Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

Maemul Islands (매물도) refer to the three islands in Maejuk-ri, Hansan-myeon: Daemaemul Island (대매물도), Somaemul Island (소매물도), and Deungdae (lighthouse) Island (등대도, also known as Geulssingiseom Island (글씽이섬)). The best view can be seen from the sea cliffs of Somaemuldo Island and Deungdaedo Island. Somaemuldo Island, whose entire area is no more than 2.51㎢, is the main island, and Daemaemuldo Island, Hongdo Island, Deungdaedo Island (Haeguemdo Island), Daegueulbido Island and Sogueulbido Island are all smaller islets scattered around the main island. Somaemuldo Island is home to about 20 households. If you hike up the hill behind the village, you can reach the highest point of Somaemuldo Island, or Mangtaebong. There is a natural observation spot where you can look out at all the islets of Tongyeong including Deungdae Island as well as Haegeumgang of Geoje. The waves hitting the cliffs, generating white foams and rainbow sprays, is one of the most fascinating views on Korean southern coast. At the peak of summer, you can enjoy water sports or try scuba-diving in the deep areas. Visitors are strongly recommended to look around Somaemuldo Island by passenger boat from which it’s easier to see the surrounding cliffs and wave action.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

Ttungbo Halmae Gimbap is one of the most sought-out restaurants selling Chungmu gimbap, a simple take on gimbap with just rice filling the laver. Although small and simple, this local speciality tastes great, especially with radish kimchi and spicy squid, and is one of the main reasons that visitors come to Tongyeong.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

The Gimhae Arts and Sports Center is a performance hall featuring  high-class arts and staged performances. Maru Hall (1,464 seats) is a multi-purpose theater that also contains a moving orchestra shell (sound reflection board) that looks like another concert hall inside the theater. Performances of various genres are staged at the theater. Nuri Hall (540 seats) is an experimental theater for various thematic performances. This modernized square black box theater can also host performances like theater performances, recitals, and madang plays. The center also features outdoor theater Aedureum Madang, Yunseul Art Gallery, Media Center, Sports Center, and Aram Learning Center, as well as a café and restaurants.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Namhae-gun)

The Butterfly Ecology Hall in the Namhae Butterfly Park is a large, butterfly-shaped architecture. It consists of Exhibition Halls No. 1/No. 2, the Butterfly Greenhouse, Experience Learning Center, and Sample Exhibition Hall. In addition, there is a Butterfly Breeding Room and a Botanical House outside providing visitors with an opportunity to get family together with a variety of butterflies and insects.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

The Gaya Culture Festival is a historical and cultural festival of Gimhae-si, whose long history and tradition is based on the Geumgwan Gaya, a leading power among the six Gaya groups. The festival is well known at home and abroad.King Kim Suro founded Gaya in A.D. 42 and married Heo Hwang-ok, a princess from the Indian country of Ayuta, in A.D. 48. This was the first known international marriage in the history of the Korean Peninsula. Gaya was quite advanced in the production of earthenware and iron implements, and traded with neighboring countries like China, Nakrang, and Japan. It thrived as a center of international exchange in Northeast Asia, and its culture was also remarkably developed.Gimhae, the birthplace of the Gaya culture, has a long history and unique culture. Through the Gaya Culture Festival, the region is continuing to preserve, build on, and develop the Gaya culture and heritage. The Gaya Culture Festival asserts Gaya’s rightful place alongside the Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla kingdoms.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

The Energy Exhibition Hall in the Energy Environment Science Park is in the shape of a sailboat to complement the oceanic scenery surrounding the museum. The exhibition hall consists of a showroom and an observation room that introduce the principles and usage of alternative energy. The exhibition center demonstrates how wind and photovoltaic power plants work, and in what ways clean renewable energy is being used. The center is also used as a solar power plant, and visitors can observe devices and facilities powered by future energies.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Namhae-gun)

Remodeling a closed school, Haeoreum Art Village supports work studios for local artists and offers a wide array of art and cultural programs. Beautiful surroundings, artistic buildings, and splendid landscaping architecture have drawn many visitors to the village. Introduced in TV programs, newspapers, and magazines, the village has quickly become a popular tourist destination.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

From Pungho-dong, follow Haengam-ro for four kilometers and cross the small mountain pass to reach Suchi Village and Suchi Beach. Nestled in the mountains facing the quiet sea, Suchi Village was once a small village with only a few inhabitants. In recent years, the city has grown dramatically and draws a steady stream of visitors who come for the hoe (sliced raw fish), a local specialty served fresh all year round.The town and its main beach boast a variety of amenities including hoe restaurants, accommodations, and parking lots. Happo, the nearest town, also offers plenty to see and do and surrounds visitors with forests and other natural wonders. Happo is famous as the site where Admiral Yi Sun-Shin (1545-1598) achieved many victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin Waeran War (1592-1598).


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

Anmingogae Hill is a 9 kilometer-long hill that reaches from Taebaek-dong in Jinhae to Anmin-dong in Changwon. Six of the nine kilometers are lined with cherry blossoms, making up the famous Jinhae Cherry Blossom Tunnel. The hill is also known for its view of Jinhaeman Bay, Ungsan Mountain (alt. 703m), Sirubong Peak (alt. 630m) and Cheonjabong Peak (502m). The hill is dotted with benches placed about 100m apart, offering visitors a comfortable way to catch their breath while enjoying the view and cherry trees.Also of note is the Anmin Saengtaegyo Bridge (Anmin Ecology Bridge), which was built as a passageway for wild animals to travel between Jangboksan and Ungsan mountains after the mountains were divided by the Anmin Tourism Road running from Jinhae and Changwon. The hiking trail to Jangboksan Mountain past the Anmin Saengtaegyo Bridge is closed in the spring as part of fire prevention measures.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

Gujibong Peak in Gusan-dong, Gimhae in Gyeongsangnam-do is believed to be the birthplace of King Suro, the founder of the Gaya kingdom. The peak was originally named Gusubong (“gu” meaning “turtle,” “su” meaning “head”) after its resemblance to the head of a turtle. The flat part of the peak (the turtle’s “head”) is home to the Tomb of King Suro. On the summit is a southern-style dolmen dating back to the 4th century BC that consists of 5 or 6 support stones and a large cover stone measuring 2.5m in diameter. The cover stone bears the inscription “Gujibongseok,” said to be written by Han Ho.Gujibong Peak is considered a sacred place by the local people because, according to legend, it is the place where the creation of the Gaya Kingdom took place. During the Japanese colonial rule, the “neck” of the turtle was destroyed by the construction of a mountain road. Years later, a pedestrian road was built to rejoin the neck and restore the feng shui of the mountain.