Travel/Culture List

Ulsan Museum is an archive of the history, present, and future of Ulsan City. The museum facilities include a history hall giving a general outline of the city from the prehistoric to the modern times, an industry hall showing Ulsan as the industrial capital of Korea, and a children’s experience hall for educational purposes. This eco-friendly museum equipped with advanced exhibition and education facilities is a model cultural space to help establish the visitors understand Ulsan’s identity.

The villa of Lee Ki-poong is located between the villas of Rhee Syngman and Kim Ilsung on the shores of Hwajinpo Lake. The villa was originally built by foreign missionaries in the 1920's. It began to be used as a priviate residence by Lee, the Vice-president to President Rhee, and his wife Maria Park after the cease-fire agreement.

Founded in 2007, the Seoul Arts and Culture Tour Project is a cultural experience program operated by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture. Tours are held Thursday to Saturday on the second and fourth weeks of the month from April to October.   Participants meet at the square in front of Seoul City Hall around 10:30 am to ride the bus provided by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture and begin their tour of Seoul. The program has a variety of excursions, which are divided up by theme: art, theater, literature, architecture, and design. During the weekdays, the tour is popular among housewives who may have a little extra time while their children are at school; during the weekends, it becomes the perfect opportunity for families, couples, and international to tour Seoul. Through this free program, participants will be able to visit some of the sites in Seoul and discover what makes each place one of Seoul’s crown jewels. Interested parties are asked to make reservations by calling the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture or by visiting the website.  

At 1,708 meters high, Daecheongbong is the highest peak in Seoraksan National Park and the third highest peak in Korea following Hallasan Mountain (1,950 meters) and Jirisan Mountain (1,915 meters). It marks the point where Nae-Serok (inner Serok) meets Oe-Serok (outer Serok). Due to irregular climate and low temperatures, it is home to various stunted high mountain plants and about 50 rare plants, as well as a variety of wild birds. From Daecheongbong Peak you can view the fascinating landscape of Seoraksan Mountain in all four directions.The most popular hiking trail to Daecheongbong Peak starts from Sogongwon and passes the Biseondae and Hoeungak Pavilions. From Daecheongbong Peak, the trail continues to Seorak Waterfalls and Osaek Mineral Spring. The one-way span is about 16 kilometers and takes about 11 hours and 20 minutes. About 10 minutes from Oryeon Falls is the Yangpok Shelter where visitors can stay the night on a first-come first-served basis. The website offers more information on shelters and reservation. 

The Pine Forest Trail on Geumgangsan Mountain in Uljin goes through a beautiful forest of lush pine trees growing tall and straight with uncommonly bright bark. These special trees are called Geumgang Pine Trees, sometimes shortened to "gangsong" ('songi' is pine in Korean). The forest has many old trees, including at 520-year-old "grandfather pine," leading to the forest being designated a protected status. Visitors who wish to walk through the pine tree tunnel and enjoy a 'forest bathing' experience must make reservations in advance.

Hwaam Cave (화암동굴) used to be a gold mine that was commercially operated from 1922 to 1945. The nation’s 5th largest goldmine was, however, found to have natural stalactites, and later the cave was developed as the only theme-based cave that combined gold and nature. The stalactite area is an open space of 2,800㎡ and the length of the path open to visitors is 1,803 meters. The entire area consists of 5 chapters, which in turn constitute 41 zones; it takes about an hour and a half to see all of the zones. You can travel to the entrance of Hwaam Cave on Korea’s first cave monorail listening to the soft pipe-in music of Jeongseon Arirang. Hwaam Cave is not only a tourist attraction but also an educational venue where you can learn a lot about the subterranean ecology of a stalactite-lined cave and the process of gold mining/refining.* Five ChaptersChapter 1. History: The processes used in the development of the Cheonpo Goldmine are demonstrated. Also, actual gold veins, excavating facilities and other mining traces have been preserved for tourists.Chapter 2. 365 Steps to Gold: The 90-meter high natural cave that connects the upper and lower shafts is now connected by 365 steps, and you can enjoy cave flowers and wall craters/holes while walking down the steps.Chapter 3. Golden Fantasy: The process of gold mining and the value of gold are explained by animated characters.Chapter 4. More About Gold: You can see an 18.5kg gold bar, educational videos, dioramas, and learn even more about gold.Chapter 5. Mysterious Mother Nature: The natural stalactite cave offers unembellished yet magnificent scenery with Asia’s largest stalactite cascade, huge stalagmites/stone pillars, a statue of the Virgin Mary, a statue of the Buddha, cave flowers and helictites. 

Daegu Modern History Street is an experience trip to see the modern history that lives on in the alleyways of Daegu. Compared to other regions, Daegu suffered less damage during the Korean War, allowing the city to clearly show the changes that happened from before and after the war. The course includes locations that were important venues of historical moments from the previous generations.

Maisan Mountain has two major peaks made of sedimentary rocks; these peaks are said to be ‘couple peaks’ and cannot be found anywhere else. Sut Maibong (alt. 667m) is said to be the male peak while the slightly larger Am Maibong (alt. 673m) is deemed the female peak. In the early Joseon Period the mountain was named ‘Sokgeumsan,’ but began to be called ‘Maisan’ after the 12th year of King Taejong, who commented that the two peaks resembled a horse’s ears (‘maisan’ meaning ‘horse ears’). All along Maisan Mountain, you will find small crater-like rock cavities that are formed by prolonged weathering. These unique geological features, called ‘tafoni,’ are of great academic value. Inside Hwaeomgul Cave, you’ll find medicinal water that flows up from underground all throughout the year. It is widely believed that once you drink the water, especially on the days of the Spring and Autumn Equinox, you will soon have a son and be blessed by the mountain spirit. Even today, many women who have difficulty conceiving visit the mountain to pray to the mountain spirits for their heart’s desire—the gift of a child. The region in which Maisan is located is the birthplace of many talented people and national heroes, which some say is proof of the blessings of the mountain and its extremely powerful spirit.

Gapado Island is 5.5 km away from Moseulpo Port, south of Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do.Dutchman Hendrik Hamel stumbled upon the shores of Jeju-do and later introduced the island to the West. The island has a monument for Hamel, set up to honor his contributions to Jeju. Gapa Green Barley Festival is held every year in May, and a ferry also runs from Moseulpo Port to Gapado Island, and operates two times a day.* Gapa Green Barley Festival

Located in Chilgeum-dong, Chungju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Tangeumdae Terrace is a historically significant place that was designated as Scenic Spot No. 42. The place was named Tangeumdae because it was where Ureuk, the celebrated musician of the Silla Dynasty (BC 57-AD 935), used to played the gayageum (traditional stringed instrument). During the Imjin War (Japanese invasion, 1592-1598), Tangeumdae Terrace was also the battlefield where General Shin Rip and his troops fought fierce battles against the invading forces. This is why a monument for the fallen heroes was built at this site. The area is widely known as Tangeum Pak as there are various other attractions around the area such as a monument honoring the patriotic spirit of General Shin Rip, an outdoor music hall, sculptures, grass fields, etc.