Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

The Gimhae Astronomical Observatory was opened on February 1, 2002 as part of the Millennium Commemorative Project started in December, 1998. It was built to satisfy the general public’s curiosity about the universe and celestial bodies, inspire young people, and give everyone a unique, memorable experience. The observatory is shaped like an egg, in memory of the legend of King Kim Suro, the founder of the Garak Kingdom, according to which the king was born from an egg. It is said that the queen of King Suro, Heo Hwang-ok, was a princess from the Indian country of Ayuta. Since sophisticated navigation equipment had yet to be invented, it can be assumed that she found her way to the Garak Kingdom by following the stars. It is also said that a prince of the Garak Kingdom built an observatory on the highest point of a mud fortress in Jinrye in order to make astronomical observations. The place is still referred to as Bibidan, which means a place to watch the stars. These historical facts indicate the stars were very important to the Gaya, an ancient kingdom established mainly in the Gimhae area. The peak of Bunseongsan Mountain, where the observatory is located, offers sweeping views of the entire area of Gimhae-si. The night view of Gimhae-si, when the stars are out, is breathtaking.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

First established in Ganghwa-eup during the 5th year of King Injong in the Goryeo Dynasty (1127), Ganghwahyanggyo Confucian School was moved to Ganghwa-gun and then restored at the foot of Buksan Mountain (formally Songaksan Mountain) in 1624 by Sim Yeol during the 2nd year of King Injo. Ganghwahyanggyo Confucian School is regarded as an important cultural and historical site in Ganghwa-eup.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeongeup-si)

Located in the northern part of Naejangsan park, Seoraebong Peak is named after a farming tool that in the past was used to plow land. Either side of the peak stretch rocky cliffs that blaze red with autumn foliage. Seoraebong Peak’s picturesque location makes it particularly popular with hikers.A good hiking trail that takes you to Seoraebong and other highlights of Naejangsan Park starts at Iljumun Gate, and passes by Byeongnyeogam Rock, Seoraebong Peak, Bulchulbong Peak, Wonjeogam Rock, and Naejangsa Temple before turning back to Iljumun Gate. The hike takes about 3 hours.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

The Gimhae Bonghwangdong was designated a historic site, where it includes an important shell mound from the Gaya period, which is located in Hoehyeon-ri. In 1920, it was the first archeological site to be excavated in Korea. The site also contains the Bonghwangdae tomb (Former Data for Cultural Properties No. 87), which was the largest tomb of Geumgwan Gaya area. On top of the hill remain Yeoui Pavilion and Hwangse Rock, which are part of the legend about General Hwangse and Yeoui. This is also where the remains of raised houses and a residential site of the Gaya period were excavated.


Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si)

Cheonan-Asan Station began its operation along with the opening of KTX railway. Its location overlaps the admistrative district of both Cheonan city and Asan city, hence the name.


Gangwon-do(Cheorwon-gun)

Goseokjeong Pavilion is the most scenic spots among the eight scenic views of Cheorwon. The crystal clear waters of the Hantangang River wind around a peculiar shaped rock of about 10 meters tall that stands dominantly in the middle of the river. The two-story tower-style pavilion that has an area of about 33 square meters was built halfway up the Hantangang River and named Goseokjeong during the reign of King Jinpyeong (reign 579-632 AD) of Silla Kingdom. Today, Goseokjeong refers to the entire area around the Goseokjeong Pavilion and the valley surrounding Goseok Rock.Designated as Monument No. 8 of Gangwon-do, the pavilion is known to have been one of the most favored places by King Jinpyeong of Silla Kingdom, and King Chungsuk of Goryeo Dynasty. The area became all the more famous as the arena of Im Kkeok-jeong (?-1562), who was the legendary leader of a peasant rebellion in the early Joseon Dynasty. It is said that Im Kkeok-jeong resisted against the corrupt social class by helping the poor with the tribute goods that he had extorted around this area while the goods were being carried to the court from the Hamgyeong-do region.The pavilion was lost during the Korean War and restored in 1971 by community leaders in Cheorwon. Unfortunately, it was damaged once again by flood in 1996 and reconstructed the year after. There is a natural stone chamber inside the huge rock in the midstream of the river that Im Kkeok-jeong had used as a hiding place. On the opposite side, there are remains of a stone castle. Jiktang Waterfall is located about 2 kilometers up from this site, while Sundam Valley is situated about 2 kilometers in the downstream. Goseokjeong is an all-year-round tourist attraction with extensive grass square and recreational facilities. It is also the starting point for DMZ tours as the battlefield conservation office is located here and in winter, visitors can enjoy migratory bird tour.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)

A large number of relics were unearthed at this site due to a land development project in 1985. Work was halted and relics were excavated by the Cheongju University Museum. The time and size of Heungdeoksa Temple is unknown, but according to Jikji (Buljojikjisimcheyojeol, the world’s oldest existing book printed with movable metal type), the excavated books were printed using metal types at the temple in the third year of King Uwang’s reign (1377). The books were published 78 years earlier than Gutenberg’s invention. In 1972, the Jikji was officially recognized as the world’s oldest book printed with movable metal type during the International Book Year. The Buljojikjisimcheyojeol is currently kept at the National Library of France.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , Former Jeju

As the largest gateway of the ever popular Jeju Island, Jeju International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Korea. Originally established in 1942 as a military facility, it reopened as an international airport in 1968, and has since served millions of travelers every year. In 2009, the number of passengers on domestic flights to Jeju International Airport reached over 13 million, exceeding that of Gimpo International Airport in Seoul. The airport services domestic flights to 14 major cities in Korea as well as international flights to Japan, China, Taiwan and Guam.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

The Gangam Calligraphy Museum (est. 1995) in Jeonju Hanok Village has on display over 1,000 works from famous artists such as Kim Jeong-hee (1786-1856, calligrapher, painter, & scholar), Lee Sam-man (1770-1847, calligrapher), Kim Hong-do (1745-?, artist), and Jeong Yak-yong (1762-1836, scholar). This museum also houses a seminar room for calligraphy-related events and educational programs.


Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si) , Paju(Heyri Art valley)

Odusanseong Fortress (오두산성) is built around the strategic summit of the mountain. Its walls stretch across roughly 620 meters and were built during the Baekje Dynasty. The fortress is built on the intersection of the Imjingang River (임진강) and the Hangang River (한강) on the summit of Odusan Mountain (오두산, 119 meters). The mountain’s slope is steep and stones used in the construction of the fortress walls are scattered here and there at the summit. These scattered stones are evidence that the fortress underwent repairs several times during the Samguk (Three Kingdoms) era and the Joseon Dynasty, as these stones were evidently quarried and used to mend the fortress walls. Excavations have discovered a great deal of earthenware, white porcelain, tile, and iron arrowheads. Topographically, the fortress sits on a prime strategic junction and the Unification Observatory has been situated there as well. The fortress stands as an important object of study concerning fortifications and structures from the Baekje Dynasty. It has been recorded on the stele of King Gwanggaeto, samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), in the baekjebongi (Baekje Annals) and on daedongyeojido (Map of Korea) that the fortress was the Gwanmi Fortress of Baekje, attracting many scholars and researchers interested in this period.