Incheon(Ongjin-gun)

Sindo Island is a 16.1 km-long (6.92㎢) piece of land situated 14km northwest of Incheon and 5km south of Ganghwado Island. Its highest point is Gubongsan Mountain (178.4 meters high). The name of the island, ‘Sindo’ (meaning ‘trust’ in Korean), came from the fact that the residents of the island are trustworthy and diligent. The island is also known as ‘Jinyeom’ (meaning ‘true salt’ in Korean) since the island is known for its high-quality salt.  Though relatively small in size, the island has a diversity of geographical features. Along the southwest coast is a large bay, while the northern and southern regions are more mountainous. Wide tidelands surround the entire island and provide a habitat for rare birds including the Chinese Egret and Black-tailed Gull, which also populate nearby Sido and Modo Islands.  Residents of Sindo make their living through farming and fishing. Goby and shellfish are caught off the coast and sweet grapes are grown in the fields. The villages of the island, such as Pyeongchon in the east, Gonam-ri in the southwest and Guroji in the southwest, serve as an important fishing points for locals.  From the peak of Gubongsan Mountain, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the islands of the Yellow Sea (including Yeongjongdo Island). Travelers to Sindo can also conveniently visitor neighboring Sido Island via the 579 meter-long Yeondogyo Bridge, constructed in 1992. 


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)

Travelling from Hakdong Pebble Beach to Hammok Beach, one can glimpse the quaint village of Dojangpo Maeul. This quiet fishing village is comprised of charming little houses as well as a small ferry port. The strong ocean winds can be felt from the top of the hill overlooking Dojangpo Maeul. This hill is referred to by locals as “The Hill of Wind” or “Mangneungjandi Park,” but has yet to take on an official name. This spot is one of Geojedo’s best kept secrets. The green grass spreading across the hillside is spotted with wild flowers in the springtime and has a dreamy quality to it. Little goats can even be seen taking a rest along parts of this picturesque hillside. Visitors can sit on one of the benches overlooking the magnificent vistas. “Hoejeon-mongma” (meaning Carrousel in English) is just one of the many television shows that has been filmed here. Even though this spot has attracted many fans of TV shows shot here, it is still considered one of the hidden treasures on the island of Geojedo. The spring weather of April through June is the perfect time to pack a picnic lunch and enjoy this scenic hillside. ​


Gyeongsangnam-do(Miryang-si)

Just north of Cheonhwangsan Mountain (Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do), Eoreumgol Valley (Ice Valley) sits at an elevation between 600 and 750m and covers an area of 29,752m². Designated as Natural Monument No.224, the valley is unusual in that it begins to freeze in March when the weather becomes warm and thaws in the fall when the weather becomes cold. In the winter, the valley generates warm breezes and the water rarely freezes. Because of these unique attributes, the valley is considered one of the Four Mysteries in Miryang and attracts visitors from early summer through fall.Other notable ice valleys in Korea include Binggye Gyegok in Uiseong (Gyeongsangbuk-do), Punghyeol Naengcheon in Yanghwa Village (Jinan, Jeollabuk-do), and Aircongul in Nari Plain (Ulleungdo Island). 


Daegu(Dalseong-gun)

Nokdongseowon Confucian Academy was built in 1789 in honor of General Kim Chung-seon (1571-1642), who contributed greatly to Korea's defense from the Japanese invasions during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The Academy was shut down in 1864, and reinstated in 1885. Then, in 1972, it was moved to its current location. Today, General Kim's tablet is enshrined in this hall, where a memorial service is held every March. Nearby attractions on the grounds of Nokdongseowon include Nokdongsa Temple, Sunguidang Shrine, Hyangyangmun Gate and Chungjeolgwan Hall, which houses rifles used during the Imjin War, articles left by General Kim, as well as literature on the cultural history of Korea and Japan.


