Seoul(Dobong-gu) , Samcheongdong・The Northern Part of the Seoul

Between Dobongsan and Suraksan mountains (northern Seoul), a special botanical garden has opened its doors to the public: Seoul Iris Garden (aka Seoul Botanical Garden). The garden (measuring 52,417㎡) boasts a wide array of irises, one of the world’s top flowers, and consists of 12 different themed zones including ‘Iris Garden,’ ‘Medicinal Plant Garden,’ and ‘Wetland Park.’At the Iris Garden, 130 species of irises (300,000 individual plants) are on display on a plot of land measuring 15,000㎡. Species include yellow iris, iris setosa, iris pallasii, and iris domestica, each boasting its own brilliant colors and delicate shape.The Medicinal Plant Garden is home to 70 different species (130,000 plants) of medicinal plants, allowing visitors to view the largest selection of medicinal herbs in the country.Wetland Park presents 70,000 wetland plants and houses an observatory deck from which visitors may view and learn about the diverse aquatic plants.Cheoni Observatory within the garden provides visitors with a place take in the beautiful scenery. The nearby forest lounge is a rest area for visitors as well as a center of operations for the park’s ecological education programs.Irises are in bloom from May to June of every year, but are even a sight to behold during the rest of the warmer months, given the delicate shape of their leaves.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Chungju-si)

Chungjuho is a multi-purpose lake made by a river dam. This large lake is very clean and well-preserved. At the Chungju Dam Ferry Dock, ferries depart to follow the waterways of Chungjuho Lake. The ferry travels to Oksunbong, Gudambong, and Manhakcheonbong Peaks, Choga Rock, Whale Rock, Hyeonhakbong, Onodong, Sinseonbong, Gangseondae, Beodeulbong, Oseongam, Seolmabong, Jebibong, and Dumusan to reach its final destination at Sindanyang Dock. When the ferry draws near Cheongpung Ferry Dock, you can see the second highest water fountain in Asia.The nearby Chungjuho Lake Resort is considered the best lakeside resort in the nation, containing various sports, recreational, and entertainment facilities. With all the popular lake sports facilities, the resort welcomes many tourists.Nearby Chungjuho Lake are Mt. Woraksan National Park, Cheongpung Culture Center, Eight Sceneries of Danyang, Gosugul Cave, Suanbo Hot Springs, and other well-known tourist sites that draw many tourists.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

Located on Mireuksan Mountain, one of Korea's top 100 mountains, Hallyeosudo Viewing Ropeway is the only dual-cable automatic circulating gondola system in Korea. At 1,975 meters long, it is the longest tourist ropeway in the nation. The ropeway is made up of 47 gondolas and one freight unit. Traveling at an average of 4m/sec, it takes approximately 9 minutes to reach the summit station from the ground station. From the top of Mireuksan Mountain, one can see the historical venue for the Great Battle of Hansan below and even see as far Hallyeohaesang National Park (from Hansando Island to Yeosu), Japan's Daemado Island, Jirisan National Park's Cheonwangbong Peak, and Dolsando Island.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Jungmun Resort

Jungmun Golf Club is located along the seaside cliffs and has 18 holes, featuring a golf and country club set up in the area of the coastal course. It is open all year long. Picturesque scenery and various tourism facilities at the golf club are available as well.* Features- Korean sole coastal course, embracing the valley as well as breathtaking views- The course is filled with the western grass and a peaceful atmosphere- Jeju-grown foliage and subtropical plants- The longest course distance in Korean (B.T. 6,820m)- In order to allow more opportunity for foreign tourists to use the club, a non-membership service is offered even though the golf club is for registered members only.- Tee-up on in-course and out-course at once- Reservations must be kept (available one month before date of golf round) and are available for foreign visitors.- Holes 8 and 11 have an optical illusion (uphill and downhill are reversed)


