Chungcheongbuk-do(Yeongdong-gun)

Nestled at the foot of Cheontaesan Mountain, which has an altitude of 714.7m, in the southernmost part of Chungcheongbuk-do, as well as at the boundary with Chungcheongnam-do, Yeongguksa Temple is located in the area of Yeongdong-gun.In the southern part of Cheontaesan Mountain, Local Road No. 68, stretching from west to east, connects Jewon-myeon, Geumsan-gun and Gagok-ri, Yeongdong-gun. The scenery along the road is quite beautiful as well. The road meets Local Road No. 501 where Hotancheon Stream meets Geumgang River. Along this road, you will find a sign for Yeongguksa Temple and Cheontaesan Mountain. The parking lot can be seen at the base of Cheontaesan Mountain after making a left turn at this sign. From the parking lot, visitors can start trekking along the valley in order to reach the mountain.Streams through the valleys such as Jinju Falls, Samdan Falls (previously, Yongchu Falls), Samsinbawi Rock flow through rocks and cliffs and create picturesque scenery. Also, carved poems and writings can be found on the cliffs. While going up along the trekking path, a wide basin will unfold, where Yeongguksa Temple is situated with beautiful surroundings. Samdan Falls, meaning three layered waterfall, was made by the water flowing out of two valleys, and can be seen at the edge of this basin.If going up along the valley, one can see the road to Yeongguksa Temple, which is located in a broad plain amidst the deep forest of the mountain.The time of construction is not clearly known but it is said to have been built around the late Silla period, during the time of King Seonjong. The temple prospered when the State Preceptor Wongak, who completed the Cheontae, one of Buddhist orders from Daegak Guksa Uicheon, came to the temple in the middle of the Goryeo Period. It continued to flourish until the early Joseon era and then took a dive due to the rule of anti-Buddhism. Despite the situation at the time, the temple's reputation as one of the noted temples remained.However, the situation much worse in the early twentith century, so much so that it was almost closed. The temple was reconstructed by Jubongjosa Monk in 1934. As of now, the temple contains various treasures including the Stele for State Preceptor Wongak, Stupa of Yeongguksa Temple, Three-story Stone Pagoda of Yeongguksa Temple, Three-story Stone Pagoda at Mangtapbong Peak of Yeongguksa Temple. In addition, Bell-shaped Stupa and Round-shaped Stupa, regional tangible cultural assets, are situated in the temple site. Standing structures are Daeungjeon Hall (main temple), yosa (a temple dormitory for Buddhist monks), sansingak shrine and pavilions, as well as Gyewolam Temple, a small attached temple.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)


Chungcheongbuk-do(Chungju-si)

Suanbo Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone is a time-honored hot springs resort in Korea. Known as the first naturally yielding hot springs that started to flow 30,000 years ago, its effect is also widely recognized. Gushing out from 100 m underground, its water is weak alkaline in nature, and the temperature is 53℃. What's more, the water contains minerals and far-infrared effect. This is why a large number of people flock to the hot springs for treatment and recuperation. Currently, it is under the jurisdiction of Chungju-si City. At the center of Suanbo Hot Springs is Multang Park, with a shallow hot spring water stream, which is used as a foot bath. For those who are not able to take a bath, a foot bath is a good option. The foot bath is especially popular from autumn to spring. Most visitors to Suanbo Hot Springs stay at a hotel or motel in the area. The restaurants here serve pheasant dishes, the local specialty. Suanbo Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone is adjacent to the national road that spans from downtown Chungju-si City to Mungyeong. Sitting in the heart of the Korean Peninsula, it is easy to access from Seoul and other provincial cities. Apart from the hot springs, there is a lot to see in this area, such as Woraksan Mountain, Chungjuho Lake and Songgye Valley. It is a great opportunity to immerse ones' tired body in the hot spring water after a long hike. * Current State of Suanbo Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone 1) Districts Covered: Areas around Anbo and Oncheon-ri, Suanbo-myeon, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 2) Area: 9,216,210㎡ * Tourist Attractions Woraksan National Park, Chungjuho Lake, Songgye Valley, Mireuksa Temple Site, etc.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Cheongsong-gun)

The Cheongsong Yasong Art Gallery was established by Cheongsong-gun County and opened on April 29, 2005 in Sinchon-ri, Jinbo-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. The art gallery exhibits 350 Korean paintings and pottery works of Yasong Lee Won-jwa, who is a traditional Korean painter native to Cheongsong. Also on display are around 50 works of noted painters and sculptors from in and out of Korea, and over 10,000 art books, all of which have been donated to the gallery. The two-story building was formerly Sinchon Primary School, which was remodeled into an art gallery after its closure. The gallery facilities include exhibition halls, an art library, and an art education center for holding permanent and special exhibitions and educational programs.


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)


Gyeonggi-do(Gapyeong-gun) , Yangpyeong

Cheongpyeonghoban Maeuntang Village is located on the shores of Cheongpyeong Lake, designated a national attraction in 1943. The restaurants gathered here serve maeuntang (spicy fish stew), haemul tang (spicy seafood stew), sanchae jeongsik (set menu with seasoned wild vegetables) and many other traditional foods.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Jecheon-si)

The Oksun Bridge was constructed to alleviate increased traffic that resulted from the Chungju Dam and Chungjuho Lake. Spanning a distance of 450m, the bridge is part of a driving course winding around Chungju, Jecheon and Danyang as well as Gudambong and Oksunbong Peaks. Views from the bridge of the surrounding mountains and cliffs are known to be quite remarkable. 


Jeollabuk-do(Wanju-gun)

Located in Osan-ri, Gosan-myeon, the Gosan Recreation Forest is a popular family destination throughout each of the four seasons. Full of thick groves of larch trees, Korean white pines, rigida pines, and plenty of broad-leaved trees, the forest and its streams offer locals a cool and refreshing retreat during the sizzling summer months. As summer turns into fall, the whole area transforms into a rainbow of bright yellows, reds, and orange. With the coming of winter, the snow covers the trees and blankets the ground, turning the forest in a winter dreamland. Come spring, the azaleas and wild cherry trees burst into full bloom, making the forest a popular date spot for young couples.


Gyeonggi-do(Yeoncheon-gun) , DMZ•Panmunjeom

The Sangseung Observation Post (상승OP) operates as a forward OP monitoring North Korean activities (currently Biryong Camp is in charge of the operation). Soldiers manning the post are on alert 24 hours a day. Visitors can view North Korean guard posts using binoculars, while iron fences and the vast Yeoncheon plain are also visible. Viewing the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that stretching across the plains offers a view of the habitat of a wide array of plants and animals that are rarely found elsewhere, such as eagles, goshawks, roe deer, and goats. Visitors can see the faces and movements of North Korean soldiers at their guard posts, and depending on the time, hear various North Korean propoganda broadcasts targeted towards South Korea. This is truly a front-line observation post on the DMZ. The No. 1 Tunnel (제1땅굴) is not open to the public since it is located in the Demilitarized Zone. However, a life-size model has been created and is on exhibit at the Sangseung OP, the closest observation post. The No. 1 Tunnel was discovered on November 15, 1974, by Sergeant Koo Hasa when his reconnaissance team sensed suspicious steam rising from the ground. After a few gunshots from a guard post in North Korea, Koo’s team started the investigation. It turned out that the tunnel was made by North Korean soldiers to infiltrate and aid in the invasion of the South.  


Chungcheongbuk-do(Jeungpyeong-gun)