Hwaseong Fortress is an impressive structure from the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and the official fortress of Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do. The fortress (constructed from 1794 to 1796) was built as a show of the King’s filial piety towards his father Jangheonseja and to build a new pioneer city with its own economic power.The fortress wall stretches for a total of 5.52km and has a great variety of military facilities that’s hard to find anywhere else. Four gates face each of the cardinal directions—Janganmun (north), Paldalmun (south), Changnyongmun (east), and Hwaseomun (west)—and the seven-arch style Sumun gates straddle the point where the nearby stream reaches the palace. Above the Sumun gates is a pavilion called Hwahongmun.Hwaseong Fortress was constructed under the guidance of Yu Hyeong-Won (1622-1673) and Jeong Yak-Yong (1762-1836), and is believed to have been constructed very scientifically. The fortress wall was built using Seokjae and Jeondol (bricks) and the holes between the bricks are just big enough to fire guns, arrows, or long spears through in case of an attack.During construction of the fortress Jeong Yak-Yong invented ‘Geojunggi,’ which uses a ‘hwalcha’ (lever) to lift up heavy stones, greatly reducing construction time.The Suwon Hwaseong Fortress went through many turbulent times and damage, and in the battle of June 25th, many of the facilities became so damaged that they were deemed irreparable. Even though the fortress restoration initiative (1975-1979) restored many of the sites to their former glory, Paldalmun to Dongnamgakru (an area 491 meters in length) has still not been renovated.The fortress was designated as Historical Monument No. 3 in January 1963, and in December 1997, it was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.a variety of performances and evens are held everyday and Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival takes place every autumn.>> Click here for more on Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Ho-Am Art Museum is located in Yongin inside the grounds of the huge Everland Amusement Park, making it a popular destination for tourists.The museum displays over 15,000 works of art that come from all periods of Korea’s history and date all the way back to the pre-historic age. Around 100 of Korea’s national treasures are on display here, along with Buddhist art, calligraphy, folk paintings, and an excellent collection of ceramics. The exhibitions is spread over two floors and located in a building constructed in the traditional Hanok style.Ho-Am Art Museum also includes a re-creation of a Korean traditional garden, called the Hee Won Garden, which should not be missed. Stonewalls, pavilions, traditional Hanok buildings, and Buddhist statues are scattered amongst glorious flowers and reflected in the lotus pond. After exploring the museum, visitors can relax with a cup of tea in Hee Won Garden’s teahouse. Visitors holding one-day admission passes to Everland, can visit Ho-Am Art Museum and Hee Won garden for free.

Daegu National Museum was built to preserve and exhibit the unique cultural heritage of Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do province. It is a neat brick building with two basement floors. There are three exhibit halls, a special exhibit hall, experiment study room, audiovisual studio and library. At the Archeology Gallery you can see relics ranging from the Neolithic Era to the Three Kingdoms Period chronologically. At the Art History Gallery you can see and learn about the Buddhist culture of Gyeongsangbuk-do province. Here you can see Buddhist sculptures, Buddha statues and Buddhist crafts. The Goryeo celadon and Buncheong ware are also displayed here. At the Traditional Folk Life Gallery you can learn about the Seonbi culture and the beliefs and rituals of the Yeongnam area, and see traditional Korean houses. You can also enjoy the Outdoor Gallery where a five-storied stone pagoda stands. There are other facilities where visitors can participate in museum activities. You can try traditional dyeing, explore the traditional herbs and learn about agricultural plants. Do not miss going here because this is where you can learn about traditional herbs used for medicine, plants and grains. Resting in the natural surroundings at the wildflower and plant walkway or the Ecology Valley can be very relaxing. 

The Korea House was opened in 1981. It is a traditional Korean building that introduces the culture and lifestyle of Koreans, where you can experience traditional architecture and a classical atmosphere. The building was built in the style of the Joseon Dynasty's Jagyeong-jeon building at the Gyeongbok Palace. It is the only building built in the traditional architectural style. You will feel its antiquity as you enter the building. It is divided into the Haerin-gwan (a space for people to get acquainted with each other), the Traditional Theater, and three annex buildings (Munhyang-ru, Nokeum-jeong and Cheongwu-jeong). At Haerin-gwan, you can enjoy traditional music at Garak-dang and try traditional food at Sohwa-dang. In the square of Garak-dang you can view a traditional wedding (on the weekends) or people playing folk games. Also, at the Traditional Theater, about 156 seats are available, and in the afternoons Human Cultural Assets or members of the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts and the National Corps members present traditional music and dances. Sinayui, Salpuri, Pansori, the Drum Dance and the Bongsan Mask Dance are the most popular programs for foreigners. The programs are all explained in English and Japanese. In the Cultural Gift Shop you can view various crafts made by traditional craftsmen. It is always open and the crafts are for sale as well. There are pottery, ceramics, golden crafts, knots and embroidery etc; approximately 500 pieces of artwork made by craftsmen from 20 different fields. Next to the House of Korea is the Namsan-gol Hanok Village where visitors can explore traditional houses.

