Apsan Observatory
 
Daegu(Nam-gu) ,
Apsan Observatory has been praised for being at true harmony with the city and nature, as well as the past and the future. The observatory, located in Daegu Apsan Park, is famous for its full view of Daegu spread out below. The observatory can be reach by cable car, operating in 15 minute intervals, or by taking a one-hour hike for the more active visitors.

National Palace Museum of Korea
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
The National Palace Museum of Korea opened in 1992 displaying relics from the Joseon Dynasty [1392~1910]. Over 20,000 royal relics from Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine are on display. 1. Royal Symbols and Records The Joseon Dynasty attained Confucian ideals, and therefore, the king and his queen were worshipped as parents of all citizens. To elevate their authority, the Joseon royal households crafted various royal symbols. 2. Ancestral Rites The royal ancestral rite was held at a royal shrine encompassing the ancestral tablets of the late kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty. This was not merely a royal ancestral worshipping ceremony, but also a festival with music and dance, in the hope for the nation's eternal prosperity. 3. Palace Architecture The palace was the living quarters of the king and his family as well as the center of administration where the king ruled the nation. The center of the palace in the Joseon Dynasty, according to traditional Oriental architectural planning, was featured at Jeongjeon. The main hall was the center of state events and political discussions, and the Pyeonjeon, the government office. 4. Joseon SciencesThe Joseon Dynasty strove to establish the legitimacy of its foundation to enrich the nation's economy. To attain these ideals, the dynasty unprecedentedly promoted such areas as the sciences and medicine while developing various weapons for national defence. 5. Royal LifeThe king and queen were symbolic figures of the Joseon Dynasty, but they were also ordinary people who lived private lives within the palace. The palace was divided into various sections of living space such as the king's office, the queen's quarters, and the prince's study room. Each section contained appropriate pieces of furniture, which were made of the finest quality materials according to well-established criteria for the royal family.

Hwangudan Altar
 
Seoul(Jung-gu) ,
Wongudan (Hwangudan) Altar refers to an altar complex for the rite of heaven. The rites were first performed in the Goryeo Dynasty by King Seongjong in the first month of 983 (2nd year of his reign), but was repeatedly adopted and abolished, and eventually stopped at the start of the Joseon Dynasty. Then in 1456 (2nd year of King Sejo), the practice was temporarily standardized and the rites were performed at Wongudan (Hwangudan) Altar again in 1457. However, rites were again abolished in 1464 (10th year of King Sejo). It wasn’t until 1897 (34th year of King Gojong) when the Joseon Dynasty was renamed the Korean Empire and King Gojong ascended to emperor, that the rite was revived. Now, Hwangungu Shrine and three stone drums stand at the location of the former altar complex. The three stone drums symbolize the instruments used for the rites. The shrine was completed in 1899, two years after the altar was started in 1897. Today, the Hwangungu Shrine still stands within the hotel grounds of the Westin Chosun Hotel.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul [MMCA Seoul]
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
In 2013, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea opened a new branch in Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu at the former site of the Defense Security Command. The announcement for the construction of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (MMCA Seoul) came out in 2009, and the architecture for the museum was selected through idea proposals and an architectural design competition in 2010. What makes the Seoul branch different from the others is that it introduced Korea’s traditional architectural concept of ‘madang’, which is a spacious courtyard where people can come in and gather together to socialize. MMCA Seoul's building is also designed to harmonize with the surrounding nature around the city.Equipped with facilities including a reference center, a project gallery theater and a multipurpose hall, MMCA Seoul strives to accommodate every mode of new artistic endeavor and to communicate with the public. The site is where Korea’s historical and political developments were achieved. Most of the old buildings are gone but a few still remains to remind people of its significant role.MMCA Seoul was inaugurated on November 12, 2013

