Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)

Chungjuho is a large artificial lake bordered by Chungju, Jecheon and Danyang cities. Well-known tourist sites located near Chungjuho Lake include Woraksan National Park, Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex, and the "Eight Scenic Views of Danyang."


Jeollanam-do(Gurye-gun)

Situated on the southwest corner of Jirisan Mountain, Hwaeomsa Temple is one of the 10 most famous temples in Korea. It was constructed in the fifth year of King Jinheung’s reign (544) during the Silla Era, but was burnt down during Japanese Invasion, Jeongyujaeran in 1592. Including the main building Daeungjeon, the temple was rebuilt during the Joseon Period.The path to the temple lies along the valley named Hwaeomsa Temple Valley. It also takes you to Nogodan Plateau of Jirisan Mountain. With Korean traditional straw-roofed houses and a water mill, you can find a cozy place named Siuidongsan, which means the Hill of Poetry, to take a rest at your right on the way to the temple.Beyond this area is the main gate of Hwaeomsa Temple, Iljumun Gate, and a long stonewall. Entering the main gate, you can find Geumgangmun Gate and the stairs going up to Bojeru. At the top of the stairs, there are the main building Daeungjeon and Gakhwangjeon Pavilion.There are also Seo-ocheung Pagoda (west-five-story pagoda) and Dongocheung Pagoda (east-five-story pagoda) at each side of the front yard. In front of Gakhwangjeon Pavilion is the largest light made of stone in Korea. In addition, there are many national treasures here including the Sasaja Samcheung (3-story) Stone Pagoda, which is situated at the hill called Hyodae. The main building Daeungjeon and Bojeru is magnificent and graceful. Keeping its original beauty, Hwa-eomsa Temple makes beautiful scenery with the nature around it.[National Cultural Heritages]- Stone Lantern at Gakhwangjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple- Four Lion Three-story Stone Pagoda of Hwaeomsa Temple- Gakhwangjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple- Hanging Painting of Hwaeomsa Temple (The Vulture Peak Assembly)- Five-story Stone Pagoda in the east and west of Hwaeomsa Temple- Daeungjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple- Lion Pagoda at Wontongjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple- Stone Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra) of Hwaeomsa Temple- Higan Cherry of Hwaeomsa Temple- Bojeru Pavilion of Hwaeomsa Temple- Stone Lantern at Gucheungam hermitage of Hwaeomsa Temple


Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)

Guinsa Temple, located below Yeonhwabong Peak of Sobaeksan Mountain, is the headquarters of the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism and now presides over 140 temples across the nation. Standing on a lot measuring a total of 15,014 square meters, the temple has an impressive, 5-story main sanctuary as well as over 50 chambers and is bordered by modern buildings that can accommodate up to 10,000 visitors.The temple was established by Monk Sangwol Wongak, who first created a small cottage of arrowroot vine at the site as a place to practice asceticism. After receiving revelation about the truths of the universe, the monk created Guinsa Temple in the spirit of celebration. Completed in 1945, the temple was renovated in 1966 using a concrete frame, which was a very unique and modern construction practice at the time.Must-see parts of the temple include Deabeopdang Hall (the main sanctuary) and Beopeobi Monument (a Buddhist sermon monument). The 5-story Daebeopdang Hall (est. April 29, 1980) is the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the nation and can seat up to 5,000 people. Beopeobi (full name: Beopeobi of Great Monk Sangwol) is a stone monument engraved with the teachings of the Great Monk Sangwol. The writings on the monument reflect the beliefs of the Tripitaka Koreana, one of the foundational texts of Buddhism.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

The area around Yeojwacheon Stream is well known as one of Jinhae’s best spots for viewing cherry blossoms. It is also the location of the bridge where the two leading characters, Gwanu and Chaewon of "Romance (2002)," MBC’s TV series, first met as tourists who came to Jinhae to enjoy Jinhae Gunhangje Festival. After the episode was aired, the bridge instantly became popular and widely known as the Romance Bridge. Each April, the entire city of Jinhae is filled with cherry blossoms, but the Yeojwacheon Stream area has the most beautiful cherry blossoms which makes it a prime tourist attraction.


Gyeonggi-do(Pocheon-si) , Pocheon

Pocheon Art Valley is established in what used to be a granite quarry. The quarry became the site of the nation’s first shared culture and art complex in 2009. The valley has had over 1,000,000 visitors by 2014. Various programs such as a planned exhibition, weekend performance, planned performance and others are prepared for visitors. Also, Pocheon Art Valley Astronomical Science Museum officially opened on August 1, 2014 as a spot for space science, comprised of an exhibition hall for space, cutting-edge 4D video room, and astronomical observation room that offers constellation reading.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

It is said that the peak of Mt.Hallasan where Baekrokho Lake now exists was taken off and thrown away, which then became Mt. Sanbangsan. The myth describes how unlike other mountains on Jejudo Island, this mountain does not have a crater. The 5m-high rock cave at the cliff on the southwest side of the mountain was originally called Sanbanggul Cave, but it is called a temple now because it possesses a Buddhist statue.This is where monk Hye-Il (964~1053) had lived during the Goryeo Dynasty (918~1392)Inside the cave, you can see Marado Island and the Dragon Head Coast. You can also see small ponds being made by the water drops that fall from the ceiling all through the year. The plant zone on a cliff of Mt. Sanbangsan is also designated as a natural monument. It is the only place on Jejudo Island where island boxwoods grow. On the Dragon Head Coast is the Hamel Memorial Monument.


