Boryeong Coal Museum is located on the south side of Seongjusan (676.7m) in the eastern part of Boryeong City, and on the eastern foothills of Okmasan (599m). During the 1970s and 1980s, coal was the driving force behind Korea's industrial development, and coal mining was actively carried out in the Boryeong area. This museum was established to commemorate the history of the Boryeong region, allowing visitors to explore from the origin of coal, the history of the coal industry, to the lives of miners, and includes an opportunity to enter a restored mine tunnel. In the outdoor exhibition area, there is a memorial tower honoring those who sacrificed their lives in the coal mines. Boryeong Coal Museum is accessible via National Road 40, near Daecheon IC and Muchangpo IC of the Seohaean Expressway, and Seobuyeo IC of the Seocheon-Gongju Expressway. Surrounding attractions include Okmasan, Seongjusan Natural Recreation Forest, Boryeong Mugunghwa Arboretum, Gaehwa Art Park, Boryeong Youth Training Center, and Boryeong Seongju Temple Site.
Hwajanggol Valley is a valley located south of Seongjusang Mountain (676.7m) rising east of Boryeong-si. This valley is about 4km long and is called Hwajanggol because one of the eight peonies on Seongjusang Mountain is said to be hidden here. Recently, Seongjusang Natural Recreation Forest was established, with forests and convenience facilities maintained, attracting many visitors. Hwajanggol Valley can be accessed via Hwajanggol-gil from National Road No. 40, and the nearest expressway ICs are Daecheon IC and Muchangpo IC on the Seohaean Expressway and Seobuyeo IC on the Seocheon-Gongju Expressway. Nearby are Seongjusang Mountain, Seongjusang Natural Recreation Forest, Okmasan, Boryeong Mugunghwa Arboretum, Boryeong Coal Museum, Boryeong Youth Training Center, and the Seongju-myeon town office.
Seongjusan Recreational Forest in Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do is especially popular in spring because of its cherry blossoms and beautiful wildflowers. Also, the observatory 100 meters below the mountain peak (680 meters in elevation) offers a great view of Seongju-myeon and Oesan-myeon. Roundtrip hike to the peak takes approximately 2-3 hours.
Nearby tourist attractions include the Seongjusaji Temple site and a coal museum (15 minutes on foot), as well as Daecheon Beach and Muchangpo Beach (20-30 minutes by car).
Seongjusan Natural Recreation Forest is located in the beautiful Charyeong Mountain Range and offers a scenic valley at Hwajanggol in Seongju-ri, Seongju-myeon, surrounded by a dense forest perfect for forest bathing. The lush forest, unusual rock formations, and clear valley create a spectacular landscape. Most of the trees are native broadleaf species, including Mongolian oak, chestnut, chinkapin, sap-indus, acacia, and Korean oak. The name Hwajanggol originates from one of the eight well-shaped auspicious spots resembling peonies around Seongjusan, with one hidden in this valley. The forest has developed roads and recreational facilities, making it a growing tourist attraction. The dense woods and clear water of Gugok Valley evoke a scenery reminiscent of a fairyland, while the autumn foliage allows visitors to fully experience the mysteries of nature.
Boryeong Mugunghwa Arboretum is located just past the Seongju Tunnel, with the entrance appearing on the right. Situated at the foothills of Seongjusan Mountain, known as the lungs of Boryeong, it offers fresh air and a variety of plants, making it an ideal place for a relaxing and healthy time. The beautiful scenery of Seongjusan’s foothills, diverse trees, wildflowers, and over 300 varieties of Mugunghwa create colorful beauty and mystery. The arboretum plays a role in conserving genetic resources of trees, raising the value of plant resources, and managing preservation. It also serves as a place for cultural experience learning and environmental ecology education. Centered on Mugunghwa, the arboretum collects, propagates, preserves, manages, and exhibits tree genetic resources, securing research infrastructure for their utilization, forming a story theme-based arboretum.
Boryeong Seongjusa Temple Site is the site of a temple located in a valley south of Seongjusan Mountain (676.7m) in the eastern part of Boryeong-si. Seongjusa was a very prosperous temple, known as one of the Nine Mountain Seon Schools in the late Unified Silla period. Seongjusa was founded around the 6th century under the name Ohapsa by Baekje King Beopwang, and it was renamed Seongjusa in the late Unified Silla period. At its peak, Seongjusa consisted of over a thousand rooms and housed more than 2,000 monks. Due to this influence, artifacts ranging from the Baekje period to the early Joseon period have been excavated at the site. The historic site of Seongjusa includes National Treasure Nanghye Hwasang Baegwol Bogwang Tapbi, Treasure Five-Story Stone Pagoda, Treasure Central Three-Story Stone Pagoda, Treasure West Three-Story Stone Pagoda, Chungcheongnam-do Tangible Cultural Property Stone Lantern, and Chungcheongnam-do Cultural Property Materials such as Stone Base and Standing Stone Buddha. Excavations have uncovered remains of buildings including the Golden Hall, Three-Thousand Buddha Hall, Cloister, and Middle Gate. In the northwest of the site is an elaborately constructed pavilion housing a stupa monument with an inscription written by Goun Choi Chi-won, a great literary figure of Silla, and calligraphy by his nephew Choi In-yeon. Exhibits are currently on display at the Seongjusa Temple Site Millennial History Hall built right next to it. Boryeong Seongjusa Temple Site is accessible from National Route 40 via Simwon Valley Road and is near Daecheon IC and Muchangpo IC on the Seohaean Expressway and Seobu-yeo IC on the Seocheon-Gongju Expressway. Nearby attractions include Seongjusan Mountain, Boryeong Mugunghwa Arboretum, Boryeong Coal Museum, Boryeong Youth Training Center, Simyeondong Valley (Seongju Valley), and Seongju-myeon township.
