Chungcheongnam-do(Cheonan-si) , Cheonan・Asan Hot Springs
The National Mang-Hyang Cemetery provides a resting place for the souls of Koreans who resided and passed away in foreign lands. The Korean government built the cemetery in 1976 for compatriots who were forced to leave their beloved homeland under the Japanese colonial rule and ultimately passed away in foreign lands. In addition to graveyards, the cemetery also houses the KAL Memorial Tower. Every fall, a large memorial service is held.
Standing at 1,352 meters above sea level, Dutasan Mountain is surrounded by famous natural landmarks: Mureung Valley to the north, Gocheon Valley to the east, Taebaeksan Mountain range to the south, and Jungbongsan Mountain to the west. Moreover, situated along the 3.1km-long valley connecting Dutasan and Samhwasa Temple are such tourist attractions as Dutasanseong Fortress, Geumnamjeong Pavilion, Yongchu Falls, Ssang Falls, Osipcheon Stream, and Cheoneunsa Temple.
This tour bus is convenient for all independent travelers. Two courses cover the east and west parts of Jeju, and pickup services are available from Jeju Airport or hotels upon reservations.
Gounsa Temple lies on Deungunsan Mountain in Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and was built by Monk Uisang in 681 during the reign of King Sinmun of the Silla Kingdom. Although the pronunciation of the name was never changed, its meaning slightly changed from “High Cloud Temple” to “Solitary Cloud Temple” after Choi Chi-won, a renowned scholar in the late Silla Period, helped to build two pavilions (Gaunru and Uhwaru) and renamed it. It is Branch Temple No.16 of the Korean Buddhist order, Jogyejong, and manages temples in Uiseong, Andong, Yeongju, Bonghwa, and Yeongyang.
Befitting its meaning, the temple is surrounded by outstanding scenery on Deungunsan Mountain, meaning “Riding on the Clouds.” Quite isolated from villages, the temple is a very quiet, serene place.
Gounsa Temple is home to one of the most cherished pieces of architecture, Gaunru Pavilion (“Floating over the Clouds”). This elegant pavilion is propped up by wooden columns, which are, in turn, supported by foundation stones. It looks as if the pavilion placed its feet in the water while standing.
Among the many buildings comprising the temple complex, Yeonsujeon Hall is a unique building that was built to store Eocheop (the genealogical record of royal families) in 1774 (20th year of King Yeongjo). As a royal building, it shows the Confucian architectural style, different from other Buddhist buildings within the temple.
Yi Sunsin Plaza is located in Jungang-dong, Yeosu-si and contains the history and achievements of General Yi Sunsin. The plaza is the starting point for the history culture tourism belt and the surrounding artifacts and in May hosts the Turtle Ship Festival. The main attraction in the plaza is the life-size turtle ship which visitors can not only view from the outside but also the inside. There are also various performances on Saturdays in the plaza.
Ssangam Park is located in front of the Gwangju Institute of Science and technology within Cheomdanjigu (the high-technology district) in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. Thanks to the beautiful lake at its center, the park is also known as “Lake Park.” The lake is surrounded with landscaped azaleas and pine trees and is home to several fountains. At least once a month, a cultural festival takes place at the park.
Convenience facilities include 146 benches, 3 restrooms, and 3 playgrounds. The park is especially popular among students since it has a gym and a wide grassy field perfect for playing sports.
Jejuhyanggyo Confucian School is an educational center that teaches Confucianism to local people, and holds ancestral ceremonies for the great Confucian scholars. It is also used as an administration office, and a gathering place for the local Confucians. It has two main halls: Myeongnyundang and Daeseongjeon, which houses ancestral tablets.
Gyeokpo Port, located on the mainland of Jeju, is the departure point to Wido and Wangdeungdo Islands. Seawall fishing and rock fishing can both be enjoyed at the same time here. A wide rock belt is formed in the sea at the front of Gyeokpo creating lots of boat fishing sites (the main catch being black porgy and armorclad rockfish). Fishing spots include the sea west of Dongho Island, near Ssanyeo, the sea north of Daehyeongjedo Island and near Sumeunyeo. Big black porgy can be caught from the seawall and armorclad rockfish by fishing with rod (mostly in October). The sea south of Wido Island, one hour by boat from Gyeokpo, is famous for boat fishing to catch yellow drum. The sea north of Anmagundo is one of the best places for trolling to catch Japanese/Spanish Mackerel. Sadangdo Island has recently emerged as the best rock fishing site in the Gyeokpo region. Sadangdo Island is the largest island among those around Gyeokpo and has an abundance of good fishing spots. The waters are around 5m deep in all areas around Sadangdo Island. Wangdeungdo Island is a relatively new site as a number of 40cm-long big black porgy have been caught here recently. When the muddy tide goes out and clean water rises, black porgies start to bite.*
Fishinf Spots: sea in front of Gyeokpo, Gyeokpo-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun,
Jeollabuk-do.
Daraenamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace is estimated to be 600 years old, meaning it had likely been planted before the palace was built. The tree stands 19m in x_height, and has six separate trunks sprawling in all directions. It is the biggest and the oldest in Korea. It is designated and protected as a National Natural Monument.
Opened in December 2007, Gwanaksan Mountain Ecological Park is divided into two sections: Eco Forest, a forest of broad-leaved trees, and Eco Pond, a habitat of aquatic animals. There is also an arboretum that provides space for relaxation and ecology experience.