Travel/Culture List

Originally christened the Hansol Paper Museum in 1997, it was changed to the Pan-Asia Paper Museum in 2001. Again, in 2005, it was changed once more and is today called the Jeonju Hanji Museum. It’s located in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do. As Korea’s first museum specializing in paper it has an extensive collection of 3,000 artifacts and a data-base documenting the long history and superiority of Hanji (Korean paper). The museum also hosts two special exhibitions every year with diverse paper-related themes.

Yearimdang Art Hall (formerly Ungjin Think Big Art Hall), is a children’s theater that was renovated and officially reopened on June 3, 2011.A joint project of Yearimdang publishing company and PMC Production, the art hall is a mid-sized theater with around 440 seats located on the two floors. The first floor consists of VIP sets and S-class seats that allow for more interaction with the actors on stage and access to surprise events during the performances. Seats on the second floor (A-class) offer an affordable, bird’s-eye view of the stage.

Bangjja Brassware Museum is the first original museum of its kind in Korea. Unknown to many, Bangjja Brassware possesses a host of beneficial attributes and is used both for storing food and for growing plants. One of its primary functions is that of cultivating nutritive elements.The Bangjja Brassware Museum in Daegu has numerous brassware products on hand that were generously donated by Lee Bong-Ju. His collection was subsequently appointed intangible cultural asset number seventy-seven by the Korean government.The museum’s layout is rather intricate. Both the basement floor and second ground floor consist of three exhibit halls, a data research hall, a cultural experience hall, a video education hall, an outdoor stage, and several planning exhibit halls. In the Brassware Cultural Hall, a display boasting Korea’s history regarding various kinds of brassware, together with other relevant information is on hand for visitors. In the nearby Donation Hall, an important intangible cultural asset, Lee Bong Ju’s luxury brassware collection, is on display. In the Reappearance Hall there are makeshift displays illustrating where brassware was first produced and where it was traded. 

Hip-hop dance clubs located at Hongdae and Gangnam Station. The first club to open in Hongdae in 1999. The beginning of the Hongdae club boom. Frequented by famous celebrities  

Dong-Incheon Samchi Street is the alley at the side of Incheon Educational and Cultural Center for Students in front of Dongincheon Station. The history of the mackerel street dates back to about 40 years ago when the first grilled mackerel shop, House of Inha, opened in this alley. In 2002, it was designated as the grilled mackerel street and a signboard was put up at the street entrance. Currently, there are about a dozen grilled mackerel restaurants lining the street, and each restaurant has a unique signboard of its own. The mackerels are imported from New Zealand, and each restaurant offers a distinct taste resulting from different grilling methods and sauces. The restaurants also sell a variety of appetizers and side dishes at affordable prices.

Hyochang Park covers 122,245 square meters spanning across Hyochang-dong and Cheongpa 2-dong. It is a historic landmark that once contained several royal tombs, and was known at that time as Hyochangwon. The cemeteries that were originally located in Hyochangwon belonged to Crown Prince Munhyo (King Jeongjo’s first son, who died only at the age of five), Royal Noble Consort Uibin of the Seong Clan (King Jeongjo’s royal concubine and Crown Prince Munhyo’s mother), Royal Noble Consort Sugui of the Park Clan (King Sunjo’s royal concubine), and her daughter Princess Yeongon. The royal tombs were moved to Seooreung Tombs in the waning months of the Japanese colonial period. The Japanese empire began the development of Hyochangwon into a park in 1924, and the Japanese governor-general officially assigned the site as a park in 1940.Presently, several of Korea’s greatest leaders are buried in Hyochang Park. The remains mostly belong to independence activists including Yoon Bong-gil, Lee Bong-chang, and Baek Jeong-gi, whose graves are collectively known as “Samuisa-myo” (graves of the three martyrs). A statue of Lee Bong-chang has been built in the graveyard. Among the other patriotic martyrs who are interred in the park are Kim Gu and some of the key figures of provisional government such as Lee Dong-nyeong, Cha I-seok, and Cho Seong-hwan. An ancestral shrine named Uiyeolsa has been built along the main gate and holds the portraits of the deceased independence activists.

