Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

Hwajinpo (화진포) is named so because there are sweet briers that bloom by the lake, and it is one of nature’s great lagoons. It is designated Gangwon Provincial Monument No. 10 with a circumference of about 16 km, and it has a wide reed field which is an important place for migratory birds and swans in the winter. Hwajinpo Lake is surrounded by evergreens and white sandy beaches; it is a lagoon where the river and the sea meet. Materials drifting down the river deposited at the bottom of the river become a sandy beach that eventually block off the river from the sea, creating a lagoon. Hwajinpo Lake is the largest lagoon near the East Sea, and has many ancient artifacts around it, such as the Ten Goindol rocks (also called Jiseokmyeo) scattered around the lake. Because of its excellent scenery, Kim Il-Seong (1912-1994) of North Korea and the South Korean president Lee Seung-Man (1875-1965) had summer houses here after the independence of Korea in 1945. The two houses that originally faced each other with the lake at the center are gone now, but the sites still remain as tourist destinations. They have been converted to Hwajinpo’s Museum of History, and opened to public as a security exhibit center.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)

This park was built on the site of the Chungju government office during the Joseon period. Some government buildings such as Cheongnyeongheon and Jegeumdang still remain, although they collapsed in a fire in 1870 (7th year of King Gojong’s reign) and were repaired in October of the same year by the governor of Chungju Jo Byeong-ro. With interior improvement, the refurbished structures were used as government offices for Jungwon-gun. However, with the relocation of the county office in 1983, the site was transformed into a park. The peaceful ambiance of the thick forest inhabited by a 500-year-old Zelkova tree and numerous pine trees, the historic Chungcheong Gamyeongmun Gate and Fortress Monument as well as Cheongnyeongheon and Jegeumdang, create a relaxing shelter. In this park, visitors can also see a kitchen from the ancient government office, the Sangosucheonggak building and a Martyrs’ Monument that pays tribute to the memory of Roman Catholics who died as martyrs during the Sinyubakhae and Byeonginbakhae persecutions.  


Chungcheongbuk-do(Jecheon-si)

Jecheon Station is located 154.9km away from Cheongnyangni Station, the first station on the Jungang Railroad. The station is built at a key junction, passing through Taebaek and Yeongdong Lines to the east, passing such cities as Yeongwoel, Sabuk, Hwangji and going all the way to Bukpyeong. To the southwest, it connects to the Chungbuk Line, which stretches 110km in length, passing through Eumseong, Chungju, Cheongju and Jochiwon. Famous tourist attractions within 4km of the station include Uirimji and Hanbyeokru.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

About 3 kilometers from Osaek Mineral Spring in South Seorak, the road splits, and you can take a trail to Yongso Falls and Sibi (Twelve) Falls. Jujeongol is the name of the valley that meanders up to Sibi Falls. As you hike along this delightful path you encounter Seonnyeotang Pond, Dokjuam Rock, and Yongso Falls, and the Second Osaek Mineral Spring is a refreshing treat for thirsty hikers. The path is relatively smooth and can be enjoyed by hikers of all abilities.The hiking routes in South Seorak are open from 4 am to 2 pm in winter and from 3 am to 3 pm in summer.


Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)

Daemyung Resort at Byeonsan is located in Byeonsan Bando National Park near Gyeokpo Beach in Buan (Jeollabuk-do). This luxurious resort is patterned after Normandy Beach and its European-style architecture. Aqua World is the resort’s multi-level water park which has an indoor pool (Water Plex, Aqua Play), outdoor pools, slides, sauna and bathing facilities. Lying alongside the beautiful coast, the resort offers the best view of the local scenery and picturesque sunsets. The resort also offers easy access to Chaeseokgang Cliff (Provincial Natural Monument No.28).


Jeollanam-do(Suncheon-si)

Seonamsa is a beautiful temple located at the west end of Mt. Jogyesan. You have to walk about 1 km from the entrance to reach the temple. If you go along the valley, two rainbow shaped bridges appear; the large one at the back is Seungseon Bridge. Seungseon Bridge is designated as National Treasure No. 400, and it is Korea’s most beautiful arched stone bridge. Because it blends in so well with the valley below, it is often used as shooting location for movies and TV shows. Just beyond Seungseon Bridge is Gangseonru Tower, a fitting pair to the bridge before it. Walk by the tower and you will come across a small oval-shape pond called Samindang. There is a small isle inside the pond, and an evergreen on the isle makes for beautiful scenery. Go further and Ilju Gate appears. Then various temple buildings come out. The big timber blocks of the temple buildings are impressive, and they blend in elegantly with the surrounding mountains. Anywhere you look, the structures harmonize with the nature surrounding them. The hiking course on the left of Seonamsa Temple takes you to Ma-aebuli, the 7m high sculpture engraved on a rock.Seonamsa Temple is beautiful throughout the year, but it is especially inviting during the spring when all the bluish and brilliant flowers start to bloom, as well as in the fall with the autumn colors.


Chungcheongnam-do(Taean-gun)

Located 30 km away from Taean, Anmyeondo Island is the sixth biggest island in Korea, where a 200-meter bridge constructed in 1970 connects the island with Taean-gun. The peninsula connected to Nammyeon was isolated during the Joseon Dynasty by cutting off access between Changgi-ri in Anmyeon-eup and Shinon-ri in Nammyeon for the convenience of tax transportation. The island's coast is lined with some 14 beaches as well as abundant pine trees, which are symbols of Anmyeon-eup. The island also owns Anmyeondo Natural Forest, along with the Mogamju Forest. (Natural Monument No. 138)


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)

The Park of Geojedo, P.O.W Camp was built to hold prisoners during the Korean War. Out of a total of 170,000 prisoners of war, 20,000 were from China and 150,000 were from North Korea. The camp was closed upon the signing of the 1953 armistice which ended the war. Remains of the war, such as tanks, trucks and other relics are on exhibit here. The camp was turned into a park in 1997 to ensure that the Korean War is not a forgotten war. It takes approximately one hour to walk the park grounds.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Andong Station sits on the Jungang Rail Line. Since it opened in October 15, 1930, all passenger trains that currently travel along both Yeongdong and Jungang Lines stop at this station. Andong Station has water tower that was installed in 1940, whose 12-sided shape is very unique, thus leading to its designation as no. 49 on the list of  Registered Cultural Properties of Korea. For those transferring to intercity buses, Andong Terminal is about 6 kilometers away, and can be accessed via city buses 0, 1, 2, and 11 from in front of Andong Station.


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

Baengnyeonsa Temple is located in the upper part of Gucheondong Valley on Deogyusan Mountain. It is said that during the Silla Kingdom, a white lotus flower bloomed here, and that's why the temple is called Baengnyeonsa. Baengnyeonsa Temple is surrounded by Deogyusan Mountain and is a very elegant and quiet temple.After walking over the Baengnyeon Bridge at the entrance of the temple, you will come to a stone stairway. At the top is the main sanctuary. The majesty and beauty of the main sanctuary is well complemented by the mountains. The Mokjosamjonbul Stone Buddha within the main building is presumed to have been built in the latter half of the Joseon Dynasty. Past Myeongbujeon is Baengnyeonsa’s Sajeokbi tombstone, and the workmanship of the calligraphy carved on them are very highly regarded.Baengnyeonsa Temple is famous for the camellia trees that surround the temple. About 1,500 trees are growing here, and in the blooming season, the entire temple become one large flower garden. The Camellia trees are designated Natural Monument, and you really would want to see them in their full glory in the spring. It is especially beautiful during the fall with the crimson leaves as well.