Gyeongsangnam-do(Miryang-si)

Just north of Cheonhwangsan Mountain (Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do), Eoreumgol Valley (Ice Valley) sits at an elevation between 600 and 750m and covers an area of 29,752m². Designated as Natural Monument No.224, the valley is unusual in that it begins to freeze in March when the weather becomes warm and thaws in the fall when the weather becomes cold. In the winter, the valley generates warm breezes and the water rarely freezes. Because of these unique attributes, the valley is considered one of the Four Mysteries in Miryang and attracts visitors from early summer through fall.Other notable ice valleys in Korea include Binggye Gyegok in Uiseong (Gyeongsangbuk-do), Punghyeol Naengcheon in Yanghwa Village (Jinan, Jeollabuk-do), and Aircongul in Nari Plain (Ulleungdo Island). 


Busan(Geumjeong-gu)

Geumjeongsanseong Fortress (금정산성) is located on the peak of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5m) in Busan. Its original name was Dongrae Mountain Fortress, but it was changed because of its location.Its length is 17,377m, and 1.5m~3m high; it is the largest fortress in Korea. But now there is only a 4 km section remaining from the original. The exact time of the fortification is not recorded, but in reference to the location and size, it is presumed to have been built during the Three Kingdoms Era (when Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, the three dynasties, were fighting against each other). The present fortress was built in 1703, during the reign of Suk-Jong. It was built after Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion of Korea from 1592~1598) to prepare for any further invasions from Japan. It was first built with stones and was renovated in 1707. During the dark years under Japanese sovereignty it was damaged and devastated.In 1971, it was designated as private property. The West, East and South Gates have been reintegrated, and it is still undergoing the restoration process. On the fortress barbican there is Munru (watch tower). There is another watch tower called Mangru to watch for enemies. Different from other mountains, it is easy to find spring water here, and because it is a granite area, you can easily see rock caves and small and big rock peaks at Mt. Geumjeongsan.


Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

Punch Bowl in Yanggu-gun Gangwon-do is a highland basin situated 400-500 meters above sea level. The name "Punch Bowl" comes from the basin's resemblance to a large punch bowl. The town has around 1,700 residents, and is the only town that is located inside the Civilian Access Control Line. Along with the nearby Daeamsan Mountain, Punch Bowl was once a ferocious battlefield during the Korean War. Several monuments were erected in memory of the deceased souls, while some remnants of the War still remain in the basin. Since the War, civilian access has been limited to Punchbowl and Daeamsan Mountain, allowing the natural environment in the area virtually unscathed. Rare flora and fauna reside in the area, and on top of the Daeamsan Mountain is Yongneup Swamp (Natural Monument No.246), Korea's one and only high moor and time-honored treasure trove for the ecosystem. Also, there is the 4th Infiltration Tunnel that was unearthed in March 1990. Unlike the rest of the tunnels (1st, 2nd and 3rd Tunnels), visitors can go into the tunnel riding in a cable car. From the Eulji Observatory nearby, visitors may enjoy the view of the four peaks of Naegeumgang area including the Birobong of Geumgangsan Mountain. To enter the tunnel and the observatory, visitors must fill out an entry application at the Yanggu Unification Center.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Uljin-gun)

Located to the east of Mt. Baegamsan, Baegam Hot Springs is a unique opportunity for those seeking a relaxing alternative to Seoul’s busy lifestyle. The facility’s 48℃ alkaline water contains a great deal of lithium, and has been historically remembered long since the time of Shilla dynasty. Baegam Hot Springs takes up a large portion of Hot Springs town and boasts numerous convenient facilities, including lodging places. Baegam Hot Springs’ soft and transparent water is known for its therapeutic effects against neuralgia, chronic arthritis, and arterial sclerosis. Nearby highlights are Mt. Baegamsan –famous for its pine forest and clear sand- and Gusan Beach, visitors can enjoy hiking and sea-bath at one stop. 


