Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

Jeoksangsan Mountain (적상산, elevation 1,034 m) in Muju, Jeollabuk-do, is surrounded by precipitous walls of stratified rocks. The basin on the mountain top there is a lake called ‘Jeoksangho’; and along the ridge enclosing the lake stands Jeoksangsanseong Fortress (적상산성) extending over 8,143 m. During the Goryeo period the region was a place of refuge for civilians at times of war. The fortress wall was built during the Joseon era.


Chungcheongnam-do(Seosan-si)

The exact founding date of Munsusa Temple is unknown because there are no official records that have been discovered. The temple is estimated to date back to the Goryeo Dynasty, because a prayer found at the Gilt-bronze Seated Buddha in the temple’s Geungnaksiljeon Hall (hall of paradise) in 1973 dates back to 1346. Around 600 items were discovered along with the prayer, including unbleached ramie cloth, a short-sleeved gown, rice, and barley. Munsunsa has the tranquil atmosphere of a mountain temple. When spring arrives, cherry blossom flowers and wild flowers bloom across the mountain and the nearby cattle farm call to mind a traditional Korean painting. Munsusa Geungnaksiljeon Hall is a beautiful building constructed according to Jusimpo style (the column brackets placed only on top of the columns) combined with Dapo style (the column brackets placed between columns as well as on top of the columns). It is designated as Chungcheongnam-do Tangible Cultural Property No. 13. Inside the gorgeously and majestically carved hall are many relics including Gilt-bronze Seated Buddha, Samsebulsang statues (statues of Buddhas of Three Times (past, present and future)), Nahansang statues (statues of disciples of Buddha), and various portraits of Buddha. The Gilt-bronze Seated Buddha (x_height: 70cm, length between knees: 50cm) was created in 1346 (the second year of King Chungmok’s reign, the29th king of the Goryeo Dynasty). It is one of the fine examples of late Goryo dynasty style Buddha statue along with Gilt-bronze Seated Bhaisajyaguru Buddha of Janggoksa Temple (Treasure No.337).


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Bonghwa-gun)

Tohyang Gotaek (The Old House of Tohyang) is one of the many historic houses in Bonghwa-eup that are full of the charming features of a hanok house, including a cozy pond, the subtle scent of ink and clay, and a quiet environment. It is run by a calligrapher-potter and his wife, an ex-Korean teacher. Baraemi Village in Bonghwa, where noblemen of the Yeongnam region lived for many generations, contains many old hanok houses. Notably, Tohyang Gotaek is the only house to provide guests with an opportunity to experience traditional Korean culture and creative arts activities. The house was originally inhabited by the owner’s great-grandfather. The owner returned from Seoul to his hometown in 1977 and entered the hanok stay business in the summer of 2012. The most popular hands-on program is the pottery making program which allows visitors to try their hand at making pottery with the potter’s wheel. The pottery space is set apart from the accommodation and consists of the wheel room, glazing room, and kiln room. The pottery program allows participants to make and glaze pottery, after which it is baked by the owner and then packed separately and sent to the participants. The House also provides other experience programs including Reading Experience, Debate, Poetry Composition, Sijo (traditional three-verse Korean poem) and Calligraphy programs. Situated next to the Pottery Workshop is a pine grove that surrounds the rear side of the hanok building like a folding screen. One of the most impressive features of the house is its tall gate (soseuldaemun), which rises higher than the roofs of the anchae (women’s quarters) and sarangchae (men’s quarters) thus, allowing a nobleman’s sedan chair or horse to enter the house easily. Passing through the tall gate, the keun sarangchae and jageun sarangchae are situated at the front, and there is a small passageway linking (them?) to the daemunchae along the wall. Entering the passageway, there is a square-shaped anchae along with a small lotus pond with a fantastic atmosphere. Tohyang Gotaek is packed with the owner’s artworks including ceramic and calligraphic works. Moreover, the owners’ smiling faces and warm-hearted services attract many guests all year round.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongsan-si)

