Travel/Culture List

Digital Pavilion
 
Seoul(Mapo-gu)
Digital Pavillion, located inside Digital Media City in Sangam-dong, offers visitors a look into IT-related products in its ubiquitous lifestyle experience center. Covering a total area of 9,721 ㎡, the four-story building holds about 40 items on display. The Exploration Hall on the second floor and the Imagination Hall on the third floor are especially popular among children. * Opened on April 30, 2008

Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park
 
Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)
There are 3 legendary boundary gates at Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park, on rough mountaintops, which are reputed to be too tall for even birds to fly over.Mungyeongsaejae, which overlays Mt. Joryeongsan, has always been the highest and most dangerous mountain pass. It was cleared during the time of Kim Taejong (reign 1400~1418) of Joseon Period, and was used until a new road was built through the Ihwaryeong Gyegok Valley.The boundary gates and castle walls were raised here after the Japanese Invasion of Korea (1592 and 1598). The second boundary gate, Jogokgwan, was raised in 1594, and in 1708 Juheulgwan and Joryeonggwan were raised and were used as fortresses for national defense. They were damaged after that point, but in 1966 the No. 1, 2, and 3 boundary gates and castle walls were designated collectively as historical relic No. 147 and were later restored in 1976.Take the big road beside boundary gate No. 1 of southeastern Korea, Juheulgwan, for about 1.5km and you’ll arrive at Joryeongwon. There are only stonewalls left from the many inn-like dwellings, which were built to accommodate government officials on official tour. Past the tavern, which was restored in 1983, you’ll reach the Jogokgwan. The area around Jogokgwan is famous for its birch trees, and the Mungyeongsaejae Revolt Monument can be seen on the left side of the road.It’s 3.4km from Jogokgwan to Joryeonggwan, through a walkway with its harmonious scenery of rocks and cool streams. Instead of taking the big road, you can take the road with the sounds of stream water, to a waterfall. 30 minutes farther and you’ll arrive at Hyeguksa Temple.Hyeguksa Temple is at the edge of Juheulsan, and is the place where King Gongmin (reign 1351~1374) stayed while avoiding the peasant uprising. Past Hyeguksa Temple and the Royal Palace about 1km, you’ll reach the sacred peak of Mt, Juheulsan. The view of the winding mountain ranges from the mountaintop is spectacular. From the mountain top, past the valley, is Jogokgwan.The 3rd boundary gate is at Juheulsan (1,106m), and it takes about 4~5 hours to get to Jogokgwan from Juheulgwan. The area was designated as a Provincial Park in 1981.KBS drama studio is located in Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park, specializing in historical dramas, and it is the largest scale studio in the world. There are three palaces and many houses from the Goryeo Period, spread over 60,000 m2.

Jeongdongjin Rail Bike
 
Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)
The Jeongdongjin Rail Bike is one of the must-try experiences when you are traveling in Gangwon-do. Departing from Jeongdongjin Station, ride on the rail bike and feel the fresh air from the sea that is just alongside the railway tracks.

Samcheong Park
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
Located on the outskirts of Mt. Bugak, this park was the first officially-designated park in Korea (1940). The name Samcheong (literally "three blue") refers to the three highest ideals in Taoism that men can attain. Surrounded by cherry blossoms planted long ago, the park becomes crowded with tourists every April when the trees are in full bloom. The park offers many amenities: badminton and tennis courts, a playground, a snack bar, and a multi-purpose rest area.Major hiking trails winding through Samcheong Park connect the park to the Mt Bugak Seoul Fortress Wall Hiking Trail, a mineral spring spot in Seongbuk-dong, and Waryong. While hiking, visitors can encounter Malbawi, an excellent spot chosen by City of Seoul where they can overlook Seoul at a glance. Malbawi Historic Site Visit Program, run by Jongno-go Office (Seoul), provides children and adults with the opportunity to learn about natural ecology in Samcheong Park and the history of Seoul Fortress Wall from designated guides. Through well-developed roads around Samcheong-dong, visitors can easily move from Samcheong-dong to Seongbuk-dong. Currently, Samcheong Tunnel near the park connects the two localities.

Daegu Concert House
 
Daegu(Jung-gu)
Daegu Concert House, previously Daegu Citizen’s Hall, is newly opened after undergoing renovations from April 2011 to August 2013 to reconstruct eaves and columns of the large concert halls and to build a performance support hall perfect for international concerts. The hall is equipped with sound facilities matching international standards. Grand Hall has 1,284 seats, Chamber Hall (small concert hall) has 248 seats, and the parking lot can accommodate a total of 387 cars throughout 215 spaces in the basement level parking lot and 72 spaces in the parking tower. In addition, the concert hall houses an exhibition hall, practice room, and community facilities. In particular, the Grand Hall offers vivid, visible, and acoustic effect by shortening the distance between the performers and audience so that it fits the international standard for concert halls with the best sound facilities.

