Travel/Culture List

Situated in north of the river in Chuncheon and also known as 'The City of Lakes', Gangwon-do Provincial Flower Garden is a gift of nature with its wonderful harmony of lakes and mountains. Gangwon-do Provincial Flower Garden was formed with intention to create and display Gangwon-do's local flower as well as to preserve nature, distribute and experiment. Gangwon-do's local flower exhibition and arboretum lasted from February 1996 to October 1998. It was opened to the public on May 20, 1999 where it has been used as nature observation for kids as well as a place to relax.Main facilities include Gangwon-do Forest Park, Gangwon-do Flower Museum, forest-product shop, information center and octagonal pavilion warehouse for farming utensils. An area covering 537,020 sq. ft. is filled with gardens, fountains, ponds, a stone bridge and many more.* Flower Garden ¬- 120,476㎡ (1,804 species / about 85,000 pieces)

The area around Yeojwacheon Stream is well known as one of Jinhae’s best spots for viewing cherry blossoms. It is also the location of the bridge where the two leading characters, Gwanu and Chaewon of "Romance (2002)," MBC’s TV series, first met as tourists who came to Jinhae to enjoy Jinhae Gunhangje Festival. After the episode was aired, the bridge instantly became popular and widely known as the Romance Bridge. Each April, the entire city of Jinhae is filled with cherry blossoms, but the Yeojwacheon Stream area has the most beautiful cherry blossoms which makes it a prime tourist attraction.

The Jeonju History Museum opened its doors in 2002, showing the public the long and fascinating history of Korea. The museum is divided up into different exhibits that are permanently on display. The first exhibit is the Donghak Farmer’s Revolution (the 1894 uprising against colonial Japan). This event played a very important role in the development of the city of Jeonju. The second main exhibit area is dedicated to remembering the organized people’s revolt (의병운동), in which citizens spontaneously came together to fight the Japanese invasion. There is also a special area dedicated to the independence movement where Korea gained its freedom from Japan. There are many other exhibits dedicated to key uprisings and other such important events in Korean history. Various documents and materials are on hand for viewing, as well as a special exhibition room which has themed events. 

Seongmodo Island (석모도) is located to the west of Ganghwado Island (강화도). Beautiful West Sea, a drive by the shore, and the great scenic view are some of the features of island's highlights. To get to Seongmodo Island, simply take a ferry at Oepo-ri, which takes only 10 minutes. The seagulls that congregate over the sea, fly close to the ferry boat and provide a beautiful sight.  When you arrive at Seongmodo Island, there is a bus terminal and a bicycle rental shop. If you are planning to hike around the island, rent a bicycle. You can tour around Seongmodo Island on a bicycle, by car, or simply by walking. If you want to go to Bomunsa Temple or Minmeoru Beach, ride the bus bound for Bomunsa Temple. If you want to hike or drive, you can visit most places by going along Ilju Road. It will take only 40 minutes by car, and about 2 hours and 30 minutes by bicycle to look around the island.  The most interesting sites in Seongmodo Island are Minmeoru Beach (민머루해수욕장) and Bomunsa Temple. Minmeoru Beach is the only beach in Seongmodo Island; Its shores are elegant and the surrounding scenery is beautiful with a salt farm near the beach. Bomunsa Temple boasts great views of the West Sea and is famous for its sunsets and a Buddhist grotto that was built inside a natural cave. To the rear of Bomunsa Temple, the Nunseop Rock and the Ma-aeseokbuljwa statue engraved on a rock is also worth a look. Telephone  +82-32-930-3563, +82-32-932-6007   

