Travel/Culture List

Since its inception in 2009, the annual Seoul Lantern Festival has managed to put on remarkable displays of lanterns on the famous Cheonggyecheon Stream in downtown Seoul. During the festival period, hundreds of lanterns, each with a unique design and story, will be lit on Cheonggyecheon Stream. Visitors can expect to see lanterns made by international artists, as well as local citizens.

Jingwansa Temple, located to the west of Seoul, is one of the four major temples around Seoul along with Bulamsa, Sammaksa, and Seunggasa temple located to the east, south and north respectively. The temple was dedicated to Preceptor Jingwan in 1010 BC by King Hyeonjong, the 8th king of the Goryeo Dynasty.During the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong built a library in Jingwansa for Confucian scholars to visit and read. The temple was reduced to ashes during the Korean War, but since Preceptor Jingwan lead as head priest in 1963, the temple buildings have been restored and renewed over the past 30 years to the present day condition.The temple consists of Daeungjeon (Hall of Sakyamuni), Myeongbujeon (Hall of Judgment), Nahanjeon, Chilseonggak, Nagawon, Hongjeru, Dongjeonggak, Dongbyeoldang, Yosache and others. Daeungjeon, the centerpiece of the temple, enshrines the god Sakyamuni (the main statue of Buddha) along with Mireukbosal and Jehwagalhwabosal on each side. Myeongbujeon is dedicated to Jijangbosal, Domyeongjonja, mudokgwiwang and Sipdae daewang while at Nahanjeon, the gods of Sakyamuni, Mireukbosal, Jehwagalla bosal, and Simnyungnahansang are enshrined.The temple is not only neighbor to the beautiful surrounding of Bukhansan National Park, but also contains an impressive collection of cultural and historical properties. It also provides a quiet place for urbanites to enjoy all the while sharing the teachings of Buddha.

Also known as Pagoda Park, Tapgol Park, located on the former site of Weongaksa Temple from the Joseon Era, is the first modern park to be built in Seoul. Weongaksa Temple was known as Heungboksa Temple during the Goryeo Dynasty, but was renamed when it was enlarged during the early years of the Joseon Era. However, it was destroyed during the reign of Yeonsangun and Jungjong due to the repression policy of Buddhism. Thereafter, a western park was built due to the proposal of an Englishman, John Mcleavy Brown, but no precise information on the reason and date can be found. The park contains several national treasures, including Wongaksaji Sipcheungseoktap and Weongaksabi, and Palgakjeong, where the Independence Proclamation was read; the independence movement relief plate; and the statue of Son Byeong-hee. The park is of great historical value and national spirit as it was the starting point of the March 1, 1919 Independence Protest.

Explore Changdeokgung Palace by Night The Moonlight Tour at Changdeokgung Palace with begin on June 1st and run through Nov. 5th, 2017. Visitors will be able to tour Changdeokgung Palace by moonlight and learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage Site with a guided tour of the palace. Tour Huwon Garden by moonlight and learn about Changdeokgung Palace and the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynsasty with a special guided tour of the palace. The tour also includes traditional Korean refreshments and a traditional Korean arts performance. Changdeokgung Palace is an outstanding example of palace architecture and Eastern design. Changdeokgung is normally closed to the public at night, so don't miss this chance to see the palace by night with the Moonlight Tour at Changeokgung Palace. ※ Please be aware that available admission days and tours differ for Korean nationals and foreign nationals. Reserve tickets online. - Korean nationals, reserve here - Foreign nationals, reserve here        

The Templestay Information Center is located across the street from Jogyesa Temple, and can easily be accessed from Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line3) or from Insa-dong Cultural Street. The center is a five-story cultural complex that houses the main Templestay offices, an information center, education center, a traditional temple restaurant called “Balwoo Gongyang”, the Lotus Cafe, and a Buddhist bookstore on the basement floor. The Templestay Information Center on the first floor handles all general information concerning Templestay programs. Here one can pick up pamphlets and other brochures about the programs, as well as get answers to questions. The Education Center on the third floor has facilities for both seated programs and open rooms for other activities. The fifth floor houses a restaurant called “Balwoo Gongyang”, specializing in traditional temple food, where one can taste the carefully prepared dishes, handmade by Buddhist practitioners.

63 SeaWorld features 20,000 marine creatures of 400 different species. Coral reefs, penguins, seals, dolphins, 2-meter-long crabs, and more are exhibited in 54 aquariums and 26 special aquariums. One of the highlights of the collection is its Coelacanth fish (pronounced "see-la-kanth"), a prehistoric fish once thought to be extinct. Coelacanth originated 350 million years ago, and their mysterious existence today as a “living fossil” continues to fascinate scientists.In the exhibition halls, located throughout two basement floors, you can watch a synchronized swimming show featuring former national synchronized swimmers moving among beautiful fish and sharks. Also waiting to delight visitors are a ‘Dr. Fish’ foot massage and some amphibians and reptiles, including lizards and anacondas. Throughout the day are a variety of shows including a seal show, a fur seals show, a sea princess show, and a penguin feeding show. Check out the show times so you don’t miss an interesting show.

