Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , TheWestern Part of the Jeju Island

Hyeopjaegul Cave (협재굴) is one example of the lava tubes of Jeju Island, along with Hwanggeumgul, Socheongul, Ssangyonggul and Manjanggul Caves. The cave is approximately 200m in length, 10m in x_width and 5m in x_height. It is thought to have been created by the lava that erupted from Hallasan Mountain some 25 million years ago. This cave uniquely contains features of both lava and limestone caves. The entire area surrounding the cave is a huge stratum of seashells and sand, while the interior of the cave has a mystical ambience due to its various lava formations such as stalactites and stalagmites, which hang from the ceiling and sprout up from the bottom of the cave. Stalactite columns that are formed when stalactites and stalagmites meet each other are also located throughout the cave, so the scenery is very unusual. The cave walls are covered in lime, which at times looks like beautiful cave paintings. The temperature inside the cave stays at 17~18℃ throughout the year, making the cave a welcome escape from the summer heat and a great place to keep warm during winter.The Hyeopjaegul Cave has been designated Korea’s natural monument No. 236 and ranks among the world’s other major mysterious caves, such as the stone salt cave of Peru and the underwater limestone caves of Yugoslavia. As the Hyeopjaegul Cave is close to the Ssangyonggul Cave (meaning ‘Two Dragons’) the two can be visited together on the same day.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)

Suyanggae Prehistory Museum boasts itself as the largest prehistoric site in Korea. The museum contains a multitude of remains, especially stone toolkits, of the late Stone Age and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The stone toolkits were discovered by a museum of Chungbuk National University while the team was on the project to excavate historical remains around the site that were submerged due to the construction of Chungju Dam. The museum provides detailed explanations and maps marked for the prehistorical sites in Danyang. Visitors can learn the life and wisdom of Paleolithic man in the museum.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)

As one of the best sights in Geojedo Island, Geoje Haegeumgang River is called the Geumgang River (Sea Diamond) of the South Sea. As a rock island, Haegeumgang River belongs to Hallyeo Marine National Park, which is assigned as an official green area in South Korea. Its original name was Galgotdo, because it is shaped like the spreading roots of arrowroot. These days it is known as Haegeumgang River, meaning Geumgangsan Mountain in the sea.The most stunning scenery of Haegeumgang River is the sunset and sunrise and can be best viewed on Ilwollbong Peak or Lion Rock. There is Shipjagul Cave in the center of Haegeumgang River, which is 100m long from east to west and 180m long from south to north. It has been called Shipjagul (meaning ‘cross’ in Korean) Cave because it looks like a cross when viewed from the sky. If you go on the tour, you will be fascinated by the x_height of the rock walls and the inside of the cave. A long time ago, scholars expressed their yearning for the beauty of nature by writing and reading poems they wrote on sailboats with a bowl of makkoli (rice wine) in their hands.When you take a ship around the island, you’ll be fascinated once more because of the great works such as the Maitreya Rock, which reflects on Eunjin Maitreya, Candlestick Rock and the 1,300 year old guardian pine tree of Haegeumgang River. 


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Honinji is home to a myth that agriculture and farming started on Jeju Island when the Samsinin (three founding demi-gods) who lived in Jeju married the Samgongju (three princesses) and started raising cattle and ponies and planted the seeds of five grains. There is a pond here called Honinji Pond (pond of marriage) where, according to the legend, the wedding ceremony was held and three caves which served as bridal rooms. Together with Samseonghyeol (three large holes on the ground where the three demigods emerged from), Honinji is a great place for tracing the origin of the founders of Jeju Island. In the summer, the area is in full bloom with red lotus flowers.  


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

The former Mooee Elementary School has been transformed into Mooee Arts Center exhibiting works of noted Korean artists. It is located in the town of Bongpyeong-myeon in Pyeongchang-gun County, which was the hometown of the famous Korean writer Lee Hyo-seok (1907-1942) and the background setting of his representative novel ‘When Buckwheat Blossoms Bloom.’ Mooee Arts Center opened on April 18, 2001 after 2 years of preparation by Korean artists of various genres including the Western-style painter Jeong Yeon-seo, calligrapher Lee Cheon-seop, sculptor Oh Sang-wook, and potter Kwon Soon-beom. The schoolyard has been turned into an outdoor sculpture park displaying large-scale sculptures. The arts center also offers hands-on experience programs and a chance to view the artists creating their pieces.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

Daegaya Museum is an exhibition of history and culture of the Daegaya (The Great Gaya; 42-562 AD) Kingdom. The Museum consists of the Daegaya History Pavilion and the Daegaya Royal Tomb Pavilion. The History Pavilion houses a collection of relics from the Daegaya Kingdom era, while holding special exhibitions and education activities periodically. The outdoor exhibition center displays items that represent ancient lifestyle such as dugouts, attic storage, iron furnace, as well as religious relics. The Royal Tomb Pavilion is a 37m-wide dome that houses relics of the Jisandong Ancient Tombs. It is essentially the restoration of the Jisandong Tumulus No. 44, the first large-scale sunjang (burial of the living with the dead).


