Travel/Culture List

Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak [UNESCO World Heritage]
 
Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si)
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruption over 100,000 years ago. Located on the eastern end of Jejudo Island, there is a huge crater at the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. The crater is about 600m in diameter and 90m high. With the 99 sharp rocks surrounding the crater, it looks like a gigantic crown. While the southeast and north sides are cliffs, the northwest side is a verdant grassy hill that is connected to the Seongsan Village. The ridge provides an ideal spot for walks and for horse riding as well. The sunrise from the crater is magnificent. Also the Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak surrounded by bright yellow colored rapeseed flowers in the spring is truly a sight to behold.  

Ilsan Lake Park
 
Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si)
Ilsan Lake Park spans over 300,000 pyeong (991,800 square meters), making it one of the largest man-made parks in Asia. Around 90,000 pyeong of fresh water lakes are kept consistently clean. The park offers visitors a lot to see and do including the Riverside Square, artificial islands, a 4.7km bike path, children’s play ground, natural experience site, musical fountain, 100 species of wild flowers and a dense forest with 200,000 trees. Also, the park is known for its Goyang International Flower Foundation.

Ttukseom Hangang Park
 
Seoul(Gwangjin-gu)
Ttukseom Hangang Park was a famous resort site even before its rebirth as part of the greater Hangang Park. The park consists of various amenities: music fountains, a riverside square, a rose garden, playground, and a nature learning center.Overlooking Hangang River, the Riverside Square is the venue for a diversity of cultural events and performances. Using a technology in which light is bounced off the water, the 'water screen' (installed on the main stage in the square) shows movies or cartoons from 20:00 to 22:00 during the holidays.The park boasts an exquisite cultural complex called Jabeolle (J-Bug), offering plenty of art and rest facilities as well as a magnificent view of the Hangang River. Conveniently located near Ttukseom Resort Station, Jabeolle houses a café, tea house, and gift shop, as well as exhibitions by media artists.Ttukseom Hangang Park is open all year round and has a variety of attractions that change with each season. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy the thrill of windsurfing, waterskiing, and motor boating. In the spring and fall, the park has a number of seasonal flower exhibitions. In winter, sledding and skating await.In addition, the park offers facilities for X-Games, artificial rock climbing, cruise ships, a Saturday Flea Market, a nursing mothers’ rooms, and women's lounges, making it a popular place for Seoul citizens. 

Rolling Hall
 
Seoul(Mapo-gu)
Rolling Hall is a cultural complex ideal for holding a wide variety of artistic and cultural events. It has hosted renowned international acts, underground musicians, and indie bands. Equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, the hall has the distinctive, liberal ambience of the live clubs in the Hongdae (Hongik University) area.Audiences can enjoy musical performances in pop, hip hop, jazz ballad, and rock in an intimate atmosphere that is not likely to be found in large concert halls.

Union Star Bowling Alley
 
Seoul(Seongdong-gu)
A quick walk from exit 4 of Seongsu Station, visitors in Seongsu-dong will be able to find Union Star Bowling Club. Located on the basement of a red-brick building, the venue is often visited by a number of Hallyu stars including Kim Soo-hyun (who was recently on Infinity Challenge to test his bowling skills), G-Dragon and the members of former girl-group 2NE1. Bowling pins signed by the Hallyu stars are proudly displayed throughout the venue. A unique aspect of Union Star Bowling Club is that it is divided into two floors. The first basement floor is Rock Bowling Alley featuring ten lanes. Dimly lit with pink and blue florescent lights, it functions as a bowling-pub serving a wide selection of domestic and imported beer. Club music gets the energy going while darts and video games are available for those waiting for their turn. The second basement floor is General Bowling Alley offering twelve lanes. Opening from 11am, the whole floor is brightly lit and modestly decorated. Visitors to the Union Star Bowling Club should ask about the Red Pin Game event: anyone who scores a strike when a red pin appears as the head pin will receive a free bottle of beer.  

