Travel/Culture List

Astro-Space Center in Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do is the first public facility in Korea to be dedicated to the theme of stars and space. At the center, visitors can study the celestial bodies at the Yecheon Star Observatory, undergo astronaut training simulations at the Yecheon Space Experience Center, and learn about the history of astronomy and the heavens at the Astronomy Park. At the Yecheon Star Observatory, you can observe the sun by day or by night and view planets, nebula, star clusters, and galaxies through a high-powered telescope. At the planetarium, you can also enjoy films about the constellations projected on the observatory’s dome-shaped ceiling. At the Yecheon Space Experience Center, take the ride of your life on the G-force Simulator, bounce around in the Moon Walk Chair, experience the vertigo of zero-gravity on the Multi-Axis Trainer, or float in space using the MMU (Manned Maneuvering Unit). For a calmer experience, check out the center’s 4D movies. On the second floor of the Star Observatory and Space Experience Center is an accommodation facility where you can extend your stay for the ultimate outer space experience. An overnight stay gives you the chance to take full advantage of space observations, telescope assembly and operations, astronomy lectures, and more! In addition to its range of indoor space-related experiences, the space center also provides the rare opportunity to fly in a helicopter. There are as many as four helicopters in operation for this ongoing program. The Astro-Space Center also plans to unveil a private space travel program in 2014: the second private space travel program worldwide! Coinciding with this exciting new program, the center will be introducing Lynx, a two-person Suborbital Spaceship produced by the U.S. company Xcor.

Gyeongcheondae Terrace (경천대) is said to be the most beautiful spot along the nearly 510km-long Nakdonggang River (낙동강). Gyeongcheondae Terrace, with its sheer cliff walls and scenic landscape, is imbued with a sense of serene mystery and harmony. It has also been called Jacheondae. It is located above Muujeong Pavilion, which was built during the Joseon Period. In Gyeongcheondae, you will find Yongso Pond, which has a legend concerning a general who died during the Imjinwaeran (the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592) and an ancient manger. Gyeongcheondae Terrace offers a spectacular view of the winding Nakdonggang River and beautiful rock formations peeking through the pine trees’ branches. It features an observatory, an artificial waterfall, Gyeongcheondae Children’s Land, and campsites and is the location of the mega-hit TV series, ‘Sangdo.’

Jukbyeonhang Port is a fishing port in northern Uljin. The port is guarded by a 15.6m-tall lighthouse. The port is surrounded by restaurants serving seafood. In addition to squid, mackerel, and king crabs, seaweed is another specialty item of the region.

The Oksun Bridge was constructed to alleviate increased traffic that resulted from the Chungju Dam and Chungjuho Lake. Spanning a distance of 450m, the bridge is part of a driving course winding around Chungju, Jecheon and Danyang as well as Gudambong and Oksunbong Peaks. Views from the bridge of the surrounding mountains and cliffs are known to be quite remarkable. 

If you go southeast from downtown Jeongseon all the way to Dong-myeon, you will run into Hwaam Tourist Attraction (화암관광지), which is also known as Sogeumgang River (small diamond) because of its magnificent scenery. Although the road that runs through the site winding, it is perfectly paved and drivers can enjoy the beautiful view of thick forest and fascinating, often curious-looking rock formations and cliffs along the roadside. Hwaam Tourist Attraction is an ideal locale for leaf peeking in autumn. Scenic Beauty 1: Hwaam Mineral Spring At Hwaam Mineral Spring (화암약수), water rises up through a rock crater located in Dong-myeon, Jeongseon. The water is said to be good for stomachaches, eye infections, and skin diseases; and, as it contains nine essential elements such as calcium and fluorine, it tastes crisp and clean. Scenic Beauty 2: Turtle Rock (on the right upper side of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring). Part of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring is buttressed by a cliff, on which there is a rock that resembles the shape of a turtle. Scenic Beauty 3: Yongmaso (on the riverside 500 meters ahead of the entrance to Hwaam Mineral Spring). With its clean water and wide sheets of rock, Yongmaso Lake (용마소) is a popular attraction for vacationers. Scenic Beauty 4: Hwaam Cave Hwaam Cave (화암동굴) used to be a gold mine that was commercially operated from 1922 to 1945. The nation’s 5th largest goldmine was, however, found to have natural stalactites, and later the cave was developed as the only theme-based cave that combined gold and nature. The stalactite area is an open space of 2,800㎡ and the length of the path open to visitors is 1,803 meters. The entire area consists of 5 chapters, which in turn constitute 41 zones; it takes about an hour and a half to see all of the zones. Scenic Beauty 5: Hwapyoju Cliff Hwapyoju (화표주) is a cliff facing the entrance of Hwapyo-dong, which can be seen on your way from Hwaam-dong to Molundae (몰운대). The cliff may appear as if a giant sharpened a large sheet of rock and placed it upright, or less imaginatively, as if two pillars are standing side by side. Scenic Beauty 6: Sogeumgang River The four-kilometer stretch from Hwapyoju to Molundae, surrounded with 100 to 150-meter high rock cliffs and thick forest, is called Sogeumgang River (small Geumgang River), meaning that its beautiful scenery is reminiscent of that of the breathtaking Geumgangsan Mountain. Scenic Beauty 7: Molundae Cliff (past Sogeumgang, on the right-hand side of Gubeulgil) ‘Molundae (몰운대)’ literally means ‘the cliff beyond which clouds disappear’. The tip of the steep cliff is adorned with three specimens of 500-year-old pine trees. Legend has it that gods would perch on the cliff’s top and enjoy the beautiful view. At the foot of the cliff lies a large sheet of rock that can accommodate hundreds of people. Scenic Beauty 8: Gwangdaegok Valley (past Molundae, on the left) Gwangdaegok Valley (광대곡) is said to be the mysterious place where heaven, earth and clouds meet. The surrounding hills are very rough and bumpy, which makes the area a renowned mountain in Korea. There is a belief among wild-ginseng diggers that they can find great ginseng if they pray in Gwangdaegok, so it is a popular attraction for such prospectors.  

