Hongneung / Yureung (a.k.a, Hongyureung) [UNESCO World Heritage]
 
Gyeonggi-do(Namyangju-si)
Hongyureung (홍유릉) refers to the two royal tombs, Hongneung and Yureung, which are both located in the same area. Hongneung is the mausoleum of the 26th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, Emperor Gojong (1852-1919, reign 1863-1907), and his wife Empress Myeongseong (1851-1895).Hongneung(홍릉) was first the tomb of Empress Myeongseong, and it was located in Cheongnyangni, Seoul. When Emperor Gojong died, he was buried together with the previously deceased empress and the tomb was moved to its current place.Emperor Gojong was the second son of the regent Heungseon Daewongun and ascended to the throne at the young age of twelve. In 1897, he declared Korea to be the “Daehan Empire” and established himself as the emperor. However, under unrelenting pressure from Japan, he signed the Eulsa Treaty, and as a result, the Daehan Empire was deprived of its diplomatic rights. In 1919, Emperor Gojong died in Deoksugung Palace at the age of 67.Empress Myeongseong became the empress in 1866. However, at that time, Korea was actually governed not by Emperor Gojong, but by his father, who was controlling things from behind the scenes. In 1873, when Emperor Gojong began to administer state affairs, Empress Myeongseong exercised considerable power and deeply participated in political affairs. Her diplomatic policy was in obvious favor of Russia. This angered Japan, and she was killed by Japanese assassins.Yureung (유릉) is both the last royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty and the tomb of the first Korean emperor. It is the tomb of Emperor Sunjong (1874-1926, reign 1907-1910), the 27th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, his first wife Empress Sunmyeonghyo, and his second wife, Empress Sunjeonghyo. Emperor Sunjong was the second son of Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong. He was the last ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and he struggled to defend the dynasty during that era of turbulence.Empress Sunmyeonghyo died when she was still the crown princess. She was originally buried at the foot of Mt. Yongmasan. After Emperor Sunjong died, the tomb was moved to its current location, and the emperor was buried alongside Empress Sunmyeonghyo. Empress Sunjeonghyo became the second wife of Emperor Sunjong at the age of twelve. It is known that she concealed the Imperial Seal when Japan put pressure on the Joseon Dynasty to sign the Korea (Joseon) -Japan Consolidation Treaty in 1910. However, the treaty was concluded, and the Daehan Empire came to an end after being deprived of its sovereignty. Empress Sunjeonghyo is said to have maintained her dignity right up until the moment she died. She was the last empress of the Daehan Empire.Hongneung and Yureung look different from other royal tombs. When the name of the country changed from the Joseon Dynasty to the Daehan Empire, the rulers of Korea were called emperors. Therefore, the tombs of the two emperors were modeled after the tomb of the Ming Dynasty’s ruler, King Taizu (Zhu Yuanzhang). Surrounding Hongneung and Yureung are statues carved in the shape of animals such as giraffes, elephants, and lions, which can’t be seen at the other royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. The stonework of Hongneung tomb was made in a traditional way, while the stonework of Yureung tomb shows a more realistic and advanced technique. 

DMZ Train
 
Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si)
평화열차 DMZ train은 역사의 아픔을 딛고 자연의 위대한 생명력으로 다시 태어난 DMZ(비무장지대)로 떠나는 유일한 열차이며 평화실, 화합실, 사랑실 등 총 3량으로 카페, 전망석, 포토존, 사진갤러리 등의 서비스를 제공한다. 임진강 철교를 지날 땐 DMZ train에서만 느낄 수 있는 풍경을 선사한다.

Gageodo Island
 
Jeollanam-do(Sinan-gun) ,
Located about 140㎞ southwest of Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, Gageodo Island is one of the remotest islands in southwest Korea. Centered on Doksilsan Mountain (639m, the highest peak in Sinan-gun), the island is surrounded by cliffs making the area perfect as a mystery island. Once featured in a Korean variety show, this place is also beloved by fishing-goers and hikers as it is known for its clean air and waters.

Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong (Queen Min)
 
Gyeonggi-do(Yeoju-si)
This is the house where Empress Myeongseong (Joseon Period) was born, and lived until she was eight years old. She would grow up to be the wife of the dynasty’s 26th ruler, King Gojong. The birthplace and the adjoining Memorial Hall are open to the public.Empress Myeongseong was a brilliant diplomat who pursued openness and reform to maintain the sovereignty of the nation. Unfortunately, her tumultuous life came to an end in the early morning hours of October 8, 1895 when she was murdered by the Japanese army.During Japanese colonial rule, the empress was wrongfully accused of being a jealous and overly ambitious person. Studies of various archives have since revealed what a great person she really was. Recently, numerous television productions and musicals have also corrected those misunderstandings. Renovated in 1995, her birthplace includes three buildings with servants’ quarters, master’s quarters, and a separate house. A commemorative monument now stands at the site of the room where the empress studied as a child. The Memorial Hall in front of the house contains various archives and artifacts related to Empress Myeongseong’s life. There is also a 161-seat theatre.

