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.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

A memorial park for the world-renowned composer Isang Yun was created in Docheon-dong, Tongyeong-si where the great composer was born. The Isang Yun Memorial Park consists of several sections including an exhibition hall displaying the composer’s legacy; a multi-purpose lounge, serving coffee and selling souvenirs; a Memorial Hall, where all kinds of performances and seminars take place; and Gyeongsa Square, an outdoor event venue.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)

Legend has it that a dragon ascended to the sky from Darian Valley. Darian Valley is named as such because of the scenic sight of falls under a bridge. Originating in Biro Peak, Sobaeksan Mountain, water flows into Darian Valley, Cheongdong, Geumgok, and Gosu Donggul Cave.Pure, cold water whirls around odd-shaped rocks in the valley, surrounded by lush trees. This makes the valley one of the most popular spots during the summer. The Darian Tourist Area, centered in the valley, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors thanks to abounding scenic views. Excellent amenities include huts, campgrounds, cookout spots, and clay massaging paths, making the area ideal for family visitors and hikers.Nearby attractions include the Cheondong Tourist Area (including auto campgrounds, golf facilities, and water parks), hiking paths to Sobaeksan Mountain, Dodam Sambong and Seokmun (rainbow-shaped stone column) forming one of the Eight Scenic Sights of Danyang, three caves (Gosu, Nodong, and Cheondong), Ondal Drama Studio, and Soseonam Resort Forest. Abundant attractions make Dangyang a favorite tourist destination among visitors. 


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hapcheon-gun)

The Hapcheon Image Theme Park became a major tourist attraction after the release of Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004), and has continued to increase in popularity following the filming of additional movies and dramas within the park. Well-known films and soap operas include Seoul 1945, Fighter in the Wind, Gyeongseong Scandals, Meeting Plaza, Dachimawa Lee, Modern Boy and East of Eden. The park is one of the largest film and television studio sets in Korea.The theme park is located in Gahori, Yongju-myeon (Hapcheon) and covers an area of over 231,406.00㎡. It is divided into two main sets separately owned by the major broadcasting companies KBS and MBC. The section owned by KBS houses reproductions of Seoul landmarks such as Seoul Station, Chosun Governor-General Office, and the Bando Hotel, as they appeared from the 1930s to the 1960s. MBC’s set focuses mainly on reproductions of streets from Sogong-dong, Seoul from the 1970s and 80s. A walk around this major filming location will transport visitors back into the Seoul of yore, a Seoul vastly different from the one people know and love today.After a set is used for a film or a soap opera, the City of Hapcheon remodels and displays it as a type of exhibit, chronicling the area’s anthropologic development. In the future, the city plans to expand exhibits to include a facility where visitors can view a collection of historic military pieces. 


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)


Chungcheongbuk-do(Boeun-gun)

Songnisan Mountain Maltijae, Songnisan Mountain gateway is a steep, zigzagging uphill path located 8km from Chungbuk Boeun in the direction of Songnisan. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910) while Sejo King was climbing Songnisan Mountain he mounted a horse (mal) because of the mountain’s steep gradient, thus giving the mountain its name. Located here, Songnisan Maltijae Recreational Forest (속리산 말티재 자연휴양림) is harmoniously mingled with Jangjae reservoir creating a beautiful scene. It is a good place to experience nature.For its main facilities there are promenades, mountain paths, Water Parks, public kitchens, and for its lodging facilities there are Forest Cabins divided into 16 villages. Reservations can be made through the homepage.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

The town of Goryeong is four hours outside of Seoul, and features many relic sites of Daegaya around the whole district of Goryeong-gun. Around the first century, Daegaya was formed in the Nakdonggang River’s downstream area in the lower Korean peninsula, flourished independently for 520 years (AD 42~562), and declined after the 6th century. After its decline, part of it was annexed by Silla (57 BC ~ AD 935), and the rest annexed by Baekjae (18 BC~AD 60), and became a forgotten tribal kingdom.On King Jinheung’s (reign 540~576) 23rd year of reign it became the district of Daegaya, and the name was changed to the district of Goryeong on King Gyeongdeok’s (reign 742~765) 16th year of reign.This is the place where you can view the country’s first Sunjangmyo (tomb where many dead people were buried together), called Jisandong Gobungun, Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, and Treasure No. 605, the pre-eminent relics site of the Prehistoric Period called Yangjeondong Amgakhwa, and other various cultural assets.There is a large, ancient tomb with a diameter of 20m, built on the ridgeline of the mountain, and as you go down the mountain, there are 159 other tombs of smaller scale. The largest tomb in the south side is called the Geumrim Royal Tomb, and the other large tombs near it are presumed to be tombs of royalty or aristocrats.At the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, site of the restored No. 44 tomb, you can see the ancient custom of burying the living with the dead (Royalty buried with their retainers). The dome-style exhibit hall displays Sunjangseokgwak, ironware, pottery and other various excavated relics.


Gangwon-do(Donghae-si)

Mukho Port was opened on August 11, 1941 and has been a major port for fishing and trading (mainly, coal). Established on June 8, 1963, Mukho Lighthouse has been a guardian of ships and boats ever since. Located 67m up the slopes of Mt. Dongmun, Mukho Lighthouse (12m in x_height) is a white and circular concrete structure with two floors. It is surrounded by a cozy park where forsythias blossom in spring and visitors can overlook the sea. The park is home to the Maritime Fishing Exhibition Hall, where visitors can learn about the history of fishing in the area. The lighthouse and its surrounding area are full of quiet and comfortable spots to relax and enjoy the scenery. Because of its location (on the highest point of Mukho beach), the lighthouse is absolutely crucial to the safety of ships and boats coming into the port. The lighthouse’s large light, installed in October 2003, was developed by Korean scientists and uses a rotating prism lens that can shine beams of light as far as 42km. * Opened: June 8, 1963 * Structure: white and circular concrete structure (12m in x_height) * Lighting: FlW10s * Characteristics: located on Mt. Dongmun next to Mukho Port (the largest port on the East Coast in Gangwon-do)  


Jeju-do(Jeju-si)

Udo Sanho Beach, all referred to as Seobinbaeksa Beach, is a white sand beach. The ocean here varies in colors from bright emerald to deep sapphire according to its depth. The view is so unique, it cannot be compared to the Mediterranean Sea, South Pacific Sea, or any other ocean view.


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Nangman Pocha (romance street stalls) offers 18 different resturants that provides various type of food while enjoying the beautiful nightscape of Yeosu and exciting performances.