Chungcheongnam-do(Nonsan-si)

Gwanchoksa Temple (관촉사) in Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do is located at the foot of Mt. Banyasan (100m in elevation). This temple enshrines a Seokjomireukbosalipsang Buddha (Treasure No. 218), which was built over the course of 38 years, beginning in 967 during the Goryeo period. According to a legend, while a lady was picking fernbrake on Mt. Banyasan, she heard a baby crying. When she went to the spot from which from which the crying was coming, there was no baby but instead was a large rock sticking out from the ground. Upon hearing this story, the government ordered a Buddha statue to be made from the rock. This Buddha statue, widely known as ‘Eunjimireuk Buddha,’ is the largest stone Buddha in Korea (18.12m in x_height, 9.9m in girth, 1.8m in the length of ears, 2.43m at the x_height of crown). There are many other cultural heritages in this temple and every April, a splendid cherry blossom tunnel strecthing from Nonsan to Gwanchoksa Temple is at its peak.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

Hangyeryeong, Misiryeong and Jinburyeong are the three ridges that represent Mt. Seoraksan, and Hangyeryeong long with the Misiryeong. It was called Sodongraryeong as the connecting path between the east coast and the inland. In December 1971, a large paved road was made to connect Yangyang and Inje, which became the tourist road between inner Mt. Seoraksan and outer Mt. Seoraksan. If you go down Hangyeryeong path you will reach Osaek District. Everything in this district are said to be related to a factor of five as “O” in Osaek means “five” in Korean. They even say the carbonated water spring from the base rock here has 5 flavors. The 3-story pagoda (National Treasure No.497) that stands in Seongguksa Temple is called Osaek Stone pagoda because the rock is said to shine in 5 colors.The Osaek flower myth says that the village name 'Osaek' was given because there was a tree that bloomed flowers of 5 different colors.


Chungcheongnam-do()

Gobok Reservoir is a large farm reservoir covering 770,000 square meters. It was constructed to provide water for agricultural use, but an abundant amount of fish attracted many fishermen from across the country. This resulted in it being appointed as a provincial park. The park spans an area of 1,840,000 square meters and its nearby attractions include a forest, Yonggul Cave, and Sinheungsa Temple on Obongsan Mountain. The neighboring village is home to orchards for growing grapes, peaches, and pears. The park has a large meeting square and an outdoor sculpture park for added leisure activities. The Millakjeong Pavilion offers a panoramic view of the reservoir. Food lovers will be delighted to find that there are many restaurants around the reservoir area specializing in hanbang-ori (herb duck meat) and megi-maeuntang (spicy catfish stew).


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geochang-gun)

Designated as National Park in 1975, Deogyusan National Park (덕유산국립공원, 1,614m) covers four counties. The ridgeline from the Hyangjeokbong peak of Mt. Bukdeogyusan to Mt. Namdeogyusan is 17.5km, and the altitude is 1,200m high. There are five peaks over 1,330m above sea level and eight large valleys. Mt. Deogyusan is one of Korea's tourist highlights and boasts temples, relics as well as a ski resort. Of the many wonderful sites, Mujuguchon-dong, the 25km valley range from Najetong gate to Baekryeonsa Temple, is especially noted as one of the 10 best tourist areas of Korea. Every valley has scenic spots and Gucheon-dong is particularly famous. Baekryeonsa Temple is located at the end of Gucheon-dong Valley. It is famous for the Stone Samjon Buddha, cerated during the Goryeo Dynasty and many monks came from this temple before and after the Injinwaeran War (1592~1598). Also, Jeoksangsanseong Fortress, Anguksa Temple, Guebul and many other relics are scattered throughout the park. Mt. Deogyusan boasts an abundance of beauty throughout all four seasons, and the 600 species of animals and plants, including the unique landscape of the yew trees are especially eye-catching. 


Chungcheongbuk-do(Chungju-si)

The water at Angseong Carbonate Hot Springs comes from 700 meters underground. This water contains about 2.800㎎/L of carbonic acid and is beneficial in many ways. It is known to be effective in preventing high and low blood pressures, diabetes, arthritis, neuralgia, depression, lifestlye diseases, obesity caused by lack of exercise, stiff shoulder, back pain, colds, constipation, and hemorrhoids. Carbonic acid hot springs are also good for stress relief, increasing metabolism, stimulating blood circulation, and for the treatment of hypersensitive skin, cosmetics allergies, freckles, age spots, athelete’s foot and eczema. The water temperature at the hot spring stays between 25-38 degrees Celcius. A separate pool is available for people who prefer a warmer temperature than that. Known for promoting physical and psycological health, a carbonic acid hot spring bath also softens the skin and helps fatigue recovery. For added benefits, Angseong Carbonate Hot Springs also uses oak wood for heating its jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) and the water.


Jeollanam-do(Mokpo-si)

At a length of 150 meter and highest x_height at 70 meters, Dancing Sea Fountain is the biggest sea fountain in the world. With various shows such as music, video, and laser show, visitors can enjoy exciting fountain shows while looking out at the ocean.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

The Mungyeong Coal Museum exhibits the history of coal and explains its important contribution to Korea's rapid industrialization. Systematic exhibition of coal and related information helps visitors understand the vital role that coal has played in shaping modern life. The museum displays coal-related relics in addition to scholarly materials.The museum offers various exhibition halls: the Central Exhibition Hall (1F-2F), Outdoor Exhibition Hall, Mine Exhibition Hall, and Miner’s Private House Exhibition Hall. Though coal, one of Korea’s few natural resources, used to be the driving force of the Korean industry and economy, it has become less visible due to the emergence of oil and natural gas. The museum helps visitors appreciate this forgotten resource as well as the lives of miners in Mungyeong, once one of the most productive coalfields in Korea. 


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)


Gangwon-do(Taebaek-si)

Cheonjedan are altars set up by people a long time ago to offer goods to Heaven. In old records such as the Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), there are records that "The Silla Kingdom organized rituals in Taebaeksan Mountain, which it considered as a Bugak Mountain (Northern Mountain, one of the mountains for rituals)." This shows that Taebaeksan Mountain was considered to be a holy mountain in the past. Cheonjedan, or the altar, is situated at the summit of Taebaeksan Mountain. With Cheonwangdan altar in the center, there is the Janggundan Altar in the north and a smaller altar in the south. The altars are built by stacking stones, a sign of a sacred ground. The Cheonwangdan altar is made of natural stone. It has an oval shape and measures 27.5 meters in circumference, 3 meters tall, 7.76 meters wide, and 8.26 meters from front to back. The natural stone is a sort of gneiss, with the upper stone being round and the bottom stone rectangular. Such a form is based on the philosophy of Cheonwon Jibang. In the valleys nearby, there are small or large stacked stone pagodas and stone platforms, which were used for prayers. It is forbidden to kill wild animals or break off tree branches in the area.