Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , Former Jeju

Gwaneumsa Temple is located at the foot of the northeast side of Mt. Halla in Ara-dong in Jeju City. The temple is widely believed to have been first built during the Tamra Dynasty Era (BC 476~AD 1005), which was prior to the Goryeo Dynasty (AD 918~1392). However, there is no concrete evidence suggesting the exact year of construction or the temple’s original builder. In the early 1700s, when leaders of the Joseon Dynasty proclaimed Confucianism as the national religion and executed a policy to destroy all the Buddhist temples in the Jeju area, Gwaneumsa Temple was demolished. It was rebuilt in 1912 by a Buddhist nun, Anbongryeokwan, and renovated in 1964. The temple consists of the main shrine, Myeongbujeong Hall, a bell tower, Sanshingak Pavilion, and Bulimun Gate. There is also a Buddhist school run by the Gwaneumsa Temple located in downtown Jeju. There are many tourist spots near the temple such as a wooden seated Buddhist goddess statue that was designated a tangible cultural asset of Jeju-do in 1999. Other popular destinations include Jeju Natural Monument No. 50, a cherry blossom tree habitat, and the nearby “4.3 Historic Site” commemorating the civil revolution many years ago on April 3rd. Also located close to the temple are the Mokseokwan Arboretum, Sancheondan, Halla Mountain, Uerimok Valley, Tamra Valley, and Gewaloreum Hill. The steep trail leading up the side of Halla Mountain, “Gwaneumsa Trail,” is particularly popular for its colorful fall foliage and its breathtaking scenery of endless gorges.  


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Hundreds of Baekje tombs are scattered across Buyeo. Among them, Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs, which are close to Buyeo, have been relatively well preserved and are fairly large in size.The Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs were the royal tombs of the Baekje Dynasty from 538 to 660 when the capital of Baekje was Sabi (now Buyeo). In the Baekje Gobun Miniature Museum at the entrance to Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs, mockups and miniature tombs are on display with their cross sections exposed. Here, one can view all kinds of Baekje tombs including stone mounds of the Hanseong Era as well as those discovered in Buyeo.


Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si)

Palace Hotel Onyang is located in Asan's Onyang Hot Springs, well known ever since the Baekje Dynasty. The buildings boast the harmony or traditional Korean beauty and functionality. The hot springs rise from a grout 305m below ground at 55'C. Its waters consist of sodium bicarbonates, with facilities such as Amethyst, Hardwood Charcaol, Bamboo, and Hwangto Jjimjilbangs, along with a Finnish Sauna great for the skin at 110'C. Guests may also try clean tasting food at the Korean restaurant, and feel the ambiance of traditional Korean beauty in the hotel's Korean-style rooms, each offering waters from the hot springs. Also, many tourism sites are nearby such as Hyeonchungsa Temple, Folk Museum, Asanho, Sabgyocheon, Independence Hall of Korea, Sudeoksa Temple and more.


Jeollanam-do(Mokpo-si)

Established in June 1920, the building housing the Mokpo Modern History Museum used to be the Mokpo branch of the Oriental Development Company (Dongyang Cheoksik Jusik Hoesa). This Renaissance-style building dates back to the Japanese colonial era and serves a reminder of the Korea's past. The building is designated Jeollanam-do Monument No. 174.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The Total Museum is a branch of Jangheung Art Park (formerly “Total Outdoor Museum”) that opened near Bukhansan in April, 1992. It houses facilities such as an art academy, library, art shop, and outdoor performance stage. In addition to exhibitions, the museum holds a variety of art and culture programs like musical concerts, events, lectures, and seminars. In particular, the members-only educational programs and gallery concerts provide a chance to enjoy high-quality cultural events.


Jeollanam-do(Mokpo-si)

Mokpo Culture & Arts Center is in Yonghae-dong, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do. The center opened in July 1997 and has two buildings, an exhibition hall, which includes seven exhibition rooms and two special rooms, and performance hall, which has a 698 seat auditorium.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Yangsan-si)

Located in southern part of Mt. Chiseosan, Tongdosa Temple is famous for not having any Buddhist statues in the temple. This is because the real shrines of the Buddha are preserved here. The name 'Tongdosa' was named after the belief that mankind can be saved through Buddhism. After Monk Ja-Jang brought the shrines of Buddha from Dang China, Tongdosa Temple was built during Queen Sun-Deok's reign (646). Tongdosa Temple is said to have survived numerous wars and invasions, its Beopdeung (temple candle) has never gone out, for 1,300 years. Inside, there are 35 buildings and Pagoda's, and 14 small temples in its vicinity. The main building is designated as National Treasure No.290. The temple is similar to a museum because of the numerous relics inside. There are 19 local treasures and 794 local cultural properties inside the temple. In place of the Buddha statue, the Geumgang Stairs behind of the main building preserves the shrines of the Buddha.Mt. Chiseosan, has a beautiful view from the temple. The several hundred year-old pine trees lined up from the entrance to Ilju Gate, the small drum (used when praying in front of a Buddha figure) and bell, the sunset, the pond and the rocks and waterfalls behind the temple are grouped and called the 'Eight Famous Sceneries of Tongdosa Temple.'


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Nandana is a bakery cafe operated by Woljeongsa Temple. The breads are made with organic flour and use no butter, milk, or eggs. The bakery makes a limited amount of bread each day to ensure none goes to waste.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

The nice, sandy beach stretches over 250m and has three major swimming spots: in front of Jeongdongjin Railway Station, at Moraeshigae Park, and at the Jeongdongjin Seawalls. The spots near the railway station and at the park are more popular because they are spacious and easy to reach, with Moraeshigae Park having the added bonus of welcoming swimmers both day and night. Numerous rocks in front of Jeongdongjin Railway Station are home to shellfish, mussels, sea urchins and sea mustard.Aside from swimming, visitors can further appreciate the beauty of nature by checking out the Sculpture (Sunrise) Park and Heonhwaro, located to the south of the park. The Jeongdongjin Sunrise Tourist Train has become a crowd favorite as well, ever since its premier run in 1997.Despite the park’s many attractions, nothing can compare to its sunrise view. Many visitors to the park trek up to the summit of Mt. Goseong, located at the park’s center, to the Yeongin Pavilion, a prime location for catching the sun’s first rays. 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Goseongissi Tapdongpa Jongtaek (Gosoeng Lee head family estate, 고성이씨 탑동파 종택) is the head house in the family line of Goseong Lee noble family. The eldest grandson of the family is still living today. Constructed in 1685, this house has all of the beautiful features that are representative of Joseon architecture. After this period, additions to structures were added periodically. The pavilion was constructed in 1775. This site was the original spot of the Silla Kingdom's Beopeungsa Temple. National Treasure No. 16, Sinse-dong Chilcheung Jeontap (seven-story pagoda), is located in front of the house.