Ulsan(Ulju-gun)

Ganwolsan Mountain is a popular destination for hikers in the Ulsan and Busan area as well as other regions of Gyengsangnam-do Province. In early August, the reeds and lilies near the summit create a splendid view. To the west, the deep Naerijeong and Wangbonggol valleys channel clean water to Baenaegol Valley. From the Ganwol Gogae Ridge, follow the Singallo Path to Wanbonggol towards Paraeso Falls. There you will find a cave called Jungnimgul, which is sacred Catholic ground often visited by the Catholic faithful. The first church built by Catholics in the Yeongnam region to escape persecution is found in Buldanggol (Ganwolgol) Valley in Ganwolsan Mountain area. The tomb of Kim Agatha who died in persecution is also in the Ganwolgol Valley.


Gangwon-do(Hongcheon-gun)

(Korea Quality Premier Class) Located at the foot of Jongjasan Mountain in Hongcheon County, Healience Seonmaeul offers a healing program run by experts in a serene natural environment without mobile phones or television. The name ‘Healience’ is a compound word combining ‘healing’ and ‘science’. The two accommodation buildings with two stories each – Garden Building and Forest Building - were also built with the concept of harmony with nature. The garden building was designed by world-class Korean architect Seung Hyo-Sang, under the theme of “aesthetics of the poor”, which implies an environmentally friendly concept. The first floor of the garden building features courtyards which allow for a sufficient amount of light, and a walk up to the second floor reveals a skylight with a view of the stars at night, allowing the guests to fall asleep in nature. Then, at the end of 2016, the forest building was designed by Korean architect Kim Joon-seong with the concept of “construction of correspond” (two or more objects correspond to each other), thus Healience Seonmaeul consists of a total of 88 guestrooms. The subtle lighting and simple furniture were decorated for the interior of the accommodations so that guests can take a good rest without any distraction and attend a healing program. Its most popular programs are yoga and meditation in a grove of pine nut trees.


Jeollabuk-do(Namwon-si)

‘Honbul’ is an epic novel written about three generations of women from the Namwon Lee clan living under the rule of the Japanese in the 1930s. The word ‘Honbul’ literally means ‘a torch of the soul’ and refers to the indomitable spirits of the women that persevered through hard times. The novel was written by the late Choi Myeong-hee over the period of 17 years and remains a much celebrated novel. Sangsin Village and Nobong Village in Namwon-si were the author’s hometown and served as the background of the novel ‘Honbul’. Located inside the village is a traditional Korean house that is an example of yangban (noble class) architecture and the Honbul Literary House, where visitors have an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the novel ‘Hobul’. At the entrance of Nobong Village stands a pair of jangseungs (Korean traditional totem poles), welcoming visitors inside.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

Beach Hotel is a 7-story building and located in Tongyeong-si so called as the Naples of the East. It is 15 minutes away from Tongyeong Intercity Bus Terminal by car. Even though it is located in downtown, Tongyeong, it is also close to Tongyeong Harbor (the mouth of river) and so those that want to try sea fishing can rent a boat and enjoy sea fishing. Passenger Ship Terminal is 5 minutes on foot, and is recommended to travel to neighboring islands such as the Hansando Jeseungdang and Yokjido. You can enjoy delicious foods such as rice boiled with oysters, rice boiled with anchovy, sea squirt bibimbap and various kinds of sushi.


Gyeonggi-do(Yangpyeong-gun)

Opened in 2004, the Hangang River Eco Learning Center is situated on the Namhangang Riverside. The site used to be a sandpit before it was turned into a wetland. Effluent from wastewater treatment plants, which in the past was released directly into the Hangang River, now passes through several ponds with various aquatic plants and a one kilometer-long waterway so that it can be naturally purified. This has contributed to an improvement in the water quality of the Hangang River. The learning center was built to restore the Namhangang Riverside area, which was destroyed due to sand extraction, and to restore its natural ecology of willow trees, reeds, and birds. The center organizes a number of ecological excursion programs for children.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

This hotel is located by the shores of Tongyeong, the “Naples of the East,” and lives up to its name with its view of the sea. It faces a small island called Ido Island, which blends in with the scenery to offer a spectacular view. It can be reached by foot in 8 min from Tongyeong Bus Terminal, but guests also have access to the pickup service offered by the hotel. The other strength of the hotel is that the building also contains a restaurant specializing in sliced raw fish. There are 30 rooms in total, all non-smoking, with three types of Standard, Special (Ocean View), VIP (Ocean View). Special rooms come with a balcony and a view of the sea, while the VIP room has a whirlpool bathtub. There are supermarkets, parks, and a police station located nearby the hotel. Tongyeong’s sights such as Dongpirang Mural Village, Seopirang Village, Tongyeong Jungang Market, and Chungmu Gimbap Street are reachable in 15 min by car.


Jeollanam-do(Yeonggwang-gun)

Beopseongpo (법성포) is where an Indian Monk Mirananta first set foot on Korean territory in A.D 384 to spread Buddhism, having made his journey via Dongjin in China. This area then is being developed as a tourist destination as the originating place of Buddhism in Korea. Note: the word ‘Beop’ in ‘Beop-seong-po’ means Buddhism while ‘Seong’ means a saint, referring to the Indian Monk Marananta. The origins of Buddhism in Korea are clear for Goguryeo and the Silla Kingdoms, but regarding the Kingdom of Baekje it is a little more obscure. It has been claimed by word of mouth in this region that the Indian Monk Marananta came to Beopseongpo of Yeonggwang to deliver his message of Buddhism and built the Bulgapsa Temple (불갑사) which hence became the first monument of Buddhism in the Baekje Kingdom.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si)

The Jeju Tourism Organization Duty Free Shop was the first inner-city, duty-free shop in Korea. The spacious store offers diverse, luxurious items and is open to any tourist visiting Jeju. The shop is located in Jungmun Resort Complex, which has beautiful natural scenery and is near many tourist attractions such as the Olle Hiking Trail. The complex is also a great place to enjoy various performances and events and to participate in conferences and meetings.