Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

The Royal Tomb of Queen Heo in Gusan-dong, Gimhae is the final resting place of Queen Heo, the wife of King Kim Suro, the founder of Garak. The tomb dates all the way back to the Gaya Era and has been officially designated National Historic Site No. 74. Unlike many other ancient tombs located on Korea’s flatlands, the large earthen mound sits high upon a hill. Reinforced in the front with stone and surrounded by a low stone fence, the tomb is marked with a headstone and stone tablets erected in 1647 (25th year of King Injo’s reign). Some of the stone used at the tomb is said to have come all the way from India. Together with the Tomb of King Suro, the tomb area was expanded in the 28th year of King Sejong’s reign (1446) to include several auxiliary buildings: Sungboje, Oesammun, Naesammun, and Hongsalmun. Records indicate that the tombs were robbed over a century later during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasion, 1592-1598).


Jeollanam-do(Gurye-gun)

On December 29, 1967 Jirisan Mountain (지리산) was designated Korea’s top national park. Jirisan is the largest mountain national park in the nation. You can get a full view of the Seomjingang River (섬진강), which runs alongside the mountain and into the Namhae Sea. If you’re lucky you can also spot some various plants and animals, including the Asiatic Black Bear, making Jirisan Mountain an even more interesting and inviting place to visit. As Jirisan Mountain changes with the different seasons, hikers can enjoy various aspects of the mountain’s terrain. However, there can be heavy rain and snow in the summer and winter, so some areas will be closed off in case of drastic changes in the weather and temperature. In the spring and fall, you can explore the mountain relatively freely. However, access may be limited to some areas for fear of forest fires in the dry season. If you want to hike up Jirisan Mountain it is recommended that you visit the homepage of the Korea National Park Service or contact the Jirisan Mountain Management Office before planning your trip.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si)

Located at the outskirts of Mt. Halla, Hueree Natural Park is one of the most local and beautiful parks on Jeju Island. Commonly depicted as “an island within the island,” the park is a fun place to experience nature and its importance. It offers various seasonal programs: Apricot Flower Festival, Plum Harvest, and Orange Mandarin Harvest. Earthenware, Dottong (traditional local bathroom), and millstones offer a glimpse of local life and culture. Visitors can also feed baby pigs, rabbits, squirrels, and black goats. Full of colorful volcanic stone towers in the pine forest, the park is floored with volcanic cinders (called scoria) in its entirety. Walking barefoot amidst the gently blowing wind in the forest will surely offer the best rest and leisure to visitors.  


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hapcheon-gun)

Haeinsa Temple was built in 802 AD and is regarded as one of Korea’s three major Buddhist temples along with Tongdosa and Songwangsa. Of the numerous temple halls, most were built in the modern era, with only Janggyeongpanjeon Hall from the early Joseon Dynasty remaining in its original state. However, the temple holds great significance not only for its structure, but also for the treasure it holds inside.Janggyeongpanjeon is a wooden building housing the 13th-century Goryeo Palman Daejanggyeong (the Tripitaka Koreana), a priceless world treasure. The Tripitaka Koreana is a large set (thousands and thousands) of wood blocks that were specially treated to prevent aging and inscribed with the Buddhist canon. It is the oldest and most complete version of the Buddhist canon and is one of the most cherished Buddhist doctrinal collections in the world.Janggyeongpanjeon is comprised of two buildings Sudarajeon to the south and Beopbojeon to the north. Unadorned by decorations or paintings, the buildings carry out the sole function of storing the Tripitaka Koreana wooden tablets. The building has been praised by scientists for its effective air circulation, resistance to moisture, and temperature control – all of which have enabled the Tripitaka Koreana to survive throughout the years. Although the exact date of Janggyeongpanjeon’s construction is still unknown, the hall was built under the order of King Sejo in 1488. It has never suffered the effects of fire or war.In recognition of its architectural beauty and its extraordinary scientific preservation of the world’s only Tripitaka, Janggyeongpanjeon of Haeinsa Temple was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1995.


Jeollabuk-do(Gochang-gun)

Dosol valley is located in Mt. Seonunsan, Gochang-gun district. Seonunsan Mountain, which is also called Dosolsan Mountain, is known for its thick forests and intriguing rock formations. Traveling along the valley, one can come across many interesting sites such as Jinheung cave, Yongmun cave, Nakjodae, and Cheonma peak. Dosol valley is also famous for being very deep, where the mountain and water fight each other and whirl around in a yin-yang shape. The green forests in the summer cover the valley beautifully, and the red leaves and white snow decorate the area in the fall and winter.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Mungyeong is known for its exquisite ceramics. While each piece has its own individual shape and design, as a whole, ceramics of Mungyeong are highly regarded because of their historical and cultural value. Mungyeong is home to a number of master craftsmen as well as Sagijang (referring to craftsmen making chinaware), who have been officially designated Intangible Cultural Property by the Korean government. As a renowned kiln site producing Buncheongsagi (grayish-blue celadon) since the early Joseon Period, Mungyeong still offers outstanding ceramics that reflect the essence of traditional craftsmanship. 


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

This granite pagoda from the late Baekje period in Buyeo-eup, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do has been designated as National Treasures No. 9. It is generally known as the ‘Baekje 5-story Pagoda.’In the past, it would have been called ‘Pyeongjetap.’ As one of two extant Baekje pagodas, this stone pagoda itself is a precious artifact and very important in establishing the lineage of Korean stone pagoda patterns. With refined and creative features, this pagoda exemplifies the beauty and elegance that were imitated in pagodas built in later periods.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

KT&G Sangsangmadang Chuncheon is a cultural entertainment facility that offers visitors and artists the enjoyment, experience, and appreciation of arts and culture. The compound stands on the former location of Gangwon Gymnasium and Chuncheon Children's Center. Amenities include a theater, live studio, gallery, lecture room, cafe, accommodations, and a music room.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changnyeong-gun)

The hot springs have been called Bugok (the hanja characters 釜谷 refer to “cauldron” and “valley” respectively) because the land resembles the shape of a cauldron. When the spring was first discovered, people with skin ailments came in crowds because of the water’s healing properties. The sulfur and minerals in the water are effective for respiratory and skin ailments. Today, the hot springs attract 10,000~20,000 visitors a day, adding up to about 4 million people a year. Discovered in 1973, the hot springs have a 6,000-ton daily water supply flowing from underground at a temperature as high as 78℃. Bugok was officially designated a national tourist resort in 1977. Twenty years later, it was promoted to a Special Tourist Zone. Composed of 24 hot springs, the complex has hotels, condominiums, a golf course, and a fountain that shoots up hot water. The resort Bugok Hawaii has a variety of amenities including outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a theater, and saunas, making it a popular destination for newlyweds and families. The Bugok Hot Springs Festival, also called Onjeongje, is held from October to December every year to promote the area. The festival offers various activities such as a boiled egg eating contest (eggs boiled using water from the hot spring), foot baths, Pungmulnori (Korean folk music tradition) and other performances. Nearby attractions include Hwawangsan Mountain and the Upo Wetlands. [Bugok Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone] Areas covered: Geomun, Sachang and Bugok-ri, Bugok-myeon, Changnyeong-gun,Gyeongsangnam-do Area size: 4,819,000㎡


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Yeosu Maritime Cable Car is the first of its kind in Korea that connects Dolsan island and Jasan mainland over the ocean. Crystal and standard cabins are available for passengers. In particular, crystal cabins allow passengers to observe the ocean below the feet, experience the thrill of being suspended in mid-air through its transparent flooring.