Travel/Culture List

The Museum of Korean Art consists of the temple museums in Wonseo-dong and Changsin-dong, in Jongro-gu in Seoul. They are specialized Buddhist art museums with about 6,000 relics related to Buddhism including statues, paintings, ceramics, and folk crafts. Some of them are national cultural assets: Treasure No. 1204 is Uigyeomdeungpilsuwolgwaneumdo and Treasure No. 1210 is Cheongnyangsangwaebultaeng. The museum in Changsin-dong has on exhibit the Daeungjeon Sinjungdo, a cultural asset of Seoul City. The museum was established to promote not only Buddhist art but also other genres and traditional art forms.

Daegu Jeil Church is the oldest Protestant Church in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Initially established in 1898 over four tile-roofed houses, Daegu Jeil Church was rebuilt in 1933 with traditional and Western architectural designs. Subsequently, Deacon Lee Ju-Yeol dedicated a 33m bell tower in 1937, whlie the church underwent an interior renovation in 1969, and an expansion in 1981.In conjuction with its physical development, which was at the forefront of the nation's architectural modernization, the church contributed largely to modernization and expansion of Christianity in the region as well as in Korea. In addition, by introducing modern medicine and education to the citizens of Daegu, the founders of Daegu Jeil Church stimulated social development in the region.

Gwangnaru Safety Experience Center was founded with the goal of preventing tragedies and saving the lives of children and youth. Because of fire accidents like "Sirent" in 1999, which occurred in Hwasong city in Gyungi-do, and another fire accident in the bar of Enhyon-dong located in Inchon Gwangyuok city where a lot of children and youth lost their lives, the necessity of establishing a disaster training center for common citizens was urgently felt. To teach people how to remain safe during disasters the Seoul Citizen Training Center was created. Gwangnaru Safety Experience Center is a three-story building of more than 5000 m². The basement floor includes a small theater. The first floor is set up for natural disaster training and consists of an orientation hall, storm simulation training room, earthquake simulation room, computer tests on fire safety knowledge and others. The second floor is a place for artificial catastrophe training. It consists of a smoke escape training room, fire extinguisher training room, first-aid (CPR) training room and practicing place for calling 119 (The emergency number in Korea). The third floor is used for people rescue training and consists of a rescue training room, screening room, training for professionals and video examples of five biggest disasters that have occurred in Seoul. Overall there are about 20 training corners established, so citizens can experience the imitation of a disaster by themselves and learn easily and in an interesting way to cope with a disaster. We believe that if children, youth and common citizens listen to fire fighters and personally experience training, it will help to learn the correct way to face dangerous situation and deal with a disaster.

Located in Gangneung, Gangwon-do, Jeongdongjin is a picturesque area with a quaint, little railway station standing alongside the sandy beach. Although long since a favorite spot among the locals, the area gained widespread popularity after being chosen as the filming location for the popular soap opera Moraeshigae (Hourglass) and has since become a favorite haunt for drama lovers on the weekends.The combination of the area’s railroad station, beach, and groves of pine trees, makes Jeongdongjin a very peaceful and romantic mini getaway. The highlight of the Jeongdongjin tour, however, is the sunrise. The early morning sun reaching out over the ocean and outlining the dewy silhouettes of the station and surrounding pines is a sight that is straight out of a fairy tale. During the New Year, Jeongdongjin Sunrise Park is the location of the Sunrise Festival and the ceremonial ‘turning of the hourglass,’ signifying the changing year. 

Ever since its opening on Oct. 10, 1973, the Busan Citizens’ Hall has stood as a symbol of the international port city of Busan, offering an open cultural space for citizens. In 2001 the hall was modernized and expanded, reopening on July 5, 2002. The hall consists of large and small theaters and an exhibition hall. The large theater seats up to 1,832 people and is equipped with an orchestra pit and revolving stage, perfect for performance of various genres (concerts, operas, musicals, etc.). The small theater, with a total of 335 seats, provides an intimate atmosphere for modest performances. Other facilities at the hall include a banquet hall, outdoor stage, practice room, make-up room, and more. Busan Citizens’ Hall serves as a venue for concerts, performances, and public events of Busan City.

Sports Monster is a game and sports experience center located on the fourth and top floors of Starfield Hanam. The center provides activities for all, with no need for special equipments and gears. About 30 activities are prepared, divided into Basic Zone, Exciting Zone, Adventure Zone, and Digital Zone.

A leading Asian hospital, Inha University Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment to provide the best treatment to patients with cutting-edge medical facilities. The hospital became a JCI-accredited hospital on July 21, 2010. Since Inha University Hospital is close to Incheon International Airport (approx. 25 min) overseas patients can easily visit the hospital to get the treatment.

Designated as Historic Site No. 10, the Seoul City Wall is an 18.627km-long wall surrounding Hanyang (present-day Seoul), formerly the capital of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). The wall underwent regular repairs during the 500-year Joseon Dynasty. The wall itself yields evidence of the different skills and materials used, thereby giving it a significant historical value. The Seoul City Wall Museum became full operational on July 31, 2014 after conducting partial operation since April. The museum displays historical artifacts relating to the transformation of the city, and has a permanent exhibition hall, special exhibition hall, information center and multi-purpose lecture room.

Aiins World is a theme park where miniature recreations of world famous buildings are on display. The miniatures at Aiins World were crafted with such painstaking attention to detail that visitors feel like they are looking at the real thing. People also feel as if they have taken a trip around the world all in one day.The miniature version of the Great Wall of China and Mt. Kilimanjaro, blowing out smoke and ash, attracts many visitors with realistic models as well as sound effects. Other miniatures include the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center with its famous ice rink, and the street of Broadway in New York City. Aiins World lights up at night, creating a romantic and festive mood. Taking pictures next to some of the most famous structures in the world can be a rewarding experience and fun for everyone.

Baedari Secondhand Bookstore Alley is located in the boundary between Geumgok-dong and Changyeong-dong in Dong-gu, Incheon. Prior to the establishment of Gyeonginseon railroad, this alley was Incheon’s representative road to Seoul, referred to as Ugakli Street. During the 60s and 70s when living was difficult and everything was hard to get hands on, it was the only secondhand bookstore alley in the Incheon area where people can quench their thirst for learning. Known as the Baedari Bookstore Alley, there are about 10 bookstores altogether within the area that sell secondhand books and new books. Countless books in wide range of topics from ancient Korean literature, arts, music, medicine, children’s books, dictionaries and more fill up the small but charming bookstores. Artworks that depict the old lifestyles of residents at Baedari decorate the alley walls, offering more to see to the visitors.