Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Seogwipo Natural Recreation Forest is found along the east of 1100 Road which stretches across west of Hallasan Mountain, connecting Jeju-si and Seogwipo-si’s Jeju Jungmun Resort. Forests composed of various plant species fill the reserve along while serving as a habitat for rare animals such as pheasants, roe deer, etc. Modern and convenient forest lodgings, water activities, and walking trails are available for visitors to enjoy. There is also an observatory deck that offers a bird’s-eye view of Jeju World Cup Stadium, Jeju Convention Center, and Gwanghan Jungmun Tour Resort that stretches over 3.5 million ㎡.


Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si) , Ilsan

Wondang Ranch became famous as it was used as a drama filming site. It includes some dangerous facilities and therefore there are certain restrictions to the public. Inside the ranch, visitors can watch horses taking a leisure walk on the pasture.The ranch is a place for training jockeys and horse-related workers, and do not serve as a citizen’s park. Hence, drinking, cooking, making noises, engaging in any forms of sports including balls, installing tents are prohibited in this area. In addition, all visitors must clear their leftovers, if any before leaving.* Area: approx. 363,638㎡ (110,000 pyeong)* Grass field: approx. 165,290㎡ (50,000 pyeong)


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

Buljonggeori Road, where a huge bronze Buddhist temple bell sculpture is located, is lined with 23,000 blocks engraved with the names of foreigners. The colorful blocks on the ground consist not only of diverse names of international tourists, but also include the names of renowned Korean celebrities such as Jeon Ji-hyeon, f(x)’s Krystal Jung, 4Minute, Kara and other popular Korean stars.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Namhae-gun)

Daraengi Village in Namhae is famous for terraced rice paddies on a steep hill on the outskirts of Mt. Seolheul reaching almost 500 meters. The rice paddies with 108 steps (consisting of stones and soil) are very picturesque and great for taking photographs. Located in the south, the village is balmy in winter, and spring greens (such as mugwort and spinach) sprout before any other place in Korea. Environment-friendly agriculture flourishes because the sea breeze prevents insect pests.This land of friendly people and fertile soil is home to Daraengi Rice Paddy Festival every spring. The festival offers a slew of interesting programs allowing visitors to experience traditional farming and learn cultural and natural heritage in Daraengi Village: Harrowing a Field, Straw Rope Ssireum (Korean Wrestling), Rice Planting, Running on Rice Paddies, Carrying a Wooden Carrier, and colorful performance events.


Gyeonggi-do(Yeoncheon-gun)

The Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site (전곡리 선사유적지), is a prime site on the Korean peninsula for the study of Paleolithic relics, and was unearthed after the discovery of a stone implement by an American soldier who was visiting an amusement park near Hantangang River in the winter of 1978. It was identified as an Acheulean Paleolithic stone implement by an expert, and gained the attention of experts from around the world. The Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site is situated on a basalt deposit that was likely formed during the Precambrian era. More than 3,000 relics have been discovered, allowing extensive Paleolithic research not only by Korean, but also international experts. The Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site also maintains a Paleolithic Relics Hall, an archive, and other facilities for visitors. There are also outdoor sculptures that represent daily life during the Paleolithic era, erected with the intent of preserving the natural aesthetic. Together, the facilities and sculptures aid our understanding of the Paleolithic era.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Jinju-si)


Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

Punch Bowl in Yanggu-gun Gangwon-do is a highland basin situated 400-500 meters above sea level. The name "Punch Bowl" comes from the basin's resemblance to a large punch bowl. The town has around 1,700 residents, and is the only town that is located inside the Civilian Access Control Line. Along with the nearby Daeamsan Mountain, Punch Bowl was once a ferocious battlefield during the Korean War. Several monuments were erected in memory of the deceased souls, while some remnants of the War still remain in the basin. Since the War, civilian access has been limited to Punchbowl and Daeamsan Mountain, allowing the natural environment in the area virtually unscathed. Rare flora and fauna reside in the area, and on top of the Daeamsan Mountain is Yongneup Swamp (Natural Monument No.246), Korea's one and only high moor and time-honored treasure trove for the ecosystem. Also, there is the 4th Infiltration Tunnel that was unearthed in March 1990. Unlike the rest of the tunnels (1st, 2nd and 3rd Tunnels), visitors can go into the tunnel riding in a cable car. From the Eulji Observatory nearby, visitors may enjoy the view of the four peaks of Naegeumgang area including the Birobong of Geumgangsan Mountain. To enter the tunnel and the observatory, visitors must fill out an entry application at the Yanggu Unification Center.


Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si) , Ilsan

First built in 132 during the Baekje Era (BC 18-AD 660), Bukhansanseong Fortress, located inside Bukhansan Mountain National Park, was rebuilt as a stone fortress in 1711, during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The walls are 7 meters high, and 8km long. Bukhansanseong Fortress functioned as resting place for kings in emergencies when they had to abandon their palaces in the capital city and retreat. Therefore, Bukhansanseong Fortress was built to stand totally independent of the capital city.There are 15 gates to guard the fortress. With its 120 rooms, it was not as magnificent as the king’s palace, but enough for an emergency mountain palace. Especially making use of the ridgeline continuing on south from Baegundae Peak, Bukhansanseong Fortress was built to take advantage of the rough terrain and the cliffs of its surrounding area.The fortress has the fortification style representative of the Joseon Period, and its traditional architecture blends in beautifully with Bukhansan's scenery, famous for its lovely granite shapes. The fortress enclosure allows you to follow its walls on a leisurely walk. In the fall, the leaves turning color on the mountain make the fortress very picturesque.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

Goryeong was the old capital of Daegaya (42-562 AD), a city-state of the Gaya confederacy that once spanned the region now occupied by Gyeongsangnam-do Province to the south of the Korean peninsula. The city of Goryeong played such a central role in the development of the confederacy that many artifacts and historic sites of the Daegaya period can still be found there today. Some of the most prominent landmarks are the 200 gobuns (ancient tombs) that lie along the southeastern slope of Jusan Mountain in Goryeong. In ancient times, the higher and larger a tomb, the higher the social status of the person buried inside. Given this tradition and historical evidence, the largest tomb in the south has been identified as Geumnim Wangneung (Royal Tomb of King Geumnim); the other large tombs are also presumed to be those of the kings of Daegaya. The large royal tombs (over 20m in diameter) dominate the mountain ridge (the highest point) while mid-sized and smaller tombs can be found on the mountain slopes and foothills. Historical research on Daegaya began with the excavation and partial identification of the ancient tombs of Goryeong by research teams from Kyungpook National University and Keimyung University in 1977. Excavators discovered a great number of relics—gilt-bronze crowns, swords, armor, and trinkets of gold, silver, and jade—that shed light on the flourishing culture of Gaya. To continue to encourage interest in the history and culture of Daegaya, officials of Goryeong-gun County established the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall at the foot of Jusan Mountain in Gobun-gun, Jisan-dong. The exhibition hall depicts the social structure of the era through ancient customs such as burying servants alive with their dead masters.


Jeollanam-do(Yeongam-gun)

The district of Jeollanam-do is located on the western coast, bordering Jangheung-gun in the east, a narrow bay in the west, Haenam-gun and Gangjin-gun to the south, and Naju-si to the north. Its entire area spans over a 565.9 ㎢, with a population of almost 60,000 (as of January, 2015) and is divided into of 121 ri, 9 myeon,and 2 eup. Its county office is in Dongmu-ri, Yeongam-eup. * Nature Having Noryeongsanmaek Mountain range descending from the top of Cheonwangbong Peak (alt. 809 m), Wolchulsan Mountain forms the mountain ranges in the southeast. The northwest district features flatlands unfolding toward the vicinity of the Yeongsangang River and Yeongsanho Lake, and the southeast area mainly features rolling hills. Nearly 20 streams, including Yeongamcheon Stream, begin in the vicinity of Wolchunsan Mountain and other nearby mountains, passing by the plains and joining up with the Yeongsangang River. The river eventually flows into Seohae (West Sea) through an estuary at the mouth of the Yeongsangang River in Samho-myeon. * Culture The Yeongbo Cultural Event is a folk event held by each myeon (township) of Yeongam-gun every 5th of May. Also, Yeongbo Aehyanghoe, organized and held in Deokjin-myeon, has been giving awards for filial children since 1979, and also holds a gukak (traditional Korean music) festival to honor the independence movement of Hyeongjebong Peak in May 1931 by inviting of survivors and bereaved families. During the feast, various folk games take place, as well as Jehyang (an ancestral ritual). Wangin Culture Festival is also held in the area of Yeongam to view the achievements of Dr. Wangin, who spread knowledge, culture, and art of Japan using Chunhyangdaeje, Doil Parade, Dopoje juldarigi (tug-of-war), Yeoseoksan Ssangpae nongak (farming music), as well as food exhibitions from each eup and myeon units. Folk games of this area include hwaetbul nori (torch parade), yut nori (Korean board game), juldarigi (tug-of-war), and ganggangsullae (Korean circle game). In particular, ganggangsullae is mainly done by women at night on the day of Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), and it is said to have originated during the Imjinwaeran War (Japanese invasion). Also, there are other ancestral rites such as Dangsanje, Sanje, Mireukje, Saeamje, Saemje, Chonje, Jeonghoje, and others that are held at dawn on the 15th of January on the Lunar calendar.