Incheon(Ongjin-gun)

Daecheongdo Island is home to some of the best beaches in Korea. Also, there are some good hiking courses on the island that offer great views above the golden beaches and rocky shores. A smaller and less populated island compared to the neighboring Baengnyeongdo Island, Daecheongdo is a perfect pastoral getaway. Island History Daecheongdo Island was said to be first inhabited during the Neolithic Age (9500-4500 BC), but the earliest known history periods begin during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 AD), when the island was used as a place of exile. The first known case of an exile was recorded sometime during the reign of Chinese Emperor Togon-temur (1320-d.1370) from the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. It was said that he was exiled on Daecheongdo for meddling in a plot arranged by his stepmother. He supposedly arrived on the island with 100 relatives, and built a palace here. The next known record relates to the island's abundance in medicinal herbs including mulberry mistletoe (Loranthi Ramulus), which was used to cure the illness of Queen Munjeong (d.1565), the wife of King Jungjong (d.1544). There is no record of island inhabitation until 1793, when King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), authorized the inhabitation and cultivation of the island. During the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945), there were as many as 10,000 people living on the island due to its popularity as a major port. Today, there are about 1,500 people who sustain a living from tourism and fisheries.


Jeollabuk-do(Gimje-si)

Moaksan Mountain (모악산, 793.5m) is located in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do and is home to several Buddhist temples: Geumsansa, Guisinsa, Suwangsa, and Daewonsa. From the top of the mountain you can see the the Honam Pyeongya Delta as well as the Gimje Pyeongya Delta.Designated as a provincial park in 1971, Moaksan is known for its incredible views and cultural heritages. Daewonsa and Suwangsa temples are located on the southeast side of the mountain and Guisinsa Temple sits to the west. Geumsansa Temple, built during the Baekje period (599AD), holds many precious pieces of Buddhist art.One of the preferred methods for ascending the mountain is a trail along the ridge behind Simwonam, which is particularly eye-catching in the spring when the mountain azaleas are in full bloom. As you reach the summit, the Gimje Pyeongya Delta and Mangyeonggang River come into view, along with Mt. Unjangsan and the city of Jeonju. The cherry blossom tunnel extending from the parking lot to Iljumun is another must-see for those who visit in the spring.


Busan(Gijang-gun)

Busan’s beautiful port city of Daebyeonhang Port sees the richest harvest of anchovies in Korea, especially in the months of April and May, therefore holds the Busan Gijang Anchovy Festival during this period. Daebyeonghang Port is also the film location for the 2001 box office hit movie featuring Jang Dong Gun and Yu Osung. The scene where Jang Dong Gun reminisces about his childhood memory of swimming in the ocean near a lighthouse while smoking a cigarette was filmed at this very location. The beautiful clear sea decorated with a lighthouse is not only popular during the Anchovy Festival, but is also a popular tourist attraction all year round.Event Programs: As a symbol of the fact that the festival is held by the sea, the Gijang Anchovy Festival begins with a fishermen’s parade around the port while carrying nets and other fishing equipment, while the fishermen themselves dress up in traditional fishing outfits which are white Hanbok. Gijang Anchovy Festival also offers rich seafood dishes, and visitors can enjoy the most fresh anchovy hoe (raw fish) in the area during its peak season. Pickled anchovy with seaweed is also a popular dish, and cuttlefish and cutless fish are also popular spring catches of Daebyeonhang. An outdoor food market offers a variety of hoe (raw fish) dishes, soups, and baked foods at moderate prices with an incredible view of the ocean.At nights, a musical performance is held with music, singing, and dancing, adding to the evening excitement. For even more fun, colorful fireworks light up the sky and give pleasure to the evening events. The Gijang Anchovy Festival is smaller in scale and simpler compared to other festivals, but it doesn’t diminish the spirit of fun at one of Korea’s cleanest ocean villages.Festival Highlights: For Korean movie fans, watch the 2001 box office hit to add more enjoyment to your trip. Comparing the red lighthouse and Daebyeonhang’s clean ocean waters to the scenes in the movie offers another sort of fun. Of course, the Anchovy Festival is fun as well if you don’t end up watching the movie. Buying a freshly caught fish and having it served on the spot is definitely the highlight of the festival.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

Nestled at the hillside of Chusan-dong where one can see the entire view of Changwon-si, Moonshin Art Museum houses Moon Shin’s art pieces and keeps his spirit intact. The artist resided in France for many years, returning to his hometown in 1980, and worked hard to establish the museum throughout 15 years. The museum finally opened in 1994 after his endless effort. Unfortunately, Moon Shin died one year after opening the museum, donating the museum to his loving hometown in his will. Following his will, the Moonshin Art Museum was donated to Changwon-si in 2003 and has since been operating as a city gallery. Changwon-si also established Moonshin Round Museum in October 2010, exhibiting 116 Moonshin plaster circle art pieces. Moonshin Art Museum is comprised of Exhibition Hall 1 & 2, outdoor exhibition hall and Moonshin Round Museum, showcasing a total of 3,900 pieces, including plaster round pieces, sculptures, drawing, tools, paintings, oil-paintings and keepsakes.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

