Daejeon(Yuseong-gu)

Legend has it that the region of Hakhadong was where the gods lived when they periodically came down from the heavens. When the Jagwangsa Temple was built in the district, Song Siyeol saw it as a sign and created a village school near the temple to train his pupils. It was his hope that the sacred land would aide in the raising of gifted students who would grow to serve their community and country. When building the school, Song Siyeol also planted a juniper tree that, 300 years later, still proudly stands by Jagwangsa Temple.Upon entering the temple area, visitors will find to their left the Seongjeonnyeongdangji Memorial Stone, which serves to commemorate Song Siyeol and his school. Next to the memorial stone is a pond in which carp swim lazily around lotus flowers. To the left is a large bell which is rung every day, 28 times in the morning and 33 times in the evening. To the right is the main Dharma Hall.Not just a serene and beautiful building, the 3-story temple also houses artifacts such as the Beopgo, Mogeo, and Unpan, Buddhist instruments used during rituals to cleanse the mind of pain and doubt. Also inside the grand, 3-story temple are numerous signs and wall hangings engraved with Buddhist inscriptions.


Seoul(Gangbuk-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

Dream Forest, previously known as ‘Odong Geullin Park’, is located at Bun-dong, Gangbuk-gu Seoul.Renovated and reopened on October 2009, Dream Forest is the fourth largest park after World Cup Park(2.76million ㎡), Olympic Park(1.45million ㎡), and Seoul Forest(1.20million ㎡) and the first large-scale green park created in Gangbuk area.Major attractions of the park include Wolyeongji Pond, Grass Square, Wolgwang Waterfall, Aewoljeong Pavilion, and Chilbokji (confluence of 7 different artificial waterfalls), Event Garden, Children’s Gallery, Wild Grass Garden, Deer Ranch, Exploring Path, Forest Rest, and a water park. Recently, the Changnyeongwigungjaesa estate (registered cultural heritage No. 40) has been restored with other traditional landscape architectures such as a pond, pavilion and waterfall created nearby to double the genuine beauty of Korean traditional park.On the slanted hill side where used to be sleigh slopes are now turned into a complex cultural space with Northern-Seoul Art Center that houses fantastic-looking observatory, performance hall, book café, and gallery; and a restaurant; jumping fountain; and children’s playground. Dream Forest Observatory where a drama ‘IRIS’ was filmed, provides a fantastic view of Bukhansan Mt., Dobongsan Mt. and Suraksan Mt. to the north while N-tower and Hangang River to the south. Just outside the park that is surrounded by apartment buildings and roads are a cultural exhibition lounge, forest workout space, badminton court and walking path for the residents. 


Gyeonggi-do(Gwangju-si) , Bundang

Namhansanseong Provincial Park is a very popular mountain-climbing and driving destination located just outside Seoul. The mountain is famous for being very beautiful all throughout the year. In the spring, the acacia trees grow thick, in the summer the green forest covers the entire mountain, and in the fall, many people visit to climb the mountain covered in red autumn leaves.Namhansanseong Fortress (남한산성), located on Namhansan Mountain, was originally built as a earthen fortress during Gogureyo period, about 2,000 years ago, but after many renovations, Gwanghaegun of the Joseon Period built the fortress properly in 1621. If you climb to the highest peak Iljangsan, you can see Incheon’s Nakjo area, and not only Seoul, but the surrounding Gyeonggi-do area as well. In terms of fortress structure, because the surrounding mountain area is high and rough, and the fortress center level and low, it is an easy place to defend, and to reside comfortably, two prime conditions for a mountain fortress.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Seodong Park (서동공원) is a sculpture park displaying 68 sculptures created by famous Korean sculptors. Mahan Hall showcases the lifestyle and culture of Mahan, a tribal confederation during the Samhan period. The park also features various facilities such as an observatory, fishing spot and a promenade.Gungnamji Pond (Historic Site No.135, 궁남지), located in Seodong Park, is Korea’s first artificial pond and was created by King Mu (from the Baekje Dynasty) who was in love with and eventually married Princess Seonhwa. ‘Gungnamji’ (literally means ‘a pond in the south of the royal palace’ in Korean) was named according to the Samguksagi record.According to a record in the Samguksagi, the History of the Three Kingdoms, King Mu dug this lake south of his palace in the 35th year of his reign (634) and connected it by a 7800-meter long waterway to the water source. The king then had willow trees planted around the bank and had an artificial mound constructed in the middle of the lake.


