Travel/Culture List

Masan Station connects Seoul, Busan (Bujeon), and Suncheon (Mokpo). From December 15, 2010, the KTX train began offering an express line from Masan to Seoul.

Baemikkumi Sculpture Park rests on Modo Island, one of the nearest islets to Yeongjongdo Island where Incheon International Airport is located.The name 'baemikkumi' comes from the local dialect, as people say the island resembles the shape of a hole normally seen from the bottom of a ship as 'baemit' translates to the bilge, and 'kkumi' is most closely translated to mean 'a hole' in English.The entire island has now become a beautiful exhibition hall of art works thanks to sculptor Lee Il-ho, who originally started and donated his talents for visitors coming to the island. The art displayed on the island makes for an inspiring contrast to Seohae (west sea, or yellow sea) in the background.

A lush tapestry of cool mountain valleys, majestic waterfalls, and towering peaks, Jirisan National Park has the proud distinction of being Korea’s first official national park. The Jirisan Mountain Range extends across three of Korea’s southernmost provinces: Jeollabuk-do, Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do. The mountain is home to 6 temples in the Gyeongsangnam-do area alone (Ssanggyesa Temple, Daewonsa Temple, Naewonsa Temple, Beopgyesa Temple, Chilbulsa Temple and Silsangsa Temple) and is revered in part for its stunning scenery. The Chilseon and Hansin valley areas are particularly well known for their beauty and are frequented by tourists throughout the year.

First built in 132 during the Baekje Era (BC 18-AD 660), Bukhansanseong Fortress, located inside Bukhansan Mountain National Park, was rebuilt as a stone fortress in 1711, during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The walls are 7 meters high, and 8km long. Bukhansanseong Fortress functioned as resting place for kings in emergencies when they had to abandon their palaces in the capital city and retreat. Therefore, Bukhansanseong Fortress was built to stand totally independent of the capital city.There are 15 gates to guard the fortress. With its 120 rooms, it was not as magnificent as the king’s palace, but enough for an emergency mountain palace. Especially making use of the ridgeline continuing on south from Baegundae Peak, Bukhansanseong Fortress was built to take advantage of the rough terrain and the cliffs of its surrounding area.The fortress has the fortification style representative of the Joseon Period, and its traditional architecture blends in beautifully with Bukhansan's scenery, famous for its lovely granite shapes. The fortress enclosure allows you to follow its walls on a leisurely walk. In the fall, the leaves turning color on the mountain make the fortress very picturesque.

Dasan Chodang is the house where Jeong Yak-yong (pen-name Dasan, 1762-1836) lived during his exile. He was a scholar of the late Joseon Dynasty and is noted for his great contributions to the development of practical learning in Korea. After he was expelled to Ganjin for writing a secret letter of appeal for religious freedom, which later was named ‘the Hwang Sa-yeong Baekseo’, he lived in the house for 18 years while studying practical learning (‘Silhak’ in Korean). Most of his renowned books were written in Dasan Chodang. While walking along a road near Dasan Chodang, you can see the Cheonilgak pavilion, which offers a great view of beautiful Gangjin Bay. Not far from Dasan Chodang is the Dasan Museum, where visitors can learn about the life of Dasan.

Seongryugul Cave is located where Wangpicheon Stream intersects with Seonyusan (Mt. Seonyu). Surrounded by arborvitae and designated as Natural Monument No. 155, it is a limestone cave that stretches over 472m; it is adorned with a beautiful array of stalactites and stalagmites. Connected to Wangpicheon Stream, the cave consists of five ponds and twelve squares. It is also the habitat for abundant fish. The cave was initially called Seonyugul because it was a beautiful site for mountain gods to stay and rest. Its current name originated during the Japanese Invasions of Korea (1592-1598). During the war, Buddhist statues housed in the nearby temple were relocated to the cave; hence the name, Seongryugul (Cave Where Buddha Stays). The cave is shaped in a linear, horizontal form, and a variety of squares within it—Yeonmudong Seoksil, Eumhacheon Ojakgyo, Yongsinji, and Yongsinji—showcase exquisite beauty. The most famous attraction in the cave, though, belongs to Sambulsang (Three Buddhist Statues) which looks like three Buddhas standing side by side.  

Seorae Village is located in between Banpo4-dong and Bangbaebun-dong in Seochu-gu, Seoul. Past the Banpo Bridge of Sapyeong-ro road and Palace Hotel along Seorae-ro road and you can see a cluster of luxurious villas. This was the former location of Ecole Francaise de Seoul, a French school for the France residents who resided here in 1985. There are about 1,000 French citizens residing in Korea (as of 2008 statistics) and about half of them are living in this area. Thus, Seorae Village naturally became a global village much thanks to the strong presence of French citizens in this area. Furthermore, situated geographically near Gangnam and the central business district area, along with natural sites including Yangjae stream and Hangang River Park, makes it a pleasant environment space for all. Every morning, long lines of cyclists with their bikes can be seen waiting in front of the bakery to buy the freshly baked baguettes. The traditional French bakery makes bread from ingredients that are directly imported from France and thus been a favorite to any French residents living in Korea. The shops in Seorae Village shops are modest and charming. The street is lined with shops and small restaurants, seeming to have been lifted straight out of Europe. In recent year, Seorae Village has undergone several changes. In every other street found here, a luxurious café and wine bar can be found and if you like to enjoy your meal outdoors, several cafes or restaurants with balcony seats are also available. This is currently one of the most popular areas among the locals and it has a nickname of ‘Little France’.

This park was built in Bongseo-ri, Paju-eup, in June 1973 to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought in the defense of the South during the Korean War, as well as to pray for unification. It is situated near Munsan station where the UN War Correspondent Center was located during the armistice talks. A monument rests within the park that pays tribute to the 18 Korean and foreign war correspondents who died trying to share their, often tragic, stories of the war. They include Han Gyu-ho of the Seoul Shinmun as well as journalists from the U.S. (10 people), Britain (4 people), France (2 people) and the Philippines (1 person). There is also a tower built to commemorate the loyalty and courage of 10 brave soldiers who sacrificed themselves in a bomb attack after a bloody struggle, a memorial tower dedicated to anticommunist guerilla units from the Gaema Plateau, and a statue of Colonel Lee Yu-jung and Second Lieutenant Kim Man-sul.  

Leave your car behind and enjoy fishing along the seaside path that winds from the entrance of Samcheok Port to Saecheonnyeon Coastal Road.

Sansuyu Village is like a messenger of spring, with its beautiful yellow sansuyu flower (cornus) in full bloom, and springtime picnickers coming in droves to Jirisan Mountain to capture this beautiful moment. In the summer, Surak Falls shows off its color. In the fall, Sansuyu feature delicious berries. And in winter, it boasts amazing views of snow-covered Manbokdae Peak, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Also, Sansuyu Village offers a couple of good exercise spots located near at Jirisan Mountain called Dullegil Road, which includes old trekking trails and an old walking trail called Daedongyeojido. Through exploring Jirisan Mountain's hiking trails and taking a dip in its hot spring, you can rejuvenate your spirit and overall wellness.