Let's Run Park Seoul
 
Gyeonggi-do(Gwacheon-si)
Let's Run Park Seoul, located in Gwacheon, has horse races every weekend, as well as various unique experience programs and events to enjoy. The most popular program is the Secret Way Tour, giving access to parts of the park generally closed to the public. The Let's Run Wagon Tour allows participants to experience the excitement building up just before the start of a race. In spring, Let's Run Park Seoul blooms with cherry blossoms, making it the perfect place for a spring outing during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Other seasonal festivals take place throughout the year.

Dongdaemun Gate(Heunginjimun Gate)
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
Heunginjimun, designated Treasure No. 1, was built to protect Hanseongbu, which historically housed important government facilities. Heunginjimun was the large gate on the east side of the outer wall of Seoul Fortress. Likewise, the name of Dongdaemun comes from the fact that ‘Dong’ means east and ‘Dae’ means large.

Daehangno Arts Theater
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
Daegangno Arts Theater (B5-4F) is a venue for performing arts that is comprised of three halls of varying sizes. The main hall on the 1st and 2nd floors has a proscenium stage and seating arranged in fan-shape. In an effort to present a more contemporary theater experience, the seats in the main hall are closer to the stage than those of a standard theater, allowing audiences to experience performances more vividly.

Gaehangjang
 
Incheon(Jemulpo-gu)
Explore Incheon's Historic Open Port Area Discover Incheon's Rich Heritage: A Must-Visit Destination If you're planning a trip to Korea, Incheon should be at the top of your list, especially its historic Open Port Area. This area preserves over 130 years of history, offering visitors a unique glimpse into Korea's past. Gaehangjang Historic and Cultural Street Incheon's Gaehangjang (Open Port Area) Historic and Cultural Street is a place where time seems to stand still. This area has been carefully preserved to retain the essence of its rich history since the port opened in 1883. Walking through these streets, you'll feel as if you've stepped into a black-and-white photograph, with historical buildings and cultural landmarks around every corner. Incheon Station Your journey can begin at Incheon Station, the terminus of Korea's first railway, the Gyeongin Line. This station remains a significant historical landmark and serves as the gateway to Incheon's Jung-gu district. It's a bustling hub where countless travelers begin their exploration of the city's storied past. Historic Landmarks As you stroll through the streets, you'll encounter many well-preserved buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable sites include the former Japanese Consulate, which now houses the Jung-gu Office, and the old branches of Japan's 1st, 18th, and 58th Banks. These structures offer a fascinating glimpse into the architectural styles and cultural exchanges of that era. Cultural and Historical Experiences In addition to its architectural wonders, the Gaehangjang area is home to several other historical and cultural attractions. You can visit the former Japan Mail and Shipping Inc., the Incheon Art Platform, and the Jemulpo Club, all of which tell the story of Incheon's evolution as an international city. For those who prefer a guided experience, expert cultural tourism guides are available by reservation, providing in-depth insights into the area's history. Tour Routes To fully appreciate the area's charm, consider following one of the recommended tour routes: *1-Hour Course: Start at Incheon Station (World Community Center), then visit Chinatown, the Jajangmyeon Museum, Haegang Cathedral, Daebul Hotel Exhibition Hall, Incheon Open Port Museum, Modern Architecture Exhibition Hall, and the Incheon Art Platform. *2-Hour Course: Begin at the Korean-Chinese Cultural Center, followed by the Overseas Chinese History Museum, Daebul Hotel Exhibition Hall, Incheon Open Port Museum, Modern Architecture Exhibition Hall, Jung-gu Office, Qing-Japanese Concession Boundary Stairs, Three Kingdoms Mural Street, Jajangmyeon Museum, and Incheon Station. *3-Hour Course: This extended tour includes all the sites from the 2-hour course plus the Incheon Metropolitan City Historical Archives, Jemulpo Club, Jayu Park, General MacArthur's Statue, Fairy Tale Village, and Chinatown (Uiseondang). Conclusion Incheon's Open Port Area is a treasure trove of cultural and historical experiences waiting to be explored. Whether you're a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique travel experience, this area has something to offer everyone. Plan your visit today and step back in time to discover the fascinating history of Incheon.