Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Located in Pyeongchang-gun of Gwangwon-do Province, Baengnyong Cave is a 1.8㎞-long, natural limestone cave. Its entrance, located 10-15㎞ above sea level, is surrounded by rocks and was once accessible only by boat. In 1976, local residents expanded a small lane in the middle of the main corridor to allow easier exploration. Alongside Donggang River, the cave harbors mysteries of the past 500 million years including a piano-shaped stalactite, a huge stone pillar, and a stalagmite looking just like a fried egg. The cave was designated as Natural Monument No. 260 in 1979, and it also opened Baengnyong Cave Eco Experience Center in 2010. Visitors may also venture out to nearby tourist sites for trekking, rafting, and studying nature at Donggang Fresh Water Fish Center.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Muryangsa Temple, located at the foot of Mansusan Mountain in Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, is said to have been built during the reign of Silla’s King Munmu by national preceptor Beomilguksa.Geungnakjeon Hall, Treasure No. 356, can be seen after passing through Sacheonwangmun Gate, recognizably the best location for taking in the beauty of Muryangsa Temple. The temple grounds hold the Two-story Geungnakjeon Hall, Five-story Stone Pagoda (Treasure No. 185), and Stone Lantern (Treasure No. 233), all in a row. Terracotta Seated Amitabha Triad at Muryang Temple in Buyeo, Treasure No. 1565, also shows off its dignity.The temple is also famous for being the place where Kim Siseup, one of the Saengyuksin (Six Loyal Subjects of the Joseon Dynasty), spent his last few days before death. Visitors can see his portrait inside the temple. Although the temple site is included in Buyeo-gun’s administrative district, it is located closer to downtown Boryeong.


Gyeonggi-do(Pocheon-si)

Covering over 225,000㎡ of land in the southwestern part of Seoul, Seoseoul Lake Park (also known as West Lake Park) was opened in October 2009 to resolve the regional imbalance in the city. The central lake, a fountain that projects a small airplane sound, Mondrian garden where the famous media wall fountain is situated, a large event table that seats 100 people and a recycle garden all carry the themes of ‘water’ and ‘recycling’ that were established through the park development project. Also, Neunggolsan Mountain forest, which separates Seoul and Bucheon, as well as the hiking trails have been restored and added to the park. In addition, there are playgrounds for children, sports facilities including a football field, a basketball court and badminton courts, and a cultural plaza. With its vast space and 24-hour operation, the park provides a relaxing ground for the citizens of Seoul.    


Jeollanam-do(Yeonggwang-gun)

The Bulgapsa Temple (불갑사) of Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, was the very first Buddhist temple to be built in Korea. Monk Marananta, who was the first Indian monk to spread Buddhism in Korea, is said to have established the temple here around the year 384, during the reign of King Chimnyu.The main hall (daewungjeon) in Bulgapsa has been designated as national treasure No. 830. The motifs on the doors of the hall are famed for their beautiful designs. The temple also has other buildings of distinction such as the Manseru, Myeongbujeon and Ilgwangdang, a Neolitsea sericea tree designated as natural treasure No. 112. The temple is also famous for a magic lily which blooms in the late summer. The path into the Bulgapsa Temple is ideal for a restful walk and contemplation.


Daegu(Dalseong-gun)

The Dalseong Korea-Japan Friendship Center opened on May 3, 2012 to highlight the philanthropy of General Kim Chung-seon (Japanese name Sayaka, 1571-1642) and promote friendship between Korea and Japan. Kim Chung-seon was a Japanese general who defected to Korea during the Japanese invasion. Shortly after arriving on Korean soil as a commander of a Japanese army, Choi together with his subjects defected to Korea, a choice that has been traditionally attributed to his respect for Korean culture. He transferred the technology of manufacturing rifles to the Korean army and contributed greatly in battles in Gyeongju and Ulsan. A great number of tourists visit the center to learn about history, including students and their parents, as well as numerous Japanese tourists who visit to commemorate the spirit of General Kim. The center features exhibition rooms, a 3-D theater, a tea ceremony room, relics, manifestations of traditional games in Korea and Japan, documents from Wakayama Prefecture in Japan, and a site for experiencing archery, all of which can be utilized free of charge.


Gangwon-do(Jeongseon-gun)

