EPIK

Gyeonggi-do is the province just outside of Seoul. Most of the Korean population is concentrated in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. On the east side, mountain ranges over 1000 meters above sea level look like walls, and on the west side, there is a huge plain and the sea. The Han river flows from east to west. On its north, there is the cease-fire line facing North Korea.

From the fact that the province has remains from the Stone Age, it is known that the area was good for dwelling from the old age. Since the time Baek-je established its capital in the area in the 1st century B.C., the importance of the area has been recognized.

In Gyeonggi-do, there are several royal tombs such as Seo-sam-reung, Seo-o-reung, Dong-gu-reung, and Ung-reung as well as remains of mountain fortresses such as Nam-han-san-seong and Buk-han-san-seong. Su-won-hwa-seong is renowned for its architecture and scientific technology, and was designated as an area of cultural heritage.

The cease-fire line area, on the other hand, shows physical evidence of the separation between North and South Korea and therefore, brings up the ardent aspiration for reunification of the country. With the influence of the expansion of the Seoul area, the cities in this province are growing quickly, and have a dense total population of 9 million.

Gang-won-do is a province in east of Korea, and 82% of the area is mountainous. To travel between west and east of Gangwon-do, people must climb over the hills with high altitudes such as Dae-gwan-ryeong, Mi-si-ryeong, Jin-bu-ryeong, and Han-ge-ryeong. It is good for resorts and resting places with Mt. Seo-rak in the area and the Korean East Sea next to it.

It is the only inland province in Korea. For its natural beauty, the region is called the place of “clear wind and beautiful moon.” Located in the center of the country, it developed a unique culture by combining cultures of Goguryo, Baek-je, Shilla, and Gaya.

Cheongju area has Heung-deok-sa, the temple in which Jik-ji-sim-gyeong was pressed in the world’s first metal press. Dan-yang and Je-cheon area provides beautiful scenery with mountains and a river. It also has Wol-ak-san and Sok-ri-san national park. Jeom-mal cave in Je-cheon and Du-ru-bong cave in Cheonju with traces from the Stone Age show the history of this area.

The southern part is good place to live because of the small mountains nearby and the fertile lands the Geum river. With this natural and cultural environment, the people in this area have the reputation of being “mild and good-hearted.”

This area has been the center of culture since Bae-je established its capital in the region. In 475, King Mun-ju of Baek-je moved its capital to Gong-ju in this region, and from the time until 660, when Baek-je was destroyed, the area has been the center of Baek-je culture for about 200 years. Baek-je also had a tremendous influence on ancient Japan as it passed cultural advancements from China to Japan.

The southern part has Gongju and Bu-yeo the former capitals of Baek-je. It also has Tae-an national marine park and Ge-ryong-san national park.

Jeollabuk-do has the largest plains in Korea. The Ho-nam plains are known for their fertility and are the source of a large amount of rice. It used to be said that the plains could feed the whole population of Korea. Muju, Jin-an, and Jangsu in the east of the province are highland areas that have a primitive natural environment, and are called “the roof of Jeolla-do.”

In the west, Jeolla-do has beautiful sea views and the sea has a large variety of fish. The cape of Byeon-san is beautiful enough to be protected as a national park.

Pan-so-ri, a type of Korean traditional music originated in Jeolla-nam-do. Through festivals like the Jeolla Art Festival or Jeon-ju-dae-sa-seup, they try to discover, preserve, and popularize traditional art and music.

Jeollanam-do is famous for food, generous people, and various types of folk culture. Quality of food is very high due to the proximity of the fertile field nearby. Jeollanam-do is bordered by both the West and South seas, and to the east, there is magnificent Jiri-san.

The sea road leading from the West Sea to the South Sea offers splendid scenery. As the Young-san and Sum-jin rivers flow into the sea, they create fertile land along the way.

In Jeollanam-do, 20,000 dolmens or ancient graves compose another World Heritages site. This shows the area had been inhibited since ancient times. A lot of relics were excavated from the old tombs near the Young-san river. In the Shilla age, Jang-bo-go established a sea kingdom around Cheong-hae-jin by taking over the trade roads between Korea, China, and Japan. In addition, the province has Gang-jin, the center for Goryo celadon porcelain and old temples such as Song-gwang-sa, Hwa-eom-sa, and Dae-dun-sa.

Gyeongsangbuk-do neighbors Gangwon-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Jeolla-buk-do, and the East sea on its east. Gyeonsangnam-do has the sea on its east and south and Jiri-san on its west. In southeast, there is fertile land with the Nakdong river.

Gyeonsangbuk-do has Gyeongju, the capital of Shilla, which is well-known to the world for its highly original and diverse artistic achievements. So-su-seo-won, the first private school in Korea is also in this province, and the scholarship of Yi-hwang, a famous Confucian scholar, is passed down there. An-dong in this province is also famous for its traditional ways of life, and in Pohang, there is the Pohang steel mill, which played an important role in Korean industrialization.

The cultural source of Gyeonsangnam-do is Gaya, a country which was developed into an ancient state along with Goguryo, Baekje, and Shilla and lasted for about 500 years.

Jinju in the southwest part is known as a representative town of Confucian tradition along with An-dong. Jo-sik, a Confucian scholar from the area, developed a philosophy of loyalty, and it became a philosophical basis for civilian military activities in the war with Japan during the Joseon dynasty.

Famous tourist places in this province are Hanryeo national marine park, Jiri-san national park, Gaya-san national park, Hae-in-sa in Hapcheon, and Tongdo-sa.

Jeju-do is the best place for traveling and touring in Korea. As the expression about this volcanic island, “the most beautiful island on the earth” indicates, Jeju-do has outstanding natural beauty and rich historical remains.

Sam-seong-hyeol is the origin of the myth that three gods came out of the earth and created Jeju. Remains from the Stone Age were found all over the island. There was an independent country on this island called “Tamra.” In the Goryo dynasty, the name was changed to Jeju, and the island went under rule of the central government. In the Joseon dynasty, the island was famous for tangerines, horses, and other exotic goods.

Jeju has volcanoes and special soil, and is best for tourism due to the mild climate, tropical plants, and its unique culture. As transportation to the island is very convenient, it became popular as an international tourist destination.