Gyeongsangbuk-do()

The Guryongpo Specialty Gwamegi Festival celebrates the local specialties of the Pohang city region. Pohang city is widely-known as the village where Gwamegi, dried mackerel, originated, and the festival promotes this delicious dish as well as other local specialties, such as snow crabs and squid. The Gwamegi Festival presents folk games, traditional Korean music performances, specialty product (squid, Gwamegi) competitions, free sampling exhibitions, and other cultural experience programs.


Gyeonggi-do(Icheon-si) , Icheon

Located in Icheon City, Gyeonggi-do, the Pig Museum is the first of its kind in Asia. Village chief and an expert of pig artificial insemination Lee Jong-yeong founded the museum in November 14, 2011. Some 5,000 pig-related articles from 18 different countries are on exhibit. Visitors can also enjoy pig performances and participate in hands-on experience programs such as making sausage.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Sogeumgang Valley located on the east side of Mt. Odaesan, and because the mountain scenery looks as if a crane ('Cheonghak') was spreading its wings, it was also called Cheonghak Dongsogeum. But after it became part of Mt. Odaesan National Park, it is now referred to by its current name, Sogeumgang Valley. It was designated as Famous Site No. 1 in 1970, and it occupies almost a quarter of the Mt.Odaesan National Park. Sogeumgang is the name used by scholar Yul-Gok of Joseon Period (1392~1910) when he wrote a book called Cheonghaksangi, and that name became its name. They say these mountains resemble Mt. Geumgangsan’s scenery, only miniaturized, hence the name Sogeumgang, meaning “small Geumgang”. Near Sogeumgang is Geumgangsa Temple, and there are the words “Sogeumgang” written by Yeol-Gok himself.Sogeumgang, starting with Mureung Valley as center, is divided lower half and upper half. The lower half is called Oesogeumgang and the upper half is called Naesogeumgang. Oesogeumgang includes the Geumgangmun, Chwiseonam, and Bibong Waterfall areas, and Naesogeum includes Samseonam, Sesim Waterfall, and Cheongsim Waterfall areas. Besides these, there are also Mureung Valley, Yeonjuam, Manmulsang and other well-known places, as well as Sipjaso pond that is shaped like a cross, Baekmabong, Okryudong, Sikdangam, and others. At the top of the mountain is Amisanseong (or Geumgangsanseong fortress), said to have been built by Mauitaeja (Silla 56th King, reign 927~935) a thousand years ago, to relieve himself of the grief of losing his kingdom. To the right of Mt Hwangbyeongsan is Noinbong Peak, and to the left is Maebong Peak. The current down from Noinbong Peak goes on for about 13 km and becomes Sogeumgang, which has many rocks, swamps, and waterfalls as well. Also, Sogeumgang has pine trees, various kinds of plants, bandal bear, woodpeckers, mountain sheep and other animals, making the area very valuable for ecology or biosphere studies. Sogeumgang is also famous for its winter snow flowers.


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Yeongchwisan Mountain in Yeosu has long been thought of as a holy mountain and was once the site of rituals in which the people pleaded for rain. In the spring, the mountainsides transform into a sea of pink as the azaleas come into full bloom. The annual Yeongchwisan Azalea Flower Festival in April celebrates the beauty of the mountain flowers through a variety of outdoor performances and programs such as the Miss Azalea Flower Pageant.


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The installation of a massive Christmas tree will set a start to the Boseong Green Tea Plantation Light Festival, which is located in Boseong-gun at the Boseong Green Tea Plantation, one of Korea’s excellent tourist sites. The evening light ceremony will kick off the festival, where an embroidered spectacle of lights is expected to entrance visitors. Various sites and activities like the giant Christmas tree, a themed street, a galaxy tunnel, illuminations of Botjae and Dahyanggak, a lighted street, a photo zone, resolution stairs, and hanging wish cards will be available. With a jaw-dropping size of 120 meters high and 130 meters wide, the massive Christmas tree at Boseong Tea Plantation made it into the Guinness Book of Records in 2000, and contributes to making Boseong, Korea’s home of tea and sounds, a well-known Korean attraction. During the festival, the landscape will be graced with a romantic and magical ambience of falling snow created by the arrangement of LED lights.    


