Travel/Culture List

The Chuncheon Mulle-gil is a great place to enjoy water sports like canoeing and yachting on a beautiful lake and river. This eco-tourism destination offers visitors a chance to surround themselves in an enchanting natural atmosphere and an opportunity to journey into nature through a refreshing outdoor activity.

From the last Uidong bus stop, follow the road 2.5km past Jabium and Cheongdam Waterfall to Annyangam and the ‘Mind's Square,’ the first two areas of Doseonsa Temple.Doseonsa Temple was established 1,100 years ago during the latter part of the Silla Kingdom when the renowned Buddhist priest Doseonguksa was traveling through the mountains. After visiting the site, Doseonguksa made a prophecy that led to the construction of the temple. According to legend, he used only his walking stick to carve the large Bodhisattva that sits at the temple. Interestingly enough, the statues does not show any evidence of chisel marks, further adding to the mystery of how the statue was made.During the 7th year of King Gwangmu of the Joseon Dynasty the Doseonsa Temple was officially named the representative temple of Korea with the purpose of promoting Cheongdamdaejongsa's Korean Buddhism movement, aiming at a religious revival. Due to these special circumstances Deseonsa Temple gained a high reputation and much recognition, which have held strong to this day.Inside the temple, visitors can view the remains and written works of Cheongdamdaejongsa in the Cheongdamdaejongsa Memorial Hall. Next to the road leading to Cheonbuljeon is a pond where you can toss a coin and make a wish and just past Yongammun is a hiking path connecting Baegundae and Insubong. Inside the Ksitigarbha Hall are portraits of President Park Chung-hee, Yuk Yeong-su, and Hyundai Chairman Chung Ju-yung. In front of the hall is a tree that is said to have been planted by a Buddhist priest who brought it from India 200 years ago. Historical artifacts can be found throughout the temple.

Daejeon Modern History Hall opened to the public on October 1, 2013 at the former main building of Chungcheongnam-do Provincial Government, Daejeon (Registered Cultural Heritage No. 18). Visitors can see various scenes of history and the development of Daejeon over the past 100 years from the early 20th century to current times. Daejeon operates a planned exhibition hall, special exhibition showcasing history, architecture, design, folk style and other varied fields as well as a rotation exhibition. Also, touring the main building of Chungcheongnam-do Provincial Goverment, music concerts and various cultural education programs are available in this cultural complex. * Former Main Building of Chungcheongnam-do Provincial Government, Daejeon (Registered Cultural Heritage No. 18) * Filming site of movie "The Attorney (2013)"

Bongsan Culture Street is a landmark culture & arts place in Daegu. The street, which stretches all the way from Daegu Hakwon to Bongsan Yukgeori (six-way intersection), has over 20 galleries of various sizes.It was 1991 when the small alley with several art galleries started to turn into a breeding ground for culture and the arts. Soon after, the street was officially designated ‘Bongsan Culture Street’ and subsequently, the roads were neatly paved, artistic street lamps were installed, and streetside gardens were created. With the opening of Bongsan Culture Center and Cultural House for Teens, the street became increasingly frequently by citizens, not just professional artists.At Bongsan Culture Street, artwork os on display throughout the year and every October (when the Bongsan Art Festival is held) the whole street is filled with artistic passion. 

Seongyojang is the former upper class residence of the Naebeon Lee (1703-1781) noble family of Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do Province. It was designated Important Folklore Material No. 5 in 1967. The meaning of "Seon", in Seongyojang, is boat. Gyeongpo Lake was directly in front of Seongyojang at the time it was built, thus making is accessible by boat. Gyeongpo Lake at one time reached the enormous circumference of 12km. Its size has reduced by 4km over the years and its depth has decreased by 1-2 meters.It is said that 10 generations of descendents of Naebeon Lee have continued to live at Seongyojang. KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) has selected this residency as one of the top 10 most well preserved original dwellings in Korea that was constructed over the past 300 years.Yeolhwadang is considered the most important structure on the property, as the male owner of the property resided in this building. This structure was given the name "Yeolhwadang" in order to promote happiness and joy among the relatives living there. Presently one can see a terrace that was added on courtesy of Russia.Another important structure here is the picturesque Hwallaejeong. This structure was built in 1816 and is located just inside the main entrance. The lotus flower filled pond just in front of this building makes for a setting just as one might see in a traditional Korean painting.

Jeju Sculpture Park, opened in October 1987, is located in a primeval forest. It is a multi-purpose art center exhibiting 160 sculptures. In the park, you can feel the traditional beauty of Jeju Island even from the entrance where a tangerine tree was planted in 1970. At the main entrance, there is a Pyramid shape tower, which is a symbol of this park. The tower features reflecting images that vary by season, weather, or position of people who are looking at it.In the park, 160 sculptures are exhibited under the themes of “Meeting of Nature and Art", and "Meeting with Human Beings”. In the park, there is a sky lounge from where you can see Mt. Sanbangsan, Mt. Hallasan, and even the Marado Island at the southern end of Korea. Various performances are held here, and it has convenient facilities that you can enjoy after appreciating the sculptures.

Seoraksan National Park Visitor Center provides comprehensive information on the national park for visitors, and serves as a cultural center. Construction started on the center in December 2005, and it opened to the public on March 24, 2006.Themed exhibits are presented throughout the building to promote environmental awareness about the park’s special ecology. Films, a digital guest book corner, and games provide information about the park’s history and natural beauty. The Seoraksan Visitor Center is a good place to start exploring this beautiful wilderness.

Baek-Je Won is a cultural complex made up of a botanical garden and the Buyeo Museum. The botanical garden has wild plants grown in the Baekje area. It is smaller than most botanical gardens but the plants here are categorized together according to their characteristics. Plants are displayed like artworks to blend together with Buyeo's cultural relics, therefore tranforming the garden into a space to see both experience both nature and history together. The Buyeo Museum has exhibits showcasing the lifestyle of Buyeo's people from the Baekje period to the modern times. Exhibits include materials related to plants and agriculture, cultural heritage artifacts, folklore materials such as ceramics, and modern-day items like stamps, music items and movie posters.

Gimnyeongsagul cave (김녕사굴) is located close to Manjanggul Cave in the north-eastern part of Jeju Island. The name of the cave, ‘Sagul’, comes from the snake-like formation of the interior of the cave (‘sa’ meaning a serpent). The entrance of the cave is wide like a serpent with its mouth wide open, but once inside the tunnel narrows resembling the body of a snake. Gimnyeongsagul cave is a highly protected area and has been designated a natural monument (No.98).

Food and Culture Academy has been providing Korean cooking classes and culinary culture programs for international visitors since 2002. The classes are designed for visitors who simply wish to have a culinary experience, or avid cooks who wish to learn about Korean cuisine. Participants can choose from a wide range of hands-on cooking classes. The cooking classes are conducted in English and Japanese, and are taught by experienced teachers.With an added charge of 5,000 won, participants can experience wearing a hanbok (traditional Korean clothes) or visit a nearby traditional market (Tongin Market) to buy ingredients. The programs are offered from 9am to 6pm every day except for Sundays and a minimum of two participants is required.