Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone (대관령 관광특구)

2022-11-08

Hoengseong-gun, Pyeongchang-gun, Donghae-si, Samcheok-si & Gangneung-si in Gangwon-do
+82-33-330-2799

The Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone is made up of five cities and counties in Gangwon-do, including Pyeongchang-gun, which hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics. Blessed with picturesque highland scenery, the Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone includes Gangneung, Donghae, Samcheok, Hoengseong and Pyeongchang.

Gangneung is located the nearest to Daegwallyeong. Famous attractions in Gangneung include Gyeongpoho Lake and Gyeongpodae Pavilion. Two of Gangneung’s historic villas, Ojukheon House and Seongyojang House, have been beautifully maintained for centuries.

Donghae’s two ports, Donghaehang Port and Mukhohang Port, are always buzzing with the energy of coastal life. Donghaehang Port is a base for the distribution of materials, industrial development, and trade. Cruise ferries take passengers to Russia and Japan. Meanwhile, ferries going to Ulleungdo Island depart from Mukhohang Port, which is located near Mukho Lighthouse and the Bukpyeong Fifth-day Market.

Samcheok is a coastal city in the southernmost part of Gangwon-do. With National Road No. 7 at the center, Samcheok is bordered by Donghae to the north and Uljin to the south. Hwanseongul Cave, the biggest limestone cave in Korea, and Daegeumgul Cave are some of the city’s major attractions.

Hoengseong is famous for its local hanu (Korean beef) and the diverse agricultural experience programs the county offers. The lush forests and the road with a scenic view of Taegisan Mountain attract many tourists.

Located 700 meters above sea level, Pyeongchang is home to many ski resorts, making it a major destination for winter sports.

[Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone]
Areas included
- Areas around Hoengseong, Pyeongchang, Gangneung, Donghae, and Samcheok in Gangwon-do

Total area: 428.3 ㎢
- Gangneung 90.4 ㎢, Donghae 48.4 ㎢, Samcheok 11.3 ㎢, Hoengseong 63.5 ㎢, Pyeongchang 214.7 ㎢

Tourist attractions
- Yongpyong Resort, Alpensia Resort, Phoenix Pyeongchang, Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, Donghaehang Port, Mukhohang Port, Seongyojang House, Cheongokdonggul Cave, etc.

Danyang Special Tourist Zone (단양 관광특구)

2020-03-27

3-11, Gosudonggul-gil, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-420-3035

Danyang is known for its Danyang Palgyeong (eight wonders of Danyang). The scenery around Chungjuho Lake, including Dodamsambong Peak, Gudambong Peak and Oksunbong Peak, can all be enjoyed from a ferry cruise. The meandering stream and the majestic view of Sainam Rock and Sangseonam Rock create a soothing, tranquil ambience.

Situated at the center of the Korean Peninsula is Sobaeksan National Park, from which one can admire the beauty of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range. The mountain’s many trails that lead to Birobong Peak and to other peaks are popular among hikers.

Darian, Cheondong and Ondal are great choices for family trips. These places are known for outdoor camping sites and drama filming locations.

The Danyang Special Tourist Zone holds special events that promote the county’s nature and history. The Sobaeksan Royal Azalea Festival is held in May, while the Ondal Culture Festival takes place in October.

Plenty of accommodation options and facilities are available in the area of Dojeon-ri, Byeolgok-ri, Sangjin-ri and Gosu-ri of Danyang-eup.

[Danyang Special Tourist Zone]
Areas included: Areas around Danyang and Maepo-eup in Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Area size: 4,448,737㎡
Tourist attractions: Sobaeksan National Park, Dodamsambong Peak, Sainam Rock, Gosu Cave, Buddhist Museum of the Cheontae Order, Daeseongsan Natural Recreation Forest, etc.

Gurye Special Tourist Zone (구례 관광특구)

2020-03-18

539, Hwaeomsa-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-2450

The vast region of the Gurye Special Tourist Zone comprises Toji-myeon, Gwangui-myeon and Sandong-myeon, which has a river and an open field surrounding the mountainous area. Every part of Gurye deserves the title of Special Tourist Zone for offering many things to see. Well-known for its rich soil, the most outstanding natural resources of Gurye is Jirisan National Park, the first to be designated as a national park, and Seomjingang River.

