Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju is home to many temples and shrines, and was considered sacred by many during the Silla Kingdom. This mountain boasts nearly 40 valleys winding down from Geumobong Peak (468 m in elevation), Gowibong Peak (494 m in elevation), and other surrounding peaks. Also, this 4 km-wide and 8km-long oval-shaped mountain runs almost perfectly north to south. Namsan Mountain is a veritable open-air museum, with 100 temples, 80 stone Buddha statues, and 60 stone pagodas scattered across the mountainside. Topographically, it features nearly 40 valleys and is divided into the Southwest Mountain, a sacred place during the Silla period, and the Southeast Mountain, where many Buddhas can be found around the valleys. Najeong Well, at the western foot of Namsan Mountain, is the mythic birthplace of King Park Hyeokgeose, founder of the Silla Kingdom. The local Yangsanjae Shrine was built in honor of its founder who lived in Seorabeol before the Silla Kingdom was established. Poseokjeong Pavilion is the place where the glorious era of the Silla Kingdom came to an end. In the Southeast Mountain region, one can encounter the Seated Buddha of Borisa Temple, a 9-meter Bulmusa Stone Buddha Statue, and a Seated Stone Buddha at Gamsil Shrine. Namsan Mountain also features 12 treasures, including Mireukgol Seated Stone Buddha, a three-storey stone pagoda in Yongsangsa Temple, the Maae Stone Buddha in Chilbulam Temple, and others. There are also twelve historic sites, such as the site of Poseokjeong Pavilion, Najeong Well, and Samneung Royal Tombs, as well as nine local tangible cultural properties (Maaegwaneumbosalsang Buddha in Samneunggol Valley, Ipgolseokbul Buddha, Yaksugol Maaeipsang Buddha, and others), and one important piece of folklore material. Namsan Mountain is also famous for its scenic landscapes in addition to its cultural heritage. Numerous valleys, unique rock formations, and beautiful trails are abundant throughout the area. Many tourists say, “You cannot say that you know Gyeongju without hiking up Namsan Mountain.” Namsan Mountaint is a place where the scenic nature and long history of the Silla Kingdom coexist, and also where the aesthetic consciousness and religious traditions of the Silla people evolved into the artform it is today.


Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun)

Damyang Changpyeong Samjinae Village was the first Korean place designated as a slow city in 2007. Compared with the fast-changing city life, the village seeks a slow life, experiencing regional cultures and food, surrounded by nature. Visitors can make Korean traditional sweets & cookies such as Hangwa and Ssalyeot here.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

Sosu Museum aims to consolidate and organize the nation’s traditional Confucian legacy and to establish the root of the national spirit through Sosuseowon, the first Confucian academy ever created in Korea. As a Mecca of Joseon Dynasty’s Confucianism, the museum is the only Confucian museum where you can experience the very valuable legacy of the Confucian culture and the history (the rise and fall) of Confucianism during the Joseon Dynasty. The museum opened on September 22, 2004 and since then, it has been a place where one can experience the dynamic historical adventure through valuable Confucian relics and remains. The museum also aims to revitalize the local culture of the Yeongju area by showcasing those well-preserved cultural assets and items.


Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si) , Ilsan

The Latin American Cultural Center - Museum was established by former Ambassador Yi Bok-Hyeong, who served as a diplomat in Latin America for approximately 30 years, and his wife, Hong Gap-Pyo, in an effort to raise awareness and understanding of the Latin American region among Korean people. The center has a museum, an art gallery and a sculpture park: the museum showcases Latin American artifacts made of soil, stone and wood, masks and other folk art crafts of the Maya, Inca and Aztec; the art gallery features contemporary artwork pieces including paintings and sculptures by contemporary artists, and holds art exhibitions on a regular basis; and the sculpture park displays masterpieces of artists mostly from Latin America (Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Peru, El Salvador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Portugal), along with indigenas (artifacts from India) and promenades of Coyoacán (the historic borough in Mexico City).


Chungcheongnam-do(Seocheon-gun)

National Institute of Ecology is a national organization established to find a sustainable balance between the preservation of the natural environment and citizens’ rights to pursue happiness.Ecorium has tropical, temperate, mediterranean and polar exhibitions centers where visitors can experience and learn about a variety of ecosystems. Ecological experience and education courses are conducted in a variety of outdoor spaces, including ecological wetland ecosystems.


