CNN 선정, 꼭 가봐야 할 한국 여행지(4)

31. Silk Fall, Jiri Mountain (지리산 뱀사골 실비단폭포)

This waterfall is camera-shy.

This mossy waterfall is in a now-restricted area of Jiri Mountain, which means a ₩500,000 fine for anyone caught venturing near here.

Think of it as a really long sabbatical for nature. 

Baemsa-Valley, Jiri Mountain, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do (전북 남원시 지리산 뱀사골)

32. Young-san River (영산강)

One of the four major rivers (4대강) in Korea.

Among the many beautiful river views in Korea, those from the Young-san River rank among the top and give those from Han River some serious competition. 

For dedicated cyclists, there is a 132 kilometer-long cycle path following the river from Damyang to Mokpo.

Yongso-ri, Yong-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do (전남 담양군 용면 용소리)

 

33. Poppy Garden, Simhak Mountain, Paju (파주 심학산 꽃밭)

Running around with flowers in your hair seems like the logical thing to do here.

The poppy-dotted scenery at Simhak Mountain looks like it's straight out of a Claude Monet painting. 

One of the few places where you can see poppies in Korea, the local town hosts a Poppy Festival here every year around June. 

Simhak Mountain, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 심학산)

 

34. Royal Azalea Festival, Hwangmae Mountain (황매산 철쭉축제)

The color of royalty.

At 1,108 meters, Hwangmae Mountain is the highest peak in the Sobaek mountain range, and is covered by royal azalea blossoms every spring. 

The festival runs from the beginning of May for two weeks, and organizers recommend coming at dawn to capture the most intense images on camera. 

1 Mountain, Beoppyeong-ri, Chahwang-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 산청군 차황면 법평리 산1번지)

 

35. Sin-Reuk Temple, Yeo Ju (여주 신륵사)

Had enough of breathtaking views? Go shopping at the Yeoju outlets nearby.

This old riverside temple is relatively unknown to the public and features quite a few treasures including stone pagodas, a stone bell and a grove of zelkova trees.

The temple and its surrounding area also hosts a sweet potato festival early every January. 

282 Cheonsong-ri, Yeoju-eup, Yeoju-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 여주군 여주읍 천송리 282)

 

36. Daedun Mountain Suspension Bridge (대둔산 구름다리)

"Whatever you do, don't look down."

Daedun Mountain is famous for its bright autumn colors and its 81-meter-high Geumgang Suspension Bridge.

The red bridge that connects Imgeum Rock and Ipseokdae makes mountain climbing seem easy. 

Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do / Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (전북 완주군, 충남 금산군)

 

37. Haeundae Beach (해운대 해수욕장)

Unfortunately, you'll almost never find the beach as empty as it is in this photo.

Hundreds of thousands frequent to this renowned beach every summer, but summer is not the only season you can see some flesh at Haeundae -- the Polar Bear Festival is held every January, when contestants leap in the cold ocean screaming and laughing.

Around 2,000 people attended this year's festival, marking the largest number of participants to date. 

Woo 1-dong,Joong-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan (부산 해운대구 우1동 , 중동)

More on CNNGo: Pocket guide to Busan: 11 best eats and sights

 

38. Yongam Temple (옥천 용암사) 

This sight brought tears to one prince's eyes.

Originally built in 552, this temple takes its name from a nearby rock that was supposed to have been shaped like a dragon but was destroyed along with most of the temple during the Japanese occupation.

According to legend, the last prince of the Shilla Dynasty wept here after glimpsing a view of his hometown. He was on his way to Geumgang Mountain after the fall of the dynasty.

On brisk fall mornings, the mountains surrounding this temple are slathered with a sea of clouds, and the sight of the sun rising through this dense whiteness of clouds renders the viewer speechless. 

Samcheong-ri, Okcheon-eup, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do (충북 옥천군 옥천읍 삼청리)

 

39. Snow in Taebaek Mountain (태백산 설경)

Mountain country.

Gangwon province is famous for catastrophically heavy snows in the winter.

While driving there may be rough, the snowfall makes for the best skiing in the country. 

The High1 Resort features the highest peak (1,345 meters) and puffiest snow among ski and snowboard resorts in Korea. 

The 18th Taebaek Snow Festival will take place January 27-February 5 this year and will feature sledding, snow rafting, ice slides and snowball fights. For more information, click here. 

Mungok-dong, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 태백시 문곡동)

More on CNNGo: 7 best ski and snowboard resorts in Korea 

40. Yang Dong Traditional Village (양동 한옥마을)

The hottest brunch spot in Yangdong Village.

The nature and culture of this village remains the same as it was during the Chosun Dynasty.

One of the most recent additions to the UNESCO world heritage list, the village has featured famous guests such as Prince Charles and Ban Ki-Moon. 

Yangdong-ri, Gangdong-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경북 경주시 강동면 양동리)