Gwangju(Buk-gu)

Gwangju Riverside Eco Park (185,124m²) is divided into themed districts and features a natural observation center, an eco-experience center, and more. In the flower district, visitors can see more than 170,000 kinds of wild flowers including azaleas, forsythia, smile rosebay, roses, royal azaleas and hydrangeas. Visitors may also enjoy the picturesque view of over 3000 kinds of trees including snowbells, quince, Chinese parasol trees, Japanese maples, and Metasequoia trees. At the wetlands district, you may actually see how birds hatch and grow! Since the Eco Park is only 30 minutes away from downtown Gwangju, it is a popular place for citizens during the warmer months. Some of the popular places in the park are the Buyeop Botanical Garden, Waterfront Observatory Deck, and rock garden.


Gangwon-do(Hoengseong-gun)

The 1,200-meter-high Cheongtaesan Mountain is a mountain where planted and naturally growing trees flourish in harmony, creating dense forests that provide a habitat for woodland creatures. In the summer, the forest is a convenient stopover for vacationers headed for the East Coast and both children and adults can enjoy learning about the local ecology at the Forest Education Facility.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Situated on Sabulsan Mountain, the temple is a beautiful building, rich in history. The name of the mountain on which the temple was built was originally called Gongdeoksan, but was later known as Sabulsan. The name, Sabulsan, (meaning “Four Buddhas”) comes from the legend of the Silla Period in which a large stone shrouded with red silk and etched with four faces of Buddha mysteriously descended upon the mountain. Upon hearing the news of this miraculous event, the king at the time (King Jinpyeong) immediately visited the spot and had the temple built next to the sacred stone. The temple was partially destroyed by fire in the summer of 1922, but was restored in 1927 thanks to the efforts of Monks Uiun, Chwiwol, and Deoksan. In January 1958, the temple once again suffered fire damage, leaving only a few buildings (Geukrakjeon, Myeongbujeon, and Sansingak) untouched. Monks Daehyu, Seolwol, and Jeongam helped to restore the temple and the temple has remained well-preserved ever since.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park (한려해상국립공원) covers Gyeongsangnam-do Province’s Sacheon, Geoje, Tongyeong, Hadong and Namhae, and Jeonnam Province’s Yeosu. The 510,323㎢-wide sea park encompasses Dadohae Islets, Bijindo Island and Haegeumgang. The Donam Complex in Tongyeong is being developed as a world-class marine tourist attraction. On Hansando Island there are many historical sites dedicated or related to the great Admiral Sunsin Yi such as battlefields where the Admiral defeated Japanese naval forces. Other sites include those related to the Imjinwaeran War such as Jeseungdang, Chungryeolsa and the turtle lighthouse. The Sanyang Road is a great driving course along which you can look around the entire Mireukdo Island and appreciate the scenery. From Dalma Park you can enjoy the great view of Dadohae Islets. Major attractions include Hansando Island (main island), Bijindo Island and Maemuldo Islands; the latter two are often said to be the focal point of this scenic sea park.


Jeollabuk-do(Gimje-si)

Seongmoam, a temple of the Jogye Order, is located on Yuangsan Mountain in Mangyeong-myeon, Gimje-si. The temple is the final resting place of the mother of Jinmuk Daesa, a great Buddhist monk from the Jeonbuk region. Jinmuk believed that a person’s love and respect for Buddha is not that much different from the love and respect one has for his or her parents. As an expression of this philosophy, Jinmuk had his mother’s remains enshrined at the temple after she died at Mujasoncheonnyeonhyanghwajiji. A neat little line of stone lamps leads visitors up from the parking lot to the temple grounds, revealing the well-attended grave of Jinmuk Daesa’s mother to the left. The temple is very unique in that it is the only one to house a caretaker’s office (Gosiraejoen Hall) that is responsible for maintaining the grave site. It is said that prayers made to Seongmo (the holy mother) while visiting the temple will come true. Throughout the entire year, throngs of people journey to the temple to pay their respects and earnestly ask the holy mother to grant them their deepest desires.


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.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

If you begin at Seorak-dong in Oeseorak, cross the Biryong Bridge and pass by the Biryong Falls, you will reach Yukdam Falls (육담폭포), which actually consist of six waterfalls and a pond. Despite the fact that only a small amount of water actually flows in these waterfalls today, what is interesting, is how they came into existence: a slow-flowing stream of water eroded the rocks, creating dips and puddles at various levels, which later became a series of cascading waterfalls. The splendid scenery around the waterfalls is always a pleasing sight to the eyes of visitors.  


Jeollanam-do(Jangheung-gun)

Located in the farthest upstream of Jangheung Dam, Beetle Valley preserves the clean natural environment from the past. The village has a large population of beetles and other insects like Asian longhorn beetles as there are many farming houses growing Shiitake mushroom using eco-friendly farming methods. The village has shiitake mushroom center, eco experience center, and beetles farming field where children and teenage students may visit and learn about /familiarized with the nature and its eco system. The village is also open to the general public for hands-on experience of the nature and quality rest. In the stream flowing in front of the village, you may even catch crawfish and marsh snail which inhabit only in the cleanest water (first-rating water). You may buy and take home the beetles raised and farmed in this village.


Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si)

Surrounded by lush wildlife Bonggoksa Temple is located alongside the northeast valley in Bongsusan Mountain in Namdan, Songak-myeon. Both Daeeungjeon and Hyanggakjeon sit facing east, and to the north, is the large Yosache (residence for Buddhist monks). Behind the residence, an area has been leveled down for a restroom and storehouse. And Samseongak (a building where three saints are worshipped) is situated on top of the mound to the south of the temple. Although Samseongak was constructed in recent years, both Daeungjeon and Yosache are identified in the restored record that was found by Buddhist monk, Seobong in 1891. The temple has gained renown for being the place where Saint Mangong attained his Buddhist awakening and recited Odoseong, the zen poetry in July, 1895.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)

Located in beautiful Jangseungpo Harobor of Geoje-si, Gyeongnam, the Lighthouse is close to a lighthouse in sea-smelled shore. You can watch the view of Jangseungpo Harbor from the room and enjoy sea fishing at the front port. Many tourists visit here because it is a good tour place with Oedo Marine Park and Jangseungpo Passenger Ship Terminal for touring Geoje Haegeumgang are located right in front. There are nearby tourist attractions like Sinseon Observatory, Windy Hill and popular Mongdol Beach.