Travel/Culture List

Located on the western foothills of Mudeungsan Mountain, Jeungsimsa Temple is a representative temple of Gwangju. First founded by Buddhist monk Cheolgamseonsa Do Yun in 517 (Silla Kingdom), the temple was remodeled by Buddhist monk Hyesoguksa in 1094 (Goryeo Dynasty) and again by Kim Bang in 1443 (Joseon Dynasty). The temple was burned down during the Imjin Waeran War (Japanese Invasion, 1592-1598) and was reconstructed in 1609 by three Buddhist monks: Seokgyeong, Sujang, and Dogwang. It underwent several additional restorations before being destroyed again by fire during the Korean War (1950-1953). Most of the existing buildings, including Daeungjeon (main temple building), were rebuilt in the 1970s.Jeungsimsa Temple is home to a large number of valuable cultural assets: Obaekjeon (hall of 500 Arhats); Cheoljo Birojanabul Jwasang (seated metal Buddha statue, Treasure No. 131) enshrined in Birojeon (Saseongjeon) Hall; a three-story stone pagoda from the latter Silla Kingdom (Gwangju Tangible Cultural Property No. 1); Beomjonggak Pavilion; Beomja Seven-story Stone Pagoda engraved with Beomja (ancient Sanskrit); and more.

Soon after its opening in 1983, the Park Ryu Sook Gallery moved to Cheongdam-dong, an uncharted territory back in 1988. Ever since, the gallery has played a significant role in turning the region into one of the most representative art places in Korea. The Park Ryu Sook Gallery mainly deals with modern art, and contributes to the development of Korea's modern art scene by recruiting and supporting talented rookies in the field, and by introducing artwork of major modern artists from abroad. Moreover, the gallery works to promote Korean art worldwide by joining major art fairs such as the Chicago, Koln, and Basel art fairs. Through these and similar activities, the Park Ryu Sook Gallery works to provide the public the invaluable opportunity to enjoy quality artwork, maximize their own creativity, and take a moment out of their hectic lives to indulge in a little self-reflection.  

Yongpyong Resort is situated at the center of Korea’s Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, and sees an average of 250 centimeters of snowfall per season, which makes for excellent skiing conditions. Not only that, the resort’s enormous seventeen million square meter complex includes a 45-hole golf course, gondolas, swimming pool, and other facilities. This all-season recreational complex allows visitors to escape from daily life and relax. Yongpyong Resort has an impressive twenty-eight ski slopes, including the popular Rainbow Slopes, and offers excellent facilities for skiers. The park’s fifteen ski-lifts include a 3.7km cable-car and the resort's Dragon Plaza is the largest ski complex in Asia, offering a variety of services for skiers and snowboarders. Yongpyong Resort has hosted a number of international competitions, including the World Cup Ski Competition and the Asian Winter Games. It is consequently one of the most popular ski resorts in Korea, and is frequented by many tourists. Accommodation options include condominiums, a hotel, and a youth hostel. Yongpyong Resort is a 2-hour drive away from Seoul, but the resort runs shuttle buses from Seoul during peak season. Visitors traveling from the Daegu and Yeongnam regions can take the Jungang and Jungbu Inland Expressways, and arrive at Yongpyong Resort within three hours.    

This road takes you from Sinchon Subway Station right to Yonsei University. Like branching tree roots, the numerous side streets diverge off the main road. In 1999 Yonsei College Street was designated as “The Road One Wants to Walk.” Since then this famous street has been improved upon even more, placed on tourist maps and promoted by businesses. A visitor to this area can eat at a plethora of restaurants, coffee shops and stores. In the afternoon hours, you can also enjoy the taste of small food stands that line the sidewalks.

Located inside Changdeokgung Palace, Nakseonjae Hall is a one-storey structure built in ikgong style (bird wing-shaped eaves placed on top of the pillars) with a hip tiled and gable roof. It has 6 kans in the front and 2 kans to the sides (kan: a traditional unit of measurement referring to the space between two columns; roughly 2-4 meters). It originally belonged to the nearby Changgyeonggung Palace, but came to be considered a part of Changdeokgung Palace in more recent years. The hall was constructed in 1846 (12th year of King Heonjong’s reign) and it is collectively called Nakseonjae together with the adjacent Seokbokheon Hall and Sugangjae Hall. The main gate of these three buildings is known as Jangnakdang, which consists of 12 kans of namhaenggak (south corridor building) at Nakseonjae. Upon entering the gate is an extensive yard leading to Nakseonjae. Of the 6 front kans, a single kan on the far right side protrudes out to the front to create a balcony-like loft. Meanwhile, the main building features an ordinary housing style with square foundation stones and pillars placed on top of a rectangular stone base. The furnace and the surrounding areas beneath the loft are marked by unique mosaic decorations of irregular lines and the kitchen doors feature diverse design patterns. At the back of the building is a flower garden made by stacking large stones. The chimney, the flowers, and the oddly shaped stones harmoniously blend into one another to create an outstanding landscape gardening. The interconnected Seokbokheon Hall also has 6 kans in the front and 2 kans to the sides and it is a part of ansarang (inner reception room). The outer corridors skirting the building lead to Sugangjae Hall, which is 15 kans in size.

Woljeongri Beach is known for its scenery, tranquil white sand and beautiful emerald ocean. Near the beach, a stretch of cozy and beautiful cafes aligned the streets. In additiona, a drive along the beach will be great to appreciate the exotic landscapes of Jeju-do island.

Jamsil Hangang Park is located on the southern side of the river between Jamsil Iron Bridge and Yeongdong Bridge. The park is adjacent to Jamsil Sports Complex, Lotte World, and Olympic Park, and there are a variety of sports & cultural facilities located in the park.The nature experience field created within the park is the perfect place for fieldtrips as well as family picnics.One of the biggest features of the Jamsil Hangang Park is the fishway in the Jamsil Water Reserve. Not only is it a great place to appreciate the beauty of the Hangang River, but it is also a place where visitors can learn more about nature through the diversity of eco-programs offered here. Near the fishway is a themed park equipped with wind vanes, walking paths, and underwater plant islets which serve as a resting place for fish. From ‘Riverview Bom’, a lookout café located on Jamsil Bridge, you may enjoy the fantastic night view of the Hangang River. 

Yeongdodaegyo Bridge connects Jung-gu and Yeongdo-gu districts in Busan. Constructed in November 1934, it is the first island-land connecting bridge and the only single-leaf bascule bridge in Korea. The bridge lifts up on one side to make way for large vessels.  

BEXCO (92,761m²) is a large international exhibition/convention center with eight floors (1BF-7F). It offers spacious exhibition halls as large as three football fields combined, multi-purpose halls, and outdoor exhibition halls. Equipped with advanced equipment, the convention center is ideal for holding international exhibitions, meetings, concerts, or sporting events.Events in BEXCO include Group Drawings for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea-Japan, 2003 ICCA Annual Conference, 2004 ITU Asia, and 2005 APEC Summit. In addition to outstanding facilities, BEXCO offers comprehensive service packages linking business, marketing, and tourism.

Sokcho Expo Tower in the area of Cheongchoho Lake, Joyang-dong, is an observatory tower set in a park surrounded by mountains and lakes. The tower is 73.4m in x_height and can accommodate up to 100 visitors at once. From the observation platform, visitors can enjoy a complete view of the Sokcho area, including Ulsanbawi Rock and Daecheongbong Peak in Seoraksan Mountain, the East Sea and downtown Sokcho. The view around sunset is especially picturesque and the migratory bird habitat of Cheongchoho Lake is also located near the tower.