Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Located at the foot of Mt. Hamwol, Gulgulsa is the only temple cave in Korea. The temple was built out of solid rock during the 6th century by Saint Gwang Yoo and some accompanying monks, and was designed according to the architectural structure of India.On the top of the temple stands a sculpture of the Maya Tathagata Buddha and surrounding the sculpture are twelve rock caves used as a prayer sanctuary. Seven of the twelve rock cave sanctuaries are still standing today. Golgulsa’s main attractions are the sculpture of the Maya Tathagata Buddha and the Gwaneum Cave.The Buddha sculpture displays the characteristics of the Shilla Buddha, and is 4 meters high. The Buddha has his hair in a topknot, has a calm smile, narrow eyes, small lips, and a long narrow nose. To protect the sculpture of any damage from the wind or rain, a glass ceiling has been installed in the Gwaneum Cave, which is the largest sanctuary of the seven still existing caves.The main Buddha of this cave is the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, and the cave walls are dedicated to the 108 meditations of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. The Gwaneum Cave has a wall with tiles in front of it, which makes it look like an ordinary sanctuary. But once inside, the entire interior from ceiling to walls is carved all from stone. Golgulsa is unlike any other temple. The road to the temple offers an exciting thrill similar to that of rock climbing. Safety ropes and railings surround Golgulsa. A risky climb up a long set of stairs finally leads up to the caves, including Gwaneum Cave, Jijang Cave, and Yaksa Cave.The Maya Tathagata Buddha can only be seen after climbing the rock walls and holding on tightly to the safety ropes, but only past the cave-like rock that juts out.


Seoul(Jungnang-gu)

Sanbong Bus Terminal, which opened it door to public in September 1985, is a central bus terminal located in Sanbong-dong, Jungrang-gu of Seoul. Just as they are in in Dong Seoul Terminal, both intercity buses and express buses service are available at this terminal. Passengers may take a bus to northern Seoul or Gangwon-do regions from here.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

Suwon Station first started out as a non-express train station on January 1, 1905. Subsequently on December 31, 1975, a subway station was added. The station is on Seoul Subway Line 1 and Gyeongbu Railroad, on which Samaeul Train and Mugunghwa Train operate. On January 1, 1996, they closed down Suin Line and the Narrow Gauge Train Station was no longer in operation. In February 2003, a privately-funded station was established. A KTX train operating on Gyeongbu Line from Seoul to Daejeon began to include Suwon Station as a stop on November 1, 2010.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

The waters of Guramy spa come from hot springs located 500 meters underground. The hot spring waters are perfect for children and old-aged patients since they contain very little salt and are therefore hypoallergenic. The waters are believed to be effective against neuralgia, muscular pains, and even women’s diseases.Visitors can also drink the hot spring waters, which can help digestive ailments such as constipation. In addition, Guramy Spa’s hot springs water is said to gently soothe the skin to eliminate skin irritations, reduce pains, and is even great for dandruff problems.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gimcheon-si)

Jikjisa, located in Hwangak Mountain, Daehang-myeon, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, has a temple stay program which offers an opportunity for busy urbanites to relax and have some quality time for themselves. The temple stay includes learning temple etiquette, yebul (Buddhist service), 108 prostrations, talks with a monk, lecture on Buddhist culture, chamseon (Zen meditation), and barugongyang (formal monastic meal). Unique to the temple is an early morning walk to Hwanhuidae through which you may look deep down your heart and clear out all your afflictions.


Gyeonggi-do(Yeoncheon-gun)

The area surrounding the Hantangang River (한탄강) has is littered with countless volcanic rocks from past volcanic activity. These rocks are basaltic, and are commonly called gombo (a face with chicken pox marks) rock because they are covered in small holes that form from air bubbles when volcanic lava cools rapidly. The surrounding scenery of the Hantangang River area is truly breathtaking and is also the site of a famous amusement park. The Hantangang River Resort, located in the lower region of the Hantangang River, stretches along 1.5 kilometers of the river;s shore between the Sarang Bridge and the Hantan Bridge in Jeongok-ri, Yeoncheon-gun. The Hantangang River flows from Pyeonggang in North Korea, flows through Cheorwon, Pocheon and Yeoncheon and eventually joins the Imjingang River. The river features many scenic locales, including a large valley, the walls of which consist of many rare rocks. The resort is a great place for rest and relaxation, and has facilities for the whole family, maintaining campsites for cars and motor homes, a dinosaur themed Children’s Character Park, the Children’s Transportation Land, a water park, an ecological pond, and a soccer field downstream. Additionally, the Goseokjeong Pavilion and Sundam Valley are located nearby upstream.


