Travel/Culture List

The Return of the Heavenly Sword A leading cultural performance held by the Korea Tourism Organization at Gimhae International Airport Great fun while waiting for the plane’s departure! Event period: Every Friday in July and August Time of performance: 1:30 pm / 3:30 pm Venue: 2nd floor of the domestic flight terminal I believemany of you are going on a vacation these days with the coming of the vacation season. Many Koreans nowadays travel to a different country or to Jeju Island for their summer vacation. This is why airports are crowded.       I went to Gimhae International Airport last week. While there, I enjoyedCulture is Here!, a cultural event held by the Korea Tourism Organization ^^         Culture is Herewas held at Gimhae International Airport as a culture port event, aiming to provide enjoyment to airport users and local residents. It included an experiential event and a good performance. Most people arrive at the airport earlier than the departure time and wait. This cultural event is held to provide fun and enjoyment so that people who are waiting don’t get bored. It was a great experience for me.       The Return of the Heavenly Sword performance that was held at Gimhae International Airport is based on the motif, Cloud-Splitting Sword, which was used to guard the king during the Joseon Era. The Cloud-Splitting Sword was reborn as the Heavenly Sword, used to ensure safety at the airport. This leading performance of the Korea Tourism Organization is a martial arts performance.          The Return of the Heavenly Sword performance begins with a court dance.     Military officers from across the nation fight in front of the king. The best military officer is presented with the Heavenly Sword, which is used to promote safety in the skies and to protect passengers.      The brilliant martial arts performance by the military officers was interesting to watch. Above all, I believe this was a good performance because its uniquely Korean aspects enhanced understanding of Korea among Koreans as well as foreign visitors at Gimhae International Airport.         The long-anticipated martial arts fight began!             The military officers fought, aiming to be chosen as the best. The performance looked real as if it were an action movie!     The Heavenly Sword is presented to the best military officer who won the fight!    Another reason why this performance was good is that it reflected Gimhae International Airport’s determination to ensure safe flights by promoting safety in the skies and protecting passengers.         airport were more than happy to take pictures with the performance team of the Return of the Heavenly Sword, which is the Korea Airports Corporation’s leading performance. They looked like they were very much enjoying their experience of capturing memories even before their journeybegan ^^       An experiential event was held nearby that invited visitors to try on Joseon Dynasty clothing and accessories. Visitors wore traditional Korean clothing and took pictures with the performance team. The cultural program certainly included diverse elements.      Some visitors were so excited about taking pictures with the performance team that they left their baggage unattended!!     Culture is Here, a cultural event held by the Korea Airports Corporation, takes place at 12 airports across thenation, including Gimhae International Airport. The event provides enjoyment and special memories to airport users! We can now enjoy cultural experiences at airports and be free of boredom while waiting for departure~     After the Return of the Heavenly Sword, a leading performance of the Korea Airports Corporation, the performance team went to the first floor and welcomed people who arrived at the airport.     People enjoyed the event as they arrived :-)  They must have felt like they were given a warm reception.     A foreign visitor who just arrived took pictures of the performance team, and also with the team.     This unique cultural event provides airport users with a fun, enjoyable experience. It is extremely good in that it prevents airport users from becoming bored while waiting for departure and increases their understanding of Korean culture. I believe many people will go to airports as their first stop to their vacation’s destination. I recommend that they check the schedule for the Return of the Heavenly Sword, a leading performance of the Korea Airports Corporation, so that they enjoy a wonderful performance that will remain in their memories and begin their journey in a delightful mood.     Source : http://blog.naver.com/alwayspurelu/220771574012   Korea Airports Corporation​ www.airport.co.kr

LG Arts Center is an multi-purpose venue for music, dance, plays, musicals, and other kinds of performances. It can seat up to 1,100 people, and its modern stage facilities can accommodate any kind of performance with first-class support. Its cutting-edge sound system is world class and its main source of pride. On the B1 floor there are specialty restaurants, and on each floor there are snack bars where you can have drinks and snacks. In the restaurant section you can try Korean, Chinese, Southeast Asian and other international delicacies. There is also a coffee shop where you can relax. The bars on each floor have resting spots scattered around, where you can rest and converse between performances. You can choose your own seats when getting tickets. You can especially notice the meticulousness of the art center’s design when you look at the women’s washroom. There are 42 washrooms in total, which work out to be one room for every 13 people. Compare that to the average of 50~60 people per washroom for other places and you can see the clear difference. You can see the care put into the center when you enter the theater as well. The front and back seats are wide apart and placed diagonally from each other. The back seats are also placed higher than the front ones so one’s view is not blocked by people sitting in front. If you have valuables or large bags, do not worry. The article deposit can take care of items for 500 people.

The Dakddongjip Town in Pyeonghwa Market was established in 1972, and is a street specializing in chicken gizzard dishes. It is said that the dish was first offered as an affordable dish to accompany drinks, favored by blue-collar laborers who gathered at the early labor market in front of Pyeonghwa Market in the 1970s. Rather than being pan-fried, chicken gizzard is deep-fried like chicken meat. Inexpensive and delicious, the dish has remained popular. Dakddongjip Town was designated the third "Good Street” by the Community Chest of Korea, a network of governing bodies that run a philanthropic organization. The Good Street designation is given to the streets where storekeepers subscribe to the Community Chest of Korea’s Good Street campaign to share good deeds.      

Located in Gwangbok-dong, Restaurant Street is one of the most popular places in Busan. The area between tourist attractions such as Gukje Market and Nampo-dong offers more than 20 restaurants with over 60 years of history. There is even a variety of delicious street foods available at KRW 1,000-2,000. Great food, inexpensive prices, and generous street merchants make this street one of the popular spots among international tourists.

