Gyeongsangnam-do(Changnyeong-gun)

The hot springs have been called Bugok (the hanja characters 釜谷 refer to “cauldron” and “valley” respectively) because the land resembles the shape of a cauldron. When the spring was first discovered, people with skin ailments came in crowds because of the water’s healing properties. The sulfur and minerals in the water are effective for respiratory and skin ailments. Today, the hot springs attract 10,000~20,000 visitors a day, adding up to about 4 million people a year. Discovered in 1973, the hot springs have a 6,000-ton daily water supply flowing from underground at a temperature as high as 78℃. Bugok was officially designated a national tourist resort in 1977. Twenty years later, it was promoted to a Special Tourist Zone. Composed of 24 hot springs, the complex has hotels, condominiums, a golf course, and a fountain that shoots up hot water. The resort Bugok Hawaii has a variety of amenities including outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a theater, and saunas, making it a popular destination for newlyweds and families. The Bugok Hot Springs Festival, also called Onjeongje, is held from October to December every year to promote the area. The festival offers various activities such as a boiled egg eating contest (eggs boiled using water from the hot spring), foot baths, Pungmulnori (Korean folk music tradition) and other performances. Nearby attractions include Hwawangsan Mountain and the Upo Wetlands. [Bugok Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone] Areas covered: Geomun, Sachang and Bugok-ri, Bugok-myeon, Changnyeong-gun,Gyeongsangnam-do Area size: 4,819,000㎡


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

Gangguan Port is located in Tongyeong close to the sea, markets, cultural areas and food.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hapcheon-gun)

Located at the border between Gahoe-myeon and Daebyeong-myeon of Hapcheon, Hwangmaesan is a guardian mountain of Hapcheon but has not been popular and was hardly mentioned in hiking magazines or tourist maps. Thanks for that, the mountain has all the natural environment that has been kept untouched and undamaged. In 1983, the mountain was designated as the County Park and now, along with Gayasan, it is regarded as one of the most major mountains in Hapcheon. Hwangmaesan is beautiful during the spring season when royal azaleas are at their full blossom but the summer season when hills are covered with fresh greens or the fall when silver grasses cover the hills gloriously and even the snow flowers in the winter season are scenes not to be missed. Unlike other mountain tops, this one has a full open view so every seasonal changes are more truly experienced. It is convenient that there is a road that reaches to the top of the mountain but if time allows, hiking up to the top to see the magnificent view is recommended for visitors.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

Sureungwon is a 39,600㎡ ecological park built under the theme ‘The Meeting of King Suro and his Wife Queen Heo.’ The park connects the Royal Tomb of King Suro and the Daeseongdong Tomb Complex of the Gaya Dynasty. The east side of the park is landscaped with straight, tall trees, symbolizing King Kim Suro, while the west side of the park is full of pear, persimmon, and peach trees, representing Queen Heo. Up on the hill is a colony of Chinese linden trees, which is a symbol of Buddhism in India where Queen Heo is from. On the high grounds of the east side is a sacred Korean tree, symbolizing the birth of ancient Korea. At the center of the park is the grand ‘Gaya Plaza’ with an image that represents the meeting place of King Suro and the Queen. The plaza regularly hosts public events for visitors to the park.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hadong-gun)

Park Kyung-ri Toji-gil along the Seomjingang River is a walking path in Hadong and was the main setting for the novel Toji (The Land). The 31km path is divded into two courses: Course 1 is 19 km long and passes Pyeongsa-ri which was an important setting in the novel and, Couse 2 is a 13 km flower road, passing along National Highway Route 19.  Trekkers can enjoy the view of Seomjingang River on both courses. Course 2 includes Simni (10ri) Cherry Blossom Road to Guksaam Buddhist Hermitage. It also includes Hwagae Market, Ssanggyesa Temple, Simni Cherry Blossom Road, Buril Falls, ponds covered with lotuses and other beautiful places.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Miryang-si)

