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. 

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!

Ilsan Beach
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Goseong-gun) ,
Located 1km north of Baneojin, Ilsan Beach is a fine-grained sandy beach that is 600m in length, 40-60m in x_width, and 26,000㎡ in total area. The water is relatively shallow at 1-2 meters in depth and holds an average temperature of around 21.2 degrees Celsius. Every July, there is a beach festival and in just a few months a beachside amusement park will be opening up to the public. Ilsan Beach offers various amenities and is surrounded by accommodation facilities, allowing for a comfortable and pleasant stay. Nearby tourist attractions include Daewangam Park and Hwaam Boat Trail Mark Management Center, which has a lighthouse exhibition center and the highest lighthouse observatory in the area, giving visitors a wide-open view of Ulsanhang Harbor. Hyundai Heavy Industry is also located nearby.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

Bugok Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Changnyeong-gun) ,
The hot springs have been called Bugok (the hanja characters 釜谷 refer to “cauldron” and “valley” respectively) because the land resembles the shape of a cauldron. When the spring was first discovered, people with skin ailments came in crowds because of the water’s healing properties. The sulfur and minerals in the water are effective for respiratory and skin ailments. Today, the hot springs attract 10,000~20,000 visitors a day, adding up to about 4 million people a year. Discovered in 1973, the hot springs have a 6,000-ton daily water supply flowing from underground at a temperature as high as 78℃. Bugok was officially designated a national tourist resort in 1977. Twenty years later, it was promoted to a Special Tourist Zone. Composed of 24 hot springs, the complex has hotels, condominiums, a golf course, and a fountain that shoots up hot water. The resort Bugok Hawaii has a variety of amenities including outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a theater, and saunas, making it a popular destination for newlyweds and families. The Bugok Hot Springs Festival, also called Onjeongje, is held from October to December every year to promote the area. The festival offers various activities such as a boiled egg eating contest (eggs boiled using water from the hot spring), foot baths, Pungmulnori (Korean folk music tradition) and other performances. Nearby attractions include Hwawangsan Mountain and the Upo Wetlands. [Bugok Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone] Areas covered: Geomun, Sachang and Bugok-ri, Bugok-myeon, Changnyeong-gun,Gyeongsangnam-do Area size: 4,819,000㎡

Ottchil Art Museum
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si) ,
Tongyeong has been known for Najeonchilgi (mother-of-pearl crafts) for over four centuries. Naturally, Ottchil Art Museum (“Ottchil” meaning “lacquer”) showcases the best of mother-of-pearl crafts of Tongyeong. Since prehistoric times, Najeonchilgi (along with its precursor, Chaehwachilgi) has formed the essence of traditional crafts. It refers to crafts employing mother-of-pearl. During the Goryeo Period (918-1392), Najeonchilgi blossomed into a national art; it evolved into a folk art during the Joseon Period (1392-1910). The museum displays a mixture of daily use crafts and contemporary lacquer art (including formative art pieces), both employing the finest lacquer extracted from lacquer trees. The displayed items provide visitors with an opportunity to appreciate the elegance of traditional Korean crafts.  

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.