Travel/Culture List

Injeongjeon Hall is the main throne hall of Changdeokgung Palace. The hall was used for conducting major state affairs, including the coronation of a new king, assembly of officials, and reception of foreign envoys. The current building was rebuilt in 1804 (4th year of King Sunjo’s reign) and shows the architectural style of the late Joseon Dynasty.

The K Art Hall (Formerly, Seoul Center of Education and Culture) is located in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu district. The natural surroundings are beautiful, and the air is very clean. The center has one basement floor, and eleven floors above ground. Its main facilities include the main theater, which can provide for an audience of 1,000, the Culture Center, Art Exhibit, Education Promotion Center, and the Sports Center. Outside the building are the Grass Square, Sculpture Park and Drive-in Theater. The main theater can hold a variety of performances such as plays, dances, movies, operas, musicals, and others. There are frequently performances for children as well. At times, the theater is used as an international stage, as in the case of the Russian Leningrad Ballet company’s performance in 1991. The Culture Center has guest quarters and convention halls, and so is often used for conferences. The Sports Center has an indoor gymnasium, a swimming pool, health and aerobics rooms, a bowling alley, and a golf practice range. The facilities here are used primarily as a resting area. One unusual facility is the outdoor Drive-in Theater. Called “Karma 21,” the theater can accommodate a total of 250,000 cars. Each car is charged 15,000 won a ticket. Usually the latest releases are shown here. The theater is located in “Yangjae People’s Grove” Park, which boasts a very clean environment. It is the perfect spot to relax while enjoying a movie in the fresh air.

Apsan Observatory has been praised for being at true harmony with the city and nature, as well as the past and the future. The observatory, located in Daegu Apsan Park, is famous for its full view of Daegu spread out below. The observatory can be reach by cable car, operating in 15 minute intervals, or by taking a one-hour hike for the more active visitors.

The National Palace Museum of Korea opened in 1992 displaying relics from the Joseon Dynasty [1392~1910]. Over 20,000 royal relics from Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine are on display. 1. Royal Symbols and Records The Joseon Dynasty attained Confucian ideals, and therefore, the king and his queen were worshipped as parents of all citizens. To elevate their authority, the Joseon royal households crafted various royal symbols. 2. Ancestral Rites The royal ancestral rite was held at a royal shrine encompassing the ancestral tablets of the late kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty. This was not merely a royal ancestral worshipping ceremony, but also a festival with music and dance, in the hope for the nation's eternal prosperity. 3. Palace Architecture The palace was the living quarters of the king and his family as well as the center of administration where the king ruled the nation. The center of the palace in the Joseon Dynasty, according to traditional Oriental architectural planning, was featured at Jeongjeon. The main hall was the center of state events and political discussions, and the Pyeonjeon, the government office. 4. Joseon SciencesThe Joseon Dynasty strove to establish the legitimacy of its foundation to enrich the nation's economy. To attain these ideals, the dynasty unprecedentedly promoted such areas as the sciences and medicine while developing various weapons for national defence. 5. Royal LifeThe king and queen were symbolic figures of the Joseon Dynasty, but they were also ordinary people who lived private lives within the palace. The palace was divided into various sections of living space such as the king's office, the queen's quarters, and the prince's study room. Each section contained appropriate pieces of furniture, which were made of the finest quality materials according to well-established criteria for the royal family.

When taking the subway from Seoul Station to Yongsan Station, you will notice a tall and distinct hanok (traditional Korean architecture) building; this is Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs. Construction of the building began in 1984, the year of the 200th anniversary of Catholicism in Korea, and was completed after three years. Also called "Nodeul" and "Sanamgi", Saenamteo was used as military training ground during the early Joseon period. It was also the place where convicted felons and the Sayuksin (the six martyred ministers) were executed.   Many Catholics were executed here during the Sinyu Persecution of 1801, the Gihae Persecution of 1839, the Byeongo Persecution of 1846, and the Byeongin Persecution of 1866. Among those executed were 11 priests including the first Korean priest Kim Taegon (Andrew), the first Chinese priest that came to Korea Ju Mun Mo (Jacobus), the first French priest that came to Korea Bishop Imbert and other Catholics including Hyeon Seok-mun. There is also an altar here where the remains of nine Catholic saints are enshrined.

The phenomenon of Jangchungdong Jokbal Street started 50 years ago with the opening of two Korean jokbal (steamed pig trotters) restaurants, followed by the influx of new jokbal restaurants during the late 70's and early 80's.Today, the jokbal restaurants continue to serve one of the most sought after Korean delicacies from the main road and the alleyways of the Jangchungdong 1(il)-ga Street area.

N Seoul Tower Hanbok Culture Experience Center is located in the lobby level (B1F) of Seoul's landmark N Seoul Tower. The center is mainly designed with the theme of Joseon Dynasty, and features both large photo zones and hanbok of various designs, ranging from traditional to modern and wedding.

Gyeongui Line Book Street opened along the closed down tracks of the old Gyeongui Line near Hongdae. The street aims to provide a multipurpose cultural space where citizens can enjoy the worth and knowledge that have come and continue to come from books and literature.

Cheongpung Land is a theme park created in 2002 near Cheongpunghoban Lake (Chungjuho Lake) in Cheongpung-myeon, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do. The theme park houses three major extreme amusement facilities: a 62-meter Bungee Jump, Korea’s first-ever Ejection Seat, and ‘Big Swing,’ an experience in zero gravity. The facility also boasts the grand sight of water fountains shooting up to 162m into the air as well as a wide-open view of the surrounding landscape. One of the biggest tourist attraction in the area, the park is adjacent to other popular tour sites such as the filming location of the KBS historical drama ‘Taejo Wangeon,’ Mt. Geumsusan, and the National Park of Woraksan Mountain.

The Konjiam Resort boasts the largest ski slopes in the Seoul area and features four hundred seventy-six condominium rooms, a spa, golf course and other subsidiary facilities. The resort is a mere forty minutes away from Seoul’s Gangnam, making it a great option for visitors from Seoul who are pressed for time.With skiing being so popular in Korea, overcrowded ski slopes are sometimes a problem, but the Konjiam Resort has solved this by enforcing Korea’s first maximum occupancy rule. Consequently, skiers will no longer have to endure long waits at the ski lifts and will have a safer, more enjoyable ski experience.The Konjiam Resort has eleven double-x_width slopes for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. There are also three ski lifts that take skiers up to the peak of the slopes for a 1.8km length run down the mountain, the longest ski-run in the metropolitan area.In addition to great ski facilities, the resort also features an ecological river and has introduced state-of-the-art spa services, perfect for relaxing your muscles after a long day on the slopes.