Myeong-dong Cathedral is the Church for Archdiocese of Seoul and was also the birthplace for the Roman Catholic Church community in Korea. The church houses the remains of several individuals: Bishop Laurent Joseph Marie Imbert (1796-1839), and priests Peter Simon (1803-1839), James (Jacques Honor Chastan, 1803-1839) and Pourthie Jean Antoine Charles (1830-1866) and four martyrs. Myeong-dong Cathedral is located in downtown Seoul and tourists frequently come and visit the place. Near the cathedral are other tourism spots such as Namsangol Hanok Village preserving Korean traditional houses, N Seoul Tower overlooking Seoul and Namdaemun Market, a traditional market with a wide variety of food and goods.

Lotte Department Store Jamsil Branch opened the same year that the 1988 Seoul Olympics were held. Today, the Lotte Department Store chain is known as one of the largest department store chains in Korea. At the Jamsil Branch, many nearby tourist attractions await visitors, such as Lotte Hotel, Lotte World Theme Park, an ice skating rink, a duty free shop, an outlet, the Lotte Folk Museum, and Jamsil Station Shopping Mall. The area acts as an all-encompassing tourist zone. You can shop at Lotte Department Store, stay overnight at Lotte Hotel, and enjoy a cultural experience at the Lotte Folk Museum for a fulfilling day. Lotte Department Store in Jamsil has transformed itself into a center of lifestyle, shopping, and leisure in this previously quiet suburban area of Seoul. It has now become a hub of tourism and shopping that can satisfy the various needs of all customers! Lotte Department Store is working in conjunction with Lotte Hotel and Lotte World, the shopping mall, a wedding hall, and Lotte Mart in order to prepare for a new era of luxurious lifestyles.

Incheon's Chinatown came into being with the opening of Incheon Port in 1883 and Incheon's designation as an extraterritoriality of the Ching Dynasty in the following year. In the past, the area held many stores trading goods imported from China, but currently most Chinese businesses in the area are restaurants. Today, the residents of Chinatown are mostly 2nd or 3rd generation Chinese, descendents of the early Chinese settlers. While the traditional culture of the first generation has been fully preserved, the area still harbors many of the flavors of China. Telephone  +82-32-810-2851~3 Parking Facilities  Available Admission Fees  Free Restrooms  Available in Incheon Station & within restaurants Pets  Permitted (Not allowed into shops and restaurants) ​

Mudeungsan Nationtl Park (무등산국립공원) is a mountain at the edge of Hwasun-gun, Damyang-gun and Gwangju. Mt. Mudeungsan (1,186m) features three rock peaks called Cheonwangbong, Jiwangbong, and Inwangbong, also known as the “Jeongsang Three."Mudeungsan’s gradual slope makes it an easy climb for all. Locals once worshiped Cheonwangbong Peak as it was considered a mountain of God. Among the more majestic of these sites are the Seoseokdae, Gyubong, and Ipseokdae peaks. At the base of the mountain are several famous temples including Yaksaam, Jeungsimsa, and Wonhyosa. Mt. Mudeungsan is also known for its beauty throughout the year. The fall autumn leaves of Gyubongam and Eoksae grass of Baekma ridge is quite spectacular. In the winter, snow and ice on the mountains create exquisite scenery as well.Below the mountain, there is a variety of recreational facilities and tourists sites for visitors. This includes the Gwangju National Museum, a traditional Korean style building with exhibition space and artifacts on display. These items total 2,000 artifacts and include treasures excavated from the sea of Sinan, items from Honam province (made during the Seonsa, Baekje, and Silla periods), and paintings from the Joseon Period.

Incheon International Airport is one of the main transport hubs of Northeast Asia. Opened in March 2001, it was built on reclaimed land between Yeongjongdo and Yongyudo Islands. It houses the Korean Culture Museum, Traditional Culture Experience Zone, Traditional Craft Gallery, and Arrival Hall Culture Street, providing domestic and international tourists with opportunities to appreciate the richness of Korean arts and culture.  Airstar Terrace is an elegant lounge, overlooking aircrafts from around the world. The Incheon International Airport has continued to win awards ever since its opening and has been praised for its excellence, down to the last detail, some even commenting on the beauty of the lights at night reflecting on the aircrafts moored in the area.  The airport is consistantly ranked in the top ten airports worldwide and was granted the title ‘Best Airport in the World’ by Global Traveler for four consecutive years. It is the second busiest airport in the world in terms of cargo and freight and one of the busiest airports in terms of international passengers. Telephone  +82-1577-2600 Credit Cards  Accepted Convenience Facilities  [Guide·Service] Tourist information Airline service Public service [Finance·Network] Bank / Money exchange Travel insurance Battery charging and roaming service of cellular phone [Internet·Business] Internet cafe Business center Copy / Fax service [Rest·Medical] Business lounge Sauna Smoking room Hospital / Pharmacy [Life·Beauty] Prayer room Parcel service / Postal service Laundry / Car wash Hair shop [Shopping·Restaurant] Duty Free Shop Restaurant / Cafe [Leisure·Experience] Skating Movie theater Cultural experience hall Restrooms  Available  

Gwangalli Beach (광안리해수욕장) is 1.4 km long, 64m wide, and is famous for its fine sand. This area has undergone a water cleaning program, and as a result, the water of the beach is pristine. The clean waters of this area also attract many fishermen. You can prepare raw fish dishes on the spot, right after you have caught the fish. For those looking for some action, there is the Olympic Yacht Rental where you can rent yachts. You can also enjoy water-skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and other exciting water sports. On the beach there is an outer concert stage where the Busan Ocean Festival and other various events are held. The area has a cultural center, a museum, theaters for plays and movies, an art gallery, TV station, and famous Korean and non-Korean fashion brand name shops. It is a popular gathering place for young people in their 20s and 30s.