Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)


Gyeonggi-do(Gapyeong-gun)

Opened on June 4, 2008, Kalbongsan Natural Recreation Forest is oriented towards human-nature interactivity, providing spaces for accommodations (Forest Cabin), recreation (Forest Culture Recreation Center), and leisure (camping site, walking trails, forest path, multi-purpose field, etc.). Access to several infrastructures including parking spaces and shower rooms is also available. Gyeongban Valley with its uniquely shaped rocks and pine nut trees, Gyeongban Lake, and forest paths covered with chestnut and pine nut trees, can be found around the area. Gapyeong Dam and Cheongpyeong Dam, which are both great spots for picnis and camping, are also located near the forest.


Gangwon-do(Taebaek-si)

This traditional guesthouse overlooks Taebaeksan Mountain, the summit of Hambaeksan Mountain, and the ski hills of O2 Resort. The houses on the site were moved from the ancient villages of Gyeongju, Yeongcheon and Gyeongsan in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and then restored.Some houses are equipped with a furnace for heating in the winter. The inner and outer walls of the buildings are made with red clay. There is a small detached room similar to a pavilion, called cheongpungnu, on both sides of the gate. The hanok buildings were built using good lumber that has lasted more than 200 years old. Consisting of 6 buildings in total, this traditional guesthouse was remodeled to provide more modernized facilities for guests.The hanok is equipped with open yard great for outdoor activities, where visitors can set up and enjoy Korean barbeques, or sit on a straw mat or wooden bench to view dazzling stars in the peaceful rural night sky. The owner may offer you treats during your stay; sweet, juicy watermelon in summer for a cooling effect or baked sweet potatoes on winter nights to fight the cold temperatures in the country side.Also, traditional folk games are available, as well as experience programs like watching a traditional wedding ceremony, playing yutnori, making rice cakes and more are ready. Read a review in English (blog post).


Jeollabuk-do(Wanju-gun)

Situated in the foothills of Juchulsan Mountain, Wibongsanseong Fortress was constructed over a period of 7 years starting in 1675. The fortress was built as a safe place to keep the portrait of King Taejo, which had been kept at Gyeonggijeon in Jeonju until the Donghak Peasant Revolution broke out and put the portrait in jeopardy. Originally, the Wibongsanseong Fortress measured 16 kilometers long, 4 to 5 meters high, and 3 meters wide with three gates and eight emergency gates. Today, only a section of the fortress wall and the west gate remain. Wibongsa Temple is located past Mujigaemun Gate (Rainbow Gate) and Wibong Village and is a major temple in the Honam region that once oversaw 52 branch temples. Said to be built by Monk Seoam in 604 (the 5th year of King Mu of Baekje), the surviving buildings date back to the Joseon Era. Today, only Bogwangmyeongjeon Hall (Treasure No. 608), Yosa (Provincial Cultural Asset No. 698), and Samseonggak remain. The Baeguigwaneumbosal wall painting in particular is the pride of the temple.


Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

It is a place where you can enjoy various Chinese dishes as well as lamb dishes. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is lamb skewers.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)


Jeollanam-do(Wando-gun)

Yun Seondo, a non-military civil administrator and poet in the mid Joseon Dynasty (1587~1671), could hardly contain his anger after hearing the news that the king had surrendered to the invaders during the Byeongjahoran War (Chinese invasion of Korea in 1636). Following the events, he decided to live in seclusion by moving to Jeju Island. However, on the way to Jeju, he came across Bogildo Island and he was so inspired by its beauty that he ended up settling down on Bogildo instead. For 13 years since he was 51 years old during the 15th year of King Injo's reign 1631, he composed great poems such as 'Eobusasisa' (Fisherman's Song for Four Seasons) on Bogildo Island. Some of the mountain peaks and rocks named by him still remain on the island. Seyeonjeong Pavilion was built by Yun Seondo and this is the birthplace of his literary works. On clear days, he would come to the pavilion with his family and let singers sing his verses. Bogildo Island embraces both the Eastern outlook on nature and Neo-Confucianism ideology. While going around the island, visitors will get some semblance of how Yun Seondo harmonized man and nature through the combination of the island's natural and the man-made features.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Uljin-gun)

Bulyeongsa Temple (불영사), located at the western foot of Mt. Cheonchuksan in Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do, was built during the Silla period. ‘Bulyeongsa’ means ‘the reflection of Buddha’s shadow on the pond.’ A lovely path leads from the parking area to the temple, and a beautiful pond and green farm in the courtyard give the temple, inhabited by Buddhist nuns, a cozy and welcoming feeling. The 13km-long Bulyeongsa Valley is also found around Bulyeongsa Temple. With unique rock formations and thick forest, the valley creates an almost mystical atmosphere. Even though Bulyeongsa Valley is not as magnificent or splendid as Cheonbuldong Valley at Mt. Seoraksan or Mureung Valley and Bogyeongsa Valley at Mt. Odaesan, it offers a serene and beautiful view against the backdrop of Mt. Cheonchuksan.  


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

Haepungbuwongu Yun Taek-yeong Daek Jaesil is a house built by the father-in-law of King Sunjong of Joseon Dynasty. He built this house in 1906 when his daughter was proclaimed the crowned princess of Joseon and entered Changdeokgung Palace to later become Queen Sunjeong. Red pine trees salvaged from the demolition of Gyeongungung Palace were used to construct the house. It was originally located at 224 Jegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, but was later restored and moved to its present location. The shrine of the house that was destroyed in 1960 was also restored. Additionally, a stone stair of two steps on which flowers were planted was added in front of the shrine. Atop of the house is a tiled, triangle-shaped hip-and-gable roof. Sarangche (men’s quarter) has double-layered eaves, while other eaves are single-layered. Haengrangche (servant’s quarters) has a gabled roof supported with three beams. Because the house is more of a shrine rather than residential living quarters, it has many unique features. For example, unlike other houses, it has Anche (women’s quarters) located across from Sarangbang (men’s quarters) with Daecheong (living room) positioned between them.


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

Hanpungnu Pavilion is the site where the noted poets of the past use to frequent to appreciate nature and the arts. The pavilion was burned down by Japanese soldiers in 1592 (25th year of King Seonjo’s reign) and rebuilt in 1599 (32nd year of King Seonjo’s reign). During the Japanese colonial period, the pavilion served as a base for propagating Buddhism. After the liberation of Korea, it was moved to Yangsan-myeon town in Yeongdong-gun and was renamed as Geumhoru. In 1971, the people of Muju moved the pavilion to its current location of Dangsan-ri in Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do Province. Hanpungnu is one of the most famous pavilions in the southwestern region of Korea, along with Hanbyeokdang of Jeonju and Gwanghallu of Namwon. It is also known to have the most picturesque exterior among the three famed pavilion.