Travel/Culture List

Suseong Artpia
 
Daegu(Suseong-gu)
Opened in May 2007, Suseong Artpia is a major art center in Daegu. It has specialized, independent spaces for housing performances, exhibitions, and art camps. The art center’s facade was designed to resemble a crane flying away with its wings stretched out in order promote the image of Muhaksan Mountain (named as such because its shape is reminiscent of a flying crane or hak), the mountain on which the center is located. When viewed from the sides however, the center is shaped like a ship, as it was once the site of a large pond. With such an impressive exterior further highlighted by impressive lighting at night, water fountains, and landscaping, Suseong Artpia has become a rising attraction of Daegu. The center is equipped with a mega concert hall that can accommodate diverse genres of performing arts such as an opera, musical, ballet, theater, dance, music concert, and more.

NJP Art Center
 
Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si)
Paik Nam-june explained: ‘Marcel Duchamp achieved everything in every field except for video art. He created a large entrance and an extremely small exit. The small exit is video art. When we take the exit, we are out of the scope of influence of Marcel Duchamp.’ The NJP Art Center is a creative space, wherein it is possible to practice the ‘mediation of endless potential unfolded outside the exit of Duchamp’. As a space of ‘introspective anarchy of infinite light and life’, the NJP Art Center aims to become a venue for the ‘escape from enlightenment’, going beyond enlightenment. Paik Nam-june, who was well versed in aesthetics and music, rather than the figurative arts, discovered a new ‘exit’ by combining electronic music and happenings. He didn’t regard video and television, with their great disseminative power, or communication networks, as a means for communicating messages, but as an explosion of time, instead creating a space for mandala-based televisuals, and for participation by the public where ‘consilience’ among heterogeneous fields can take place.Inheriting the spiritual legacies of Paik Nam-june, the NJP Art Center will expand the possibilities of creating new media for information and communication in the information age, and create a new space for cultural participation from aesthetic, ethical, and political perspectives. The center aims at expanding effective, creative consumption by encouraging reflections on the aspects of human existence that are still involuntary and lack freedom. The center aspires to become a space for cultural mediation that expands the space of freedom’s activities throughout the globe.

Konjiam Resort
 
Gyeonggi-do(Gwangju-si)
Located in Nogobong Valley in Taehwasan Mountain in Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi-do Province, Konjiam Resort is only an hour away by car from the Gangnam area in Seoul. The year-round resort boasts the largest ski slopes of Gyeonggi-do Province, a condominium with 476 rooms, the nation’s first residential spa, and a variety of other facilities.Some of the most unique features of the resort are the ecological stream running through the resort and the cave wine cellar where about 90,000 bottles of wine are stored. Another visitor favorite is the Konjiam Arboretum, which has 3,700 species of plants and about 20 themed gardens.

Jumunjin Breakwater
 
Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)
Jumunjin Breakwater was built to protect the coastline from the effects of erosion and longshore drift. It became a popular attraction after its first appearance in the television drama "Goblin" (2016) as many visitors look forward to taking photos of a scene reanactment from the drama.

Yeonan Pier
 
Incheon(Jemulpo-gu)
Yeonan Pier is the starting point for all coastal passenger ships bound for the numerous islands in the western sea. The nearby Incheon Fish Market is always bustling with people who come to buy fresh fish and pickled fish at reasonable prices. Also located near the pier is the sliced raw fish market operated by the Marine Products Association. The southern quay is where the boats and ships leave for sea fishing. The ships here are also available for rent for various purposes so events like reunions and seminars can be held aboard the ship.

