Travel/Culture List

Dongnimmun stands at a spot originally known as Yeongeun, where envoys were once treated. When a Chinese envoy visited, the King would go out through this door to greet him. It's in 1897, to announce that our independence to Japan, Russia which had influence and threatened China, Korea for a long time.The expense for the construction was collected as a fund by Korean citizens. The traces of the past still remain on Dongnimmun. The two pillars in front of Dongnimmun are the remains of Yeongeunmun.The Arc de Triomphe in France can be recalled in comparison to Dongnimmun. Dongnimmun was built up with a granite wall, and there is a passageway with a x_height of 14.28 meters. On the top it is written ‘Dongnimmun’ in Korean with the national flag drawn on each side. On the inner-left side there are stone stairs leading to the attic. The national flower Mugunghwa are planted around Dongnimmun. Now it is surrounded by roads and it is eye-catching to view when passing by.

Byeongsanseowon is a Confucian school that was established by esteemed Confucian scholars to pay tribute to the memory of Seong-nyong Yu (1542-1607), who was well-respected for his writings and personality. His mortuary tablet is enshrined at this school. Around the time of 1863, Confucian schools enjoyed many freedoms under the Joseon rule, students and scholars of the school were exempt from taxation and other expenses. Byeongsan Seowon was one of 47 places in all of Korea and 2 in Andong not destroyed during the rule of Daewongun [Politician of Joseon Imperial family, 1820 ~ 1898] in 1868.The Nakdong-gang River is situated just in front of the Confucian Academy. Cross the river and the Byeongsan Mountain can be found. By forming a folding screen like shape around the academy, the mountains both protect and add a serene beauty to the area.

Originally named Gongji Park, the park is located near Gongjicheon and has been decorated with sculptures since 1997. Twenty-nine pieces are displayed and a water clock was installed in 2001. Gongjicheon Resort is located nearby the park with an outdoor stage and fountain. Water sports such as boat-riding can be enjoyed on the lake. The lake and the fountain are great locations to enjoy spending time with family and friends. Every year diverse cultural art events such as the Spring Art Performance as well as the Soyangjae Chuncheon Poetry Recital takes place in the park and Gongjicheon. A Children’s Center and War Memorial are also located nearby.

Welli Hilli Park Snow Park A world-class alpine sanctuary meticulously designed to captivate both discerning skiers and snowboarders alike, Welli Hilli Park Snow Park stands as a premier winter destination in South Korea. Boasting an expansive network of 20 diverse slopes, the resort features terrain officially certified by the International Ski Federation (FIS) alongside elite, championship-level snowboarding facilities. Adventure seekers can elevate their winter journey at the dedicated Fun Park—outfitted with an international-standard halfpipe and precision-engineered kickers—or conquer the exhilarating twists of the professional mogul course. Sculpted Slopes and Freeride Legends: The Connoisseur’s Winter Odyssey at Welli Hilli Park Nestled amid the pristine, heavy-snow highlands of Hoengseong, Gangwon-do, Welli Hilli Park Snow Park represents the pinnacle of South Korean alpine engineering and winter lifestyle. Far from a conventional ski resort, this expansive mountain domain harmonizes the high-performance demands of Olympic-level athletes with the relaxed, understated luxury expected by modern global travelers. It remains a legendary destination where raw natural beauty meets meticulous master planning, inviting international snow enthusiasts to experience a highly sophisticated winter retreat. An Architectural Triumph in Snow: Master-Planned by Ecosign What sets Welli Hilli Park apart in the global ski landscape is its immaculate terrain design. The entire slope layout was envisioned by Paul Matthew of Canada’s world-renowned Ecosign Resort Planners, a name synonymous with Whistler Blackcomb and multiple Winter Olympic venues. Spanning across the majestic peaks of Sulibong, the resort features 20 expertly contoured trails tailored to create a fluid, continuous rhythm for every tier of skier. Among these, seven slopes hold official certifications from the International Ski Federation (FIS), serving as elite battlegrounds for international competitions and offering advanced skiers pristine, high-speed corduroy conditions. For those who prefer a scenic, leisurely cruise, the resort boasts the spectacular 2.6-kilometer "Star Express" run—a sweeping panoramic trail that glides gracefully from the 896-meter summit down to the base plaza, offering unhurried views of the snow-cloaked Gangwon-do wilderness.   The Legendary Mecca of Freestyle: Asia’s Snowboard Pioneer While traditional skiers revel in the precision of the FIS-certified groomers, Welli Hilli Park holds a sacred status within the international snowboarding and freestyle communities. In 2009, the resort made history by becoming the first destination in Asia to host the prestigious FIS World Snowboard Championships, forever cementing its status as a premier hub for freestyle progression. The epicenter of this adrenaline-fueled culture is the world-class Fun Park, an elite playground featuring an evolving progression of kickers, technical rail setups, boxes, and jibs. However, the true crown jewel is the International Superpipe: • The Specifications: Stretching 160 meters in length with a 17-meter width from lip to lip, a 6-meter wall height, and a precise 16.5-degree pitch, this massive halfpipe is engineered for maximum transition and explosive aerial pop. • The Private Boardwalk: To ensure riders can maximize their time in the air, the resort installed a dedicated, USA-manufactured premium "Magic Carpet" boardwalk lift exclusively for the halfpipe, allowing athletes and advanced riders to lap the pipe seamlessly without long lift lines. • The Mogul Arena: Adjacent to the freestyle parks, a dedicated mogul course challenges technical purists with a perfectly uniform field of snow mounds, testing the agility, rhythm, and endurance of the most seasoned skiers.   Effortless Connectivity and Curated Alpine Indulgence A truly premium winter vacation is defined by what happens beyond the ski lifts. Welli Hilli Park has crafted a friction-free ecosystem where international guests can seamlessly transition from high-speed carving to deep relaxation. • The Platinum Transit: Reaching the resort from the capital is remarkably efficient. Travelers can board the sleek, high-speed KTX train from Seoul and arrive at Dunnae Station in approximately 80 minutes. From the station, dedicated resort shuttles provide a smooth, scenic transfer directly to the snow. • A Culinary Heritage of Excellence: The surrounding Hoengseong region is globally revered by epicureans for producing Korea’s ultimate gastronomic treasure: Hoengseong Hanu (ultra-premium, highly marbled domestic beef). After a thrilling day conquering the mountain, sitting down to an intimate, fireside Korean barbecue experience—where melt-in-your-mouth beef is paired with local premium spirits—redefines the modern après-ski ritual. • Comprehensive High-End Amenities: For families and multi-generational travelers, the resort features expansive, modern condominium accommodations with alpine views, relaxing indoor saunas to soothe tired muscles, and a massive indoor recreation complex that guarantees entertainment for skiers and non-skiers alike. Welli Hilli Park Snow Park beautifully synthesizes a rich athletic heritage with the thoughtful comforts of a comprehensive mountain resort. Whether you are looking to master the historic lines of a World Championship halfpipe, carve down FIS-approved peaks, or simply indulge in the rich culinary traditions of Gangwon-do, this winter sanctuary delivers an unforgettable, elite Korean snow experience.  

