Jeollanam-do(Gurye-gun)

Located in Omi-ri, Toji-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, the Unjoru Pavilion was designated an Important Folklore Cultural Property on November 25, 1986. It was built in 1776, by Ryu, I-Ju who was high government official of the Sam-su Department, but only 63 of the 78 rooms remained today. The name 'Unjoru' refers to 'the lurking place like a bird in the clouds', which was inspired from an old poem 'GwiGeoraesa (歸去來辭)' written by poet Tao Yuan Ming (陶淵明).


Jeollabuk-do(Gochang-gun)

Gochangeupseong Fortress is a natural fortress built by civilians in 1453. A government office building of the Joseon era was then rebuilt within the walls. Here, visitors can see an example of Korea’s traditional fortress architecture and take a stroll nearby amidst beautiful natural scenery.


Gangwon-do(Jeongseon-gun)

If you go southeast from downtown Jeongseon all the way to Dong-myeon, you will run into Hwaam Tourist Attraction (화암관광지), which is also known as Sogeumgang River (small diamond) because of its magnificent scenery. Although the road that runs through the site winding, it is perfectly paved and drivers can enjoy the beautiful view of thick forest and fascinating, often curious-looking rock formations and cliffs along the roadside. Hwaam Tourist Attraction is an ideal locale for leaf peeking in autumn. Scenic Beauty 1: Hwaam Mineral Spring At Hwaam Mineral Spring (화암약수), water rises up through a rock crater located in Dong-myeon, Jeongseon. The water is said to be good for stomachaches, eye infections, and skin diseases; and, as it contains nine essential elements such as calcium and fluorine, it tastes crisp and clean. Scenic Beauty 2: Turtle Rock (on the right upper side of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring). Part of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring is buttressed by a cliff, on which there is a rock that resembles the shape of a turtle. Scenic Beauty 3: Yongmaso (on the riverside 500 meters ahead of the entrance to Hwaam Mineral Spring). With its clean water and wide sheets of rock, Yongmaso Lake (용마소) is a popular attraction for vacationers. Scenic Beauty 4: Hwaam Cave Hwaam Cave (화암동굴) used to be a gold mine that was commercially operated from 1922 to 1945. The nation’s 5th largest goldmine was, however, found to have natural stalactites, and later the cave was developed as the only theme-based cave that combined gold and nature. The stalactite area is an open space of 2,800㎡ and the length of the path open to visitors is 1,803 meters. The entire area consists of 5 chapters, which in turn constitute 41 zones; it takes about an hour and a half to see all of the zones. Scenic Beauty 5: Hwapyoju Cliff Hwapyoju (화표주) is a cliff facing the entrance of Hwapyo-dong, which can be seen on your way from Hwaam-dong to Molundae (몰운대). The cliff may appear as if a giant sharpened a large sheet of rock and placed it upright, or less imaginatively, as if two pillars are standing side by side. Scenic Beauty 6: Sogeumgang River The four-kilometer stretch from Hwapyoju to Molundae, surrounded with 100 to 150-meter high rock cliffs and thick forest, is called Sogeumgang River (small Geumgang River), meaning that its beautiful scenery is reminiscent of that of the breathtaking Geumgangsan Mountain. Scenic Beauty 7: Molundae Cliff (past Sogeumgang, on the right-hand side of Gubeulgil) ‘Molundae (몰운대)’ literally means ‘the cliff beyond which clouds disappear’. The tip of the steep cliff is adorned with three specimens of 500-year-old pine trees. Legend has it that gods would perch on the cliff’s top and enjoy the beautiful view. At the foot of the cliff lies a large sheet of rock that can accommodate hundreds of people. Scenic Beauty 8: Gwangdaegok Valley (past Molundae, on the left) Gwangdaegok Valley (광대곡) is said to be the mysterious place where heaven, earth and clouds meet. The surrounding hills are very rough and bumpy, which makes the area a renowned mountain in Korea. There is a belief among wild-ginseng diggers that they can find great ginseng if they pray in Gwangdaegok, so it is a popular attraction for such prospectors.  


