Travel/Culture List

CineCube is famous for showing artistic films. Movies that are hard to find at other theaters are shown at CineCube. Those who are movie manias often come to this theater. The theater only has two screens, but it has been renovated and recreated to show off a fresh new atmosphere. The theater boasts a state-of-the-art elevator which adds to the fun of visiting the theater. One feature of the theater that cannot be left out is the annual screening of special films. The schedule is set up beforehand so moviegoers can avoid long lines on the day of the show. It makes the anticipation of the movie twice as fun. Nearby the theater you can find the Seoul Museum of History. It is a two-minute walk from the theater. For those who are art lovers, there is also the Deoksugung Palace Art Museum nearby as well. Also nearby are the Sejong Cultural Arts Center and Gwanghwamun. After seeing a movie or going through the sites nearby, one may work up an appetite. Take a trip to the basement of CineCube and that can all be taken care of. You can find fusion restaurants, pasta, pizza, and convenience stores. Also, on the B2 floor there is a food court with many fast food restaurants.

At the heart of the Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone is Muju Gucheondong Valley. The outer parts of Deogyusan National Park and the mountain’s natural recreation forest are also part of the special tourist zone.The 30-kilometer-long Muju Gucheondong Valley is located to the north of Deogyusan National Park. The calm and soothing sound of the water flowing through a lush forest make this a great summer destination. The 33 scenic points of Gucheondong include Eunguam Rock, Haksodae Falls, Waryongdam Pond, Gucheon Waterfall and Yeonhwa Waterfall. In the summer, visitors can see the rare sight of fireflies in their natural habitat. The fall foliage in autumn and the winter snowscape are also quite exquisite.Within the vicinity of Muju Gucheondong is Muju Resort. The resort complex is made up of a family hotel, resort condominium and various recreational facilities where visitors can enjoy skiing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Visitors can take the gondola from the resort all the way up to Deogyusan Mountain’s Seolcheonbong Peak (1,520 meters). From, there, they can easily reach the summit at Hyangjeokbong Peak (1,614 meters).Taekwondowon, located near the Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone, offers a hands-on Taekwondo experience program. Those who are interested in learning Taekwondo can take part in a 1-day program which includes a Taekwondo demonstration, a Taekwondo class (basic movements), and board breaking.[Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone]Areas Covered: Mupung-myeon (Samgoe-ri) and Seolcheon-myeon (Samgong-ri and Simgok-ri) in Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-doArea size: 7,610,000 ㎡Tourist Attractions: Deogyusan National Park, 33 Scenic Views of Muju, Gucheondong Valley, Muju Resort, forest park, Taekwondowon, Muju Hyanggyo (Confucian school), Baengnyeonsa Temple, Jeoksansanseong Fortress, etc.

Chiaksan National Park (치악산국립공원) was designated as a national park in December 1984. For years Chiaksan has inspired hikers with its towering mountain sides and magnificent deep valleys. Its was once referred to as "Jeokak," but the name has since changed over time, due in large part to a mythical story. There once a man that rescued a pheasant from being eaten alive by a snake. When the man later found himself in danger, that pheasant saved his life in return. Because of this story the name became "Chiaksan."The temple connected to that story is Sangwonsa Temple. South of Sangwonsa Temple in Sangwon-gol is the Natural Monument Seonghwang Forest. To the west are Sejondae, Mangyeongdae and Mun Stone and Adeul (Son) stone. You can also see fortress walls from the myth of Jeonransa Temple such as Yeongwon Fortress, Haemi Fortress and Geumdu Fortress. Near the main peak Birobong is Seokgyeongsa Temple, where the soul of Ungok Won Cheon-Seok is said to be resting, and Ipseokdae, Sinseondae, Tejongdae and Nogoso. Behind them you can enjoy the magnificent landscape of Seryeom Waterfall, Sadari Byeongchang, Changde Rock and Tugubong Peak.Also on the top of Birobong are the famous three stone pagodas (10m high). Guryongsa Temple was established by Monk Uisang (625~702) of the Silla Kingdom (BC 57∼AD 935), during the reign of King Munmu. Other attractions include Daewungjeon (Local Tangible Cultural Property No.24), Guryong Waterfall, the Turtle Stone, Tiger Stone and Dragon stone nearby.For many years, Chiaksan was dotted with numerous temples. However, as time wore on, only Guryongsa Temple along with seven others remain today. At Guryong Valley there is a forest of pine trees that are hundreds of years old. The main ridges of Chiaksan are steep to the west but slope gently in the east.

