Travel/Culture List

Starting from Subun-ri, Jangsu-gun of Jeollabuk-do, Geumgang River flows from the east to the west passing through Chungcheong-do and the northern region of Jeollabuk-do before it reaches the Yellow Sea at Gunsan. In the old days people had to cross the river from Gunsan to Janghang by boat but over the years an estuary has formed at the mouth of the some 400-km-long river so that today people now come and go in their cars between the two cities.Geumgang estuary became a famous tourist attraction because of its majestic beauty but it has changed quite a bit compared to how it was before. Waves of reeds stretch along the riverside, and behind it are some hills that include Dolsan Mountain at about 100m and the more substantial Mt. Oseongsan at 230m. Come November a flock of swans fly into the estuary. It is truly a sight to behold. As well as being the breeding grounds for swans, the estuary has become a sanctuary for many rare birds including oyster catchers (Haematopus ostralegus) and Saunder’s gulls (Larus saundersi). So, visitors in winter can feast their eyes on the many birds that have made the estuary their home.

Batangol Arts Center is located in Yangpyeong. Because of the wonderful scenery of the surrounding lake and mountains, many people visit throughout the year. Batangol Arts Center is not merely a concert or exhibition hall, but also a place for visitors to participate in artistic activities and become artists themselves. It is a highly recommended place for foreigners who want to experience traditional Korean culture. You can participate in various activities at the art gallery, workshop, the ceramics workshop and the outdoor exhibition of the Batangol Art Center. One place you should not miss is the ceramics workshop. Here you can have the chance to actually make ceramics yourself. It is an interesting and fun experience for foreigners. After you finish shaping the mud clay, your work is completed by being baked in a traditional Korean pottery kiln. You can create your personal painting using the various dyeing materials. In the Hand-made Paper Room you can make paper with mulberry.Try making a card or a frame with the hand-made paper. It will be a nice present for friends and family. At the Batangol theater you can watch various genres of performances, from musicals to concerts. After seeing the artwork at the gallery, you can head to the cafe. It is a refreshing space where you can have a cup of tea while enjoying Mother Nature outside the window. The soothing scenery will x_heighten your taste buds and make the tea all the more refreshing. If you want to grab a bite before you leave Batangol, you can go to the Korean traditional restaurant, "Waegajip Bapsang." They have traditional dishes and snacks such as ramyeon and tteokbokki. There are more restaurants near the entrance of the Arts Center. 

Discover the Rich History and Culture at Incheon Jung-gu Life History Museum If you're planning a trip to Incheon, the Incheon Jung-gu Life History Museum is a must-visit destination that offers a fascinating journey through Korea's past and present. This museum uniquely showcases the coexistence of history and culture in Incheon. Daebul Hotel Exhibition Hall The Daebul Hotel Exhibition Hall is dedicated to the history of Korea's first Western-style hotel, the Daebul Hotel. Opened in 2018, this hall presents a comprehensive look at the hotel's exterior and its glory days, along with its decline. It features artifacts found at the hotel's site and materials related to hotels and inns in the area during the Japanese colonial period.       Jung-gu Life History Exhibition Hall The Jung-gu Life History Exhibition Hall takes visitors through the life and transformations of Incheon Jung-gu from the 1960s to the 1970s. Opened in 2018, this hall is spread across three floors, each offering a rich array of exhibits: * Basement Level: The entrance features a timeline showcasing the history of Jung-gu since its establishment in 1968. Visitors are greeted by a subway model and other period-specific displays. * First Floor: This floor is dedicated to the clothing, food, and housing cultures of the 1960s and 1970s. It includes a rental service for retro outfits like school uniforms and dresses, where visitors can take memorable photos. The recreated barber shops, coal briquettes, classic cameras, and public telephones evoke nostalgia. Additionally, there are streets replicating the markets and living spaces from that era. * Second Floor: Here, you can explore the culture of the 1960s and 1970s through recreated pubs, theaters, and tea houses. The walls are adorned with record albums, and the theater displays popular movie posters from the 1970s, complete with a ticket booth. You can even watch films from that period if you time your visit right. Unique Experience at Keulaedeul Inside the Jung-gu Life History Exhibition Hall, Keulaedeul offers a unique experience where you can rent traditional Korean hanbok or historical costumes and take photos around the Incheon open port area. This is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the charm of Korean culture and history. Practical Information Address: 101 Sinpo-ro 23beon-gil, Jungang-dong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Incheon Contact: +82-32-766-2202 Website: Jung-gu Culture and Tourism / Incheon Jung-gu Cultural Foundation Closed: Every Monday (If Monday is a public holiday, the museum is closed on the following Tuesday) Opening Hours: 09:00 - 18:00 (Last admission at 17:30) Admission Fees: Daebul Hotel Exhibition Hall & Life History Exhibition Hall: Adults (19+): 1,000 KRW (Individual) / 800 KRW (Group) Youth (13-18): 700 KRW (Individual) / 500 KRW (Group) Military/Police: 500 KRW (Individual) / 400 KRW (Group) Unified Ticket for 5 Museums: Adults (19+): 3,400 KRW (Individual) / 2,800 KRW (Group) Youth (13-18): 2,300 KRW (Individual) / 1,700 KRW (Group) Military/Police: 2,100 KRW (Individual) / 1,400 KRW (Group) Children (12 and under): Free *Group rates apply to 20 or more paying visitors. *Museums included in the unified ticket: Incheon Open Port Modern Architecture Museum, Incheon Open Port Museum, Daebul Hotel Exhibition Hall (Life History Exhibition Hall), Korean-Chinese Cultural Center, and Jajangmyeon Museum. The Incheon Jung-gu Life History Museum offers a unique opportunity to experience Incheon’s past and present in one visit. It’s an educational and enjoyable destination for all ages, where you can deeply understand the historical and cultural evolution of the region. Make sure to add this museum to your itinerary for a memorable trip to Incheon.

