Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Located approximately halfway between Yeosu-si City and Jeju Island, Geomundo Island is part of the Dadohae Maritime National Park. It is divided into Dongdo, Seodo, and Godo Islands, all of which offer scenic views of quaint towns and surrounding nature. Also, Geomundo is the access point for the famous Baekdo Island group, a spectacular array of uninhabited rock pinnacles attached with numerous legends. Island History Geomundo Island's history dates back to the bronze era with the discovery of a stone sword on one of the islands. Subsequent discoveries of coins from the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) that were used for more than 700 years up to 621AD have also been found. Discoveries of celadon from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) have also been located on Geomundo’s islands. Geomundo had been commonly known as Godo until the British sailors arrived on the island in 1885, and put claim to the island in order to construct a naval port to fight off the Russian fleets. They named it Port Hamilton. Soon, Admiral Jeong Yeochang came to Geomundo to challenge the audacity of the British, and, in turn, was struck by the high literacy level of the islanders. He recommended to the then ruler that the island be renamed ‘Geomun,’ meaning ‘great literacy.’ The British sailors eventually perished, but their graves can be found in a well-preserved cemetery on the island.


Gyeonggi-do(Namyangju-si) , Namyangju

Cheonmasan Mountain (천마산, 812m), located in the center of Namyangju City, is shaped like Dalma, a famous Buddhist monk, sitting with his shoulders back, and giving a grand and calm impression. The name Cheonma was given by King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty. It means a mountain that is high enough to touch the sky. The mountain is renowned for its beauty year-round, being snow-capped in winter; erupting in fresh verdure during spring; taking on a deep, lush green hue in summer and a myriad of colors in the fall. The mountain’s proximity to Seoul and its pristine spring waters that rush over the cliffs on the southwest face, make the mountain a popular destination. Mt. Cheonma is perfect for a day hike with its lush forests and natural springs where fresh healthy waters well up from the ground.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Boeun-gun)

Lake Hills Hotel Songnisan is set against lush natural surroundings inside the Songnisan Mountain National Park. With 42 Western-style and 90 Korean-style guestrooms, a banquet hall that can accommodate up to 400 people, and six smaller conference rooms, the hotel regularly hosts corporate seminars and large family gatherings alike. Moreover, the Songnisan Mountain area offers plenty of attractions including Beobjusa Temple, Seowon Valley, Hwayang Valley, Munjangdae Peak where water gathers between the rocks, as well as several traditional sites.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , TheWestern Part of the Jeju Island

The Jeongwol Daeboreum Field-Burning Festival, also known as the Jeju Fire Festival, has secured its position as one of the major festivals representing Jeju. It will light up Jeju with the theme: “Using fire to spread the message of hope out into space.”This year, the title of the festival has changed to the Jeju Field-Burning Festival. The festival period has also changed. It now runs from the first Thursday of March to the Sunday of the same week, also the time of gyungchip, a day marked in Korea for when animals end their hibernation and begin to come out of their holes and homes in preparation for spring.The Jeju Field-Burning Festival is for cattle and horses by burning off old and wilted grass, as well as to kill vermin on the fields. According to the tradition, from late winter until early spring, the local villagers would start a fire on the fields. This was called bangae, one of the oldest stock farming skills. The festival has reinterpreted this tradition with a modern look and made itself a marketable tourism product.The festival started off in 1997 and has become one of the major winter festivals in Jeju since 1999. It is now notable across not just the nation, but internationally as well, as it was certified as a recommended festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2001. A festival magazine also nominated this festival as number one amongst the other top festivals in Korea. The Jeju Field-Burning Festival means “spring in the air” and thus marks the celebration of the arrival of spring, and the festival will entertain visitors with a variety of activities and programs in addition to  field burning.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Since 1962, the Silla Cultural Festival has been a representative cultural celebration held in Gyeongju’s Bonghwangdae, Hwangseong Park, and the downtown area. It is a cultural festival that brings out the spirit of the ancient Silla kingdom, which has a remarkable history and culture. It also introduces Gyeongju’s vision of being a hub of culture and tourism that combines the old and the new. The festival allows residents and tourists to unite while building an ambience of positive interaction, as well as spreading an image of Gyeongju as a historical and cultural tourism city that embraces its thousand-year-old heritage.