If you go southeast from downtown Jeongseon all the way to Dong-myeon, you will run into Hwaam Tourist Attraction (화암관광지), which is also known as Sogeumgang River (small diamond) because of its magnificent scenery. Although the road that runs through the site winding, it is perfectly paved and drivers can enjoy the beautiful view of thick forest and fascinating, often curious-looking rock formations and cliffs along the roadside. Hwaam Tourist Attraction is an ideal locale for leaf peeking in autumn. Scenic Beauty 1: Hwaam Mineral Spring At Hwaam Mineral Spring (화암약수), water rises up through a rock crater located in Dong-myeon, Jeongseon. The water is said to be good for stomachaches, eye infections, and skin diseases; and, as it contains nine essential elements such as calcium and fluorine, it tastes crisp and clean. Scenic Beauty 2: Turtle Rock (on the right upper side of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring). Part of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring is buttressed by a cliff, on which there is a rock that resembles the shape of a turtle. Scenic Beauty 3: Yongmaso (on the riverside 500 meters ahead of the entrance to Hwaam Mineral Spring). With its clean water and wide sheets of rock, Yongmaso Lake (용마소) is a popular attraction for vacationers. Scenic Beauty 4: Hwaam Cave Hwaam Cave (화암동굴) used to be a gold mine that was commercially operated from 1922 to 1945. The nation’s 5th largest goldmine was, however, found to have natural stalactites, and later the cave was developed as the only theme-based cave that combined gold and nature. The stalactite area is an open space of 2,800㎡ and the length of the path open to visitors is 1,803 meters. The entire area consists of 5 chapters, which in turn constitute 41 zones; it takes about an hour and a half to see all of the zones. Scenic Beauty 5: Hwapyoju Cliff Hwapyoju (화표주) is a cliff facing the entrance of Hwapyo-dong, which can be seen on your way from Hwaam-dong to Molundae (몰운대). The cliff may appear as if a giant sharpened a large sheet of rock and placed it upright, or less imaginatively, as if two pillars are standing side by side. Scenic Beauty 6: Sogeumgang River The four-kilometer stretch from Hwapyoju to Molundae, surrounded with 100 to 150-meter high rock cliffs and thick forest, is called Sogeumgang River (small Geumgang River), meaning that its beautiful scenery is reminiscent of that of the breathtaking Geumgangsan Mountain. Scenic Beauty 7: Molundae Cliff (past Sogeumgang, on the right-hand side of Gubeulgil) ‘Molundae (몰운대)’ literally means ‘the cliff beyond which clouds disappear’. The tip of the steep cliff is adorned with three specimens of 500-year-old pine trees. Legend has it that gods would perch on the cliff’s top and enjoy the beautiful view. At the foot of the cliff lies a large sheet of rock that can accommodate hundreds of people. Scenic Beauty 8: Gwangdaegok Valley (past Molundae, on the left) Gwangdaegok Valley (광대곡) is said to be the mysterious place where heaven, earth and clouds meet. The surrounding hills are very rough and bumpy, which makes the area a renowned mountain in Korea. There is a belief among wild-ginseng diggers that they can find great ginseng if they pray in Gwangdaegok, so it is a popular attraction for such prospectors.  


Jeollanam-do(Sinan-gun)

Heuksando Island is located at the southern end of Korea about 92.7 km away from Mokpo. It is composed of 11 uninhabited islands and 89 inhabited islands. Because of its natural beauty, it has been designated as part of Dadohae National Marine Park along with the nearby islands.Heuksando Island has a circular road that can take you all the way around the island along the seashore. Following this road, you can see almost all of the beautiful natural and cultural treasures of the island. The Choryeongmok Tree, once designated as Natural Monument, is said to have the ability to conjur up spirits when its branch is broken and placed on a Buddhist altar. Nearby are Sangroksurim and Seonghwangdang. Also on Heuksando Island are designated Cultural Treasures such as the Jiseokmyogun, Samcheungseokdeung, Samcheungseoktap, and Banwolseong. Mt. Heuksan on the island has eight especially beautiful sceneries, which are called Mt. Heuksan Eight Sceneries. Among them, Munamchangsong, Songjeonmangwol, and Myeongsasipri are especially famous. Munamchangsong refers to evergreen trees covering the sky of Mt. Munamsan, and Songjeonmangwol refers to watching the moon in front of an evergreen at harvest full moon. Myeongsasipri refers to a large white sandy beach spread out in front of Jinri Village. The Eight Sceneries of Mt. Heuksan are must-see places for those who visit the island of Heuksando. 


Jeollanam-do(Suncheon-si)

Founded by Suncheon City, Ppurigipeunnamu Museum displays the collections of Han Chang-gi, the founder of two renowned magazines in Korea. The collections range from the relics of the Bronze Age to those of modern times. Through the museum, visitors can catch a glimpse of the lifestyle and culture of Korea’s ancestors.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yecheon-gun)

Astro-Space Center in Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do is the first public facility in Korea to be dedicated to the theme of stars and space. At the center, visitors can study the celestial bodies at the Yecheon Star Observatory, undergo astronaut training simulations at the Yecheon Space Experience Center, and learn about the history of astronomy and the heavens at the Astronomy Park. At the Yecheon Star Observatory, you can observe the sun by day or by night and view planets, nebula, star clusters, and galaxies through a high-powered telescope. At the planetarium, you can also enjoy films about the constellations projected on the observatory’s dome-shaped ceiling. At the Yecheon Space Experience Center, take the ride of your life on the G-force Simulator, bounce around in the Moon Walk Chair, experience the vertigo of zero-gravity on the Multi-Axis Trainer, or float in space using the MMU (Manned Maneuvering Unit). For a calmer experience, check out the center’s 4D movies. On the second floor of the Star Observatory and Space Experience Center is an accommodation facility where you can extend your stay for the ultimate outer space experience. An overnight stay gives you the chance to take full advantage of space observations, telescope assembly and operations, astronomy lectures, and more! In addition to its range of indoor space-related experiences, the space center also provides the rare opportunity to fly in a helicopter. There are as many as four helicopters in operation for this ongoing program. The Astro-Space Center also plans to unveil a private space travel program in 2014: the second private space travel program worldwide! Coinciding with this exciting new program, the center will be introducing Lynx, a two-person Suborbital Spaceship produced by the U.S. company Xcor.