Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

The villa of Kim Ilsung, former leader of North Korea, is perhaps better known as the Castle of Hwajinpo, for its fortress-like exterior. The villa was used as a summer house not only by the Kim family, but also by high-level members of the Communist Party from 1948 to 1950. The interior of the castle keeps history alive through a set-up of personal items and materials used by the Kim family. There is one photo in particular of a young Kim Jongil standing at the foot of the stairs that brings a sense of intimacy to this secretive family.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Gyeongpo Soo Motel, located in Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, was rated number one in cleanliness by the Gangwon-do Provincial Office and Consumer Organization in 2008. All rooms overlook the East Sea, providing an excellent view of the early-morning sunrise. Hotel facilities include karaoke, By the Way (convenience store), and the Lotteria (fast food restaurant). The hotel is located within 10 minutes of Gyeongpo Beach.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

The architectural style of Yakcheonsa Temple is reminiscent of that of Buddhist temples of the early Joseon Dynasty. Measuring an impressive 30m high and spanning a total area of 3,305 meters squared, it is the largest temple in the East. Upon entering Yakcheonsa Temple, guests will be greeted by a 5m-tall statue of Vairocana, the tallest of such statues in Korea, on a 4m high pedestal. The walls on both the right and left have been sculpted into large altar portraits of Buddha and in front of the Dharma Hall is a giant Buddhist temple bell, weighing 18 tons. Beloved for its size and grandeur, the temple consists of a main temple (2,652 meters squared) and a 3-story residential structure for the Buddhist monks. Other notable sites are the Gulbeopdang (the Dharma Hall, built inside a natural cave), the Samseonggak Shrine, and the Sarira Pagoda. Yakcheonsa Temple is not only popular among Buddhists but is also a well sought after tourist destination.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Located in Gyeongju City, the Hostel Hwarang is within easy reach of public transport services (including a bus stop), making it the ideal base for visiting various tourist attractions such as the Bomun Tourist Complex, Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Tomb of King Munmu, and Columnar Joints. The hostel is only 5 minutes’ walk from Gyeongju Station and 15 minutes’ walk from the Intercity Bus Terminal. Famous restaurants specializing in wheat noodles and haejangguk (hangover soup), and Hwangnambbang (Gyeongju bread) Bakery, are also situated near the hostel. In addition, guests can easily get around the many nearby tourist attractions on foot (including Gyeongju National Museum, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Stone Ice Storage, Gyerim Forest, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Daereungwon Ancient Tombs, Cheonmachong Tomb, Kyochon Village, Choe’s old house, and Bonghwangdae Pavilion).


Chungcheongbuk-do(Chungju-si)

Eagle Valley Ski Resort Sledding Hill (Formerly Sajo Resort) is situated in the central region of Korea and is easily accessible from all areas of Korea. It is located near Suanbo Hot Springs, a hot springs resort with crystal clear water and outstanding facilities. Other attractions in the area include Wolaksan National Park, Danyang Palgyeong (Eight Scenic Sites of Danyang), and Mungyeong Ceramic Art Village.The sledding hills at the resort have one slope that is 165m in length and another that is 120m in length. High-quality snow covers the sledding hills, promising a fast, fun ride.


Seoul(Seodaemun-gu)

GYROS is known as the first Greek food restaurant in Seoul. The menu includes gyros (roast chicken or pork wrapped in pita bread) and souvlaki (skewered meat and vegetables brushed with olive oil and then roasted). Some foreign visitors even come here to buy the delicious pita bread. TIP: For a meal serving two, try the Olympic Set and enjoy several choices.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Sancheong-gun)

