Travel/Culture List

Hwangji Pond is a source of the Nakdonggang River (525km), the longest river in Korea. The pond is an important joint of underground water flow through the valleys of Taebaeksan, Hambaeksan, Baekbyeongsan and Maebongsan, the mountains surrounding the city of Taebaek. There are three sections of the pond: Sangji (high pond), 100m in diameter, Jungji (middle pond), 50m in diameter and Haji (low pond), 30m in diameter. Although it is small in size, the pond supplies 5,000 tons of water a day that flows to the open Yeongnampyeongya Plain. Being located at the center of Taebaek-si, Hwangji Pond is a popular destination for the citizens of Taebaek for cultural and recreational purposes. The night view of the pond is also beautiful, which makes it a perfect place for a couple’s night out. The water is very clean and lenoks can be found here, which only live in high quality water.

The Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone is made up of five cities and counties in Gangwon-do, including Pyeongchang-gun, which is the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Blessed with picturesque highland scenery, the Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone includes the cities of Gangneung-si, Donghae-si, Samcheok-si, and the counties of Hoengseong-gun and Pyeongchang-gun. Gangneung is located the nearest to Daegwallyeong. Famous attractions in Gangneung include Gyeongpoho Lake and Gyeongpodae Pavilion. Two of Gangneung’s historic villas, Ojukheon House and Seongyojang House, have been beautifully maintained for centuries. The city of Donghae’s two ports, Donghae Port and Mukho Port, are always buzzing with the energy of coastal life. Donghae Port is a base for the distribution of materials, industrial development, and trade. Cruise ferries take passengers to Russia and Japan. Meanwhile, ferries going to Ulleung-do depart from Mukho Port, which is located near Mukho Lighthouse and the Bukpyeong 5-day Market. Samcheok is a coastal city in the southernmost part of Gangwon-do. With National Road No. 7 at the center, Samcheok is bordered by Donghae to the north and Uljin-gun to the south. Hwanseongul Cave, the biggest limestone cave in Korea, and Daegeumgul Cave are some of the city’s major attractions. Hoengseong-gun is famous for its hanu (Korean beef) and the diverse agricultural experience programs the county offers. The lush forests and the road with a scenic view of Taegisan Mountain also attract many tourists. At 700 meters above sea level, Pyeongchang-gun is home to many ski resorts, making it a major destination for winter sports. [Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone] Areas included: Areas around Hoengseong and Pyeongchang-gun, Gangneung, Donghae and Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do Area size: 428.3k㎡ (Gangneung 90.4k㎡, Donghae 48.4k㎡, Samcheok 11.3k㎡, Hoengseong 63.5k㎡, Pyeongchang 214.7k㎡) Tourist attractions: Yongpyeong Resort, Alpensia Resort, Phoenix Park, Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, Donghae Port, Mukho Port, Seongyojang House, Cheongok Cave, etc.

The POSCO Museum, built on July 3, 2003 in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do shows the history, spirit, corporate culture and vision of POSCO. This 3-story, 1,100 pyeong building rests on a 3,000 pyeong site, while the exhibition area is 600 pyeong in area. In advanced countries, it is not uncommon for a private company to open a museum, however, it is a rarity in the Korean experience. Therefore, the POSCO Museum has come into the spotlight from the onset of master planning. The museum was established with the aim to be ‘a museum in which the past, present and future of POSCO coexist,’ showcasing the history of success and great achievements of POSCO, which has become a world leader of industry since its establishment in 1968.  

Located in Hansan-myeon, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jangsado Island is an island that is just 400 m in x_width, and 1.9 km in length, reaching an altitude of 108 m with total area of 390,131㎡. The island’s trees number approximately 100,000, with numerous camellia trees, and other varieties including silver magnolia. It also has beautiful fairy pitta birds, a natural monument, in addition to white eye birds. Local plants representative of Jangsado Island include aerides and dendrobium monile. The island’s name derives from its long shape, which resembles a silkworm (“jam” is a Chinese character that means “silkworm”).Located on Geoje Island, Hallyeohaesang National Park Korea is famous for its beautiful Camellia flowers that bloom in winter. The whole area of Island is covered with hydrangea in summer featuring different beauty of each season. Most of plants consists of evergreen trees which makes the island the greenness all year long.The island embraces its natural surrounding at maximum to preserve their natural beauty by the minimum of development. The eco-friendly park houses various sculptures and artistic pieces every place, and various performances are taken at outdoor performance hall which can accommodate up to 1,000 seats. So the park features a new-concept of cultural marine park, co-existing nature and culture alike.

Daejanggyeongpan (the Tripitaka Koreana) is stored inside the four wooden buildings of Janggyeongpanjeon located within the Haeinsa Temple in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. Daejanggyeongpan is the world’s oldest Buddhist canon, and has been designated as the 32nd national treasure of Korea. It is also known as Palman Daejanggyeong (Eighty Thousand Tripitaka), because a total of 84,000 Buddhist scriptures are engraved on some 80,000 wooden printing blocks. The complete collection was made over the period of 16 years starting in 1237 (24th year of King Gojong’s reign) to appeal for spiritual help in overcoming the national crisis of the Mongolian invasions. Janggyeongpanjeon which houses the Tripitaka Koreana was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1995.

