Travel/Culture List

Heyri Art valley
 
Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si)
Korean artists of various specialties such as writers, painters, actors, architects and musicians constructed the cultural town of Heyri. Within this community there are residences, workrooms, art galleries and museums. Artists make a living by opening exhibitions, trading or selling their art. Currently, there are about 40 museums, exhibitions, concert halls and bookstores, and around 30~40 more are expected to be added. Currently about 10 cafes and food courts are included in these buildings for the convenience of its visitors.Heyri Artvalley was constructed to blend in with surrounding structures. The local construction regulations require all buildings to be no more than three stories tall. Just by glancing at these buildings you will admire their artistry since architects constructed each building with its own unique characteristics.HAS III Art Gallery and the field of reeds by the central lake were filming locations for the romantic comedy, "Everybody Has Secrets (2004)" starring Lee Byung-hun & Choi Ji-woo.

KBS On
 
Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu)
Located within the KBS broadcasting station in Yeouido, KBS On is first museum in Korea dedicated to the history and evolution of the Korean broadcasting industry. Visitors can experience radio and television broadcasting production firsthand. KBS On first opened on January 1, 1977 and after extensive renovation, the museum re-opened in April 2001. Now, the museum offers better services than before with the addition of a Hologram Corner, Stereoscopic Media Experience Corner, and Character Photo Zone. The tour starts from the main hall on the second floor and continues onto the fourth and fifth floors. In addition to the small museum, radio drama studio, sound effect instruments, 9 o'clock news corner, hologram corner, stereoscopic media experience hall and chroma key corner, visitors have the chance to observe the TV production process and radio programming process through a window that looks out into the broadcasting studio.

The War Memorial of Korea
 
Seoul(Yongsan-gu)
The grounds of the War Memorial of Korea were once the headquarters of the Korean Infantry. Many experts from different fields were consulted numerous times and exhaustive research was done in order to complete the exhibits. This memorial is the largest of its kind in the world.There are 8 main exhibits at the War Memorial: the Hogukchumo Exhibit, War History Exhibit, June 25th War Exhibit, Overseas Dispatched Troops Exhibits, Military Development Exhibit, Large Equipment Exhibit, and the Outdoor Exhibit. The Hogukchumo Exhibit honors the spirit of those who perished fighting on the battlefield. Visitors can learn all about Korea’s war history by visiting the War History Exhibit, June 25 War Exhibit, Overseas Dispatched Troops Exhibits, and the Military Development Exhibit, as well as witness how the Korean military developed over the years. Different kinds of weapons and military equipment are exhibited as well, inside and outside the building.Exhibits inside the building display equipment used during the Korean War in such a way as to invite comparison between the items. Large weapontry and equipment used by different countries during World War II and the Vietnam War are also on display. In the Large Equipment Exhibit on the second floor, many kinds of defense industry equipment and both real and model weapons are displayed. In the Bangsan Equipment Exhibit, you can look at weapons and war equipment produced in Korea. In the War Memorial’s Storage Room, 17,800 files and artifacts of war are preserved. Modern damage control and prevention devices have been installed to keep these materials safe from harm.Besides these, you can also visit the Miniature Exhibit or the Peace Hall. There is a lecture hall at the memorial, and many presentations are held here. If you want to learn more about any specific aspect of war, you can head over to the bookstore to pick up a book or a pamphlet. The shop also sells a variety of military souvenirs that will not only help you remember your time at the memorial but will also remind you of the significant role war has played in world history. The memorial also has a fast food restaurant and stores located outside the building. 

Seoul Museum of History
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
Seoul Museum of History captures the traditional culture of Seoul. Vestiges from the prehistoric era to modern Seoul are on display. The museum was renovated with modern updates in May 2002, 17 years after opening. The main exhibit halls are on the 3rd floor. Many of the Joseon Dynasty relics were donated during the Relic Donation Campaign. Also, the landscape of Seoul is recreated when it was the capital of the Joseon Dynasty. Another exhibit showcases the daily life of the Seoulites, while another presents items through an online cyber museum. The 1st floor has many convenient facilities such as a coat check and the Kids Corner playroom. The Special Exhibition Hall, the Exhibition Hall for Donated Relics, and Museum Shop where cultural products are produced and sold, are also on the 1st floor. If you enjoy dainty foods and tea, visit the Gyeonghuigung Café. It is a cozy spot which stays open after museum hours.

