Unravel Korea's Rich Textile Legacy at the Donggwang Textile Cultural Center! Step back in time and delve into South Korea's textile tapestry right in the heart of Incheon's Ganghwa Island. From its heyday in the swinging '60s and '70s, the Donggwang Textile Factory was a cornerstone of the Korean textile boom. Today, after a spectacular makeover, it's a shining example of urban revival and a testament to Korea's industrious spirit.       Take a Walk Down Memory Lane! Established and broadened in 1963 by the visionary Yun Mansik, Donggwang Textile was the talk of the town, leading the Korean textile movement with a workforce of over two hundred passionate professionals. But as the saying goes, every silver lining has a cloud. As the industry shifted gears, this iconic landmark fell silent. Yet, thanks to a whopping 3.2 billion KRW boost from the Ganghwa local government, this phoenix has risen once more. Now, it's a treasure trove of attractions: from vintage textile machinery showcases and high-tech viewing rooms to quaint book nooks and multifunctional event spaces. A Blast from the Past Meets the Present! Entering the Donggwang Textile Cultural Center is like flipping open a vibrant scrapbook of Korea's textile legacy. Situated alongside the likes of Joyang Bangjik Cafe and Ganghwa Sochang Experience Center, this hub is a melting pot of Korea's textile milestones. No wonder it's lighting up Instagram feeds and topping travel bucket lists left and right.       Dive into Yesterday, Today! With no admission fee, it's a no-brainer for anyone looking to soak up some culture. Just a heads-up: they hit the pause button every Monday to keep things spick and span for your next cultural deep dive. If South Korea is on your radar, pencil in a pitstop at Ganghwa Island and the illustrious Donggwang Textile Cultural Center. Immerse yourself in Korea's textured past, engage in unique experiences, and craft tales that you'll reminisce about for years to come. #TextilesOfKorea #HiddenGemsOfGanghwa #KoreaBound Join the narrative of Korea's rich fabric. Catch you on Ganghwado Island!

The Hwaseong Fossilized Dinosaur Egg Site (화성 공룡알 화석지) was discovered on an island in the tidal plain south of Sihwaho Lake (시화호). The island was revealed when seawaters were blocked during a land reclamation project. As a sedimentary layer formed during the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic Era (dated around 83 million to 85 million years ago) was eroded by weathering, around twenty 50-60 cm diameter nests and roughly 130 dinosaur eggs ranging in size from 11 to 14 cm, located at six to seven sites, were discovered. It is anticipated that more fossils will be discovered once a thorough investigation is carried out and more land is reclaimed. Most dinosaur eggs are oval shaped and dark red. Considering the properties of the fossilized shells, the eggs that have been discovered so far are assumed to belong to four-legged herbivorous dinosaurs with a long neck and tail, and two-legged herbivorous dinosaurs, including the Hadrosaur. A wide range of plant fossils were also discovered alongside the fossilized eggs, leading to expectations that the formerly lush environment may yet be restored. The discovery of the Fossilized Dinosaur Egg Site in Hwaseong has greatly expanded the scope of Korean paleontology; previous paleontological discoveries were exclusively limited to fossilized dinosaur footprints. This significant discovery has attracted many internationally renowned scholars who have visited the site in Hwaseong. The site is closed to individuals in order to preserve its integrity. But, you can visit the area by joining the fossil site exploration programme offered by a locally operating environmental group.

Suanbo Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone is a time-honored hot springs resort in Korea. Known as the first naturally yielding hot springs that started to flow 30,000 years ago, its effect is also widely recognized. Gushing out from 100 m underground, its water is weak alkaline in nature, and the temperature is 53℃. What's more, the water contains minerals and far-infrared effect. This is why a large number of people flock to the hot springs for treatment and recuperation. Currently, it is under the jurisdiction of Chungju-si City. At the center of Suanbo Hot Springs is Multang Park, with a shallow hot spring water stream, which is used as a foot bath. For those who are not able to take a bath, a foot bath is a good option. The foot bath is especially popular from autumn to spring. Most visitors to Suanbo Hot Springs stay at a hotel or motel in the area. The restaurants here serve pheasant dishes, the local specialty. Suanbo Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone is adjacent to the national road that spans from downtown Chungju-si City to Mungyeong. Sitting in the heart of the Korean Peninsula, it is easy to access from Seoul and other provincial cities. Apart from the hot springs, there is a lot to see in this area, such as Woraksan Mountain, Chungjuho Lake and Songgye Valley. It is a great opportunity to immerse ones' tired body in the hot spring water after a long hike. * Current State of Suanbo Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone 1) Districts Covered: Areas around Anbo and Oncheon-ri, Suanbo-myeon, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do 2) Area: 9,216,210㎡ * Tourist Attractions Woraksan National Park, Chungjuho Lake, Songgye Valley, Mireuksa Temple Site, etc.

