Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

Sobaeksan National Park in South Korea is a branch of what could be called the backbone of Korea, Taebaeksan Mountain. In 1987, Sobaeksan Mountain was designated as National Park No.18. Its covers an area of 320.50 square km. The features of Sobaeksan National Park include wild flowers and royal azaleas on Birobong Peak, and the largest yew tree community is found on the northwest slope (1,200-1,350 m above sea level) between Yeonhwabong Peak and Birobong Peak. The west of Mt. Sobaeksan is steep, and streams from Nakdonggang River flow to Jukgyaecheon River, which is often used as a hiking course. Following down from Birobong Peak along Jukgyaecheon River is Seokryun Mine and Choamsa Temple. If you proceed even further, you will get to Seokcheonpokpo Falls and Seonghyeolsa Temple. Many trout live in this valley. A 4-km flat path to the southwest of Birobong Peak leads to Yeonhwabong Peak. There is Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (SOAO) on the way to the second Yeonhwabong Peak, and a ridge called Jukryeong is on the south side of the mountain. To the east of the second Yeonhwabong Peak, there is Huibangsa Temple and Birosa Temple, both built during the time of the Silla Kingdom. Huibangpokpo Falls is considered the most beautiful waterfall of Gyeongsangnam-do Province, and is at the entrance of Huibangsa Temple. Featuring beautiful valleys and ridgelines, Sobaeksan National Park is known for its abundant wildlife and breathtaking nature.


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Oegosan Onggi Village is the largest producer of traditional onggi (earthenware) in Korea. The village was established by artisans and potters from all over Korea to practice and preserve the tradition of onggi craft. The village itself is a massive collection of various earthenware products, creating unique folk village scenery. Also, a range of facilities are located inside the village for visitors to explore the culture of onggi. They include Onggi Cultural Center displaying the history and culture of onggi products, Village Information Center equipped with the village history hall, multimedia room and seminar room, and Onggi Academy used for conducting hands-on learning programs and cultivating professional artisans. Visitors can observe the crafting of onggi products, while making their own. Since 2000, the annual Oegosan Onggi Festival has been held every October to celebrate the tradition and practice of onggi crafts. Meanwhile, in 2011, the onggi pottery standing over two meters high in the village was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.


Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

Built by an army unit in 1983, Goseong Unification Observatory is the nearest place for viewing Geumgangsan Mountain in North Korea, the shortest distance being 16km away and the farthest being around 25km away. From the observatory, you can see Haegeumgang, and the islands nearby, Manmulsang, and Hyeonjongam. On clear days, you can also glimpse various peaks of Geumgangsan Mountain such as Ilchulbong Peak (1,552m), Chaehabong Peak, Jipseonbong Peak, Yukseonbong Peak, Gwaneumbong Peak, and even the greatest peak, Birobong Peak. Goseong Unification Observatory is the closest observatory to the North, and many people who visit are those who had to leave their home and were separated from their families during the Korean War. You can see monuments built in the hope of reunification here.Tongil Security Park, which can be considered the entrance of Unification Observation, was built in 1987 to be used as a national security site. You must pass through a security training here to get to Goseong Unification Observatory.


Busan(Nam-gu)

Busan Cultural Center is one of the representative cultural arts institutions in Busan and hosts a diversity of concerts, dances, plays, and other performances. It boasts international conference facilities and is a center of operations for seven different metropolitan arts organizations including the philharmonic orchestra, traditional orchestra, chorus, dance company, theater company, philharmonic youth orchestra, and the boys & girls chorus.Reflecting the traditional architectural style of Korea, the Main Theater has been built to resemble a ‘Bonchae’ (the main building of a traditional house), while the Medium and Small Theaters resemble a ‘Sarangchae’ (typically, the men’s quarters of a hanok). The structure of the center highlights the traditional beauty of Korea and seeks to capture the powerful spirit of the nation. Hosting over 1,000 exhibitions & performances throughout the year, the Busan Cultural Center strives to preserve the country’s culture while promoting local art forms from various regions of Korea.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Jecheon-si)

Located along the national highway between Jecheon and Wonju, Baeron Holy Ground has great spiritual significance as it served as the fountainhead of the spread of Catholicism in Korea. During the early years of Catholicism in Korea, Catholics fleeing from the Sinhae Persecution (1791) came to this place, formed a community, and made their faith deeper. A man named Hwang Sa-yeong (Alexander, 1775–1801) hid in a tunnel and wrote letters about the situation of the Joseon Catholic Church on silk fabrics, but was captured and martyred in 1801. Baeron is a historic place where Joseon’s first theological school, St. Joseph Theological School, was founded, but the school was eventually shut down. The graves of Fr. Tomas Choe Yang-eop (1821–1861), Korea’s second Roman Catholic priest, and the Martyr Hwang Sa-yeong Memorial Tower can be seen at Baeron Holy Ground. Baeron Holy Ground is surrounded by rugged mountains such as Guhaksan Mountain and Baegunsan Mountain and Chiaksan Mountain. The mountain path from the holy ground eventually leads to Bakdaljae Natural Forest.


