Odusanseong Fortress (오두산성) is built around the strategic summit of the mountain. Its walls stretch across roughly 620 meters and were built during the Baekje Dynasty. The fortress is built on the intersection of the Imjingang River (임진강) and the Hangang River (한강) on the summit of Odusan Mountain (오두산, 119 meters). The mountain’s slope is steep and stones used in the construction of the fortress walls are scattered here and there at the summit. These scattered stones are evidence that the fortress underwent repairs several times during the Samguk (Three Kingdoms) era and the Joseon Dynasty, as these stones were evidently quarried and used to mend the fortress walls. Excavations have discovered a great deal of earthenware, white porcelain, tile, and iron arrowheads. Topographically, the fortress sits on a prime strategic junction and the Unification Observatory has been situated there as well. The fortress stands as an important object of study concerning fortifications and structures from the Baekje Dynasty. It has been recorded on the stele of King Gwanggaeto, samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), in the baekjebongi (Baekje Annals) and on daedongyeojido (Map of Korea) that the fortress was the Gwanmi Fortress of Baekje, attracting many scholars and researchers interested in this period.
Tourist Hotel Masters, located in Gwangju, offers modern facilities, quality customer service, and modern guestrooms with an array of design concepts. For the convenience of guests, the hotel provides a comfortable business center in the lobby and offers traditionally brewed German beer and live music at “Munchen Brauhaus.” There is also a coffee shop from which you can take in the scenic view of Gwangju while slowly sipping your drink.
Located in the northern part of Naejangsan park, Seoraebong Peak is named after a farming tool that in the past was used to plow land. Either side of the peak stretch rocky cliffs that blaze red with autumn foliage. Seoraebong Peak’s picturesque location makes it particularly popular with hikers.A good hiking trail that takes you to Seoraebong and other highlights of Naejangsan Park starts at Iljumun Gate, and passes by Byeongnyeogam Rock, Seoraebong Peak, Bulchulbong Peak, Wonjeogam Rock, and Naejangsa Temple before turning back to Iljumun Gate. The hike takes about 3 hours.
Chungcheongnam-do(Cheonan-si) , Cheonan・Asan Hot Springs
Tedin Water Park & Spa, located in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, is a great place to nourish and rejuvenate your body as it offers high-quality hot spring waters with such healthy minerals as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and carbonates. Moreover, the hot spring water is known to aid blood circulation and prevent geriatric diseases. The resort has a pool, waterfalls and whirlpools with massage jets that provide therapeutic relief while soothing sore muscles. The resort also offers several outdoor sitting pools in different themes including lemon, jasmine and hinoki (wooden pool) allowing people to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
* Structure size: Approx. 33.058㎡ (10,000 pyeong), Outdoor area: 19.834㎡ (6,000 pyeong), Indoor area: 13.223㎡ (4,000 pyeong)
Camellia Hill is a camellia arboretum that was created on a plot of land in Sangchang-ri, Andeok-myeon, Jeju-do that spans 172,000 square meters. The arboretum is home to 6,000 camellia trees of 500 different species including species that are known to produce the world’s largest and earliest blossoms. In addition to camellia trees, the arboretum also boasts palm trees, wildflowers, and other plants as well as a sprawling grass plaza and an ecological pond. Auxiliary facilities include a gallery exhibiting camellia-themed handicrafts and a multipurpose seminar room. Camellia Hill also offers a variety of lodging facilities ranging from thatched cottages and wooden cottages to steel houses and a condominium-type resort.
Built on a 4,990-㎡ site in Acheon-dong Wuminae, Guri-si, Goguryeo Blacksmith Village has a Goguryeo steel mill, Malgal/Georan Tribe steel mill structures, the house of a Geomul Village chief, and a Mongolian village. It cost about 2.2 billion won to construct the set. Designed as an ecological space built mostly with stone and wood, it is the only Goguryeo blacksmith village in Korea and boasts Korea’s largest water mill and brick oven. It resembles an actual blacksmith’s shop, as water falls from a water mill with a seven-meter diameter, and the brick oven is two stories tall.Scenes of the daily life of Goguryeo citizens inTaewangsasingi (Legend) were filmed here, including scenes of the blacksmith village. Once the filming of Taewangsasingi (Legend) is completed, it will be transformed into Korea’s first Goguryeo Folk Village. An exhibition hall displaying ancient ironware culture will be built. The site will be open to the public after December, once filming is completed.
