Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Samneung means "three royal tombs," and has strong ties to history. The three royal tombs house three kings of the Silla Kingdom: King Adala (8th King of the Dynasty), King Sindeok (53rd) and King Gyeongmyeong (54th). King Adala, who cared deeply for his people, mobilized his soldiers to rescue his subjects that were abducted by the invaders of Baekje. After a while, Baekje asked for peace treaty and King Adala released the prisoners he took during the engagement. A kingdom in Japan sent an envoy to ask for friendly relations with the Silla. King Adala’s tomb is 58m in circumference at the base, 5.4m in x_height and 18m in diameter. As King Hyogong died without any heirs, the people of the kingdom crowned his son-in-law as their next king – King Sindeok. During his reign, King Sindeok devoted himself to protecting his kingdom from invasions by Gyeonhwon and Gungye. The royal tomb is 61m in circumference at the base, 5.8m in x_height and 18m in diameter. It was robbed twice, inviting investigations in 1953 and 1963. The investigations revealed the tomb to be a chamber made of stone. King Gyeongmyeong, the son of King Sindeok, together with Wanggeon, the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, successfully thwarted Gyeonhwon’s attack against Daeyaseong Fortress. During his reign, he attempted to establish diplomatic relations with the Hudang Dynasty of China, but was unsuccessful. The tomb is 50m in circumference at the base, 4.5m in x_height and 16m in diameter.


Jeju-do()

Jeju Island, designated as Jeju Special Autonomous Province, lies southwest of the Korean Peninsula and is the largest tourist destination in Korea. The whole island was designated as a special tourist zone, and wherever tourists go, they can look upon beautiful scenery. Every year, about 8.7 million people from Korea and abroad visit this fascinating island that measures 73 km across, east to west, and 31 km, from north to south. Jeju Island was also designated as a World Natural Heritage. The climate of Jeju is quite different from the temperate climate of mainland Korea. Since the island has a subtropical climate as well as a subarctic one, there are many unique plants that can only to be found on this island. The unique sight of Jeju Island captivates travelers. The scenery that represents this volcanic island of Jeju was created by Hallasan Mountain and Oreum (parasitic cones in Jeju dialect) as well as the pillar-shaped joint on the beach. The piedmont area that visitors encounter on their way from the beach to Hallasan Mountain is a gift of nature and the piedmont area on the way to Geomun Oreum, where Jeju World Natural Heritage Center is located, is worthwhile to see. Another unique aspect here is the Jeju dialect and lifestyle. Traveling the 182 km circuit road along the coastline by car, motor scooter or bike is recommended. There is a trail for walking called “Jeju Olle” for those who choose to make a round trip on foot. Jeju Island is implementing more discretionary and diversified policies in politics and economy as well as tourism, and this is what makes Jeju worthy of the name “free international city.” * Current State of Jeju Special Tourist Zone 1) Districts Covered: All of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (except the annexed island) 2) Area: 1,809.56k㎡ * Tourist Attractions Hallasan Mountain, Oreum (Parasitic cones), Coastal Road, piedmont area, Jeju Olle Trails, beach, museums, galleries, Jungmun Resort, etc.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si)

Yongcheondonggul Cave (용천동굴) is the most typical form of lava tunnel on Jeju Island and with a total length of approximately 2,470.8m it is one of the largest. It has a unique topology and rich limestone formations such as lava terrace, lava shelves, lava waterfalls, and 140m of lava rolls. In particular, a range of carbonate formations such as straw soda, stalactite, columns, flowstones, cave corals, aragonite crystals can be found inside this large cave that also contains a lake. This unique cave is astounding in terms of its geological value and beauty. There are also items that can be found throughout the cave that appear to have been brought in by people who lived on the island long ago, such as pieces of pottery, animal bones, ironware, charcoal and other substances.  


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

Chungnyeolsa Temple was built by 7th Admiralty Commander Lee Un-nyong in 1606 upon the order of King Seonjo during his 39th year of rule in 1606. The temple, which was meant to commemorate Admiral Lee Sun-sin's loyalty and brilliant exploits, houses the memorial tablet of Admiral Lee. The temple has five gates: Naesammun, Jungmun, Oesammun, Jeongmun, and Hongsalmun. There are other significant structures inside the temple as well. Dongjae and Seojae, the place where food for ancestral rituals were prepared can be found inside Jungmun Gate. Located inside Oesammun Gate are Sungmudang (administrative office) and Gyeongchungjae (lecture hall). On both sides of the gate are six pavilions housing memorial tablets, including the tablet of Admiral Lee. Outside the gate are Ganghallu Pavilion and the exhibition hall. The sign with the words "忠烈祠" hanging on Jeongchim and Oesammun was written by Munjeonggong Song Sun-gil and bestowed by King Hyunjong. Total area: 9,067.8m², Building area: 727m² Exhibition hall: 115.7m²