Gyeonggi-do(Gapyeong-gun) , Namyangju

The source of Yongchu Falls, Mount Yeoninsan (연인산) stands at 1,068 meters above sea level and features soft terrain and beautiful scenery. Local folklore has it that those coming to the mountain wishing for true love will have their dreams come true. The soil of Mount Yeoninsan is fertile, offering a great natural environment for a variety of flowers and trees. Numerous types of wild flowers thrive from early spring to late autumn. The trail connecting Mount Yeoninsan with mounts Myeongjisan, Cheonggyesan, and Gwimokbong remains relatively unspoiled by human influence: cooking and camping in the area is strictly forbidden. All the mountains in the trail are over 1,000 meters high. A defining feature of Mount Yeoninsan is the royal azaleas that bloom in late May. The County of Gapyeong celebrates the royal azalea by hosting the Mount Yeoninsan (Natural Ecology) Festival in May of each year. Also ideal for hiking, Mount Yeoninsan offers a number of trails: one starts from Buk-myeon in Baekdun-ri, one from Mail-ri, and one from Yongchu Valley. With a minimum of climbing, hikers can take in a variety of scenic views, ranging from the bloom of the royal azaleas in the spring to the beauty of the changing leaves in the fall.


Gangwon-do(Hongcheon-gun)

Hongcheon Ginkgo Forest is only open to the public during the month of October. This private forest was planted and has been maintained by one man for 30 years. He settled down in the area in 1985 with his wife who suffered from chronic indigestion. He started planting the ginkgo tree seeding on his spacious field after he heard about the medicinal effects of the mineral waters from Sambong Yaksu at the foot of Odaesan Mountain. The forest remained private until 2010, when its popularity spread by word of mouth. Since then, the owner has graciously agreed to open his private land up to the public for free during the month of October, when the whole forest takes on a golden hue.


Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)

A 1-kilometer walk north along the beach from the Chaeseokgang Cliffs brings you past Jukmak Village to the famed Jeokbyeokgang Cliffs. As you pass the village you’ll see a grove of silver magnolias (Natural Monument No. 123) that serve as a windbreak. The Jeokbyeokgang Cliffs stretch 2 kilometers from the village along the shoreline to Yongdusan Mountain and are said to resemble their namesake, the Jeokbyeokgang River in China.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

Also referred to as Buk-myeon Hot Springs after the name of the region, Mageumsan Hot Springs is 13km north of Rural Route 1045 from Euichang-dong in Changwon and takes approximately 20 minutes to get to by car. Mageumsan Hot Springs rises 200m above sea level, contains a slightly alkaline enriched water of 55℃ or more, and consists of over 20 mineral substances including natrium, radium, manganese, ion sulfate, and others. Mageumsan Hot Springs are known to be effective in helping arthritis, women's diseases, neuralgia, depression, etc., and are frequently visited by travelers.Records of Mageumsan Hot Springs are listed in the ancient texts of King Sejong's Geographical Book, Survey on Civilization (Dongguk-yeojiseungnam), and more, illustrating that these hot springs were of great importance in ages past. The hot springs were temporarily closed in the later period of the Joseon Dynasty but were reopened by a man named Tokunaga from Japan. Later, Jin-Il Sohn, a resident of the area took ownership of the hot springs.Outstanding scenery complements the hot springs with Cheonmasan Mountain (370m), Mageumsan Mountain and Baekweolsan Mountain (400m) located nearby. In particular, there is a legend that surrounds Baekweolsan Mountain and people like to climb this mountain and then relax by bathing in the hot springs.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Yeongdong-gun)

Nangye Korean Classical Music Museum in Yeongdong, Chungcheongbuk-do was built to preserve and build upon the musical achievements and artistic spirit of Nangye Park Yeon, one of the three master musicians of traditional Korean music during the Joseon Dynasty, and to enhance public awareness of traditional Korean music. The Nangye Korean Classical Instruments Production Village produces high-quality Korean classical instruments in cooperation with Yeongdong-gun and a professional Korean classical instrument manufacturer to foster awareness that Yeongdong is truly home to traditional Korean music.