Chungcheongnam-do(Taean-gun)

Located on Sinduri Beach (Taean), Sinduri Coastal Sand Dune is the only sand dune in Korea and one of Eight Tourist Attractions in Taean. It was believed to have been formed approximately 15,000 years ago after the ice age when strong winds gradually carried sand from the sea to the current area. Sinduri Coastal Sand Dune offers unique topographies such as wind marks often seen in deserts. In addition, it is home to rich plants and animals: the largest sweetbrier habitat in Korea, rare plants (kouhoumuki, Argusia sibirica, and littoralis), and animals such as Eremias argus, Eurasian skylarks, and narrow-mouthed frogs. Sinduri Coastal Sand Dune was selected as an ecological tourist attraction by the government.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

24 Martials Arts (Muye 24-gi in Korean) refers to the 24 martial art techniques in the Muyedobotongji (Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts). The manual was compiled in 1790 by Silhak (practical learning school of Confucianism) scholars Lee Deok-mu and Park Jae-ga, along with the martial art expert Baek Dong-su, under the orders of King Jeongjo (22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty). Regarded as a resource for understanding the nature of Korean military science, the manual is an exemplary martial arts compilation that was organized into 24 techniques by adopting the traditional martial arts of Joseon, as well as China and Japan. The 24 Martial Arts were practiced by the soldiers of the outer military unit of Jangyongyeong, the most elite military troop during the Joseon Dynasty. Soldiers stationed at the northern and southern military camps of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace practiced these techniques to effectively guard the palace. It is a considered as a significant intangible heritage because of its great historical, artistic, and athletic values. With the restoration of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, a regular event is being held to demonstrate the 24 Martial Arts. The performance features 18 ground martial arts among the 24 techniques recorded in the Muyedobotongji. From every Tuesday to Sunday at 11:00, the 24 Martial Arts Trial Performance where eighteen martial arts will be performed as they fight on ground among twenty four martial arts written in Muyedobotongji (Korean Martial Art Book) at the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace.


Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si)

Oeam Village was formed as a clan village for the Yi family hailing from Yean. Pungdeok House was built 250 years ago and is the main house of the Yi clan’s family estate. The house is box-shaped like the Korean letter “ㅁ” (mieum), a typical architectural shape in the Chungcheong-do province. Oeam Folk Village still looks as it did when it was built about 500 years ago. Follow the village’s narrow winding roads lined with low stone walls and you’ll find Pungdeok House. At first sight, this simple hanok may seem like a snapshot of a yangban’s (ruling class or aristocrats of the Joseon Dynasty) household, but it is actually a house famous for the exceptional dishes it serves. [The best taste born after 13 times of jesa (memorial ritual for ancestors)] In order to continue the line of succession, the head family’s eldest grandson and his wife returned to the village. They wanted to turn the house into a lively and cheerful space for the youth so they started a hanok experience program. As it has been preserved well, the house still retains its original appearance. After undergoing repair and maintenance, the house opened to the public in the spring of 2012. Because she had to prepare food for jesa at least once a month, the eldest grandson’s wife acquired cooking skills in the process. In particular, the traditional dishes she learned from her mother-in-law were instrumental in making Pungdeok House a famous local restaurant. Their most representative dishes are the giju-tteok (steamed rice cake) and the jinip-guk (vegetable soup).  


Jeollabuk-do(Gunsan-si)

Seonyudo (선유도), one of the most popular tourist destinations on the west coast during the summer, lies in the heart of the Gogunsan-Yeoldo archipelago and consists of some 20 islands in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do. Visitors to the island can also see Munyeodo, Jangjado and Daejangdo nearby in one trip as there are bridges linking the four islands. The starting point of the tour is a small town named ‘Jin-ri’ located adjacent to Seonyudo Beach. On the island you’ll find convenience facilities including lodgings and restaurants. The town often becomes crowded during peak times in the summer so if you want to avoid the crowds you may want to rent a bicycle and cross the bridge to Munyeodo or Jangjado or ride over to Jinwol-ri on the other side of Mangjubong (hill). Munyeo is a peaceful town and port with a sprawling reed and pebble field that can be enjoyed in Jinwol-ri. You can also go fishing on Jangjagyo (bridge) or take in the breathtaking view of the archipelago from the top of Mangjubong, the emblem of Seonyudo. You can witness the awe-inspiring sunset in Seonyudo from anywhere on the beach, but it is even more spectacular when viewed from the top of Mangjubong.