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

The 28-meter high Huibang Falls is a waterfall located below the Huibangsa Temple at Sobaeksan Mountain in Sucheol-ri, Punggi-eup, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. It is located 700 meters above sea level about halfway up Sobaeksan Mountain. It is one of the must-see attractions on Sobaeksan Mountain, and is the No.1 waterfall in the whole Yeongnam (southeastern part of Korea) area. The water from the falls comes from Yeonhwabong Peak (1383 m), one of the sacred peaks of Sobaeksan Mountain. The water flows along the Huibang Valley and then plunges into the rocks below with a big splash, creating a breathtaking view for visitors.


Jeollanam-do(Gokseong-gun)

Dangunjeon Shrine was built in honor of Dangun, a legendary figure known to be the founder of Gojoseon, or the ancient Korea. He is known to be the grandson of the heavens and the son of Hwanung. According to the legend, Hwanung was approached by a bear and a tiger who wished to become human beings. Hwanung attended to their plea by instructing them to avoid sunlight for 100 days and live only by consuming garlic and mugwort. Unlike the tiger who gave up, the bear followed the instructions faithfully and transformed into a woman, who then married Hwanung and gave birth to Dangun. Located near Yeonguncheonbyeon in Gokseong-eup, Dangunjeon Shrine was first founded in Hakjeong-ri, Samin-dong in 1916 by Shin Tae-yun, also known as Baekdang, but later moved to its current location and went through reconstruction in 1931. An annual ancestral rite takes place at the shrine on October 3 (National Foundation Day) and March 15 to pay respects to Dangun. Dangunjeon Shrine was also a place where civilians gathered to take an oath of patriotism in action against the Japanese during Japanse colonization period; a stone plaque commemorating the March 1st Independence Movement and Baekdang Memorial Hall dedicated to Shin Tae-yun can also be found within the area. Shin Tae-yun was captured by the Japanese soldiers during the March 1st Independence Movement and served two years in prison.


Jeollanam-do(Gangjin-gun)

Gangjin Dawon is beautiful landscape of green tea fields located at the southern foot of Wolchulsan Mountain in Jeollanam-do. The area’s big temperature difference between day and night and the air thick with fog provide ideal conditions for tea cultivation. The tea cultivated in Gangjin Dawon has a strong scent and rarely tastes bitter. Gangjin Dawon is the home of the nation’s first green tea product “Baegunokpancha” that was produced up until the independence of Korea in 1945. Since 1980, an extensive area of mountainous territory has been cultivated for green tea production to become the more than 80 acres of green tea fields that it is today. As Gangjin Dawon is relatively lesser known than the green tea fields in Boseong, visitors can enjoy a leisurely time surrounded by the vastness of the green tea fields. Nearby attractions include Baengnyeonsa Temple, the Birthplace of Yeongnang, Gangjin Goryeo Cheongja Doyoji (Goryeo celadon porcelain kiln site), and Dasan Chodang, which is the house where the famous scholar Dasan Jeong Yak-yong (1762-1836) lived during his exile.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed in 1971 to preserve the world’s wetlands. The Ramsar Culture Center promotes this mission and exhibits its history and highlights. The center educates visitors on the importance of preserving Junam Wetland Park and the cultural value of wetlands.Here visitors can view around 120 wetland posters from 40 countries, 15 wetland CDs, and 100 books on wetlands. There are also 1,060 stamps from 30 Asian countries and 10 previous Ramsar host countries, and also that feature the migratory birds of Junam Wetlands Park.After exploring the center, you can take one of the free bicycles and go out to the wetlands to see the reservoir and migratory birds. 


Chungcheongnam-do(Seocheon-gun)

National Institute of Ecology is a national organization established to find a sustainable balance between the preservation of the natural environment and citizens’ rights to pursue happiness.Ecorium has tropical, temperate, mediterranean and polar exhibitions centers where visitors can experience and learn about a variety of ecosystems. Ecological experience and education courses are conducted in a variety of outdoor spaces, including ecological wetland ecosystems.


Gangwon-do(Hongcheon-gun)

Hongcheon Ginkgo Forest is only open to the public during the month of October. This private forest was planted and has been maintained by one man for 30 years. He settled down in the area in 1985 with his wife who suffered from chronic indigestion. He started planting the ginkgo tree seeding on his spacious field after he heard about the medicinal effects of the mineral waters from Sambong Yaksu at the foot of Odaesan Mountain. The forest remained private until 2010, when its popularity spread by word of mouth. Since then, the owner has graciously agreed to open his private land up to the public for free during the month of October, when the whole forest takes on a golden hue.