Busan(Haeundae-gu) , Haeundae

Cheongsapo Port is located on the right at the end of Dalmaji Hill in the direction of Songjeong in Haeundae. Along with Gudeokpo Port and Mipo Port, Cheongsapo Port is among the three ports lined against the coastal shore between Haeundae and Songjeong. Cheongsapo Port is famous as a place to view beautiful sunsets and where quality seaweed can be found. The rocks scattered along the port's shore are crowded with fishers. Railroad tracks that run along the shoreline make the area even more special, being one of the only two railroad tracks in Korea to be situated near sea.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

The town of Goryeong is four hours outside of Seoul, and features many relic sites of Daegaya around the whole district of Goryeong-gun. Around the first century, Daegaya was formed in the Nakdonggang River’s downstream area in the lower Korean peninsula, flourished independently for 520 years (AD 42~562), and declined after the 6th century. After its decline, part of it was annexed by Silla (57 BC ~ AD 935), and the rest annexed by Baekjae (18 BC~AD 60), and became a forgotten tribal kingdom.On King Jinheung’s (reign 540~576) 23rd year of reign it became the district of Daegaya, and the name was changed to the district of Goryeong on King Gyeongdeok’s (reign 742~765) 16th year of reign.This is the place where you can view the country’s first Sunjangmyo (tomb where many dead people were buried together), called Jisandong Gobungun, Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, and Treasure No. 605, the pre-eminent relics site of the Prehistoric Period called Yangjeondong Amgakhwa, and other various cultural assets.There is a large, ancient tomb with a diameter of 20m, built on the ridgeline of the mountain, and as you go down the mountain, there are 159 other tombs of smaller scale. The largest tomb in the south side is called the Geumrim Royal Tomb, and the other large tombs near it are presumed to be tombs of royalty or aristocrats.At the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, site of the restored No. 44 tomb, you can see the ancient custom of burying the living with the dead (Royalty buried with their retainers). The dome-style exhibit hall displays Sunjangseokgwak, ironware, pottery and other various excavated relics.


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Haegasa is a site named after the tale of 'Haega' in "The Heritage of the Three States." While the original Haegasa is assumed to be on Wausan Mountain at the northern end of Samcheok Beach, it has been restored on Jeusandong Beach against the backdrop of beautiful scenery. Located near Haegasa are Chuam Beach and Surobuin Park, which hosues the Dragon Ball, upon which people make their wishes.


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Yeongchwisan Mountain is not very tall, rising just 510 meters above sea level, but the mountain has long been deemed as a spiritual guardian of the Yeosu peninsula. During the old days, people held rituals for rain or offered wishful prayers here. Geumseongdae and Dosolam Hermitage are two Buddhist places of worship on the mountain. As Yeongchwisan Mountain is not very tall, taking any hiking course will lead you to the peak within about four hours. The mountain is a perfect place for family travelers to go hiking. Yeongchwisan Mountain is also widely known as the first place in Korea where azaleas begin to bloom in the spring, and is one of the top three most famous places in Korea for azalea blossoms. In April each year, the azalea festival is held in the mountain. The festival offers a variety of programs including a ritual for the god of the mountain, a writing contest for students, a photo contest, and Miss Azalea beauty pageant. During the festival, visitors can enjoy various events and local foods.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Mungyeong Confucian Museum is located right next to Mungyeong Ceramics Center at the entrance of Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park. It's a great place to learn all about Confucian culture. The hall consists of two floors with four exhibition halls, as well as a Confucian Culture Experience Room and Archive Library. Exhibition Hall No.1 represents the main space called Sarangbang (a room for male guests in the past) where Confucian scholars worked on poems, paintings, and writings; Exhibition Hall No.2 displays exquisite embroidery pieces that symbolized the culture of women in the past; Exhibition Hall No.3 showcases local Confucian scholars and their works in Mungyeong along with a formative art piece reproducing a Confucian school. Focusing on the culture and art of Confucian scholars, Exhibition Hall No.4 displays the Confucian Culture of Mungyeong and its history; this hall also shows two replicas of Juamjeong (Juam Pavillion) and a local-drinking ritual (called Hyangeumjurye). Visitors can also try their hand at wooden blook printmaking and rubbed copy at Confucian Culture Experience Room. Overall, visitors can really get a feeling for the essence of Confucian culture at Mungyeong Confucian Museum. The area around the center offers outstanding tourist attractions: Mungyeong Campground, Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park (film set for the show King Sejong the Great), Mungyeong Coal Museum, Mungyeong Ceramics Center, and Mungyeong Hot Spring. As a transport hub linking the Yeongnam in Korea’s southeast with Seoul, Mungyeong was a renowned Confucian town with dedicated Confucian scholars. During the reign of King Taejong in the early Joseon Period, Mungyeong Confucian School was established to educate students in Mungyeong-eup, and Geunam Seowon (a Confucian academy) was also built in 1655 during the 6th year of King Hyojong's reign.