Boasting breathtaking views, Jirisan National Park was the first park in Korea to officially be designated a national park in 1967. Its glorious mountain range extends across three provinces and five cities. The magnificent mountains and exceptional scenery make this one of the most famous mountains in Korea. Roughly 1,915 meters above sea level, Cheonwangbong Peak, considered to be the pillar of heaven, is the main peak. Jirisan also features Banyabong and Nogodan, and is home to over 10 famous temples. There are over twenty summits and valleys such as Baemsagol Valley, which are part of "Jirisan Ten Sceneries." As this is the location of the most well-preserved virgin forests in Korea , the majestic and mystical mountain is highly revered. There are many species of animal and plant life, and as the first place to cultivate tea in Korea, herbal medicine cultivation still flourishes here.Jirisan Mountain was also where the Buddhist culture prospered, and there are many cultural assets here, such as Baekjangam Three-Story Stone Pagoda (National Treasure No.10), the Silsangsa Three-Story Stone Pagoda (Treasure No. 37) and more. These regional cultural assets and the superb sceneries of nature give you a unique taste of local history and culture. The weather is temperamental and only 80~100 days out of the year are clear and sunny, but the mist and fog create rare, unparalleled scenes not found anywhere else.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)

The Baek Man Seok Restaurant (Prisoner-of-war Camp Branch) is a restaurant, specialized in sea squirt bibimbap for 35 years of tradition. When ordered, the rice comes in a separate bowl where you can mix in frozen sea squirts, seaweed, sesame salt powder, and sesame oil. Simply put the rice into the bowl to mix. The bibimbap may be a little bitter at first due to the sea squirt, but it soon becomes sweet as the fragrance of the sea squirts begins to fill the mouth. It is located next to the parking lot of Geoje prisoner-of-war camp and near Geoje City Hall.    


Gyeonggi-do(Gapyeong-gun)

The town of Cheongpyeong was named after the area's clear waters.  Located not too far from the station are Cheongpyeong Dam and Homyeong Lake, and the winding course of Cheongpyeongcheon Stream is quite a sight to behold. Cheongpyeong Station is also a gateway for tourists visiting Homyeongsan Mountain, Homyeong Lake, Anjeon Recreation Area, The Garden of Morning Calm, and Petite France. The station opened on July 25, 1939 upon the opening of the Gyeongchun Line. It was originally located at 338 Chongpyeong-ri, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, and was later moved to its current location on September 1, 2009. The Gyeongchun Line finished upgrading its double-tracked line in 2010; the new alignment opened and the old one closed on December 21, 2010.


Gyeonggi-do(Osan-si) , suwon

The Mulhyanggi Arboretum (물향기 수목원), situated in Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, is a peaceful area where you can come to relax, but is surprisingly located amidst high-rise apartment buildings in the city center. There are many things to see at the beautifully named 330,580m2 arboretum (mulhyanggi meaning water fragrance). There are 16 themed centers, various auxiliary facilities, and 1,601 different species of plants. The Mulhyanggi Arboretum, is a great place for a leisurely walk, and takes around two hours to see in its entirety. It is not so sublime as the Gwangneung Arboretum, but is charming, and offers many things to see as it features variously themed centers. Children will have an exciting time at the Topiary Center, which can be seen from the parking lot, and the Maze Center. Other themed centers include the Pine Tree Center, the Maple Tree Center, the Fruit Tree Center, the Tendril Plant Center, the Center of Native Plants of Central Korea, the Dwarf Tree Center, the Local Crafts Tree Center, the Wet Land Ecology Center, the Center for Plants that Live in Humid Areas, the Warm Temperature Zone and Pteridophyte Center, the Functional Plant Center, the Althea Center, and the Insect Ecology Center. There is also an observatory made from a tree. As indicated in its name, the waters of this arboretum are clear and clean. Tadpoles swim in the wetland and Korean squirrels scurry up and down the trees. The arboretum, only an hour away from Seoul, affords city dwellers a place to relax in peace where they can experience different forms of natural beauty according to the season.※ There are no shops, restaurants, or trash bins. Visitors to the site are recommended to take waste back homes and to be considerate of the environment. You can bring a lunch box and enjoy your meal at the ‘Rest Area inside the Forest’, which is a designated site for eating.