The Return of the Heavenly Sword A leading cultural performance held by the Korea Tourism Organization at Gimhae International Airport Great fun while waiting for the plane’s departure! Event period: Every Friday in July and August Time of performance: 1:30 pm / 3:30 pm Venue: 2nd floor of the domestic flight terminal I believemany of you are going on a vacation these days with the coming of the vacation season. Many Koreans nowadays travel to a different country or to Jeju Island for their summer vacation. This is why airports are crowded.       I went to Gimhae International Airport last week. While there, I enjoyedCulture is Here!, a cultural event held by the Korea Tourism Organization ^^         Culture is Herewas held at Gimhae International Airport as a culture port event, aiming to provide enjoyment to airport users and local residents. It included an experiential event and a good performance. Most people arrive at the airport earlier than the departure time and wait. This cultural event is held to provide fun and enjoyment so that people who are waiting don’t get bored. It was a great experience for me.       The Return of the Heavenly Sword performance that was held at Gimhae International Airport is based on the motif, Cloud-Splitting Sword, which was used to guard the king during the Joseon Era. The Cloud-Splitting Sword was reborn as the Heavenly Sword, used to ensure safety at the airport. This leading performance of the Korea Tourism Organization is a martial arts performance.          The Return of the Heavenly Sword performance begins with a court dance.     Military officers from across the nation fight in front of the king. The best military officer is presented with the Heavenly Sword, which is used to promote safety in the skies and to protect passengers.      The brilliant martial arts performance by the military officers was interesting to watch. Above all, I believe this was a good performance because its uniquely Korean aspects enhanced understanding of Korea among Koreans as well as foreign visitors at Gimhae International Airport.         The long-anticipated martial arts fight began!             The military officers fought, aiming to be chosen as the best. The performance looked real as if it were an action movie!     The Heavenly Sword is presented to the best military officer who won the fight!    Another reason why this performance was good is that it reflected Gimhae International Airport’s determination to ensure safe flights by promoting safety in the skies and protecting passengers.         airport were more than happy to take pictures with the performance team of the Return of the Heavenly Sword, which is the Korea Airports Corporation’s leading performance. They looked like they were very much enjoying their experience of capturing memories even before their journeybegan ^^       An experiential event was held nearby that invited visitors to try on Joseon Dynasty clothing and accessories. Visitors wore traditional Korean clothing and took pictures with the performance team. The cultural program certainly included diverse elements.      Some visitors were so excited about taking pictures with the performance team that they left their baggage unattended!!     Culture is Here, a cultural event held by the Korea Airports Corporation, takes place at 12 airports across thenation, including Gimhae International Airport. The event provides enjoyment and special memories to airport users! We can now enjoy cultural experiences at airports and be free of boredom while waiting for departure~     After the Return of the Heavenly Sword, a leading performance of the Korea Airports Corporation, the performance team went to the first floor and welcomed people who arrived at the airport.     People enjoyed the event as they arrived :-)  They must have felt like they were given a warm reception.     A foreign visitor who just arrived took pictures of the performance team, and also with the team.     This unique cultural event provides airport users with a fun, enjoyable experience. It is extremely good in that it prevents airport users from becoming bored while waiting for departure and increases their understanding of Korean culture. I believe many people will go to airports as their first stop to their vacation’s destination. I recommend that they check the schedule for the Return of the Heavenly Sword, a leading performance of the Korea Airports Corporation, so that they enjoy a wonderful performance that will remain in their memories and begin their journey in a delightful mood.     Source : http://blog.naver.com/alwayspurelu/220771574012   Korea Airports Corporation​ www.airport.co.kr

Lotte Department Store Jamsil Branch opened the same year that the 1988 Seoul Olympics were held. Today, the Lotte Department Store chain is known as one of the largest department store chains in Korea. At the Jamsil Branch, many nearby tourist attractions await visitors, such as Lotte Hotel, Lotte World Theme Park, an ice skating rink, a duty free shop, an outlet, the Lotte Folk Museum, and Jamsil Station Shopping Mall. The area acts as an all-encompassing tourist zone. You can shop at Lotte Department Store, stay overnight at Lotte Hotel, and enjoy a cultural experience at the Lotte Folk Museum for a fulfilling day. Lotte Department Store in Jamsil has transformed itself into a center of lifestyle, shopping, and leisure in this previously quiet suburban area of Seoul. It has now become a hub of tourism and shopping that can satisfy the various needs of all customers! Lotte Department Store is working in conjunction with Lotte Hotel and Lotte World, the shopping mall, a wedding hall, and Lotte Mart in order to prepare for a new era of luxurious lifestyles.

