Jeollabuk-do(Gimje-si)

Gwisinsa, located in Cheongdo Village, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje-si, is now a temple of the Jogye Order, but once belonged to the Haweom Order. The temple is widely believed to have been established by the great monk Uisang Daesa during the 16th year of King Munmu (676). However, some experts site the existence of the Namgeunseok stone animal sculpture as proof that the temple was originally the private temple of King Beop of the Baekje Kingdom. Throughout history, the temple has had many names—Guksinsa, Gwisinsa, Gusunsa, and Gwisinsa (same English spelling, different meaning)—but not much is known about when the temple was called by which name. On the temple grounds are a 3-story stone pagoda and some stone sculptures including seoksu (animal statues) and budo (a stupa in honor of a great master). Inside the temple are Daejeokgwangjeon Hall (Treasure No.826), Myeongbujeon Hall, and Gongyangjib Chamber (a chamber for Buddhist offerings).


Chungcheongnam-do()

Located in Sejong Special Self-Governing City, the Sejong Culture & Arts Center is a multi-purpose cultural space for performances and exhibitions. It offers various creative opportunities for local artists as well as a place to enjoy culture and arts for local residents. The center features a performance stage with 870 seats and exhibition rooms.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Held for the first time in 1989, the Chuncheon Puppet Festival is celebrating its 27th anniversary this year. Aside from the puppet performances, there will also be plenty of side events to entertain children and adults alike.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

Museom Village is surrounded by water on three sides as it is located at the place where Naeseongcheon Stream (the upstream of Nakdonggang River) and Seocheon Stream meet. The village is called Sudori, or Museom, meaning an island in an inland area. It is a traditional village which has 9 cultural assets including Haeudang (Folk Item No. 92) and Manjukjae (Folk Item No. 93), both of which are beautiful old homes that exhibit the humble formality of old nobles. The Museom Single-Log Bridge Festival, a landmark celebration of Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do is held on October every year. The Museom Single-Log Bridge is one of the 100 most beautiful paths of Korea selected by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs. The bridge is only 23-centimeters (nine-inches) wide and it connects the village to the land across the stream surrounding it. The festival aims to preserve and promote the nation’s traditional culture. During the festival, one can enjoy and take part in a wide variety of folk events including the intramural Ssireum (traditional wrestling) Competition, Nongak (farmer’s music) Performance, Satto (chief of the village) Parade, crossing the bridge with a cow, a groom marching on a horse and a traditional wedding ceremony.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

The Jeonju National Museum hosts the Jageun Munhwa Festival to celebrate Seollal, Lunar New Year's Day, and Daeboreum, the day of the first full moon of the year. The museum prepares various cultural events and seasonal traditional games in order to give visitors an opportunity to participate in traditional cultural events and customs. Before the festival, there are diverse Korean folk games like jegichagi (Korean hacky sack), kite-fyling, a top-spinning game, and yutnori. During the Seollal holiday, visitors can enjoy movies, making an official hat of gilt bronze, and sharing ddeokguk (rice-cake soup). Also, a wide range of hands-on programs will be offered like making folk crafts, writing a family motto, and more. On the Daeboreum (the day of the first full moon of the year), a pungmul band (percussion band) will perform to drive away evil spirits and daljip (brushwood) will be burned as part of the finale.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Namhae-gun)

Namhae in Gyeongsangnam-do, with coastal lines stretching over 302km, is surrounded by 70 beautiful islands. Mulgeon Windbreak Forest (Mulgeon Bangjo Eoburim in Korean) in Mulgeon-ri has protected Namhae from gusty winds and ferocious waves and provided abundant fish for 300 years. Resembling the crescent moon, the spacious forest (23,438m2) along the seashore is owned by the community of Mulgeon-ri. It stretches over 1.5km with a x_width of 30m in x_width; there are approximately 2,000 overwood trees with x_heights varying from 10 to 15m. The forest boasts over 100 difference species of trees—from hackberries to oaks, zelkovas, Fringe trees, Muku trees, and silver magnolias. All in all, 10,000 trees create the feeling of being in an ancient forest, deep in the mountains. The forest was built by people in nearby villages 300 years ago in order to control winds and waves. From above, elegant curvilinear coastal lines are enveloped by lush trees of the forest, as if the latter protects Namhae. Mulgeon-ri is divided into two areas: the port with a lighthouse, and farmlands, with the forest in between the two. From German Village (Neuschwanstein) in Namhae, scenic overlooks provide sweeping views of Mulgeon-ri, the forest, and the port. The forest is called a variety of names; it is called Bangpungrim (Windbreak Forest) because it protects villages from gusty winds; Eoburim (Fish shelter Forest) because its lush trees attract schools of fish; and Bangjorim (Waterbreak Forest) because it lessens the severity of waves and tides. Home to German Village, Mulgeon-ri faces eastward. Naturally, it is a great spot to see the sunrise and sunset. While Jeongdongjin is renowned for its splendid sunrise on the East Coast, Mulgeon-ri shares the acclaim on the South Coast, attracting thousands of visitors at the dawn of New Year every year.  


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

Held in Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do, the annual Korea Music Festival is one of Korea's leading music festivals. First began in 2004, the festival continues to feature the latest in Korean music with a variety of performances of different genres.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Seonyudong Gyegok Valley in Mungyeong is longer and more beautiful than the valley of the same name in Goesan. Mount Daeyasan (931 meters high) runs across both valleys, which are 10 kilometers apart from each other. The valley is relatively untouched as it is not yet well known by the public. At the beginning and the end of the trail are Hakcheonjeong and Chirujeong pavilions, respectively. Both sides of the valley are lined with thick forests of ancient pine trees. A number of stone carvings can be found in the forest, and the most famous one reads “Seonyu Gyegok (Seonyu Valley).” It was written by Choi Chi-won (857~?), a leading scholar of the Silla Kingdom.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Ganghwa Icefish Festival is managed by the fishery community of Hwangcheon Reservoir in Naesu-myeon. All visitors can have a relaxing and exciting vacation at the festival with family and friends alike. The festival dates are subject to change depending on ice conditions and safety of facilities. Therefore, visitors are strongly advised to make a phone inquiry before visiting.* Be aware of safety precautions when visiting winter festival.* This is a private festival.


Gangwon-do(Cheorwon-gun)

Cheorwon Peace Observatory offers a panoramic view of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea) in the central forward area of Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do. From this observatory, one can see the Cheorwon plain, areas of the DMZ, and even North Korea. Photos of the 2nd Infiltration Tunnel, military barracks, checkpoints, and the DMZ are exhibited here. Visitors can easily get to the observatory using the 50-person monorail, see the remains of the ancient Taebongguk (nation), and even see the faces of North Korean soldiers through binoculars.