Gyeongsangnam-do(Yangsan-si)

Naewonsa Valley is just below Naewonsa Temple, which is located at the foot of Cheonseongsan Mountain. The valley is surrounded by Jeongsoksan Mountain to the northeast, Wonjeoksan Mountain to the south, and Cheonseongsan Mountain to the southeast. The water running through the numerous valleys between these mountains has formed streams like Yongyeoncheon and Sangricheon from Naewonsa Valley which are the source of Yangsancheon Stream. Naewonsa Valley was formerly Sogeumgang (little Geumgang), meaning that its beautiful scenery is comparable to that of the breathtaking Geumgangsan Mountain. It is also known as the “mystical valley” as crystal clear water flows all year round. The word “Sogeumgang” is distinctly engraved on one side of the cliff and large rocks stand in layers throughout the valley. Some of the rocks are called “byeongpung bawi,” literally meaning folding screen rocks, as they are stretched out much like folding screens. The valley and the surrounding mountains are a popular summer vacation spot and a well-known hiking destination during the spring, fall, and winter. Muk (acorn jelly) made with acorns gathered from this area not only tastes great, but is also very healthy. Nearby attractions include Tongdosa Temple, Hongnyong Falls, Tongdo Fantasia, Tongdo Finest Country Club, and Haewoon Youth Training Institute. *About Naewonsa Temple* Located at the foot of Cheonseongsan Mountain, Naewonsa Temple was is one of the 89 branch temples surrounding Daedunsa Temple, which was founded by the great monk Wonhyo (617-686) during the Silla Dynasty. Originally called Naewonsaji, the temple was burned down during the Korean War. It was rebuilt by a Buddhist nun named Suok in 1958 and it became known as the prayer center for the nation’s greatest Buddhist nuns. ※ Entrance into the upper region of Naewonsa Valley is restricted.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

This 1.4m-high rock-carved Bodhisattva was carved on the southern rock standing right above Chilburam Rock on Namsan Mountain, which may be regarded as a repository of relics and artifacts including Buddha statues spanning the Three Kingdoms Period to the late Unified Silla Period. Judging from the three-sided bejeweled crown he’s wearing on his head, this is clearly a Bodhisattva statue. He looks as if he is sitting on a cloud; while the closed eyes in the plump face give the impression he is lost in deep thought. He seems to be watching mankind from his world above the clouds. He is holding a flower in his right hand and his left hand is held up to his chest as if he is preaching. His robe is very thin, revealing the curves of the body, and hangs down to the base of the pedestal. The mandorla (Buddhist halo of light), which consists of both the dugwang (light radiating from the head) and hte singwang (light emanating from the Buddha’s body), is also the shrine for the statue, so the image of the Bodhisattva looks more prominent. It is presumed that this rock-carved Bodhisattva was made during the late eighth century during the Unified Silla Dynasty.


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.


Gyeonggi-do(Pyeongtaek-si) , Pyeongtaek

It is a famous restaurant for Songtan residents. A sausage stew specialty restaurant located in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do. The most famous menu is sausage stew.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Cheongdo-gun)

Located in Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the Bisl Pottery Studio is run by potter Kim Byeong-Yeol. An old abandoned school was renovated into a serene studio where you can make your own pottery while taking in the beauty of the surrounding mountains. Through the teaching of Byeong-Yeol, you'll be able to make your own clay cup, plate, or ornament. There are also hands-on programs such as natural dyeing and seasonal produce harvesting (potatoes, sweet potatoes, persimmons and strawberries). The studio exhibits artwork such as Gyeoljeongyujagi, a type of pottery decorated with a mixture of glaze and gold powder. Other works of art include those painted with persimmon juice! In summer, the Bisl Pottery Studio is especially popular among families as a vacation destination since there are accommodations and an outdoor swimming pool providing relief from the summer heat. There is also a large playground, where visitors can play sports and make campfires.


Jeollanam-do(Jindo-gun)

Jindo Island (진도) is the principle island among the cluster of 230 islets in the south western part of the Korean peninsula. The island is blessed with an abundance of fertile land therefore much of it is used for agriculture. The sea around it is teeming with fish and wildlife. The island has many park reserves like the Dadohae National Marine Park, historical relics and sites; and you can find traditional artistic performances everywhere. With the Jindo Bridge construction completed, the island is connected to the mainland. Every year during the month of February on the Lunar Calendar, the sea parts, mimicking the parting of the sea by Moses. Many tourists come to watch this rare spectacle. There are mascots found around the island that symbolize the friendly image of the Jindo dog, which happens to be natural treasure no.53.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Ogyeonjeongsa House was established by Ryu Seong-yong (pen-name: Seoae, 1542-1607), a minister of Joseon, with the help of Buddhist monk Tanhong, as a place to study and educate his students. After building Wonjijeongsa House, Ryu wanted to build another house at the foot of Buyongdae Cliff amid a tranquil environment away from the village, but due to his financial situation he was unable to complete the building by himself. Then, the monk Tanhong helped him build Ogyeonjeongsa House, which took ten years (1576 to 1586) to complete, when Ryu was 45 years old. Later, Ryu Seong-yong was able to share warmth with his brother (Gyeomam), who lived in nearby Gyeomamjeongsa House. Ryu later lost his house in Hahoe in the great flood of the Nakdonggang River in 1605, and retired to Ogyeongjeongsa House where he wrote Jingbirok (The Book of Correction, National Treasure 132), a memoir of the Imjin War (Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592). The house’s guestrooms include Sesimjae (meaning ‘having a mind to this place to achieve at least one in ten thousand things,’ inspired by the I Ching or The Book of Changes), which was used by Ryu as a schoolhouse and has two small rooms between the maru gamheonrok (wooden floor, meaning ‘looking up at the sky and down at the blue water,’ inspired by Wang Xizhi’s poetic diction); Wonlakjae (meaning ‘waiting for a friend’s visit,’ inspired by the Analects of Confucius), in which Ryu himself resided and wrote Jingbirok; and the maru aeoheon (meaning ‘I also love my hut,’ taken from a poem by Chinese poet Tao Yuanming), which measures two kan (a unit of measurement referring to the distance between two columns).