'Baram Haetsal Farm is located right next to a grove of jujube trees in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which is well-known for its jujubes. The guesthouse is a Korean traditional house that runs the Jujube Promotion Center and a jujube processing factory, both of which are open to the guests to experience. The house is composed of three buildings: the main building, a detached building, and a bungalow. The detached building and bungalow are where the guests can stay, each of which can accommodate up to four people. The rooms are furnished with air conditioner, refrigerator, and coffee pot. Since the guesthouse is situated right in the middle of a jujube farm, guests can try the delicious jujubes of Gyeongsan at the Jujube Promotion Center located next to the guesthouse. The center has a room for visitors to try jujubes and a seminar room. It also has processing facilities for the visitors to see how jujubes are processed. In autumn when jujubes are harvested, guests get to experience the farm life such as picking jujubes and making jujube rice cake made of flavored glutinous rice mixed with honey, dates, chestnuts, and jujubes. Reservations are required.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Miryang-si)

Located in Eoleumgol, Milyang, Gyeongsangnam-do, Hyangudang is an old house built in 1900. It consists of a wide grass lawn, a main building, a detached building, and an annex. The main building is composed of main hall (daecheong maru), underfloor heating system, a kitchen, and an attic; the detached building, meanwhile, includes underfloor heating, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Both main building and detached building have two rooms (big room and small room). If you book the big room, you can use the maru (living room) between the rooms as well. It is a rule that if a group stays in the big room, the small room is kept empty. A big group, however, may pay extra to use the small room as well. There is a seminar room with a beam projector and audio equipment, which can be utilized for group events. The owner runs not just Hyangudang Hanok Stay but also several farms. Thus, guests can participate in various activities using natural materials such as apple picking, magnolia tea making, natural dye making, and others. The closed school right next to Hyangudang is usually used as a parking lot but can also serve other purposes such as outdoor parties or simple sport matches. Special events such as apples offered at discounted prices to guests take place depending on the season.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Bonghwa-gun)

Located in Bonghwa-eup, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Bonghwa Namho Gutaek is an old house from the Chosun period designated as Cultural Property Material No. 385. It was built by Nongsan Kim Nam Yeong in 1876 and his son Namho Kim Roe Sik had lived there. Mr. Kim Roe Sik was awarded with a medal for contributing his entire asset to military fund for the Provisional Government of Korea. The spirit of putting others and his country before himself continues until now. Having been built with high-quality materials, the 140-year old Namho Gutaek has barely suffered any deformation. In addition, attentive care added by the descendants has kept the traditional beauty of the hanok intact. One may even feel reverence at the Sosel Daemun (gate). In harmony with the hanok, the garden in the yard and the flower bed sitting next to the wall change color as season changes. It is a great place to feel the scent of old trees and get some rest. In 2016, the shared toilet was renovated in modern style to alleviate any inconvenience for the guests. In the spacious yard, there’s a spot for traditional games such as Tuho, Jegichagi, Neoltuigi, etc. Bonghwa Station (Yeongdong Line) is about a 15- minute walk away; an inner city bus stop in the town, on the other hand, makes a trip to other regions easy.


Seoul(Gwangjin-gu)

Naru Arts Center is a performing arts theater complex dedicated to contributing to the cultural and artistic development of Korea by offering a variety of quality programs. The arts center consists of a main 700-seat theater and a smaller 200-seat theater for staging performances of such varied genres as classical music, gugak (traditional Korean music), jazz, dance, musical show, and more. The center also makes efforts to develop quality educational programs in the field of culture and arts. Moreover, it keeps a low-price policy in order to reach a greater audience and provide more opportunities to enjoy fine performances.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

You can enjoy Daegu maeuntang (fish stew), which is perfect for hangover. This restaurant's signature menu is sicy codfish stew. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.