Travel/Culture List

The fields in Suncheonman Bay is thickly covered with reeds taller than a full-grown man. It is the biggest colony of reeds in Korea. The image of the entire field swaying in the wind is as dazzling as waves on the sea.The field of reeds is home to many plants that thrive in damp conditions, like the common reed and the starwort. Among the world’s wetlands, Suncheonman Bay is widely known for attracting the largest number of rare birds. Internationally rare birds such as the hooded crane, white-naped crane, white stork, black-faced spoonbill, Eurasian Oystercatcher, as well as birds designated as natural treasures, can be spotted here. There are about 140 species of birds including the snipe, wild duck, shelduck, and wild goose in total. In order to get to Suncheon, visitors can either fly to Yeosu Airport from Gimpo or Jeju, and then take an airport bus to Suncheon.For more information, visit the Suncheonman Bay website at www.suncheonbay.go.kr

Jindo Island is the third largest island in Korea, next to Jejudo and Geojedo Island. It is made up of 250 smaller islands, and it is famous for the appearance of a dry road in the middle of the sea, near the end of February and mid June of the lunar calendar. As it resembles a passage in the Old Testament in the Book of Exodus, the event is called “The Miracle of Moses”. When the water recedes, a road about 30-40 meter wide and 2.8 km long appears, which stays for about an hour before being submerged again.Jindo Island has some legends which are still popular today, especially that of “Old Woman Bbyong of Hoedongri”. A long time ago, there were many tigers on Jindo Island. When tigers began appearing frequently in the village, the people fled to Modo Island. In the process, only the old woman Bbyong ended up remaining on the island, so the lady prayed everyday to Yongwang, the god of the ocean, to let her see her family again. Around February, Yongwang appeared to her in her dream and said, “I will send a rainbow to the sea tomorrow; ride it and cross the ocean”. The next day old woman Bbyong went out to the sea and prayed again, and the seawater parted as the rainbow road appeared. Through this road, her family and the other villagers came back to the island. Therefore when the sea parts, the people celebrate this phenomenon by holding the Yeongdeung Festival to remember the Old Woman Bbyong. During the Festival, original folk plays of Jindo Island are performed and draws many tourists into Jindo Island. 

Discover the Heart of Korean Pop Culture at "HiKR Ground" – Your Ultimate Korean Entertainment Destination!         Prepare yourself for an extraordinary journey where tradition meets contemporary, art meets technology, and dreams meet reality. Nestled in the pulsating heart of Seoul, the Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center introduces "HiKR Ground," a trailblazing space that is more than just a Korean tourism publicity center — it is your gateway to the exhilarating world of K-Pop, mesmerizing media art, and the authentic Korean local tourism experience that goes beyond your imagination. Step into a Realm of Unforgettable Experiences: First Floor - The HiKR Wall and Beyond Embark on an unprecedented visual journey through the "HiKR Wall," a grandiose media canvas showcasing the impeccable artwork, "Landscape of the New City" by the renowned media artist Lee Lee-nam. Here, you're not just viewing art; you're stepping into it, surrounded by vibrant displays and curated tourism videos brought to you by global Hallyu aficionados. Your adventure into the Korean zeitgeist begins here, drawing you into a world where art and technology dance in a vivid tapestry of sights and sounds, offering a modern gaze into the Korean spirit.   Second Floor - Your K-Pop Dream Studio Channel your inner K-Pop star at the state-of-the-art XR Live Studio, where you are the lead in your music video. This is not just a studio; it is a canvas where your K-Pop dreams come to life, with the vibrant backdrop of the rejuvenated Cheonggyecheon Stream adding a touch of natural splendor to your production. And while here, don’t miss the captivating "North Wall" installation by the illustrious artist Suh Do-ho, a piece that seamlessly blends art and nature, offering a contemplative space amidst the K-Pop excitement.   Third & Fourth Floors - Dive Deep into the Local Korean C Ascend to the upper echelons of "HiKR Ground" where a rich tapestry of local Korean experiences awaits. Here, every corner offers a new adventure, with exhibitions that narrate the poetic tales of Korea's lands and waters, and interactive sessions that bring you face to face with the artistry and craftsmanship that is quintessentially Korean. What sets "HiKR Ground" apart is its unwavering commitment to offering a multi-faceted exploration of Korean culture, with a special emphasis on fostering a deep connection with the younger generation. It's a haven where the young and the young at heart can forge unforgettable memories, diving deep into a culture rich in history, yet vibrant and contemporary. Come, be a part of this vivacious journey, as "HiKR Ground" greets global enthusiasts with a warm "Hi" and opens its doors to a playground where every moment is a celebration of the Korean spirit. Discover "HiKR Ground"— where Korea welcomes the world, and where every visitor becomes a part of the ever-evolving Korean story. Let's make history together at "HiKR Ground," your ultimate destination for a rich, immersive, and truly Korean experience.

Gangneung-si in Gangwon-do is the first local district in Korea to host a coffee festival and support coffee artisans as well has promote development of coffee-related contents such as coffee museum, coffee street, coffee factory, barista academy, etc. With almost all coffee shops in the area roasting their own coffee beans, Gangneung-si is well-recognized as the "city of coffee."  