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Bonghwa-gun)

Cheongnyangsan Mountain Provincial Park was regarded during older times as a place where many famous high priests and scholars resided. At Cheongnyangsan Mountain, the Giam cliff forms 12 peaks and the Nakdonggang River flows through it. On this mountain stands the Cheongnyangsa Temple, which was built by Buddhist monk, Won-hyo (617 ~ 686.3.30) during King Munmu’s (reign 661~681) third year of reign during the Silla Period (BC57~AD935). There are also various temples, Gwanchang Falls, and many other attractions nearby. Behind the Provincial Park’s boulder is a monument with a poem inscribed on it by the famous scholar Toegye I Hwang (1501~1570) of the Joseon Period called Cheongnyangsanga. When Toegye was planning to build Dosanseodang, a school for the teachings of Confucianism, he had a tough time deciding on whether to build it there at Cheongnyangsan Mountain, or the alternate spot, where it was eventually built, on a decision made at the last minute. Aside from Toegye I Hwang, Won-Hyo and Ui-Sang (625 ~ 702), the Buddhist monks, Gim-Saeng (711 ~ 791), a master of calligraphy, Chi-won Choi (857 ~ ?), a scholar, and many others came to this mountain to cultivate their arts. Their presence still lingers in legends, being retold to this day. Osandang is believed to have been built by the disciples of Toegye at the spot where Toegye conferred with literary men, and is one of many relics found here, among them the Cheongnyangsan Mountain Castle, which is believed to have been built by King Gongmin (reign 1351~1374) of Goryeo Period, to escape the rebellions of the peasantry.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Uljin-gun)

Located to the east of Mt. Baegamsan, Baegam Hot Springs is a unique opportunity for those seeking a relaxing alternative to Seoul’s busy lifestyle. The facility’s 48℃ alkaline water contains a great deal of lithium, and has been historically remembered long since the time of Shilla dynasty. Baegam Hot Springs takes up a large portion of Hot Springs town and boasts numerous convenient facilities, including lodging places. Baegam Hot Springs’ soft and transparent water is known for its therapeutic effects against neuralgia, chronic arthritis, and arterial sclerosis. Nearby highlights are Mt. Baegamsan –famous for its pine forest and clear sand- and Gusan Beach, visitors can enjoy hiking and sea-bath at one stop. 


Chungcheongnam-do(Yesan-gun)

Located 23km northwest from Yewan, the Chunguisa Relics Site was constructed in 1968 to pay tribute to Yun Bong Gil, who was martyred during the independence movement.On April 29, every year, an event to commemorate Mr. Yun’s patriotism takes place. His relics were designated as National Treasure No. 568 and now are on display here.


Chungcheongnam-do(Seocheon-gun)

Famous for its unique taste, gizzard shads are a type of Herring delicacy in Korea best enjoyed in the fall. Hongwonhang Port in Seocheon (Chungcheongnam-do) hosts the Jeoneo (gizzard shad) Festival every October for visitors to enjoy a fresh catch of this fish served up in a variety of ways. A number of popular dishes range from roasted to sashimi-sliced Jeoneo and even salads mixed with spicy marinated Jeoneo, cucumbers, sesame leaves, and parsley.The festival opens with exciting performances and a food-tasting event and ends with a spectacular evening fireworks show. Visitors can also taste a variety of other local dishes made with salted eel, dried seaweed, crab, and shrimp. Fresh produce and seafood will also be available for sale in the various shops and stands. Additional exciting events include contests for fish-catching, shell-gathering, fishing, and singing.


Gyeonggi-do(Pyeongtaek-si) , Pyeongtaek