Gyeonggi-do(Yeoju-si)

Yeongneung (영릉) is the joint tomb of the 4th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong (1397-1450, reign 1418-1450) and his wife Queen Soheon (1395-1446). This was the first joint royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty.King Sejong was the third son of the 3rd ruler, King Taejong, and his wife Queen Wongyeong. He came to the throne at the age of 22. During his 32-year reign, he was very influential in the development of Korean culture. For example, King Sejong created the Korean alphabet, which he called Hunmin Jeongeum, and set up the Hall of Worthies (Jiphyeonjeon, 집현전), an association of the kingdom’s brightest scholars. He also used Confucian principles to administer state affairs. Under the reign of King Sejong, therefore, many sectors including politics, economy, society and culture flourished. In fact, King Sejong the Great is regarded as making some of the most brilliant achievements in Korean history.Yeongneung is currently located in Neungseo-myeon in Yeoju-si in Gyeonggi-do, but the tomb was originally located in Seogang, Gwangju. When it was constructed following Queen Soheon’s death in 1446, it was decided it should be a double tomb, and the space on the right side was reserved for King Sejong. In 1450 when King Sejong died, he was buried together with the dead queen. Later, the tomb was moved to its current place, as it was thought that the original location was not an auspicious place according to geomantic traditions.Various items that were originally buried in the tomb were excavated in 1973 and now are exhibited in the King Sejong the Great Memorial Hall (세종대왕 기념관), which is located in Cheongnyangni, Seoul.Nyeongneung (녕릉/영릉) is the royal tomb of the 17th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Hyojong (1619-1659, reign 1649-1659), and of his wife Queen Inseon (1618-1674).The tomb was originally located to the west of Geonwolleung (건원릉, the tomb of King Taejo, the 1st ruler of the Joseon Dynasty), but in 1673 cracks appeared on the tomb’s “Byeongpungseok” (stone border), and it was moved to its current location, which is to the east of Yeongneung (영릉, the tomb of King Sejong).King Hyojong was the second son of King Injo, Joseon Dynasty’s 16th ruler, and Queen Illyeol. Upon ascending to the throne, he devised a plan to conquer the Northern region of Asia, including the Qing Dynasty (part of China). As part of the plan, he reformed the military system and strengthened the army and military enforcements. King Hyojong had spent time in northern China when he was taken hostage by the Manchus. During that time he became exposed to many different cultures and technological advancements. When a group of Dutch sailors were shipwrecked on the Korean shore, King Hyojong ordered them to build the Korean army’s first muskets.King Hyojong also implemented “Daedongbeop (대동법)”, a tax system under which people had to pay taxes with rice, and circulated “Sangpyeongtongbo (상평통보)”, the coinage of the Joseon Dynasty.


Gangwon-do(Cheorwon-gun)

Rafting refers to riding swift currents using thick rubber boats (I.B.S). Places where you can enjoy rafting in Korea are Hantangang River in Cheorwon, Naerincheon Stream in Inje, and Donggang river in Yeongwol. The most ideal spot is without a doubt the Hantangang River in Cheorwon. The river, situated about an hour and a half away from Seoul, is deep and clear, and filled with naturally formed Giamgoeseok rocks. Touring the picturesque area will surely leave lasting memories.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Sangju-si)

The Sangju Bicycle Museum has a large collection of bicycles of all types and sizes, and from all over the world. On the first floor, bicycles are arranged in the order of production year and model. On the second floor, a special exhibition is set up to show the history of bicycles in Korea. Finally, the museum runs a free bicycle rental in the yard outside the main building.    


Jeollanam-do(Gangjin-gun)

Daegu-myeon of Gangjin-gun was the primary site of Goryeo Dynasty celadon production between the 9th and the 14th centuries. Covering approximately 150 acres of land in nine villages, the area has been designated as the National Historical Site No. 68 since 1963, and continues to protect its 180 fire kilns and maintain the sophisticated art of celadon production. Meanwhile, celadons produced in this area have also been designated as national treasure, and regarded highly worldwide for their artistic value, so much so that some are preserved in the Louvre Museum in France.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)

Daecheong Dam (대청댐) is a multi-purpose dam consisting of a 72m-tall and 495m-long concrete gravity dam and rockfill dam. It is located where Daejeon and Chungcheongbuk-do meet. The observatory, located at Palgakjeong Service Area, offers a great view of Daecheongho Lake (대청호). A variety of fascinating items are displayed in the Water Culture Center (물문화관) on the left bank of Daecheong Dam. A nearby grassy meadow promises a relaxing and comfortable rest, while local delicacies such as freshwater fish stew and marinated grilled eel are a delight to taste.