Busan(Haeundae-gu)

With over 20 years in operation, Saeachim Matjip first gained popularity as its outstanding taste was covered in the media. It serves raw fish fresh off the boat and is particularly famous to Japanese visitors. Also, it was among restaurants recommended in the 88 Seoul Olympics.


Jeollanam-do(Jangseong-gun)

The Changsung Honggildong Festival will take place in the area around Honggildong Theme Park in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do. The festival is organized by the county of Jangseong-gun and managed by the Jangseong-gun Festival Organizing Committee. Events during the festival include a wild flower exhibition at Gildong Village, an insect exhibition hall, photo exhibitions, illustrated poetry exhibitions and other hands-on programs.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Miryang-si)

Mubongsa means “A sacred place where phoenix used to dance,” and is a small and Buddhist temple. It is conveniently and accessibly located near one of the city’s top attractions, Yeongnamnu Pavilion, which has a spectacular view of the Miryanggang River, the bamboo forest below, and the park and the downtown area on the other side of the river. Perched high on the cliffs above the upper reaches of the river is Aranggak Pavilion. Take the flight of stairs from this pavilion to reach the famous Yeongnamnu Pavilion and Mubongsa Temple. Enshrining the Seokjoyeoraejwasang (seated stone Buddha statue; Treasure No. 493), the temple has long been a popular site among poets and painters for its picturesque landscape. * Mubongsa Seokjoyeoraejwasang, a well-known relic of Mubongsa Temple Mubongsa Seokjoyeoraejwasang (seated stone Buddha statue of Mubongsa Temple) is a well-preserved statue of the Buddha from the late Unified Silla Era. The 97-cm-tall statue was designated as National Treasure No. 493 on June 24, 1969.


Gangwon-do(Hwacheon-gun)

Peace Dam was built over the period of 15 months from February 1988 to May 1988 with funds donated by the general public in response to North Korea’s construction of Geumgangsan Dam and a potential flooding attack. The flood control dam has proved its worth during the floods of 1995, 1996, and 1999 and it has become a major tourist destination over the years. Located In the vicinity of Peace Dam is Bimok Park, which is the origin of the famous national song “Bimok.” In addition to the war monuments inside the park, there are around a dozen wooden crosses with rusty iron helmets placed on top within the barbed wire entanglements around the hill, thereby reminding visitors of the national tragedy of the Korean War. The county of Hwancheon hosts the Bimok Cultural Festival from June 3 to June 6 every year at Bimok Park, Bungeoseom Island by the town’s riverside, and the surrounding areas. The four-day festival offers a variety of events such as song contest, memorial ceremony of poetry reading, bimok tree cutting contest, rice ball eating contest, army life experience, military music parade, and more. Crossing over to Yanggu County from Peace Dam, there is a national security education place comprised of attractions like the 4th Underground Tunnel and Eulji Observatory. Paroho Lake Battlefield Tourist Park is also worth a visit after looking around Peace Dam. Also known as the “ocean within mountains,” Paroho is a manmade lake created as a result of Hwacheon Dam constructed in 1944. The lake is home to over 70 different species of freshwater fish such as mandarin fish and carp. It also holds a sorrowful history of burying at sea a whole three divisions of the Chinese Forces in defending the lake during the Korean War. The name Paroho, meaning “enemy breaking lake,” was given after the late president of Korea Rhee Syngman visited the place and designated a plaque in his own handwriting in memory of obtaining victory in fierce battle. There is an observatory, a security hall, and a stone monument engraved with the poetry of Wolha Rhee Taegeuk (1913-2003).


Gyeonggi-do(Gwangju-si)

Youngeun Museum was established in November, 2000 in the natural forests of Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do. The museum is largely composed of two sections: an art museum and a studio. Youngeun Museum is considered a museum of contemporary art as it focuses on the research, preservation, and exhibition of modern art works. It is the first museum of its kind to also operate studio space for artists and has consequently received praise in the art world as a forward-thinking museum. Thanks to the museum’s focus on creating new works of art, the museum has become a gathering place where artists, writers, critics, and the general public can interact with one another and appreciate the art-making process. Visitors can engage in various forms of art at the Youngeun Museum, ranging from plastic arts to performing arts. There are also educational programs that allow guests to watch or even experience how art is made. By providing these innovative programs, Youngeun Museum aims to spread art among the masses.


Jeollanam-do(Naju-si)

Yeongsanpo has 600-year history of hongeo (skate fish) fishing. At Yeongsanpo Skate Festival, sample Yeongsanpo’s unique delicacy, and walk along fields of canola flowers.


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Cheoneunsa Temple is located on Dutasan Mountain in Miro-myeon, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do. At the tail end of the Goryeo Dynasty, Lee Seung-hyu, a renowned scholar, wrote ‘Jewangungi’, an epic for the Korean people at Cheoneunsa temple. After the temple burnt down during the Korean War, the temple was renovated. The temple houses Beophwagyeong (Lotus Sutra Statue) among other cultural significant artifacts. Also, the surrounding area is where the capital of Goryeo Dynasty was located, a number of relics such as pieces of Celadon and blue roof tiles are unearthed.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)

Sainam Rock, located in Sainam-ri, Daegang-myeon, is one of eight scenic areas in Danyang, and is located in the southeast side of Danyang-gun, along with Sangseonam Rock, Jungseonam Rock, and Haseonam Rock of Seonam Valley. The Sainam Rock is a rugged outcropping with an inspiring x_height of 70 meters, and the deep blue Namjocheon Stream passes in front of it, located in the southern part of Danyang-gun. Most visitors to Danyang Eight Scenic Views tend to come to the rock as their first destination due to the good condition of the road. Also, Unseongugok Valley flows in front of Sainam Rock. The rock was picked as the most picturesque place among the Eight Scenic Views. On the cliff, there is a phrase carved by Utak’s own handwriting, as well as old pine trees on a rock floor that is reminiscent of the Haegeumgang River. Sainam was named after the great scholar Yeokdong Utak during Goryeo Period. He had taken up a public service to assist a king in a position called sain (사인), and then he retired to his hometown of Danyang, starting out teaching young students. For this story, a governor of Danyang named the rock Sainam to commemorate his achievement during King Seongjong of the Joseon Dynasty.