Travel/Culture List

Hongneung Arboretum is a first generation arboretum in Korea. It was established in 1922 when experimental forests were built on Hongneung burial mound, which is the royal tomb of Queen Myeong-Seong. On the 780 square meters area southwest of Mt. Cheonjangsang, there are 9 gardens such as a garden of conifers, a garden of broadleaf trees and an ornamental garden, 3 botanical gardens with edible & medicinal plants garden, an aquatic garden and a wetland garden. There are 6 resting places as well.Hongneung Arboretum has beautiful scenery for every season. The garden of broadleaf trees behind the main building is the one that shows the change of season most dramatically. The hundreds of broadleaf trees appear their best in autumn. The arboretum is good for nature education walk because of the many nameplates offering information on the species and characteristics of each tree. There are also many things to see at the Forest Science Exhibition Hall which provides visitors with knowledge and information of the value of forests, forestry, and the forest industry. The building itself is an exhibition because the hall is made of Korean wood. Inside, there are three general exhibition rooms, a regular exhibit hall, a planning exhibit hall, and a special exhibit hall.You may look around from Garden 1 to Garden 9 in regular order or take the course from Garden 2, pass the Forest Science Exhibition Hall to the mountain ridge ending at Garden 1. Note that it takes approximately 3 hours to see everything, whichever course you may take.

The Hwaseong Train is a tourist train that travels between Mt. Paldalsan and Yeonmudae. The front of the train is shaped like a powerful dragon that signifies King Jeongjo, and the guest cars resemble palanquins that once carried the king during his excursions. The tour is short compared to the City Tour Bus.The train travels from Paldalsan Mountain to Yeonmudae (total 3.2km) for 30 minutes. It also provides in-train explanation in English, Chinese and Japanese.

Ungno Lee Museum of Art is the neat little white building surrounded by pine trees, located next to the Daejeon Museum of Art. The museum was designed by French architect Laurent Beaudouin, to commemorate the life and work of the artist Goam Ungno Lee (1904-1989), who devoted his whole life to the modernization and globalization of Korean tradition through architecture. The 4 halls in the museum give the feeling of all flowing together into one continual, unified space. The building pays homage to Lee’s life and works, dating from his early ventures to his final days.Just as Goam’s work epitomized the harmony between East and West, it is very interesting to note that the architecture of the museum reflects the combined efforts of Ungno Lee, the Korean artist, and Laurent Beaudouin, the French architect. In March 2010, ‘Sudeoksa Temple Museum of Art,’ the first Buddhism Museum of Art opened in Sudeoksa Temple in Yesan, also showcasing the life and work of Goam. 

Used during the 86 Asian Games and the 88 Seoul Olympics, Busan Yachting Center is an internationally acclaimed with more than 1,300 yachts and international facilities. Numerous yacht races are held here. It also has various facilities in commemoration of the Olympics, such as Sculpture Park, Recreation Park, Strolling Path and some cafeterias. In the vicinity are leisure water sport training schools such as a yacht school, wind surfing school, and scuba diving school. There is also a big yacht where you can enjoy the East Sea. The surrounding scenery is absolutely beautiful with the open ocean. This center also possesses squares and monuments. The walls have been torn dow completely in February 2002 to combine the harmony of the ocean and the forest and it is now open 24 hours free of charge for citizens. Thus, it has received many compliments as well as love from the people.Located in Haeundae, many other tourist sites are also available such as, Dalmaji Road, Haeundae Beach, Dongbaek Island, Sonjeong Beach and gwangalli Beach.

Bomunho Lake is a man-made lake 1,652,900m² in size. It was built on the site of an old fortress in Mount Myeonghwalsan in the east of Gyeongju in accordance with the Gyeongju Bomun Tourist Resort development plan. There are many leisure facilities and parks around the lake, including an international hotel and Gyeongju World. Bomun Lake is very popular among bikers and walkers.Unlike other cities or towns where cherry trees are only found in certain areas, Gyeongju is packed with cherry blossoms. When spring arrives, the whole cityscape turns pink with the beautiful blossoms. The combination of the stunning trees reflected in the waters of Bomunho Lake and the trees of Bulguksa Park gracefully adorning the nearby temple make for particularly stunning sights. When the light breeze blows, cherry blossoms gentle flutter down like satin snow flakes. The Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon is held in April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. 

