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.  


Chungcheongnam-do(Dangjin-si)

Dangjin Marine Tourism Organization, also known as Sapgyo Hamsang Park, is a unique theme park where old battleships have been turned into experience and exhibition halls. The park is comprised of a themed exhibition hall focused on the navy and marines, the inside and outside of military ships, flights and other exciting facilities, including a 3-D video room, game center, carnival plaza, and indoor entertainment facility to help children admire and become intimate with the Navy and Marines. Also, Hamsang Cafe provides another resting area to enjoy ones visit fully.


Gangwon-do(Inje-gun)

Songkang Canoe School is located in Naerincheon Stream and offers educational programs and tours led by a professional training team certified by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Also, the school operates a store that sells imported kayak and canoe equipment.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Jumunjin Port, one of the main fishing ports on the east coast, is home to over 350 fishing boats. The East Sea, where the warm and cold waters meet, is excellent for catching a lot of different types of fish including squid, lance fish, pollack, herring and anchovy. Fish caught in the area is often served fresh or cooked at nearby seafood restaurants.


Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si)

Onyangoncheon Station opened on June 1, 1922 as a regular railway station. The station building was relocated on June 23, 1983. On January 1, 2005, it was converted into a metro station. On September 2, 2008, the double tracked railway extension from Cheonan Station to Sinchang Station started operation.The Seoul Metropolitan Subway extended Line 1 to service the Cheonan-Sinchang extension on December 15, 2008. Onyangoncheon Station started to serve the Nuriro Trains on June 1, 2009.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

The Junam Ecological Center consists of an exhibition gallery, main hall, and local produce store. When you arrive, you will be guided into the Main Hall galleries where you will view framed samples and stuffed animals to learn about the birds, plants, and insects that are living in Junam. In the theater, you will watch a video showing the intricate relationships between humans and the birds of Junam. Meanwhile, monitors hanging on the outer walls of the galleries show the birds’ flying technique and their ecology. After exploring the center, take a free bicycle ride to the wetlands to see the reservoir and migratory birds.  


Gwangju(Buk-gu)

Gwangju Riverside Eco Park (185,124m²) is divided into themed districts and features a natural observation center, an eco-experience center, and more. In the flower district, visitors can see more than 170,000 kinds of wild flowers including azaleas, forsythia, smile rosebay, roses, royal azaleas and hydrangeas. Visitors may also enjoy the picturesque view of over 3000 kinds of trees including snowbells, quince, Chinese parasol trees, Japanese maples, and Metasequoia trees. At the wetlands district, you may actually see how birds hatch and grow! Since the Eco Park is only 30 minutes away from downtown Gwangju, it is a popular place for citizens during the warmer months. Some of the popular places in the park are the Buyeop Botanical Garden, Waterfront Observatory Deck, and rock garden.


Gyeonggi-do(Pocheon-si)

Covering over 225,000㎡ of land in the southwestern part of Seoul, Seoseoul Lake Park (also known as West Lake Park) was opened in October 2009 to resolve the regional imbalance in the city. The central lake, a fountain that projects a small airplane sound, Mondrian garden where the famous media wall fountain is situated, a large event table that seats 100 people and a recycle garden all carry the themes of ‘water’ and ‘recycling’ that were established through the park development project. Also, Neunggolsan Mountain forest, which separates Seoul and Bucheon, as well as the hiking trails have been restored and added to the park. In addition, there are playgrounds for children, sports facilities including a football field, a basketball court and badminton courts, and a cultural plaza. With its vast space and 24-hour operation, the park provides a relaxing ground for the citizens of Seoul.    


Jeollanam-do(Yeonggwang-gun)

The Bulgapsa Temple (불갑사) of Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, was the very first Buddhist temple to be built in Korea. Monk Marananta, who was the first Indian monk to spread Buddhism in Korea, is said to have established the temple here around the year 384, during the reign of King Chimnyu.The main hall (daewungjeon) in Bulgapsa has been designated as national treasure No. 830. The motifs on the doors of the hall are famed for their beautiful designs. The temple also has other buildings of distinction such as the Manseru, Myeongbujeon and Ilgwangdang, a Neolitsea sericea tree designated as natural treasure No. 112. The temple is also famous for a magic lily which blooms in the late summer. The path into the Bulgapsa Temple is ideal for a restful walk and contemplation.


Daegu(Dalseong-gun)

The Dalseong Korea-Japan Friendship Center opened on May 3, 2012 to highlight the philanthropy of General Kim Chung-seon (Japanese name Sayaka, 1571-1642) and promote friendship between Korea and Japan. Kim Chung-seon was a Japanese general who defected to Korea during the Japanese invasion. Shortly after arriving on Korean soil as a commander of a Japanese army, Choi together with his subjects defected to Korea, a choice that has been traditionally attributed to his respect for Korean culture. He transferred the technology of manufacturing rifles to the Korean army and contributed greatly in battles in Gyeongju and Ulsan. A great number of tourists visit the center to learn about history, including students and their parents, as well as numerous Japanese tourists who visit to commemorate the spirit of General Kim. The center features exhibition rooms, a 3-D theater, a tea ceremony room, relics, manifestations of traditional games in Korea and Japan, documents from Wakayama Prefecture in Japan, and a site for experiencing archery, all of which can be utilized free of charge.