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si) , Yongin

The Hankuk Art Museum first opened its door to the public in May 1983 in Gahoedong and was later moved to its current location. Focusing on modern art and the promotion of Korean art, the gallery presents special displays and open-run exhibitions mainly featuring artwork such as Western and Korean paintings, pottery, sculpture, photos, and tapestries.The gallery is comprised of five exhibition halls including indoor and outdoor sculpture exhibition halls. There is also a library open to the public with art-related books, magazines, and videos.Hankuk Art Museum is a pioneering and time-honored leader in the field of arts education as well. In 2006 alone, around 800 people joined in programs at the gallery. Programs focus on helping locals better understand the arts and on nurturing the creativity of children.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

This resort boasts fine views of magnificent Hallasan Mountain with its clean and ice-cold water. These waters, deep valleys, waterfalls and the thick evergreen forest create beautiful scenery. If you walk 20min from the "Donnaeko Recreational Area," at the entrance you can see the Wonang Pokpo Waterfall (5m high) and a small pond. The walkway that follows the valley is just the place for a relaxing forest experience.Both sides of the "Donnaeko Recreational Area" are covered with dense green forest, and the forest is crowded with cymbidium orchids (Orchids that grow in the evergreen forest on the south part of Jejudo Island, 70~900m above sea level, unique orchids to the island that blossom from December to January). Winter strawberries also grow here.The peak season of this beautiful valley is Baekjung Day (Lunar Calendar: June 15th). On Baekjung Day in Jeju-do, there is a tradition of eating chicken and being splashed with water. This is because there is a saying that you can recover from neuralgia after showering under the cascading water. So many people gather and celebrate on Baekjung Day. The name 'Donnaekko' came about because there are many boars here. But since the 1920's, no boars have been seen.


Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

Built by an army unit in 1983, Goseong Unification Observatory is the nearest place for viewing Geumgangsan Mountain in North Korea, the shortest distance being 16km away and the farthest being around 25km away. From the observatory, you can see Haegeumgang, and the islands nearby, Manmulsang, and Hyeonjongam. On clear days, you can also glimpse various peaks of Geumgangsan Mountain such as Ilchulbong Peak (1,552m), Chaehabong Peak, Jipseonbong Peak, Yukseonbong Peak, Gwaneumbong Peak, and even the greatest peak, Birobong Peak. Goseong Unification Observatory is the closest observatory to the North, and many people who visit are those who had to leave their home and were separated from their families during the Korean War. You can see monuments built in the hope of reunification here.Tongil Security Park, which can be considered the entrance of Unification Observation, was built in 1987 to be used as a national security site. You must pass through a security training here to get to Goseong Unification Observatory.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

Masan is made more beautiful by Gagopa Kkoburang-gil Mural Village, a local renovation effort made by Gyeongnam Bank. The village is one of the top exotic photo zones. Walking through the village from Chang-dong, past Burim Market, and on to Seongho-dong mountain neighborhood, the colorful murals will bright every step of the way.


Chungcheongnam-do(Gongju-si)

The Songsan-ri Tombs and Royal Tomb of King Muryeong (reign 462-523) contains representative relics of the Baekje period (234~678). The Songsan-ri Tombs contain the graves of kings from the period when Baekje's capital was Gongju, and it is believed to contain 10 such graves. Only seven graves have been discovered so far.The main attraction of Songsan-ri Tombs is the wall painting drawn on the number six tomb – it is the only art of its kind in the world, created from the way the bricks were laid to create the wall. The tomb is shaped like a long tunnel, the top rounded like a dome. There are pictures of fire-breathing dragons on the tomb. Only the parts of the wall where the pictures were to be drawn had earth coated on, and on that earth was drawn Sasindo, the Four Symbols – blue dragon, white tiger, red peacock, and black turtle.The popular Tomb of King Muryeong is the 7th tomb, and it is the resting place for Baekje's 25th King Mu-Ryeong and his queen. This tomb was discovered accidentally when installing pipes to prevent tombs number 5 and 6 from being flooded. Tomb of King Muryeong was found to be unusual in the way it was built and what it contained. It was built with bricks like the 6th Tomb, and many national treasures were found inside, supplying scholars studying Baekje culture with precious research material. There were 108 kinds of artifacts found inside, totaling 2,906 items altogether. Twelve of these artifacts were designated National Treasures. They are all on display at Gongju National Museum. Some of the representative treasures are the crowns worn by the king and the queen, gold decorations for the crowns, gold earrings, necklaces, bronze mirrors, pillows, and foot rests. Recently the tomb was permanently sealed off to protect the treasures. However, you can look at the miniature of the tomb, an exact duplicate of the original, in the basement of the Gobungun Building.