Travel/Culture List

Daegu Safety Theme Park
 
Daegu(Dong-gu)
Daegu Safety Theme Park was established in the wake of the Daegu Subway Station tragedy (February 18, 2003), wherein an arsonist set fire to a train stopped at the subway station, resulting in large casualties. Its main goal is to provide citizens with education on safety measures in an emergency. Almost all visitors are required to attend a brief orientation on safety measures, and may exercise them during the simulated accidents set up at the experience stations. All of the facilities throughout the park, including the exhibition halls and the safety education theater, convey the message of safety.

Seosomun Park
 
Seoul(Jung-gu)
The Seosomun Gate area, which is located outside Seomun Gate, is regarded as a sacred place for many Korean Catholics. During the 19th century, the church suffered persecution for introducing Catholicism in the country. A series of persecutions followed over the years, notably the Sinyu Persecution in 1801 and the Byeongbin Persecution in 1866. The memorial tower in the center of the park is for the 44 martyrs who died for their Catholic faith during the persecution. It was originally established in December 1984 and rebuilt on May 15, 1999. The tower consists of three granite pillars: the middle one is 15 meters high while the two pillars on both sides are each 13 meters high.

BoomBim Hanbok Experience
 
Seoul(Songpa-gu)
BoomBim Hanbok Experience is a hanbok rental shop with a huge range of different hanbok available for patrons. BoomBim is conveniently located next to the major Seoul tourist attractions such as Lotte World, Lotte Tower, Seokchon Lake, and Olympic Park. With indoor attractions and outdoor attractions nearby, no matter what the weather, visitors will be able to comfortable tour Seoul's attractions while dressed up in hanbok. Rent a hanbok and make memories in Seoul!  

Ewha Womans University Museum
 
Seoul(Seodaemun-gu)
The Ewha Womans University Museum was established in 1935 with the goal of preserving the cultural heritage of Korea. Originally, items related to folk art, traditional woodwork, and pottery were put on display in the hall of the main university to keep them from being confiscated during the Japanese occupation. This later led to the opening of the museum to display and store the growing collection.Regular exhibitions of the museum’s collection have been taking place annually from 1972. Starting in 1996, the museum has also been holding special exhibitions that focus on other themes of cultural heritage. Additional small-scale exhibitions are also held frequently to promote Korea's traditional culture and art.A ceramics research facility as well as a more traditional museum, a large portion of the museum’s efforts is focused on the research and excavation of kilns. To this aim, excavation teams from the museum have traveled to various parts of the country to conduct studies on historic sites and assess the value of artifacts. Through the publication of books and reports on its discoveries, the museum has contributed to raising knowledge and awareness of Korean cultural heritage in academia and among the public.

Hangang Bamseom Island Eco-scape Preservation Area
 
Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu)
Bamseom Island gets its name from its shape (‘bam’ meaning ‘chestnut’ in Korean) and has long been famous for its great view and beautiful surroundings. The Hangang River waters flowing around Bamseom Island were once so clean that the river was used as a source of drinking water for island residents. As part of the Yeouido Development Project, the 443 island residents and their 62 houses were mass migrated to Changcheon-dong, Mapo-gu and the hillside area of Wusan Mountain on Feb 10, 1968. As time passed on the newly uninhabited island, the river deposited sediment around the island and a bunch of wild water plants grew. In the early 1990s, the island became famous as a ‘migratory bird habitat in the middle of a city,’ which is a rare occurrence worldwide. On August 10, 1999 the Seoul Metropolitan Office designated the island an ‘Ecosystem Reserve,’ providing special care and preservation of the island. * Island Ecosystem Birds (41 species): the island is home to mandarin ducks, spotbill birds, reed warblers, white herons, and ringed plover (which also use the island as a breeding grounds). The island is a winter habitat for over 5,000 migratory birds. Fish (29 species): cornet fish, Korean bullhead, carp, mandarin fish, etc. Plants (189 species): common reed, dicentra, prince’s feather, salix matsudana, etc. Insects (15 species): small cabbage white, fabricius, faust, black-horned katydid, scopoli, etc. * Elevation: often submerged when large volumes of water are released from Paldang Dam due to flooding. * Island circumference: mudflats, sand, pebbles, etc.

