Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

Deogyusan Mountain Natural Recreation Forest (덕유산자연휴양림) is located south of Muju district. Within this recreation forest, there is small valley full of pine trees that extend toward the sky, creating a cool ambiance.Within recreation forest there are wildflowers, promenades, summerhouses, an observatory, a therapeutic forest walk, and various other facilities. Lodging facilities include a forest cabin, a forest lodge, row houses, and camping grounds. Reservations can be made through the homepage.


Gyeonggi-do(Yeoju-si) , Yeoju

This is the house where Empress Myeongseong (Joseon Period) was born, and lived until she was eight years old. She would grow up to be the wife of the dynasty’s 26th ruler, King Gojong. The birthplace and the adjoining Memorial Hall are open to the public.Empress Myeongseong was a brilliant diplomat who pursued openness and reform to maintain the sovereignty of the nation. Unfortunately, her tumultuous life came to an end in the early morning hours of October 8, 1895 when she was murdered by the Japanese army.During Japanese colonial rule, the empress was wrongfully accused of being a jealous and overly ambitious person. Studies of various archives have since revealed what a great person she really was. Recently, numerous television productions and musicals have also corrected those misunderstandings. Renovated in 1995, her birthplace includes three buildings with servants’ quarters, master’s quarters, and a separate house. A commemorative monument now stands at the site of the room where the empress studied as a child. The Memorial Hall in front of the house contains various archives and artifacts related to Empress Myeongseong’s life. There is also a 161-seat theatre.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

Since its opening in 1963, this beach, out of the other 3 beaches in Donghaean (East Coast) continues to have a great number of visitors every summer. Dense pine tree forests, 4 km of white sands, and shallow waters of 1.5m ~ 70m are characteristic of this beach.Also, Naksansa Temple, one of the eight beautiful sights of the Gwandong area (Gwandongpalgyeong), and the Uisangdae tourist attractions surround this beach, making it even more attractive to visitors. The beautiful four seasons of Seoraksan Mountain can be witnessed in just 10 min. by car, and one can taste delicious seafood at Jeonjinhang, only a 5 min. car ride away.


Incheon(Ongjin-gun)

Daecheongdo Island is home to some of the best beaches in Korea. Also, there are some good hiking courses on the island that offer great views above the golden beaches and rocky shores. A smaller and less populated island compared to the neighboring Baengnyeongdo Island, Daecheongdo is a perfect pastoral getaway. Island History Daecheongdo Island was said to be first inhabited during the Neolithic Age (9500-4500 BC), but the earliest known history periods begin during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 AD), when the island was used as a place of exile. The first known case of an exile was recorded sometime during the reign of Chinese Emperor Togon-temur (1320-d.1370) from the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. It was said that he was exiled on Daecheongdo for meddling in a plot arranged by his stepmother. He supposedly arrived on the island with 100 relatives, and built a palace here. The next known record relates to the island's abundance in medicinal herbs including mulberry mistletoe (Loranthi Ramulus), which was used to cure the illness of Queen Munjeong (d.1565), the wife of King Jungjong (d.1544). There is no record of island inhabitation until 1793, when King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), authorized the inhabitation and cultivation of the island. During the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945), there were as many as 10,000 people living on the island due to its popularity as a major port. Today, there are about 1,500 people who sustain a living from tourism and fisheries.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Jade Garden, created under the theme of ‘Small Europe in the Forest,’ is located near Jade Palace Golf Club on a plot of land measuring 160,000 square meters. The 24 distinctively-themed areas in the garden boast a total of 3,000 plant species including rhododendron, maple trees, irises, and blueberry bushes as well as patches of thick, natural forests. The arboretum makes the most out of its natural valley topography and presents visitors with a mix of tidy gardens, graceful flowers, and an array of European-style architecture.For the convenience of its guests, Jade Garden operates a Tuscan-style visitor’s center where patrons can enjoy a simple snack or beverage and purchase souvenirs. Visitors may choose from three different walking courses (each 2 hours in length) around the arboretum and there a gardening program is also available for aspiring gardeners.


Gangwon-do(Taebaek-si)

Hwangji Pond is a source of the Nakdonggang River (525km), the longest river in Korea. The pond is an important joint of underground water flow through the valleys of Taebaeksan, Hambaeksan, Baekbyeongsan and Maebongsan, the mountains surrounding the city of Taebaek. There are three sections of the pond: Sangji (high pond), 100m in diameter, Jungji (middle pond), 50m in diameter and Haji (low pond), 30m in diameter. Although it is small in size, the pond supplies 5,000 tons of water a day that flows to the open Yeongnampyeongya Plain. Being located at the center of Taebaek-si, Hwangji Pond is a popular destination for the citizens of Taebaek for cultural and recreational purposes. The night view of the pond is also beautiful, which makes it a perfect place for a couple’s night out. The water is very clean and lenoks can be found here, which only live in high quality water.


Jeollanam-do(Sinan-gun)

Located about 140㎞ southwest of Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, Gageodo Island is one of the remotest islands in southwest Korea. Centered on Doksilsan Mountain (639m, the highest peak in Sinan-gun), the island is surrounded by cliffs making the area perfect as a mystery island. Once featured in a Korean variety show, this place is also beloved by fishing-goers and hikers as it is known for its clean air and waters.


Daegu(Dalseong-gun)

The descendants of Mun Ik-jeom, who are known to have brought the Nampyeong Mun clan to prosperity, reportedly came to Daegu about 500 years ago. It was during the time of Mun Gyeong-ho (1812-1874), the 18th descendant of Mun Ik-jeom, that the clan became established in Inheung. Mun executed his plan to create a village for the clan by putting down roots in the old site of Inheungsa Temple, a large-scale temple in the Goryeo era.Yonghojae, which is a place for offering ancestral memorial services, is the first building established at the village constructed before or after 1920. The first residential building was built around the late 1800s in the form of thatched cottage. During the course of a hundred years, the village developed into what it is today. Featuring about 70 or so tile-roofed homes, Inheung Village is only about 200 years old but it is a great example of traditional residential homes of the yangban upper class in the Yeongnam region. The harmony between the way the village is organized and the surrounding landscape is unique and rare.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Chungju-si)

Located in Chilgeum-dong, Chungju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Tangeumdae Terrace is a historically significant place that was designated as Scenic Spot No. 42. The place was named Tangeumdae because it was where Ureuk, the celebrated musician of the Silla Dynasty (BC 57-AD 935), used to played the gayageum (traditional stringed instrument). During the Imjin War (Japanese invasion, 1592-1598), Tangeumdae Terrace was also the battlefield where General Shin Rip and his troops fought fierce battles against the invading forces. This is why a monument for the fallen heroes was built at this site. The area is widely known as Tangeum Pak as there are various other attractions around the area such as a monument honoring the patriotic spirit of General Shin Rip, an outdoor music hall, sculptures, grass fields, etc.


Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si) , Ilsan

Flow House Seoul is the only flowboarding location in Korea, allowing the full experience of surfing indoors. Boards are available to use for free, and wetsuits are available for rental. Flowboarding is attractive to beginning surfers and pros alike. Beginners can learn surfing from instructors without needing to travel to the ocean through the use of man-made, controlled waves.