Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Geombongsan Mountain (681.6m) boasts a majestic mountain range that connects to the neighboring Sageumsan, Eungbongsan, and Yukbaeksan Mountains. The mountains pose an exciting challenge for mountain bike enthusiasts. The mountain ridge is covered with varied flower species including royal azaleas, iris, polygala, and violets. The summit of Geombongsan Mountain offers views of the boundless sea to the east, the sharply rising Eungbongsan Mountain (998.5m) to the south, and the slightly higher Sageumsan Mountain (1,092m) to the west. The mountain is only 5-10 minutes away by car from Imwon Beach, which makes a great summer vacation destination. Geombongsan Natural Recreation Forest is located at the foot of Geombongsan Mountain. Accommodations and convenience facilities are available along the valleys and forests for family visitors. Auto camping ground and general campground are located by the pine tree forest.


Jeollanam-do(Jindo-gun)

Founded in 857 by the Buddhist monk Doseonguksa and reconstructed by Ui Woong in 1648, it is located between two valleys, bordering Cheomchalsan Mountain to the North. Walk through the rows of trees leading to a beautiful garden enclosed by a 100 year-old Joseon Chinese Juniper, cherry trees and persimmon trees. Follow the path behind the temple for 10 minutes to find a three-acre plot of land consisting of dense forest. This woodland is a national monument containing over 50 types of trees. Unrimsanbang lies on the South of the temple, a home of the famous artist Heo Yu, of the Joseon Dynasty.


Incheon(Yeonsu-gu)

Famous for its impressive night views of Songdo, Tri-Bowl is a multi-complex culture and arts center built to seem as if it is floating on water. Its unique architecture of three bowl-shaped buildings floating on water symolizes Incheon, a city in harmony with the sky, ocean, and earth.


Jeollanam-do(Haenam-gun)

The Ttankkeut Marine History Museum houses approximately 25,000 specimens with 40,000 pieces on display including shellfish, coral, fish, mammals, crustaceans, fossils, reptiles, and insects from around the world, making it the most diverse collection of items in Namdo. Visitors can take part in ecological activities to learn more about phenomenal and rare marine resources and cultures.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

Bungmyeon Hwangtobang Hot Springs, also known as Mageumsan Hot Springs, are famous for their high quality water. The healing power of the water is so great that it is said that people come limping to the spa on their canes and leave the canes behind when they go home. The facility has a spacious lobby, cozy guest rooms, and parking facilities. The spa is open 24 hours and is perfect for families, couples, and friends to enjoy. Nearby tourist sites include the Junam Reservoir and Baegwolsan Mountain.


Jeollanam-do(Boseong-gun)

The Boseong Tourist Motel is a modern, 6-story building with a bright, welcoming lobby and plenty of guestroom options (Korean-style ‘ondol’ rooms or Western-style rooms with beds). Guestrooms are decorated using classy design concepts and come equipped with basic amenities. Located in the tea-scented district of Boseong-eup, the Boseong Tourist Motel is located close to the Boseong Intercity Bus Terminal and is within easy traveling distance of the rolling hills of the famous Boseong Green Tea Plantation, one of the region’s main attractions. Along with the tea plantation, there are many other tourist attractions located nearby such as Chungjeolsa Temple, Yulpo Beach, Illimsan Royal Azalea Field, and the Yusinri rock-cliff Buddha.


Chungcheongnam-do(Gongju-si)

Taehwa Sikdang (태화식당), located in Unam-ri, Sagok-myeon, Gongju-si, is a Korean traditional food restaurant that specializes in mountain vegetable and deodeok (restorative mountain herb) course meals as well as stew made from naturally grown neungi mushrooms. The Deodeok course meal, which offers a unique savory and chewy taste, is one of the most popular items on the menu along with the mountain vegetable and vegetable bibimbap. In addition to the main menu, as many as 20 different delicious side dishes are provided as well. Since the restaurant is located in Magoksa Temple, the 6th temple of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order, make sure to talk a walk around the temple grounds after your meal.


Daegu(Jung-gu)

Sangju has been in business for 50 years and has continued from one generation to another. This chu-eo-tang (loach soup) restaurant does not use farmed loaches, so it is closed from end of December to the end of February when it is hard to find loaches. The soup is thick, yet it has a cool and refreshing taste. The kimchi also has a distinctive taste and the water kimchi served during all four seasons is excellent. To maintain a family ambiance, the restaurant does not sell liquor.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

This pension is like a small housing museum, consisting of a tile-roofed house, a thatched house, a log house made with red-clay, and a shingle-roofed house. You can enjoy folk games such as Neolttwigi (traditional seesaw), Tuho (arrow tossing), and Seunggyeongdo-nori (board game). The pension also offers Korean culture experience programs such as furnace fire starting and strawberry or yam picking. The pension features a large guest unit, seminar room, and restaurant among other facilities. As for the houses, the thatched house, log house, and shingle-roofed house have one-room studio-style suites. On the other hand, the tile-roofed house has a separate kitchen. The stone barbeque grill, which is fired with wood, is used to cook special entrees for dinner. The entrees are served with rice cooked in an iron pot, home-grown vegetables, and side dishes made from freshly picked wild greens for a healthy meal.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Sacheon-si)

The International Percussion Festival mainly led by professor Choi Jong-shil, the pioneer of Samulnori, is the nation’s first festival devoted to the percussion instrument and its musicians. Gaining a huge popularity at the Korean Festival Exhibition, this 4-day festival will be held to promote the excellence of Samcheonpo Korean farm music with 12 episodes, which was designated as Intangible Asset No. 11 and the Hanryo Maritime culture. Performance Guide: The festival’s hightlight is Samcheonpo Korean farm music containing 12 episodes. The Samcheonpo Korean farm music mainly consists of Street Military Music that was used by military personnel when they played Obangjinchigi. The first episode is a stage to have Obangjinpuri, which means soldiers are guarding the enemy’s territory after taking it. The second episode is a stage for the soldiers to feel safety and to gather around for a feast after capturing their enemy. In the third episode, farm musicians will spin the Sangmo (Korean hat with a ribbon) and present acrobatic performances by laying their bodies sideways. All 12 episodes will create unique and exciting performances. During the festival period, the Percussion Instrument Festival will also be held with the participation of world famous percussionists from the US, Taiwan, Japan, France and Brazil. As an additional event, the Percussion Instrument Exhibition will display 1,000 kinds of musical instruments. What’s more, there will be a World Percussion Musical Academic Convention, a National Percussion Musical Contest, and a Percussion Musical Experience. Festival Highlights: During the festival, visitors can learn all about the traditional percussion music around the world and experience the traditional Korean folk cultures at ‘Goyouje’ and ‘Gilnori,’ which pray for the successful opening of the festival. ‘Goyouje’, a ritual ceremony to pray for success before any important event, will show a glimpse of what traditional Korean religious services are all about, whereas the ‘Gilnori’ will show what real Korean folk plays are all about by showing Pungmulpae and mask dance performances. Sacheon is also a very good tourist place to visit since there are famous destinations like Samcheonpo Bridge, Namildae Elephant Rock, Bongmyeong Mountain, and Dasolsa.