Gyeonggi-do(Yeoncheon-gun)

Before the Korean War, trains used to run along the Gyeongwon Line, transporting people and goods between Seoul and Wonsan, but now they turn back at Sintan-ri station. There is no longer a railline running past the old Cheorwon station and across the armistice line, from Sintan-ri station to Pyeonggang. North Korea changed the name of the Gyeongwon Line that connects Pyeonggang to Sepo, Gosan, Tongjiwon, Wonsan, and Gowon to the ‘Gangwon Line’ many years ago. Near Sintan-ri station is a signpost that says, ‘We want to be back on track,’ symbolizing that this area is the northernmost point of the Gyeongwon Line in South Korea, resonating with a sense of sadness for South Koreans over the continuing division of the peninsula.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Chungju-si)

Located in Donsan-ri and Neungam-ri, Angseong-myeon, Chungju-si, Cheongcheongbuk-do, Angseong hot spring offers weak alkaline water coming from 700m deep underground. It is known to be effective for treating back pain, stiff shoulders, fatigue, and a cold constitution in addition to softening the skin.


Chungcheongnam-do(Seosan-si)

Palbongsan Mountain stretches out like a folding screen and stands high with great spirit, embracing nine villages. It is named Palbong (“eight peaks” in Korean) because of its eight peaks in a row. The third peak is the highest, standing at 362m with a beautiful view and crisp air, making it ideal for hiking (about a 3 hour course) and resting at the top. There is also another popular Palbongsan Mountain in Hongcheon, so this mountain is usually referred to as “Seosan Palbongsan.” Seosan is the name of the city where the mountain belongs. In fact, there are nine peaks here, but the smallest one was not included in the name, so there smallest one weeps over its exclusion at the end of each December.


Gyeonggi-do(Yangpyeong-gun)

Jungmisan Recreational Forest (중미산자연휴양림) unfolds at the end of a lovely drive along the famous Nongdachi-gogaegil road (the highest ridge road in the vicinity of Seoul). The forest boasts a striking landscape of thick groves of trees and a view overlooking Namhangang River. Some mornings, the forest’s log cabins are veiled by a thick fog, further adding to the beautiful natural ambience. Rising 834 meters above sea level, Jungmisan Mountain is a popular sunrise destination frequented by throngs of hikers every year. Thick forests of pine trees create a rooftop of branches from spring to fall. Being surrounded by tall mountains of Baegunsan, Yumyeongsan, and Yongmunsan, Mount Jungmisan feels like it is in the inner mountainous region of Gangwon-do, although it is close to Seoul. The forest has log cabins that can accommodate groups of 4, 7, or 16 people as well as campsites that seem to complement the surrounding natural environment. Visitors can enjoy a comfortable walk through the trees on a trail that winds through the heart of the forest. The recreational forest is located in Yangpyeong County, which is known as an environmentally-friendly town of suburban residences, vacation homes and inns. Nearby tourist attractions include the Mount Jungmisan Astronomical Observatory, Wild Flower Botanical Garden, the birth house of Lee Hang-ro, and Yongmunsa Temple.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)

Sainam Rock, located in Sainam-ri, Daegang-myeon, is one of eight scenic areas in Danyang, and is located in the southeast side of Danyang-gun, along with Sangseonam Rock, Jungseonam Rock, and Haseonam Rock of Seonam Valley. The Sainam Rock is a rugged outcropping with an inspiring x_height of 70 meters, and the deep blue Namjocheon Stream passes in front of it, located in the southern part of Danyang-gun. Most visitors to Danyang Eight Scenic Views tend to come to the rock as their first destination due to the good condition of the road. Also, Unseongugok Valley flows in front of Sainam Rock. The rock was picked as the most picturesque place among the Eight Scenic Views. On the cliff, there is a phrase carved by Utak’s own handwriting, as well as old pine trees on a rock floor that is reminiscent of the Haegeumgang River. Sainam was named after the great scholar Yeokdong Utak during Goryeo Period. He had taken up a public service to assist a king in a position called sain (사인), and then he retired to his hometown of Danyang, starting out teaching young students. For this story, a governor of Danyang named the rock Sainam to commemorate his achievement during King Seongjong of the Joseon Dynasty.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Sacheon-si)

Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park (한려해상국립공원) is a national sea park that encompasses the most beautiful stretch of Korea’s south coast, covering parts of Sacheon, Geoje, Tongyeong, Hadong and Namhae of Gyeongnam Province and Yeosu of Jeonnam Province. Its 510,323㎢-wide area covers Dadohae Islets, Bijindo Island and Haegeumgang. The Donam Complex in Tongyeong is being continually developed as a world-class marine tourist attraction. The sea-view of the Namehae section of Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park is particularly breathtaking. Here visitors will be captivated by the view of Sejondo Island, the Pipe Organ Valley and Ssangyonggul Cave. Sangju Beach, at two kilometer-long and 150 meter-wide, is the biggest beach on the south coast and is covered with silver-white sand. The pine forest carpeting the surrounding environment also offers visitors a refreshing atmosphere. Located nearby is 681-meter-high Mt. Geumsan, making the beach a place where vacationers can appreciate both the sea and the mountain at the same time. Other attractions available in this area are the 38 Attractions of Mt. Geumsan, and Irak Shrine (Historic Site No.232) and Chungryeol Shrine (Historic Site No.233) dedicated to the great Admiral Sunsin Yi.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

 Daegullyeong Village is a tourist complex located in Gangwondo Gangneung-si, and provides visitors with a host of various traditional experiences, sporting events, and lodging accommodations. The village of 'Daegullyeong' got its name from the series of 832m ‘Daegwallyeong’ ridges that stretch along the bordering regions of Gangneung and Pyeongchang. Although the mountain ridges present rigorous passages with 99 turns, the area is popular as it boasts magnificent scenery.  Daegullyeong Village boasts the beautiful Daegwallyeong ridges and clear waters of the valleys in the mountain villages where tourists can take in the spectacular views of Bogwang 1(il)-ri, Bogwang 2(yi)-ri, and Eoheul-ri. The local specialties include the traditional doenjang (soybean paste), various soy and bean pastes, corn, traditional fermented soybeans, potatoes, and vegetables. Visitors can stay at any number of pensions in the area, then take a tour around a traditional soy and bean paste factory and participate in various experience programs such as soy and bean paste making, straw arts and crafts, folk games, and traditional performances.