The Lotte Department Store Jeonju Branch is located in Jeollabuk-do Jeonju-si, and offers over 500 Korean brand names and imported luxury brands for a premium shopping experience. The Jeonju branch has over 130 specialists who instruct classes at the store's cultural center, an 8-theater state-of-the-art multiplex cinema, a sky park/rest area, convenient parking facilities, a children’s rest area, a children's specialty hair shop, a skincare room, and other facilities and services. Store hours are from 10:30am to 8:00pm with extended hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It is closed for one Monday a month.


Jeollanam-do(Sinan-gun)

Located about 140㎞ southwest of Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, Gageodo Island is one of the remotest islands in southwest Korea. Centered on Doksilsan Mountain (639m, the highest peak in Sinan-gun), the island is surrounded by cliffs making the area perfect as a mystery island. Once featured in a Korean variety show, this place is also beloved by fishing-goers and hikers as it is known for its clean air and waters.


Jeollanam-do(Gangjin-gun)

Gangjin Tamjin Celadon is the gallery of Mr. Kim Gyeong Jin, Gangjin Celadon Master No. 1, and Jeollanam-do Master Craft Artisan No. 3, also serving as a celadon retail shop. Master Kim Gyeong Jin had been taught by Master Jo Gi Jeong, Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 5 with celadon skill. Tamjin is a former name of Gangjin, home to Gorye Celadon. Cheongjachon, Daegumyeon where the retail shop is located, is also the venue of Gangjin Celadon Festival every year. Gangjin Tamjin Celadon is an eco-friendly pottery emitting far infrared ray and anion, and has been selected as an excellent craft product by the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports. The retail shop is filled with celadons in jade color. Celadon with different patterns such as celadon tableware, teaware in lotus leaf shape, celadon coffee grinder, and dripper, coffee cup, etc. are on sale. At the back of the shop is a traditional kiln still heating porcelain. There is also a site for up to 70 people to experience celadon making activity including pattern carving and wheel shaping. Goryeo Celadon Museum, located just opposite the shop, displays the 500-year history of the celadon; Korean Minhwa Museum, on the other hand, is another spot worth visiting.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Jinju-si)

The Gyeongnam Culture and Arts Center is a cultural space located along the Namgang River. A beautifully designed building inside and out, the center has a performance theater and two exhibition halls, making for a total seating capacity of 1,564 spread throughout its two floors. The glass walls on each of the four sides of the building and the glass elevator in the lobby afford a wide-open view of the river. On the rooftop is a resting area where visitors can overlooking the beautiful surrounding and soak in the melodies of nature.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

In Mt. Nammangsan, there is a citizens’ park where you can view Tongyeong. At the top of the mountain stands a bronze statue of General Lee Sun-Shin built by the citizens in 1953, and Suhyangjeong Pavilion. Under the Suhyangjeong Pavilion, there is Citizens’ Cultural Center. Right under this center is Nammangsan Outdoor Sculptural Park.Nammangsan Sculpture Park was established to display the persistent works of 15 famous sculptors from 10 countries (Japan, China, France, Israel, Venezuela, etc.) who participated in the Tongyeong International Sculpture Symposium. It is also a popular spot for dates because this 30 square kilometer land has beautiful sculptures from which you can feel the individual taste of the artists.


Busan(Saha-gu)

The Lower Nakdonggang River Seasonal Bird Migration Site was designated as a natural monument on July 13th, 1966, and it has a large river-mouth, sand dunes, delta, Ilungdo Island, Eulsukdo Island and other surrounding islands. The snipes and waterfowls stop by when they pass Korea during the fall and spring, and the ducks and geese find their way here in the winter. This area, where the Nakdonggang River (낙동강) and the South Sea meet, has over 150 species of birds, which visit between October and March. You're most likely to see swans, and even raptorial species like eagles and white-tailed eagles. It is a large area with thick groves of reeds, which make it hard to approach by land. In order to watch migratory birds, you should take a boat from Myeongji-dong harbor and get a local guide to help you. The ideal time for bird watching is between 9am and 4pm.Eulsukdo Island (을숙도) is one of the places you absolutely cannot miss. It is a delta island, and is well known as a paradise for over a hundred thousand birds. It is an amazing sight to see some ultra-rare species of birds like the white-naped cranes, the blackfaced spoonbills, and the white-tailed eagles, as they arrive and spend the winter.