Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

Located in the northernmost part of Korea, Goseong, Gangwon-do, is a special place from which to view the sunrise on New Year’s Day. It is also known as the starting point for the Geumgangsan Mountain trip to North Korea, so the sunrise festival features a variety of programs that bring together North Koreans living in the South, Goseong residents, and tourists in a ceremony to wish for reunification, a bell-striking ceremony, and the release of wish-balloons into the sky. The Sunrise Festival is held on January 1 on Hwajinpo Beach, a famous film location of the TV drama Autumn in My Heart. Visitors can take part in hands-on programs such as hope-balloon flying and a candle lighting ceremony. Afterwards, there will be a shamanistic ceremony called gut to wish for reunification, followed by music by a military band, a drum combo, and folk performances.


Chungcheongnam-do()

A branch of Magoksa Temple, which is the 6th local temple of the Jogyejong Order, Yeongpyeongsa Temple has six traditional buildings and three small hermitages. Janggunsan Mountain, where the temple is located, is small but full of energy. According to Feng Shui, the mountain is a perfect location for a temple because it is shaped like a dragon curled along the Geumgang River. Yeongpyeongsa is a tranquil place that captures the purity of the temple’s Buddhist practice, with fresh air and clean water that offer a habitat for fireflies, crawfish, and black snails. On the way in, visitors are greeted by a multitude of wildflowers vying for their attention: the columbines and the prairie crocuses in spring, the white lotuses in summer, and the Siberian chrysanthemums in autumn. * Major event – Mount Janggunsan Siberian Chrysanthemum Festival


Gyeongsangnam-do(Haman-gun)


Jeollanam-do(Hwasun-gun)

Manyeonsa Temple is known to have been built in 1208, the fourth year of King Heejong’s (r. 1204-1211) reign during the Goryeo Dynasty. It is said that Manyeonsa Temple was constructed by Great Monk Manyeon after he dreamt of 16 nahans, Buddha’s disciples, preparing to build a temple to preserve Buddha’s statue when taking a short nap during his journey back to Songwangsa Temple in Jogyesan Mountain from Wonhyosa Temple in Mudeungsan Mountain. When he awoke from his nap, he noticed that snow had completely covered his nearby surroundings except for the exact spot where he lied down, which remained so warm that snow had melted and steam was rising from the ground. He then settled in the area by building a dugout where he continued to practice asceticism and later built Manyeonsa Temple. The temple was partially destroyed during the Korean War (1950) and restoration efforts were made in 1978.


Jeollanam-do(Jindo-gun)

Located in the southernmost part of the Korean peninsula, Sebang Nakjo Observatory is one of the best places in Korea from which to catch the sunset. From here, you can look out over a flock of small islands set amidst a sea sparkling with the glint of the setting sun’s rays. As the sun sinks below the horizon and the sky becomes tinged with a rainbow of reds and oranges, the color seem to catch in the rocks of each island, making for an indescribably stunning view. The Jindo West Coast Highway portion from Gachi-ri (where Sebang Nakjo is located) to Gahak-ri has been named one of the “Hundred Most Beautiful Roads of Korea” and is the best scenic driving course to take if you want to see unobstructed views of the islands and the expansive blue waters.  


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Bonghwa-gun)

Seungbu Station was originally built as a temporary train stop and became widely known when the Hwansangseon Nunkkochyeolcha (Snow Loop Train Line) began operating in 1999. After first opening on the Yeongam Line on January 1, 1956, Seungbu Station has since reopened as a regular train stop. The surrounding area used to be undeveloped, making it difficult to reach by car, but a paved road has since been completed, making it easier to access.


Chungcheongnam-do(Nonsan-si)

Upon finishing his thousand-day prayers in Mount Gyeryongsan in June 1980, Monk Deoksan came down to the site of an old temple in Noseong-myeon, Hwagok-ri and built Jijangjeongsa. The upper part of the current Daeungjeon Hall had once been the main hall of the Jijangam Hermitage and was originally about 33 square meters. The Daeungjeon Hall was later expanded to its current size. In 1990, an auditorium hall was built to offer services to children and teenagers. The building is currently used to accommodate after-school classes for Seonjae Preschool. The temple is open for praying meditation and also has a charnel house. The temple and its followers are loyally devoted to the practice of Buddhism in its purest form.


Busan(Dongnae-gu)

Many years ago there was a restaurant (‘Jobang Nakji’) in front of the textile company Joseon-Bangjik (‘Jobang’) that was widely known for its tasty Nakji Bokkeum (spicy stir-fried baby octopus). Though the restaurant is now gone, Wonjo Jobang Nakji has recreated the original taste of the famous neighborhood restaurant and was even presented with the ‘‘Korean Traditional Cultural Preservation Award’ by the Korean Traditional Culture Preservation Committee.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)

Yangbangsan Paragliding Site is situated 664 meters above sea level at the top of Yangbangsan Mountain. Upon arrival at the site, one can get a panoramic view of Danyang, including the meandering Namhangang River. While serving as the main venue for major gliding sports competitions, the site is also frequented by tourists and extreme sports enthusiasts who want to experience hang gliding and paragliding.