Haenyeo refers to female divers who dive into the ocean water to gather various shellfish, seaweed, etc, without using any underwater diving equipment. When diving underwater, a haenyeo carries only a pair of goggles, a round ball-like tube to keep her balance, and a basket to put her collections in. Such women involved in the fishing industry are known to be scattered all around Jeju-do, Korea, Japan, and Russia. Jeju-do has established the Jeju Haenyeo Museum to introduce to the world the unique activities and culture of Jejudo’s haenyeo female divers. Exhibition Hall 1 is entitled “Haenyeo Diver’s Life” and has a restoration of a traditional haenyeo’s home, and her meals. Also on display, to show a more realistic view into their daily lives, are the various utensils used by female divers. Exhibition Hall 2 displays a pair of haenyeo divers’ goggles and the fishing spheres they often use underwater. Her traditional working outfit is also on display along with various historical records and haenyeo-related materials. Exhibition Hall 3 has an underwater theme called “The Sea” and displays the fishing industry’s culture. Traditional fishnets and fishing equipment are on display including small ship models and salt farm models. The Jeju Haenyeo Museum exhibits various photos of haenyeo female divers and their activities, to provide an accurate picture of their lives. The Jeju Haenyeo Museum also has an observatory from where visitors can see an excellent view of the Hado-ri area, which has a garden with various sculptures and a resting area. The first floor lobby has a souvenir shop where visitors can purchase a variety of souvenirs related to haenyeo female divers.  

Doota is a fashion mall full of trendy fashion items. There are 540 stores throughout the 8-story building including designer shops, select shops, luxury brand stores, cafes, and restaurants. Doota provides unique, high quality products at reasonable prices under the motto of ‘Fast & First’ and offers a one-stop shopping experience. Doota is visited a large number of foreign visitors compared to other shopping malls, with 55,000 local visitors and 10,000 foreign visitors a day. Services for foreign tourists include an information desk (1F) that provides information in three foreign languages (English, Japanese, and Chinese), money exchange (1F), Tax Refund office (5F), souvenir shop (5F), and storage lockers (B2). They also give away coupon books, which can be used at shops popular among foreign shoppers, and souvenir gift kits.

Naejangsan is a famous mountain in the Jeolla-do province, and the best mountain in Korea for viewing autumn’s crimson leaves. The park is 76,032 sq. km. in size and became a National Park along with Baekyangsa District on Nov. 17th, 1971. The name Naejang means 'many secrets' in the mountain. Because of the bright crimson leaves that blanket Naejangsan Mountain’s fall scenery, the mountain is also referred to as "Geumgangsan of Honam."Inside the park, there are famous waterfalls, such as Dodeok Falls and Geumseon Falls, and temples such as Baekyangsa and Naejangsa temples. If you follow the valley left of the ticket booth, you can see the waters of Dodeok Falls, cascading down the cliff. If you go further along the valley you can see the waters Geumseon Falls where even the gods have supposedly bathed. Baekyangsa Temple is both majestic and serene, surrounded by Gulgeori trees that retain their lush green leaves even in winter, and also the Bija trees. Along with Baekyangsa Temple, the Naejangsa Temple is the place to visit during the fall for its lovely autumn leaves. Besides these, there are about 760 kinds of local plants, designated Natural Monuments, and various wild animals living inside Mt. Naejangsan Park.The Park is beautiful not only in the fall, but also in the spring when the azaleas and cherry blossoms bloom, in the summer when the green mountain turns greener, and the winter when the rock cliffs cover themselves with snow. All throughout the year, different kinds of wild flowers bloom here.

Located in downtown Seoul, the KEPCO Art Center is a cultural complex providing opportunities to experience a diverse array of arts and culture.The grand theatre plays host to performances ranging from classical to pop. Within the KEPCO Art Center is an art gallery as well as an electricity museum.