Every year, many hikers visit Jirisan National Park, also called the “bosom of a mother.” The park is cherished for its unpolluted scenery, such as its deep and wide geographical features and crystal clear valleys. The park offers diverse hiking trails and has mountain retreats for backpackers.

Jirisan Dulegil Trail that runs along the periphery of Jirisan Mountain is where one could enjoy the experience of mountain glens, different from mountaineering. On their way hikers and trekkers can see groups of Sansuyu (cornus fruit) in spring as well as the autumnal tints of the mountain and valley in autumn.

Another strength is that the park has different types of accommodations including Hanok (Korean traditional house) homestay and a guest house, apart from leisure facilities including hot springs in Jirisan. The park is a great place for historical inquiries as it is filled with historic temples, including Hwaeomsa Temple and Yeongoksa Temple, and historic relics. Flowing from Gokseong to Hadong, Seomjingang River creates a tranquil ambience. The cleanest ever in Korea, a large number of marsh snails and sweetfish live in this river. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic view from the riverside road and various festivals which are held all year round, such as the Sansuyu Festival, the Seomjingang Riverside Cherry Flower Festival and the Piagol Autumn Foliage Festival.

* Current State of Gurye Special Tourist Zone
1) Districts Covered / Areas around Toji, Masan, Gwangui and Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
2) Area / 78,024,000㎡

* Tourist Attractions
Jirisan Mountain, Seomjingang River, Jirisan Spa Land, Piagol Valley, Sansuyu Theme Park, Hwaeomsa, Cheoneunsa and Yeongoksa Temple, Hanok Village, etc.

Gyeongju-si Special Tourist Zone (경주시 관광특구)

2025-03-25

614 Gyeonggam-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6084

Gyeongju was the capital city of the ancient kingdom of Silla. The city is often referred to as a “museum without walls” because of the many cultural relics scattered throughout the city. Almost everything in this city, from the streets to the mountains, is rich in history. Gyeongju has roughly 300 sites that have been designated as a cultural heritage, with some of them being UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Sites.

The Gyeongju Special Tourist Zone includes the districts of Namsan, Wolseong, Daereungwon, Hwangryongsa, and Sanseong. This area has a total of 52 cultural assets registered on the World Heritage list. Many of the hills are actually royal tombs and fields of grass used to be sites of ancient temples.

The entire Namsan Mountain can almost be considered a cultural asset because of the many stone pagodas and Buddha statues that can be found here. The Bulguk district is home to many of Gyeongju’s most well-known attractions such as Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju Folk Village, Silla Arts and Science Museum, and Goereung.

In the Bomun district, there are plenty of recreation facilities surrounding Bomunho Lake. Other attractions in the area include Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park, Gyeongju World, and Silla Millennium Park.

[Gyeongju Special Tourist Zone]
Areas included: Downtown area, Bomun Lake Resort, and Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Area size: 32,650,000㎡
Tourist Attractions: Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Namsan Mountain, Bomunho Lake, Shilla Millennium Park, Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park, etc.

Korean Traditional House Association (한국전통가옥협회)

2016-12-01

16-5, Goyangsicheong-ro, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-907-2007

Korea Traditional House Association studies traditional houses which embrace the spirit of the ancestors and develop traditional cultural asset by creating miniatures of the houses. Through in-site survey and history of ancestors, the area is reproduced intact down to the structure, materials and architectural method used, creating a lively miniature village.

Chisanseowon Confucian Academy (치산서원)

2020-02-05

7, Chisullyeong-gil, Dudong-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan
+82-52-204-0324

Relics of Park Jesang is also referred to as Chisanseowon Confucian Academy.

Park Jesang, a descendent of Park Hyeokgeose, was severly tortured and then burned to death after rescuing two hostages taken by Japan, who were the brothers of King Nulji.

The nearby temple and Mangbuseok have a folk tale regarding the story. His wife and two daughters died waiting for him and then his wife is said to have turned into Mangbuseok (faithful wife stone) in the eastern Chisullyeong Mountain in Manhwa-ri, Dudong-myeon. According to the legend, her spirit became a bird, and flew away to hide behind Euneulam (Bird Hidden Rock).

