Gyeonggi-do(Pyeongtaek-si) , Pyeongtaek


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

The name of Heungguksa Temple means “if the country prospers, the temple does well.” The temple was established to pray for the country to flourish. Located on Yeongchwisan Mountain, Heunaguksa was founded by Bojo Guksa in 1195.Within the compound are other buildings including Wontongjeon, Palsangjeon and Daeungjeon (Main Hall). The temple’s main hall (Treasure 396) is open in its structure and equipped with Korean traditional doors. A Buddhist painting named Hubultaenghwa is designated as Treasure No. 578. At the entrance to the temple is a rainbow-shaped stone bridge called Honggyo Bridge (Treasure No. 563), which is widely known as a distinguished work of art.On Yeongchwisan Mountain, azaleas begin to bloom in early April and completely take over the mountain by the end of the month. Azalea blossoms create an extravagant view along the ridgeline of Yeongchwibong Peak (439m above sea level) and Jillyebong Peak (510m above sea level). During this period, the Mount Yeongchwisan Azalea Festival takes place.


Chungcheongnam-do(Seosan-si)

Situated in a dense forest in Sangwangsan Mountain (altitude: 307m) and located 6km away from Haemi-myeon, Gaesimsa Temple is one of four temples in the province of Chungcheongnam-do. The path from a parking lot to the temple site is quite remote and curved, but beautiful especially in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.The temple was built in 1484 during the 15th year of King Seongjong and designated as Treasure No. 143. Visitors can easily recognize the temple, as it uses bent tree trunks for pillars.


Chungcheongnam-do(Taean-gun)

Clean and well-preserved, Resom Ocean Castle is an excellent membership resort located at the center of Taean Seashore National Park in the land of nature, Anmyeondo Island. This highly-modernized seashore resort offers recreational, cultural and business facilities as well as leisure sports.With excellent lodging facilities and installment of extensive communication networks, as well as a variety of recreational areas, Aqua World, the complex resort combines numerous convenience facilities.The unique water park, Aqua World has been very popular since its opening. High quality sulfur seawater is used which is pumped up from 420m below ground. Located within the resort which blends in with pine tree forests, blue sea and sandy beach, Aqua World contains the mud beauty spa center (3558 sq. ft.), sulfur sea water sauna, massage spa, Spa Therapy as well as an outdoor spa. 


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

The Jeju Horse Park offers a venue to understand Jeju’s horse culture in an easy and fun way. The park has kept intact a 600-year nomadic cultural history of nomadic cultures at the site of the Gasi-ri village which used to house Gammajang, the place for raising the best horse during Joseon Dynasty. The park includes the Jeju Horse Museum, Ttarabi horseback riding place, Maeum Cafe, Mongol Ger Guesthouse, camping site, art shop, and an experience place to focus on the Project for a New Cultural Space Creation through the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The Jeju Horse Museum was the first national museum created by a village and its main theme covers the history and culture of the village is also regarded as a new kind of community business model. * Opened on September 8, 2012


