Travel/Culture List

Incheon Munhak Sports Complex (Incheon Worldcup Stadium)
 
Incheon(Michuhol-gu)
The Munhak Sports Complex is situated in Michuhol-gu, Incheon. Its construction began in July 1994 and was completed by February 2002. This expansive facility boasts a versatile main stadium, an auxiliary stadium, a baseball field, a sports center, and several other amenities. Notably, the INK Concert, or Incheon K-POP Concert, is a hallmark event for K-pop enthusiasts. Organized by the Incheon Metropolitan City and Incheon Tourism Organization, this annual event typically takes place in September or October. It's a major attraction, drawing both local and international tourists and K-pop fans. The Incheon Munhak Stadium, originally called the Incheon World Cup Stadium, served as the home ground for Incheon United from 2004 to 2011. This stadium was a venue for three preliminary matches during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Additionally, it played host to the 2005 Asian Athletics Championships and several football matches for the 2014 Asian Games. It was also the backdrop for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2014 Asian Para Games. Gaming fans might recognize it as the venue for the 2018 League of Legends World Championship final held in November 2018. Structure Size * Plottage 432,034.60 ㎡ * Total area 251,937.02 ㎡ Main Facilities Main stadium, subsidary stadium, baseball stadium, futsal field, etc. Parking Facilities Available Parking Fee Regular cars: 2,000 won / Large van (more than 15 seats): 4,000 won / Large bus (more than 25 seats): 6,000 won * Monthly Pass: 40,000 won

Seoul Forest
 
Seoul(Seongdong-gu)
Opened on June 18, 2005, Seoul Forest had previously undergone a series of changes on Ttukseom (Ttuk Island). In the past the forest had been a royal hunting ground for kings and served as a military inspection facility. But, in more recent decades the area has served a wide variety of functions. Ttukseom initially served as a water-treatment facility, and later as a golf course, horse racing track, and eventually a sports park. Consisting of five parks spread over 350,000 pyeong (approximately 1.16 million ㎡) of land, Seoul Forest is an eco-friendly zone appreciated not only by the people of the city but also those visiting Seoul. Seoul Forest is rapidly developing into the premium city-park of Korea like Hyde Park in London and Central Park in New York. * Cultural Art Park (220,000㎡) Situated in the heart of Seoul Forest, the Cultural Art Park features Seoul Forest Square, Ttukseom Family Field, decorative flower beds, a visitors’ center, a skate park, an outdoor stage, a waterside lounge (restaurant), an in-forest open space, an in-forest play ground and a water play area. * Ecological Forest (165,000㎡) The Ecological Forest, once an area covered by the Hangang River, has been transformed into an eco-forest connecting the Han and Jungnang-cheon (Jungnang stream). This natural habitat for wildlife animals is home to fallow deer, formosan deer, elks, chipmunks, mandarin ducks, mallards, spot-billed ducks and moorhens, there is also an observatory to help visitors get a better view of the local wildlife. * Nature Experiencing Study Field (85,000㎡) Occupying the structure of the former Ttukseom Water Treatment Facility, this refurbished educational area was established to house an insect botanical garden, a wild flower garden, a themed flower garden, an event ground and a surrounding protective forest. * Wetlands Ecological Field (70,000㎡) Making use of the local reservoir’s natural environment, the Wetlands Ecological Field contains a wetlands ecological management office, an ecological playground, an outdoor nature classroom, a bird observatory, a wetlands flower garden and a botanical garden fed with local, clear waters. * Hangang River Waterside Park (33,000㎡) Located southwest of Seoul Forest, this riverside area at the junction of the Hangang River and Jungnang-cheon features a waterfront park, a marina and a rest area.

Chaum
 
Seoul(Gangnam-gu)
Chaum is a premier wellness, longevity, and aesthetic medical facility offering a combination of oriental medicine, western medicine, and alternative medicine as well as traditional treatment techniques such as medical spa, exercise, and food therapy programs. Instead of rushing people off to the doctor’s office for minor discomforts, Chaum seeks to treat clients naturally while they are in what they call the ‘Gray Zone.’ The Gray Zone is the state between sickness and health; by treating illness while clients are in the Gray Zone, Chaum seeks to help clients achieve a healthy body condition more naturally.Chaum offers high-end health programs consisting of a professional medical check-up and personalized therapy programs, which help customers maintain a healthy physical state.

Cheongju Early Printing Museum
 
Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)
This early printing museum, located on the site of Heungdeoksa Temple in which Jikji, the world's oldest extant book, printed by movable metal type, was printed, was founded on March 17, 1992. Since the technology’s inception, Korea has substantially developed its metal-type printing methods. In this museum, approximately 650 artifacts including ancient movable metal and wooden print books from the Goryeo and Joseon periods, relics from the Heungdeoksaji Temple site (흥덕사지) and printing tools are on display. Here, visitors can learn about the history of the Korean printing technologies and culture.In addition to exhibition, the museum has been promoted to hold the Cheongju International Printing & Publishing Fair, to study early printing culture and printing types and to publish museum journals and early printing-related papers.

