Travel/Culture List

Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley is located near Dongdaemun Shopping Complex and the many restaurants have operated anywhere from five to thirty years. Before the restaurants, people working at the shopping complex lived along the alley and would prepare dak kalguksu (chicken noodle soup). Over time and as the economy improved, this dish became quite normal while the focus shifted from the noodles to the chicken itself. Now, visitors can enjoy this local dish in the place where it all started.

Nestled at the hillside of Chusan-dong where one can see the entire view of Changwon-si, Moonshin Art Museum houses Moon Shin’s art pieces and keeps his spirit intact. The artist resided in France for many years, returning to his hometown in 1980, and worked hard to establish the museum throughout 15 years. The museum finally opened in 1994 after his endless effort. Unfortunately, Moon Shin died one year after opening the museum, donating the museum to his loving hometown in his will. Following his will, the Moonshin Art Museum was donated to Changwon-si in 2003 and has since been operating as a city gallery. Changwon-si also established Moonshin Round Museum in October 2010, exhibiting 116 Moonshin plaster circle art pieces. Moonshin Art Museum is comprised of Exhibition Hall 1 & 2, outdoor exhibition hall and Moonshin Round Museum, showcasing a total of 3,900 pieces, including plaster round pieces, sculptures, drawing, tools, paintings, oil-paintings and keepsakes.

Jisan Country Club offers the most relaxing golfing experience with its beautiful and tranquil courses surrounded by the calming beauty of Mother Nature and the refreshing scent of the woods. One gigantic-sized pond and a number of large and small ponds located around the 36-hole course add to the challenge but this can also be a chance for a high-spirited and adventurous golfer to achieve a more x_heightened sense of victory.

Situated in Donghae (Gangwon-do), Mukho Port (opened in 1941) and used to be the most prolific trading port on the east coast, but with the steady change in the economy, it has become a center of fishing.A large wholesale seafood market at the port offers a wide array of seafood from squid to mackerel, as well as mackerel pike, crabs, and sea squirts. From early in the morning on weekends, merchants across the country gather at the market to purchase fresh seafood. Mukho Port, in particular, is renowned for squid along with Jumunjin Port. The port, which is the largest squid market on the east coast is busy every day with boats stuffed to the brim with squid.The port is surrounded by the Mukho Lighthouse and Mukho Lighthouse Park. There are three ways to get to the park: a suspension bridge (which appeared in the popular Korean drama Shining Inheritance), a road, and Lighthouse Pathway. Lighthouse Pathway is decorated with artistic murals (with verses) and colorful signs.Donghae Regional Maritime Affairs & Port Office has made strong efforts to transform Mukho Port into a pleasant park for both tourists and residents by establishing broad squares, promenades, and leisure facilities; by 2012, the port will be the home of the largest coastal guard base after completing a port extension. 

Daewangam Park is a seaside park located on the east coast. A 1-km trail goes to the seashore after passing through a forest of pine, cherry trees, magnolias, camellias, apricots, and forsythia. The seaside is littered with rocks carved into interesting shapes by the wind and ocean. Another stroll path leads to a view of the Ulgi Lighthouse. The park is also home to Daewangam Island, a large rock island that looks like a dragon rising up into the sky. It is connected to the mainland with an iron bridge and has an observation tower.

When the fate of the nation was hanging by a thread as the North Korean Army launched an invasion of the South on June 25, 1950, about 1,100 officers and men from the South Korean First Division's 11th, 12th, and 15th regiment retreated to Gimpo and built the last line of defense on Gaehwasan Mountain from June 26 to 30 to fight against a large army of North Korean soldiers disguised as South Korean men.Unfortunately, their communication with the headquarters was cut off and their supply of ammunition and food ran out. As a result, the entire South Korean force was killed by the much larger North Korean army in a valley around Gaehwasan Mountain. In order to commemorate those who died for the country, the government established the Memorial to the Loyal Dead on Gaehwasan Mountain in 1994. A memorial service is also held here annualy on June 28th.x_height: 4.7 meters highBuilt by the First Division of the ROK Army, Mitasa Temple

The House of Changwon was home to Du-cheol (pen name Toeeun), a famous scholar. This house is now used as a traditional lifestyle and culture learning center for studying traditional Korean culture and customs. Built on a 10,209㎡ site, the house contains 14 buildings, including one exhibiting collections of farming tools. The establishment itself is one of few living artifacts in the country, offering a peek into how ancient Koreans lived. The venue provides a cultural class for visitors and other events and functions such as a chapel for traditional weddings and other ceremonies. Nevertheless, it is a great escape from the bustling downtown as the house features spacious room for a leisurely walk, in addition to beautiful gardens and ponds that Toeeun used to love.

When the lights lit up after sundown, the nightscape of the Marine City can compete with world famous nightscape locations such as Hong Kong and Shanghai. With various restaurants, cafes and bars along the street, it is a popular destination for people of all ages.

Yi Sun-sin Park is located at the foot of Mangilbong Peak. The name of the park was changed from Hansan Battle Memorial Park to Yi Sun-sin Park. The park has a statue of Yi Sun-sin, a viewing deck, a walking-path, a traditional cultural hall, Hagikjeong Pavilion, a green square, a parking lot and so on.

Jade Garden, created under the theme of ‘Small Europe in the Forest,’ is located near Jade Palace Golf Club on a plot of land measuring 160,000 square meters. The 24 distinctively-themed areas in the garden boast a total of 3,000 plant species including rhododendron, maple trees, irises, and blueberry bushes as well as patches of thick, natural forests. The arboretum makes the most out of its natural valley topography and presents visitors with a mix of tidy gardens, graceful flowers, and an array of European-style architecture.For the convenience of its guests, Jade Garden operates a Tuscan-style visitor’s center where patrons can enjoy a simple snack or beverage and purchase souvenirs. Visitors may choose from three different walking courses (each 2 hours in length) around the arboretum and there a gardening program is also available for aspiring gardeners.