Located in Seongdong-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongju Station began operating on November 1, 1918. The station is part of the Donghae Nambu Line and is the last stop on the Jungang Line.

A small plaza projecting toward the south coast of Jeoryeongdo Island, 75 Square is one of the eight scenic sites of Yeongdo-gu in Busan. It was constructed in 1975 and became known as 75 Square from then on.  

Boasting breathtaking views, Jirisan National Park was the first park in Korea to officially be designated a national park in 1967. Its glorious mountain range extends across three provinces and five cities. The magnificent mountains and exceptional scenery make this one of the most famous mountains in Korea. Roughly 1,915 meters above sea level, Cheonwangbong Peak, considered to be the pillar of heaven, is the main peak. Jirisan also features Banyabong and Nogodan, and is home to over 10 famous temples. There are over twenty summits and valleys such as Baemsagol Valley, which are part of "Jirisan Ten Sceneries." As this is the location of the most well-preserved virgin forests in Korea , the majestic and mystical mountain is highly revered. There are many species of animal and plant life, and as the first place to cultivate tea in Korea, herbal medicine cultivation still flourishes here.Jirisan Mountain was also where the Buddhist culture prospered, and there are many cultural assets here, such as Baekjangam Three-Story Stone Pagoda (National Treasure No.10), the Silsangsa Three-Story Stone Pagoda (Treasure No. 37) and more. These regional cultural assets and the superb sceneries of nature give you a unique taste of local history and culture. The weather is temperamental and only 80~100 days out of the year are clear and sunny, but the mist and fog create rare, unparalleled scenes not found anywhere else.

The Wanggung Five-story Stone Pagoda is located on a hill about 2 kilometers south of Wanggung-myeon in Iksan, which is believed to have been the capital of the nation during the Mahan Era. The pagoda stands tall at 8.5 meters and was officially designated National Treasure No. 289. Relics from the Goryeo Dynasty that were found inside the pagoda were designated National Treasure No. 123 and are currently housed in the National Museum of Korea. Of the excavated relics, the most famous; the Sarijangeomgu, a magnificent container of Buddha’s Sarira; the green glass Sarira bottle topped with a lotus-shaped stopper; and the Sungeumgeumganggyeongpan, which contains the 19 golden plates of the Diamond Sutra.

Just like other berry farmers, Uncle Strawberry at first supplied his products to retail distributors such as markets, department stores and discount stores. But he decided to change that, and now he meets his consumers himself at his farmland and provide his berries directly to people. With no retailers in-between, Uncle Strawberry is now able to provide his best quality strawberries to his customers at a lower price. In 2006, Uncle Strawberry started to run hands-on experience programs in his farmland. Initially, there were only 8 of them, but now the number has jumped to 44. For years, Uncle Strawberry’s farmland has grown its berries based on all-nature and environmental friendly farming methods. Uncle Strawberry is a determined farmer who thinks providing best strawberries to his customers is most important. With this in mind, he is doing his best to grow high-quality and healthy strawberries by means using natural pest control, and his products are certified organic.    

Daegu-si Dalseong-gun’s Biseulsan Recreational Forest (비슬산자연휴양림), famous for its beautiful natural scene, is located at the base of Biseulsan Mountain. The valley is replete with many notable rock formations, beautiful cliff walls and pure streams. It is also possible to see pink azaleas, which are especially beautiful during springtime. In addition, during winter there are ice caves, ice towers, snow sleds, icicle hills, and ice gardens for visitors. Within the natural recreation forest, there is a water playground and a promenade. For accommodation, there are the Forest Cabin and camping area. Reservation can be made via online.

Soswaewon Garden is a private garden from the Joseon Period where the beauty of traditional Korea is preserved. It was built by Yang San-Bo (1503-1557) after he gave up his success when his mentor Jo Gwang-Jo (1482-1519) was killed during a political strife. Soswaewon Garden presents itself as a clean and transparent garden where the righteous enjoy the life of anbinnakdo (being comfortable amid poverty and taking pleasure in and honest life style) surrounded by a bamboo grove. Including peach trees, various kinds of trees and grass are planted on both sides of the stream while clear water flows down the foot of the garden walls. The log bridge above the valley adds to the charm of the scenery. The harmony between nature and the artificial waterfall is a sight to behold. Soswaewon Garden is 150m away from the main road. Passing through the thick bamboo forest, you will find the small valley and Soswaewon Garden on your left.