Chungcheongbuk-do(Jecheon-si)


Jeollabuk-do(Gimje-si)

As King Gyeong-deok in 757 (16 years after ruling at the age of unified Silla) altered the administrative division system into Chinese style so as to strengthen the local power 'Ju', 'Gun', and 'Hyeon', which are hanja (Chinese characters). Since then, 'Byeokgol' was renamed as 'Gimje', which refers to golden field and thus the station name 'Gimje Station'.    


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

The primary attraction on the coastal road is the shore line of Dongmak Beach connecting Janghwa-ri in the town of Hwado-myeon (located south of Ganghwado Island) with Dongmak-ri. Visitors can comfortably enjoy the sunset after parking their cars on the roadside or in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant. Another great spot to enjoy the sunset is the high ground of Buno-ri. In Seokmodo Island, the best spots to enjoy the sunset are Minmeoru Beach and Janggu Neomeo Port. The beach of the island has a bow-like shape, and when the tide ebbs, a vast foreshore appears with all kinds of sea animals such as clams, crabs, trumpet shells, corb shells and more, making the island an excellent spot for children.>> Click to check out the tide time


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Sogeumgang Valley located on the east side of Mt. Odaesan, and because the mountain scenery looks as if a crane ('Cheonghak') was spreading its wings, it was also called Cheonghak Dongsogeum. But after it became part of Mt. Odaesan National Park, it is now referred to by its current name, Sogeumgang Valley. It was designated as Famous Site No. 1 in 1970, and it occupies almost a quarter of the Mt.Odaesan National Park. Sogeumgang is the name used by scholar Yul-Gok of Joseon Period (1392~1910) when he wrote a book called Cheonghaksangi, and that name became its name. They say these mountains resemble Mt. Geumgangsan’s scenery, only miniaturized, hence the name Sogeumgang, meaning “small Geumgang”. Near Sogeumgang is Geumgangsa Temple, and there are the words “Sogeumgang” written by Yeol-Gok himself.Sogeumgang, starting with Mureung Valley as center, is divided lower half and upper half. The lower half is called Oesogeumgang and the upper half is called Naesogeumgang. Oesogeumgang includes the Geumgangmun, Chwiseonam, and Bibong Waterfall areas, and Naesogeum includes Samseonam, Sesim Waterfall, and Cheongsim Waterfall areas. Besides these, there are also Mureung Valley, Yeonjuam, Manmulsang and other well-known places, as well as Sipjaso pond that is shaped like a cross, Baekmabong, Okryudong, Sikdangam, and others. At the top of the mountain is Amisanseong (or Geumgangsanseong fortress), said to have been built by Mauitaeja (Silla 56th King, reign 927~935) a thousand years ago, to relieve himself of the grief of losing his kingdom. To the right of Mt Hwangbyeongsan is Noinbong Peak, and to the left is Maebong Peak. The current down from Noinbong Peak goes on for about 13 km and becomes Sogeumgang, which has many rocks, swamps, and waterfalls as well. Also, Sogeumgang has pine trees, various kinds of plants, bandal bear, woodpeckers, mountain sheep and other animals, making the area very valuable for ecology or biosphere studies. Sogeumgang is also famous for its winter snow flowers.


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). 


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

The architectural style of Yakcheonsa Temple is reminiscent of that of Buddhist temples of the early Joseon Dynasty. Measuring an impressive 30m high and spanning a total area of 3,305 meters squared, it is the largest temple in the East. Upon entering Yakcheonsa Temple, guests will be greeted by a 5m-tall statue of Vairocana, the tallest of such statues in Korea, on a 4m high pedestal. The walls on both the right and left have been sculpted into large altar portraits of Buddha and in front of the Dharma Hall is a giant Buddhist temple bell, weighing 18 tons. Beloved for its size and grandeur, the temple consists of a main temple (2,652 meters squared) and a 3-story residential structure for the Buddhist monks. Other notable sites are the Gulbeopdang (the Dharma Hall, built inside a natural cave), the Samseonggak Shrine, and the Sarira Pagoda. Yakcheonsa Temple is not only popular among Buddhists but is also a well sought after tourist destination.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , TheWestern Part of the Jeju Island

Ssangyonggul Cave, a designated Natural Monument, is one of the representative lava tubes of Jeju Island along with Hwanggeumgul, Socheongul, and Manjanggul caves. The cave measures approximately 400m in length, 6m in x_width, and 3m in x_height. It is thought to have been created by lava that erupted from Hallasan Mountain some 25 million years ago.One of the unique features of this particular cave is that it has features of both a lava tube and a limestone cave. The entire area surrounding the cave is a huge stratum of seashells and sand, while the interior is a mystical mix of stalactites and stalagmites. Lime covers the cave walls in series of natural swirls and streaks, bringing to mind the strokes of an abstract painting. Since the cave stays at a constant 17-18℃ throughout the year, it’s a welcome escape from the heat in the summer and a great place to warm up in the winter.The cave gets its name from its two branches, which are said to look like the paths of two dragons (‘Ssangyong’ meaning ‘two dragons’ in Korean). It is thought that Ssangyonggul Cave and Hyeopjaegul Cave were once one cave since the second entrance of Ssangyonggul Cave is so close to the end of Hyeopjaegul Cave.


Gyeonggi-do(Icheon-si) , Icheon

Located in Icheon City, Gyeonggi-do, the Pig Museum is the first of its kind in Asia. Village chief and an expert of pig artificial insemination Lee Jong-yeong founded the museum in November 14, 2011. Some 5,000 pig-related articles from 18 different countries are on exhibit. Visitors can also enjoy pig performances and participate in hands-on experience programs such as making sausage.


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.


Gyeonggi-do(Pyeongtaek-si) , Pyeongtaek