Travel/Culture List

The Chocolate Museum in Seogwipo, Jeju is the second largest chocolate museum in the world (the largest being the Cologne Chocolate Museum in Germany). Built using volcanic scoria unique to Jeju, the museum looks like an ancient castle and seems to complement the surrounding natural environment. The front yard measures 5,000 meters squared and is surrounded by a low-lying fence made of rough stones, giving even passerbyers a great view of the museum's front garden .At the entrance to the museum, a whimsical statue of a cacao god greets visitors. The museum has three floors and houses a gallery, a theater, a café, a workshop, and a chocolate store. The most popular exhibits are the gallery with various exhibits on chocolate and the workshop showing the chocolate-making process. The chocolate produced at the museum is available for both sampling and purchase. In addition, the 'Collection Square' features a wide array of chocolate cases and other items that Mr. Han Ye-seok, the museum director, has collected from around the world.In the 'Chateâu Chocolat: Real Chocolate Place' chocolate shop at the Chocolate Museum, visitors can get a taste of hand-made chocolates. The Chateâu Chocolat is a retail chocolate chain with franchises in Gyeongbokgung, Apgujeong, Itaewon, and Changdeokgung in Seoul, and Yangyang and Somdari in Gangwon-do.The Chocolate Museum's general operating hours are from 10am to 6pm, but in the winter the museum closes early at 5pm, and in summer stays open until 7pm.

Bordering Cheolwon (Gangwon-do Province) and Pocheon (Gyeonggi-do Province), Myeongseongsan Mountain is renowned for its beautiful fall foliage and fields of silver grass. It is also surrounded by a lake that attracts many visitors throughout the year.

The Geumgang Migratory Bird Observatory is located at Geumgang Estuary (Gunsan-si), one of the country’s most representative sites for migratory birds. With Geumgangho Lake, wide spreads of farmland, and an abundance of reeds and tidelands, the estuary draws flocks of migratory birds each winter.From the Migratory Bird Observatory, the first of its kind in Korea, visitors can watch birds in their natural habit. For an even deeper look at the patterns of these feathered travelers, the museum has on display bird specimens and exhibits depicting the hatching of bird eggs. Other facilities include the Geumgang Bird Park and the Ecological Center.In autumn of every year, the Gunsan International Migratory Bird Festival takes place at the Geumgang Migratory Bird Observatory, Geumgangho Lake, and Saemangeum area. One of the most popular programs at the festival is the bird-watching tour. The sight of tens of thousands of migratory birds flying overhead is truly astounding. The tour runs from the festival period all the way until the end of February.

The Gimhae Gaya Country Club is a mammoth golf club featuring 6 courses with a combined total of 54 holes (45 holes for club members-only, 9 holes for use by the general public). Of the 6 courses (Sineo, Nakdong, Gimhae, Suro, Garak, and the public course), Sineo is the course that is said to have a ‘feminine touch’ since it features ancient groves of trees and natural landscaping. Nakdong, on the other hand, is said to be the most ‘masculine’ course due to its sheer size and cliffside location. The Gimhae Gaya Country Club is operated in conjunction with Gaya Land, an entertainment facility, youth training center, swimming pool, tennis court, outdoor learning center, and campsite area.  

In 1999, the area of Geomdan carried out the excavation for cultural relics. As a result of the excavation, various relics and remains from the Bronze Age and Old Stone Age to the Joseon Period were found and as a result the Geomdan Prehistory Museum was built on November 27, 2008. The Museum showcases the lifestyle of prehistoric times and also has hands-on programs.

Gwangneung (광릉) is located in Namyangju in Gyeonggi-do. This is the royal tomb of King Sejo (1417-1468, reign: 1455-1468) and Queen Jeonghui (1418-1483).The King and Queen are enshrined separately. The tomb on the left is King Sejo’s and the one on the right is Queen Jeonhui’s. A pavilion stands between the two tombs.King Sejo was the second son of King Sejong and Queen Soheon. When his nephew came to the throne following the death of King Munjong, he led a revolt, “Gyeyujeongnan (계유정난) Revolts" and in 1453 became the 7th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty.Queen Jeongui was the daughter of Yun Beon and became the Queen when King Sejo took the throne. She was the first figure in the history of the Joseon Dynasty who administered state affairs on behalf of a young king.Gwangneung is surrounded by forests where an abundance of wild plants grow. These well-managed forests have been designated as a National Arboretum by the Korean Forest Service. Gwangneung is also famous for being the habitat of the Korean redheaded woodpecker (Natural Monument No.11). With many evergreen trees such as pine trees and fir trees growing here, these forests are a good place for a scenic drive. 

With an elevation of 583.7 m, Gangcheonsan County Park (강천산군립공원) in Sunchang, Jeollabuk-do, has towering peaks all around and waterfalls that cascade between the surrounding rocks. Its deep valleys covered with thick forests have kept their natural beauty for centuries. There are also many cultural properties including the historic Gangcheonsa Temple, Samindae, Gangcheonsan Five-story Stone Pagoda and Geumseongsanseong Fortress. In the valley at the entrance of Gangcheonsa there is a stream of clear water flowing below from Doseongyo to Byeongpungbawi (wall-like precipitous rocks) with more than ten waterfalls each with a small pond below. If you pass between Gangcheonsa, an old temple, and Samindae, and continue walking on the path next to Heunghwajeong, you will see a 75 meter long hanging bridge at 50 meters high above the ground. To see it you have to strain your neck backwards to look up at it. After going up a steep hill and crossing the hanging bridge, you will get to a vista point where you can enjoy a wide view of the lovely Mt. Gangcheonsan. At an elevation of 300 meters, the mountain has a reservoir and a natural mountain fortress wall climbing 400 meters high. The type of maple trees found here are native to Korea, and have a long foliage period in autumn.

Ureuk Museum is a museum dedicated to the Gayageum (a traditional Korean twelve-stringed instrument) and Ureuk, the inventor of the Gayageum and a great musician. The only museum of its kind, Ureuk Museum excavates, collects, preserves, and displays pieces that help visitors more deeply appreciate the beauty and history of the Gayageum.

Located in Jongdal-ri (Gujwa-eup, Jeju City), Yongnuni Oreum (also called Yonganak, literally meaning ‘Dragon Eye Mountain’) is a parasitic volcano almost 250 meters in x_height. Various craters and lava hills mingle together, and the front side of the mountain shows picturesque landscapes, typical in Jeju oreums with an abundance of lush grass. The outskirts of the mountain are full of natural plants such as Ranunculus japonicus, Pulsatilla koreana, and Elsholtzia splendens.The name, Yongnuni Oreum, is derived from the fact that the mountain looks like the shape of a dragon lying down. The large crater in the middle of the hill looks like a place where a dragon used to lay. Some people have argued that the name comes from the crater looking like a dragon's eye when seen from the air. 

The cradle of Ulsan's cultural renaissance, the art center is the city residents' highly respected multi-purpose facility, holding various generes of quality performances, exhibitions, and other cultural activities. In addition, the space is filled with state-of-art banquet halls and other ancillary spaces, making an ideal destination for visitors of all backgrounds and interests.  * Opening date: October 5, 1995