Travel/Culture List

Daehan Dawon Tourist Tea Plantation
 
Jeollanam-do(Boseong-gun)
Daehan Dawon Tourist Plantation is an area located in Boseong, and its main specialty is green tea which originated from the mountain valleys south of Boseong. Boseong has been a tea plantation area since the days of the Japanese occupation, and with its long history comes large plantations, their traditions, and highly skilled workers. The most famous of these is the Daehan Dawon Plantation. The site has gained popularity as a film making destination after a huge success of the commercial for a telecommunication company. It also host ‘Dahyangje Tea Festvial’ each year in May.The road leading to Daehan Dawon Plantation is very beautiful, full of green tea fields and cedar trees, which has been  There are several country roads in Korea known for their beauty, and one of them is the Boseong Cedar Road. Trees 20 meters in x_height are planted and lined evenly along both sides of the road. About 300 meters down the road you can see a market selling local products. If you go further along the road past the market, you come to a small pond on the right. Go around the pond, and you will come to the administrative office building, coffee shops and restaurants. Pass these buildings and you will finally arrive at the Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation. Go passed the buildings and on the left side you will see the cedar road again. On the other side of the road, in the middle of the tea field, there are stairs where you can climb to a big tree at the top of a hill. You can see the whole tea plantation from here.

Daegu Apsan Park
 
Daegu(Nam-gu)
Apsan is a 600 meter-high mountain in Nam-gu, Daegu-si. At the front and back of the mountain are Sanseongsan Mt. (653m) and Daedeoksan Mountain; Apsan Park is located in the valley where the three mountains converge.Apsan Park is one of the largest urban-eco parks in Daegu, covering an area of around 508 pyeong (approx. 1,680 meters squared). A cable car runs 790m up Apsan and at the foot of the mountain are leisure facilities where visitors can enjoy archery, horseback riding, and swimming. There is also a monument that commemorates the poet Yi Ho-wu as well as Nakdonggang River War Memorial Hall (established in 1979) and Keungol Daedeok Dongsan Hill, which has a fabulous garden perfect for dates or family outings.As a major leisure place for Daegu citizens, the park has numerous walking trails. Largely, the routes can be categorized into three groups: ones that start from the park and connect to Apsan Mountain, those that go from the park to Sanseongsan Mountain, and those that wind along to Daedeoksan Mountain. The length of the paths varies from 2km to 4km, allowing visitors to choose the path that best fits their capabilities and preferences. Visitors can capture the view of Daegu from the Apsan Observatory after getting off the cable car.

Chuncheon Myeongdong Street
 
Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)
This popular street is in the heart of downtown Chuncheon. Fast-food restaurants, movie theaters, and nightclubs all pack the streets of this hip area. This street was originally known as Joyang-dong Street. The current name, Myeong-dong Street, comes from Seoul’s hippest shopping district, Myeong-dong. The famous food street, with many tasty Dakgalbi restaurants is located right behind this shopping street. Jungang Market and Chuncheon’s underground shopping district are two of the most popular places here. The Jungang Market dates back to 1962 and quickly became the biggest general market around, with items ranging from Korea’s traditional garb of the hanbok to clothing for middle-aged people. The underground market area has plenty of places to eat and has shops selling clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories. With around 300 shops, this market area is much larger and livelier than Myeong-dong Street.*Several scenes from the popular drama Gyeoul Yeonga (Winter Sonata) were filmed here. 

Korea Postage Stamp Museum
 
Seoul(Jung-gu)
Korea Postage Stamp Museum displays all exhibits related to stamps and offers a stamp culture venue where people who likes stamps can share information regarding stamps. It is comprised of Postal Service History Gallery, Postal Stamp Information Gallery, Philately Class and Hands-on Postage Stamp Experience Gallery in a total area of 540㎡. Since 2013, they had changed their name from Korea Stamp World (우표문화누리) to the current ‘Korea Postage Stamp Museum’.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
 
