Jeollanam-do(Haenam-gun)

Mihwangsa, located in Dalmasan Mountain, Seojeong-ri, Songji-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, is considered as one of the most beautiful temples in the nation. Unlike other temple stay programs, Mihwangsa Temple Stay, which is a year-around program available from January throughout December, offers diverse options from a one-day stay to an 8days/7nights program. The temple stay will be a precious opportunity for busy urbanites to do some soul-searching while learning more about Buddhist culture through various programs such as learning Chinese classics and communal living.  


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changnyeong-gun)

Upo Wetland Cyber Ecological Park collects data and conducts research on various wild wetland animals (birds, fish, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles), and displays these to the public. The Cyber Ecological Park promotes the message that humans are also part of nature and educates visitors on how we can live in harmony with nature. To help visitors learn more about the ecological environment, the Cyber Ecological Park consists of various galleries: Understanding Uponeup, the Four Seasons of Uponeup, Living Uponeup, Families of Uponeup, and Understanding the Ecological Environment. Each gallery exhibits dynamic models and videos, as well as hands-on interactive programs. The Cyber Ecological Park is a place of education for young people, a place of culture for everyone, and a place of relaxation for families. Visitors are encouraged to experience and learn more about the environment of the wetlands. After viewing all the exhibits, you can take a leisurely stroll around Uponeup Wetland.  


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

As the only temple in Jeoksangsan (or Mt. Jeoksang), Anguksa Temple was built in 1227 (during the 3rd year of King Chungryeol’s reign) by Monk Wolin. A secret historical archives, called Sagak, was built to store Joseonwangjo Sillok (annals of the Joseon Dynasty) in 1614 (during the 6th year of King Gwanghaegun’s reign) within the mountain, while Seonukgak was built in 1641 (during the 19th year of King Injo’s reign) to store Seonwonrok (royal genealogical records). The two sites were designated as Jeoksangsan Historical Archives during the Joseon Dynasty. Hoguksa Temple was also built at that time to prevent accidents from affecting the archives. The temple, along with the existing Anguksa Temple, was used to house monk soldiers who protected the archives.Because of the construction of Muju Power Plant, Anguksa Temple was relocated to the Hoguksa Temple site and rebuilt in 1995. Consisting of 15 buildings, the temple is surrounded by Sanjeong Lake. Boasting exquisite fall foliage, the temple can be easily reached by vehicle along a paved road. The nearby attractions include Muju Resort and Muju Gucheondong Valley. 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Oksanseowon Confucian Academy (Treasure No. 525) was built to commemorate the scholarly achievements and virtues of Confucian scholar Yi Eon-jeok (1491-1553). Built in 1572 in the fifth year of King Seonjo’s reign, the school was named Oksanseowon in the seventh year of the king’s reign. It is included as one of the 47 Confucian Academies ruled out of the Confucian Academy abolition by Heungseon Daewongun. Even though the building structures don’t carry significant meaning in an architectural aspect, it was built with a distinguished space arrangement method. Dokrakdang, which was Yi Eon-jeok’s house as well as study room, are situated 700m far from the Confucian Academy.


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.  


Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

Dutayeon Falls (두타연) is located on a branch of the Suip Stream (수입천) that flows through Geonsol-ri (건솔리), Bangsan-myeon (방산면), which is north of the Civilian Control Line. The amount of water that flows into the pond is limited, but the surrounding forest provides superb and almost primeval scenery, while the pollution-free waters offer a habitat for Korea’s largest lenok population. Lenok are a species of freshwater fish under the official monitoring and control of the Korean government. A 20-meter screen of flat rocks surrounds the pond and the east wall features a 10-meter square cave, the floor of which is imprinted with the shape of a comb and horse harness.


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Geomundo Lighthouse, completed on April 12, 1905, was the first lighthouse to be built on the southern coast of Korea. The white, 6.4 meter-high lighthouse shines a beam of light every 15 seconds that is visible for up to 42 kilometers away. In January 2006, a 33-meter high lighthouse top was added to replace obsolete facilities. The previous hundred-year-old lighthouse top was partially restored and is on display as a maritime relic. While at the lighthouse, don’t forget to visit the Gwanbaekejong Pavilion next to the lighthouse for an exquisite view of the southern sea.


()

Seosaengpo Waeseong Fortress (Seosaengpo Japanese Fortress) is a stone fortress typical of the Japanese style popular in the later part of the 16th century. It was built under the leadership of Japanese General Kato Kiyomasa in 1592-1593 at the beginning of the Imjinwaeran War (Japanese invasion, 1592-1598). The main fortress is located on a mountaintop 200 meters above sea level, a second fortress is halfway down the mountain, and a third fortress is located at the bottom of the mountain. The whole fortress is rectangular shaped. The fortress wall is 6 meters high and slants at an angle of 15 degrees. In 1594, a Buddhist monk named Samyeong-daesa came to Seosaengpo Waeseong Fortress four times to negotiate for peace, but he failed each time. In 1598, the fortress was taken over by Korea with the assistance of General Magwi of the Ming Dynasty. A year later, Changpyodang Shrine was built in honor of the 53 Koreans who died during battles against the Japanese invading forces. However, the shrine was destroyed during the Japanese imperialism period and no trace of it remains. It is possible to tell from Seosaengpo Jinseongdo (a map drawn up in 1872) that the fortress was also partially used by Korean forces.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Bonghwa-gun)

Cheongoksan Mountain (1,276m) is located to the southeast of Manggyeongdae on Taebaeksan Mountain. The hiking course goes along the ridge of the mountain from Neutjae in Socheon-myeon and winds past Hongjesa Temple, which (according to rumors) is where the great Buddhist monk Samyeong underwent spiritual training. Nearby is Baekcheon Valley, which has been designated Natural Monument No. 74, since it is the southernmost natural habitat of the cherry salmon. Also located in the vicinity are Goseon Valley (home to a huge primeval forest) and Cheongoksan Recreational Forest, which includes various leisure facilities such as a water park, work-out center, campgrounds, lodges, and more.


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).