Chungcheongnam-do(Hongseong-gun)

Namdang Port is one of the representative ports of the West Coast along with Baeksajang Port in Taean. Known for catches of prawn, cockle, flat fish, rock fish and other types of seafood, the port draws visitors all year round. You’ll often see people out scouring the shoreline of the port for cockles, which are usually enjoyed as cockle shabu shabu or chargrilled cockle, top local delicacies.In September and October, many tourists flock to the port for the Daeha (prawn) Festival. The Namdangri Daeha Festival is a chance to eat and buy fresh prawn at reasonable prices and participate in programs that celebrate the fishing community. Favorite events include an ancestral ritual to pray for a plentiful catch, a fishing boat parade, singing contests, streets markets, and a ssireum (Korean wrestling) competition.Nearby attractions include the bamboo grove of Jukdo Island (10 minutes’ away by ferry) and Yongbongsan Mt., which is only a 40 minutes’ drive. Old houses of historical figures are also located in the area and include the residences of General Choi Young of the Goryeo Dynasty, Seong Sam Mun (a scholar official of the Joseon Dynasty), and General Kim Jwa Jin and Han Yong Un (independent activists).


Gangwon-do(Taebaek-si)

Situated in Taebaek in Gangwon-do, Chujeon Station is Korea’s highest train station at 855m above sea level. Visitors must pass through Jeongamgul, the second longest railway tunnel in Korea to arrive at Chujeon Station. This quiet, isolated station has attracted many visitors since it started operating the Fantastic Snow Flower Train tour in December 1998.Lying between Gohan Station and Taebaek Station, Chujeon Station offers the best of romantic winter scenery. During the renowned tour, visitors get off at the station and can enjoy the snowy winter or snow sledding for one hour.* Fantastic Snow Flower Train (Cheongnyangni Station/Yeongdeungpo Station -> Taebaek Station, December to February)* Fantastic Fall Foliage Train (Yeongdeungpo Station -> Chujeon Station, October to November) 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

A caldera basin (a large volcanic depression, caused by collapse or explosion), Nari is the largest flat area in Ulleungdo Island. Its land is well drained and composed of fertile volcanic ash soil. While most island residents are fishers, those living in the basin earn a high income by producing medicinal plants.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Yongchu Gyegok Valley is located in Mt. Daeyasan and it is the unique place where the water does not dry up throughout the year. Mt. Daeyasan, which is located in Wanjang-ri, Gaeun-eup, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is formed of sharp peaks and all different types of Giamgoeseok, and the waters that flow through the valleys do so all year long. It borders Chungbuk Goesan-gun and Gyeongbuk Mungyeong-si, and is located in Mt. Daeyasan (931m). The three-tiered Yongchu Pokpo Waterfall, located in Yongchu Gyegok Valley, is a legendary pace where two female dragons flew up to the sky. Yongchu Gyegok Valley is divided into Upper Yongchu and Lower Yongchu. The place where the water falls out of the granite foundation down to where the heart-shaped pond is, is Upper Yongchu, and below that point is Lower Yongchu. On either side of Yongchu, there are two large markings on the granite boulders, which are said to be dragon scale markings, made as they rose up to the sky. Even when other places are suffering from droughts, water flows abundantly here. Above the Yongchu Waterfall, past the base rock about 20 minutes away, you will reach Wolyeongdae. It was named after its breathtaking view of the moon reflected on the water flowing through the rocks in the valley below. Near Yongchu Gyegok Valley there is the Seonyudong Gyegok Valley, also called Seonyu Gyegok (a place of 9 sceneries) where the Okgyesu River runs through two great rocks, which look as if it is artificially split.  


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

The waters of Guramy spa come from hot springs located 500 meters underground. The hot spring waters are perfect for children and old-aged patients since they contain very little salt and are therefore hypoallergenic. The waters are believed to be effective against neuralgia, muscular pains, and even women’s diseases.Visitors can also drink the hot spring waters, which can help digestive ailments such as constipation. In addition, Guramy Spa’s hot springs water is said to gently soothe the skin to eliminate skin irritations, reduce pains, and is even great for dandruff problems.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)