After Park Jesang's couragous act, King Nulji gave him a loyal officers position as well as the role of godmother to his wife for her model behavior of wifely duty. Chisanseowon Confucian Academy keeps their ancestral tablets to honor royalty.

Petroglyphs of Cheonjeon-ri [UNESCO World Heritage] (울주 천전리 명문과 암각화 [유네스코 세계유산])

2025-07-18

Cheonjeon-ri, Dudong-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan

The petroglyphs (figures, pictures, and letters were made on the rocks along the mid-stream area of Naegokcheon Stream, which is a tributary of Taehwagang River. The upper and lower sides of the rocks contain petroglyphs that differ in the content and techniques used. The upper side contains petroglyphs made by means of chiseling. The inscriptions include geometric patterns, animals, and abstract human figures. There are concentric circles, with a round figure looking like the sun at the center, four running deer next to them, and several semi-human animals. The figures with simplistic expression and symbolism appear to have been made during the Bronze Age.

The lower side contains line-drawn picture mixed with Chinese characters. They include a procession of horse riders, animals including dragons, and boats. In particular, the procession of horse riders appears in three different places. The boats provide researchers with important information on the offshore activities carried out by people of the Silla dynasty. The 800-plus written characters are about the King and Queen’s visit to the place. They were presumed to have been inscribed on two occasions during the reign of King Beopheung (r. 514-540) of the Silla dynasty. The content on the official positions and the government system makes it a precious material for those studying Silla during or around the 6th Century. The petroglyphs were made by many people over an extended period of time, providing vivid information on the life and thoughts of people from prehistoric times to the Silla dynasty.

The petroglyphs in Cheonjeon-ri and petroglyphs on the Bangudae Terrace, spanning three kilometers altogether along the Bangucheon Stream, have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 12, 2025.

(Source: Korea Heritage Service)

Dongducheon Special Tourist Zone (동두천 관광특구)

2024-02-29

131-13 Sangbongam-dong & 427 Bosan-dong, Dongducheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-860-2093

The Dongducheon Special Tourist Zone is known for its diverse attractions, including the scenic Soyosan Mountain and the historical Camp Bosan area, which has transformed into a bustling shopping district. This area offers a unique blend of various ethnicities and cultures. In spring, azaleas paint Soyosan Mountain in shades of pink, while autumn brings a palette of stunning fall colors. Visitors can also explore the striking rock formations, enjoy the serene valleys, visit the Jajaeam Hermitage, and indulge in forest baths. Near Camp Casey military base in Bosan-dong, there are more than 230 establishments, including foreign cuisine restaurants, art studios, and custom-made clothing stores, reflecting the long-standing influence of the US military in the area.

Yeongdodaegyo Bridge (영도대교)

2023-04-22

46, Taejong-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
+82-1670-8114

Yeongdodaegyo Bridge, connecting Nampo-dong and Yeongdo Island, was the first bridge to connect the mainland to one of the nearby islands in Busan. The bridge lifted to allow ships to pass between the south and north ports, and made a passage for ships anywhere from two to seven times in one day. When the bridge was first constructed, many people would gather to watch the strange spectacle of a bridge rising up to point to the sky. The bridge remains a famous landmark of Busan even to this day.

Twelve Tablet Pavilion of Hyeonpung Gwak Clan (현풍곽씨십이정려각)

2020-04-14

3, Jidong-gil, Dalseong-gun, Daegu
+82-53-668-3162

Designated as Daegu’s Cultural Property No. 29 on May 12, 1995, Twelve Tablet Pavilion of Hyeonpung Gwak Clan (Jongnyeo-gak of the Hyeonpung Lineage of the Kwak Clan) was built in the mid-Joseon period during King Yeongjo's rule. The pavilion houses 12 Jeongnyeo-gak tablets awarded to the members of the Gwak Clan from the time of King Seonjo in 1598 to the time of King Yeongjo.

It is an important and unique hertiage because the Gwak Clan attained their 12 Jeongnyeo-gak tablats all in one village, which is quite uncommon. During the Joseon dynasty, Jeongnyeo-gak tablets were awarded to honor loyal retainers, devoted sons, and exemplary husbands and wives.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information