Mireuksaji
 
Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)
Mireuksa was the largest Buddhist temple of the ancient Baekje Kingdom (18 BC-660 AD). According to Samgukyusa (historical records published in 1281), King Mu (30th king of Baekje, in power 600-641 AD) and his wife Queen Seonhwa were said to have seen a vision of Mireuksamjon (the three Sanskrit) emerging from a large pond. At the time of their revelation, the king and queen were on their way to visit a Buddhist monk in Sajasa Temple on Yonghwasan Mountain (now known as Mireuksan Mountain). In response to their vision, the king drained the nearby pond and established Mireuksa Temple. The temple is believed to have shown the most advanced architectural and cultural skills of Baekje, Silla, and Goguryeo (the three main kingdoms at that time). Records indicate that King Jinpyeong of Silla even sent his craftsmen over to assist with the temple construction.The two main features of the Mireuksa Temple Site are the stone pagoda (Mireuksaji Seoktap) and the flagpole supports (Mireuksaji Dangganjiju). The 14.24-meter-high west stone pagoda (National Treasure No. 11) is the oldest and largest Korean stone pagoda in existence. The west pagoda currently has only six tiers, but is estimated to have originally had nine. The nine-story east stone pagoda (27.67m in x_height) was restored to its original stature in 1993 based on historical records. Other surviving landmarks include the flagpole supports (Treasure No. 236) to the south of the stone pagodas. The 395 centimeter-tall poles are estimated to have been created during the Unified Silla period (676-935 AD) and are set 90 meters apart from east to west.

Charlotte Theater
 
Seoul(Songpa-gu)
Charlotte Theater is Korea’s first theater designated exclusively for musicals, imitating the elegant ambience of European architectural design. The most distinctive feature of the Charlotte Theater is that the stage is very close to the audience, creating an intimate feel. Though the theater seats 1,000, the distance from the last seat on the second floor to the stage is only 28 meters, allowing guests to feel the liveliness of the performance.Light refreshments are available at the cafes located on each of the four floors, and hotel bar services are available at the VIP rooms. There are also rooms designed for families with small children located on the first floor, so that all family members may enjoy the performances.The theater is conveniently located a 5 minute walking distance from Lotte Shopping Mall, Songpanaru Park (Seokchon Lake), and Lotte World Adventure.

Namiseom Island
 
Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)
Namiseom Island was formed as a result of the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam. It is a half moon shaped (462,809㎡) isle, and on it is the grave of General Nami, who led a great victory against the rebels in the 13th year of the 7th king of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejo (reign 1455 ~ 1468).Namiseom Island is 63 km away from Seoul in the direction of Chuncheon, and is famous for its beautiful tree lined roads. The island is 30 minutes away from Chuncheon and an hour away from suburbs of Seoul. Since it is not far from Seoul, many couples and families come to visit.A special feature of Namiseom Island is that there are no telephone poles. This is because all electric wires were built underground to keep the natural feeling of the landscape. The complex is 553,560 square yards with chestnut trees and poplar trees around the isle.In the middle of the isle, there is a grass field about 316,320 square yards. It is composed of education and training facilities, camping sites, swimming pools and water-sports facilities for motorboats and water skiing. There is also a theme park with merry-go-rounds, a shooting range, roller skating rink, and there are lodging facilities such as resort villas and bungalows.

Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun Gate)
 
Seoul(Jung-gu)
Sungnyemun Gate is Korea’s National Treasure No. 1, and its unofficial name is Namdaemun Gate. Sungnyemun Gate is the largest castle gate stone structure with an arched entrance in the middle. There’s a column on top of a platform, raising the roof, distinguishing the upper stories and lower stories of the building. A passageway for traffic is located at the east and west ends of the gate. Different from the other gates, Sungnyemun’s tablet has its name written vertically. When the first king of Joseon Dynasty, Lee Seong-Gye (reign 1335-1408), had constructed the capital city, he believed that fire will reach to Gyeongbokgung Palace as well as the capital city as Mt. Gwanaksan of Seoul is shaped like fire according to feng-shui principles. Sungnyemun’s name means fire, which is from the harmony of the Five Elements and if written vertically, the Chinese character ‘fire’ looks as if it is providing protection. This was Taejong’s (1367-1422) first son, Yangnyeongdaegun’s (1394-1462) famous writing. On February 10, 2008, Sungnyemun was destroyed by fire. After a 5-year reconstruction work, the gate has been re-opened to the public again as of May 4, 2013.

Kukkiwon
 
Seoul(Gangnam-gu)
Kukkiwon (국기원, World Taekwondo Headquarters) was established to spread knowledge of the national Korean sport of Taekwondo, and raise popularity of the martial art. Currently, the World Taekwondo Championships and various national competitions are held at Kukkiwon. Kukkiwon also serves as a place where coaches are trained, and offers Taekwondo experience programs for foreigners.Various experience programs for foreigners including the basic Taekwondo stances, the art of self-defense, and the art of wood breaking are offered at the Seoul, Jongno-gu Gyeonghuigung Palace with reservation services available online. Reservations can be made up to one day in advance and can be made for single guests. Guests can choose to training sessions at any time between Tuesdays and Fridays. Be aware that classes may be cancelled on rainy days, and sessions will be instructed in Korean and English only.

Saemangeum
 
Jeollabuk-do(Gunsan-si)
The name of Samangeum signifies the breakwaters that enlarge and freshen the Mangyeong•Gimje Plains, famous for their fertile soil.