Busan(Gijang-gun)
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is situated on the coast of the north-eastern portion of Busan. This superb find of a tourist spot and temple offers visitors the rare find of a temple along the shore line. Most temples in Korea are located in the mountains. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple was first built in 1376 by the great Buddhist teacher known as Naong during the Goryeo Dynasty. Haesu Gwaneum Daebul (Seawater Great Goddess Buddha), Daeungjeon Main Sanctuary, Yongwangdang Shrine, Gulbeop Buddhist Sanctum (enclosed in a cave), and a three-story pagoda with four lions can all be seen looking out over the ocean. The main sanctuary of the temple was reconstructed in 1970 with careful attention paid to the colors that were traditionally used in such structures. On the right-hand side, inside the a cave, is a uniquely designed Buddhist sanctum, while situated just in front of the main sanctuary is a three-story pagoda with four lions. The four lions are symbolizing joy, anger, sadness, and happiness. Other special sites at the temple are the 108 stairs and stone lanterns lining the rocky landscape. After going down the 108 steps, one will be delighted with the beauty of the temple. Midway down the 108 steps one can stop and enjoy the calming sounds of the waves, and view the majestic sunrise. Many people often come to this spot on New Year's Day to make a wish for the new year as they watch the sun come up. April is an especially beautiful time of year with cherry blossoms in full bloom. The birth of Buddha is also celebrated in April (following the lunar calendar) and offers a spectacular night view as the temple area is aglow with electrically lit lanterns.  

Hwangnyeongsan Mountain
 
Busan(Busanjin-gu)
Hwangnyeongsan Mountain is located in the heart of Busan and stretches across Busanjin-gu, Nam-gu, and Suyeong-gu Districts. With an altitude of 427m, the mountain is the second highest mountain in the Geumnyeon Mountain Range. The mountain is mostly made up of andesite and the summit is relatively flat. Some parts of the mountain are also characterized by exposed bedrocks. The northeast part of Hwangnyeongsan Mountain is connected to Geumnyeonsan Mountain. Because of its geologic age, the terrain has been dissected by river valleys, resulting in less sharp surfaces. Several smaller hills and ridges can also be found scattered around the area. Hwangnyeongsan Mountain isn't very high so it only takes about two to three hours to get to the top. At the foot of the mountain, one can find a citizen's recreation area and a youth training center. Choosing which mountain trail to take depends on the transportation options available to you. The bongsudae (beacon fire station) constructed on top of the mountain was an important means of communication for the military in 1422. This bongsudae was used to communicate with the bongsudae on Haeundae's Ganbiosan Mountain (east), Gubongsan Mountain (west), and Beomeosa Temple and Gyemyeongsan Mountain (north). Every year, events such as the sansinje (ritual for the mountain god) and the beacon lighting ceremony are held on Hwangnyeongsan Mountain.

Daegu Yangnyeongsi Oriental Medicine Cultural Center
 
Daegu(Jung-gu)
Yangnyeongsi Oriental Medicine Cultural Center was established in 1993. On the first floor is the herbal medicine market, which opens every five days and sells different types of herbal medicine from across the country. The second floor, divided into six zones, houses various experience station, a souvenir shop and an outdoor garden. The third floor, divided into four zones, displays the general and historical facts about Oriental medicine development in the city of Yangnyeong. Through multiple exhibitions and various hands-on experience programs, the Cultural Center continues to provide an opportunity to experience the 350-year-old traditions in the history of Yangnyeong-si and Yakjeon Medicine Alley.

Odusan Unification Observatory
 
Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si)
The Odusan Unification Observatory opened to the public in 1992. It is one of the national tourist spot where foreigners choose to visit and experience the stark reality of the divided Peninsula. From this observation platform, Songaksan Mountain in the city of Gyeseongi and 63 Building in Seoul are visible.This observatory has five floors above ground and one underground. Various photos and computerized screens showing the reality of North Korea are displayed on the first and second floor. Products from North Korea can also be purchased here.

Songdo Central Park
 
Incheon(Yeonsu-gu)
'Central Park' is a seaside park built within Songdo International City, a green paradise found among the crowded skyscrapers in the city. Visitors can enjoy a water taxi ride on the man-made waterway, take a stroll at the walking promenades or various themed meadows around.

Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
 
Seoul(Yongsan-gu)
Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, exhibits traditional and modern works of art by Korean and international artists. The museum itself is just as fascinating as the works of art on display, since its three buildings were designed by the internationally renowned architects, Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel, and Rem Koolhaas. MUSEUM 1 houses traditional Korean works of art, such as calligraphy, paintings, ceramic arts, and metal craftwork, while MUSEUM 2 displays modern and contemporary art by both Korean and foreign artists. On Saturday and Sunday guided tours in English are conducted at 3pm. If you plan to visit during the weekdays and wish to receive an English guided tour, you will need to call at least 2-3 days in advance to make a reservation. Audio guides in English, Japanese, and Chinese are available, which provide detailed information on the works of art. These can be rented at the museum for a small fee. This is one of the places that the "first ladies of the Seoul G20" visited during the G20 Summit in Seoul in November 2010. This attraction represents the beauty of Korea.