Travel/Culture List

Hyanggyo refers to the educational institutions of the Joseon Dynasty. Much like the national junior and high schools of today, a hyanggyo is where the children of local officials were educated and where ritual services were held in memory of Confucius. The Yangcheon Hyanggyo Confucian School is the only such school in Seoul. Built in the 12th year of King Taejong of Joseon (1411), the school was entirely renovated in 1981. There are eight buildings in the premise, including the Daeseongjeon, Myeongryundang, Jeonsacheong, Dongjae, Seojae, Naesammun, and Waesammun. Today, a national ritual service for Confucius is held here twice a year: one in the spring and one in the fall. Also, various programs are offered to teach Chinese characters, calligraphy, or Oriental painting to regular citizens, as well as elementary, junior, and high school students. This way, the institution is educating the youth and preserving tradition at the same time.Size of facilities: Daeseongjeon 54㎡, Myeongryundang 77.91㎡, Jeonsacheong 11.52㎡, Naesammun 11.97㎡, Oesammun 18.63㎡, Dongjae 29.52㎡, Seojae 29.52㎡Construction period: 12th year of King Taejong’s reign during the Joseon Dynasty (1411)

Gyerim Forest is located between the Cheomseongdae Observatory and Wolseong Fortress. The forest is thickly populated by ancient zelkova and willow trees rooted on gently sloping hills and along the small stream in the northwest part of the woods. According to legend, the forest is closely associated with myths surrounding the birth of Alji, the founder of the Gyeongju Kim clan. As such, it is designated national Historic Site No. 19.Legend has it that King Talhae heard a rooster crying from deep inside the Sirim Woods. Chancellor Hogong was sent to investigate. Upon arriving, he found a rooster crying underneath a tree on which hung a golden box. Hogong immediately reported his find to the king, who instructed him to bring the golden box into the palace. The king opened the box and found a small child inside, Kim Alji. The forest, which had previously been called ‘Sirim’ or ‘Gurim’, became known as ‘Gyerim’, ('gye’ meaning rooster). The name Gyerim was also used to refer to the Silla kingdom.Alji was adopted as the king’s son, but because the crown was passed on to King Pasa of the Park family, he never ascended the throne. The Kim clan later became the royal bloodline with the coronation of King Naemul some years later.The memorial stone recording the birth of Kim Alji was erected in the third year of King Sunjo's rule in the Joseon Dynasty. Located close to the royal fortress of Silla, the forest is still deeply revered as the mystical birthplace of the first ancestor of the royal Kim clan of Silla. Yellow canola blossoms along the path connecting Daereungwon with Gyerim and Banwolseong only add to the magical ambiance of the forest. 

Opened on October 14, 2005, Seongnam Art Center is operated by Seongnam Cultural Foundation. The art center is famous around the nation for its superior facilities and its scale. The center also makes an effort to raise their competitiveness by hosting exclusive performances and making their own productions.

The Ondal Open Film Set has been the scene of many popular Korean dramas, including Cheonchutaehu (천추태후), Taewangsasingi (태왕사신기), Kingdom of the Wind (바람의나라), Iljimae (일지매), and Yeongaesomun (연개소문). The set is located within the Ondal tourist site in Yeongchun-myeon, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. In addition to the famous sets themselves, clothes and props used during filming are on exhibit, and models of the drama’s protagonists are available for photos. Visitors are also pleased to experience the many other attractions in the area, including Ondal Cave, a theme park, Ondalsanseong Fortress, Ondalgwan museum, and well-known regional cuisine.

Located about 1 kilometer away from Deokjun Park in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, the zoo is equipped with not only diverse animals and plants, but also a field for soccer, a valleyball court and many other sports facilities. In addition to their leisure grounds, the amusement park 'DreamLand' is found to the eastside of the zoo. Opened on June 10, 1978, the zoo houses visitors' all time favorites like tigers, lions, giraffes, hippos, cows, rhinos, camels and more exotic animals, coming to a total of 670 animals made up of 106 different species.

Located on Mireuksan Mountain, one of Korea's top 100 mountains, Hallyeosudo Viewing Ropeway is the only dual-cable automatic circulating gondola system in Korea. At 1,975 meters long, it is the longest tourist ropeway in the nation. The ropeway is made up of 47 gondolas and one freight unit. Traveling at an average of 4m/sec, it takes approximately 9 minutes to reach the summit station from the ground station. From the top of Mireuksan Mountain, one can see the historical venue for the Great Battle of Hansan below and even see as far Hallyeohaesang National Park (from Hansando Island to Yeosu), Japan's Daemado Island, Jirisan National Park's Cheonwangbong Peak, and Dolsando Island.

Located at the outskirts of Mt. Halla, Hueree Natural Park is one of the most local and beautiful parks on Jeju Island. Commonly depicted as “an island within the island,” the park is a fun place to experience nature and its importance. It offers various seasonal programs: Apricot Flower Festival, Plum Harvest, and Orange Mandarin Harvest. Earthenware, Dottong (traditional local bathroom), and millstones offer a glimpse of local life and culture. Visitors can also feed baby pigs, rabbits, squirrels, and black goats. Full of colorful volcanic stone towers in the pine forest, the park is floored with volcanic cinders (called scoria) in its entirety. Walking barefoot amidst the gently blowing wind in the forest will surely offer the best rest and leisure to visitors.  

Hyundai Gallery is located in the heart of Daejeon. The City Hall, Court of Law, and Police Station etc. are some of the important establishments concentrated in the area. The Exhibit Hall on the B1 floor of Hyundai Gallery is 70 Pyeong (1 pyeong = 3.3 square meters), and is the preferred locale for talented artists exhibiting their work. Private invitation exhibitions are usually held. The exhibited works are ones that reflect modern art trends, and show the art world of progressive artists. The lighting is very impressive, and highlights the exhibited items beautifully. The simplicity of its design allows you to focus on and enjoy the artwork even more. There is a historic art gallery near the Hyundai Gallery, and the third largest lake in Korea called Daecheongho Lake. If you want to enjoy the tranquil beauty of a large lake, head over to this place. The water is very clean, and is host to many different types of fish. 

Dumulmeori literally means 'two water area,' and refers to the place where Bukhangang River and Namhangang River meet. The dock for an ancient-style ferry and weeping willows add to the rustic beauty of this area. Another attraction at this site is the three 400-year-old Zelkova trees that appear as one giant tree. A privately owned place, Dumulmeori remains as a popular site for shooting Korean TV dramas, movies, commercials, wedding pictures as well as nature pictures.