Born in Ulsan, Oesol Choe Hyunbae led the 'Hangeul Matchumbeop Tongiran' (the Proposal for Unified Hangeul Orthography) and published many books in order to creatively promulgate Hangeul. Those activities contributed to the establishment of the Hangeul culture and the systematic approach to hangeul.

Sunchang Traditional Paste Museum is located across from the Sunchang Gochujang Village. The 2-story building (1,513㎡ in size) consists of a permanent exhibition hall exhibiting Jangnyu (Fermented Sauces) such as red pepper pastes and soybean pastes, a planned exhibition hall displaying cultural treasures of Sunchang, and an outdoor square.At the permanent exhibition hall, recipes for fermented sauces and their histories are introduced, and containers for fermented sauces are displayed. An observation room for the fermentation process and spaces for hands-on experience activities are at the corners. The outdoor square attracts people with a terrace displaying earthen wares that are used to contain the fermented sauces, as well as a millstone worked by horse or ox, and an old tomb from the Baekje dynasty.

Chuncheon Station, located in the area formerly known as Gwanghaeju or Chunju during the Goryeo Dynasty, changed its name to its current title in 1413. The name Chuncheon means a cheon (stream) that starts to flow when the ice and snow from the winter melts in the chun (spring). Chuncheon is a Chinese-Korean word and the pure Korean name of the area is “Bom-Nae,” meaning "scent of spring."

Near Dongmak Beach, Seonsu Port (also called Hupo Port) is the largest port on Ganghwado Island. Fishing boasts anchored here often travel to and from the Seokmodo Island area which is known for catches of Large-eyed Herring. Thus the port is known for its many sashimi restaurants offering freshly-served cuts of this fish.Usually return with Large-eyed herring are known for their tenderness and delicious taste. Herring sashimi is available year-round, but many believe it tastes best in May when the fish grow plump in size. In addition to sashimi slices, Large-eyed Herring can be enjoyed roasted, fried, mixed in dishes, or added to soups. Large-eyed Herring soup is a spicy stew that contains ground herring. This delicious menu item is difficult to find away from Seonsu Port. The fish market inside the cluster of restaurants offers fresh seafood including herring, blue crab, king prawns, bass, gray mullet, and webfoot octopus at reasonable market prices.The seaside destination is close to many nearby attractions including: Jeondeungsa Temple, Dongmak Beach, and a scenic drive along the coast Ganghwado Island. The port is also known for romantic sunsets which are best enjoyed when viewed from between the port and Dongmak Beach. 

The area surrounding the Hantangang River (한탄강) has is littered with countless volcanic rocks from past volcanic activity. These rocks are basaltic, and are commonly called gombo (a face with chicken pox marks) rock because they are covered in small holes that form from air bubbles when volcanic lava cools rapidly. The surrounding scenery of the Hantangang River area is truly breathtaking and is also the site of a famous amusement park. The Hantangang River Resort, located in the lower region of the Hantangang River, stretches along 1.5 kilometers of the river;s shore between the Sarang Bridge and the Hantan Bridge in Jeongok-ri, Yeoncheon-gun. The Hantangang River flows from Pyeonggang in North Korea, flows through Cheorwon, Pocheon and Yeoncheon and eventually joins the Imjingang River. The river features many scenic locales, including a large valley, the walls of which consist of many rare rocks. The resort is a great place for rest and relaxation, and has facilities for the whole family, maintaining campsites for cars and motor homes, a dinosaur themed Children’s Character Park, the Children’s Transportation Land, a water park, an ecological pond, and a soccer field downstream. Additionally, the Goseokjeong Pavilion and Sundam Valley are located nearby upstream.

Wondang Ranch became famous as it was used as a drama filming site. It includes some dangerous facilities and therefore there are certain restrictions to the public. Inside the ranch, visitors can watch horses taking a leisure walk on the pasture.The ranch is a place for training jockeys and horse-related workers, and do not serve as a citizen’s park. Hence, drinking, cooking, making noises, engaging in any forms of sports including balls, installing tents are prohibited in this area. In addition, all visitors must clear their leftovers, if any before leaving.* Area: approx. 363,638㎡ (110,000 pyeong)* Grass field: approx. 165,290㎡ (50,000 pyeong)

Gyebaek (? - 660) was a general in the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje. This historic site is not far from Hwangsanbeol, the last battlefield of General Gyebaek who fell defending Baekje at the end of its days. Allied troops from Silla and Tang attacked Tanhyeon and Baekgang, strategic sites held by Baekje, in 660 (the 20th year of King Uija’s reign). General Gyebaek and his 5,000 soldiers fought against General Kim Yu-sin and his 50,000 soldiers. General Gyebaek successfully defeated the allied troops four times, but was ultimately unable to overcome the insurmountable numbers brought to bear by his foe. The Baekje army was finally defeated, and the last general of Baekje, Gyebaek, died in the battle.