The Lotte World Folk Museum is a place where one can learn a great deal more of Korea's rich 5000-year-history. It was designed for both international visitors and Koreans alike to easily learn and enjoy Korean culture and history. One of the museum's more appealing characteristics is that it uses animation and smaller scale models to better illustrate various aspects of Korea's past. This makes learning much more enjoyable for visitors.It has restored several important cultural assets and features daily traditional music and dance performances. There are also many corners where the audiences can participate together. There is a traditional marriage ceremony vestibule where the bride and groom may marry one another according to the traditional marriage decorum. Perhaps if you are lucky you might participate in one yourself.The most important exhibit hall at Lotte World Folk museum is the history exhibition hall. Starting from the entrance you are able to meet the landscape and folk paintings. On the ceiling of the audiovisual room, pictures of the map of Korean Peninsula, crater of Mt. Baekdusan, and the galaxy unfold before your eyes. Through this multi-vision technique you are able to observe Korean traditional performances.Along past the entrance and the multi-vision room you enter the prehistoric ages. The prehistoric ages room presents a tyrannosaurus model roughly half its original size. You may be able to take a peek at the Stone Age life by looking at the relics of that time such as a dinosaur’s egg, fossil and dinosaur animation. It will be hard for those to walk away from the prehistoric age room if you are interested in those things. However, many other exciting places await you. At the model village you will be able to view the life styles and diverse customs of the Joseon dynasty.At Imjinwaeran Hall you will be able to view through advanced visual technology, the magic vision, simulating the fighting scenes of General Yi Sun-Sin that took place during that time. It will feel as if you were right there when the war took place. At the Folk Playground, the weapons and instruments of the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910) are exhibited. There are models of the villages of Korean ancestors as well. You will marvel at the amusing and colorful miniatures.The features of a ritual of exorcism in a shaman’s house are produced through an operation model. Also features of children reading the Chunjamun (thousand character text) at a Joseon Age Sodang (village school), and villagers making wishes at the tutelary deity shrine is also on display.

France's famous beeswax museum, the Musee Grevin, adds the new 4th venue in Seoul, South Korea's capitalafter its opening in Paris, Montreal and Prague. The first Asian subsidiary in Seoul is adding a slew of South Korean hallyu celebrities including Psy, G Dragon as well as figuare skating star Kim Yuna. Over 80 wax figures will be presented in themed spaces which also includes the historical figures King Sejong and General Lee Sunshin. 

Itaewon was the first special tourist zone designated in 1997 among the 5 special tourist zones in Seoul. It is a multicultural place where over 20,000 foreigners live and is widely recognized by international visitors. The name Itaewon started to spread worldwide in the 1980s, when Korea hosted the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, as well as international conferences. Since then, Itaewon has been a popular travel destination. Clothes and accessories with unique designs, and leather products are famous in particular. This is a go-to street for both shopping and entertainment. The street is crowded with shopping malls selling clothes and bags, as well as accommodations including hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities and travel agencies. With about 2,200 shops and stores lining every street, visitors can experience a multicultural atmosphere. Also famous is Antique Furniture Street where more than 100 shops stretch from Hamilton Hotel to Hangangjin Station. At night, Itaewon is brilliantly illuminated by nightlife for those from abroad and home-alike. Travelers can taste cuisines and cultures from around the globe on the World Food Street where there are 40 restaurants owned by foreigners. Since the late 1990s, an increase in the number of tourists from Southeast Asia and the Middle East has transformed the streets from being US Army-oriented into streets of cultural diversity. In October, the “Itaewon Global Village Festival” takes place with a range of performances and events. Most of the staff at the stores can speak English, Japanese or Chinese. * Current State of Itaewon Special Tourist Zone 1) Districts Covered: The 1.4 km-long street stretching from Itaewon-ro to Hannam 2 (i)-dong office. 2) Area: 383,292㎡ * Tourist Attractions 40 restaurants run by foreigners, Hamilton Hotel, Art Museum, nightclubs, Antique Furniture Street, etc.

Spa Land, equipped with all the benefits of a traditional Korean spa, is located in 'Shinsegae Centum City' in Haeundae, Busan. Spa Land consists of 22 spas fed by two different kinds of all-natural spring water pumped up from 1000m underground, 13 distinctively themed 'Jjimjil-bangs' and saunas, and an open-air foot spa. The 1st floor houses the Korean traditional 'Jjimjil-bang' and traditional saunas from all over the world. Visitor favorites include a radiant heat-based 'Roman Sauna,' which recreates the ancient roman bath using modern technology, and the traditional 'Finnish Sauna,' which is an all-natural, Finnish-style sauna said to keep you healthy during the freezing winter months. Entertainment Zone on the second floor provides a range of beautification programs, a PC room, a restaurant, and a conference room. Spa Land is a refreshing place for relaxing with your friends and family. * Scale: 8264.5m² (1F: 4132.25m², 2F: 2975.22m², Outdoor: 826.45m²)  

Mokdong Ice Rink was built with international competitions in mind so many national and international competitions are held here. Normally, it is open to both the public and athletes as a regular ice rink to enjoy skating. When there are games, events or competitions, it also serves as a professional skating arena.

Busan Gwangandaegyo Bridge (Busan 66, also called Gwangan Daero) stretches over 7.4km from Namcheon-dong (Suyeong-gu, Busan) to Centum City (U-dong, Haeundae-gu). It is the largest bridge over the ocean in Korea. It is breathtaking to overlook nearby attractions from the bridge: the endlessly unfolding ocean, Oryukdo Island (a popular attraction in Busan), Hwangnyeongsan Mt., Gwangalli Beach, Dongbaekseom Island, and Dalmaji Hill. Equipped with artistic light, the bridge showcases splendid light that changes every day and every season. The bridge offers majesty beauty combined with nearby attractions during the day and a romantic atmosphere at night, attracting many residents and tourists.