Travel/Culture List

Sokcho Express Bus Terminal
 
Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)
Alpensia Resort
 
Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)
Alpensia Resort located at Daegwallyeong in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do is a tourism & leisure complex open year round, allowing visitors to enjoy the area’s pristine natural beauty throughout each of the four seasons. The name ‘Alpensia’ is a combination of the words ‘Alpen,’ (German term for ‘the Alps’), ‘Asia,’ and ‘Fantasia’—together they reflect the resort’s scenic view of the ‘fantastic Alps of Asia.’Standing on a lot measuring around 1,480,000 pyeong (4,892,562m²), the complex boasts a variety of super deluxe luxury accommodations and topnotch leisure facilities such as a 45-hole golf course, convention center, water park and ski slopes. The resort successfully hosted the IBU Biathlon World Cup Pyeongchang in 2008 and boasts excellent ski jump and biathlon facilities, a monorail, cross-country ski slopes, and a large stadium.After a hard day out on the slopes or golf links, visitors can head to the sky lounge, ecology learning center, or Retail Village shopping mall. The resort is also adjacent to many other tourist attractions such as Odaesan Mt., Samyang Sheep Ranch, Korea Botanic Garden, Lee Hyo-Seok Literature Museum, and Herb Nara.

Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort
 
Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)
The Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort, with its multitude of ski slopes, is a great destination for skiers of all abilities. The resort is located within a beautiful valley, and skiers can enjoy a panoramic view of the natural scenery while gliding down the slopes. Whether you choose to go down the beginner, intermediate, or advanced slopes, everyone can enjoy a 1 km-long run. Intermediate and beginner skiers can reach the mountain peak rest area on the B lift. A separate beginner’s slope is also available to be used as a practice slope.

Tomb of General Kim Yusin
 
Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)
The tomb of General Kim Yusin (595-673) is Historic Site No. 21. It is located in a scenic area thick with pine trees, on the eastern hill of Songhwasan Mountain.Known as the Hero of the Silla Kingdom, General Kim Yusin was the great grandson of King Guhae, the last king of the Geumgwan Gaya Dynasty, and the son of Seo Hyeon, a great general of the Silla Kingdom. Yusin joined the Hwarang (aristocratic youth military corps) at 15 and began dreaming of ways to unify the peninsula’s three kingdoms.Kim Yusin gained his political foothold by establishing a strong relationship with nobleman Kim Chunchu and made a name for himself through his valor on the battlefield.When Kim Chunchu eventually succeeded to the throne as the 29th king of the Silla Kingdom (changing his name to King Muyeol), Kim Yusin rose through the ranks and was eventually promoted to the extraordinarily high-ranking position of Sangdaedeung in the year 660 (7th year of King Muyeol’s reign). Kim Yusin then went on to defeat the Baekje Kingdom in cooperation with the Tang Dynasty, also later conquering the Goguryeo Kingdom in the year 668.The Tang Dynasty turned against Silla after the collapse of Goguryeo, but was defeated by Kim Yusin’s army in cooperation with the armies of Goguryeo and Baekje. With the fall of the Tang, Kim Yusin finally realized his dream of unifying the three kingdoms and was appointed the highest government post in Silla in honor of his heroic achievement.The tomb of General Kim Yusin is a large tomb measuring roughly 30m in diameter. The relief carvings of 12 Oriental zodiac gods (half man, half animal) stand guard around the tomb, brandishing weapons. The elaborately decorated tomb is second in grandeur only to those of royalty, further underscoring Yusin’s major contribution in unifying the three kingdoms.The path to this tomb is also a sight not to be missed. The street leading up to the tomb is called Heungmu-ro, and has been selected as one of the 100 Most Beautiful Streets in Korea. The street is full of cherry blossoms in spring and is famous for being a great place to take a walk or go for a drive.

Museum of Art, Seoul National University
 
Seoul(Gwanak-gu)
Museum of Art, Seoul National University was established as an independent institution in 1995 after several years of development under the Department of Modern Art at Seoul National University Museum. It is the first university art museum in Korea dedicated exclusively to modern and contemporary art. Designed by the world-renowned architect Rem Koolhass, the museum was constructed and donated by the Samsung Group. It has evolved into a cultural complex equipped with exhibition halls, auditorium, classrooms, and other educational facilities. The museum places special emphasis on educational programs that are open not just to the university's students and faculty, but also to the local community. In addition to modern and contemporary artworks, the museum brings together and exhibits diverse forms of art and culture such as architecture, music, literature, film, and theater.

Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center
 
Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si)
Aram Nuri means "a grand and beautiful world" in Korean. Built with a vision to accomplish Renaissance in culture and art, Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center houses four theaters, an art gallery and several other facilities. The Aram Opera House is a four-story, horseshoe-shaped auditorium that holds 1,887 seats. Aram Concert Hall a rectangular hall that holds 1,449 seats. Saerasae Digital Theater is an experimental theater that allows free arrangement of 16 section floor panels that hold up to 300 seats. Norumok Outdoor Theater is an outdoor arena that can hold about 1,000 seats. Aram Art Gallery is an exhibition site with movable partitions. Aram Library manages special data and provides information on arts and culture. Aram Village, located at the entrance of the center, houses family restaurants and cafes. Aram Sun Plaza, home to four streets named Light, Water, Earth and Wind, is open to the general public.

Danuri Aquarium
 
Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)
Located in Danyang, Danuri Aquarium houses a lot of fish with a wide array of fish species from Korea and overseas countries, consisting of 13,000 fish of 83 species and 2,000 fish of 62 species, respectively. Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of fish including Siniperca, a traditional fish from Namhangang River, sweetfish and Korean bitterling, as well as various fish species from other countries all in one spot. Also, the aquarium offers a special sightseeing point, in the form of a fish tank decorated with the theme of Eight Scenic Views of Danyang.* Fish tanks: 82 exhibition tanks, 36 habituating tanks, approx. 854 tons* Display state: 145 species from domestic and overseas countries, 15,000 fish (83 from Korea (approx. 13,000 fish) / 62 from overseas countries (approx. 2,000 fish)

Cheonggyecheon Museum
 
Seoul(Seongdong-gu)
The Cheonggyecheon Museum officially opened on September 26, 2005. The museum’s long, glass exterior represents the flowing waters of Cheonggyecheon Stream, which run through the heart of Seoul. The museum has a permanent exhibition hall, special exhibition hall, educational hall, and an auditorium.The permanent exhibition hall contains visual representations of Seoul before and after the transition of Cheonggyecheon Stream. The special exhibition hall holds exhibitions on diverse themes not only related to Cheonggyecheon Stream, but also to the diverse cultural aspects of the city and the nation. In addition, the museum offers a variety of cultural performances and hands-on learning programs for children. 

Tapsa Temple
 
Jeollabuk-do(Jinan-gun)
Tapsa Temple is located 1.9km away from the southern parking lot of Maisan Mountain in Dongchon-ri, Maryeong-myeon, Jinan-gun, Jeollanam-do. Tapsa Temple is famous for the over 80 stone pagodas built by Lee Gapyong, a retired scholar. Those stone pagodas have different sizes and shapes from cone-shaped to straight-shaped. Behind Daeungjeon, Cheonjitap tower is located. It is the largest tower, with a x_height 3 times as high as the average adult’s x_height. How this tall tower was built is still unclear, drawing much attention from people. It is said that those stone pagodas were made in the late 1800's entirely by Lee Gapyong alone. He collected stones in daytime and built the pagodas at night. Even though the pagodas have been around for more than 100 years, they have never collapsed nor even moved through strong winds, making them truly amazing.Tapsa Temple is also well known for cherry blossoms in spring, covering an area of 1.9km from Nambu (south) parking lot of Maisan Mountain to the entrance (a 30min walk). This road is the venue for Maisan Cherry Blossom Festival as well.* Cheonjitap is comprised of two twin pagodas with x_heights of 13.5m and placed in the south and north directions. Cheonjitap is the main pagoda, making the other pagodas at Tapsa Temple look well-balanced. It is believed that 120 towers originally existed, but only 80 of them remain today. The two towers at the very front are named Ilgwangtap and Wolgwangtap. These groups of towers are strong enough to stand up to typhoon winds, something quite hard to believe, giving the towers a certain mystery. Also, towers are tilted slightly in both directions, showing that Lee Gapyong erected the towers with the direction of the wind in mind.

Goeun Museum of Photography
 
Busan(Haeundae-gu)
Established and run by the Goeun Foundation, the Goeun Museum of Photography and the Goeun Contemporary Photo Museum are located in Haeundae, Busan and are the first photography museums founded outside of the capital city of Seoul. The museums aim to offer more cultural opportunities to visitors by collecting real and valuable works representing both Korean and international artists. The venue also acts in the discovery and support of new and up-and-coming artists. Goeun Museum of Photography has an exhibit room on the 2nd floor, as well as a seminar room and a photo library on the 1st floor. Goeun Contemporary Photo Museum has 3 different spaces for exhibitions, mainly concentrated on contemporary photo works.