Gangwon-do(Hwacheon-gun)

Peace Dam was built over the period of 15 months from February 1988 to May 1988 with funds donated by the general public in response to North Korea’s construction of Geumgangsan Dam and a potential flooding attack. The flood control dam has proved its worth during the floods of 1995, 1996, and 1999 and it has become a major tourist destination over the years. Located In the vicinity of Peace Dam is Bimok Park, which is the origin of the famous national song “Bimok.” In addition to the war monuments inside the park, there are around a dozen wooden crosses with rusty iron helmets placed on top within the barbed wire entanglements around the hill, thereby reminding visitors of the national tragedy of the Korean War. The county of Hwancheon hosts the Bimok Cultural Festival from June 3 to June 6 every year at Bimok Park, Bungeoseom Island by the town’s riverside, and the surrounding areas. The four-day festival offers a variety of events such as song contest, memorial ceremony of poetry reading, bimok tree cutting contest, rice ball eating contest, army life experience, military music parade, and more. Crossing over to Yanggu County from Peace Dam, there is a national security education place comprised of attractions like the 4th Underground Tunnel and Eulji Observatory. Paroho Lake Battlefield Tourist Park is also worth a visit after looking around Peace Dam. Also known as the “ocean within mountains,” Paroho is a manmade lake created as a result of Hwacheon Dam constructed in 1944. The lake is home to over 70 different species of freshwater fish such as mandarin fish and carp. It also holds a sorrowful history of burying at sea a whole three divisions of the Chinese Forces in defending the lake during the Korean War. The name Paroho, meaning “enemy breaking lake,” was given after the late president of Korea Rhee Syngman visited the place and designated a plaque in his own handwriting in memory of obtaining victory in fierce battle. There is an observatory, a security hall, and a stone monument engraved with the poetry of Wolha Rhee Taegeuk (1913-2003).


Jeollanam-do(Mokpo-si)

Mokpo is a special zone for marine culture tourism. One of the main attractions is Yudalsan Mountain, on top of which one can get a panoramic view of the entire city of Mokpo. The mountain’s walking trails are known to both locals and tourists alike as a place for forest bathing. Samhakdo Island and Gatbawi Rock are also popular attractions. The annual Mokpo Maritime Cultural Festival is held on Samhakdo Island. Gatbawi is a rock formation shaped like a Korean hat. From Gatbawi Rock, there is a coastal trail that leads to Gatwabi Culture Street. The musical fountain at Pyeonghwa Plaza is located near Gatbawi Rock. The Mokpo Wholesale Fish Market is full of marine products. Street vendors line the sidewalks selling hongeo (skate), which is a local specialty. Tourists can reach Yudalsan Mountain, Samhakdo Island and the Mokpo Wholesale Fish Market on foot from Mokpo Station. The City Tour Bus departs from Mokpo Station and takes travelers to major tourist attractions in the city. [Mokpo Special Tourist Zone] Areas covered: Area around Bukhang Port, Yudalsan Mountain, Open Port Zone, Samhakdo Island, Gatbawi, Pyeonghwa Plaza Area size: 6,894,968㎡ Tourist attractions: Yudalsan Mountain, Samhakdo Island, Gatbawi Culture Street, Pyeonghwa Plaza, Mokpo Natural History Museum, National research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage, Mokpo Wholesale Fish Market, Bukhang Hoe (sashimi) Center, etc.


Gyeonggi-do(Namyangju-si)

Sujongsa Temple is visited heavily by both the believers of the religion as well as average people who enjoy hiking, owing to its mild condition of trekking route reaching about a little over 600 meters, and its convenient location from Seoul. Nestled in Joan-myeon of Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, the temple has a commending view over Bukhangang River, which is rated to have one of the top magnificent views. Thanks to this geological reason, visitors here can hear clearer sounds of bell ringing from the temple, and the soothing water streaming down the mountain peaks and valley. It is no coincident that the place was named after this define sound-effect, thus called sujong, which directly translates into 'water-bell.' There is another folklore that has been passed down for generations, with regards to the origin of the temple's name. When King Sejo (1417-1468) was returning from the Geumgangsan Mountain trip, he stayed a night in the current Yangsu-ri region, and had heard the bell ring from afar. On the next day, he had his courtiers to look for the bell-ringing source but only ended up finding a cave, where water falling from the cave's ceiling has been making the the supposed 'bell-ringing' sound. Besides the discovery of the cave, King Sejo also found 18 small Buddha statues. To commemorate the excavation, the king ordered to construct a temple at the very site. Visitors will not be able to see these valuables on-site currently, but still be able to enjoy beautiful sights of Ungilsan Mountain and learn some historical facts. The artifacts from the temple site are now managed by and exhibited at the National Museum of Korea. Although the exact date of the temple's foundation has not been proven yet, experts estimated the period to be during the early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).