Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si) , Ilsan

Seosamneung (서삼릉) is the name of the three royal tombs of Huireung (희릉), Hyoreung (효릉) and Yereung (예릉). It is located in Deokyang-gu in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do province.Huireung (희릉) is the tomb of Queen Janggyeong, the second wife of King Jungjong, the 11th ruler. The tomb is simple, surrounded only by “Nanganseok”, stone railings, but the lotus flowers engraved on the railings make it very pleasant.Hyoreung (효릉) is the name of the tombs of King Injong, the 12th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Inseong. The two graves are linked by a railing. The mounds are surrounded by “Byeongpungseok”, which is a wide and rectangular stone border that protects the tomb. The tombstones are engraved with clouds and the twelve animals of the Eastern zodiac.Yereung (예릉) is the name of the tombs of King Cheoljong, the 25th ruler of the Joseon dynasty, and Queen Cheorin. The two graves are linked by a railing.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

Masan is made more beautiful by Gagopa Kkoburang-gil Mural Village, a local renovation effort made by Gyeongnam Bank. The village is one of the top exotic photo zones. Walking through the village from Chang-dong, past Burim Market, and on to Seongho-dong mountain neighborhood, the colorful murals will bright every step of the way.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changnyeong-gun)

The hot springs have been called Bugok (the hanja characters 釜谷 refer to “cauldron” and “valley” respectively) because the land resembles the shape of a cauldron. When the spring was first discovered, people with skin ailments came in crowds because of the water’s healing properties. The sulfur and minerals in the water are effective for respiratory and skin ailments. Today, the hot springs attract 10,000~20,000 visitors a day, adding up to about 4 million people a year. Discovered in 1973, the hot springs have a 6,000-ton daily water supply flowing from underground at a temperature as high as 78℃. Bugok was officially designated a national tourist resort in 1977. Twenty years later, it was promoted to a Special Tourist Zone. Composed of 24 hot springs, the complex has hotels, condominiums, a golf course, and a fountain that shoots up hot water. The resort Bugok Hawaii has a variety of amenities including outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a theater, and saunas, making it a popular destination for newlyweds and families. The Bugok Hot Springs Festival, also called Onjeongje, is held from October to December every year to promote the area. The festival offers various activities such as a boiled egg eating contest (eggs boiled using water from the hot spring), foot baths, Pungmulnori (Korean folk music tradition) and other performances. Nearby attractions include Hwawangsan Mountain and the Upo Wetlands. [Bugok Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone] Areas covered: Geomun, Sachang and Bugok-ri, Bugok-myeon, Changnyeong-gun,Gyeongsangnam-do Area size: 4,819,000㎡


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hadong-gun)

The Tea Culture Center located at the foot of Jirisan Mountain in Hadong Gyeongsangnam-do Province aims to promote the tea culture of the area, the first tea producer in the nation, while advertising the quality and superiority of Hadong green tea. The center is located adjacent to the tea farming area and Ssanggyesa Temple, one of the most famous tourist attractions in Korea.In the Tea Culture Center, there is a tea culture museum where you may learn about the history and culture associated with Korean tea. At the Tea Promotional and Experience Center visitors can enjoy such hands-on programs like making tea in a traditional hand-made way and learning the traditional tea etiquette of the region, a pottery class where you can make your own pottery in a traditional way, and a tea market where you can purchase a variety of high-quality tea produced in the region. Every year, the center holds the Hadong Wild Tea & Culture Festival, an official local celebration designated by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.


Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

Park Soo Keun (1914-1965) was an artist who devoted his life to drawing the lives of ordinary people with a warm gaze. The Park Soo Keum Museum, which has a floor space of 700 square meters, is built upon the artist’s birthplace in his hometown in Yanggu-gun County, Gangwon-do Province. The museum was founded with the intent to develop into a major cultural space for the region and to honor Park Soo Keun’s life and art. The collection of Park Soo Keun’s artworks exhibited at the museum include: three oil paintings including ‘Two Men Sitting’, a number of prints such as ‘The Tree and Two Ladies’ and ‘Tapdori’, the watercolor painting ‘Watercolors’, and dozens of other drawings.


