Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

This 1.4m-high rock-carved Bodhisattva was carved on the southern rock standing right above Chilburam Rock on Namsan Mountain, which may be regarded as a repository of relics and artifacts including Buddha statues spanning the Three Kingdoms Period to the late Unified Silla Period. Judging from the three-sided bejeweled crown he’s wearing on his head, this is clearly a Bodhisattva statue. He looks as if he is sitting on a cloud; while the closed eyes in the plump face give the impression he is lost in deep thought. He seems to be watching mankind from his world above the clouds. He is holding a flower in his right hand and his left hand is held up to his chest as if he is preaching. His robe is very thin, revealing the curves of the body, and hangs down to the base of the pedestal. The mandorla (Buddhist halo of light), which consists of both the dugwang (light radiating from the head) and hte singwang (light emanating from the Buddha’s body), is also the shrine for the statue, so the image of the Bodhisattva looks more prominent. It is presumed that this rock-carved Bodhisattva was made during the late eighth century during the Unified Silla Dynasty.


Jeollanam-do(Hampyeong-gun)

Located in Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanamdo, Mopyeong Maeul (also known as Sangmo Maeul) is a scenic farming village that is rich in tradition and history. From the moment you start walking down the stonewall-lined path into town, this small village will capture your heart. The village’s important history (including its title as the origin of Hampyeong-gun of Jeollanam-do Province) is evident in everything you see: from the traditional houses to the 500-year old forest. The area is home to 27 historical and cultural sites and the beautiful Haebochoen Stream, which is shaded by over 40 different types of trees including zelkova trees, nettle trees, and willow trees. Some of the town’s traditional houses, which are about 80 years old, offer guesthouse accommodations to tourists. They include Mopyeongheon, Sopungga and Hisomun (a house made of yellow sod). In addition to the beautiful country scenery, there is a great selection of available programs that highlight the area’s specialties, including: mulberry-picking, silkworm-feeding and Korean traditional sauce-making. You can also visit a traditional watermill, which has been restored, and swim and splash around in the forest stream. Visitors are encouraged to try their hand at making green tea cakes at the traditional teahouse nearby. The area of Mopyeong is full of things to entertain visitors, including a number of attractions and special events. Some of the area’s most praiseworthy attractions are the Hampyeong Butterfly Festival, the Cluster Amaryllis Festival in Yongcheonsa Temple, the Chrysanthemum Festival, and the Hampyeong Eco Park and Folk Museum. Other towns well worth a visit in the Mopyeong area are Hamo Maeul, Ungok Maeul and Wonsan Maeul. A stay at Wonsan Maeul gives visitors a chance to experience firsthand the reality of an agricultural lifestyle by doing some activities like mulberry-picking. For a more low-key trip, make your way over to Ungok Maeul, where you can enjoy the fantastic scenery at the lake or take a relaxing walk along the hiking trails of Mt. Wolyangsan.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Ogyeonjeongsa House was established by Ryu Seong-yong (pen-name: Seoae, 1542-1607), a minister of Joseon, with the help of Buddhist monk Tanhong, as a place to study and educate his students. After building Wonjijeongsa House, Ryu wanted to build another house at the foot of Buyongdae Cliff amid a tranquil environment away from the village, but due to his financial situation he was unable to complete the building by himself. Then, the monk Tanhong helped him build Ogyeonjeongsa House, which took ten years (1576 to 1586) to complete, when Ryu was 45 years old. Later, Ryu Seong-yong was able to share warmth with his brother (Gyeomam), who lived in nearby Gyeomamjeongsa House. Ryu later lost his house in Hahoe in the great flood of the Nakdonggang River in 1605, and retired to Ogyeongjeongsa House where he wrote Jingbirok (The Book of Correction, National Treasure 132), a memoir of the Imjin War (Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592). The house’s guestrooms include Sesimjae (meaning ‘having a mind to this place to achieve at least one in ten thousand things,’ inspired by the I Ching or The Book of Changes), which was used by Ryu as a schoolhouse and has two small rooms between the maru gamheonrok (wooden floor, meaning ‘looking up at the sky and down at the blue water,’ inspired by Wang Xizhi’s poetic diction); Wonlakjae (meaning ‘waiting for a friend’s visit,’ inspired by the Analects of Confucius), in which Ryu himself resided and wrote Jingbirok; and the maru aeoheon (meaning ‘I also love my hut,’ taken from a poem by Chinese poet Tao Yuanming), which measures two kan (a unit of measurement referring to the distance between two columns).


Gyeonggi-do(Gimpo-si)

The Gimpo Hyanggyo Confucian School is where the tablets of the Five Sages (Confucius, Mencius, Xunzi, Weng zi, Zisi), the Wisemen of the Song Dynasty, and the 18 wisemen of Korea are kept. The confucian temple had moved to Geolpo-dong in Gimpo before being relocated to its current site.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Gangwon-do has it all—mountains, rivers, valleys, and the sea—and is a haven for travelers and those who enjoy leisure sports and activities. ‘Jangamsan Mountain Paragliding Field,’ located in Gangwon-do Pyeongchang, is known as the best paragliding spot in Korea, thanks to the area’s pristine natural environment. The direction of the wind and the altitude of the field enable people to enjoy paragliding all year round. Paragliders of all skill levels can find an appropriate flying program that will allow them to soar up in the sky and enjoy the beautiful scenery of downtown Pyeongchang and the Pyeongchang River. Only a 3-4 hour training session is enough for a simple flight. For more cautious flyers, there is even tandem paragliding (10-minute dual flight with a trainer). At the landing site along Pyeongchang River, people can also enjoy camping and swimming.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Bangadari Mineral Spring is a crisp and healthy water source located in the woods off the Yeongdong Highway. The mineral spring contains over 30 kinds of healthy minerals including carbonic acid and iron, which are known to be especially effective in treating stomach disorders, anemia, and neuralgia. The 1-kilomter long path leading from the entrance to the mineral spring site is great for taking a stroll as it is surrounded by fir trees.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

It is a place where you can enjoy Korean BBQ. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The representative menu is grilled spareribs.


Gyeonggi-do(Namyangju-si)

The origin of the city name, Joan, comes from the meaning "a place where birds dwell peacefully." Namyangju Joan was designated a "slow city" in 2010 and was the first "slow city" in the Seoul metropolitan area. The city has a well-paved bike road along the Namhangang Riverbank connecting Paldang to Yangpyeong through Daeseongri. The city also has the Slow City Trail, starting from Ungilsan Station and passing through Majin Fortress and Sujeongsa Temple before arriving at Songchon Independence Park.Each of the twelve villages in Namyangju is known for a different local treasure, ranging from lotus fields to cultural heritages. Joan-myeon in particular has received compliments for its local communities, eco-friendly and organic farming, natural environment, traditional culture, and well-managed fisheries.


Gyeonggi-do(Pyeongtaek-si)

"Pyeongtaek Turtle Play" is a folk game handed down through generations in about 20 villages in Pyeongtaek. Having visited their ancestor’s grave, young men disguised as a turtle with sorghum leaves call from door to door to cast away demons and pray for good health, long life and fruitful harvest. This play embodies the culture of fun-loving Koreans who like sharing foods with their neighbors and cooperate with each other in promoting the unity of their village. In particular, the play has become Pyeongtaek’s representative folk game by receiving grand prize at the Gyeonggi-do National Art Festival in 2013 and silver prize at the Korean Folk Art Festival in 2014. "Pyeongtaek Turtle Play" is significant in that it contributes to the inheritance of Korean traditional heritage and gives people the opportunity to have fun together regardless of their gender and age.