Chenggyecheon StreamUntil it was restored in 2005, Cheonggyecheon Stream existed only as a neglected waterway hidden by an overpass. Today, it has been transformed into a haven of natural beauty amidst the bustle of city life. Narae Bridge, representing a butterfly in flight, and Gwanggyo Bridge, symbolizing the harmony of the past and future, are just two of the more than twenty beautiful bridges that cross the stream. The Rhythmic Wall Stream, lined with fine marble and sculptures, and Palseokdam adorn Cheonggyecheon Stream. Cheonggyecheon Stream passes close to Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, the Sejong Center, Insa-dong Street, Changdeokgung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace, allowing visitors to easily visit major tourist sites after a leisure stroll along the stream. Cheonggye Plaza Cheonggye Plaza roughly covers an area of 2,500 square meters, and is located at the starting point of Cheonggyecheon Stream. The square, created based on the design of traditional Korean bojagi (a colorful wrapping cloth), features the elegant beauty of traditional stonework that is colorful yet refined. The plaza also includes a model of Cheonggyecheon that provides visitors with a bird's-eye view of the formerly restored Cheonggyecheon Stream. At the plaza, there are plaques that provide detailed commentaries on the 22 bridges that span the stream, as well as a number of graceful fountains that add to the ambience of the area. The area commemorates the Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration Project, and also symbolizes gathering, harmony, peace, and unity. After the completion of Cheonggye Plaza, Seoul Metropolitan Government designated the area as a vehicle-free zone on holidays, providing more leisure space for pedestrians. Since then, the waterfront areas of Cheonggyecheon Stream, and the surrounding streets have become popular places for those seeking refreshment and a variety of cultural experiences. A favorite of many is the Candle Fountain, which features the magnificent synchronicity of three different lighting fixtures and a 4m high, two-tiered waterfall. Along the two sides of the waterfall are the Palseokdam wishing wells, made of 8 different stones from each of the nation's 8 provinces. Cheonggye Plaza never goes to sleep; visitors can enjoy the fantastic display of light and water even at night. 

The Seoul Animation Center (management: Seoul Business Agency) was established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in May 1999 with the aim of providing comprehensive support to Korea’s cartoon and animation industry. The center runs an information desk, offers educational programs, holds events to support new talents and productions, and hosts diverse events and exhibitions (animation film festival, etc.).A major facility of the Seoul Animation Center, AniCinema is a multicultural space that can accommodate diverse cultural events. Its primary objective is to facilitate the supply of domestic animation films to theaters and to promote animated works by holding a range of film festivals. The theater has 179 seats and state-of-the-art facilities for screening both digital and analogue animated films. High quality equipment at AniCinema, such as the 5.1 channel digital surround sound system and wide screen, allows for a pleasurable viewing experience.

The signature markings of the Presidential Residence of Cheong Wa Dae are its blue tiles. It is the first thing that catches one's attention upon entering the premises. The blue tiles and the smooth roof blend beautifully with Mt. Bugaksan in the backdrop. The unique buildings of Cheong Wa Dae are comprised of the Main Office, Yeongbingwan (Guest House), Chunchugwan (Spring and Autumn Pavilion), Nokjiwon (Green grass), the Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) Valley, and the Seven Palaces. It is interesting to see that these buildings all have distinctive shapes. They are unique and beautifully designed, built in the Korean traditional style. The blue tiles and the smooth curve shape of the main office roofs are elegantly built. Approximately 150 thousand tiles compose the roof of the Blue House. Each were baked individually which make them strong enough to be used for hundreds of years. If you turn to the right you will see Chunchugwan. The roof of Chunchugwan was made of earthen tiles. This is where the president's press conferences are held. On the left side of the main office, there is the Yeongbingwan. It was designed to hold large conferences and official events for foreign guests. You can walk along Nokjiwon and the Mugunghwa Valley. At Nokjiwon a succession of presidents planted trees on memorial occasions. There is one famous tree which is 310 years old. The Mugunghwa Valley has colorful flowers, a fountain, and a phoenix statue, which makes it perfect for taking pictures. It is best to visit here between July and October when the Mugunghwa flowers bloom. A walk around the paths just outside the Blue House grounds is a pleasure as the surroundings are peaceful and beautiful. The paths follow Gyeongbokgung Palace to the Blue House and to Samcheong-dong Park. The walk from the East Gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace to the Blue House is the most beautiful part. With the road in the middle, there is the Gyeongbokgung Palace stone wall on the left and galleries and old buildings on the right. The stone wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace is scattered with beautiful old trees that will comfort you. Across the street are Hyundai Gallery, Geumho Gallery and other famous galleries and stylish cafes. Of the many nice cafes and restaurants, there is "The Restaurant." Its interior is modern and one side of the building is a glass wall where you can enjoy viewing the scenery and the stonewall alley while dining. After you pass this area, and before you reach the Blue House, turn to the right and you will reach Samcheong-dong Park. There are also many famous restaurants and galleries in the area.

The Doosan Art Center, which opened on October 1st, 2007, is structured around three different spaces: The Yonkang Hall, exclusively designed for musical performances, Space 111, a “space for art incubation,” and the Doosan Gallery, built for installations.The Yonkang Hall a theatre with a 620 person seating capacity, specially designed lighting and a world-class audio-visual system, provides a second-to-none sensory experience.Space 111 can accommodate a broad range of performing arts: From theater and dance to film and music concerts. The Doosan Gallery is open to the public, and art exhibitions and performances here can be enjoyed free of charge.All three theaters include spacious lobbies with handicapped access, designated seating for parents with infants, and meeting areas. Rest rooms are also available nearby, in order to avoid long queues and long walks during intermission.Visit the Doosan Art Hall website (www.doosanartcenter.com) for more details on performance and exhibition schedules as well as reservations. (Korean language only.)