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

At 450m long and 11.7m wide, Dolsandaegyo Bridge is the largest cable-stayed bridge in Korea. Since its construction in 1984, the bridge, which connects Yeosu and Dolsan-do Island, has brought commerce and tourism to the island. Today, the bridge itself has become a popular tourist destination, illuminated at night by exterior lighting from the marine park across from the island. On the Yeosu side of the bridge is an octagonal pavilion observatory overlooking the picturesque Yeosu Harbor, while on the other side is Dolsan-eup known as the raw fish town. Underneath the bridge on the Dolsan-eup side is a cruise ship dock, where visitors will find a replica of the noble Geobokseon (turtle-shaped ship), and may ride a cruise ship to Odongdo Island or Hyangilam Temple on the edge of Dolsan-do Island.


Jeollabuk-do(Jinan-gun)

Maisan Mountain has two major peaks made of sedimentary rocks; these peaks are said to be ‘couple peaks’ and cannot be found anywhere else. Sut Maibong (alt. 667m) is said to be the male peak while the slightly larger Am Maibong (alt. 673m) is deemed the female peak. In the early Joseon Period the mountain was named ‘Sokgeumsan,’ but began to be called ‘Maisan’ after the 12th year of King Taejong, who commented that the two peaks resembled a horse’s ears (‘maisan’ meaning ‘horse ears’). All along Maisan Mountain, you will find small crater-like rock cavities that are formed by prolonged weathering. These unique geological features, called ‘tafoni,’ are of great academic value. Inside Hwaeomgul Cave, you’ll find medicinal water that flows up from underground all throughout the year. It is widely believed that once you drink the water, especially on the days of the Spring and Autumn Equinox, you will soon have a son and be blessed by the mountain spirit. Even today, many women who have difficulty conceiving visit the mountain to pray to the mountain spirits for their heart’s desire—the gift of a child. The region in which Maisan is located is the birthplace of many talented people and national heroes, which some say is proof of the blessings of the mountain and its extremely powerful spirit.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley is located near Dongdaemun Shopping Complex and the many restaurants have operated anywhere from five to thirty years. Before the restaurants, people working at the shopping complex lived along the alley and would prepare dak kalguksu (chicken noodle soup). Over time and as the economy improved, this dish became quite normal while the focus shifted from the noodles to the chicken itself. Now, visitors can enjoy this local dish in the place where it all started.


Seoul(Gangbuk-gu)

The Children’s Gallery, located in Seoul’s ‘Northern-Seoul Dream Forest,’ was originally an art museum that underwent renovation in 2009 and converted into a gallery for kids to learn and enjoy.Located inside the park’s natural surroundings, children can experience the outdoors while nurturing their imagination and developing an appreciation for the arts. The two-story building has a unique design and an interior with floral accents, cartoon characters, and nature-inspired staircases to intrigue the minds of young guests. The second floor terrace holds a variety of unique, interactive exhibitions for children to learn beyond the classroom. A recent ‘rainfall’ theme had children wear raincoats and umbrellas underneath a man-made drizzle as part of the enjoyment. The museum also has a lounge, nursing room and other accommodations for family visitors. In addition, the facility was built with Eco-friendly materials throughout and the health and safety of youngsters in mind. In partnership with the Dream Forest Art Center, the gallery provides other cultural activities and events including music concerts and childrens’ plays.  


Gyeonggi-do(Pocheon-si) , Pocheon

At Sansawon, visitors may sample food (rice cakes, Sanghwa dumplings, pickled vegetable soaked in rice wine leftovers, rice punch) and beverages made of liquor and liquor ingredients such as suljigemi (rice wine leftovers) or nureuk (yeast). The museum displays over 1,000 historical documents on traditional liquor as well as liquor brewery devices such as yakteul, nureukteul, gyeobogary, and sojugori. Moreover, the traditional brewing process, as seen in the folktale 'Mrs. Kim's Brewery' is recreated using the actual tools and devices from the traditional brewing process. The museum also features the process and culture of Gayangju (homemade liquor) with puppets and dolls. Visitors will leave the facility with a deeper appreciation of the devotion of ancient Korean brewmasters and the art of traditional Korean liquor. At the Gayangju Class, operated by Sansawon, anyone who wants to know more about traditional liquor may have a chance to learn about liquor ingredients, liquor-related folktales, and the brewing process. You can even learn first-hand how to make traditional liquor. You may either take your alcohol home with you after the class or leave it at the museum and stop by for it later. *Grand open November, 1996