Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

First opened in June 2004, Yanggu Eco-Botanical Garden was built on a total area of 189,141㎡. 3.1 billion Korean won (approximately 3 million USD) was spent on the construction and it was built to be developed into a South and North Korean ecosystem restoration center. Located in the northernmost region of South Korea, it houses more than 400 rare plants including plants that are Korean native species and protected by Korean Ministry of Environment. The garden is divided into six parts by their features including Botanical garden, Natural forest, and facilities zone. In the Botanical garden, rare plants such as northern native plants and alpine plants that are naturally grown in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and Yanggu area are displayed in one place. There are also walking trails, a medicinal plants exhibition hall, a plant nursery, and a greenhouse. In order to supplement the shortcomings of the botanical garden, which is a static atmosphere, a mountain stream zone and wetlands zone were prepared to provide people with the chance to enjoy the pleasant sound of running water. * Total area: 189,141㎡ * Plants that are Korean native species and protected by Korean Ministry of Environment in the garden: Geumgang Chorongkkot (금강초롱꽃 (Diamond bluebell, scientific name: Hanabusaya asiatica Nakai) Kkaengkkaengipul 깽깽이풀 (Asian Twin Leaf, scientific name: Jeffersonia dubia) Gaeneusam 개누삼 (scientific name: Echinosophora koreensi) * Other rare plants in the garden: Sankkoripul 산꼬리풀 (scientific name: Veronica rotunda var. subintegra) Jebidongjakkot 제비동자꽃 (scientific name: Lychnis wilfordii) Somdari 솜다리 (scientific name: Leontopodium coreanum) Geummatari 금마타리 (scientific name: Patrinia saniculaefolia) Norangmunuibutkkot 노랑무늬붓꽃 (Korean Iris, scientific name: Iris odaesanensis) Haneulmaebaltop 하늘매발톱 (scientific name: Aquilegia flabellata var. pumila) Solchekkot 솔체꽃 (Mansenese morning bridge, scientific name: Scabiosa Scabiosa mansenensis) Byeongjohoepul 병조회풀 (scientific name: Clematis heracleifolis)


Jeollanam-do(Suncheon-si)

Nakan Folk Village is comprised of 200 thatched houses with residents who do farming for their living. The village remains the way it looked back in Joseon Dynasty and was designated as a historical site No. 302. The Nakan Folk Festival is a representative festival in the village, where traditional and contemporary meet. The festival includes buchae-chum (dance with a fan), gukak performance, royal guard changing ceremonies, an historical impersonation of Im Gyeong-eop (a prominent Korean general during the Joseon Dynasty), and many other activities that one can feel the life of the olden days.


Gyeonggi-do(Siheung-si)

‘Got’ in the name of Wolgot means ‘peninsula’ and it is also called ‘dalwol,’ and the area was considered an important strategic point during the Joseon Dynasty. In 1991 a land reclaimation project succeeded in creating a new recreation site. Now there are many seafood restaurants, various auxiliary facilities, and an amusement park that rest on reclaimed land. Because the inlet is located on the west coast where the difference in the water level between high and low tide is great, fishing boats avoid the area during the shifting tides. But, whenever the boats return, visitors can enjoy fresh sushi and other seafood. The Marine World facilities have authentic European-style restaurants, an outdoor seawater pool that can be used free of charge, and a barbecue facility along with other amenities.  


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Seongyojang House was built by Yi Nae-beon (pen-name: Mugyeong), an 11th-generation descendant of Grand Prince Hyoryeong (the elder brother of King Sejong the Great), and has been repaired and extended numerous times over the last ten generations. The house is composed of a variety of rooms and buildings of different sizes, and there are twelve gates between its many buildings, which include 3 ‘Byeoldang’ rooms (Dong, Seo, and Oe), Sarangchae, Jungsarang, Haengangchae, and Sadang. Seongyojang House is well known as one of the largest and greatest houses in Korea in terms of the number and size of its buildings and its total land area among houses built at that time. Interestingly, Seongyojang was built to such a great size due to the influence of the classical poem Gwandongbyeolgok (about the Beautiful Scenery of Gwandong, present-day Gangwon-do, in 1580) written by Jeong Cheol (1536-1593, pen-name: Songgang). Because of the popularity of this poem, a cultural trend emerged in which noblemen of the late Joseon Dynasty felt compelled to visit the Gwandong (present-day Gangwon-do) area at least once in their lifetime, and Seongyojang was a must-see attraction. The house experienced a crisis when only three people were staying in this vast building. However, the director of the house, Lee Kang-baek, strived to save his ancestors’ invaluable heritage and finally received the necessary administrative support. Thanks to that, all the toilets and shower facilities were modernized, and Seongyojang House now offers both the beauty of a traditional hanok building and convenient modern facilities for all its guests. Seongyojang has many wonderful structures including Hwallaejeong Pavilion, one of its most charming structures; Yeolhwadang, which was given as a gift to the Russian Consulate; Yeonjidang, which was built in an elegant style; and Seobyeoldang. In particular, the signboard of Hwallaejeong was changed and rewritten regularly by members of the Joseon literati who stayed in the house. The most famous version of the signboard was written by Gim Jeong-hui (1786-1856, pen-name: Chusa).


Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

Bongsudae Beach is located north of Sampo Beach and the white-sand coastline stretches along the side of National Road No.7. The campsite for motor homes attracts many motor-tourists. Since the beach was not accessible to the public before 1997, it is still rather new and clean, and many visitors comment on its cleanliness upon their first impression. Sampo Koresco Resort is located along the seashore, and visitors can easily enjoy the 800-meter stretch of pristine beach at Bongsudae.


Jeollabuk-do(Jinan-gun)

Uniram Baniram Valley (5km long) falls between Myeongdeokbong Peak and Myeongdobong Peak in the northeastern region of Mount Unjangsan. The name Uniram refers to the steep walls of the valley where nothing but the sky, rocks, thick forests, and clouds can be seen. The valley is also befittingly named Baniram since it is so deep that it only receives direct sunlight for half the day. There are many strangely-shaped rocks like Jjokduri Rock, Cheollyeop Rock, and Daebul Rock scattered throughout the lush valley. At the peak of summer, the area is crowded with vacationers and is also popular for its autumn leaves.


Gangwon-do(Hoengseong-gun)

Pungsuwon was the first catholic village in which over 40 faithful from Yongin (Gyeonggi-do), led by Sin Tae-bo (or St. Peter), settled to escape the wrath of Sinyubakhae (religious persecution of Catholics) of 1801. Over a period of 80 years, the settlers had led their religious lives without a priest until Father Le Merre (a French priest) came to the village in 1888. Succeeding Le Merre in 1896, Father Jeong Gyu-ha (or Augustino), along with Chinese engineers, began to build Pungsuwon Cathedral. Completed in 1907 by the faithful, the cathedral still remains a beautiful building; it is a popular spot for visitors, having frequently appeared in Korean dramas and films. It is the first cathedral built by a Korean priest as well as in Gangwon-do; it is the fourth cathedral built in Korea. Pungsuwon Cathedral was designated as Gangwon-do Local Cultural Property No.69 in 1982.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)

Seonam Valley includes three of the eight sceneries in Danyang, the Sangseon Rock, Junseon Rock, and Haseon Rock (Haseon-am). The valley flows in from Mt. Wolaksan, and because it is big and has many interesting looking rocks, it has been famous for a long time. Among the rocks, the area that has the Haseon Rock is said to be the most beautiful in Seonam Valley. Divided into 3 horizontal layers, the white rock is 3 km long, and has large, round rocks stacked on top of each other. The way the area blends in with the surrounding mountains is especially beautiful in the spring, when the azaleas bloom, and in the fall when the leaves turn color. In the Haseon Rock region, there are places where you can stay overnight, so you can enjoy being near the water and stay the night. Past Haseon Rock is Jungseon Rock, where the water currents are not strong, and many trees provide shade, so you can play in the water. But it is not a fit place to spend the night. From Jungseon rock, if you go travel up the river, you will come to Sangseon Rock. This area has many interesting looking rocks, and if you go just a bit further up, you can see the Teukseon Rock. Teukseon Rock has facilities where you can spend the night. It is one of the great tour sites where you can enjoy the view of fancy rocks and clean valley water as you rest. Tourists especially frequent it in the summer looking for cool valleys and mountain water. 


Gyeonggi-do(Yeoju-si)

Yeoju Geumsa Oriental Melon Festival is held in the vicinity of Geumsa Park. Visitors can sample geumsa oriental melons during the festival.