Incheon(Seo-gu) , Incheon Center

Since opening on October 25, 2002, the Nokcheongja Museum has been running ceramic classes for visitors and offering academic data about the Green Celadon Kiln Site in Incheon (Historic Site No. 211). The excavation work for the Green Celadon Kiln Site in Incheon was conducted on four separate occasions from December 1965 to May 1966 by joint research teams of the National Museum of Korea and Incheon Metropolitan City Museum. The celadon fired in this kiln has a dark green or brownish green glaze with an uneven surface. The Green Celadon Kiln Site was the first cultural property in this area to be designated as a Historic Site (designated on May 1970).


Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)

Guinsa Temple, located below Yeonhwabong Peak of Sobaeksan Mountain, is the headquarters of the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism and now presides over 140 temples across the nation. Standing on a lot measuring a total of 15,014 square meters, the temple has an impressive, 5-story main sanctuary as well as over 50 chambers and is bordered by modern buildings that can accommodate up to 10,000 visitors.The temple was established by Monk Sangwol Wongak, who first created a small cottage of arrowroot vine at the site as a place to practice asceticism. After receiving revelation about the truths of the universe, the monk created Guinsa Temple in the spirit of celebration. Completed in 1945, the temple was renovated in 1966 using a concrete frame, which was a very unique and modern construction practice at the time.Must-see parts of the temple include Deabeopdang Hall (the main sanctuary) and Beopeobi Monument (a Buddhist sermon monument). The 5-story Daebeopdang Hall (est. April 29, 1980) is the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the nation and can seat up to 5,000 people. Beopeobi (full name: Beopeobi of Great Monk Sangwol) is a stone monument engraved with the teachings of the Great Monk Sangwol. The writings on the monument reflect the beliefs of the Tripitaka Koreana, one of the foundational texts of Buddhism.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

South of Naksansa, along the seashore, is Hajodae Beach, with a water depth of 0.5~1.5m and a fine, white sand beach that stretches for 1.5 km.It is 13 km south of Yangyang-gun, and 1 km north of the 38th parallel. There’s a pine forest behind the beach and if you follow the seashore from the entrance of the beach for about 1.5 km, there is a pavilion on top of a cliff. This hexagonal pavilion is Hajodae, where it is believed the retainers of the Joseon Period (1392~1910) named Haryun (1347~1416) and Jojun (1346~1405) spent their last years in hiding. The flat bottom and low depth of the beach make it a suitable place for family vacations. It first opened in 1976, and is now operated as a camping ground and beach. Also in the area are Osaekoncheon (hot springs), Osaekyaksu (natural springs), Naksansa, Seoraksan National Park, Odaesan National Park, Tongiljeonmangdae (reunification observation platform), and Hajodeungdae (lighthouse), etc. Across from Hajodae there is a rock indicating the 38th parallel. Fresh water flows into the right side of the beach. The south side is great for fishing because of its bulwark, rock island, and Giamgoiseok (fantastic rocks and stones), and you can see Jo island to the right. On the left side of the beach there is an unmanned white lighthouse. This lighthouse is open from 9am to 7pm and you can enjoy a view of the whole area from the top. 


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Ganghwa's mud flats cover about 105㎢, including notable areas in the southwest such as Yeocha-ri, Dongmak-ri, and Donggeom-ri. These three locations are a maximum of 6km from land and have an area of 90㎢ that accounts for 86% of Ganghwa's entire mud flats area.Ganghwado Island is the path to the river mouth of the Hangang River, Yeseonggang River and Imjingang River, so sediment moved from the rivers piles up and reaches far distances during low tide and the materials again settle around the island as the tide rises.Ganghwa Tidal Flat Center is a prime location for observing migratory birds and the surrounding mud flats. The center offers visitors access to an array of information about mud flats and first-hand experience with tidal flats.


Gyeonggi-do(Guri-si) , Guri

The Guri Hangang Park (구리 한강시민공원) offers a bastion where you can feel the cool breeze coming off the river and take a rest amidst the beautiful natural scenery. The park’s bounties of flowers are at their peak during May with the blossoming of field mustard, and October when the cosmos bloom in October.


Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun)

Juknokwon in Damyang is a bamboo forest cultivated by the town of Damyang. Seonginsan Mountain behind Damyang Hyanggyo (Confucian school) was transformed into Juknokwon Bamboo Garden featuring a beautiful artificial waterfall, pavilion, walking paths and an eco-exhibition center, a popular destination for visitors. It takes about 1 hour to tour around the entire garden. Crossing Hyanggyo Bridge from Juknokwon, a forest for preventing floods can be seen. Lights are turned on in the evenings in the bamboo forest for night walk. 


Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

The Ssamgneung (Twin Tombs) in Iksan are stone chamber tombs that were unearthed during an academic excavation survey in 1917. At the time of the survey it was discovered the tombs had already been illegally excavated, most likely during the reign of King Chungsukwang of the Goryeo Dynasty. Though looters had stripped the tombs of any burial accessories, the wooden coffins were found to be relatively intact. The coffins were severely damaged in the aftermath of the Korean War, but were later restored by the Jeonju National Museum. When they were first found, the twin tombs measured 3.1 meters high and 0.5 kilometers wide, but some of the original wood was lost during the tombs’ tumultuous history and the restoration that followed. The larger of the restored tombs now measures 30 meters in diameter and 5 meters in x_height while the smaller tomb measures 24 meters in diameter and 3.5 meters in x_height. On January 21, 1963 the tombs were designated Historic Site No. 87. The Twin Tombs are roughly 200 meters apart, with the tomb in the east called Daewangmyo (big royal tomb) and the one in the west Sowangmyo (small royal tomb). The interiors of the tombs are done in the same style as the stone chamber tombs found in the tomb cluster of Neungsan-ri, Buyeo. Considering that the nearby Mireuksaji Temple Site was built during the reign of King Mu of Baekje Dynasty, it is highly likely that the Twin Tombs are those of King Mu and his wife, Queen Seonhwa.


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Jinnamgwan Hall (National Treasure No. 304) was the naval base of Jeolla-do Province during the Joseon Dynasty. Admiral Yi Sun-shin used this site as his headquarters, and at that time there was a watchtower called Jinhaeru. The original building burned down during the Jeongyujaeran (the second Japanese invasion in 1597), and Admiral Yi Si-eon constructed a large guesthouse (official residence) with 75 rooms on the burnt down site of Jinhaeru in 1599, a year after the conclusion of the Imjinwaeran War (Japanese invasion, 1592-1598). At the hall entrance is a small museum outlining the history of Jinnamgwan and the Imjinwaeran War, and the famous Yeosu Stone Statue (Tangible Cultural Asset of Jeollanam-do No. 33) is located within the precincts of the hall. Nearby attractions include Jasan Park, Odongdo Island, Dolsan Bridge, Chungminsa Shrine, and Manseongni Beach.


Gyeonggi-do(Anseong-si)

The word ‘Mirinae,’ from the Mirinae Holy Site (미리내 성지) in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, is a pure Korean word for the Milky Way. The site holds the graves of Saint Andreas Kim Daegeon, Korea’s first Catholic Saint; his mother Ursula; Bishop Ferréol, the third head of the Joseon parish who ordained Priest Kim; and Vincentius Lee Minsik who buried Saint Kim’s body. To be sure, this holy site is a serene and peaceful sanctum. The reason it came to be called ‘Mirinae’ is that Korean Catholics came to this place in secret to avoid persecution during the late Joseon Dynasty, and the lamplight coming from their homes in the village where they settled resembled the starlight of the Milky Way. Father Kim was executed at the age of 26 and was not permitted a funeral. But, 40 days after the execution, Vincentius Lee Minsik was able to steal away Kim’s body with great difficulty; he carried it on his back eventually burying it in Mirinae – dismissing all advisement and council that urged him against this. At the center of the site stands a grand memorial church and the Way of the Cross behind it has 15 bronze sculptures depicting the passion of Jesus being captured by Roman soldiers, crucified, suffering, passing away, and being interred. Kim Daegeon (1822~1846) Korea’s first Catholic priest and saint. He was chosen as a scholarship recipient by a French priest, and joined the priesthood at the young age of 24. Kim returned to Korea, but was captured, and executed, dying a martyr. He was blessed by the Roman Pope Pius XI on July 5, 1925, and became a Catholic saint at the canonization ceremony conducted by Pope John Paul II himself in South Korea on May 6, 1984.


Daegu(Suseong-gu)

Daegu Stadium is a sports stadium located in Daeheung-dong, Suseong-gu in Daegu City. Construction of the stadium began on July 28, 1997 and was completed in May 20, 2001. Its roof is designed to resemble a globe, incorporating the beautiful curves found in the roofs of traditional Korean houses. The stadium (70,140 seats) is suitable for hosting large-scale international sports games and 74% of the seats are protected by a Teflon-coated overhang. The 11.7-acred stadium has three stories below ground and three aboveground and is built on 130 acres of land just 9km southeast of the city’s downtown area. Stadium facilities include a gymnasium, baseball field, indoor ice rink, horse-riding track, tennis court, fitness center, shooting range, archery range, skateboarding park, and indoor jogging course. There are smaller buildings for taekwondo, judo, and rock climbing. The Daegu Stadium has hosted a number of matches of the 2002 FIFA World Cup; Senegal vs. Denmark (June 6), Slovenia vs. South Africa (June 8), Korea vs. U.S.A. (June 10) and Korea vs. Turkey (June 29).