Larva Town
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
Larva Town is divided into areas of three different themes: TUBAn Yard, TUBAn Goods, and Cafe Wingcle. TUBAn Yard greets visitors with animation character Larva dressed up as a gatekeeper from the Joseon Dynasty along with other amusing sculptures that serve as excellent props for taking souvenir photos. The yard is open to public, welcoming any passerby to stop by and relax. As for TUBAn Goods, the shop is filled with character merchandise targeted towards consumers of diverse age range. Featured characters include TUBAn's iconic character Larva, Dinocore, and Wingcle bear. After looking around TUBAn Yard and TUBAn Goods, visitors can stop by Cafe Wingcle, where they can enjoy a cup of coffee with dessert surrounded by adorable Wingcle and friends.

Dae Jang Geum Park
 
Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si)
Dae Jang Geum Park in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do is the largest historical drama set in Korea and a hallyu themed park run by Munhwa Broadcasting Company (MBC). Located at 25, Yongcheon drama-gil, Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, the theme park was built on a 2,500,000㎡ site. Facilities in the themed park are semi-permanent facilities reflected the architectural style, lifestyle and culture of the past, based on historical records. The facilities are in great harmony with the surrounding natural landscapes, which makes tourists feel as if they have traveled to the past in a time machine. Popular dramas of MBC, such as "The Moon that Embraces the Sun (2012)," which made actor Kim Soo-hyun a super star, and "Gu Family Book (2013)" that starred Lee Seung-gi and Bae Suzy, were filmed at the Dae Jang Geum Park. "Dae Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace; 2004)," a mega-hit drama that was exported to around 100 countries, was first shot in Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, but later filmed at the Dae Jang Geum Park. In the park, you will be able to see buildings like Muryangsujeon Hall, Gyujanggak (Royal Library), Donggungjeon Palace (Crown Prince’s Palace), and Hyeminseo (Medical Institution) that appeared in the drama. You can also enjoy various things in 23 tour zones like Jeojatgeori (downtown), Pocheong (Police Bureau) & Oksa (a prison), Injeongjeon Hall, Bopyeongjeon Hall, Yeonmujang (practice ground), and more. Among them, Donggungjeon Palace was the main filming spot for the drama "Dong-Yi (2010)," and Yeonmujang is often used as a filming spot for various battle scenes. Injeongjeon Hall was used for shooting large-scale banquet scenes. For example, the coronation ceremony scene in the drama "Queen Seondeok (2009)" and the final battle scene in "The Moon that Embraces the Sun(2012)" where Hweon (Kim Su-hyun) and Yangmyeong (Jeong Il-woo) fought against traitors were all shot here. Injeongjeon Hall is a popular set for major scenes of many dramas. Dae Jang Geum Park is a well-known filming site for movies and commercials as well as MBC dramas. It also is used by foreign broadcasting networks including NHK to shoot historical scenes about Korea.

Sogeukjang Changdeokgung
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
Changdeokgung Theater is located across from Changdeokgung Palace in the Gungangno Special Cultural Zone of Seoul. Sogeukjans, meaning small theater, provide a unique and intimate atmosphere. Built to promote Korean music, the stage and seating at Changdeokgung are arranged for audience members to sit on the floor similar to in a traditional restaurant or home. The theater offers a wide array of performances including Samulnori (Korean traditional percussion music), traditional Korean music, and Madanggeuk (a play infused with traditional music and performances). First time visitors often find the creative and cozy experience to create a lasting memory of Korean culture and arts. Also nearby the theater are a number of tourist attractions including Changdeokgung Palace, Unhyeongung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine Park, and Insa-dong. 

AMORE Spa
 
Seoul(Gangnam-gu)
AmorePacific, a Korean brand, initially gained popularity in New York since its opening of AMORE Beauty Gallery & Spa in Soho, New York. The AMORE Spa is a popular spa and treatment center frequented by many international celebrities. The AMORE Spa Seoul branch, opened in April 2005, offers approximately 30 different kinds of programs. One of the most popular spa programs is Spa Therapy, which uses a diverse range of natural therapy materials including lotus flower, ginger and bamboo. Another popular program is the Halla Green Tea program, which uses green tea leaves grown in Jeju's Hallasan Mountain. Other programs include Gold & Silver Energy Healing therapy, Mystic Bamboo Forest, facial therapies, body slimming and massages.

Jaman Mural Village
 
Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)
Jaman Mural Village is located in the ridge between Omokdae and Imokdae along the foot of Seungamsan Mountain’s Jungbawi Rock. Jeonju Hanok Village is also visible from the wide street. Although it is a fairly steep walk up to Jaman Village, visitors will be able to enjoy colorful murals painted on the buildings and walls along the way.