Travel/Culture List

Gwangju Station is the representative train station of Gwangju, a cultural and industrial city located in the southwest region of the Korean peninsula. The station opened its doors in 1922 and moved to its current location in July 1969. In 2004, it was included as a stop along the KTX (Korea Train Express) high-speed rail services. From the station, trains run to and from Yongsan Station (Seoul), Mokpo Station, Daejeon Station, and Suncheon Station.Gwangju is the only metropolitan city in the southwest region of Korea and is an important node in the nation’s transportation network. The city hosts a variety of international festivals and events such as the Gwangju Biennale (an international art exhibition) and the World Kimchi Culture Festival. As a result, Gwangju Station is bustling with tourists all year round.Points of interest nearby Gwangju Station include Mudeungsan Mountain, Jeungsimsa Temple, and Wonhyosa Temple.

I Like Dalki (Strawberry) is a children's theme park based on the famous fashion accessory brand 'Dalki.' Not just an entertainment facility, I Like Dalki is a park that's educational too, featuring a variety of colorful programs and attractions designed to stimulate the imagination. This family park is filled with fun, fairytale entertainment like the Watermelon Railway Station, Strawberry House, Bubble Hair Salon, Wind Hill, and more! A visit to I Like Dalki is a family adventure sure to delight adults and children alike.

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.

The Grand Hyatt Hotel's beautiful ice skating rink has been featured in a number of Korean TV commercials and dramas. It’s particularly popular with couples as the rink’s gorgeous lights, night view of the city, and smooth music make it very romantic. The Grand Hyatt Hotel holds several events: * Mondays - 50% off couple admissions and skate rentals * Tuesdays - Free skate rentals from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. * Wednesdays - Free polaroid picture and a rose for couples * Thursdays - Free ice skating all day long * Fridays - Proposal event (other additional fees may apply)

Opened in August 2006, the Chuncheon Makguksu Museum is all about makguksu, one of the representative local dishes of Chuncheon. Makguksu is buckwheat noodle served in cold kimchi broth. The museum includes a buckwheat exhibition hall and a makguksu experience hall.The buckwheat exhibition hall has display materials and information on the origin and distribution of buckwheat, its history, and related foods. Visitors can get a glimpse of the variety of makguksu noodle throughout its development over time.

In 1994, Daewoo E&C first introduced the environmental concept into apartments and in 2003, created Prugio, a living culture space for healthy and fulfilling life in harmony with nature. At Prugio Valley, visitors can experience a quality-living cultural space where people, nature and the environment come together. The Prugio Valley tour program begins at the lounge with image accompanied information on Prugio’s distinctive design and housing products. The lobby and the photo gallery on the first floor feature a futuristic atmosphere. The stairs with piano sounds and lights will lead to the future housing culture experience hall on the second floor. Visitors can experience firsthand the housing value brought by integration of various elements including cutting-edge technology and environmentally friendly space design. The venue also allows visitors a chance to make their own customized housings through smart devices such as smart phones, and tablet PCs. [Tour Course] PR images → Prugio Forest Path → Future Hall → Prugio Premium Exhibition Hall [Recommended Visitor Ages] From students in upper grades of elementary school to high school

Oryukdo Island is attached to the southern part of Busan, and depending on the day and the tide, may appear to be five islands or six islands, hence its name. Designated a Monument of Busan, Oryukdo Island is a rock island that can be said to be made purely of stones.Of all the five islands branching out from the mainland, all of them, except the one with the lighthouse, are uninhabited. It is composed of Usakdo Island, Surido Island, Gonggotdo Island, Guldo Island and Deungdaedo (Lighthouse) Island, but because the lower part of Usakdo are divided into two segments that appear as two islands, sometimes Usakdo Island is known as Bangpaedo Island and Sol Island as well, depending on the level of the water. The name of the Usakdo Island comes from this phenomenon as well. Because many ships that come to Busan pass by Oryukdo Island, where it holds Busan's signature cultural heritages as well.

Seoul Race Park in Gwacheon is one of the three parks in Korea for thoroughbred flat races. It hosted horse racing games during the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Summer Olympics (both held in Seoul). Seoul Race Park is equipped with two sand tracks with a 450m-long home stretch, two grandstands named Happy Ville and Lucky Ville that can accommodate up to 35,000 and 42,000 people, respectively, and two stables, which together house close to 1,500 horses. Also, the Park features numerous equine, recreational and convenience facilities.

Once known as Gyeonseongsa Temple, Bongeunsa Temple is located to the north of COEX building, and was constructed in the 10th year of Silla King Weongseong’s reign (794). In 1498, Queen Jeonghyeon refurbished Gyeonseongsa Temple at the east of King Seongjong’s royal mausoleum and renamed the temple as Bongeunsa. Originally located near the royal maulsoleum (1km southwest), the temple was transferred to its current location during Joseon King Myeongjong’s reign. 3,479 Buddhist scriptures of 13 types, including the works of Kim Jeong-hee, are stored here. The Buddhist ceremony called Jeongdaebulsa, is held every September 9th of the lunar calendar, where monks march carrying the scriptures on their heads and recite the Beopseongge (Buddhist rites).

Interesting Facts about the Sheep Farm: Established in 1988, the Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm raises sheep on an area of 195 k㎡, and is privately owned. There are many small to large animal farms in Pyeongchang, but the Sheep Farm is the only farm that raises sheep.The farm features more than 200 sheep. The first thing that comes into view as you approach the farm are the herds of white sheep roaming on the green plains. The sheep grazing season varies depending on the weather, but it usually begins in early May and lasts until the end of October. During this season the sheep are allowed to graze 24 hours. In April, before the grazing season begins, the sheep are all shaved. However, it’s difficult to touch the sheep, because they are instinctively afraid of people and avoid close contact. If you want to get closer to the sheep, go on the ‘Sheep Hay Feeding Tour’ for 3,500 won if you are an adult and 3,000 won if you are a student.The walkway of 1.2m surrounds the sheep’s grazing field, so visitors can view the sheep at all times during their visit. It takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to walk along this path. You may also wish to drive, however walking is recommended. At the entrance of the walkway stands a wooden shack for the backdrop of the movie ‘The Man from Mars.’ The shack served as a backdrop along with a white snowy field where the two main characters finally fell in love in the movie. The wooden shack fits perfectly with the sheep farm, so it was kept after the filming of the movie. Past the shack uphill is the 950m peak of the sheep farm. The cool breeze, the wide green hill, and the blue sky with the roaming sheep offer the most peaceful experience. The path down from the hill is lined with oak trees and 30 types of wild flowers. This area is also famous for its groundsels, a type of wild vegetable. If you want to enjoy the sheep farm in a more romantic way, walk along the path during sunset. The blazing red skies and cool sea breeze will give the most natural romantic setting.The Sheep Farm is open all year round, and the most ideal time to visit is between June and August during the grazing season. You can see the sheep herds and various wild plants during this time. The Sheep Farm offers accommodations, toilets, and benches. If you decide to stay a night, you can try the outdoor lamb chops, or the sagolgomtang.