The Daegu Citizen Stadium was established on April 20, 1948. It features a main stadium, a baseball stadium, a ssireum (wrestling) stadium, an indoor ice rink, tennis courts, and many more. The baeball stadium, which was completed in February 1981, is also the home stadium of the professional baseball team, the Samsung Lions. Since its expansion in 1975, the Daegu Citizen Stadium has hosted several matches during the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Summer Olympics. The Stadium can accommodate up to 13,000 people.

Iho Beach is conveniently located close to downtown Jeju City. The sandy, gently-sloping beach and its mix of city amenities and natural beauty make it a popular destination for tourists during the summer.There are plenty of things for visitors to enjoy in the beach area. Visitors can rent boats to go fishing or fish off the seawall, an area known among the local fisherman for its abundance of sea smelts. For a little exercise, take a walk by the pine trees to explore the lighthouses made in the shape of horses—both cute and functional. Finish up the day with dinner at one of the many nearby sashimi restaurants and enjoy the gorgeous nightscape.Sandy beach: 250m in length, 120m in x_width, 1.2m water depth, and 5-degree slope 

The name Nurimaru APEC House is created by combining the Korean words nuri (“world”) and maru (“summit”), and “APEC House,” which refers to an APEC conference hall. Collectively, it means “a house where the world summits gather together for an APEC meeting.”Located on Dongbaekseom Island, which is noted for its beautiful, natural landscape accented by dense camellia and pine trees, Nurimaru APEC House has been used as a memorial hall and a prestigious international conference hall since the APEC summit meeting. Nurimaru, a 3-story building, is a modernistic expression of “jeongja,” a pavilion in traditional Korean architectural style. Its roof shape symbolizes the ridgeline of Dongbaekseom Island. Its interior design is a visual display of Korea’s creative traditional culture.The terrace, which has a Korean wooden floor concept, towers over Oryukdo Island, Gwangan Bridge and Dallmaji Hill. Located near Haeundae Beach, it not only offers a spectacular view of the beach, but also has the appearance of a reputable international conference hall featuring both modern and natural beauty.

Seodaemun Prison History Hall is a special museum located at Seodaemun Independence Park. It was built near the end of the Joseon Dynasty (~1910), and was where Japanese soldiers tortured then later executed Korean followers of the Independence Movement. Seodaemun Prison History Hall was built in remembrance of Seodaemun Prison, and to salute the Korean patriots. There you'll find seven jail cells, a historical exhibition hall, an execution room, watchtowers and a basement jail cell where Yu Gwan-sun an historic figure during the independence movement died. The 1st floor is “A Place of Reverence,” where you can learn about Seodaemun Prison via the graphic systems. A large screen shows the background of its founding and the transition periods in its history. The Material Room has displays and information on Korea's history. The museum also holds special exhibits. The 2nd floor is “A Place of History,” where you can view the “National Resistance Room,” “Prison History Room” and the “In Prison Life Room.” This floor shows examples of how the people fought through this dark chapter in history continuing to hold on to their hope and resolve for freedom. “A Place of Experience” is the most horrifying and dreadful place in the prison. In the “Temporary Detention Room” and “Torture Room” you will see recreated torture scenes that are frighteningly realistic. At the Seodamun Independence Park nearby you can visit the Independence Hall, the Patriotic Martyr Monument, the March 1st Declaration of Independence Monument, relic no. 32 and no. 33.

Cheongpyeong Lake is an artificial lake that formed with the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam in the Bukhangang River. Surrounding mountains and lake landscapes blend together harmoniously creating breathtaking views and is fast becoming a choice destination in Korea.Near Cheongpyeong Lake there is an amusement park as well as numerous summer homes. On the nearby lake, one can enjoy water skiing and a host of other recreations. In addition, accommodation is also available making this destination a famous vacation spot all-year-round. Around Cheongpyeong Lake, there are a total of 30 boating areas for water skiing, motor boats, jet skis, banana boats, and various other water activities. All instrument rentals and lessons are also available.