Daejojeon Hall
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
Daejojeon Hall was the queen’s residence at Changdeokgung Palace. Originally built in 1405 (5th year of King Taejo’s reign during the Joseon Dynasty), the hall had been destroyed by fires multiple times since then. The current structure is the one rebuilt in 1920 with materials taken from Gyotaejeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace after being burnt down in 1917. Daejeojeon is differentiated from other palace buildings in that it has no ridge on the roof. The center bedroom is surrounded by small-sized rooms for court ladies to attend to the king and the queen.

Alternative Space Loop
 
Seoul(Mapo-gu)
Alternative Space Loop (also known as the “Loop”) is a non-profit gallery that provides exhibition space and support programs for young and promising artists. In the late 1900s, many artists could not afford to pay for exhibition space in a gallery and struggled to pursue their passion for the arts. The idea of a “free alternative exhibition space” was born and as a result, the Loop was opened in Sangsu-dong in Feb, 1999. In 2005, the Loop was moved to Seogyo-dong, its current location.On the first floor and in the basement, the works of new artists are on display. On the 2nd floor, there is a small café where visitors can take a break and enjoy a cup of coffee, have discussions, or read one of the books provided.The Loop has been holdng exhibitions and performances more than ten times a year ever since its opening. The gallery engages in diverse international exchanges such as Tirana Biennale and in 2002, was invited to the Gwangju Biennale as an alternative art space. 

Busan Museum of Art
 
Busan(Haeundae-gu)
Located in U-dong (Haeundae-gu), Busan Museum of Art is a main cultural attraction along with Busan Cultural Center, Busan Citizens’ Hall, and Busan Museum. Opened in 1998, this spacious museum with five floors offers exhibition halls, archives, educational rooms, and an outdoor sculpture park. It displays and collects a rich array of arts from various genres; it is actively involved in international exchanges with other countries and conducting research. Nurturing artists and offering high quality exhibitions, the museum provides visitors with excellent opportunities to appreciate art. It is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed Every Monday and on New Years’ Day. 

Sangso-dong Forest Park
 
Daejeon(Dong-gu)
Sangso Forest Park is a public park covering parts of Maninsan and Sikjangsan Mountains in Daejeon. The entrance of the park is lined with sycamore trees, while the inside offers several promenades and mountain hiking trails. In addition, stone pagodas are placed throughout the park as prayer sites.

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is the first national modern contemporary museum ever opened in Korea and it showcases the nation’s history in a comprehensive and structured way. The museum first opened its door to the public on December 26, 2012. Located in Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, the building where the museum is currently housed was formerly that of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Its current renovated state has 4 open-run exhibition chambers and 2 themed, rotating exhibit halls. Also inside the building is a seminar room, lecture hall, café, souvenir shop and a rooftop garden.

Namsan Cable Car
 
Seoul(Jung-gu)
The Namsan Cable car runs from the base of Namsan Mountain (located in central Seoul) up to the Namsan Tower, one of the most representative tourist attractions in Seoul, loved by tourists and residents alike. The new cable cars, which have been in operation since Dec. 6, 2008, have an increased capacity of 48 people per car (up from 38). Unlike the older cars, the new cable cars have glass on all four sides, giving riders a wider view of the mountainside. Approximately 50,000 people ride the Namsan Cable Car each month. Visitors who are looking for a more tranquil tour are advised to go in the morning. For both a daytime and nighttime view of Seoul and the tower, take the cable car up the mountain in the late afternoon and coming back down in the early evening (to beat the nighttime rush). To get to the cable cars without having to walk too much, take the Namsan Oreumi, (Namsan outdoor elevator). The Namsan Oreumi is the first inclined outdoor elevator in Korea. It runs a distance of 140m (from the entrance of Namsan 3rd Tunnel to the parking lot of the Namsan Cable Car) and takes visitors to the Namsan Cable Car station in about two minutes, as opposed to the usual 20-min. walk. Maximum capacity is 20 people and operating hours are the same as the Namsan Cable Car (09:00 to 23:30). The other way to get to the Namsan Cable Car station is by going out of exit 3 of Myeongdong Station, subway line 4 (see ‘directions’ section for details).