Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

The Gangneung Dano Cultural Center is located in Noam-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. The center promotes the Danoje (Dano rite and festival) of Gangneung. On exhibit at the center are customs related to ancestral rites, danogut (shaman ritual), and nori (folk games) to preserve the folk culture of the Joseon Dynasty. The construction of the center began in 2000 when the Gangneung Danoje Festival was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Since its opening on February 19, 2004, the center has served a key role in helping visitors better understand the tradition of Dano. The center consists of an exhibition hall and a performance hall across from it. The exhibition hall has an exhibition room, a video room, a gallery, and a corner for hands-on activities. Also located here are the offices of the Gangneung Danoje Preservation Council and the Gangneung Danoje Committee, the main organizers of the Gangneung Danoje Festival. There is also a shaman music exercise room, so visitors can easily learn more about the Dano traditions from key personnel.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Uljin-gun)

Designated Scenic Site No. 6, Buryeongsa Valley spans 15 kilometers in length. Due to a lack of convenient transportation infrastructure leading to this site, it has not been visited much in the past. However, with the opening of national road 36, it became a popular summer vacation spot. Near the valley, there are about 30 tourist sites, including the old Buryeongsa Temple from the Silla Kingdom, Gwangdaeko Bawi Rock, Jujeori Bawi Rock, Changokbyeok, Myeonggyeongdae, Uisangdae, Santaegeuk, and Sutaegeuk.Follow the valley and you will find Sarang Bawi (or Love Rock) by the road. It is said that those passing by the rock will see their love come true. The white granite cliffs are in odd shapes as they were weathered over time. The cliffs and the valley waters combine to create splendid scenery. The view from Seonyujeong and Buryeongjeong, which are two-story octagonal pavilions, are even better. The landscape is set against Cheonchuksan Mountain.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Yangsan-si)


Jeollanam-do(Jangheung-gun)

From Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문), the heart of downtown Seoul, straight down to the very the tip of the peninsula lies the warmest place on the Korean mainland, Jangheung County’s Jeongnamjin (정남진). The region has a diverse natural environment including stunning views of mountains, fields, the ocean, lakes, rivers and streams. It also as well as cultural sites such as Cheongwansan Mountain, Bangchon Cultural Village, and Borimsa Temple, one of the three major Borimsa Temples in Asia. The Jeongnamjin district has a wide variety of tourist attractions nearby such as the Samsan Embankment, a provincial park on Cheongwansan Mountain; a literature park; and Sodeungseom Island, the filming place of the movie “Festival”. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunrise or take a seawater bath at Anyang water gate. There are a diverse number of events based on natural resources of the area like the Jeam Azalea Festival, Pen Shell Festival, Pike Eel Festival, Aqua Festival, Gaemegi Fishing Festival, and the Cheongwan Mountain Eulalie Festival. Area size: A total of 618㎢ (farmland 23%, forest 66.5%, others 10.5%) Administrative districts: 295 villages, 7 townships, and 3 towns


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

Jukgyegugok Valley is the valley stretching from Baejeom-ri to Choamsa Temple. Joseon-era Confucian scholar Toegye Yi Hwang (1501-1570) was inspired by the scenery of the valley and the enchanting sound of the flowing water, so he came up with names for each of the nine sections of the valley and collectively called them Jukgyegugok (nine bamboo valleys). The valley presents a splendid sight indeed with crystal clear waters, lush forest, and white rocks. In summer, vacationers from around the country flock to Jukgyegugok Valley to cool off from the sweltering heat by dipping their feet in the refreshing waters of the valley. Famous tourist attractions near the valley include Sosuseowon Confucian Academy, Buseoksa Temple, and Eupnaeri Mural Tomb. * Choamsa Temple On the path that ascends from Jukgyegugok Valley, there is a small temple located at the foot of Sobaeksan Mountain. The great monk Uisang Daesa of the Silla Kingdom reached this place during his search for an ideal site to build a Buddhist temple invoking national security. He set up a small thatched hut for a temporary stay until he found the most propitious spot, on which he built Buseoksa Temple. In the site where his thatched hut once stood, he built another temple and named it Choamsa Temple. The original structure was destroyed by fire during the Korean War (1950-1953). The temple has been restored to its present state by the Buddhist monk Lee Bo-won after years of arduous efforts.


Jeollanam-do(Wando-gun)

Created in 1991, Wando Arboretum is the only warm temperate forest in Korea where only 15% of the landscape is considered a warm temperate region. Wando Arboretum is home to a broadleaf evergreen tree forest that has high medicinal value, covers an area of 200 ㏊ (2,000,000㎡), and is home to 709 species of rare warm temperate plants such as goodyera, calanthe striata, and cephalanthera falcata.There are 30 special gardens for each different plant life, a green house, an observation path, and an observatory. At the observatory, visitors can enjoy the view of Dadohaehaesang National Park and Namdo. The observatory offers an opportunity to educate visitors on nature and the  environment and allows them to take a rest during their visit.


Jeollabuk-do(Gimje-si)

If you travel along Geumsan Route 29 from Gimje you’ll soon come upon the city of Mangyeong. Continue along 12.3km west of the city and you’ll be rewarded by the sight of Manghaesa Temple sitting atop a cliff on the crest of Jinbongsan Hill. True to its name, which comes from the phrase ‘mang mang dae hae’ (roughly meaning ‘a boundless sea’), the temple commands a sweeping view of the ocean below.The temple was established by the great monk Buseol Geosa during the 2nd year of King Uija of Baekje (642 AD). Years later, Dobeopsa (a Chinese monk from the Tang dynasty) renovated the temple. The temple was altered again during the reign of King Injo of the Joseon Dynasty when the great monk Jinmuk Daesa built Nakseojeon Hall.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

A short, hour-long ferry ride from Tongyeong Port will take you to the best attraction of Hallyeo Maritime National Park, Somaemuldo Island. Located at the end of the Korean Peninsula, the island is well known for its oddly shaped rocks of the coast cliffs, the clear and blue sea, the beautiful Deungdaesum Island, which is often shown in movies and commercials.Passing through the 500~600-year-old camelli woods for 30 min from the pier at Somaemuldo Island, you will get to Mangtaebong Peak, the top of the island. The peak is a natural observatory to enjoy the many islands of Tongyeong and Geoje Haeguemgang River. The view of Deungdaesum Island is indescribably beautiful. Somaemuldo Island is also one of the best tourist sites toward the end of the year because of the magnificent view of the sunset and sunrise.The highlight of Somaemuldo Island is Deungdaesum Island, also called 'Haegeumdo.' This island is so small that it takes only 20 min to walk around. The white lighthouse on the hill and green grass make for romantic scenery. The lighthouse, which is the only facility on the island, was bulit by Japan during the Japanese Colonial Period (1910-1945). The 150-meter waterway from Somaemuldo Island to Deungdaesum Island is where the miracle of Moses takes place. Two islands are connected with a gravel road twice a day when the tides ebb. Deungdaesum Island, covered with wild camomiles from late October to early November, is especially fantastic.