Ara Waterway flows downstream of the Hangang River to the West Sea. In the 13th century, King Gojong, the twenty-sixth king of the Korean Joseon dynasty started the waterway construction for the first time, but it was discontinued due to technical obstacles and the difficult state of the country. In 2011, Ara Wateway was finally completed. Along the main waterway are ports and water bridges. and people can enjoy the parkways and Ara-rium.  

Le Space INSPIRE: An Immersive Media Art Experience in Incheon Overview Le Space INSPIRE, located in the Inspire Resort on Yeongjong Island, Incheon, is Korea's largest immersive media art exhibition. Opened on May 1st, 2023, by Hyundai Futurenet, this cutting-edge exhibition spans approximately 6,600 square meters (about 2,000 pyeong) and features 18 unique galleries. Dive into the Magic of Light and Sound! Highlights 1. Immersive Experience Le Space INSPIRE uses high-definition LED signage, holograms, beam projections, and laser lighting to create an awe-inspiring world of light and sound. These advanced technologies guide visitors through a multi-sensory journey, providing an experience unlike any other. 2. Thematic Journey The exhibition’s theme, "Journey Beyond the Cosmos," takes visitors on a spectacular tour through galaxies, planets, and other cosmic phenomena. Each gallery covers different aspects of the universe, from the chaotic energy of the Big Bang to the serene beauty of distant planets. Experience the Pinnacle of Interactive Art! 3. Interactive Exhibits *Imagine Gallery: Features characters that mimic visitors' movements, offering a fun and interactive experience. This gallery provides an engaging and playful interaction with digital characters. *Emotion Gallery: Uses advanced technology to recognize visitors' facial expressions and display corresponding emotional visuals, providing a personalized and engaging interaction. This gallery showcases the connection between human emotions and visual art. *Space Exploration: Simulates a space journey with a curved projection screen, giving visitors the sensation of traveling through the cosmos in a spaceship. This immersive experience is designed to make visitors feel like astronauts exploring the universe. 4. Sensory Enhancements Special effects such as water, steam, and scent enhance the immersive experience. For example, the Volcanic Gallery features a volcanic landscape complete with steam and the scent of burning, creating a mystical atmosphere. These sensory elements add depth to the visual experience, making it feel even more realistic. Discover the Wonders of the Universe with Cutting-Edge Technology! 5. Cutting-Edge Technology The exhibition uses over 20 beam projectors to create a 360-degree visual experience, projecting digital content on all six surfaces of the room. This pioneering use of technology ensures that every corner of the exhibition is visually captivating. The use of high-definition LED screens, holographic images, and laser lights ensures that every visit is unique and engaging. Visitor Information *Location: Inspire Mall (Level 1), Inspire Resort, Yeongjong Island, Incheon *Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM (Last entry at 7:30 PM), open year-round. *Ticket Prices: Adults (14+): KRW 28,000 (General) / KRW 50,000 (VIP Express) Children (Under 14): KRW 20,000 (General) / KRW 50,000 (VIP Express) Seniors (65+): KRW 20,000 Toddlers (Under 36 months): Free *VIP Express: Allows priority access without time reservations and includes seasonal merchandise (subject to availability). Don’t Miss Out! Special Discount Events! Special Offers *The introductory pricing is valid until December. After that, weekend, holiday, and peak season rates will apply: KRW 33,000 for adults and KRW 25,000 for children. *Multiple discounts are not applicable. Getting There Le Space INSPIRE is easily accessible from Incheon Airport, making it a convenient destination for international travelers. The exhibition is located in the Inspire Resort, near Discovery Park, opposite the arcade. Start Your Journey to a New Dimension! Why Visit? Le Space INSPIRE is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Korea, offering a unique blend of art and technology that creates a captivating experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a technology buff, or simply looking for a new adventure, Le Space INSPIRE promises to transport you to another world. Additional Information Le Space INSPIRE provides a holistic experience that combines visual, auditory, and tactile elements. By integrating multi-sensory elements such as the scent of volcanic ash or the feel of mist, the exhibition offers visitors a deeply immersive visual spectacle and educational insights into astronomical phenomena and the latest advancements in space exploration. Le Space INSPIRE breaks the boundaries of art and technology, stimulating imagination and inspiring wonder. It is an ideal destination for families, couples, and solo travelers alike, and should definitely be included in your travel itinerary for an unforgettable journey beyond the cosmos. Plan Your Visit Today! Whether you're a local resident or a tourist, Le Space INSPIRE offers an exceptional cultural experience that combines the latest in media art technology with the timeless fascination of the universe. Make sure to add it to your itinerary for an unforgettable adventure.