Busan(Geumjeong-gu)

Beomeosa Temple, located in Geumjeongsan Mountain in Busan, is one of the three major temples in Korea, together with Haeinsa and Tongdosa. Up until today, the passion of practitioners of this temple continues, a passion that did not waver even during the war. The temple stay program has two types: the experience program and the relaxation program. Centering on chamseon (Zen meditation), the experience program includes yebul, 108 prostrations, and dado (tea ceremony). With the relaxation program, you may choose to take chamseon (Zen meditation) or have conversation with a monk over a cup of tea. The temple is close to downtown and you can use a city tour bus with departure/final stop in Busan Station to take a tour around the city.  


Gyeonggi-do(Uijeongbu-si) , Uijeongbu

The leading Uijeongbu Budaejjigae Street (의정부 명물찌개거리) is where local restaurants began to be built in 1998. Here you can taste budae jjigae (부대찌개, ‘army base stew’, a thick Korean soup), which is made by boiling Western ingredients such as ham, sausage, canned American beans, and mixed with kimchi (traditional Korean pickled dishes made of vegetables with varied seasonings) and hot pepper paste. Budae jjigae is one of Korea’s leading fusion dishes as well as a dish that embodies the memories of the Korean War; it was named budae jiigae because it was most commonly found nearby American army bases. The soup was also called the ‘Johnson Tang’ after former American president, Lyndon B. Johnson. Jungangno, where the local-specialty soup street is located, is a virtual Mecca of street culture. Not only is Uijeongbu Budaejjigae Street a place to enjoy delicious food, the vibrant Rodeo Street is a popular gathering spot for local youths, and the hustle and bustle of Jeil Market is also just down the road.


Jeollabuk-do(Namwon-si)

Jirisan-gil is a 300-km walking trail connecting five cities (Namwon, Gurye, Handong, Sancheong, Hamyang) and spanning three provinces (Jeollabuk-do, Jeollanam-do, Gyeongsangnam-do). After discovering hidden or deserted paths linking woods, rivers, rice paddies and villages, Jirisan-gil was established to join the paths into one long walking trail.The Jirisan Dullegil runs along the periphery of Jirisan Mountain (1,915m). Comprised of 22 courses, the trail meanders through old villages and forests, and over the hills and along the rivers, thereby connecting nature and humans.Reviving those trails means reviving the history and culture of the villages of Jirisan. Take a slow walk on the path to meditate on the beauty and peacefulness of Jirisan and its surrounding villages.


Seoul(Jungnang-gu)

Mangusan Mountain spans across Mangu-dong and Myeonmok-dong of Seoul, and Guri-si of Gyeonggi-do. It is 281.7 meters above sea level. Located on the mountain is Mangu Cemetery, which was designated as public cemetery in 1933. Since its designation, many popular people have been buried here including children’s literature author Bang Jeong-hwan (penname: Sopa), independence activists Oh Se-chang and Han Yong-un, and Ji Seok-young who pioneered the use of the smallpox vaccination in Korea and was also a Korean linguist. In addition, tombstones bearing chronological listings of seven popular poets and one educator were installed at the park, making the cemetery a venue for historical education. The poets includes Park In-hwan, Mun Il-pyeong, Seo Byeong-ho, Seo Ong-il, Oh Jae-young, Seo Gwang-jo, and Yu Sang-gyu and the educator is O Geung-seon. The park also has Sin Gyeong-jin Sindobi, a cultural asset designated as Seoul Tangible Cultural Property No. 95. It is a monument of Sin Gyeong-jin, an official scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. Also in the park is a 5.2km long circular road. It was named the “Thinking path”. The name was selected as a public competition held in May 1998. There are other facilities including the urban environment and nature observation road, a wooden gazebo, and a mineral-water spring. Thanks to the well managed trees and clean air, the park is visited by many citizens who are seeking for place to rest in a natural park.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Goseong-gun)

Located 1km north of Baneojin, Ilsan Beach is a fine-grained sandy beach that is 600m in length, 40-60m in x_width, and 26,000㎡ in total area. The water is relatively shallow at 1-2 meters in depth and holds an average temperature of around 21.2 degrees Celsius. Every July, there is a beach festival and in just a few months a beachside amusement park will be opening up to the public. Ilsan Beach offers various amenities and is surrounded by accommodation facilities, allowing for a comfortable and pleasant stay. Nearby tourist attractions include Daewangam Park and Hwaam Boat Trail Mark Management Center, which has a lighthouse exhibition center and the highest lighthouse observatory in the area, giving visitors a wide-open view of Ulsanhang Harbor. Hyundai Heavy Industry is also located nearby.