Notice※ Terminals Daejeon Dongbu Intercity Bus Terminal and Daejeon Express Bus Terminal are under construction and will be completed in Dec. 2011. Currently, buses arrive and depart from the temporary bus stop (see map). Once construction is completed, buses will depart from Daejeon Express Bus Terminal and arrive at Daejeon Dongbu Intercity Bus Terminal.

The Jagalchi Market (자갈치시장) is Korea's largest seafood market. After the Korean War the market solidified itself as a fish market. Most of the people who sell fish are women, so the women who sell here are called 'Jagalchi Ajumma,' 'ajumma' meaning middle-aged or married women. This market represents Busan and is famous throughout the country. If you visit you can eat fresh raw fish right at the market. Even these days you can see women selling mackerel, sea squirts (ascidians) and whale meat on wooden boxes along the road. Every year in October the Jagalchi Cultural Tourism Festival is held, and it is easy to visit because of the convenient transportation provided by the subway. The Jagalchi Market is where you can see the lifestyle of the indigenous Busan natives.    

Seorak Waterpia is one of Korea's largest theme parks offering a wide variety of outdoor leisure activities and hot spring facilities. Nestled in Seorak Hanwha Resort at Mt. Seoraksan, Seorak Waterpia uses only pure mineral waters from Choeksan. The water comes from the layer formed during the Mesozoic Era, and the water volume used per day is about 3,000 tons. With their abundance of cations (sodium, calcium, and magnesium) and anions (chlorine, carbonic acid, and sulphuric acid), the hot springs are good for stress, neuralgia, arthritis, and geriatric diseases. Various facilities at Seorak Waterpia include a hot springs resort that opened in July 1997, an artificial wave zone at the Wave Pool, and the Stream Pool. At the theme zone, the Rafting Zone and Body Slider will provide you with endless fun and thrills. In addition, there are outdoor leisure spa facilities such as Lovers Bath, Rock Bath, Cave Bath, and sauna facilities such as Prickle Bath, Wood Bath, Outdoor Bath, and more. The 18-hole golf course and many attractions of Seorak Plaza Land make it ideal for families to relax and enjoy.

Hwangnyeongsan Mountain is located in the heart of Busan and stretches across Busanjin-gu, Nam-gu, and Suyeong-gu Districts. With an altitude of 427m, the mountain is the second highest mountain in the Geumnyeon Mountain Range. The mountain is mostly made up of andesite and the summit is relatively flat. Some parts of the mountain are also characterized by exposed bedrocks. The northeast part of Hwangnyeongsan Mountain is connected to Geumnyeonsan Mountain. Because of its geologic age, the terrain has been dissected by river valleys, resulting in less sharp surfaces. Several smaller hills and ridges can also be found scattered around the area. Hwangnyeongsan Mountain isn't very high so it only takes about two to three hours to get to the top. At the foot of the mountain, one can find a citizen's recreation area and a youth training center. Choosing which mountain trail to take depends on the transportation options available to you. The bongsudae (beacon fire station) constructed on top of the mountain was an important means of communication for the military in 1422. This bongsudae was used to communicate with the bongsudae on Haeundae's Ganbiosan Mountain (east), Gubongsan Mountain (west), and Beomeosa Temple and Gyemyeongsan Mountain (north). Every year, events such as the sansinje (ritual for the mountain god) and the beacon lighting ceremony are held on Hwangnyeongsan Mountain.

Named after the posthumous title of General Kim Deok-ryeong, Chungjang-ro Street was the site of the 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement. Today, it is Gwangju’s major fashion district, comparable with Myeongdong Street of Seoul. The streets of Chungjang-ro are lined with shopping malls, clothing stores, restaurants, cafes, movie theaters and various other attractions, providing the ultimate experience of modern culture in Gwangju. It is the city's hub of fashion, both trendy and traditional, as well as venue for diverse performances.

Mudeungsan Nationtl Park (무등산국립공원) is a mountain at the edge of Hwasun-gun, Damyang-gun and Gwangju. Mt. Mudeungsan (1,186m) features three rock peaks called Cheonwangbong, Jiwangbong, and Inwangbong, also known as the “Jeongsang Three."Mudeungsan’s gradual slope makes it an easy climb for all. Locals once worshiped Cheonwangbong Peak as it was considered a mountain of God. Among the more majestic of these sites are the Seoseokdae, Gyubong, and Ipseokdae peaks. At the base of the mountain are several famous temples including Yaksaam, Jeungsimsa, and Wonhyosa. Mt. Mudeungsan is also known for its beauty throughout the year. The fall autumn leaves of Gyubongam and Eoksae grass of Baekma ridge is quite spectacular. In the winter, snow and ice on the mountains create exquisite scenery as well.Below the mountain, there is a variety of recreational facilities and tourists sites for visitors. This includes the Gwangju National Museum, a traditional Korean style building with exhibition space and artifacts on display. These items total 2,000 artifacts and include treasures excavated from the sea of Sinan, items from Honam province (made during the Seonsa, Baekje, and Silla periods), and paintings from the Joseon Period.