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Gwangseongbo Fortress’s outer wall from the Goryeo era was mended in 1618. The fortress was built in 1656 and the outpost was constructed in 1679. It was completely remodeled into a masonry castle with gates in 1745. During Sinmiyangyo (the American invasion in 1871), Gwangseongbo was the fiercest battle ground in Ganghwa. On April 24, 1871, a fleet with 1,230 American naval forces led by Rear Admiral John Rodgers landed on Ganghwado Island to demand the opening of Korea's ports and commerce. The armed forces attacked Chojijin Fortress and Deokjinjin Camp, then marched to Gwangseongbo Fortress, where they engaged in close combat with the warriors of Joseon. Although General Eo Jae-yeon and the other warriors were poorly equipped with far inferior weapons, they bravely fought to the death against the invading forces.The battlefield ruins of the fortress and the gate towers such as Anhaeru, Gwangseongdon, Sondolmokdon, and Yongdudon were repaired in 1977. The twin tombs of General Eo Jae-Yeon and his brother Eo Jae-seon, along with the anonymous tombs of warriors who died on the battlefield were also honorably arranged at the same time. Furthermore, a stone monument commemorating the restoration of Ganghwa Battlefield was erected on Yongdudondae Post.In 1988, an extensive rest area was created toward the shore for visitors’ convenience. Gwangseongbo Fortress is presently designated as Historical Relic No. 227. A religious service known as Gwangseongje is held annually to commemorate the patriotic spirits of General Eo Jae-yeon and other unnamed warriors. This service takes place at 11 a.m. on every April 24th of the lunar calendar.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

The Daeseong-dong Tombs Museum displays artifacts unearthed from the four excavations of the Daeseongdong Tumuli. Highlighting often overlooked relics of the Geumgwan Gaya, the museum has three ground floor exhibit halls and several underground auxiliary facilities. Main exhibits include a life-sized statue of a mounted solider and a statue of a warrior, both of which were recreated based on bones excavated from the tumuli of Yean-ri. The museum relies heavily on the use of videos and dioramas to help visitors explore all that the museum has to offer.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hadong-gun)

Located on the southern part of Jirisan Mountain, Ssanggyesa Temple and Hwaeomsa Temple are among the most popular temples in the Jirisan area. Constructed by Sambeob who was a disciple of Euisang in the 23rd year of King Seongdeok’s reign during the Silla Era, it was called Okcheonsa Temple at first. Then, the Buddhist Monk, Jingam changed its name to Ssanggyesa Temple after having seeded around the temple with tea from China. The temple was burnt down during the Japanese Invasion, Imjinwaeran (1592-1598) and later rebuilt.The best time to visit this area is spring, as the 6km path from Hwagye market place to Ssanggyesa Temple is filled with blooming 600-year-old cherry blossom trees. With the myth that lovers who walk together along the cherry blossom tree path, it is also called Hollaegil (wedding path). A 40-50 minute walk along the tree-lined path leads to Ssanggyesa Temple.Across the bridge in front of the ticket office, there are two rocks engraved with the words “ssanggye” and “seokmun” each. It is said that the eminent scholar Choi Chiwon of the Silla Era had engraved the words with a cane. In the middle of the temple, one of the foremost Korean epigraphs “Jingamseonsa-daegongtabbi” is situated in front of the main building Daeunggeun. This was also written by Choi Chiwon. To the east you can find the Ssanggyesa Ma-aebul, a unique image of Buddha engraved in a hollowed out section of rock.In addition, Palyeongru is the cradle of Korean style Beompae (Buddhist music), which was initiated by the Priest Jimgam (774-850) who studied the Buddhist music in China. As Jingam composed the piece Eosan (fish mountain) by watching the fish of Seomjingang River with Paleumryul (eight tones and rhythms), this place is named Palyeongru.During the third year of King Heugdeok’s reign during the Silla Era, Kim Daeryeom visited China and brought seeds for tea trees. By royal order, he planted the seeds around Ssanggyesa Temple and this area became the first place to cultivate tea.


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The Jangsaengpo Whale Cultural District located in Nam-gu, Ulsan-si, is the nation's only facility that has a whale watching infrastructure in place. The whale cultural district is famous for the whale-themed tour program featuring a whale watching cruise, a whale museum and the whale ecology familiarization tour. The whale watching cruise was first launched in July 2009. In April 2013, the ship was upgraded to a 550-ton cruise liner with 399 crew members, therefore offering an even more enjoyable whale watching tour. During the day, the cruise ship is mainly used for whale observation. After a minke whale sighting in May 2013, around 3000-4000 common dolphins were observed shortly after. At night, one can experience a glamorous night view of Ulsan Industrial Complex while enjoying diverse performances and buffet dining aboard the ship. The ship also accommodates various events and programs such as school trips, company workshops, seminars, parties, weddings, beer parties and anniversary events. A trip aboard the whale watching cruise with friends, family, or loved ones will surely make for one memorable experience.