Travel/Culture List

King Sejong Story
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
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. 

Spasis
 
Incheon(Michuhol-gu)
Spasis uses mineral water pumped from 456 m below ground. The water is cleaned daily and improves skin health with a pH level of 6.3~7 and a temperature ranging from 20 to 40 ℃. Spasis offers a multitude of sauna rooms, featuring rocks from Jeju, Himalayan salt, and Germanium-infused yellow soil. The fifth floor in particular is popular, with an open play area. The sauna also has a restaurant serving chicken and beer.

Changgyeonggung Palace
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
Located in the heart of Seoul, Changgyeonggung Palace was first built by the 4th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong (r.1418-1450), for his retiring father, King Taejong. It often served as residential quarters for queens and concubines. During the reign of King Seongjong (r.1469-1494), the palace was renovated and renamed to Changgyeonggung Palace. It later became a park with a zoo and a botanical garden during Japanese colonial rule. The palace was then relocated in 1983 and regained its old grace after years of restoration. Past the entrance of Changgyeonggung Palace, the Honghwa Gate, you will find Okcheongyo Bridge. All palaces of the Joseon Dynasty have ponds with an arch bridge over them, just like Okcheongyo Bridge. Cross Okcheongyo Bridge, pass the Myeongjeongmun Gate, and you will find Myeonjeongjeon. This is the office of the king, and Myeongjeongjeon is the oldest of the Joseon Dynasty palaces. The houses face southwards, but Myeongjeongjeon faces east. Because the ancestral shrine of the royal family is located to the south, the gate couldn't face the south, as is required by Confucian custom. There are stones with the status of the officials carved on the yard. Behind Myeongjeongjeon on the upper left side is Sungmundang. This building utilizes the slope of the mountain. If you look at Myeongjeongjeon and Munjeongjeon, the combination of the high and low roofs offers a beautiful view. Tongmyeongjeon was built for the queen. It is the biggest building in Changgyeonggung Palace, and you can recognize the delicate details of its structure in various parts of the building. Walk up the stones past Tongmyeongjeon and there you will find Jagyeongjeon. On the southeast direction of the Jagyeongjeon is the Punggidae. This Punggidae is a measuring instrument. It is a long pole with a cloth hung at the end used to check the speed and direction of the wind. If you head north there is a large pond called Chundangji. Half of the pond was originally a rice field that the king took care of. But during the Japanese occupation, the rice field was changed to a pond with little ships floating on it. And the botanic garden built above the pond still remains today.  

aT Center
 
Seoul(Seocho-gu)
aT Center is a new type of convention center, where exhibitions, conventions, and business trades all take place. Cutting-edge exhibition and conference rooms are suitable for various types of exhibitions, seminars, banquets, events, performances and more. To support more successful events, aT Center provides simultaneous interpretation services, an Audio-Visual system, cold storage and a trade information service. The center is a one-stop venue for trade, comprised of an export firm hall, export promotion hall and other related facilities, offering a permanent exhibition of promised exported items, promotion, consulting with overseas buyers and collecting overseas information. The center is situated in a pleasant neighborhood, located near Seoul's convenient transportation system and hospitals, fitness centers, stores, restaurants, large-sized parking lots, making it a cultural resting area.

Haeundae Special Tourist Zone
 
Busan(Haeundae-gu)
Haeundae Beach in Busan is famous both in Korea and abroad. Not only is it popular as the largest summer vacation spot, but it also attracts people even in the spring, autumn and winter for its variety of festivals and events, such as the Busan International Film Festival, the International Yacht Race and the Haeundae Sunrise Festival. These festivals help keep Haeundae busy as a popular tourist site all year round. With Haeundae Beach at its center, Haeundae Special Tourist Zone offers diverse marine leisure activities and fresh seafood. The zone has transformed itself from a typical vacation spot into a destination where one can stay long-term while enjoying leisure activities and cultural events. Today, the zone attracts an increasing number of tourists from around the globe. The zone not only has natural resources, such as Haeundae Beach, Dongbaek Island, Dalmaji Hill and sea water hot springs, but also a convention center and IT complex. Well-equipped with cultural facilities, including movie sets, arts galleries and aquariums, it is a qualified destination for MICE (Meeting, Incentive tour, Convention and Exhibition) tourists. The coastal drive course is another way to enjoy Haeundae Beach. Moontan Road, offering a grand night view and various walking trails, including Galmaet-gil lying along the coastline, should not be missed as well. The skyline at Haeundae underwent a dramatic change with the advent of Centum City. At night, the city skyline that is brilliantly illuminated by the high-end residential/commercial buildings captivates travelers. Inside Centum City are luxury apartments and a grand shopping complex, including a department store and a retail outlet. * Current State of Haeundae Special Tourist Zone 1) Districts Covered: Areas around Jung, Songjeong, Jaesong and U-dong (Centum City), Haeundae-gu, Busan 2) Area: 6,225,000㎡ * Tourist Attractions Haeundae and Songjeong Beach, Dongbaek Island, Oryukdo Island, Centum City, Aquarium, Haeundae Hot Springs, etc.

