Travel/Culture List

The House of Choi Seung-hyo is a traditional residential building located on the southeastern slopes of Yangrimsan Mountain. Choi Sang-hyeon was an activist who offered his attic as a place of refuge for other activists. Since the building was constructed in the 1920s, it offers a valuable glimpse into the architectural style of Korean houses at the end of the Japanese colonial period.The rectangular building is open to the east, has 8kan rooms in the front and 4kan rooms to the sides (kan: a traditional unit of measurement), and is graced by a traditional ‘paljak’ roof.

HanGil Eye Hospital is equipped with an excellent medical team and cutting-edge facilities. The hospital has plenty of specialists in the field of ophthalmology so that patients can get their treatment at one place. The hospital has various treatment centers such as the Cataract and Primary Eye Care Center, Retina Center, Glaucoma Center, Cornea and Refractive Surgery Center, Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery Center, and the Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus, and Amblyopia Clinic. The hospital spans an area of 8,900㎡, comprised of 17 consultation rooms, 23 examination rooms, and 50 sickbeds. The hospital was certified as a "Medical Institution" in June 2011 and as a "Eye Hospital and Health Care Organization" in October 2011 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Those two certifications insure the outstanding medical treatment at the hospital. This hospital achieved recognition as the leading hospital specializing in eyes in Korea.

Opening its doors in 1922, Namsan Library has enjoyed a long prosperous history. Located in the heart of Seoul, many people visit to search for research materials or to study. The numerous dictionaries or statistics and other reference sources make it the representative library of Korea.Comprised of five levels, the library can accommodate a variety of needs. The first floor is made up of the supervisor's office, exhibit hall, restaurant and snack bar. On the second floor, one can find the Periodical Room, the electronic information room and the audiovisual study room. The lounge and smoking room are also on the second floor. The language room and the reading room are on the third floor. The corner displaying domestic and foreign schoolbooks is especially eye catching. Both the Sociology Study Room and the reading room are on the fourth and fifth floors respectively.If you visit Namsan Library, try to visit the other tourist sites nearby. There are plenty of places see. One such attraction is Namsangol Hanok Village where you can see traditional Korean houses and the traditional lifestyles of the past. Also nearby is Namdaemun Market, the patriot An Jung-Geun Memorial, the National Theater of Korea and the Botanical Gardens. Luxury hotels such as the Hilton Hotel and Shilla Hotel are within walking distance, so tourists staying overnight should keep that in mind. 

The Art Museum of Woo Jae Gil is square-shaped to express the image of Mudeungsan Mountain which is a massive native symbol of Gwangju. Also, it shows their wish for Gwangju to improve with the incorruptible and righteous spirit of citizens of Gwangju.

The Gana Art Gallery is located on Mt. Bukhansan. This gallery has the largest floor space in the country. Designed by world-renowned architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, it reflects the best of modern, Western design. As Jean-Michel Wilmotte is the architect responsible for the design of the Incheon International Airport, the Gana Art Gallery should be considered an artwork itself. The interior has been built optimally for displaying art exhibits.The hidden lighting from the ceiling is luxurious and clean. The art center consists of three exhibit halls on two floors. The versatility of the exhibit halls allows many exhibits or events to be held. The first exhibit hall acts as a memorial of late artists, and displays their work. The second and third event halls are used for planned events. They are quite cozy despite their size. Plus they have a cutting-edge sound system and can hold classical or large musical performances and events with famous performers. The outdoor performance stage is also a noticeable feature of the Gana Art Center. With a capacity of about 300, it features many diverse events like musical concerts, dance, plays, and much more. The best part is that it is open to the public.The Gana Art Gallery has been built in the hills on the outskirts of Mt. Bukhansan, in order to display traditional Korean art in a beautiful setting. It shows how important the harmony of nature and art is to this place. Pyeongchang-dong, the district where it is located, is mostly a residential area, almost devoid of skyscrapers and business buildings. After looking around the gallery, taking a tour around town will help greatly in understanding the traditional culture of Korea.

Cheonbuldong Valley is the main Valley of Seorak Mountain and is also called Seorak Valley. It was named Cheonbuldong because the many peaks on either side look like a lineup of a thousand Buddhist statues. It is also called Cheonbuldong because the peaks also look like Buddhist saints offering food sacrifices to Buddha. If you follow the waterway of Waseondae for about 300m, you’ll arrive at Biseondae. Travel 12 km further from here and you will arrive at Daecheongbong. There’s also Biseondae Munjudam, Ihodam, and the steep Guimyeonam. On the opposite side, an hour’s walk past Chilseongbong, attached to Hwachaebong, is Chilseonggol’s forked road from which you can reach Oryeon Falls, Yangpok, Cheondang Falls and other valleys with exceptionally beautiful sceneries. The path used to be rough and difficult, but because of new facilities and a mountain villa, you can more easily climb and see the scenery of Cheonbuldong. Many people who go hiking at Seorak Mountain seek this place out because of the convenient transportation provided by Seorak-dong’s Sogongwon, which becomes the starting point for many mountain climbers, and there is an endless line of hikers and tourists who come to visit during mid October when the autumnal leaves start turning color.

Yongmunsa Temple (용문사) is located about 9km northeast from Yongmun station on the Jungang line. It was built during the Silla Kingdom and reconstructed during the reign of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty. It was badly damaged during the Korean War, but was restored and now consists of three buildings, the main hall, daeungjeon, and the bell tower. Its courtyard contains the largest gingko tree in the East, which is 1,100 years old, measures 60m in x_height and 14m in circumference and is designated and protected as natural monument no. 30. Legend says the great Buddhist monk Uisang, who lived during the Silla Kingdom, stuck his staff in the earth, and the tree grew out of the simple staff.

Buam-dong is a neighborhood in central Seoul that was once occupied mostly by artists and writers. Today, modern galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants stand side by side with old mills and barber shops on the narrow alleyways, making Buam-dong a sophisticated yet classically charming destination.

Saryeoni Forest Trail cuts through the dense Japanese cedar forest growing between Mulchat Oreum and Saryeoni Oreum, starting from the entrance on Regional Road 1112. While the vast majority of the trees growing here are Japanese cedar, visitors can also see Japanese oak, birch, snowbell trees, and cypress trees along this 550 meter-long trail. The forest trail is known as one of Jeju's top 31 hidden attractions, and is well-known as being very protected. It is very popular among tourists who enjoy hiking and the outdoors.

The Jeonju Crafts Exhibition Hall (made up of a Craft Hall, Special Exhibition Hall, and Experience Hall), celebrates the beauty of traditional Korean crafts. At the Experience Hall, visitors can create their own masterpieces and learn the art of mulberry paper, pottery, woodwork, embroidery, and other traditional crafts firsthand. The museum even houses a craft shop where visitors can purchase beautiful souvenirs lovingly produced by master artisans.