Chungcheongnam-do(Yesan-gun)

Deoksan Hot Spa is conveniently in Sadong-ri, Deoksan-myeon, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, only one and a half hours away from Seoul. The spa resort’s hot springs have been known for their efficacy ever since the Joseon Dynasty (1932-1910) and the 45℃ germanium water is widely known for its health benefits. The region has been home to major spa resorts since 1917.Nearby tourist attractions include Chunguisa Temple, which enshrines the spirit of Patriot Yun Bong-Gil, and Sudeoksa Temple, a training site for Buddhist nuns. Within the spa district are 9 major spa facilities, approximately 50 hotels, and numerous restaurants.


Chungcheongnam-do(Cheongyang-gun)

Mt. Chilgapsan, located in Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, was designated as a provincial park in 1973. This mountain, 561 meters above sea level, has been called “The Alps of Chungcheongnam-do.” Mt. Chilgapsan area has many peaks, a thick forest and a beautiful valley. Each season has its own unique atmosphere. There are romantic cherry blossoms in spring, vivid green leaves in summer, autumn tints in fall and a snow-covered landscape in winter. Mountaineers visit all year round and can choose from seven courses.


Chungcheongnam-do(Hongseong-gun)


Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si)

The town of Onyang, where Onyang Grand Hotel is located, is the oldest hot springs area in Korea. The history of Onyang can be traced back to 1,300 years ago when the Joseon Dynasty kings visited the hot springs in the area to relax and unwind. Remains of the hot springs sought by the royalty can be found in Onyang today.Onyang Grand Hotel has over 150 rooms and high quality facilities, including hot springs, a sauna, a fitness center, an indoor swimming pool, wedding and banquet halls and a bowling alley. Guests may also visit a wide range of tourist attractions nearby.


Chungcheongnam-do(Yesan-gun)

Chusa Gotaek is the traditional Korean house of the renowned scholar and calligrapher, Chusa (also known as Kim Jeong-Hui). This old house is known to have been constructed by the great-grandfather of Chusa, Kim Han-Sin.The Korean-style house compound (266.11m²) consists of Munganchae (a guesthouse), Soteuldaemun (a high gate), Sarangchae (ㄱ-shaped men's quarters), Anchae (ㅁ-shaped women’s quarters) and a shrine where the remains of Chusa are enshrined. Theㄱ-shaped Sarangchae stretches for one Kan* to the south and 2 Kans to the east and is comprised of two rooms and a Daecheongmaru (living area). The Anchae consists of a six-Kan Daecheongmaru (living area) and two one-Kan rooms.Located on the ground is a tomb where Chusa’s great-grandfather (Kim Han-Sin) and his wife (Hwasun Princess) are buried. Nearby you’ll see a gate that was constructed to commemorate Princess Hwasun’s faithfulness to her husband.If you walk about 600 meters to the north of the old house, you can see a lacebark pine tree, which was designated Natural Monument No. 106. The lacebark pine tree, originally from northern China, is among the few of its kind in Korea. It is said that Chusa snuck the pine across the border from China (formerly, the Qing Dynasty) into the country when he was 25 years old and planted it at the tomb of his great-grandfather. Originally, the tree had three branches, but two were broken and the third branch was damaged. In 1980, the damaged branch was treated and since then, the tree has been kept under strong protection.*Kan: ancient building area measurement unit corresponding to the space between two columns


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Baegmagang River (백마강), which literally means ‘the largest river in the Baekje Kingdom’, refers to the 16km-long Geumgang River.There are many historic sites all along Baegmagang River, which flows around Mt. Busosan, including Cheonjeongdae Altar (천정대), where important national affairs of the Baekje Dynasty were determined, Nakhwaam Rock (낙화암), Joryongdae Rock, Gudeure, BusanㆍDaejaegak Pavilion, Jaondae Rock and Subukjeong Pavilion.* Joryongdae Rock (조룡대)A small island-like rock on the Baegmagang riverside* Daejaegak Pavilion (대재각)Daejaegak Pavilion is located at the Baegmagang River cliff across from the Gudeure Ferry. In this pavilion can be found a rock bed engraved with ‘Jitongjaesim Ilmodowon’ on its surface.


