Jeollabuk-do(Wanju-gun)

This fortress was completed in 1675, the first year of the reign of King Sukjong (1674-1720) of the Joseon Kingdom. It was intended that in time of war or other emergency, the portrait of King Taejo enshrined in Gyeonggijeon Hall and the spirit tablet of the Yi Clan founder, kept at Jogyeongmyo Shrine, both in Jeonju, would be brought to the fortress for safekeeping. In fact, they were brought to the safety of the fortress when Jeonju was occupied by the Donghak peasant army in 1894. The original wall was 4m to 5m high, 3m wide and 16km long and had three main gates (East, West, and North) and eight smaller ones. Of the three covered gates of the fortress, only the stone archway of the west gate remains together with part of the stone wall. Inside the fortress are Wibongsa Temple and Wibong Falls, one of the 8 Beauties of Jeonju.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gunwi-gun)

Once you reach the Hantijae Peak of Mt. Palgongsan, the Gunwi Buddha Triad Grotto (known as ‘the 2nd Seokgulam Grotto’, 군위삼존석굴) stands to welcome you. This grotto, designated as National Treasure No. 109, is a natural cave on a sheer cliff. Here, you can see the beautiful Amitabul Buddha, the Bodhisattva of Power and the Bodhisattva of Compassion. This 4.25m-wide and 4.3m-long cave is located 20m above the ground. This grotto is the progenitor of the Gyeongju Seokgulam Grotto, preceding the construction of Seokgulam grotto by 100 years. It has been designated as a world cultural heritage. The square-shaped ceiling is highest in the middle of the chamber. The Amitabul Buddha sits in the center with the Bodhisattva of Power and the Bodhisattva of Compassion flanking its left and right sides. The main Buddha is very refined and graceful with short hair and a divine smile on its face, sitting with crossed legs in a full-lotus posture.


Jeollanam-do(Gwangyang-si)

Donggok Valley is one of four large valleys on Baegunsan Mountain. The valley opens up towards Gwangyang, with the waters of Dongcheon Stream flowing into Gwangyangman Bay. Donggok Valley is wide, making it convenient for transportation, and perfect for a family get-away location during the holidays. Located along Hanjae Pass between the mountain summit and Ttoaribong Peak on the western side, the valley is also sometimes called Dapgoksimni. The valley stretches a distance of 10km and is especially beautiful in fall when surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage. Donggok Valley is a protected nature reserve, with over 900 various species of vegetation growing here.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Chungju-si)

The site stretches from North to South on a basin in the Haneuljae mountain pass, which connects Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do provinces. It is said that Mauitaeja, the last prince of the Silla Kingdom, had dream one night as he was traveling to Geumgangsan Mountain where the Goddess Gwanseeumbosal instructed him to erect a statue Buddha. As a result, he built a temple to honor the goddess’ wishes at the current site of Mireuk-ri. Though the temple site has been invaded multiple times, the statue of Buddha has remained intact for over 1,000 years.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)

Opened on May 4, 2001, Midongsan Arboretum in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do is a provincial arboretum, built to develop and propagate forestry techniques and found ecological education environments. Covering an area of 3,114,049.60㎡ (942,000 pyeong), the arboretum houses almost 873 species of plants and 652,000 plants in 11 exhibition halls including an Oak tree hall, a Maple tree hall, and a genetics hall, which presents plant genetic resources like Jeongipumsong hugyemok (succession of pine tree). In addition to the 11 themed arboretum halls, Midongsan Arboretum also has a forestry educational hall, plant seed bank, research center for wild plants, nature experience camp, and more.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yecheon-gun)

Yecheon Hot Spring (예천온천) is one of the top three hot springs of Gyeongsangbuk-do along with Punggi Hot Spring (풍기온천) and Mungyeong Hot Spring (문경온천). From Yecheon, you can also visit nearby attractions in Yeongju and Bonghwa. Yecheon Hot Spring opened on March 24, 2000 and is proud of its clean and gentle waters, which make skin soft and smooth by removing built-up cells. The nutrients in the water also have anti-aging properties. The facility completed renovations on both the men's and women's saunas on September 28, 2012, adding outdoor hot tubs that are roughly 100㎡ in size to accommodate more people wishing to enjoy the Korean spa experience.


Gyeonggi-do(Pocheon-si)

The Bear Town Youth Hostel is a hostel aim to please large groups of visitors. The hostel offers 48 rooms with 10 or 15 people capacity rooms. School camp or company workshop is recommended to stay.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Bonghwa-gun)

Waters from the Taebaek Mountains forged Seokcheon Valley (석천계곡), located in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The valley is wide, shallow, and surrounded by thick pine forests. Broad, flat rocks are scattered throughout, and the valley is a great place for children to play. Next to the valley, you will also find Seokcheonjeong Pavilion, which was built in 1535 (Joseon period). This pavilion, made of Bonghwa red pine trees called Chunyangmok, and mounted on stone, offers a great view of the nearby scenic mountain.


Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)

The Julpo Natural Ecological Park is a quiet park in the southernmost end of Buan. The park naturally turned into an ecological marshland after an embankment was built 15 years ago to protect the surrounding low-land areas from inundation. The embankment allowed reeds to overgrow and a freshwater wetland to be formed. The total surface area of the park is 163 acres, with a 40-kilometer long reed field, wild flower bed, and a ginkgo forest path. In the fall, the views of golden reeds and yellow ginkgo trees are splendid. The Julpoman Foreshore near the park was designated a Ramsar wetland in January 2010. The foreshore offers a habitat for 50 or so bird species, salt plants, and wetland animals. Also, there is a large colony of Suaeda japonica, which turns stunningly red in early autumn. This is also a filming site of the Korean drama ‘Lovers in Prague’.


Gangwon-do(Jeongseon-gun)

Located in Gohan, Jeongseon County, High Valley Hotel is situated at a comfortable 700 meters above sea level for humans at the foot of Hambaeksan Mountain in the middle of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range. High Valley Hotel is a splendid building with a European exterior as well as wildflower-themed guestrooms. The rooms were designed to make guests’ stay as comfortable as possible: Condominium Rooms for family or small group of tourists (up to 6 persons) and Standard Rooms equipped with traditional ondol or beds. High1 Resort for golf and ski activities is adjacent to the hotel whose area is well-known for its clean air and beautiful mountains and natural landscape. Moreover, its nearby tourist attractions include Shrine for Sakyamuni Buddha’s Sarira of Jeongamsa Temple, designated as Gangwon-do Cultural Property, Sumanotap Pagoda of Jeongamsa Temple, designated as Korea’s Treasure No. 410, and Habitat of Manchurian Trouts near Jeongamsa Temple, Korea’s Natural Monument No. 73.