The Great Master Wonhyo first built this temple in 683 where he practiced asceticism. After that, he called the mountain Bogwangsan (보광산) and the temple Bogwangsa (보광사). Later, King Taejo Lee Sung-gye began the Joseon Dynasty after he prayed for a hundred days at this temple. Thanks to this, King Hyeonjong in 660 deemed the temple as a main prayer space and changed the name of the mountain to Geumsan and the temple is named as Boriam.
Nestled at the top of Geumsan Mountain, Boriam Temple is a picturesque temple embracing the beautiful mountain surroundings and the Namhae sea. Inside of the temple, Jwaseondaebawi Rock where the Great Master Wonhyo sat in meditation catches one’s eye, as well as Ssanghongmun (쌍홍문) which is a cave that is one of 38 scenic views in Geumsan Mountain.
Boriam Temple along with Naksansa Hongryeonam Temple in Gangwon-do and Bomunsa Temple in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon are one of three noted praying temples in Korea.
* Cultural Asset
Boriam Three-story Stone Pagoda (Gyeongsangnam-do’s Tangible Cultural Asset No. 74):
The stone pagoda is similar to stone pagodas of the Silla Period but it is considered to be built in the early Goryeo Period.
Running across from Dongmun Market in Jeju City, Sanjicheon Stream is home to a rich array of freshwater fish (e.g. sweetfish, gray mullets, Amur goby, and carps). In summer, it attracts hundreds of thousands of anglers as well as children.
The port, downstream from Sanjicheon Stream, is renowned for picturesque views of fishing boats, egrets, and seagulls. A restored Chinese sailing vessel is exhibited at the end of the stream for visitors. Along the stream are walking paths, a park, and music fountains, in which Sanjicheon Art Festival and a slew of cultural events and performances are held every summer and winter, attracting many visitors.
Located on the southern part of Jirisan Mountain, Ssanggyesa Temple and Hwaeomsa Temple are among the most popular temples in the Jirisan area. Constructed by Sambeob who was a disciple of Euisang in the 23rd year of King Seongdeok’s reign during the Silla Era, it was called Okcheonsa Temple at first. Then, the Buddhist Monk, Jingam changed its name to Ssanggyesa Temple after having seeded around the temple with tea from China. The temple was burnt down during the Japanese Invasion, Imjinwaeran (1592-1598) and later rebuilt.The best time to visit this area is spring, as the 6km path from Hwagye market place to Ssanggyesa Temple is filled with blooming 600-year-old cherry blossom trees. With the myth that lovers who walk together along the cherry blossom tree path, it is also called Hollaegil (wedding path). A 40-50 minute walk along the tree-lined path leads to Ssanggyesa Temple.Across the bridge in front of the ticket office, there are two rocks engraved with the words “ssanggye” and “seokmun” each. It is said that the eminent scholar Choi Chiwon of the Silla Era had engraved the words with a cane. In the middle of the temple, one of the foremost Korean epigraphs “Jingamseonsa-daegongtabbi” is situated in front of the main building Daeunggeun. This was also written by Choi Chiwon. To the east you can find the Ssanggyesa Ma-aebul, a unique image of Buddha engraved in a hollowed out section of rock.In addition, Palyeongru is the cradle of Korean style Beompae (Buddhist music), which was initiated by the Priest Jimgam (774-850) who studied the Buddhist music in China. As Jingam composed the piece Eosan (fish mountain) by watching the fish of Seomjingang River with Paleumryul (eight tones and rhythms), this place is named Palyeongru.During the third year of King Heugdeok’s reign during the Silla Era, Kim Daeryeom visited China and brought seeds for tea trees. By royal order, he planted the seeds around Ssanggyesa Temple and this area became the first place to cultivate tea.