Incheon(Jung-gu) , Incheon Center

Must-Visit Tourist Spot in Incheon: The Cheongil Jogyeji Border Stairway Cheongil Jogyeji Border Stairway If you are planning a trip to Incheon, one of Korea's representative cities, the Cheongil Jogyeji Border Stairway is a must-visit attraction. Located in Jeondong, Jung-gu, Incheon, this historical site marks the boundary between the Qing Dynasty and Japanese concessions established in 1884. It was designated as Incheon's Monument No. 51 on December 23, 2002. The area, which began with the Japanese concession in 1883, is a space where the boundary between the Qing Dynasty and Japanese concessions was established in 1884, connected by steps and landscaping to what is now Jayu Park (formerly known as Manguk Park). This stairway, with a history of about 120 years, has a central stone staircase, with the left side representing the Qing concession and the right side representing the Japanese concession. The buildings on either side of the stairs distinctly showcase the architectural styles and characteristics of each country. One of the notable features of the Cheongil Jogyeji Border Stairway is its design, which includes a rest area to accommodate the steep incline and landscaped areas for visitors to relax and enjoy the scenic views of Incheon Port. The stairs are located on the steep southwestern slope of Jayu Park, where the different architectural styles of the Qing and Japanese buildings vividly illustrate the historical significance of this area. While the stairs themselves might not hold much intrinsic value, the historical and locational significance of the Cheongil Jogyeji Border Stairway makes it a site of great importance. When visiting Incheon, it is highly recommended to explore this historic site along with Jayu Park, offering a glimpse into the intertwined history of Korea, Japan, and China.


Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

Goseong-gun’s Hwajinpo Aquarium (화진포 해양박물관) is located in the Hwajinpo area of Gangwondo Province and consists of two exhibition rooms with one room featuring a total of 40,000 or 1,500 species shellfish including rare shellfish, crustaceans, coral, fossils and a stuffed specimens; and the other displaying 125 species of 3,000 fish living in fish tanks of varying sizes and shapes designed and equipped in accordance with the characteristics and habitats of each species of fish. There is a 300 ton overhead underwater tunnel on the first floor of the fish exhibition room. The second floor is home to the Ocean Beach and Beautiful East Sea Exhibitions; the Invertebrate Animal Center along with a 3-D Theater that shows films like "Hwajinpo Becomes a Lake", "Ocean Day", and the "Amazing Underwater Trip.


Jeollanam-do(Jangheung-gun)

Jeongnamjin in Jangheung is a pristine region with beautiful mountains, beaches, and rivers. One of these attractions is the cypress forest, where a refreshing breeze blows through the green shade of these 40-year-old trees. Cypress Forest Woodland is a wood culture & experience center located on Eokbulsan Mountain, allowing visitors a view of the entire downtown area. Guests can stay in the various hanok-style pensions, enjoy the cypress and salt rooms of the jjimjilbang, and take part in various ecology education experiences at this relaxing family leisure resort.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geochang-gun)

Designated as National Park in 1975, Deogyusan National Park (덕유산국립공원, 1,614m) covers four counties. The ridgeline from the Hyangjeokbong peak of Mt. Bukdeogyusan to Mt. Namdeogyusan is 17.5km, and the altitude is 1,200m high. There are five peaks over 1,330m above sea level and eight large valleys. Mt. Deogyusan is one of Korea's tourist highlights and boasts temples, relics as well as a ski resort. Of the many wonderful sites, Mujuguchon-dong, the 25km valley range from Najetong gate to Baekryeonsa Temple, is especially noted as one of the 10 best tourist areas of Korea. Every valley has scenic spots and Gucheon-dong is particularly famous. Baekryeonsa Temple is located at the end of Gucheon-dong Valley. It is famous for the Stone Samjon Buddha, cerated during the Goryeo Dynasty and many monks came from this temple before and after the Injinwaeran War (1592~1598). Also, Jeoksangsanseong Fortress, Anguksa Temple, Guebul and many other relics are scattered throughout the park. Mt. Deogyusan boasts an abundance of beauty throughout all four seasons, and the 600 species of animals and plants, including the unique landscape of the yew trees are especially eye-catching. 