The rear area of the Seoul National Cemetery is surrounded by the sacred mountain ridges of the Dong Jak region that connect to Mt. Gongjak and form the foothills of Mt. Gwanak. Towards the front, the cemetery overlooks the meandering Han River.The Seoul National Cemetery is situated on a plot of land measuring approximately 1,430,000㎡. Entombed here are the remains of 165,000 martyrs and soldiers, police men, and reserve forces who sacrificed themselves for their country. Enshrined within the Memorial Tower are memorial tablets of some 104,000 soldiers who died during the Korean War, but whose bodies were never found along with the remains of some 7,000 unknown soldiers whose bodies were found. The remains of more than 54,000 martyred patriots have been buried in the Burial Plots, which are divided into various sections: graves of soldiers, police officers, meritorious citizens, and key figures of the provisional government. Every year on June 6th (Memorial Day) memorial services and events are held at the Seoul National Cemetery to honor these brave patriots.Facilities consist of the Memorial Gate, Memorial Tower, Chungseong Fountain Tower, Holy Ground, Photographic Exhibition House, Educational Movie Theater, and Relics Exhibition House. In 1955, the cemetery was established as the National Military Cemetery and then was elevated to the status of National Cemetery ten years later in 1965. In 1996, the managing institution also underwent a name change from "National Cemetery Management Office" to "National Memorial Board."

Jeongdong Observatory is located on the 13th floor of Seoul City Hall Seosomun building. With a cafe inside the observatory, visitors can enjoy a drink while gazing upon the magnificent view of Deoksugung Palace. In addition, the walls of the cafe are decorated with photos of old Jeongdong for visitors' appreciation.

King Sejong, the 4th king of the Joseon Dynasty (1397-1450, reigning from 1418-1450) was responsible for some of the most brilliant achievements in the history of Korea, including the creation of Hangeul (Korean alphabet) and great advancements in the areas of science, culture, art and politics. The passage behind the Statue of King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Square is home to The Story of King Sejong Exhibition Hall, which describes some of the king’s most astounding contributions to the development of Korea as a nation.The Story of King Sejong Exhibition Hall comprises of 9 different sections with a total area of 3,200㎡. Throughout the museum are a variety of displays detailing Sejong’s invention of Hangeul, and his scientific, artistic, military, and political contributions (including the theory of Minbon, which recognized the people as the base of politics).*General InformationFor the convenience and entertainment of visitors, the museum also has a special exhibition room, the King Sejong Multimedia Room, books, a souvenir shop, and a lounge.The Exhibition Hall’s relatively new ‘Cia-Cia Hangeul Story Hall’ (opened in Feb. 12, 2010) gives visitors an even better chance to see the far-reaching effects of Sejong’s efforts. The Cia-Cia tribe in Indonesia, in lieu of having its own writing system, adopted Hangeul as their official written language.The Story of King Sejong Exhibition Hall is linked to the KT building on the left and the Sejong Center for Performing Arts on the right through an easily-accessible underground passageway.The museum is open every day (except Mondays) from 10:30am to 10:30pm. 

Imjingak Resort, located 7 km from the Military Demarcation Line, is now at the forefront of tourism related to the Korean War. Imjingak was built in 1972 with the hope that someday unification would be possible. The three-storied Imjingak is surrounded by several monuments, Unification Park and North Korea Center.Over 400 photos and documents showing the stark reality of North Korea are displayed in the North Korea Center of Unification Board. Outside Imjingak, there are 12 unique tanks and warcrafts on display that were used during the war.Mangbaedan Alter, which stands opposite Imjingak, is famous as the place where Korean's separated from their families in the North visit to perform ancestral rites by bowing toward their hometowns every New Year's Day and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). The Bridge of Freedom, which South Koreans crossed when they came back to their mother country from North Korea after the signing of the Armistice Agreement, stands behind Mangbaedan Alter.In front of Imjingak is the Gyeongui Train Line which was destroyed during the Korean War in 1950. It has been under reconstruction since 2000. Every year many events for unification are held at Imjingak. It is now one of the more famous DMZ tourist spots for foreigners because it is possible to visit without going through any security check points.*Travel Tips- Tourists who want to tour Dorasan Observatory and The 3rd Tunnel, have to have a passport and make a reservation in advance at the DMZ ticket box located in Imjingak parking lot.- Tourists can tour The 3rd tunnel, Dorasan Observatory and Unification Park by shuttle bus. Soldiers act as guides on this package tour. Only Korean speaking guides are available if you make your reservation here, so foreigners should contact a travel agency to arrange an English-speaking guide in advance.- Private cars and taxies are not permitted. Only designated shuttle buses can enter because it is located in the Civilian Restricted Zone.