Gyeonggi-do(Hwaseong-si) , suwon

Yongjusa Temple is 5-minutes walk away from Yungneung (the joint tomb of King Jangjo and Queen Heongyeong) and Geolleung (the joint tomb of King Jeongjo, the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Hyoui). The temple was built by King Jeongjo to protect Hyeollyungwon (현륭원), the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado.This site was originally the location of Garyangsa Temple, which was constructed in AD854, the 16th year of King Munseong of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was very famous as it was surrounded by beautiful mountains and crystal clear waters. However, the temple was destroyed by fire during the Byungjahoran (the second Manchu invasion of Korea). During the Joseon Dynasty, King Jeongjo moved the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado (or posthumously designated King Jangjo), to this spot, and built Yongjusa Temple here to pray for the repose of his father’s soul. It is said that one night before the temple was completed, King Jeongjo dreamed of a dragon ascending to the sky holding a magic ball in its mouth. He therefore named the temple “Yongjusa”, which means the temple of a dragon with a magic ball in Korean.The courtyard of the temple contains Beomjong (the Sacred Bell of Yongjusa Temple, National Treasure No. 120), a stupa (stone pagoda), Daeungbojeon (the main hall) and Cheonboru Pavilion. Visitors to Yongjusa Temple can also find the “Bumoeunjunggyeong (부모은중경)” books, which were written by King Jeongjo on the subject of filial affection and respect for one’s parents. These days Yongjusa temple and the Yungneung and Geolleung tombs are highly valued for their cultural heritage.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Sogeumgang Valley located on the east side of Mt. Odaesan, and because the mountain scenery looks as if a crane ('Cheonghak') was spreading its wings, it was also called Cheonghak Dongsogeum. But after it became part of Mt. Odaesan National Park, it is now referred to by its current name, Sogeumgang Valley. It was designated as Famous Site No. 1 in 1970, and it occupies almost a quarter of the Mt.Odaesan National Park. Sogeumgang is the name used by scholar Yul-Gok of Joseon Period (1392~1910) when he wrote a book called Cheonghaksangi, and that name became its name. They say these mountains resemble Mt. Geumgangsan’s scenery, only miniaturized, hence the name Sogeumgang, meaning “small Geumgang”. Near Sogeumgang is Geumgangsa Temple, and there are the words “Sogeumgang” written by Yeol-Gok himself.Sogeumgang, starting with Mureung Valley as center, is divided lower half and upper half. The lower half is called Oesogeumgang and the upper half is called Naesogeumgang. Oesogeumgang includes the Geumgangmun, Chwiseonam, and Bibong Waterfall areas, and Naesogeum includes Samseonam, Sesim Waterfall, and Cheongsim Waterfall areas. Besides these, there are also Mureung Valley, Yeonjuam, Manmulsang and other well-known places, as well as Sipjaso pond that is shaped like a cross, Baekmabong, Okryudong, Sikdangam, and others. At the top of the mountain is Amisanseong (or Geumgangsanseong fortress), said to have been built by Mauitaeja (Silla 56th King, reign 927~935) a thousand years ago, to relieve himself of the grief of losing his kingdom. To the right of Mt Hwangbyeongsan is Noinbong Peak, and to the left is Maebong Peak. The current down from Noinbong Peak goes on for about 13 km and becomes Sogeumgang, which has many rocks, swamps, and waterfalls as well. Also, Sogeumgang has pine trees, various kinds of plants, bandal bear, woodpeckers, mountain sheep and other animals, making the area very valuable for ecology or biosphere studies. Sogeumgang is also famous for its winter snow flowers.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si)

Jeju Country Club, which was the first club to be opened in Jeju, is located 560m ground above sea level. You can enjoy the uniqueness of the fields blooming with Bo-tree flowers in the spring, eoksae flowers in the fall, as well as enjoying golf in the summer. With Mt. Hallasan in the background, the golfer can enjoy the wide-open grassland in harmony with the ocean. It has also hosted the ‘Johnny Walker Skins game’ in 1995, with the world’s best golfers.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Yeongdong-gun)

Nangye Korean Traditional Music Experience Center was established to celebrate the musical talents of Nangye Park Yeon and preserve it. Furthermore, the center contributes to making Yeongdong the origin of gukak (Korean music), featuring a hub of gukak (Korean music) as well as world-famous traditional culture. Near the experience center, Nangye Korean Classical Music Museum, Nangyesa Shrine, and Nangye Gukak Instrument Production Village are situated to further experience the spirit and soul of Park Yeon. Nangye Korean Traditional Music Experience Center offers opportunities to play musical instrument as much as visitors want. Also, professional lecturers who majored in gukak (Korean music) work in the center to assist visitors in handling Korean musical instruments such as gayageum (Korean twelve-stringed zither), geomungo (Korean six-stringed musical instrument), janggu (double-headed drum with a narrow waist in the middle), haegeum (traditional Korean stringed instrument), and buk (drum).  


Gyeonggi-do(Yangpyeong-gun) , Yangpyeong

Batangol Arts Center is located in Yangpyeong. Because of the wonderful scenery of the surrounding lake and mountains, many people visit throughout the year. Batangol Arts Center is not merely a concert or exhibition hall, but also a place for visitors to participate in artistic activities and become artists themselves. It is a highly recommended place for foreigners who want to experience traditional Korean culture. You can participate in various activities at the art gallery, workshop, the ceramics workshop and the outdoor exhibition of the Batangol Art Center. One place you should not miss is the ceramics workshop. Here you can have the chance to actually make ceramics yourself. It is an interesting and fun experience for foreigners. After you finish shaping the mud clay, your work is completed by being baked in a traditional Korean pottery kiln. You can create your personal painting using the various dyeing materials. In the Hand-made Paper Room you can make paper with mulberry.Try making a card or a frame with the hand-made paper. It will be a nice present for friends and family. At the Batangol theater you can watch various genres of performances, from musicals to concerts. After seeing the artwork at the gallery, you can head to the cafe. It is a refreshing space where you can have a cup of tea while enjoying Mother Nature outside the window. The soothing scenery will x_heighten your taste buds and make the tea all the more refreshing. If you want to grab a bite before you leave Batangol, you can go to the Korean traditional restaurant, "Waegajip Bapsang." They have traditional dishes and snacks such as ramyeon and tteokbokki. There are more restaurants near the entrance of the Arts Center.