Gyeonggi-do(Pocheon-si) , Pocheon

The Korea National Arboretum (KNA) is situated in Gwangneung forest and contains the Forest Museum where all the information on forestry is exhibited. The construction of the arboretum and museum took place on October 25, 1985 and opened on April 5, 1987. In order to preserve the forests, weekends and holiday entrance were restricted, reservations were required 5 days in advance, and no more than 5,000 visitors were accepted per day. As diverse plants are gaining recognition worldwide, the research department formed the Office of Forestry on May 24, 1999.Korea National Arboretum covers an area of 1,157㏊ and contains 15 specialized forests, including Conifer Garden, the Garden of Ornamental Trees, and the Aroma and Touch Garden. The Forest Museum is the largest in Asia, covering 4628 sq.m² with a traditional Korean design, and the interior and exterior are both constructed of wood and stone. The arboretum facilities consist of 5 exhibition halls (Living Forest, Forest and Man, Forestry of the World, Forestry of Korea, Nature of Korea), a Herbarium, a Special Exhibition Room, and an Audio Visual Hall.


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Hwanseongul Cave is the biggest lime stone cave in Korea. Its length is 6.5 km and it features fantastic stalagmites, stalactites, and about 10 lakes and waterfalls. Some spots of interest include stalactites that look like the Great Wall of China and many other uniquely shaped figures.The mercury inside of the cave keeps it at a cool 12-24℃ in the summer and 8-9℃ in the winter. It takes about 30-40 minutes to the entrance and approximately one hour to look around the cave. Keep in mind that the steep slope at the entrance may be difficult for the elderly and young children.


Gangwon-do(Donghae-si)

Situated in Donghae (Gangwon-do), Mukho Port (opened in 1941) and used to be the most prolific trading port on the east coast, but with the steady change in the economy, it has become a center of fishing.A large wholesale seafood market at the port offers a wide array of seafood from squid to mackerel, as well as mackerel pike, crabs, and sea squirts. From early in the morning on weekends, merchants across the country gather at the market to purchase fresh seafood. Mukho Port, in particular, is renowned for squid along with Jumunjin Port. The port, which is the largest squid market on the east coast is busy every day with boats stuffed to the brim with squid.The port is surrounded by the Mukho Lighthouse and Mukho Lighthouse Park. There are three ways to get to the park: a suspension bridge (which appeared in the popular Korean drama Shining Inheritance), a road, and Lighthouse Pathway. Lighthouse Pathway is decorated with artistic murals (with verses) and colorful signs.Donghae Regional Maritime Affairs & Port Office has made strong efforts to transform Mukho Port into a pleasant park for both tourists and residents by establishing broad squares, promenades, and leisure facilities; by 2012, the port will be the home of the largest coastal guard base after completing a port extension. 


Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

Seodong Park (est. 2004) is a sculpture park spanning the Donggodo-ri and Sinyong-ri areas in Geumma-myeon, Iksan-si. The park covers an impressive 132,000 square meters and features approximately 68 works by famous Korean sculptors. Also located within the park limits are an observatory, rest areas, fishing grounds, walking trails, and the Mahan Exhibition Hall displaying artifacts from the Mahan Era.


Gangwon-do(Donghae-si)

Nongoldam-gil Street refers to the road going uphill from Mukho Port to Mukho lighthouse. 30 years ago, Nongol was the representative port of pollack and squid, but about 20,000 residents left town as fishing resources dwindled. For now, nearly 4,000 people are living in the town whose atmosphere became empty and silent.To improve the ambience of the town, Donghae Cultural Center applied for a project named ‘Mukho Deungdae Damhwa’ to the Ministry of Cultures, Sports and Tourism. In August 2010, the center started visiting older people living in Nongol Village to find out their life story and then painted their stories on the walls throughout the village’s alley. Members who majored in art made the sketches and the elderly in their 60-70s colored the sketches to create the mural street of Nongol Village. The starting point of the street has various frames hanging on the wall which depict the history and process of the village.