Travel/Culture List

Goryeosan Mountain, once referred to as Oryeonsan, is a mountain rich in folklore. Legend has it that in the year 416 (during the reign of King Jangsu of Goguryeo), a Buddhist monk named Cheonchukguk climbed Goryeosan Mountain and found Oryeonji Pond where the five-colored lotus flowers bloomed. The monk picked the lotus flower petals and blew them into the air. He then built a temple where each of the petals had landed, naming the temples according to their corresponding color: Jeokseoksa, formerly Jeokryeonsa Temple (red lotus), Baengnyeonsa Temple (white lotus), Cheongryeonsa Temple (blue lotus), Hwangryeonsa Temple (yellow lotus), and Heungnyeonsa Temple (black lotus).Around 130 dolmens are distributed along the foot of Goryeosan Mountain. Sirumisan Mountain, on the northern side of Goryeosan Mountain is said to have been the birthplace of General Yeongaesomun of the Goguryeo Kingdom.

Opened on June 15, 2001 Jeju National Museum is a historical museum that displays, preserves and studies Jeju Island’s historical and cultural assets. Jeju National Museum houses various remains excavated from ruins, including meaningful relics from the prehistoric age through to the Joseon Dynasty. It boasts unique traditional culture and holds special exhibitions each year.

Seodaemun Museum of Natural History is the first-ever museum of natural history to be established by a public agency. The museum offers children an opportunity to experience and learn about the environment and shows how to preserve the earth’s natural beauty. Seodaemun Museum of Natural History holds exhibits year round and has over 100 open-run programs. It has become a popular fieldtrip destination for teens, a cultural space for residents, and a leisure space for family visitors. Many Asian countries even send representative to the museum to learn from its success.Every floor of the museum has a theme, making it a little easier for visitors to find their way around. The first floor runs under the theme ‘Beautiful Seoul, Harmony between Nature and Human’ and houses a library of natural history, a dinosaur lounge, virtual reality room, aquarium, and visual aid lab. The second floor (‘The Origin and Evolution of Life and its Diversity’) shows the origin of life, the world of the dinosaurs in the Mesozoic Era, the origin of humans, a diversity of land and marine life, and a variety of endangered species. On the 3rd floor, visitors can explore the process of how the earth was created, which culminates in an exhibit on how the Korean Peninsula looks today. On the same floor, dramatically enhanced exhibitions lay open the mysteries of the solar system and explain natural phenomenon such as earthquakes and the creation of caves and rock formations.

Sangumburi (산굼부리) is a crater with a circumference of over 2 km, and has been designated as a Natural Monument. It is located on the southeast side of Jeju-si, and is a flat crater, about 650 meters wide, 100 meters deep, and 2,070 meters in circumference. If you look at the crater from above up, it looks like a man-made circular stadium. There is a variety of plant-life in the crater. On the north side, Nandaeseong vegetation such as red-thorn trees, and magnolia trees grow, along with the rare winter strawberries. On the south side of the crater, Ondaerim vegetation such as evergreens, maples, and mountain strawberry trees cover the area. Because so many different kinds of trees and plants grow in such a limited space, it attracts the attention of researchers as well.

Yangnim History & Culture Village is located in the area where Western items and ideas first entered Gwangju over 100 years ago. As such, the neighborhood has a unique collection of Western architecture mixed with traditional hanok houses. There are also many houses of Christian missionaries, who facilitated the advancement of medicine and education in Gwangju. Some areas such as Penguin Village have been decorated with murals and outdoor exhibitions to promote art and tourism, helping the elderly locals to make a living.

The Heojun Museum first opened on March 23, 2005 in honor of academic accomplishments and charitable deeds of the renowned medical scientist, Heojun of the middle century Joseon Dynasty.The museum is composed of the Heojun Memorial Hall, a Herb and Medicine Room, a Medical Supply Room, an Experience Hall, and two floors of a Naeuiwon (government-run medicinal office during the Joseon Dynasty) and an oriental medicine clinic. In addition, there is Heojun Park and Heogabawi Rock, which are situated beside the museum. Apart from things related to Heojun, various exhibits, especially high-tech displays such as models, media and touch-screens are also available and on display.At the Experience Hall, you will come closer to understanding oriental medicine by getting a first-hand experience of what it is like to be an Oriental doctor. Furthermore, the reappearance of Joseon Dynasty’s Naeuiwon and oriental medicine clinic are exquisitely shown. There is also the resting area on the roof which is connected to the herbal medicine park, and offers a wonderful view to experience this vivid scene.

Johyun Gallery started as "Gallery World" in 1990 at Gwangan-ri Art Town in Busan by Jo Hyun. After that, the gallery moved in front of Haeundae Paradise Hotel in 1999 and then it was rebuilt on Dalmaji-gil Hill near Haeundae Beach in June 2007. The gallery operates exhibition halls throughout the first and second floor of the building, as well as an art shop at Busan Museum of Art on the first floor. There is also another location in Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This gallery focuses on the global art world by working with the international artists.

Jeju opened an exclusive theatre for Nanta, a non-verbal performance, which has now become a representative cultural tourist item in Korea, on April 2008. The Jeju Theatre for Nanta, located at Art Theater of Jeju Media Center, has a total of 336 seats inclusive of 128 of VIP seats and 208 of S-class seats. Visitors may enjoy the exciting rhythm of Nanta, which is marking its 11th year in Jeju Island, a natural tourist attraction in Korea. The non-verbal performance has become one of the most popular events among local/international visitors to Jeju as the place has relatively fewer leisure activities to do at night.

Located near Busan Station, Choryang Ibagu-gil street was formed at the top of a hill after people started building houses back in the poor period. While ascending a steep and curved road, observatory, Ibagu Archive Center, Yu Chi-hwn Post box, and places perfect for a photo zone can be seen along the road. When approaching the hill, one can see the large road, also known as the Sanbok Road. It is located in the middle of mountain and features a view embracing the downtown of Busan within a sight. The night scene is especially beautiful here, as the lights from every house twinkle and gleam as the surrounding area gets darker.

Daejeon-si Seo-gu Jangan-dong is located at the base of Jangtaesan Mountain Natural Recreation Forest and consists of a dense forest of ginkgo trees. The beautiful lush valley makes for a great getaway during the summer months. The recreation area features a promenade, a therapeutic forest walk, sporting equipment, and a botanical garden. Lodging facilities include Forest Cabin, a recreation center, and a training center. Reservation can be made through the homepage. Homepage) www.jangtaesan.or.kr (Korean only) * Lodging Fee (day of the check in 15:00 / check out the next day 12:00) - Forest Cabin Party of 6 high season (7.1~8.31) 80,000won / low season 60,000won - Forest Lodge Party of 10 high season (7.1~8.31) 180,000won / low season 150,000won - Training Camping Site Party of 4 high season (7.1~8.31) 60,000won / low season 40,000won Party of 5 high season (7.1~8.31) 80,000won / low season 60,000won