South Korea Hotel

Places & Activities

Chungcheongnam-do

Located in the central part of Korea, Chungcheongnam-do is mostly composed of plains. The railways and highways cross each other here and thus it has naturally become a vital site for transportation. Mt. Gyeryongsan and Geumgang River are the scenic prides of Chungcheongnam-do. The Independence Hall of Korea and Hyeonchungsa Shrine emphasizes loyalty and filial piety, the spirit of the province. The hot springs in this area are also worthy to visit.

Popular Cities

Asan is the city of hot springs and history. Three hot springs provide the main tourist attractions: Asan Hot Springs, Dogo Hot Springs, Onyang Hot Springs. In addition, Oeam-ri Folk Village and Hyeonchungsa Temple also provide points of historical significance. It is also easily accessible by public transportation.

Recommended Destinations

Hyeonchungsa Shrine, located Asan-si, is the shrine of General Lee Sun-Shin (1545-1598).  It was built in 1706, and named Hyeonchungsa Shrine the following year. In 1932 during the Japanese occupation, a treasure preservation committee was formed to protect the shrine.

Oeam-ri folk: village is occupied by the families of its founder Ye-an Lee who settled here about 500 years ago. There are about 86 giwa houses and straw houses with narrow stone fence alleyways between them.  When you walk along the stone fences you can feel the deep tradition of the historic village.  You can see all kinds of trees in the front yard of the houses, such as persimmon trees, apricot trees, chestnut trees, and gingko trees.  At the front entrance to the village you can see the totem pole guardian, and daily artifacts of the Joseon Period (1392-1910) such as treadmills, millstones, water mills, and thatched roof houses.

Onyang Hot Springs: is the oldest hot spring in Korea, founded about 1,300 years old and has been operating as a hot spring for about 600 years. During the Joseon Period, it is recorded that King Sejong (reign 1418~1450) and many other kings came here to rest or treat their illnesses.

Gongju was formerly the capital of the Baekje Kingdom and is therefore rich in historic relics. Mt. Gyeryongsan and Geumgang River provide beautiful surroundings to scattered historical monuments such as Muryeongwangneung Tomb and Gongsanseong Fortress. Also famous are Gapsa Temple and Donghaksa Temple, as well as the hot springs of Magok.

Recommended Destinations

Gongsanseong Fortress: is a mountain castle which was established during the Baekje Period (234-678) located in Gongju-si.  The castle is about 2.5km long, and there are two ways of touring the castle. One way is to start from the parking lot, pass the west gate, Geumseoru, and walk along the cement road. The other way is to turn left at the beginning of the cement road and walk along the top of the castle, which is called Sanseong Road.

Magoksa Temple: was founded by Monk Jajangyulsa in 640, a representative temple of the Chungcheongnam-do Province. Magoksa is surrounded by a mountain and rivers curving a yin-yang shape. Perhaps because of such a shape, this temple was never damaged by any major wars during the Joseon Period (1392-1910). As much as the temple's fame, the beauty of the surrounding mountains is renowned especially the area surrounded by Mt. Taehwasan, where Taegeukcheon River flows in the shape of the yin-yang. It is most beautiful during the spring time, when the cherry blossoms, sansuyu, and magnolias fill the whole area

The Songsan-ri Burial Mounds:  have graves of kings from the period when Baekje's capital was Gongju, and it is believed to contain 10 such graves.  Only seven graves have been discovered so far. The biggest attraction of Songsan-ri Burial Mounds is the wall painting drawn on the number 6 tomb – it is the only art of its kind in the world, drawn from the way the bricks were laid to create the wall. 

Taean-gun On the bordered of three seas, Taean makes for a lovely waterfront attraction. The heavily indented coastline stretching along its borders harbors also the National Waterfront Museum and Cheonsuman Bay. Manlipo Beach is one of 300 beaches and small islands surrounding this county.

Recommended Destinations

Anmyeondo Nature Recreation Forest: is located at the center of Anmyeondo Island, the sixth largest island in Korea.  It was originally a waterway, built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1911) to help with transporting ships, but eventually became an artificial island.  In 1960, the island became connected to mainland through the Yeonyuk Bridge.

Anmyeondo Nature Recreation Forest's: unique quality is that it is very near the ocean.  It has a rare kind of wild pine tree called "Anmyeonsong" growing only on the island.  The island also has a Mogamju tree called Gunnakji, designated a Natural Monument, and one of the eight best sceneries of Anmyeondo, Halmi and Halabi (grandmother and grandfather) rocks.  

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