Chungcheongnam-do(Boryeong-si)

At 790 meters, Oseosan Mountain in Boryeong is one of the highest peaks on Korea’s west coast. Near the meeting point of three localities—Boryeong, Hongseong, and Cheongyang—the mountain is known for its natural beauty boasting a lush forest and pristine waters.From the top of Oseosan, visitors can see waves of silver grass and fantastic sunsets over the West Coast. The mountain is also surrounded by other equally amazing peaks: Seongjusan Mountain to the south, Gayasan Mountain to the north, and Chilgapsan and Gyeryongsan Mountains to the east. Because of its proximity to the sea, Oseosan is one of few spots in Korea where visitors can enjoy both land and water attractions.Oseosan Mountain attracts a variety of mountain hikers & climbers. Some enjoy the jagged cliffs and rock formations, others the winding paths along its ridges, and others the gradual incline leading to the peak. There are also several ancient temples and historic sites nearby such as Naewonsa and Jeongamsa Temples and Boksingul (cave formations near Ulgeum Bawi where General Boksin and his men staged the restoration of the Baekje Dynasty). 


Chungcheongnam-do(Yesan-gun)

In Hwaamsa Temple in Yesan, you can find the urn carrying the remains of Chusa (Kim Jeong-Hui), renowned scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. Chusa was born in Yesan and his birthplace (his parent’s house) and Chusa Gotaek (his house) are located nearby. Hwaamsa Temple was constructed by Chusa’s great-grandfather, Kim Han-Sin, who was related by marriage to royalty. If you visit the Hwaamsa Temple, you might not feel like you’re in a temple at first, since the Yosachae (monk’s living quarters) are located at the temple entrance. After you go past the monk’s living area, you’ll see the temple and the spot where Chusa’s remains are held. The temple is very tidy and silent, which might be because it is where the female monks train.


Chungcheongnam-do(Cheongyang-gun)

Julmudeom refers to the unmarked graves of anonymous Catholic martyrs in Darakgol (Nugok), Cheongyang (Chungcheongnam-do). Darakgol is also the birthplace of St. Choi Gyeong-hwan and Choi Yang-eop (the second Catholic priest in Korea) was also martyred in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do. Because the grave is of more than one individual, it was given the name Julmudeom (group graveyard).Although the exact number of martyrs and their exact cause of death is unknown, they were buried by family resulting in the 37 mounds in three sections. In 1982, Cheongyang Cathedral established monuments to commemorate the name-less martyrs, and Julmudeom became a well-known site for Catholic pilgrimages. In 1986, the remains of St. Choi Gyeong-hwan Francisco were relocated to the Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine reducing the total number of mounds at Julmudeom to 36. 


Chungcheongnam-do(Nonsan-si)

The Ganggyeong Traditional Salted Fish Market is one of the largest markets of its kind in Korea. Shop owners in Ganggyeong are renowned for making undeniably great-tasting products and are skilled at distinguishing the good ones from the bad. Hence, the best salted fish products are known to be from Ganggyeong. The Yeomcheon-ri province of Ganggyeong is where merchants distribute enormous supplies of salted fish, such as salted shrimps and yellow corvinas, to the rest of the nation. The trade of salted shrimps from these regions makes up half the entire salted shrimp market in Korea. The Traditional Salted Fish Market becomes crowded from mid-June to the end of November, just before the Kimjang season (season for preparing kimchi for the winter). During this busy season, the market bustles with wholesalers, shop owners, and housewives in search of delicious salted fish. From early August to early December as many as 250 drums of salted fish are sold. Also, the Ganggyeong Traditional Salted Fish Festival which is held every year, is well worth a visit.