Chungcheongbuk-do(Goesan-gun)


Gangwon-do(Taebaek-si)

Cheonjedan are altars set up by people a long time ago to offer goods to Heaven. In old records such as the Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), there are records that "The Silla Kingdom organized rituals in Taebaeksan Mountain, which it considered as a Bugak Mountain (Northern Mountain, one of the mountains for rituals)." This shows that Taebaeksan Mountain was considered to be a holy mountain in the past. Cheonjedan, or the altar, is situated at the summit of Taebaeksan Mountain. With Cheonwangdan altar in the center, there is the Janggundan Altar in the north and a smaller altar in the south. The altars are built by stacking stones, a sign of a sacred ground. The Cheonwangdan altar is made of natural stone. It has an oval shape and measures 27.5 meters in circumference, 3 meters tall, 7.76 meters wide, and 8.26 meters from front to back. The natural stone is a sort of gneiss, with the upper stone being round and the bottom stone rectangular. Such a form is based on the philosophy of Cheonwon Jibang. In the valleys nearby, there are small or large stacked stone pagodas and stone platforms, which were used for prayers. It is forbidden to kill wild animals or break off tree branches in the area.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Sancheong-gun)

This stone grave is known to be the tomb of King Guhyeong, the 10th King of the Gaya Kingdom. He is also known as King Guhae or King Yang, and is the grandfather of Kim Yoo Shin. Since becoming the King of Gaya in 521 CE, he reigned for 11 years until he handed over his country to King Beopheung of the Silla Kingdom in 532 CE.There are two different scholarly opinions about this tomb. One is that it should be classified as a stone pagoda and the other, a royal tomb. The reason why this was regarded as a pagoda is that there are similarly shaped stone pagodas in the Andong and Uiseong regions. The basis for it being called Wangreung, or royal tomb, is that there is a record in Dongguk Yeoji Seongram (an ancient history book published during the rule of King Seongjong in the Joseon Dynasty) and in Saneum-hyeon Sancheonjo (a record of events in the region) of it being a tomb. The notes state that "there is a structure with steps on the four faces, in the form of nine dragons piled up of stones at a distance of about 16 km (40 ri in traditional Korean scale) from the village, so people believe it must be a royal tomb".The record describing the name of the king buried in this tomb can be extracted from a record of travels called Wangsan Shimreunggi written by Hong Ui Young, a Joseon Dynasty scholar. In addition, there’s also an entry  in Wangsansagi, a book on the history of Wangsansa Temple (a temple located west of the tomb) that the person buried in the tomb is King Guhyeong.Unlike ordinary graves, the tomb is built at the middle part of the hill's slope. The tomb has a unique appearance made up of steps and layers, with the highest point being 7.15 meters high. There are seven layers at the front and no steps at the back due to it being built on an inclined surface. The overall shape of this tomb is different from the pyramids built on level ground. The top of the tomb is oval in shape. At the center, there is a stone tablet with the words "Royal Tomb of King Yang of the Garak Nation". In front of the tomb, there are several stone pieces that have been added to the original tomb.During the 17th Year of King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty (1793), a wooden box that was passed down from generation to generation in Wangsansa Temple was discovered. The box contained portraits of King Guhyeong and his queen, their clothes, an archery bow, and other objects. To preserve these, a royal building called Deogyangjeon Hall was constructed. To this date, a memorial service is held here in spring and autumn of every year. 


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Pyeongchang Donggang Freshwater Ecology Fish Center opened to the public in July 2009 in an effort to provide the general public with a chance to observe the indigenous fish of Donggang River and learn more about the local ecology. Along with Hemibarbus mylodon, Natural Monument No. 259, the center presents 45 unique species of freshwater fish including Rhynchocypris kumganensis, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Zacco temminckii, and Ssoragi. At the center there are a variety of hands-on experience programs. Walk through a gigantic model of a fish’s stomach and explore its internal organs. Or, check out the 3D theater, virtual rafting program, or the huge tank where you can observe and touch an array of freshwater fish. There is also an outdoor training center where you can try your hand at rock climbing.  


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun)

The Museum of Natural History has numerous collections of rare shellfish, butterflies, birds, animals, and fossils from around the world on display. Visitors can also observe live reptiles and other animals at the museum.


Chungcheongnam-do(Geumsan-gun)

Daedunsan Recreation Forest (Former Jinsan Recreation Forest) contains deep valleys and magnificent peaks. The new-growth forest on the lower half of the mountain is in perfect harmony with its idyllic surroundings.Nearby tourist attractions include Daedunsan Provincial Park, Taegosa Temple and Ichidaecheop battlefield, where Japanese forces were lured and soundly defeated during Imjinwaeran (Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592).