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village is the setting of the beautiful Korean story “When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom,” and also home to the author, Lee Hyo-seok (pen name Gasan). Registered as National Culture Village No. 1 in 1990 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the village is the setting of the annual Hyoseok Cultural Festival in autumn. The village is made up of the birthplace of Lee Hyo-seok, a watermill house, thatch-roofed housing, Gasan Park, Lee Hyo-seok Memorial Hall, and restaurants serving food made with buckwheat. The birthplace of Lee Hyo-seok was originally a thatched-roof house, typical of the housing in Gangwon-do. However, it has been rebuilt into an ‘L’-shaped house with two large trees growing in the front yard. Lee was born on February 23, 1907, one of five children to parents Lee Si-hoo and Kang Hong-kyung. Lee Hyo-seok’s wife, Lee Kyung-won was an aspiring artist. The couple had two sons and two daughters, but the second son passed away in 1940, just two years before his father, Lee Hyo-seok.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Gyerim Forest is located between the Cheomseongdae Observatory and Wolseong Fortress. The forest is thickly populated by ancient zelkova and willow trees rooted on gently sloping hills and along the small stream in the northwest part of the woods. According to legend, the forest is closely associated with myths surrounding the birth of Alji, the founder of the Gyeongju Kim clan. As such, it is designated national Historic Site No. 19.Legend has it that King Talhae heard a rooster crying from deep inside the Sirim Woods. Chancellor Hogong was sent to investigate. Upon arriving, he found a rooster crying underneath a tree on which hung a golden box. Hogong immediately reported his find to the king, who instructed him to bring the golden box into the palace. The king opened the box and found a small child inside, Kim Alji. The forest, which had previously been called ‘Sirim’ or ‘Gurim’, became known as ‘Gyerim’, ('gye’ meaning rooster). The name Gyerim was also used to refer to the Silla kingdom.Alji was adopted as the king’s son, but because the crown was passed on to King Pasa of the Park family, he never ascended the throne. The Kim clan later became the royal bloodline with the coronation of King Naemul some years later.The memorial stone recording the birth of Kim Alji was erected in the third year of King Sunjo's rule in the Joseon Dynasty. Located close to the royal fortress of Silla, the forest is still deeply revered as the mystical birthplace of the first ancestor of the royal Kim clan of Silla. Yellow canola blossoms along the path connecting Daereungwon with Gyerim and Banwolseong only add to the magical ambiance of the forest. 


Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

The Gimhae Bonghwangdong was designated a historic site, where it includes an important shell mound from the Gaya period, which is located in Hoehyeon-ri. In 1920, it was the first archeological site to be excavated in Korea. The site also contains the Bonghwangdae tomb (Former Data for Cultural Properties No. 87), which was the largest tomb of Geumgwan Gaya area. On top of the hill remain Yeoui Pavilion and Hwangse Rock, which are part of the legend about General Hwangse and Yeoui. This is also where the remains of raised houses and a residential site of the Gaya period were excavated.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , Former Jeju

Opened in 1980, Sehwa Beach may not be a big beach, but has beautiful clear cobalt blue waters. The beach stretches for approximately 200 meters with a distance of approximately 30-40 meters from the shore. Its location nearby Sehwa-eup provides visitors with convenient access of accommodations and other facilities. Nearby attractions include Crinum Lily Habitat, Byeolbangjin Fortress, and Seokdawon Park. Length 1km, x_width 30-40m, slope 5 degrees, average depth 1-2m.


Seoul(Gwanak-gu)

Nakseongdae Park was built as a tribute to General Kang Gam-chan (948-1031) of the Goryeo Dynasty. In 1973, the city of Seoul reorganized the birthplace of General Kang, resulting in changes to the park. Located inside the park are Anguksa Shrine, the general’s birthplace, and a three-story stone pagoda, which was made during the Goryeo Dynasty. The 4.48 meter-high pagoda is made of granite, and is called “Kang Gam-chan Tap (pagoda)” or “Kang Gam-chan Nakseongdae Tap”.*AnguksaAnguksa is a shrine built in 1974 emulating the wooden architecture style of the Goryeo era. The shrine has high ceilings and houses the portrait of General Kang Gam-chan. The shrine is located on the road leading to the back gate of Seoul National University and has become a popular place in the area.*Nakseongdae YujiNakseongdae Yuji is the birthplace of General Kang Gam-chan and the original location of the three-story pagoda. During the maintenance of Nakseongdae area in 1973, the pagoda was moved into the vicinity of Anguksa Shrine, and a two-meter tall monument was erected in its original location to mark the historical significance of the site.