The Uijae Museum of Korean Art was established in memory of the famous Korean artist Heo Baekryeon. Construction of the museum ended in December, 1999, but the museum wasn’t officially opened until November 17th, 2001. Built to mimic the curve of a gently sloping road, the museum’s unique design earned architect Jo Seongryong the 10th Korean Architecture Award the same year as the museum’s opening. Measuring 6,000㎡ (B1-2F) in size, the museum is comprised of two exhibition rooms, a storage facility, a seminar room, and a tea ceremony room for visitors.Since its opening, the Uijae Museum of Korean Art has hosted notable exhibitions and seminars such as the 2002 Biennale Project 2 International Symposium. Currently, the classic works of Heo Baekryeon and a photographic exhibition of the famed artist are on display.

Seoul is enveloped by mountains, consisting of Bugaksan, Namsan, Naksan, and Inwangsan to name a few major peaks surrounding the city. Bugaksan, the mountain located to the north of Seoul, is the highest among these and is a southern offshoot of Bukhansan Mountain. It is also referred to as Baegaksan. Seoul Fortress Wall runs along the mountain ridge and Changuimun (also called Jahamun), one of the four small gates surrounding the castle town during the Joseon Dynasty, is on the west side of the mountain near Inwangsan Mountain. Running between Changuimun and Arirang Hill in Jeongreung, Bugak Skyway is a scenic road overlooking downtown Seoul; it also passes through a variety of attractions such as Changuimun and Bugak Pavilion. Another attraction is Samcheong Park at the southern foot of Bugaksan Mountain. Inwangsan Mountain (to the west of Bugaksan) and Naksan (to the east) were considered ideal locations, according to the philosophy of Feng Shui. Known for its rugged granite, Inwangsan Mountain was the site of many tigers attacks during the founding of the Joseon Dynasty. According to legend, the king entreated the mountain deity to send the tigers across the Yalu River. Even though the tigers were banished from Inwangsan, one female tiger bearing babies was allowed to remain on the mountain. The babies, subsequently multiplied and made Inwangsan a feared place, full of tigers. Inwang Skyway connects the east of Inwangsan to Bugaksan. The eastern side of Inwangsan was turned into a posh residential area while Guksadang (literally "National Shrine") was moved from Namsan to an area west of the mountain in the 1920s. Even today, shamans perform exorcisms at the shrine, as well as rituals honoring the mountain deities.

The Banpo Seoraeseom Island is an artificial island built in the mid-1980s. Located in Banpo-jigu District by the Hangang riverside, the island is connected to Hangang Banpo Park by three bridges. The island features weeping willows along the edges, as well as a migratory bird habitat, flower garden, water ski site, and more.

Nestled in Mt. Eungbongsan in Incheon Metropolitan City, Jayu Park was first called Manguk Park and then Seo Park as the Japanese power became stronger. During the colonial rule of Japan, there was another park called Dong Park (East Park), which was created and used as a shrine by the Japanese.  Jayu Park, or park of Freedom, has held its name ever since October 3, 1957 when a statue of General McArthur, who led the Incheon Amphibious Landing Operation during the Korean War, was erected at the summit of Mt. Eungbongsan. The park offers spectacular views of downtown Incheon and its surrounding mountains, the port, and the sea. Telephone  +82-32-760-7597 Closed  N/A (Open all year round) Parking Facilities  Available (Public Parking Lot) Restrooms  Available Facilities for the Handicapped  Parking spaces, restrooms, wheelchair ramp Baby Stroller Rentals  Not available Pets  Permitted

Background Information: The Chungdong Church, having being completed in 1898, is Korea’s first Protestant church. The church was 115 pyeongs when it was first built, but as they added some extra buildings to each wing in 1926, it now stands at 175 pyeongs.The Church has been declared the 256th greatest achievement, displaying a North American style Gothic architecture. Inside the church grounds stands a bust of the founder, Minister Appenzeller, and a 50th year commemoration memorial. In 1889, the church appeared in a monthly publication magazine called ‘Church’ as having Korea’s first summer Bible studies and also one of the leading churches who does missionary work. Chungdong Church is located in the center of the beautiful Chungdong Street, and is especially beautiful in autumn, when the leaves fall from the trees that line the street. Chungdong Theater, Deoksugung Palace, and Seoul Museum of Art are also in the vicinity, making it a great place for tourism.