  Culture is Here at Gimhae International Airport I saw a cocktail performance, an August event held by the Korea Airports Corporation as a seasonal festival! ≪Cool CoolCocktail Festa≫ Culture is Here is a seasonal festival held by the Korea Airports Corporation at 12 airports across the nation. It is held on a different theme every month. Last month, I watched the Return of the Heavenly Sword performance at Gimhae International Airport and shared my experience with you ^^     In August, a cocktail show was held as a cultural event in Gimhae International Airport’s Domestic Flights Waiting Room on the second floor. It was on the theme, Cool Cool Cocktail Festa!   Twelve airports across the nation use their respective region’s indigenous products to feature a cocktail performance at the airport as well as a non-alcoholic cocktail sampling event that embodies the respective airport’s unique taste. 　 [Dates on which the event is held at airports around the nation]     Lively music signaled the beginning of the cocktail performance, a seasonal festival held by the Korea Airports Corporation!! I didn’t have high expectations since the event was held at Gimhae International Airport. The two bartenders gave a wonderful performance that exceeded my expectations.     The bartenders gave a cocktail show, moving to the rhythm of exciting music. It was very fun to watch, so much so that I couldn’t move my eyes away from it. It is not easy to watch a cocktail show unless you go to a bar. It was great to enjoy cultural life while waiting for my plane’s departure at the airport!!     I took a video of that exciting moment.   It is a video of the cocktail performance that was held as the Korea Airports Corporation’s seasonal festival. Take a look at the video!! :-) The performers are great!!     The atmosphere was gaining momentum and the bartenders were heading towards the show’s highlight, moving to the rhythm of Psy’s song!!      Many travelers who were waiting for their flight clapped their hands and cheered the bartenders.  Adults and children alike truly enjoyed the cocktail show.     Once the exciting cocktail show came to an end, the bartenders began making a non-alcoholic cocktail drink using an indigenous product from the region!!      Gimhae is well known for raspberry, and this is why the bartenders prepared a raspberry cocktail drink.         The bartender demonstrated more acrobatic movements as the event progressed. The cocktail show almost seemed like a magic show, making it all the more exciting.         The bartender juggled three cocktail bottles. I felt giddy from the show, which was also amazing and great fun. I was fully entranced by the show.     This was the most amazing part of the cocktail show, which was quite like a magic show. I don’t know how the bartender did it!! During the entire time I watched the show, I was amazed by the high-quality performance that was given at the Culture is Here!event organized by the Korea Airports Corporation at GimhaeInternational Airport!  It wasn’t just an ordinary performance~~ It was truly a high-quality performance that travelers fully enjoyed while waiting for their flight!!       While I was engrossed in the show, the bartender completed the non-alcoholic raspberry cocktail drink!!     Enough cocktail was prepared for all travelers there to enjoy. A great number of people enjoyed the beverage.     Travelers watched the cocktail performance at Gimhae International Airport that was held as the Culture is Here!seasonal festival, and gathered to taste the beverage!! You could see there were many travelers.     The cocktail was a non-alcoholic drink that could be enjoyed by adults as well as children. Travelers of various age groups enjoyed the non-alcoholic cocktail drink!!     I also stood in line for a glass^^   Made of raspberry, an indigenous product of Gimhae, the cocktail drink was sweet and delicious! Its color is also pretty, isn’t it?^^ The cocktail performance was held as theAugust seasonal festival of Culture is Here! The Korea Airports Corporation holds Culture is Here!at airports for travelers to enjoy a cultural experience. The performance is great to watch while you are waiting for your flight.  Refer to the schedule table above for a convenient time. Your sense of excitement will double before you go on your journey :-)     Source : http://blog.naver.com/alwayspurelu/220783872652    Korea Airports Corporation www.airport.co.kr

Myeong-dong Cathedral is the Church for Archdiocese of Seoul and was also the birthplace for the Roman Catholic Church community in Korea. The church houses the remains of several individuals: Bishop Laurent Joseph Marie Imbert (1796-1839), and priests Peter Simon (1803-1839), James (Jacques Honor Chastan, 1803-1839) and Pourthie Jean Antoine Charles (1830-1866) and four martyrs. Myeong-dong Cathedral is located in downtown Seoul and tourists frequently come and visit the place. Near the cathedral are other tourism spots such as Namsangol Hanok Village preserving Korean traditional houses, N Seoul Tower overlooking Seoul and Namdaemun Market, a traditional market with a wide variety of food and goods.