Jeongdong Observatory
 
Seoul(Jung-gu)
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.

Seoul Action School(Martial Arts Center)
 
Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si)
Seoul Action School (originally ‘Stunt Academy)’ is located in the artist village of Heyri, Paju-si in Gyeonggi-do and has been training action professionals ever since its opening on July 1st, 1998.Founders Kim Yeong-bin (director and screenwriter) and Jeong Du-hong (actor and martial arts director) believe that revitalizing action film is one way to contribute to and develop the film industry. They seek to identify new talents and train them to become more competitive actors & actresses.Seoul Action School is the only action training institution in Korea that teaches not only acting, but also action techniques that can be used in a variety of film genres to help performers become even more marketable in the ever-globalizing film industry.

Yongduam Rock(Dragon Head Rock)
 
Jeju-do(Jeju-si)
Situated to the north of Jeju City, Yongduam was created by strong winds and waves over thousands of years. However, there are plenty of other stories of how it came to be. One legend has it that a dragon stealing precious jade from Mt. Halla was shot down by an arrow from the mountain deity. When he fell down on Yongduam, his body immediately sank into the ocean and his head rapidly froze looking at the sky. Another legend has it that a white horse, who dreamed of being a dragon and ascending to the sky, came to be caught by a soldier and froze into the rock.From Yongduam, visitors can see Haeneo women divers working on catching seafood. Near the rock are various cafes, bars, and restaurants. The coastal road between Aewol-eup and Yongduam is a popular spot for couples. Cafes and seafood restaurants began to appear there five years ago and now form a pleasant café village.Drinking a cup of coffee at the village café and driving along the scenic coastal lines, visitors can encounter Iho Beach where black rocks contrast with the emerald-blue ocean, Hagwi Coast, and Aewol Port. Aewol Port is also home to small seafood restaurants and fishing boats coming in and out, adding flavor to the coastal drive. Further from the port is one of the most popular beaches on Jeju Island, Hyeopjae Beach, showcasing the deep royal-blue sea year-round with splendid white sand. 

Gyeongju National Museum
 
Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)
Gyeongju National Museum is steeped in tradition. Representing Gyeongju, which was the capital city of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC - AD 935), the museum is where you can view the cultural history of Gyeongju district. Exhibitions are divided into 4 large areas: the Main hall, Annex I, Annex II, and the Outdoor Exhibit Area (Museum Grounds).In the Main Hall you can see earthenware, with various artworks and craftworks in the Arts and Crafts room. Gukeun Memorial Hall exhibits over 600 artifacts, which were the personal collection of Dr. Lee Yang-Seon, donated to the museum for preservation. Artifacts from the great tombs of the city of Gyeongju are displayed in the Gobun Gallery in Annex I. There are many glittering accessories, such as golden crowns and ornaments, belts, earrings, etc. You will be introduced to the superb artistry of the Silla Period through these artifacts.Approximately 30,000 artifacts have been excavated from Wolji Pond, the most significant of which are exhibited in the Wonji Gallery in Annex 2. Other galleries in Annex 2 exhibit household goods. These various types of items show many aspects of life in the Royal Court during the Silla Period. After the galleries, you can move on to the Outdoor Exhibit Area, in the Museum Grounds. King Seongdeok’s Bell, located here, is the most renowned of all Buddhist temple bells. You cannot help but feel solemn as you gaze upon the relic. There is also a variety of artifacts from royal palaces and temples exhibited throughout the grounds. Buddhist sculptures make up the majority of the stone artifacts. If you are a traveler interested in Buddhism or the magnificent culture of royal palaces, this is a place you do not want to miss.