Korea House was once the private residence of Park Paeng-nyeon, a Joseon Dynasty scholar, that had been renovated with architectural features of an anicent court before opening to the public in 1981. The idyllic premises play host to a variety of cultural programs designed for experiencing various Korean traditions, ranging from food and arts to tea etiquette and wedding ceremonies. Participation in up to two to three programs at a time is possible with an advanced registration. Meanwhile, visitors may enjoy shopping at the handicraft souvenir shop or try traditional dishes at the restaurant.

Dolmens are stone graves that were built during the prehistoric era. These stone landmarks are often compared to the pyramids of Egypt and England's Stonehenge. They are mostly found in Northeast Asia and are particularly abundant in Korea where the total number of known dolmen is estimated to be around 30,000.One of the areas with the largest concentration of dolmen (over 447 dolmen) is the Gochang Dolmen site in Jeollabuk-do, Gochang-gun, Jungnim-ri. Gochang Dolmen Site holds more dolmen than Hwasun and Ganghwa and boasts dolmen of a variety of shapes sizes, ranging from those under 10 tons to those over 300 tons.Dolmen at Gochang, Ganghwa, and Hwasun serve as proof that the area was inhabited since the Bronze Age. The Gochang Dolmen Site was officially registered with UNESCO on November 29, 2000.

Anjirang Market is located halfway between Anjirang five-way intersection and Anjiranggol-ro Street. Starting with Chungbuksikdang Restaurant (founded in 1979), livelihood-motivated restaurants and eateries began opening up here since the end of the IMF crisis in 1998 until it reached its current size today.Locals enjoy coming to the area because of the affordable prices. Recently, the area is also trying to draw in a younger demographic by targeting the younger population.In order to give life to the district, signage repairs and modification,  additional installation of hygiene facilities  and other improvements were made in 2007.

The signature markings of the Presidential Residence of Cheong Wa Dae are its blue tiles. It is the first thing that catches one's attention upon entering the premises. The blue tiles and the smooth roof blend beautifully with Mt. Bugaksan in the backdrop. The unique buildings of Cheong Wa Dae are comprised of the Main Office, Yeongbingwan (Guest House), Chunchugwan (Spring and Autumn Pavilion), Nokjiwon (Green grass), the Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) Valley, and the Seven Palaces. It is interesting to see that these buildings all have distinctive shapes. They are unique and beautifully designed, built in the Korean traditional style. The blue tiles and the smooth curve shape of the main office roofs are elegantly built. Approximately 150 thousand tiles compose the roof of the Blue House. Each were baked individually which make them strong enough to be used for hundreds of years. If you turn to the right you will see Chunchugwan. The roof of Chunchugwan was made of earthen tiles. This is where the president's press conferences are held. On the left side of the main office, there is the Yeongbingwan. It was designed to hold large conferences and official events for foreign guests. You can walk along Nokjiwon and the Mugunghwa Valley. At Nokjiwon a succession of presidents planted trees on memorial occasions. There is one famous tree which is 310 years old. The Mugunghwa Valley has colorful flowers, a fountain, and a phoenix statue, which makes it perfect for taking pictures. It is best to visit here between July and October when the Mugunghwa flowers bloom. A walk around the paths just outside the Blue House grounds is a pleasure as the surroundings are peaceful and beautiful. The paths follow Gyeongbokgung Palace to the Blue House and to Samcheong-dong Park. The walk from the East Gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace to the Blue House is the most beautiful part. With the road in the middle, there is the Gyeongbokgung Palace stone wall on the left and galleries and old buildings on the right. The stone wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace is scattered with beautiful old trees that will comfort you. Across the street are Hyundai Gallery, Geumho Gallery and other famous galleries and stylish cafes. Of the many nice cafes and restaurants, there is "The Restaurant." Its interior is modern and one side of the building is a glass wall where you can enjoy viewing the scenery and the stonewall alley while dining. After you pass this area, and before you reach the Blue House, turn to the right and you will reach Samcheong-dong Park. There are also many famous restaurants and galleries in the area.