Travel/Culture List

Notice※ Terminals Daejeon Dongbu Intercity Bus Terminal and Daejeon Express Bus Terminal are under construction and will be completed in Dec. 2011. Currently, buses arrive and depart from the temporary bus stop (see map). Once construction is completed, buses will depart from Daejeon Express Bus Terminal and arrive at Daejeon Dongbu Intercity Bus Terminal.

The rail bike tour departing from the Gapyeong Rail Park follows a trail of Gapyeongcheon Stream Iron Bridge - Bukhanggang Iron Bridge - Zelkova Tree Tunnel, and finally back to the Gapyeong Rail Park. This route is featured in the Korean film 'The Letter (편지, 1997)', and thus loved by both love birds and photographers who like to capture some beautiful scenes along the old rail bike track. Visitors on the bikes will also get to enjoy the beautiful river view presented below the bridge while riding, as well as taking advantage of having a light exercise with your loved ones.  

Seorak Waterpia is one of Korea's largest theme parks offering a wide variety of outdoor leisure activities and hot spring facilities. Nestled in Seorak Hanwha Resort at Mt. Seoraksan, Seorak Waterpia uses only pure mineral waters from Choeksan. The water comes from the layer formed during the Mesozoic Era, and the water volume used per day is about 3,000 tons. With their abundance of cations (sodium, calcium, and magnesium) and anions (chlorine, carbonic acid, and sulphuric acid), the hot springs are good for stress, neuralgia, arthritis, and geriatric diseases. Various facilities at Seorak Waterpia include a hot springs resort that opened in July 1997, an artificial wave zone at the Wave Pool, and the Stream Pool. At the theme zone, the Rafting Zone and Body Slider will provide you with endless fun and thrills. In addition, there are outdoor leisure spa facilities such as Lovers Bath, Rock Bath, Cave Bath, and sauna facilities such as Prickle Bath, Wood Bath, Outdoor Bath, and more. The 18-hole golf course and many attractions of Seorak Plaza Land make it ideal for families to relax and enjoy.

Jeju-do is the place where spring starts first along with rape flowers all over. Seopjikoji in spring, especially April, is the perfect spring getaway to enjoy the spreading rape flowers with breathtaking coastal rock shapes. The best spot to enjoy the scenery is Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, shaped like a huge elephant, and coastal view from the edge of the Seopjikoji while walking through the field of rape flowers. The rape flower here features its bright and vivid color that goes well with Jeju’s bright sunlight and blue ocean. Seopjikoji is located at the end of the eastern shore of Jeju-do Island. "Seopji" is the old name for the area, and "Koji" is Jeju dialect meaning a sudden bump on land. On Koji hill which is wide and flat, there stands a stone Bongsudae called “Hyeopjayeondae” with a 4m x_height and 9m length and x_width that has retained its original form. Seopjikoji was the filming site of 'Gingko Bed', 'The Uprising', 'One Thousand and One Night' and other Korean TV dramas. Nearby attractions include Jeju Folk Village and Udo Island as well.  

Kyobo Bookstore is Korea's largest chain of bookstores. Approximately 2.3 million books are categorized electronically so you can easily find whatever selection you are looking for. It is always crowded with people, especially on weekends with readers both young and old enjoying a good book. Kyobo also hosts a variety of events, including a book of the month event where authors come and meet with readers to discuss their work. There's also a character shop, a stationery store and a music store where you can listen to your favorite album. The foreign book corner is popular among foreigners because there are numerous books written in various languages. Those unable to find specific titles can order them for delivery at the counter. [ Branches in Seoul ] Jongno There are many streets around Kyobo Bookstore famous for delicious food. If it's traditional spirits and tasty side dishes you're after then head straight to Pimatgol. There are many different dishes to enjoy in a comfortable atmosphere. The Chungjin-dong haejang-guk (broth to relieve hangover) street and the Mukyo-dong octopus restaurants nearby are also very famous. Gangnam Carrying numerous national and international bestsellers and just about every other book imaginable, Gangnam's Kyobo Bookstore is a popular meeting point for people of all ages. It was also the filming location for the drama, "Yeongae Sidae (Alone In Love)."    

Jeonju Hanok Village is located in the city of Jeonju and overlaps Pungnam-dong and Gyo-dong. There are over 800 traditional Korean 'hanok' houses. While the rest of city has been industrialized, Hanok Maeul retains its historical charms and traditions.Jeonju Hanok village is especially beautiful for its roof curves. The roof edges being slightly raised to the sky is unique. Hanok houses are generally divided into two sections, Anchae and Sarangchae. Anchae is also known as Gyusu room, and is furnished accordingly. Sarangchae is where the men dwell, and is referred to as the Seonbi room. Because men and women have to remain separate, Anchae is situated deep inside the house so that it is secretive and quiet.Another trait of Hanok is that all the houses are heated with the ondol system, a unique sub-flooring heating system. Since Koreans enjoy sitting, eating, and sleeping on the floor, it needs to remain heated. A part of Hanok has been set aside so that tourists can experience traditional Korean life, called Hanok Life Experience Hall. You can enter the Seonbi room and the Gyusu room to experience the warm floor first-hand. An advantage of this system is that it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.The food provided is very traditional, which adds to the traditional ambience. At Jeonju Hanok Village, visitors can enjoy traditional Korean life and traditional foods like bibimbap, the most well known dish from the Jeonju region. 