Yongdusan Jagalchi Special Tourist Zone covers the area around Gwangbok-dong in Busan, which includes Yongdusan Park and the well-known traditional markets such as Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market and Bupyeong Market, which are filled with life and energy. Gwangbok-dong area is always crowded with young tourists as well as young locals enjoying the vibrant shopping street and affordable street food. At Yongdusan Park, visitors can enjoy a panoramic sight of Busan, and the night view from the park should not be missed. There is an escalator to take visitors up to Yongdusan Park. Jagalchi Market and Gukje Market retain some traces of what Busan used to be like in the 1970s and 1980s, and that is why these markets are popular among the middle-aged as well as young people. There are a lot of marine products and food to eat. In particular, Gomjangeo (inshore hagfish) street in Jagalchi Market is well known, along with the restaurants that serve the grilled fish at affordable prices. The Busan International Film Festival and the Busan Jagalchi Festival take place in the autumn. There are dozens of secondhand bookstores in Bosu-dong Book Alley where people can freely purchase, sell, read or browse secondhand books. Apart from Jagalchi Market and Film Street, the area around Nampo-dong, together with Haeundae Special Tourist Zone, is famous for holding the Busan International Film Festival. On the Food Street, which spans from Film Street to Gukje Market via Arirang Street, are street vendors selling food such as ssiat hotteok (seed-stuffed Korean-style pancake), bibim dangmyeon (spicy sweet potato noodles) and patbingsu (shaved ice with sweetened red beans). There are also restaurants serving jokbal (steamed pig trotters,) dwaejigalbi (grilled spareribs) and gopchang (grilled beef or pork intestine). It is the perfect place for visitors to enjoy unique Korean food. Current State of Yongdusan and Jagalchi Special Tourist Zone 1) Districts Covered: Areas around Gwangbuk, Nampo and Bupyeong-dong, parts of Donggwang, Daecheong, Bosu and Jungang-dong, Jung-gu, Busan 2) Area: 1,079,836㎡ * Tourist Attractions Yongdusan Park, Sumireu Park, Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, Bupyeong Market, Bosu-dong Book Alley, etc.

In Dongbu-dong, there is a 8.35 m (27 4/10 feet) high brick pagoda from the Unified Silla Kingdom Period (AD 654-935). Each brick is 27.5 cm (10 4/5 inches) long, 6 cm (2 1/3 inches) thick and 12.5 cm wide (4 9/10 inches). In the past, it was 7 stories high. In 1598, during the Japanese Invasion of Korea, the top motif was destroyed and the structure was further damaged during the Korean War. The pagoda was repaired in 1962. Rumour has it that the pagoda was once located inside the old Beomnimsa Temple. The Dangganjiju, which is located 5 m west from the pagoda, supports this story. One can see the small place to keep sculptures of the god on each floor. By looking at these with the tiled roof, it is possible to see what style was fashionable. On the second story from the southern viewpoint, one can see the beautiful remnants of the In Wang-sang statue. It is conveniently located on the left side of an open space at the end of the parking lot at Andong Train Station. * Designated National Treasure 56 on January 21, 1963.

Starting in 1989, archeologists undertook a 20-year-long excavation project at what is now known as the Wanggung-ni Historic Site. During excavation it was discovered that the area had been the site of the royal palace of King Muwang of the Baekje Dynasty from 600 to 640 AD. After the passing of the king, several key buildings of the palace were dismantled and a temple was built. Even today, the outer wall of the royal palace can still be seen, standing as a testament to the site’s unique history. Relics found at the site serve as important documentation of the construction of the royal palace and the lifestyle of the king. Significant discoveries at Wanggungni include 14 building sites (including Jeongjeon Hall where the king took care of political affairs and held ceremonial rituals), the site of the most impressive garden of the Baekje Dynasty, a ceramics workshop site, and remnants of a large palace restroom.

Located in Gyeonggi-do Gapyeong, Yumyeongsan Mountain was designated as the best natural recreation forest in Seoul because of its beautiful assortment of trees, valleys, and log cabins. Yumyeongsan Mountain’s trail is particularly nice and is what it’s famous for.Facilities within the recreation forest include a promenade, sporting equipment, a forest exhibition. Lodging facilities include the Forest House, a recreation center, camping deck, and camping site. Reservation can be made through the homepage.

The Total Museum is a branch of Jangheung Art Park (formerly “Total Outdoor Museum”) that opened near Bukhansan in April, 1992. It houses facilities such as an art academy, library, art shop, and outdoor performance stage. In addition to exhibitions, the museum holds a variety of art and culture programs like musical concerts, events, lectures, and seminars. In particular, the members-only educational programs and gallery concerts provide a chance to enjoy high-quality cultural events.