Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)

If the Korean peninsula is seen as a tiger shape, Homigot in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do forms the tail. As the venue for Homigot Sunrise Festival, the Sunrise Square in Homigot features various facilities including monuments, a flame holder, and a performance stage. The brilliant yellow and golden garden at the entrance blooms in April and May. Hand-shaped bronze sculptures have been installed at the waterfront and the beachfront. The palms of the hands face each other, symbolizing harmony and coexistence. The flame originating from the sunlight at Byeonsan Peninsula was used in various international sporting events. Homigot Lighthouse and Lighthouse Museum are located near Homigot Sunrise Square.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Jade Garden, created under the theme of ‘Small Europe in the Forest,’ is located near Jade Palace Golf Club on a plot of land measuring 160,000 square meters. The 24 distinctively-themed areas in the garden boast a total of 3,000 plant species including rhododendron, maple trees, irises, and blueberry bushes as well as patches of thick, natural forests. The arboretum makes the most out of its natural valley topography and presents visitors with a mix of tidy gardens, graceful flowers, and an array of European-style architecture.For the convenience of its guests, Jade Garden operates a Tuscan-style visitor’s center where patrons can enjoy a simple snack or beverage and purchase souvenirs. Visitors may choose from three different walking courses (each 2 hours in length) around the arboretum and there a gardening program is also available for aspiring gardeners.


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.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Boeun-gun)

Mt. Songnisan National Park is comprised of Mt. Songnisan and the valleys of Hwayang, Seonyu, and Ssanggok. Situated in the middle of the Sobaeksanmaek Mountains, which is the southwest branch of the Taebaeksanmaek Mountains, Mt. Songnisan is one of Korea’s most beautiful sites. The sharp granite peaks of Mt. Songnisan and the deep valleys of sedimentary rocks are spectacular. Therefore, Mt. Songnisan is also referred to as Mt. Sogeumgangsan, meaning a smaller version of Mt. Geumgangsan. One of Korea's largest temples, Beopjusa, can also be found on Mt. Songnisan. Uisang indicates a sitting Buddha statue and Maaeyeoraeuisang describes the Buddha sitting on a lotus flower. The years have damaged the figure quite a bit, but it still maintains its original beauty. Visitors to the temple will witness the Cheongdongmireukbul, which is the largest Buddha statue in the world. With its numerous treasures and National Monuments, Beopjusa Temple is the best place in which to experience the brilliant history of Buddhist civilization. Mt. Songnisan's deep valleys and the many Natural Monuments attract countless mountaineers and tourists. The cherry blossoms in the spring, green pine forest in the summer, and the lovely autumn leaves in the fall make this place beautiful all the year round.


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. 


Busan(Saha-gu)

The Lower Nakdonggang River Seasonal Bird Migration Site was designated as a natural monument on July 13th, 1966, and it has a large river-mouth, sand dunes, delta, Ilungdo Island, Eulsukdo Island and other surrounding islands. The snipes and waterfowls stop by when they pass Korea during the fall and spring, and the ducks and geese find their way here in the winter. This area, where the Nakdonggang River (낙동강) and the South Sea meet, has over 150 species of birds, which visit between October and March. You're most likely to see swans, and even raptorial species like eagles and white-tailed eagles. It is a large area with thick groves of reeds, which make it hard to approach by land. In order to watch migratory birds, you should take a boat from Myeongji-dong harbor and get a local guide to help you. The ideal time for bird watching is between 9am and 4pm.Eulsukdo Island (을숙도) is one of the places you absolutely cannot miss. It is a delta island, and is well known as a paradise for over a hundred thousand birds. It is an amazing sight to see some ultra-rare species of birds like the white-naped cranes, the blackfaced spoonbills, and the white-tailed eagles, as they arrive and spend the winter.


Jeollabuk-do(Jinan-gun)

Maisan Mountain has two major peaks made of sedimentary rocks; these peaks are said to be ‘couple peaks’ and cannot be found anywhere else. Sut Maibong (alt. 667m) is said to be the male peak while the slightly larger Am Maibong (alt. 673m) is deemed the female peak. In the early Joseon Period the mountain was named ‘Sokgeumsan,’ but began to be called ‘Maisan’ after the 12th year of King Taejong, who commented that the two peaks resembled a horse’s ears (‘maisan’ meaning ‘horse ears’). All along Maisan Mountain, you will find small crater-like rock cavities that are formed by prolonged weathering. These unique geological features, called ‘tafoni,’ are of great academic value. Inside Hwaeomgul Cave, you’ll find medicinal water that flows up from underground all throughout the year. It is widely believed that once you drink the water, especially on the days of the Spring and Autumn Equinox, you will soon have a son and be blessed by the mountain spirit. Even today, many women who have difficulty conceiving visit the mountain to pray to the mountain spirits for their heart’s desire—the gift of a child. The region in which Maisan is located is the birthplace of many talented people and national heroes, which some say is proof of the blessings of the mountain and its extremely powerful spirit.


Jeollanam-do(Mokpo-si)

Located on the coast of Yonghae-dong in Mokpo, Gatbawi is a natural sandstone and tafoni formation near the mouth of the Yeongsangang River, where freshwater runs into the sea. Gatbawi is named after its shape, which is said to look like a man wearing a traditional Korean hat called a “gat” (“bawi” meaning “rock”). The rock is actually made of two individual formations: one measuring 8m high and one 6m high. Valued not only for its aesthetics, Gatbawi Rock is of high geological value as a “natural sculpture” that was formed as a result of years of weathering. The rock formation was officially recognized as Natural Monument No. 500 on April 27, 2009.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geochang-gun)

Ulsan Museum is an archive of the history, present, and future of Ulsan City. The museum facilities include a history hall giving a general outline of the city from the prehistoric to the modern times, an industry hall showing Ulsan as the industrial capital of Korea, and a children’s experience hall for educational purposes. This eco-friendly museum equipped with advanced exhibition and education facilities is a model cultural space to help establish the visitors understand Ulsan’s identity.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Located just outside of Seoul, Samaksan Mountain and Deungseon Fall is the perfect destination for weekend outings for those in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas. The most popular hiking course on the mountain (appropriate even for beginners) starts from one waterfall (which is fairly small with a x_height of 10m) and passes two other waterfalls, and Seonnyeotang. The course runs all the way to the top of Samaksan (654m above sea level). The mountain has several steep valleys and unique rock formations covered with thick forests. Looking down from the top, a stunning panoramic view of Uiamho Lake and Bukhangang River (and its many small islands) unfolds below.