Yuseong Hot Springs is located at the center of Daejeon. The hot spring is known to be effective in countering many kinds of maladies. The water here contains alkaline minerals such as calcium, and potassium, sulphur, carbonic acid, silicic acid and radium.An especially high concentration of radium is found here. Such alkaline hot springs are known to be good for treating neuralgia and geriatric diseases. Nearby are large accommodations with many convenient facilities, which make it easy to visit here while touring.Yuseong Hot Springs has long been associated with cranes. During the final days of Baekje Kingdom, a man who was the only son and heir of a family for seven generations was seriously wounded during a war with Silla. His mother worried greatly over her son’s wounds.One day she saw a crane with a wounded wing dip itself into a hot spring in the midst of snow covered ground and healed. She took her son there and his wound was healed as well so the legend goes. Perhaps because of this legend, the Yuseong Hot Springs is famous for its incredible healing properties.

Hyochang Park covers 122,245 square meters spanning across Hyochang-dong and Cheongpa 2-dong. It is a historic landmark that once contained several royal tombs, and was known at that time as Hyochangwon. The cemeteries that were originally located in Hyochangwon belonged to Crown Prince Munhyo (King Jeongjo’s first son, who died only at the age of five), Royal Noble Consort Uibin of the Seong Clan (King Jeongjo’s royal concubine and Crown Prince Munhyo’s mother), Royal Noble Consort Sugui of the Park Clan (King Sunjo’s royal concubine), and her daughter Princess Yeongon. The royal tombs were moved to Seooreung Tombs in the waning months of the Japanese colonial period. The Japanese empire began the development of Hyochangwon into a park in 1924, and the Japanese governor-general officially assigned the site as a park in 1940.Presently, several of Korea’s greatest leaders are buried in Hyochang Park. The remains mostly belong to independence activists including Yoon Bong-gil, Lee Bong-chang, and Baek Jeong-gi, whose graves are collectively known as “Samuisa-myo” (graves of the three martyrs). A statue of Lee Bong-chang has been built in the graveyard. Among the other patriotic martyrs who are interred in the park are Kim Gu and some of the key figures of provisional government such as Lee Dong-nyeong, Cha I-seok, and Cho Seong-hwan. An ancestral shrine named Uiyeolsa has been built along the main gate and holds the portraits of the deceased independence activists.

Seoul Zoo is an open space of natural education, created to foster children’s interest in and love for animals and nature. The zoo runs educational programs where children can learn about various animals. Through the programs, children are able to interact with and feed dogs, monkeys, rabbits, deer, goats, and more.

The Lotte World Folk Museum is a place where one can learn a great deal more of Korea's rich 5000-year-history. It was designed for both international visitors and Koreans alike to easily learn and enjoy Korean culture and history. One of the museum's more appealing characteristics is that it uses animation and smaller scale models to better illustrate various aspects of Korea's past. This makes learning much more enjoyable for visitors.It has restored several important cultural assets and features daily traditional music and dance performances. There are also many corners where the audiences can participate together. There is a traditional marriage ceremony vestibule where the bride and groom may marry one another according to the traditional marriage decorum. Perhaps if you are lucky you might participate in one yourself.The most important exhibit hall at Lotte World Folk museum is the history exhibition hall. Starting from the entrance you are able to meet the landscape and folk paintings. On the ceiling of the audiovisual room, pictures of the map of Korean Peninsula, crater of Mt. Baekdusan, and the galaxy unfold before your eyes. Through this multi-vision technique you are able to observe Korean traditional performances.Along past the entrance and the multi-vision room you enter the prehistoric ages. The prehistoric ages room presents a tyrannosaurus model roughly half its original size. You may be able to take a peek at the Stone Age life by looking at the relics of that time such as a dinosaur’s egg, fossil and dinosaur animation. It will be hard for those to walk away from the prehistoric age room if you are interested in those things. However, many other exciting places await you. At the model village you will be able to view the life styles and diverse customs of the Joseon dynasty.At Imjinwaeran Hall you will be able to view through advanced visual technology, the magic vision, simulating the fighting scenes of General Yi Sun-Sin that took place during that time. It will feel as if you were right there when the war took place. At the Folk Playground, the weapons and instruments of the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910) are exhibited. There are models of the villages of Korean ancestors as well. You will marvel at the amusing and colorful miniatures.The features of a ritual of exorcism in a shaman’s house are produced through an operation model. Also features of children reading the Chunjamun (thousand character text) at a Joseon Age Sodang (village school), and villagers making wishes at the tutelary deity shrine is also on display.

Korea Postage Stamp Museum displays all exhibits related to stamps and offers a stamp culture venue where people who likes stamps can share information regarding stamps. It is comprised of Postal Service History Gallery, Postal Stamp Information Gallery, Philately Class and Hands-on Postage Stamp Experience Gallery in a total area of 540㎡. Since 2013, they had changed their name from Korea Stamp World (우표문화누리) to the current ‘Korea Postage Stamp Museum’.

Seoul Global Cultural Center is located in the heart of Myeong-dong, Seoul's major shopping district. It is more than just an information center. It is an inviting space for global cultural exchange between residents and visitors.The center not only offers information in English, Chinese, and Japanese, but also facilities such as free internet and coin-operated lockers. Moreover, the center regularly hosts cultural programs.