Gyeonggi-do(Anseong-si)

The word ‘Mirinae,’ from the Mirinae Holy Site (미리내 성지) in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, is a pure Korean word for the Milky Way. The site holds the graves of Saint Andreas Kim Daegeon, Korea’s first Catholic Saint; his mother Ursula; Bishop Ferréol, the third head of the Joseon parish who ordained Priest Kim; and Vincentius Lee Minsik who buried Saint Kim’s body. To be sure, this holy site is a serene and peaceful sanctum. The reason it came to be called ‘Mirinae’ is that Korean Catholics came to this place in secret to avoid persecution during the late Joseon Dynasty, and the lamplight coming from their homes in the village where they settled resembled the starlight of the Milky Way. Father Kim was executed at the age of 26 and was not permitted a funeral. But, 40 days after the execution, Vincentius Lee Minsik was able to steal away Kim’s body with great difficulty; he carried it on his back eventually burying it in Mirinae – dismissing all advisement and council that urged him against this. At the center of the site stands a grand memorial church and the Way of the Cross behind it has 15 bronze sculptures depicting the passion of Jesus being captured by Roman soldiers, crucified, suffering, passing away, and being interred. Kim Daegeon (1822~1846) Korea’s first Catholic priest and saint. He was chosen as a scholarship recipient by a French priest, and joined the priesthood at the young age of 24. Kim returned to Korea, but was captured, and executed, dying a martyr. He was blessed by the Roman Pope Pius XI on July 5, 1925, and became a Catholic saint at the canonization ceremony conducted by Pope John Paul II himself in South Korea on May 6, 1984.


Gyeonggi-do(Guri-si) , Guri

The Guri Hangang Park (구리 한강시민공원) offers a bastion where you can feel the cool breeze coming off the river and take a rest amidst the beautiful natural scenery. The park’s bounties of flowers are at their peak during May with the blossoming of field mustard, and October when the cosmos bloom in October.


Gyeonggi-do(Hwaseong-si) , suwon

Yungneung (융릉) is the joint tomb of King Jangjo (1735-1762) and Queen Heongyeong (1735-1815). King Jangjo was the father of King Jeongjo, the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty.King Jangjo was the second son of King Yeongjo, the 21st ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. He was installed as a Crown Prince in 1736. As the Crown Prince, he administered the state affairs on behalf of his father and showed great capability in various fields. However, he died in 1762 after being locked in a wooden rice chest on the orders of his father, King Yeongjo.The tomb of this ill-fated Crown Prince was originally located in Baebongsan Mountain located in Yangju-gun, Gyeonggi-do. His son, King Jeongjo moved the tomb to Hwasan Mountain in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do and changed the title of the tomb to Hyeollyungwon (현륭원). Later, he posthumously gave his father the title King Jangjo and moved the tomb to its current place, and the title of the tomb was changed again to Yungneung.Queen Heongyeong was designated as a Crown princess in 1744. In 1795 when she turned 60 and long after her husband died, she wrote Hanjungnok (한중록), the memoirs, which is mainly about the terrible fate of her husband.The Memoirs have great historical significance, and these along with the Tales of Queen Inhyeon (Inhyeon Wanghujeon, 인현왕후전), are highly valued as pieces of royal literature.Yungneung is currently located in Annyeong-dong in Hwaseong. A stone called “Byeongpungseok” surrounds the tomb. On the stone, peony and lotus flowers are engraved. Like other royal tombs, there are two separate spaces – one raised and one lower space. In the raised space, there is the mound, “Honyuseok”, which is a rectangular shaped stone sitting in front of the mound, and 'Mangjuseok,' which is a pair of stones that sit on both sides of the mound. In the lower spaces, there are several stone statues. They include “Muninseok”, a statue of a civil officer, “Muinseok”, a statue of a military officer, and “Seokma”, a statue of a horse.Geolleung (건릉) is the joint tomb of King Jeongjo (1752-1800), the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Hyoui (1753-1821).King Jeongjo’s last wish was to be buried near his father’s tomb in Yungneung. King Jeongjo was the second son of King Jangjo and Queen Heongyeong, but in 1759, when he was 8 years old, he was designated as an heir to the throne. During his 24 year-reign, King Jeongjo influenced state affairs by implementing the “Tangpyeongchaek” (탕평책, a policy to balance the power of political factions), and he also had great accomplishments in the area of academic research by creating the “Gyujanggak” (규장각, a national royal library).Queen Hyoui was a daughter of Kim Si Muk and was installed as a partner of the heir to the throne at the age of 10. In 1776, when King Jeongjo ascended the throne, she also became Queen. She is known to have led a frugal life. In 1821, she died without an heir at the age of 69 in Jagyeongjeon, Changgyeonggung Palace.Geolleung looks very similar to Yungneung, but unlike Yungneung, it does not have a “Byeongpungseok”, which is a wide and rectangular stone that surrounds the mound and protects it. Instead, it is surrounded by “Nanganseok”, stone handrails. On every handrail, lotus flowers are engraved. King Jeongjo’s tomb is simpler and less decorated than his father’s, which reflects King Jeongjo’s respect and love for his father. Both Geolleung and Yungneung are designated as Historic Site No. 206.


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Located 1.4 kilometers away from the downtown area, Samcheok Beach is easily accessible and has a vast white-sand beach that is 1.2 kilometers long and 100 meters wide. Thanks to its pine tree forests, clean white sand, and shallow waters, over 500,000 vacationers visit the beach every year.Its beautiful natural environment has also made it a favorite filming location for Korean movies and dramas. The movie April snow, One fine spring day, and drama South of the sun were filmed here. The beach has a unique beauty and ambience in every season.