An excellent place to see exhibitions and learn about and experience ecology, the Nakdong Estuary Eco-Center is located in Saha-gu, Busan. The center consists of three floors with the first floor home to an information office, a maintenance office, an educational room, and a volunteers’ room. The second floor is home to exhibition rooms, an experience zone, a small library, and an observatory. Audio-visual rooms are located on the third floor. The center runs a variety of experience programs so that visitors may explore the estuary, observe plants and insects, walk around tidal flats and reed beds, and make wooden sculptures. In addition, visitors can observe birds and compare the eggs and beaks of various birds. The center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on Mondays and New Year’s Day. The Nakdong Estuary Eco-Center, in turn is full of excellent amenities: picnic grounds, a botanical garden, a hiking trail, an observatory, abundant resting spots, an outdoor learning center, and lush trees.  

Situated at the foot of Wolchulsan Mountain in Yeongam (Jeollanam-do), Gurim Village is the center of ceramic culture in Korea. Legend has it that Wangin and Monk Doseon of the Baekje Dynasty were born in this village. Boasting 2,200 years of history, the village is home to the Yeongam Pottery Museum, which opened in April 2008 after renovating the previous Pottery Culture Center. The Regular Exhibition Hall displays the history of pottery in Yeongam, from Gurim Pottery of the Unified Silla Period to works excavated from kilns of the Chosun Dynasty. Visitors can also participate in a hands-on program crafting pottery and can purchase local products and tea sets at the museum gift shop. At the entrance of the museum is Siyu Dogi (pottery) Kiln (Historic Site No. 338) that produced the first slipware pottery in Korea; it was excavated by the Ewha Woman’s University Museum. The courtyard next to the kiln is decorated with ceramic chairs, tables, and pots. The museum hosts diverse exhibitions focusing on pottery every year. Moreover, the museum is close to popular tourist attractions including the Wangin Historic Site, Dogapsa Temple, and Wolchulsan National Park. Gurim Village also hosts the Wangin Culture Festival every spring when cherries are in blossom.  

With a mystical path cutting into the ocean and a beautiful site to watch the stunning sunset, Muchangpo Beach is one of the first man-made beaches on the western coastline.The beach has a x_width of about 50m and a length of 1.5 km. The depth of the water is about 1m~2m and the water remains at a pleasant 22 degrees Celsius. Along the gently sloping beach is a vast pine tree forest, providing a relaxing place to enjoy the fresh waters and cool shade.During the tides of the summer season, you can witness a miraculous phenomenon where a road seems to emerge from the depths of the ocean, similar to how Moses parted the Red Sea. This happens near the embankments of the beach that extend to about 1.5 km, and occurs only twice a year during the high tide season on the lunar calendar.Furthermore, about a 20-minute drive away, is the Daechun seaport where fresh and delicious seafood and cooked crab meals can be bought at a cheap price.The Mysterious Sea-Parting ExperienceAt the Muchang-po observation tower, which is located on top of a hill 50m away from the Muchang-po entrance, you can observe the spectacular view of the mysterious sea-parting phenomenon.The sea-parting phenomenon, which happens on the 15th and 30th of July on the Lunar Calendar, is accompanied by various activities such as the clam hunting and arm wrestling competitions, as well as traditional Korean folk games.

Explore Incheon with Ease and Convenience: Visit the Incheon Tourist Information Centers! If you're planning a trip to Incheon, one of the best ways to make your visit smooth and enjoyable is by utilizing the Incheon Tourist Information Centers. Incheon city operates a total of 10 tourist information centers strategically located across the city to cater to the needs of travelers. These centers offer a wide range of services and materials to help you navigate the city and make the most of your visit. You can find travel guides and brochures in multiple languages, including English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese, ensuring that language barriers are minimized. The tourist information center at Incheon International Airport is particularly convenient for travelers, as it is open year-round, from 7 AM to 10 PM. This means you can get the help you need as soon as you land or just before you depart. The other tourist information centers in Incheon generally operate from 9 AM to 6 PM, except on major Korean holidays such as Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), ensuring that you have access to assistance during most of the year. At each of these centers, friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to provide detailed explanations about the best attractions, dining options, and activities suited to your interests. They can help you plan your itinerary, find transportation, and even recommend hidden gems that you might not find in typical travel guides. Visiting the Incheon Tourist Information Centers can significantly enhance your travel experience by providing you with the latest updates on must-see spots and essential services. Whether you're looking for cultural experiences, historical sites, shopping destinations, or dining recommendations, these centers are your go-to resource. So, when you visit Incheon, don't forget to stop by one of the Incheon Tourist Information Centers. Not only will you get valuable information and services, but you'll also ensure a more convenient and enjoyable trip. With their help, navigating Incheon becomes a breeze, allowing you to focus on creating memorable experiences in this vibrant city. Make your Incheon adventure hassle-free by taking advantage of the resources and expertise offered at the Incheon Tourist Information Centers. Your journey to discovering all that Incheon has to offer starts here!

Hwajinpo (화진포) is named so because there are sweet briers that bloom by the lake, and it is one of nature’s great lagoons. It is designated Gangwon Provincial Monument No. 10 with a circumference of about 16 km, and it has a wide reed field which is an important place for migratory birds and swans in the winter. Hwajinpo Lake is surrounded by evergreens and white sandy beaches; it is a lagoon where the river and the sea meet. Materials drifting down the river deposited at the bottom of the river become a sandy beach that eventually block off the river from the sea, creating a lagoon. Hwajinpo Lake is the largest lagoon near the East Sea, and has many ancient artifacts around it, such as the Ten Goindol rocks (also called Jiseokmyeo) scattered around the lake. Because of its excellent scenery, Kim Il-Seong (1912-1994) of North Korea and the South Korean president Lee Seung-Man (1875-1965) had summer houses here after the independence of Korea in 1945. The two houses that originally faced each other with the lake at the center are gone now, but the sites still remain as tourist destinations. They have been converted to Hwajinpo’s Museum of History, and opened to public as a security exhibit center.