Gyeonggi-do(Bucheon-si) , Bucheon

Housed in a 27,124 m2 building with two ground floors and two underground floors, the Bucheon Botanical Garden houses many rare plants for visitors to see. The building was built in the shape of a peach flower, the symbol of Bucheon City, and has five thematic gardens: the general plant garden, aquatic plant garden, tropical plant garden, succulent plant garden, and indigenous plant garden. At the central garden, 9,975 trees representing some 310 species are planted. With a forest nearby, the botanical garden offers a great nature learning experience for visitors. Together with the Natural Ecology Museum and Children Zoo nearby, it is also a great cultural and recreational destination.


Jeollabuk-do(Gochang-gun)

The Gochang Pansori Museum was established in the old residence of ‘Dongni’ Sin Jae-Hyo (a musical theorist and arranger and a sponsor of Pansori) with the aim of honoring the great Pansori singers of the past (including Sin Jae-Hyo) and preserving and developing the indigenous tradition of Pansori. Of the original rooms of the residence only Sarangchae (an annex where men used to study or welcome guests) has been renovated and is open to the public. Right next to Sarangchae is the Dongni Gugakdang (Korean Traditional Music Hall).Over 1,000 pieces related to Pansori and great local singers are on display at the museum, included personal possessions once owned by Sin Jae-Hyo (penname ‘Dongni’). For those interested in learning more about the traditional art of Pansori music or experiencing high-quality Pansori, the Gochang Pansori Museum is a must-visit travel destination.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

Huhuam Temple can be found next to National Highway No. 7 in Gwangjin-ri, Hyeonnam-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do after Namae Harbor. The temple building was built only 10 years ago and behind the temple, there is a wide flat rock resembling a turtle peeking out of the ocean. In addition, there is a rock which is naturally shaped similar to Buddha. The location makes it seem as if the turtle-shaped rock is bowing down to Buddha. Also, on top of the cliff on the upper right side of this Buddha statue there are two big rocks, called “Jungbawi.” These rocks are shaped like monks carrying a moktak (wooden percussion instrument used for chanting by Buddhist clergy) and bowing to the statue, adding an even more amazing atmosphere to the temple area.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

Goryeong was the old capital of Daegaya (42-562 AD), a city-state of the Gaya confederacy that once spanned the region now occupied by Gyeongsangnam-do Province to the south of the Korean peninsula. The city of Goryeong played such a central role in the development of the confederacy that many artifacts and historic sites of the Daegaya period can still be found there today. Some of the most prominent landmarks are the 200 gobuns (ancient tombs) that lie along the southeastern slope of Jusan Mountain in Goryeong. In ancient times, the higher and larger a tomb, the higher the social status of the person buried inside. Given this tradition and historical evidence, the largest tomb in the south has been identified as Geumnim Wangneung (Royal Tomb of King Geumnim); the other large tombs are also presumed to be those of the kings of Daegaya. The large royal tombs (over 20m in diameter) dominate the mountain ridge (the highest point) while mid-sized and smaller tombs can be found on the mountain slopes and foothills. Historical research on Daegaya began with the excavation and partial identification of the ancient tombs of Goryeong by research teams from Kyungpook National University and Keimyung University in 1977. Excavators discovered a great number of relics—gilt-bronze crowns, swords, armor, and trinkets of gold, silver, and jade—that shed light on the flourishing culture of Gaya. To continue to encourage interest in the history and culture of Daegaya, officials of Goryeong-gun County established the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall at the foot of Jusan Mountain in Gobun-gun, Jisan-dong. The exhibition hall depicts the social structure of the era through ancient customs such as burying servants alive with their dead masters.