Gangwon-do(Hwacheon-gun)

Yanguidae Wetland Protected Area located between Peace’s Dam and Ojak-gyo is home to a variety of critical species deemed to have a significant value that is worthy to protect. Left untouched for 50 years due to the conflicts between North and South Korea, the area has a well preserved ecosystems. Efforts to conserve this ecosystem and guarding otter nests are needed.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

In honor of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, Suwon adopted the idea of ‘restrooms with culture’- building beautiful, clean, brand new bathrooms at main tourist sites around the city. The Firefly Restroom, located near the Gwanggyo Reservoir, is the most beautiful of them all. It features a tunnel for the handicapped, a ceiling which filters light, a simple interior, a coffee vending machine, and a rest area.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

A memorial park for the world-renowned composer Isang Yun was created in Docheon-dong, Tongyeong-si where the great composer was born. The Isang Yun Memorial Park consists of several sections including an exhibition hall displaying the composer’s legacy; a multi-purpose lounge, serving coffee and selling souvenirs; a Memorial Hall, where all kinds of performances and seminars take place; and Gyeongsa Square, an outdoor event venue.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju, Seochulji Pond dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period. There are two, three-storied stone pagodas in the heart of Namsan Village and a small, elegant pond to the east. The pond is famous thanks to a Korean legend, written below: In the 10th year of King Soji (488) of Silla, a crow and a mouse approached the king as he was on his way to Namsan Mountain. The mouse told the King to “follow after the crow” for an easy journey. So, the King and his servant (who was traveling with him) followed the crow, but became distracted and lost their way. As they were wandering about a pond (now known as Seochulji), an old man appeared from the waters’ depths and presented an envelope to the King. Based on the message in the envelope, the King instructed his servant to fire an arrow at the Geomungo (Korean musical instrument) case nearby. The shot killed the queen and a monk who had been hiding there, both of whom had been hatching a plot against the King. The name of the pond, “Seochulji” (literally meaning “writing from the pond”) originates from this legend. It is said that a man named Imjeok built a building by the pond in the 5th year of King Hyeonjong (1664) to enjoy the scenery. The simple, yet elegant building still remains at the northwest of the pond.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Located at the foot of Mt. Hamwol, Gulgulsa is the only temple cave in Korea. The temple was built out of solid rock during the 6th century by Saint Gwang Yoo and some accompanying monks, and was designed according to the architectural structure of India.On the top of the temple stands a sculpture of the Maya Tathagata Buddha and surrounding the sculpture are twelve rock caves used as a prayer sanctuary. Seven of the twelve rock cave sanctuaries are still standing today. Golgulsa’s main attractions are the sculpture of the Maya Tathagata Buddha and the Gwaneum Cave.The Buddha sculpture displays the characteristics of the Shilla Buddha, and is 4 meters high. The Buddha has his hair in a topknot, has a calm smile, narrow eyes, small lips, and a long narrow nose. To protect the sculpture of any damage from the wind or rain, a glass ceiling has been installed in the Gwaneum Cave, which is the largest sanctuary of the seven still existing caves.The main Buddha of this cave is the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, and the cave walls are dedicated to the 108 meditations of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. The Gwaneum Cave has a wall with tiles in front of it, which makes it look like an ordinary sanctuary. But once inside, the entire interior from ceiling to walls is carved all from stone. Golgulsa is unlike any other temple. The road to the temple offers an exciting thrill similar to that of rock climbing. Safety ropes and railings surround Golgulsa. A risky climb up a long set of stairs finally leads up to the caves, including Gwaneum Cave, Jijang Cave, and Yaksa Cave.The Maya Tathagata Buddha can only be seen after climbing the rock walls and holding on tightly to the safety ropes, but only past the cave-like rock that juts out.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Hello Kitty Island is a special exhibition hall, themed around Hello Kitty, beloved by many people all over the world. Visitors can enjoy the many various exhibits, comprised of a gift shop, Kitty History Hall, Art Education Hall, Music Education Hall, Art Gallery, World Gallery Hall, Trip around the World Gallery Hall, Constellation Education Hall, Planned Gallery, Hello Kitty Café, 3D Theater, Outdoor Modeling Gallery, and more. At Hello Kitty Café, hot coffee is served along with sweet deserts.


Gyeonggi-do(Uijeongbu-si) , Uijeongbu

The Uijeongbu Arts Center (의정부 예술의전당) is a multipurpose cultural space that maintains a large theater, a small theater, an international conference hall, and an exhibition hall. The large theater is a spacious performance hall that can support 300 on-stage performers and accommodate an audience of 1,057 persons. The theater has a multifunctional, three-dimensional, moving stage and state-of-the-art stage-lighting and sound facilities, making it a suitable venue for all genres, including orchestras, plays, dance performances, operas, and musicals. Despite its size, the small theater’s lighting and sound facilities match those of the large theater, and the facility can easily support a wide array of lively performances, including plays, chamber music, recitals, choral concerts, and other types of concerts, as well as experimental works. The exhibition hall is comprised of a large, round exhibition hall and two general exhibition halls, and its facilities are able to support any type of exhibition, irrespective of the field or size, such as drawings, calligraphy, sculptures, crafts, or photography. At the international conference hall, various symposiums, workshops, and academic seminars can be easily held, maintaining 109 seats for conference attendees, 68 seats for audience members, simultaneous interpretation facilities for up to five languages, and an audio-video control room. 


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Maengbang Beach is the ideal place for families because of its shallow waters (about 1-1.5m) and various facilities nearby. Visitors can enjoy strolling along the 4-kilometer stretch of beach or in the dense forest nearby. Many events are held during the summer season, including a race along the beach, trout and flounder catching contests, and a clam catching contest. The popular Korean movie, One Fine Spring Day was filmed here.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

The town of Goryeong is four hours outside of Seoul, and features many relic sites of Daegaya around the whole district of Goryeong-gun. Around the first century, Daegaya was formed in the Nakdonggang River’s downstream area in the lower Korean peninsula, flourished independently for 520 years (AD 42~562), and declined after the 6th century. After its decline, part of it was annexed by Silla (57 BC ~ AD 935), and the rest annexed by Baekjae (18 BC~AD 60), and became a forgotten tribal kingdom.On King Jinheung’s (reign 540~576) 23rd year of reign it became the district of Daegaya, and the name was changed to the district of Goryeong on King Gyeongdeok’s (reign 742~765) 16th year of reign.This is the place where you can view the country’s first Sunjangmyo (tomb where many dead people were buried together), called Jisandong Gobungun, Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, and Treasure No. 605, the pre-eminent relics site of the Prehistoric Period called Yangjeondong Amgakhwa, and other various cultural assets.There is a large, ancient tomb with a diameter of 20m, built on the ridgeline of the mountain, and as you go down the mountain, there are 159 other tombs of smaller scale. The largest tomb in the south side is called the Geumrim Royal Tomb, and the other large tombs near it are presumed to be tombs of royalty or aristocrats.At the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, site of the restored No. 44 tomb, you can see the ancient custom of burying the living with the dead (Royalty buried with their retainers). The dome-style exhibit hall displays Sunjangseokgwak, ironware, pottery and other various excavated relics.


Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun)

The Damyang Resort Spa is well equipped for large groups of people since it possesses 1,260 lockers in its men’s/women’s hot springs spa. Here there are a variety of event spas, an open-air spa so people can enjoy the outdoors, a jjimjilbang, a skincare beauty center, and a massage center. The nutrients found in Damyang Spa’s hot spring waters are said to cleanse the blood, effectively relieves stress, treat arthritis, and are great for your skin.