The May 18th National Cemetery, located in front of Mt. Mudeungsan, is the symbol of freedom and democracy and is the grave of victims during the contention for democracy in May 1980. Victims were carried and buried by handcarts and garbage trucks in 1980. In 1997 the cemetery was exhumed and reburied at this memorial. May 18th became a national holiday of commemorating our desire for democracy.To enter The May 18th National Cemetery, pass the Democracy Gate, built in a traditional Korean style. Passing the widely spread Plaza of Democracy, you will reach the Commemoration Passage. Keep walking and you will reach a round figure (4m high) of an enclosing hand. This is the Memorial Tower, which symbolizes the resurrection of new life. Under the tower there is a worship platform with burning incense to show respect. Through the Memorial Tower you will find carvings on both sides. On the right there is an enshrinement where pictures and monetary tablets are placed, and across from it stands the Door of History showing the images in those days. You can understand Korean history by viewing these works.After viewing this part of Korean history, it will be pleasant to take a walk and enjoy the surroundings of The May 18th National Cemetery. 

Located in the Seogwipo area of Jeju Island, Soesokkak Estuary (쇠소깍) was originally called ‘Soedun’, which means a lying down ox, and it was only later that it became more widely known as ‘Soesokkak’. This is the mouth of the Hyodoncheon stream. As the fresh water meets the ocean, it broadens into wide slow flowing river. ‘Soe; means an ox, ‘so’ means a ‘pool of water’ and ‘Kkak means ‘the end’. Soesokkak Estuary is lined with cliffs of curious lava formations, which are overhung with pine trees. Here the water takes on the deep blue of the ocean, and the scenery is very picturesque. Soesokkak is also well-known for its small, flat wooden boats called “Teu” that have been used for hundreds of years to ferry people across the estuary. The boat is pulled across the estuary by a long rope that is strung between the two banks. Taking a leisurely ride on a Teu across the clear water of the estuary is a great way to enjoy the area’s magnificent scenery.Soesokkak Estuary is located in Hahyo-dong on the Southern side of Hallasan Mountain. The area is also well-known for its tangerines, and visitors are drawn to the area by the fresh scent of the fruit. Popular destinations close to the Soesokkak Estuary include the famous Jusang Jeolli Cliffs and Jungmun Resort, as well as Cheonjeyeon Falls – all of which can be taken in on the same day.

Riverview 8th Avenue is the only cultural area in Korea located beneath a bridge. Not just a performance venue, the building also houses a gallery depicting the 100-year history of the Hangang River and a Hangang Renaissance Project Promotion Room, which provides a glimpse of developers’ plans to further revive the river into a prime leisure spot for citizens and tourists.Thanks to its location under the Gwangjingyo Bridge in Hangang Park (Gwangnaru area), Riverview 8th Avenue affords a scenic view of the river as seen from its glass observatory. Live performances are held on Friday or weekend nights; applications can be made online and a few winners are chosen at random to watch each performance.

Incheon Metropolitan City Museum opened in April 1946 and been serving as a cultural space for Incheon citizens ever since. With a 60 year history, the museum has been hosted many exhibitions, musical performances and other cultural and social events for the public.The museum underwent a major transformation and had a reopening on July 10, 2006 adding more spacious exhibition halls and facilities like a library and cafeteria.Close to Incheon Palmido Island, the museum allows visitors to learn the history of Incheon, which played a significant role in protecting the Korean peninsula from many invasions in the past, as well as enjoy the breathtaking ocean view.Incheon Metropolitan City Museum is dedicated to research and regional preservation programs founded within the region’s site, and offers many ancient artifact exhibitions hard to find elsewhere.

Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site reproduces the lifestyle of the Neolithic Era (7000 B.C. ~ 1000 B.C.) Even the entrance gate shaped like a huge dolmen and the trashcans are ancient diagonal-line patterned earthenware. Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site was excavated in 1925 when a flood washed away the soil on the banks of the Hangang River and exposed a large number of diagonal-line patterned earthenware. After several excavations, the Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site was established.The site was a massive colony of primitives, thus many ancient buildings, stone axes and stone arrows have been uncovered as well as countless diagonal-line patterned earthenware. The housing site is round with a spot in the center for fire. The site is colossal and possesses nine mud huts, two exhibition halls displaying ancient artifacts and an open mud hut where you can experience life in the Neolithic Era. The site offers many attractions such as mud huts and promenades. Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site is also very educational for children and families who want to learn and experience the Neolithic Age.