Located in Osan-ri, Gosan-myeon, the Gosan Recreation Forest is a popular family destination throughout each of the four seasons. Full of thick groves of larch trees, Korean white pines, rigida pines, and plenty of broad-leaved trees, the forest and its streams offer locals a cool and refreshing retreat during the sizzling summer months. As summer turns into fall, the whole area transforms into a rainbow of bright yellows, reds, and orange. With the coming of winter, the snow covers the trees and blankets the ground, turning the forest in a winter dreamland. Come spring, the azaleas and wild cherry trees burst into full bloom, making the forest a popular date spot for young couples.

The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) Nam Seoul annex opened at the old Belgium consulate building on September 2, 2004. The old Belgium consulate building (Historic Site No. 254) was constructed in 1905 and restored in 1983. The building’s classical ionic columns and fireplaces have been kept intact, allowing the museum to serve as a tool for studying classic architecture of the 1900s as well as modern art. The blue-gabled building (measuring 1,569.58㎡) houses classrooms (B1) and exhibition halls and offices (1F-2F). Outside is a sculpture park. The Seoul Museum of Art has two annexes; the Gyeonghuigung annex and the Nam Seoul annex, which is used mainly for planned exhibitions and art education for children.

Located in Woraksan National Park, the Korean Culture Experience Center is where one can experience traditional Korean culture. Participants can experience a range of cultural activities and learn from the wisdom of our ancestors. The center's licensed instructors continuously work on the development of new programs in order to provide today's youth with opportunities to experience Korean culture and tradition. In addition, the center offers meals made with local products.

The Haeundae Grand Hotel is a five-star hotel situated in Haeundae, an extremely popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches and hot springs. The hotel has a variety of leisure and sport facilities, but is most popular for its hot springs sauna. The hotel sauna is supplied by special, natural hot spring water that is only found at the nearby beaches. Rich in calcium, the spa water is said to be excellent for your skin, increasing the skin’s overall softness and smoothness. Spa water used at the Haeundae Grand Hotel Hot Spring Sauna is pumped up directly from the natural hot spring water using a series of underground pipe systems installed in Busan between 1952 and 1955. While it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when the Haeundae Hot Springs were first discovered, records of the hot springs have been found dating back to the Silla Kingdom (during which the springs were referred to as the "Gunam Hot Springs") saying that Queen Jin Seong visited the hot springs as a means to treat her smallpox. One hundred years ago, the hot springs were also said to be a cure for leprosy and drew afflicted citizens from neighboring towns. Though the springs were once closed off due to frequent invasions by Japanese raiders, efforts have successfully been made to revive the hot springs of Busan, once again making them a popular spot for many visitors. In addition to the sauna, guests at the Haeundae Grand Hotel can also use the hotel’s jjimjilbang, which is comprised of various rooms such as a germanium room, a gravel room, an oxygen room, and an Elvan (quartz) room that has large heated beds made from a mixture of gems and stones. The jjimjilbang also has other heated beds made from Elvan and red clay.