Gyeongsangbuk-do(Seongju-gun)

Located in Seongju-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gayasan Wildflower Botanical Garden is Korea’s first wildflower garden. It is a home to nearly 630 different plant species, including wildflowers and trees that are worth preserving, and the wildflower garden serves as a valuable space for botanical research. Outdoor Garden The outdoor garden offers the magnificent scenic landscape of Mt. Gayasan, organized into the following five themes. 1) Shrubbery Nearly 30 different species of shrubs and wild flowers have been planted here. You can enjoy these beautiful plants from early spring to winter. 2) Chrysanthemum Garden Nearly 15 different species of chrysanthemums and wild flowers are in bloom until late fall. 3) Rhizocarp Garden Nearly 50 different species of wild flowers including Bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis), German Iris (Iris nertschinskia), daylilies (Hemerocallis thunbergii) and hostas (Hosta longipes) bloom from spring to fall. 4) Gayasan Native Plant Garden Nearly 120 indigenous species of wild flowers have been planted here. 5) Wildflower Educational Garden Nearly 50 different species of short wildflowers are planted on the roof of the museum, where visitors can view and compare a variety of wildflowers. Greenhouse The greenhouse features warm-temperate trees and wildflowers. Enjoy the sweet fragrance of flowers regardless of the season. 1) Edible Plant Garden Nearly 20 different species of edible plants including tangerine trees and loquats are available. 2) Medicinal Herb Garden Nearly 25 different species of plants that provide medicinal herbs are available. 3) Fragrant Flower Garden Nearly 30 different species of sweet fragrant flowers such as laurel (daphne), Indian oleander (Nerium indicum) and the Gaya or Japanese nutmeg-yew (Torreya nucifera) are planted here. 4) Ornamental Plant Garden Nearly 30 different species of beautiful ornamental plants including coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata), pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis), Japanese ardisia (Ardisia japonica), poison bulb (Crinum asiatica) and Chinese ground orchid (Bletilla striata) are found in this garden. 5) Aquatic Botanical Garden Nearly 20 different species of aquatic plants, consisting of shallow water plants, free-floating plants, and floating-leaved plants, including water lily, bishop’s weed (Houttuynia cordata) and water snowflake (Nymphoides indica) are found in this garden. 6) Fern Garden Ferns are spore-propagated plants that have no blooming flowers. Nearly 40 different species of fern plants including western brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum) and groundpine (Lycopodium clavatum var. nipponicum) and warm-temperate native plants such as Leveille (Dendropanax morbifera) and Machilus chunbergii make up this garden.


Jeollanam-do(Yeonggwang-gun)

The Bulgapsa Temple (불갑사) of Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, was the very first Buddhist temple to be built in Korea. Monk Marananta, who was the first Indian monk to spread Buddhism in Korea, is said to have established the temple here around the year 384, during the reign of King Chimnyu.The main hall (daewungjeon) in Bulgapsa has been designated as national treasure No. 830. The motifs on the doors of the hall are famed for their beautiful designs. The temple also has other buildings of distinction such as the Manseru, Myeongbujeon and Ilgwangdang, a Neolitsea sericea tree designated as natural treasure No. 112. The temple is also famous for a magic lily which blooms in the late summer. The path into the Bulgapsa Temple is ideal for a restful walk and contemplation.


Gangwon-do(Inje-gun)

Songkang Canoe School is located in Naerincheon Stream and offers educational programs and tours led by a professional training team certified by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Also, the school operates a store that sells imported kayak and canoe equipment.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hapcheon-gun)

The 4 km valley between the entrance of Mt. Gayasan National Park entrance and Haeinsa Temple is called Hongryudong Valley. It was named so because the leaves turn so crimson that the water of the valley reflects the color and appears crimson as well. This is the place where Chi-Won Choe, after returning from Dang China to Silla (BC57-AD935) found Korea in disarray. It was too much to bear for him so he retired to live privately with poetry until his death. There are 19 famous places in Hongryudong Valley, including major cultural assets like Jongsangjeong Pavilion, Nakhwadam, and Bunokpok. The scenery of Nongsanjeong Pavilion, where Chi-Won Choe read poetry and played baduk, is especially beautiful. On the opposite side is a rock where you can see the handwring of Chi-Won Choe. The Yongmun Falls, located in the north end of the valley, has beautiful scenery with its harmonious blend of silk like falling water and Giamgoiseok (fantastic rocks and stones). The scenery of Hongryudong Valley changes every season, and it is the finest part of Mt. Gayasan. It is famous for the azaleas in full bloom during the spring, and for the thousand-year-old pine trees and broad-leaved trees growing thickly throughout the valley and the cool, clear water that runs through it during the summer. In the fall, the nearby pine tree forests and broad-leaved trees tinge in color and accentuate the crimson foliage of autumnal leaves, making the crimson reflection of the leaves in the valley water look like a rising flame, and showing why the valley was named Hongryudong Valley.  


Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun)

Myeonangjeong Pavilion (Jeollanam-do Provincial Monument No.6) is located on the slopes of Mt. Jebongsan in Jewol-ri, Bongsan-myeon, Damyang-gun County. The pavilion was constructed in 1533 by Song Sun (1493~1583), who built it as a place for writing poems. After its construction, the pavilion served as a meeting place for scholars and intellectuals and was even frequented by Lee Hwang (1501~1570), a representative Confucian scholar who is pictured on the 1,000-won bill. The roof of Myeonangjeong Pavilion was originally made of reeds, straw, grass and other materials, which could not withstand the elements. After several repairs, the building was developed into the wooden structure that it is today. From the back of pavilion, you can see the mountain ranges and open wide fields; renowned scholars’ poems are engraved on the wooden panels that decorate the pavilion walls.  


Jeollanam-do(Hwasun-gun)

Unjusa Temple is unlike other temples in that it has unusual Buddha statues and pagodas – it is often referred to as a mysterious temple. The founder of Unjusa Temple is not known but it is speculated that it was built during the Silla Period (BC 57~935).Unjusa does not have a Geumgangmun or Cheonwangmun, which are very often seen in Buddhist temples. The first thing you see when you enter Unjusa is the 9-story stone pagoda (National Treasure no. 796). The tower, again, does not have intricate designs, and is very simple. As you walk past the 9-story pagoda, you come to a forked road. Turning left, you will see Chilseong Rock. Because it resembles the 7 stars of the Big Dipper, some people argue that the rock is imitating the constellation. Follow the same road further and you will see two Buddha statues, called Wabul, where Buddha is resting on its side, lying down. These statues are, among the ones in Unjusa Temple, the most intricate in design and execution. Go up a bit further, and you will see the Siwibul Statue standing. Pass Siwibul Statue through the thick groves, and you will come to a series of 7-storey and 5-storey stone pagodas. What makes the stone pagodas of Unjusa Temple interesting to examine is that they each boats several unique designs and features.


Daegu(Dalseong-gun)

The Dalseong Korea-Japan Friendship Center opened on May 3, 2012 to highlight the philanthropy of General Kim Chung-seon (Japanese name Sayaka, 1571-1642) and promote friendship between Korea and Japan. Kim Chung-seon was a Japanese general who defected to Korea during the Japanese invasion. Shortly after arriving on Korean soil as a commander of a Japanese army, Choi together with his subjects defected to Korea, a choice that has been traditionally attributed to his respect for Korean culture. He transferred the technology of manufacturing rifles to the Korean army and contributed greatly in battles in Gyeongju and Ulsan. A great number of tourists visit the center to learn about history, including students and their parents, as well as numerous Japanese tourists who visit to commemorate the spirit of General Kim. The center features exhibition rooms, a 3-D theater, a tea ceremony room, relics, manifestations of traditional games in Korea and Japan, documents from Wakayama Prefecture in Japan, and a site for experiencing archery, all of which can be utilized free of charge.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

The Junam Ecological Center consists of an exhibition gallery, main hall, and local produce store. When you arrive, you will be guided into the Main Hall galleries where you will view framed samples and stuffed animals to learn about the birds, plants, and insects that are living in Junam. In the theater, you will watch a video showing the intricate relationships between humans and the birds of Junam. Meanwhile, monitors hanging on the outer walls of the galleries show the birds’ flying technique and their ecology. After exploring the center, take a free bicycle ride to the wetlands to see the reservoir and migratory birds.  


Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

Yanggu Porcelain Museum (Formerly Bangsan Porcelain Museum) presents porcelain from the Bangsan area with various video clips to help take a look at the history of porcelain in the Bangsan area. Visitors can also try their hand at making porcelain from scratch!