Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

Hwajinpo (화진포) is named so because there are sweet briers that bloom by the lake, and it is one of nature’s great lagoons. It is designated Gangwon Provincial Monument No. 10 with a circumference of about 16 km, and it has a wide reed field which is an important place for migratory birds and swans in the winter. Hwajinpo Lake is surrounded by evergreens and white sandy beaches; it is a lagoon where the river and the sea meet. Materials drifting down the river deposited at the bottom of the river become a sandy beach that eventually block off the river from the sea, creating a lagoon. Hwajinpo Lake is the largest lagoon near the East Sea, and has many ancient artifacts around it, such as the Ten Goindol rocks (also called Jiseokmyeo) scattered around the lake. Because of its excellent scenery, Kim Il-Seong (1912-1994) of North Korea and the South Korean president Lee Seung-Man (1875-1965) had summer houses here after the independence of Korea in 1945. The two houses that originally faced each other with the lake at the center are gone now, but the sites still remain as tourist destinations. They have been converted to Hwajinpo’s Museum of History, and opened to public as a security exhibit center.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)

The Cheongnamdae (청남대) is a presidential vacation villa located near Daecheong Dam (대청댐) in Cheongwon-gu, Chungcheongbuk-do. The former president Chun Doo-hwan was greatly impressed by the scenic surroundings while attending the ceremony for the completion of Daecheong Dam in 1980. The construction of Cheongnamdae started in June, 1983 and was completed in six months (December). Cheongnamdae, built on a 560,000 pyeong-wide area, means ‘Cheongwadae in a warm southern land’ in Korean. South Korean presidents would stay in this remote vacation villa 4-5 times (or sometimes 7-8 times) a year during summer vacation or national holidays. In total, Korean presidents have stayed here nearly 400 days over 88 visits in two decades.There were four presidential villas including the one in Gimhae in the past. During Kim Young-sam’s administration, however, all but Cheongnamdae were closed. Cheongnamdae, which had been closed to the public for twenty years, was finally opened to the public on April 18, 2003 by former president Roh Moo-hyun. Visitors can view a music fountain inside the ecological wetland garden (990㎡), hike a 3.3km mountain trail and visit the Hoban Promenade (8km), or simply take a pleasant walk along a beautiful trail, and enjoy the scenic landscape of Daecheongho Lake.* Geographical Location Cheongnamdae is located in Munui-myeon, Cheongwon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. Encircled by mountain peaks including Oksaebong Peak, Wolchulbong Peak, Mt. Jakdusan and Sowibong Peak, it is completely hidden. The beautiful Daecheongho Lake surrounds the presidential vacation villa as well and many feng-shui masters have declared this spot to be the finest in Korea. * Size1) Site area: 330 land parcel area, 558,000 pyeong (1,844,628.1 ㎡)2) Buildings: 46 houses / 3,377 pyeong (11,163.64 ㎡)


Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)

Daecheong Dam (대청댐) is a multi-purpose dam consisting of a 72m-tall and 495m-long concrete gravity dam and rockfill dam. It is located where Daejeon and Chungcheongbuk-do meet. The observatory, located at Palgakjeong Service Area, offers a great view of Daecheongho Lake (대청호). A variety of fascinating items are displayed in the Water Culture Center (물문화관) on the left bank of Daecheong Dam. A nearby grassy meadow promises a relaxing and comfortable rest, while local delicacies such as freshwater fish stew and marinated grilled eel are a delight to taste.


Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

The villa of Kim Ilsung, former leader of North Korea, is perhaps better known as the Castle of Hwajinpo, for its fortress-like exterior. The villa was used as a summer house not only by the Kim family, but also by high-level members of the Communist Party from 1948 to 1950. The interior of the castle keeps history alive through a set-up of personal items and materials used by the Kim family. There is one photo in particular of a young Kim Jongil standing at the foot of the stairs that brings a sense of intimacy to this secretive family.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

The Animation Museum is the only animation museum in Korea. The exhibition hall on the first floor shows the origin, development and types of animation, techniques and process of making amination, history of the development of animation-related equipment, and the history of Korean animation. On the second floor are Chuncheon Hall, US Hall, Japan Hall, Europe Hall, and Other Regions Hall (Asia and other regions), where visitors can get to know the history of animation throughout the world. In addition, various activity programs await visitors, like watching 3D animation films, experiencing audio effects/dubbing and shooting stop-motion animation.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Jecheon-si)

