The Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall located in central Seoul showcases a collection of materials, personal belongings, and relics related to the independent movement activist Ahn Jung-geun’s. It also carries out memorial events to honor and remember the patriot. The two-story building that also has two underground floors consists of a memorial room, exhibition room, multimedia room and an auditorium. The memorial hall is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and visitors are allowed entrance up to one hour before closing.

The Traditional Arts & Crafts Studio was created to give both locals and international visitors a chance to experience the traditional arts of Korea firsthand. For international visitors, programs serve as a brief introduction to some of the finer points of Korean art. For many Koreans, the studio’s programs are ways to relive childhood memories or experience traditional culture as a family.

Located east of Naksan Mountain at Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu in Seoul, Myogaksa Temple offers the urbanites a chance to experience Temple Stay. Since 2002, Myogaksa Temple has run its special Temple Stay program titled “Free from All Anxiety”, which sees a growing number of foreign participants every year. Moreover, you may also have a chance to experience Korean traditional culture as well as get to know Korean history better through interesting stories.

The Total Museum is a branch of Jangheung Art Park (formerly “Total Outdoor Museum”) that opened near Bukhansan in April, 1992. It houses facilities such as an art academy, library, art shop, and outdoor performance stage. In addition to exhibitions, the museum holds a variety of art and culture programs like musical concerts, events, lectures, and seminars. In particular, the members-only educational programs and gallery concerts provide a chance to enjoy high-quality cultural events.

Bamseom Island gets its name from its shape (‘bam’ meaning ‘chestnut’ in Korean) and has long been famous for its great view and beautiful surroundings. The Hangang River waters flowing around Bamseom Island were once so clean that the river was used as a source of drinking water for island residents. As part of the Yeouido Development Project, the 443 island residents and their 62 houses were mass migrated to Changcheon-dong, Mapo-gu and the hillside area of Wusan Mountain on Feb 10, 1968. As time passed on the newly uninhabited island, the river deposited sediment around the island and a bunch of wild water plants grew. In the early 1990s, the island became famous as a ‘migratory bird habitat in the middle of a city,’ which is a rare occurrence worldwide. On August 10, 1999 the Seoul Metropolitan Office designated the island an ‘Ecosystem Reserve,’ providing special care and preservation of the island. * Island Ecosystem Birds (41 species): the island is home to mandarin ducks, spotbill birds, reed warblers, white herons, and ringed plover (which also use the island as a breeding grounds). The island is a winter habitat for over 5,000 migratory birds. Fish (29 species): cornet fish, Korean bullhead, carp, mandarin fish, etc. Plants (189 species): common reed, dicentra, prince’s feather, salix matsudana, etc. Insects (15 species): small cabbage white, fabricius, faust, black-horned katydid, scopoli, etc. * Elevation: often submerged when large volumes of water are released from Paldang Dam due to flooding. * Island circumference: mudflats, sand, pebbles, etc.

Gwanguimun Gate is said to be originally constructed in 1396, the 5th year of King Taejo, in the southeast of the capital city (Seoul). It was often referred to as Sugumun Gate (water channel gate) and was actually used as a Sigumun, literally meaning “corpse gate”, as funeral processions passed through this gate when exiting to the east.During the Imjin War (Japanese invasion of Korea, 1592-1598), the fortress gate was destroyer to such a degree that it made finding the original location close to impossible. Nevertheless, rebuilding efforts were started in 1711 (37th year of King Sukjong) and the water channel gate was restored and a gate tower built. Gwanghuimun Gate remained intact even when the fortress walls were demolished to build tram tracks during the Japanese occupation, but it was damaged during the Korean War and left neglected. In 1975, restoration work was carried out to relocate Gwanghuimun Gate to a site 15 meters south of its original location since it stood in the middle of the road.

The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) Nam Seoul annex opened at the old Belgium consulate building on September 2, 2004. The old Belgium consulate building (Historic Site No. 254) was constructed in 1905 and restored in 1983. The building’s classical ionic columns and fireplaces have been kept intact, allowing the museum to serve as a tool for studying classic architecture of the 1900s as well as modern art. The blue-gabled building (measuring 1,569.58㎡) houses classrooms (B1) and exhibition halls and offices (1F-2F). Outside is a sculpture park. The Seoul Museum of Art has two annexes; the Gyeonghuigung annex and the Nam Seoul annex, which is used mainly for planned exhibitions and art education for children.

Bukhansan, officially designated a national park, is the highest mountain in the Seoul area. Beloved not only for its unique urban location, the mountain is also treasured for its natural beauty and cultural assets. Also known as Samgaksan (meaning “Triangle Mountain”), Bukhansan has three major peaks: Baegundae (the main peak), Insubong to the north, and Mangyeongdae to the south.One of the most prized cultural assets on the mountain is Geumseonsa, a Buddhist temple located along the hiking path to Bibong (one of the lesser mountain peaks). The temple was established by Great Monk Jacho (penname ‘Muhak’) who lived from 1327 (late Goryeo period) to 1405 (early Joseon period).One day when Monk Jacho was out searching for a suitable place to establish the capital of the new Joseon dynasty, he came across a plot of land and was immediately struck by a strange and sacred energy. Recognizing that the land was full of the energy of Buddha himself, the monk set about the establishment of Geumseonsa Temple.Even today, Geumseonsa is known as a place of miracles and legends. One of the more famous tales is of Monk Nongsan, who trained and meditated at Geumseonsa and was later said to have been reincarnated as King Sunjo of the Joseon Dynasty.

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.

Amsadunchi Ecological Park (located in Amsa-dong) is a large scenic park with long winding trails passing by reeds and other beautiful plants of the Han River. It is here as well that visitors can watch the flight of Korea’s migratory birds. The Ecological Park is famous for its beautiful scenery and its lush groves of reeds and pussy willows growing alongside the natural riverside road. Wild roses, loosestrifes, and tiger lilies are in bloom from spring to fall and the observation deck gives visitors a beautiful view of Han River and the area’s wide variety of birds such as reed warblers, titmice, and swallows. The river basin and its surrounding stones are a great place to learn about nature and are home to various bugs such as beetles, river mayflies, big scarlet hairstreak butterflies, and other water insects.The Amsadunch Ecological Park is located nearby Godeok River Side Ecological Park and the Bicycle Theme Park, making this particular area one of the most popular tourist attractions along the Han River.