Myogaksa Temple(Seoul)
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
Myogaksa Temple is located on the east side of Mt. Naksan in Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. First established by Monk Taeheo Hongseon in May of 1930, it has since expanded and underwent two renovations. The temple’s location was selected based on the principles of Feng Shui, which dictated that a temple built in its location would bring peace and comfort to Seoul’s residents. The Myogaksa Temple complex on Mt. Naksan accommodates a Deabul (Grand Buddha) Shrine, a Wontong Buddhist shrine, a Nakga preaching hall, Seokgulam Grotto, Sanshingak (Mountain Spirit Pavilion), and the Mae Buddha Statue. Deabul and Wontong shrines are two of the finest Buddhist architectural masterpieces. The Buddha statue, located inside the Seokgulam Grotto, was built around the ninth or early tenth century and has been designated a national cultural treasure. The Mae Buddha Statue, also located in this temple, was carved out of the rocky cliffs of Mt. Naksan and has been designated a cultural asset of the City of Seoul.Since the 2002 FIFA World Cup when Myogaksa began operating its temple stay program, the temple has become a wonderful place where locals and tourists can escape the daily hustle-and-bustle of Seoul to experience the serenity of Buddhism. 

Sajik Park
 
Gwangju(Nam-gu)
Saji Park is well landscaped with various trees and flower beds. Around April 15th every year, cherry blossoms are in full bloom creating a splendid scene. During this time, the municipality of Gwangju installs lighting in the trees for citizens to enjoy the blossoms late into the night. The park has become established as a favorite rest area for Gwangju citizens.The park houses several attractions including a memorial for national heroes, the Gwangju Broadcast Station (KBS), the Memorial Tower for Policemen, Yeonpajeong Pavilion, the Gwandeokjeong shooting range, and the Palgakjeong Pavilion overlooking downtown Gwangju. The various trees, shrubs, and flowers offer an inviting atmosphere for an outing.

Cheongju Sangdangsanseong Fortress
 
Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)
Sangdangsanseong Fortress (상당산성) in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do is a fortress built along the natural slopes close to downtown Cheongju. It was comprehensively improved in 1596 (29th year of King Seonjo’s reign) during Imjinwaeran (Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592) and later remodeled into a stone fortress during the 42nd year of King Sukjong’s reign.This 4.2km-long, 3-4m-tall fortress was built with stones of various sizes, earth and sand. The fortress has three gates, located in the east, west and south respectively. The three gates remain almost intact, and all still have their gate towers. The front gate in the south, named ‘Gongnammun Gate,’ is crescent-shaped while the East and West gates are square. The East and West Command Posts also stand within the confines of the fortress itself. This fortress was designated as Historic Site No. 212 in 1970. Additionally, visitors can sample Jujube Wine (Korean traditional wine) as well as a variety of local cuisine.

Daegu International Airport
 
Daegu(Dong-gu)
Located in the center of Gyeongsang-do, Daegu International Airport is a convenient local transportation hub that provides access to most parts of the country. It is the only international exchange center in Gyeongsangbuk-do (Gyeongbuk). The cities of Gyeongsan and Yeongcheon are about 30 minutes from the airport, which serves as a major hub in Yeongnam region. Popular Gyeongbuk-area attractions including Gyeongju, Andong, and Pohang, are 90 minutes away. The airport’s main building is shaped like a soaring crane, with an interior theme based on a poem by Joseon-era scholar Yun Seon-do called “Owooga” (a song for five friends: water, rock, pine tree, bamboo, and moon).  

Pocheon Sanjeonghosu Lake
 
Gyeonggi-do(Pocheon-si)
Sanjeong Lake is one of the main attractions in Pocheon and is situated down in the valleys between Myeongseongsan Mountain, Mangbongsan Mountain, and Mangmubong Peak.Meaning “lake as clear as a mountain well,” Sanjeong Lake was built as a reservoir to supply water to farmlands in 1925. Thanks to its surrounding attractions, the lake brings many visitors each year. Promenades along the lake are popular for couples as well as tourists who stay in the nearby hotels. Beautiful fog often rises from the lake in spring and fall, making boating at night quite picturesque.Hikers frequent Myeongseongsan in spring and fall. Visitors love skating on the lake in winter. The lake is also surrounded by an amusement park, swimming pools, sledding facilities, and spa amenities, attracting many family visitors. Local restaurants are renowned for their delicious, wholesome food made using freshwater snails and mushrooms. Other local favorites include maeun-tang (spicy fish stew), dotori-muk (acorn jelly), sanchae baekban (a bowl of rice served with wild herbs and vegetables), and deodeok-gui (a grilled dish made from Codonopsis lanceolata root).