Incheon(Ongjin-gun)

Yeonpyeongdo Island is a small island resided by fishing communities. Despite the tragic incident of November 2010 shelling from North Korea, this bucolic island offers many natural and cultural attractions. Island History The earliest known history of Socheongdo Island comes from Chungmin-sa Temple, which was built to commemorate the island's once abundant but now extinct fish species called Yellow corbina (Sciaenidae). This fish was related to the family of fish commonly called drums, croakers, or hardheads for the repetitive throbbing or drumming sounds they make. When the economy flourished thanks to profitable fishing, the Socheongdo port was congested with fishing boats, so much that it was said that one could cross from one island to the next by walking over boats. The species of fish is depleted, and the island remains as quiet with views of North Korea. In November 2010, Socheongdo Island was hit by the fatal shelling from North Korea that killed two civilians and two soldiers. In recent months, the island has made an attempt to recover its tourism industry and to develop security tourism by blending its newer military presence at tourist attractions.


Gangwon-do(Hwacheon-gun)

Peace Dam in Hwacheon-gun was built in response to a potential flooding attack from North Korea. The first phase of construction began in 1986, and ended in 1989; the second phase, which entailed raising the x_height of the dam, began in 2002, and ended in 2005.Over the years, the dam has become a major tourist destination. It has several cultural and recreational facilities including the Water Culture Center, an artificial wall stream, and rest areas. It is also located close to the DMZ, and natural landmarks such as Bimok Park, Bisugumi Valley, and Suhari Fishing Site.


Gyeonggi-do(Pocheon-si) , Pocheon

Jainsa Temple in Pocheon (Gyeonggi-do) lies deep within the rugged cliffs of Myeongseongsan Mountain. Located nearby Sanjeong Lake, the two sites are often enjoyed together by visitors to this majestic area.The path leading to the temple is lined with an impressive array of towering pine trees. Just inside the temple grounds is a Buddhist statue resembling Maitreya, or a ‘future Buddha’ surrounded by an elaborate Buddhist sanctuary known as Geuknakbojeon. Behind the sanctuary is a valley with steep cliffs from which visitors can look down upon beautiful Sanjeong Lake. The temple is also home to a variety of stone pagodas, a statue resembling Avalokitesvara (the Buddhist goddess of mercy), and a water spring, the latter of which attracts visitors for its rumored medicinal powers.Nearby tourist attractions include Myeongseongsan Mountain, Sanjeong Lake, Hantangang River, Hwajeokyeon, Sambuyeon Falls, Sundam Valley, and Geumsu Jeongji.


Gyeonggi-do(Anyang-si)

The Kwanak Arboretum of Seoul National University located in Anyang-si, is a central research institution that collects, grows, preserves, exhibits, and studies plants native to Korea and other plants native to the northern hemisphere. The institution focuses on educational exchanges and cooperatives with relevant institutions both home and abroad.


Gangwon-do(Yeongwol-gun)

Cheongnyeongpo Cape (청령포), located on the upper stream of Namhangang River in Gwangcheon-ri, Nam-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, is known as the place of King Danjong’s exile. The area was designated as Scenic Site No.50 in December 2008. King Danjong (r. 1452-1455, 6th King of the Joseon Dynasty) was banished from the kingdom after being overthrown by his uncle, King Sejo. King Danjong was exiled on Cheongnyeongpo Cape, surrounded on three sides by water and a steep, wall-like rock called Yugyukbong on its west side. The cape is so isolated that it can only be reached by ferry. On Cheongnyeongpo Cape, visitors can see Geumpyobi Headstone, created during Danjong's exile; and Danmyoyujibi, set up during the reign of King Yeongjo. Both landmarks help convey the cape’s interesting past. Other historic sites include Manghyangtap Pagoda, Nosandae Observatory, and Gwaneunsong Pine Grove (Natural Monument No. 349). Cheongnyeongpo Cape is where King Danjong, the 16-year-old dethroned king, lived a tragic life in exile filled with tears and heavy sighs. The site however, is now known for its well-preserved scenery and the beauty of the nearby Seogang River.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)

Deokpo Beach is a white sandy beach in the city of Geoje in Gyeongsangnam-do. The 450m-long and 40m-wide beach offers fine sand, clear waters, a gentle slope and old sea pine trees along the coast. The sound of the waves hitting the small pebbles, give a romantic atmosphere, especially at night. Nearby attractions include the Okpo Great Victory Commemorative Park, which was built in 1996 to commemorate the victory of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, and the Okpo Shipyard of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering with a giant shipyard crane.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geochang-gun)

Solmarugil Road, an ‘eco path of Ulsan’ that connects the people with mother nature, is a 24-km urban circuit walk that starts from Seonam Lake Park and connects with Sinseonsan Mountain, Daegongwonsan Mountain, Munsu International archery range, Solmaru Haneul-gil, Samhosan Mountain and Namsan Mountain. Climbing up to the top of Sinseonjeong Pavilion on Sinseonsan Mountain, you may enjoy the wide, breathtaking view of Seonam Lake Park. The route to Daegongwosan Mountain is gradual, rather than steep, and the thick pine tree forest offers a great spot for a forest bath. Since the road connects mountains with the city, it offers easy access and diverse walking routes to urbanites.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

The Mungyeong Spa is an enormous hot springs complex that first opened in March 2001 and is able to accommodate up to 2,500 visitors at one time.The Mungyeong Spa offers two types of hot springs water. The yellow earth-colored hot springs water comes from 900 meters underground and is effective in treating skin irritations and heart disease. The other hot springs water comes from 750 meters below the ground and is beneficial to healing wounds and respiratory organs.Due to Mungyeong Spa’s two different hot springs waters, you can have several different healing experiences all in one place. 


Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si) , Paju(Heyri Art valley)

The Jaun Seowon Confucian Academy is home to the tablets of Yulgok Yi I, a great scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. Yulgok was born in his mother’s childhood home in Gangneung in 1536, the 31st year of King Jungjong’s reign. The site is home to the Memorial Hall (free admission) where artifacts related to Yulgok and his mother Sinsaimdang are on exhibit. The tomb of Yulgok Yi I is located to the west of the Memorial Hall and sits above the tomb of Sinsaimdang with the tombs of other relatives. It is unique that the tomb of Yi I is above that of his mother. The site is home to the memorial hall building as well as the family tombs, tombstones, Sammun and Munseongmun gates, Yulgok Education and Training Center, a lawn plaza, pond, mineral spring, and a room where memorial services are held. In early October every year, the Yulgok Culture Festival, a major festival of Paju, is held beginning with the ritual service offered in memory of Yulgok.


Chungcheongnam-do(Boryeong-si)

Situated in Boryeong (Chungcheongnam-do), spacious Gaehwa Art Park (181,819m2) is a theme art park that houses a variety of parks and attractions: to name a few, Mosan Fine Arts Museum, Birim Park, Yukpilsi Park, Hwain Music Hall, and Herb Land. Herb Land, in a large greenhouse, is home to a wide array of foliage plants, aquatic plants, freshwater fish, amphibians, and insects, an excellent learning center for children; Yukpilsi Park displays stone statues on which works of famous Korean poets are inscribed, making it an ideal place for couples and family visitors. The park boasts over 1,000 sculptures, statues, and monuments as well as seven ponds on which stone sculptures and lotus flowers float. It is a fascinating place to take pictures. A walking trail enveloping park, stretching over 2.5km, is flanked by endless monuments displaying famous Chinese poems. The park, in addition, offers various programs through which to make herbal soap, wooden crafts, or ceramics, ride a banana boat, or go rowing.