Located along the national highway between Jecheon and Wonju, Baeron Holy Ground has great spiritual significance as it served as the fountainhead of the spread of Catholicism in Korea. During the early years of Catholicism in Korea, Catholics fleeing from the Sinhae Persecution (1791) came to this place, formed a community, and made their faith deeper. A man named Hwang Sa-yeong (Alexander, 1775–1801) hid in a tunnel and wrote letters about the situation of the Joseon Catholic Church on silk fabrics, but was captured and martyred in 1801. Baeron is a historic place where Joseon’s first theological school, St. Joseph Theological School, was founded, but the school was eventually shut down. The graves of Fr. Tomas Choe Yang-eop (1821–1861), Korea’s second Roman Catholic priest, and the Martyr Hwang Sa-yeong Memorial Tower can be seen at Baeron Holy Ground. Baeron Holy Ground is surrounded by rugged mountains such as Guhaksan Mountain and Baegunsan Mountain and Chiaksan Mountain. The mountain path from the holy ground eventually leads to Bakdaljae Natural Forest.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Chungju-si)

Eagle Valley Ski Resort Sledding Hill (Formerly Sajo Resort) is situated in the central region of Korea and is easily accessible from all areas of Korea. It is located near Suanbo Hot Springs, a hot springs resort with crystal clear water and outstanding facilities. Other attractions in the area include Wolaksan National Park, Danyang Palgyeong (Eight Scenic Sites of Danyang), and Mungyeong Ceramic Art Village.The sledding hills at the resort have one slope that is 165m in length and another that is 120m in length. High-quality snow covers the sledding hills, promising a fast, fun ride.


Gyeonggi-do(Namyangju-si) , Namyangju

Dasan Heritage Site is located in the hometown of Dasan Jeong Yak-Yong (1762~1836), a scholar from the late Joseon Dynasty. Growing up in the village, Dasan criticized corruption, and tried to reform outdated institutions and conventions. During his long exile, Dasan authored "Mongminsimseo" (a book on how to rule the people) and "Gyeongseyupo" (a book on how to reform land policies, stabilize people's lives, and strengthen the nation and its army) among others. Today, Dasan is regarded as one of the greatest scholars of Silhak (Realist school of Confucianism) of the late Joseon Dynasty.At Dasan Heritage Site, Dasan's birthplace, Yeoyudang, grave and works are well preserved. Dasan Memorial showcases the scholar's achievements and footprints such as Geojunggi, a traditional equipment used to lift heavy objects in the Suwon Fortress construction, and the miniature Gangjin Dasan Chodang, where he lived in exile. Dasan Cultural Center houses Dasan's numerous writings and books.


Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si) , Ilsan

Seooreung (서오릉) is composed of Gyeongneung (경릉, the tomb of the posthumously designated rulers, King Deokjong and Queen Sohye), Changneung (창릉, the tomb of King Yejong, the 8th ruler, and Queen Ansun), Hongneung (홍릉, the tomb of Queen Jeongseong, a consort to King Yeongjo, the 21st ruler), Ingneung (익릉, the tomb of Queen Ingyeong, a consort to King Sukjong) and Myeongneung (명릉, the tomb of King Sukjong, the 19th ruler, and his two wives, Queen Inhyeon and Queen Inwon).Seooreung is the second largest royal burial site of the Joseon Dynasty after Donggureung. In Korean, the mausoleums of Kings and Queens are named “Reung” or “Neung”, the tombs of Kings’ parents, Crown Princes and Princesses are called “Won”, and the tombs of princes and princess are called “Myo”.In addition to the five “Reung”s (the tombs of the Kings and Queens) in Seooreung, there are three “Won”s. These include Sunchangwon (순창원, the tomb of Crown Prince Sunhoe and Crown Princess Gonghoebin), Sugyeongwon (수경원, the tomb of King Yeongjo’s concubine, Yeongbin) and Yeonghoewon (영회원, King Injo’s son, Crown Prince Sohyeon and Crown Princess Minhoebin). Also, Daebinmyo, the grave of Janghuibin who was King Sukjong’s concubine and King Gyeongjong’s mother, was recently moved to Seooreung.


Chungcheongnam-do(Cheonan-si)

Located at the foot of Mt. Taejosan, Gakweonsa Temple can be spotted 3 kilometers from Cheonhoji pond near Cheonan Interchange. It was enshrined on May 9, 1977 to pray for the reunification of North and South Korea. The temple contains a bronze statue of Buddha, which is 15m in x_height, 30m circumference, has 175cm long ears, 30cm long nails and weighs 60 tons.It is the biggest temple next to Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju and it is gaining popularity as Cheonan’s new tourist attraction.