The Jagalchi Market (자갈치시장) is Korea's largest seafood market. After the Korean War the market solidified itself as a fish market. Most of the people who sell fish are women, so the women who sell here are called 'Jagalchi Ajumma,' 'ajumma' meaning middle-aged or married women. This market represents Busan and is famous throughout the country. If you visit you can eat fresh raw fish right at the market. Even these days you can see women selling mackerel, sea squirts (ascidians) and whale meat on wooden boxes along the road. Every year in October the Jagalchi Cultural Tourism Festival is held, and it is easy to visit because of the convenient transportation provided by the subway. The Jagalchi Market is where you can see the lifestyle of the indigenous Busan natives.    

The Incheon International Airport Traditional Culture Workshops are exhibition areas where traditional Korean culture experiential programs have been prepared for people awaiting flights departing from Korea, or for travelers waiting for connecting flights. Currently, there are two programs available in the exhibition areas, made available for all travelers using the third floor departure area.  Participants will be able to learn how to make jewelry boxes out of hanji (traditional Korean paper) or make cell phone straps using traditional sewing techniques that were used to make clothing and accessories. Even if you lack the skilled hands needed for these crafts, anyone can follow the simple instructions provided in English, Japanese, and Chinese, and have fun at the workshops. Aside from these programs, there are special programs that are prepared for visitors every 3 to 4 months, such as drawing traditional patterns, coloring traditional Korean fans, and making small purses by using traditional knotting techniques.  You can also take a look at the traditional arts and crafts that are put on display in the exhibition areas as well. There are two traditional culture workshops located at Incheon International Airport in both the east and west wings.  The traditional culture workshops and traditional craftworks exhibition are provided free of charge for all interested guests. The craftworks exhibition is located diagonally across from the fourth floor departure area convenience facility, and is open 24 hours a day. Also, if you visit between the hours of 10:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday, English guides will be available for your added convenience. At present, the exhibition is showcased under the theme of presenting over 70 arts and crafts, including traditional Korean ceramic ware, clothing, various accessories, and other traditional cultural arts made by skilled artisans. Telephone  +82-32-743-0357, +82-32-743-0359, +82-32-741-3215 Closed  N/A (Open all year round) Activity Information  [Learning Programs] Multicolored Folding Fans, Square Pincushions, Traditional Knots, Image rubbing (of a paper or an inscription), etc. [Exhibitions]  Traditional Korean Crafts: Ceramics, Mother-of-pearl lacquerware, Wooden crafts, Chimseon (sewn clothing), etc. [Hands-on activities]  Wearing raditional clothes and accessories/photography, etc. [Performances]  Traditional Music (gugak): Sanjo, Traditional folk songs, Ensemble, Chamber music, etc.  * Available at no charge at Incheon Airport Traditional Culture Workshops for international tourists waiting for departure. * Program availabillity and details are subject to change, please refer to the airport's official website. Operating Hours  07:00-22:00 Restrooms  Available Interpretation Services Offered  English, Japanese, Chinese English guided tour for the traditional art crafts exhibition hall. Monday - Friday from 10:00-18:00

The COEX, Convention and Exhibition Center is a large-scale business town established on September 7, 1988, primarily for domestic and overseas businessmen. Business operations can be managed easily as assembly halls, exhibition halls, the Korean City Air Terminal, the Intercontinental Hotel, and Hyundai Department Store are assembled in one spot. A 57-story assembly hall contains 20 trade organizations including the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), and 250 companies and financial institutions. Convention and Exhibition, which houses three specialized exhibition halls and permanent exhibition halls, is composed of a four-story main building and three-story extension. It is located at a convenient spot as Samseong subway station is directly connected to the basement. Gimpo Airport is only 40 minutes away and Incheon International Airport is about an hour and 30 minutes away.

Asan Spavis is located about an hour away from Seoul, and uses hot spring water for its unique sports and treatment facility. Spavis is a family-oriented leisure facility that houses a treatment pool that uses hot spring water for various medical treatments, an outdoor hot springs pool that you can enjoy even in the winter, a hot spring pool tucked away in a cozy hut that’s perfect for families or couples, and a kids park where children can have a safe and enjoyable time. Other facilities include a snow sledding area, a sports massage center, a skin care treatment center, and more.