Jeollanam-do(Sinan-gun)

Located 54.5 kilometers from Mokpo in Jeollanam-do Province, Bigeum-do Island is part of the Dadohae Maritime National Park. Its spectacular coastline is dotted with numerous islands. Bigeum-do is the first and leading production center of sun-dried salt in Korea, which is its main source of income.Among the 827 islands along the shores of Sinan, Bigeum-do is the seventh-largest island. It is popular as a vacation spot as it is less visited and the natural environment is still well preserved. Because development has been particularly slow compared to other islands, it has a marked shortage of accommodations and recreational facilities. However, this is also the reason it is relatively unpolluted.The two major beaches are Wonpyeong and Hanuneom, which was the filming location for TV drama "Spring Waltz". Hanuneom, also known as Heart-shaped Beach, beckons young couples seeking romance.The island is also home to a number of tourist attractions and historical sites, including Seongchisanseong Fortress (built during the Goryeo period), Seosansa Temple, Beacon Hill, and Naewolli Seokjangseung, a stone totem pole.Hanuneom Beach: Located in southwestern Bigeum-do, Hanuneom lives up to its pure Korean name, meaning that “only the sky and sea can be seen.” Low mountains surround the white sandy beach, which is 500 meters long and 60 meters wide. There is a restroom, shower facilities, and drinking fountain. The entrance to the island is the Gasanri dock. The beach is open from July 20 to August 20.Wonpyeong Beach: Known as the most beautiful beach in Bigeum-do, Wonpyeong is particularly spectacular in spring when the wild roses are in full bloom. The beach, located on the northern side of the island, is 4.3 kilometers long and 60 meters wide. When the tide is low, the beach extends an extra 150 meters. Wild roses cover over 4 kilometers. Past the beach, a dense acacia forest and a reservoir also attract visitors.The area is open from July 21 to mid-August.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Sancheong-gun)

Opened in May 2010, the Sancheong Oriental Medicine Theme Park is Korea's first hanbang (traditional oriental medicine) themed park. It is divided into five distinct sections, each representing one of five elements of the universe: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. As an environment-friendly facility, the theme park uses eco-friendly materials in its statues of mascots, memorials, as well as other subsidiary facilities. Also, it features natural hiking trails through the surrounding forest and valley, a wooden promenade, and a medicinal herb garden with ample rest areas. Moreover, visitors may check out the Oriental Medicine Museum located adjacent to the theme park.


Gangwon-do(Donghae-si)

Located in the west entrance of Samhwasa Temple, Yongchu Mureung Valley Falls stretches for 2.5 ㎞ and has the shape of a pot with the water falls flowing down. The waters are divided into 3 different sizes, high, mid, and low, descending from the flowing stream Cheongoksan Mountain (1,403 m). The waters coming down from the falls meets the water from Bakdalgyegok Valley. The water in the valley and sandalwood seems as if it represents the harmony and the destiny found in the nature of Yin. These places form the climax of beauty of the Mureung Yongchu Valley.


Gangwon-do(Donghae-si)

Mukho Port was opened on August 11, 1941 and has been a major port for fishing and trading (mainly, coal). Established on June 8, 1963, Mukho Lighthouse has been a guardian of ships and boats ever since. Located 67m up the slopes of Mt. Dongmun, Mukho Lighthouse (12m in x_height) is a white and circular concrete structure with two floors. It is surrounded by a cozy park where forsythias blossom in spring and visitors can overlook the sea. The park is home to the Maritime Fishing Exhibition Hall, where visitors can learn about the history of fishing in the area. The lighthouse and its surrounding area are full of quiet and comfortable spots to relax and enjoy the scenery. Because of its location (on the highest point of Mukho beach), the lighthouse is absolutely crucial to the safety of ships and boats coming into the port. The lighthouse’s large light, installed in October 2003, was developed by Korean scientists and uses a rotating prism lens that can shine beams of light as far as 42km. * Opened: June 8, 1963 * Structure: white and circular concrete structure (12m in x_height) * Lighting: FlW10s * Characteristics: located on Mt. Dongmun next to Mukho Port (the largest port on the East Coast in Gangwon-do)  


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.