Namwon National Gugak Center
 
Jeollabuk-do(Namwon-si) ,
The Namwon National Gugak Center envelops visitors in the enchanting world of Korean folk music, a genre known for its explicit beauty. Recruiting only the nation’s top performers in each discipline, the center offers a variety of regular folk performances such as musical plays, Pansori (epic stories told through song), folk songs, Gaya harp concerts, Samulnori, and more, representing all types of Korean traditional music.The center is located in Namwon, the birthplace of “Dongpyeonjae Pansori,” and offers a regular “Pansori Performance” through which visitors can hear the authentic melodies of Dongpyeonjae Pansori, handed down from generation to generation.In addition to performances, the center is home to a folk music reference room and a traditional Korean instrument gallery displaying approximately 60 different kinds of instruments along with pictures of famous performers. Among the instruments on display, of particular note are Gangneung Province’s “Sogu” (small drum) and the traditional Jeju folk instrument the “Muak.”Nearby attractions include Gwanghallu, a garden from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and Ojakgyo, the bridge from the epic love story of Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo. Namwon is also famous as the setting of the ancient novel “Chunhyangjeon,” which is celebrated with Chunhyang, a folk festival that takes place each year on May 5th.

Hangang Bamseom Island Eco-scape Preservation Area
 
Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu)
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.

Jeoldusan Martyrs Grounds
 
Seoul(Mapo-gu)
Past names of Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine included Yongdubong (Dragon Head Peak) and Jamdubong (Silkworm Head Peak), but was renamed in 2000.Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine is the site of the Byeonin Persecution of 1866, where many Roman Catholics were brutally murdered.This site was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Byeonin Persecution and to remember the spirit of martyrdom at Jeoldusan.The Martyrs’ Museum and Martyrs’ Memorial were built in 1967, and in 1972 Martyrs’ Park was opened to the public. Pope John Paul Ⅱ visited in the site in 1984 and Mother Teresa visited in 1985.

The 3rd Tunnel
 
Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si)
The 3rd Tunnel was discovered in 1978 by Korean forces. It spans over 1635m in length, 2m in x_width, and 2m in x_height and is located 52km from Seoul. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 soldiers could move through the tunnel per hour. Once the tunnel was found, North Koreans insisted it was intentionally made by the Southern army to invade North Korea, but, their insistence was proven untrue as the explosions used to make the tunnel face southward.The tunnel offers various sightseeing points such as the DMZ Video room, symbolic sculptures, a souvenir shop and more.

Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
 
Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si) ,
According to the historical records of Samguk-sagi, Wolji Pond was built during the 14th year of King Munmu (r. 661-681 AD) of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-935 AD). Small mountains were created inside the palace walls, beautiful flowers were planted, and rare animals were brought in to create an exquisitely exotic garden fit for royalty. The pond was originally built in Wolseung Fortress (built in 101 AD during the Silla period), but the fortress was destroyed and now lies in ruins.In 1974, an excavation project revealed large spherical shapes (measuring 200 meters in diameter and 180 meters in x_height) which indicated that 3 islands had been located in the pond. Thanks to these important findings and existing historical records, Wolji Pond has been restored to nearly its former glory.ImhaejeonjiAs one of the detached palaces of the Silla royal family’s main palace, this structure was used as the crown prince’s palace. Imhaejeon is historically the most important building on the property and records often refer to the whole area as ‘Imhaejin.’An excavation resulted in the discovery of several buildings: Hoerang (corridor area) and five towers in the western part of the area. Some sites have been restored while others have been left in their natural state with only the cornerstones poking out from beneath the ground.

Jangchung-dong Jokbal Street
 
Seoul(Jung-gu) ,
The phenomenon of Jangchungdong Jokbal Street started 50 years ago with the opening of two Korean jokbal (steamed pig trotters) restaurants, followed by the influx of new jokbal restaurants during the late 70's and early 80's.Today, the jokbal restaurants continue to serve one of the most sought after Korean delicacies from the main road and the alleyways of the Jangchungdong 1(il)-ga Street area.