Soraepogu Tourist  Information Center
 
Incheon(Namdong-gu)
Experience Incheon Effortlessly and Conveniently—Utilize the Incheon Tourist Information Centers! One of the best ways to ensure a smooth, comfortable trip to Incheon is to make use of the city’s Tourist Information Centers. Incheon operates ten such centers throughout the city, providing travelers with all the essential information and services they need. These centers offer multilingual guides and brochures in Japanese, Korean, English, and Chinese, breaking down language barriers so you can easily access the information you’re looking for. The Tourist Information Center at Incheon International Airport is open year-round from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., making it especially convenient. Other locations operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed during major Korean holidays such as Lunar New Year and Chuseok). At each center, friendly staff provide in-depth explanations of popular attractions tailored to international visitors. Stop by any Tourist Information Center when you visit Incheon to get the latest updates on must-see spots and a variety of services that will help make your trip even more enjoyable. You can get personalized information on cultural experiences, historical landmarks, shopping destinations, and dining recommendations—whatever suits your interests. This wealth of resources makes planning your itinerary easier and your time in Incheon more memorable. On your next trip, make sure to drop by an Incheon Tourist Information Center. Accessing valuable information and services there is key to a convenient and fun-filled experience. Dive into Incheon’s charm and create unforgettable memories—your journey starts right here! Leverage the resources and expertise of the Incheon Tourist Information Centers to enjoy a stress-free adventure. Begin your exploration and discover everything Incheon has to offer!

Hallym University of Graduate Studies
 
Seoul(Gangnam-gu) ,
Founded in 2004, Hallym University of Graduate Studies offers 11 graduate majors across four academic departments (International Studies, Convention & Event Management, Audiology, and U.S. Law). The Convention & Event Management and Audiology departments are the first to be introduced in Korea, while the U.S. Law program qualifies students to take the U.S. bar exam, which is required to practice law in that system. Anyone with a degree from a four-year university is eligible to apply to any of the programs.

Daheeyeon Garden
 
Jeju-do(Jeju-si)
Dahiyeon Garden (formerly known as Gyeongdeokwon) is a major tea farm on Jeju Island, which has the best conditions for growing great tea. The Evergreen Luce outdoor garden was built inside the cave formed naturally. It has ponds, bridges, indigenous trees and flowers. The Eve hall can be only reached after passing through a tunnel-like cave. The two cafes, located on top of Dahiyeong (Green Luce Garden) and the entrance (Eve Hall), serve naturally fermented green tea bread, cookies, green tea latte and green tea juice.

Beomeosa Temple Stay
 
Busan(Geumjeong-gu) ,
Beomeosa Temple, located in Geumjeongsan Mountain in Busan, is one of the three major temples in Korea, together with Haeinsa and Tongdosa. Up until today, the passion of practitioners of this temple continues, a passion that did not waver even during the war. The temple stay program has two types: the experience program and the relaxation program. Centering on chamseon (Zen meditation), the experience program includes yebul, 108 prostrations, and dado (tea ceremony). With the relaxation program, you may choose to take chamseon (Zen meditation) or have conversation with a monk over a cup of tea. The temple is close to downtown and you can use a city tour bus with departure/final stop in Busan Station to take a tour around the city.  

Hanbyeokdang Pavilion
 
Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si) ,
Located in Jeollabuk-do province, Hanbyeokdang Pavilion has been designated Tangible Cultural Property No. 15. In 1404, a civil official from the Joseon Dynasty built this structure as a country house. Hanbyeokdang was built at the foot of Seungamsan Mountain with beautiful views of the Jeonjucheon River below. A large highway has since been built nearby taking away from the natural beauty. In the past, many writers often sought out Hanbyeokdang Pavilion to find inspiration in their writing. The pavilion is well known for the beauty of the mountain mist flowing down the mountain, thus making it one of the 8 must sees in Jeonju. 

Sacheon Beach
 
Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si) ,
Nestled between Gyeongpodae Beach and Yeongok Beach, Sacheon Beach is a clean and quiet beach covering an area of 19,000㎡ and a length of 300m. The beach opened on July 1, 1975; because Gyeongpo Provincial Park is just nearby, many vacationers choose to come here during the holidays. Thick pine trees cover the area, and its clean white sand and shallow waters make this area an ideal place for rest and relaxation.