenly Belt of King Jinpyeong) two were located at the Hwangnyongsa Temple. The largest bell of Silla was also in Hwangnyongsa, but was taken away during the Mongol invasion. The highest monks of Silla preached at the temple, and many kings came to listen to the Buddhist teachings.During excavation work in July 1969, the massive foundation stones of the sermon hall, auditorium, and pagoda were found. Eight years of archaeological excavations and studies revealed the unique layout of the temple grounds, which consisted of one pagoda and three halls; also found were 40,000 or so ancient artifacts. Though foundation stones and other structures from the bottom of the temple were identified through excavation, there are no historical clues about the temple’s upper design, making the restoration of the temple in its entirety practically impossible. The size of the temple, based on archeological findings, was about 70 acres, roughly 8 times that of the Bulguksa Temple. 


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Heungjeong Valley is about 5 kilometers away from the town of Bongpyeong-myeon in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province. The 5-kilometer long valley that starts at Heungjeongsan Mountain has beautiful surrounding landscape. A wide variety of freshwater fish like trout inhabit the clear waters of the valley. Heungjong Valley has become a famous attraction in the Bongpyeong area along with Bongsan Seojae, the shrine of the prominent neo-Confucian scholar Yulgok (1536-1584), and Palseokjeong, a site where eight rocks stand.


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si) , Yongin

Gyeonggi Children’s Museum was Korea's first experiential museum built specifically for children. It offers interactive exhibits and educational programs, attracting children to participate in person and making them feel the joy of learning. Children can choose what they'd like to study based on their individual interests, as well as they can learn various themes and concepts that help improve their imagination and creativity. * Opening Date: September 26, 2011


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Goryeosan Mountain, once referred to as Oryeonsan, is a mountain rich in folklore. Legend has it that in the year 416 (during the reign of King Jangsu of Goguryeo), a Buddhist monk named Cheonchukguk climbed Goryeosan Mountain and found Oryeonji Pond where the five-colored lotus flowers bloomed. The monk picked the lotus flower petals and blew them into the air. He then built a temple where each of the petals had landed, naming the temples according to their corresponding color: Jeokseoksa, formerly Jeokryeonsa Temple (red lotus), Baengnyeonsa Temple (white lotus), Cheongryeonsa Temple (blue lotus), Hwangryeonsa Temple (yellow lotus), and Heungnyeonsa Temple (black lotus).Around 130 dolmens are distributed along the foot of Goryeosan Mountain. Sirumisan Mountain, on the northern side of Goryeosan Mountain is said to have been the birthplace of General Yeongaesomun of the Goguryeo Kingdom.


Busan(Haeundae-gu) , Haeundae

Songjeong Beach (송정해수욕장) is the ideal beach for families to swim together because of its shallow waters and fine sand. The white sandy beach stretches for 1.2 km, and covers an area of 62,150 square meters. The beach has the unique feel of the southern region, making the experience all the more fun. At the entrance of the beach is Jukdo, where you can find relaxation facilities in the evergreen groves. You can enjoy fishing as well at the northeast end of the beach. There is also a dock where you can use motorboats and take cruises in the summer. A particularly famous part of Songjeong Beach is the Songiljeong Pavilion, which offers a magnificent view of the sunrise and moonrise.Because this beach is a bit out of the Busan area, it is quite unlike many of the other beaches in Busan. Every year the Harvest Full-Moon Seaweed Festival and the Songjeong Beach Festival are held here, and many vacationers come to enjoy the celebrations.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

First established in 1929, the Buyeo National Museum was reopened in August 1993 at the current location. The museum has 4 exhibition halls and an outdoor exhibit with a total of about 1,000 relics on display.The Prehistoric Hall presents representative relics from the Bronze Age and the Iron Age found in Buyeo and the nearby Chungcheongnam-do area. In the History Hall, most of the exhibited relics are the remains of the Sabi Era of Baekje. The Sabi Era (538-660) was when the culture and art of the Baekje Kingdom was at its most prosperous. Buddhist statues that are well-known for ‘the smile of Baekje’ welcome you with happy faces in the Buddhist Art Hall. Numerous stone remains such as Buddha statues and stone pagodas can be found at the outdoor exhibition area.National Treasures such as the Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje (National Treasure No. 287), and the Stone Basin of Buyeo (Treasure No. 194) are also on display. Visit Buyeo National Museum to see the treasures and riches from the Baekje times and to experience the dynasty’s love of form, detail and restrained opulence.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

The Suwon Hyanggyo is one of the Confucian temple and school to teach local students in the Chosŏn Dynasty period (1392~ 1910).The Suwon Hyanggyo houses the memorial tables of Confucius, Mencius, and twenty-five notable historical Korean figures. The structure was originally built in the 22nd year of King Wonjong’s rule during the Goryeo era (918-1392) by Hwaseonggun, but was moved to its current location when Hwaseong Fortress was constructed.