Gyeonggi-do(Osan-si) , suwon

The Mulhyanggi Arboretum (물향기 수목원), situated in Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, is a peaceful area where you can come to relax, but is surprisingly located amidst high-rise apartment buildings in the city center. There are many things to see at the beautifully named 330,580m2 arboretum (mulhyanggi meaning water fragrance). There are 16 themed centers, various auxiliary facilities, and 1,601 different species of plants. The Mulhyanggi Arboretum, is a great place for a leisurely walk, and takes around two hours to see in its entirety. It is not so sublime as the Gwangneung Arboretum, but is charming, and offers many things to see as it features variously themed centers. Children will have an exciting time at the Topiary Center, which can be seen from the parking lot, and the Maze Center. Other themed centers include the Pine Tree Center, the Maple Tree Center, the Fruit Tree Center, the Tendril Plant Center, the Center of Native Plants of Central Korea, the Dwarf Tree Center, the Local Crafts Tree Center, the Wet Land Ecology Center, the Center for Plants that Live in Humid Areas, the Warm Temperature Zone and Pteridophyte Center, the Functional Plant Center, the Althea Center, and the Insect Ecology Center. There is also an observatory made from a tree. As indicated in its name, the waters of this arboretum are clear and clean. Tadpoles swim in the wetland and Korean squirrels scurry up and down the trees. The arboretum, only an hour away from Seoul, affords city dwellers a place to relax in peace where they can experience different forms of natural beauty according to the season.※ There are no shops, restaurants, or trash bins. Visitors to the site are recommended to take waste back homes and to be considerate of the environment. You can bring a lunch box and enjoy your meal at the ‘Rest Area inside the Forest’, which is a designated site for eating.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

A caldera basin (a large volcanic depression, caused by collapse or explosion), Nari is the largest flat area in Ulleungdo Island. Its land is well drained and composed of fertile volcanic ash soil. While most island residents are fishers, those living in the basin earn a high income by producing medicinal plants.


Incheon(Ongjin-gun)

Sindo Island is a 16.1 km-long (6.92㎢) piece of land situated 14km northwest of Incheon and 5km south of Ganghwado Island. Its highest point is Gubongsan Mountain (178.4 meters high). The name of the island, ‘Sindo’ (meaning ‘trust’ in Korean), came from the fact that the residents of the island are trustworthy and diligent. The island is also known as ‘Jinyeom’ (meaning ‘true salt’ in Korean) since the island is known for its high-quality salt.  Though relatively small in size, the island has a diversity of geographical features. Along the southwest coast is a large bay, while the northern and southern regions are more mountainous. Wide tidelands surround the entire island and provide a habitat for rare birds including the Chinese Egret and Black-tailed Gull, which also populate nearby Sido and Modo Islands.  Residents of Sindo make their living through farming and fishing. Goby and shellfish are caught off the coast and sweet grapes are grown in the fields. The villages of the island, such as Pyeongchon in the east, Gonam-ri in the southwest and Guroji in the southwest, serve as an important fishing points for locals.  From the peak of Gubongsan Mountain, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the islands of the Yellow Sea (including Yeongjongdo Island). Travelers to Sindo can also conveniently visitor neighboring Sido Island via the 579 meter-long Yeondogyo Bridge, constructed in 1992. 


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

The historical border of the Silla and Baekje Kingdoms, Rajetongmun Gate of Seolcheon-myeon, Muju was formed from a rock cave in Seokgyeonsan Mountain. The tunnel is approximately 3m in x_height and 10m in length, and divides the villages of Sindu Maeul into Dugil-ri, Seolcheon-myeon and Inam Maeul in Socheon-ri. During the Three Kingdoms Period, the rocky ridges of Seokgyeonsan Mountain drew the boundary of Silla's Mupung in the east with Baekje's Seolcheo to the west. Tracing the history from the Three Kingdoms Period to the Goryeo Dynasty, the cultures and traditions of the two regions were markedly different. If curious about the difference, one could simply stop by Seolcheon on market day, where the Muju and Mupung local dialects and customs can easily be distinguished. People used to cross Seokgyeonsan Mountain by a footpath along the rocky ridge to travel between Seolcheon and Mupung. During the Japanese occupation, a new road was created by turning a cave into a tunnel through the mountain so cows and horse carts could freely pass from Muju to Gimcheon. General Kim Yoo Shin from the Silla Kingdom, the hero of unification of the Three Kingdoms, often passed by the gate, later giving rise to the gate's nickname, Tongilmun (literally "Unification Gate"). The gate is number one on the list of 33 scenic sites in Gucheon-dong.


Jeollabuk-do(Imsil-gun)

The history of Imsil cheese began in 1958. At that time, Imsil had no local specialty or unique color of its own, which changed when Ji Jeong-hwan, a Belgian priest came to the region as a missionary. The governor of Imsil-gun asked the priest to work for the community, not just for Catholics in Imsil. After much thoughts, he decided to make cheese. In the beginning, he made cheese with goat milk. Imsil's reputation as a cheese village, which began with just two goats, is now blooming with the establishment of Imsil Cheese Theme Park. Imsil Cheese Theme Park consists of cheese experience centers, a promotion center, a milk processing factory, a local specialty shop, etc., where one can meet the past, present and future of Imsil cheese. The Cheese Science Lab is continuing research to make premium cheese.