Paju Book City
 
Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si)
Located in Gyoha-eup (Paju, Gyeonggi-do), Paju Book City is a giant cultural complex, belonging to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. It is home to 250 publishers with over 10,000 workers. It covers the entire process of publishing from planning to printing and distribution.Asia Publication Culture & Information Center houses book cafes, used bookstores, galleries, and restaurants, hosting diverse exhibitions and forums; Tan Tan Story House, run by Yeowon Media specializing in illustrated storybooks for children, is a cultural center for children with a performance hall, a gallery, and a book café. Other notable attractions include Yeolhwadang, Chameleon (BIR Publishing’s book outlet), Darakwon Book Café, and Moongongsa Book Café. The first floor of Paju Book City is full of book stores and cafes.Visitors need to be aware that some stores are closed on weekends and during holidays and only open between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Aside from bookstores and cafes, Paju Book City also boasts many attractions. For instance, its chic building meshes perfectly with the beautiful surroundings; in the corner of Asia Publication Culture & Information Center is an elegant Hanok (traditional Korean house) that boasts both traditional beauty and modern touches. 

Cheongsando Island
 
Jeollanam-do(Wando-gun)
The name Cheongsan (靑山) carries the meaning that all of the surroundings - the mountains, ocean and sky - are blue. Cheongsando Island is a small island located 19.2km from Wando in Jeollanam-do, featuring beautiful scenery and is the southernmost island in Dadohae. The island looks to Geomundo Island in the east, Soando Island in the west, Jejudo Island in the south, and Sinjido Island in the north. Cheongsando Island was designated as part of Dadohaehaesang National Park on December 23, 1981 and the first Asian slow city on December 1, 2007. The slower visitors walk through the island, the more beautiful the island is. Likewise, the island was picked as one of must-visit tourism spots by Korea Tourism Organization and CNN. The island also features the valuable agricultural asset of Gudeuljangnon (구들장논), terraced rice paddies. ​

Whanki Museum
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
The Hwangi Art Museum was opened to honor the works of the painter, Kim Hwan-Gi. Kim Hwan-Gi (1913-1974) was Korea's top artist of modernism. He began painting abstract paintings in 1930, and in 1950 began using nature as his motivation to portray the emotions of Korea. Kim Hwan-Gi was famous for his unforgettable pieces. He is the role model for many young aspiring artists in Korea. On the first floor of the museum there is an art shop with scarves, ties, and other various products with Kim's designs are available for purchase. Upon entering the exhibits all bags must be checked in at the front desk. As you enter, aside from the paintings and art pieces, the most eye-popping sight is the beautifully decorated windows. You cannot help but marvel at their beauty. For those that are tired and need rest, there is a rest area on the second floor. There is a nice outdoor view from this area. Outside you can go for a walk on the trail. As you walk up the narrowing trail you will see a pond, and at the end of the trail you will enter a wooded area where you can rest.

Korean Folk Village Sledding Hills
 
Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si)
The Korean Folk Village Sledding Hills possess 3 slopes, one for adults(140m long), one for children (60m long) and a snow square (20m long for infants). Since the hills are an accessory facility service of the Korean Folk Village, there is also a big family park. When you reach the market within the folk village, you can taste Korea’s traditional appetizers served with drinks such as injeolmi, bukeogui, bindaeddeok, and pajeon, as well as the alcohol, dongdongju.There is a bus every 20 minutes going to the Korean Folk Village at the Seoul Nambu Terminal (40 min) 

Gukchaebosang Memorial Park
 
Daegu(Jung-gu)
Construction on Gukchaebosang Memorial Park (located in Dongin-dong, Jung-gu District) began in March 1998 and was completed in December 1999. The park was established to retain the spirit of the National Debt Remuneration Movement (a national movement that originated in Daegu in 1907) and to help overcome the debt crisis of 1997. Of course, the park was also created in order to expand green space in the downtown area and offer a place of rest and relaxation to the general public.Spanning 42,500 square meters in size, the park boasts the Dalgubeol Grand Bell, a bell pavilion, walking trails, and other amenities. The famous Dalgubeol Grand Bell was installed on the park grounds in December 1998 as a representation of harmony and prosperity and to symbolically awaken the people with its pure and clear ringing.The park has an ample parking lot (3 underground floors) and is frequented by students who study at the Central Library located within the park. Gukchaebosang Memorial Park is also a popular date destination because of its proximity to the Daegu downtown area. As one of the most recently established parks in Daegu, the park boasts thousands of trees, a large grass plaza, and plenty of benches and resting areas. The beautiful fountains, pavilion, and stone artworks add to the charms of the park. The park hosts diverse cultural events such as music concerts and exhibitions and draws many visitors each Saturday and Sunday for the ceremonial ringing of the Dalgubeol Grand Bell.