As one of the best sights in Geojedo Island, Geoje Haegeumgang River is called the Geumgang River (Sea Diamond) of the South Sea. As a rock island, Haegeumgang River belongs to Hallyeo Marine National Park, which is assigned as an official green area in South Korea. Its original name was Galgotdo, because it is shaped like the spreading roots of arrowroot. These days it is known as Haegeumgang River, meaning Geumgangsan Mountain in the sea.The most stunning scenery of Haegeumgang River is the sunset and sunrise and can be best viewed on Ilwollbong Peak or Lion Rock. There is Shipjagul Cave in the center of Haegeumgang River, which is 100m long from east to west and 180m long from south to north. It has been called Shipjagul (meaning ‘cross’ in Korean) Cave because it looks like a cross when viewed from the sky. If you go on the tour, you will be fascinated by the x_height of the rock walls and the inside of the cave. A long time ago, scholars expressed their yearning for the beauty of nature by writing and reading poems they wrote on sailboats with a bowl of makkoli (rice wine) in their hands.When you take a ship around the island, you’ll be fascinated once more because of the great works such as the Maitreya Rock, which reflects on Eunjin Maitreya, Candlestick Rock and the 1,300 year old guardian pine tree of Haegeumgang River. 

Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village is the setting of the beautiful Korean story “When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom,” and also home to the author, Lee Hyo-seok (pen name Gasan). Registered as National Culture Village No. 1 in 1990 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the village is the setting of the annual Hyoseok Cultural Festival in autumn. The village is made up of the birthplace of Lee Hyo-seok, a watermill house, thatch-roofed housing, Gasan Park, Lee Hyo-seok Memorial Hall, and restaurants serving food made with buckwheat. The birthplace of Lee Hyo-seok was originally a thatched-roof house, typical of the housing in Gangwon-do. However, it has been rebuilt into an ‘L’-shaped house with two large trees growing in the front yard. Lee was born on February 23, 1907, one of five children to parents Lee Si-hoo and Kang Hong-kyung. Lee Hyo-seok’s wife, Lee Kyung-won was an aspiring artist. The couple had two sons and two daughters, but the second son passed away in 1940, just two years before his father, Lee Hyo-seok.

Honinji is home to a myth that agriculture and farming started on Jeju Island when the Samsinin (three founding demi-gods) who lived in Jeju married the Samgongju (three princesses) and started raising cattle and ponies and planted the seeds of five grains. There is a pond here called Honinji Pond (pond of marriage) where, according to the legend, the wedding ceremony was held and three caves which served as bridal rooms. Together with Samseonghyeol (three large holes on the ground where the three demigods emerged from), Honinji is a great place for tracing the origin of the founders of Jeju Island. In the summer, the area is in full bloom with red lotus flowers.  

Jeungdo Island (증도) was the first city to be designated a ‘slow city’ in Asia thanks to its unspoiled nature and clean waters. It was assigned as a biodiversity conservation area by UNESCO. Jeungdo Island also has Korea’s largest salt fields. At Taepyeong Salt Field, you can experience real life in a fishing village. There is a tour of the salt museum and hands-on programs for tourists to make the experience more personal. There are some 90 uninhabited islands and islets neighboring the Jeungdo Island. The Wujeon Beach Resort offers a magnificent view of the horizon. The mud hopper bridge, which stands in the mudflats, along with the relic of a historical monument and wetland ecology exhibition hall, are some of the things you can see on the island of Jeungdo. ※ Jeungdo Island Mudflats Festival opens in early August each year, offering a mudflat program as well as a drying by the sun salt-making program, among others.  

Pocheon Art Valley is established in what used to be a granite quarry. The quarry became the site of the nation’s first shared culture and art complex in 2009. The valley has had over 1,000,000 visitors by 2014. Various programs such as a planned exhibition, weekend performance, planned performance and others are prepared for visitors. Also, Pocheon Art Valley Astronomical Science Museum officially opened on August 1, 2014 as a spot for space science, comprised of an exhibition hall for space, cutting-edge 4D video room, and astronomical observation room that offers constellation reading.