Gaesil Village (개실마을), located in Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, faces Jeopmubong Peak, which is shaped like a fluttering butterfly. Many legends about etiquette and filial piety have come from this village. One legend concerns a family in which the children had been devoted to their parents for over 5 generations. When the mother got sick, a pheasant flew into the kitchen. In winter, carp jumped out of a nearby pond. Based on this legend, this village has also been called, ‘Ingeobaemi Village’ (잉어배미 마을). Unlike other villages, the descendents in Gaesil Village have maintained their traditions, and the village’s traditions of etiquette and filial piety can be experienced during a farm stay in this village.

Situated in the foothills of Juchulsan Mountain, Wibongsanseong Fortress was constructed over a period of 7 years starting in 1675. The fortress was built as a safe place to keep the portrait of King Taejo, which had been kept at Gyeonggijeon in Jeonju until the Donghak Peasant Revolution broke out and put the portrait in jeopardy. Originally, the Wibongsanseong Fortress measured 16 kilometers long, 4 to 5 meters high, and 3 meters wide with three gates and eight emergency gates. Today, only a section of the fortress wall and the west gate remain. Wibongsa Temple is located past Mujigaemun Gate (Rainbow Gate) and Wibong Village and is a major temple in the Honam region that once oversaw 52 branch temples. Said to be built by Monk Seoam in 604 (the 5th year of King Mu of Baekje), the surviving buildings date back to the Joseon Era. Today, only Bogwangmyeongjeon Hall (Treasure No. 608), Yosa (Provincial Cultural Asset No. 698), and Samseonggak remain. The Baeguigwaneumbosal wall painting in particular is the pride of the temple.

Situated at the joining point of two rivers, Seomjin and Boseong, Amnok Resort is renowned as a summer vacation spot with a 100,000m² beach. Since mosquitos are rare here, it is continuously gaining popularity as a family camping site and Banweol Bridge and Cheol Bridge make for beautiful scenery. The popular fishing spot located at the lower reaches of Boseong River attracts many anglers. The riverside is lined with various native local restaurants where you can taste Amnok’s specialities such as king crab soup, roasted sweet fish, and Maeuntang (pepper-pot soup).  

Namsan Mountain, located in the southern part of Gyeongju-si, is a registered UNESCO site referred to as Gouisan for its highest peak, Cheollyongsan and also Surimoe (수리뫼) in pure Korean. Korean Traditional Food Experience Education Institute, Surime, is owned by Park Mi-suk who studied under Hwang Hye-seong, holder of the Intangible Cultural Property No. 38 for Royal Cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty. The institute operates various traditional cooking experience programs open for all to participate. Surime shares the walls of the Choi family home, designated as a cultural asset, spanning over 500 pyeong (1,652.89㎡) with well-preserved traditional hanok buildings built over 100 years ago. The center is comprised of various experiential facilities.

The star observatory is situated near Hantigogae Pass on Chilgapsan Mountain. The observatory has a celestial projection room, video and lecture room, exhibition room, an observatory platform, main observation room, and a subsidiary observation room. The main observation room is equipped with six telescopes, including a 400mm reflecting telescope and one 304mm refracting telescope, the largest in the nation. At the celestial projection room, visitors can view a virtual night sky and stars on a dome screen 10 meters wide regardless of weather conditions. The room offers 5-D cubic movies related to space science on a full HD screen and 4-D chairs with environmental effects of water, wind, and lightning.

Located in Jungpyeong-dong at the family village of the Pyeongsan Shin clan, the Seobyeok House was originally created when Hanchang Shin, a scholar from late Joseon Dynasty, got married and moved out of his parents’ house. The house was expanded by Chigu Shin in 1739 (15th year of the reign of King Yeongjo). The house and is built in a rectangular shape with 6 rooms in the front, 4 rooms on the sides and a courtyard in the middle. This style was a popular housing structure among the upper-class in the late Joseon Dynasty. The house was designated Folk Cultural Asset No. 101 of Gyeongsangbuk-do on November 30th, 1993.

The Gangneung Dano Cultural Center is located in Noam-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. The center promotes the Danoje (Dano rite and festival) of Gangneung. On exhibit at the center are customs related to ancestral rites, danogut (shaman ritual), and nori (folk games) to preserve the folk culture of the Joseon Dynasty. The construction of the center began in 2000 when the Gangneung Danoje Festival was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Since its opening on February 19, 2004, the center has served a key role in helping visitors better understand the tradition of Dano. The center consists of an exhibition hall and a performance hall across from it. The exhibition hall has an exhibition room, a video room, a gallery, and a corner for hands-on activities. Also located here are the offices of the Gangneung Danoje Preservation Council and the Gangneung Danoje Committee, the main organizers of the Gangneung Danoje Festival. There is also a shaman music exercise room, so visitors can easily learn more about the Dano traditions from key personnel.