Miryang Theatre Village was etablished in 1999 and is situated in Gyeongsangnam-do Province's Miryang U-RI Theatre Institute. The Street Theatre Troupe (STT), led by the art director Lee Youn-taek, took up residence in the village, giving the village a reputation as a great place to enjoy the arts. Beginning with simple performances, the village has evolved into a popular theatre offering tour performances (across the country and abroad), theatre education, and theatre experience programs and has accumulated materials about the history of Korean theatre. The village's performance hall, Forest Theatre, is equipped with 500 seats while the indoor indoor studio theatre can accomodate 120 guests. STT shows various performances every Saturday and 40-50 performances every year, attracting over 150 visitors to each performance. In addition to performances, visitors can enjoy touring the entire village from performance halls to practice rooms and costume rooms, broadening their understanding of how theatre actually works.  


Gyeongsangnam-do(Miryang-si)

Located in Naeil-dong in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Aranggak Pavilion sits in a bamboo forest. It is said to have been built to appease the spirit of a young woman named Arang, who met an unfortunate death. According to legend, Arang was mistakenly killed by a low-ranking officer who had loved her and tried to hug her. After her death, she becomes a ghost and appears to every district magistrate (highest-ranking officer in a region) to appeal for the investigation of her unfair death, but each district magistrate dies of a heart attack. Then, a new district magistrate by the name Lee is dispatched to the area. Unlike his predecessors, Lee listens to the story of the ghost and finds the low-ranked officer who had killed her and punishes him. He found Arang’s body and holded a religious ceremony on her behalf. Aranggak was also built in her memory. Every year, an event called Arangje is held on April 16 by the lunar calendar in Aranggak Pavilion. Young maidens dressed in white hanbok perform a religious ceremony to soothe the sorrow of Arang. There is also a saying that the spirit of Arang will preserve the love of those couples who visit the pavilion together.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

Dotseom (돝섬) is an island 10 minutes off Masan Port. ‘Dot’ is an ancient name for pigs after which the island was named because its shape resembles that of a reclining pig. Gagopa Land is an amusement park located on Dotseom Island accessible by frequent ferry services that connect the island and Masan Port. Gagopa Land includes amusement facilities, restaurants and paths for walkers. On the island’s peak there is a 2000 m² wooden-floor observation deck where you can enjoy the sea view. The deck is equipped with a stage for holding various events such as sport competitions, games, balls and parties. The entire island is covered with thick forests, either manmade or naturally growing, where visitors can enjoy the abundant greenery.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

Located in Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Changwon Marine Park celebrates the nation’s marine history and culture. Major facilities at the park include the Naval Battle History Hall, the Warship Exhibition Hall, and the Marine Life Theme Park. Exhibit Hall Information Naval Battle History Hall (2-stories/1,880 square meters): - 1F: hands-on exhibition rooms about naval battles of the East and the West - 2F: themed exhibitions “Marine Force and Naval Force” and “Jinhae, the Advanced Marine Base.” Warship Exhibition Hall: - Highlights: US naval destroyer used during Korean War (size: 119m by 35m/weight: 2,500 tons), 321-ton warship, 110-ton high-speed vessel, exhibit of daily life of naval personnel, exhibit of ship interior (engine room, captain’s cabin, strategy room, etc.), warship gun “experience” Marine Life Theme Park (3 stories/shell-shaped building): - Highlights: hands-on experience room, video room, and special exhibition room about marine ecosystems


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hamyang-gun)

A lush tapestry of cool mountain valleys, majestic waterfalls, and towering peaks, Jirisan National Park has the proud distinction of being Korea’s first official national park. The Jirisan Mountain Range extends across three of Korea’s southernmost provinces: Jeollabuk-do, Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do. The mountain is home to 6 temples in the Gyeongsangnam-do area alone (Ssanggyesa Temple, Daewonsa Temple, Naewonsa Temple, Beopgyesa Temple, Chilbulsa Temple and Silsangsa Temple) and is revered in part for its stunning scenery. The Chilseon and Hansin valley areas are particularly well known for their beauty and are frequented by tourists throughout the year.