Daejeon(Yuseong-gu)

Daejeon History Museum, comprised of a permanent exhibition hall, donated relics exhibition hall, planned hall, and city promotion hall, was created as a cultural area for citizens according to the Doan new city development project of Daejeon on October 16, 2012. The permanent exhibition hall presents precious cultural assets in Daejeon with the theme of life and culture of Confucian scholars of Daejeon. The donated relic exhibition hall showcases artifacts donated by residents of Daejeon, and in the planned exhibition hall, a special exhibition is held to offer diverse items to see one or two times a year. In addition, plenty of hands-on programs, lectures, and performances are given in the museum to entertain visitors.


Jeollanam-do(Suncheon-si)

Naganeupseong Folk Village is located in Jeollanam-do Province, and contains a town castle that is over 18,000 Pyeong (1 pyeong = 3.3 sq m) in size. Within the east, south and west of the castle, about 100 families still reside, and the castle area has been very well preserved. You can observe the daily dwellings indigenous to the south provincial area such as the kitchen area, the clay rooms, and Korean-style verandas. There are also 9 houses designated as important cultural resources, and numerous straw-roof houses as well. The folk village’s other source of pride is the monument of General Im Kyeong-Eop (1594~1646). At every first full moon of the new year, they hold a ritual ceremony and celebration at the general’s monument, with games such as seesaw jumping, swings, and other folk activities.When you enter the front gate of Naganeupseong Folk Village, on the east side of the castle (called “Nakpung-ru”), you see a straight road leading to town. Follow along this road and you will come across the General Im Kyeong-Eop Monument, resource center, and other interesting sites. You may also walk to the end of this road, climb up to the castle itself, and walk along the castle wall to the south. The entire castle is exceptionally well-preserved, and you can view the whole town from the top level.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Anmok Beach spans over 150 km in length and covers an area of 20,000㎡. The beach is often packed with families on a vacation. Right in front of the beach is Anmok Port, where around 23 fishing boats can be moored to unload their catch of seaweed in the spring; flatfish, squid, octopus in the summer; and sailfin sandfish, and pollack in the fall and winter. The place has also gotten more popular because of the coffee geori (coffee street) that sells coffee at reasonable prices.


Seoul(Gangseo-gu) , The Western Part of the Seoul

The Heojun Museum first opened on March 23, 2005 in honor of academic accomplishments and charitable deeds of the renowned medical scientist, Heojun of the middle century Joseon Dynasty.The museum is composed of the Heojun Memorial Hall, a Herb and Medicine Room, a Medical Supply Room, an Experience Hall, and two floors of a Naeuiwon (government-run medicinal office during the Joseon Dynasty) and an oriental medicine clinic. In addition, there is Heojun Park and Heogabawi Rock, which are situated beside the museum. Apart from things related to Heojun, various exhibits, especially high-tech displays such as models, media and touch-screens are also available and on display.At the Experience Hall, you will come closer to understanding oriental medicine by getting a first-hand experience of what it is like to be an Oriental doctor. Furthermore, the reappearance of Joseon Dynasty’s Naeuiwon and oriental medicine clinic are exquisitely shown. There is also the resting area on the roof which is connected to the herbal medicine park, and offers a wonderful view to experience this vivid scene.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Gyeongpodae (경포대) is famous for the view of the moon on the 15th day of the first lunar month, and is located 6 km north from the center of Gangneung. It is a large, tall pavilion, and its architectural feature- a “paljak” roof, is the most common form used in Korean buildings. It has been designated as Regional Cultural Asset No. 6. Its structure is divided into 6 sections in the front, and 5 sections at the side, with 28 pillars surrounding the pavillion. Located inside is the Gyeongpodaebu, which was written by Yul-Gok when he was only 10 years old. It writes about the slow and leisurely movement of the heavens, making it even more distant, and the clear, bright moon shimmering in the darkness. There is also a poem written by Suk-Jong (1095~1105), the 15th king of the Goryeo Dynasty, and many other literary records and poetry of famous artists like Ha-Mang Jo’s (1682~1747) Sangryangmun.In the Geyongpodae area there are 12 other Pavilions, including Geumnanjeong, Gyeonghojeong, Banghaejeong, Haeunjeong. You can enjoy Gyeongpodae, and its place in the surrounding nature, just as you would enjoy seeing artwork at a museum. It is best to visit between March and October.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Silla Culture Experience Center was established to offer various cultural programs featuring Gyeongju in the basement level between Daereungwon Tomb Complex and Cheomseongdae Observatory. Cultural programs include making chocolates in the shape of Gyeongju's cultural assets, making a golden crown, kite-making, Korean music performance, and more.