Busan(Jung-gu) , Nampo-dong(Jagalchi Market)

Yongdusan Park, one of the most popular mountains in Busan Yongdusan in downtown Busan, is one of the 3 well-known mountains in Busan. Its old name is Songhyunsan, which means a mountain has a view of the sea through the dense fine tree forest. Later the name has changed into Yongdusan. It came from its shape, which is similar to dragon head and people thought it has a spirit to defeat enemies coming over the sea. On the mountain were shrine built by Japanese people during Japanese colonial role, but now are Cheokhwabi monument (the stone monument to the exclusion of foreigners from the country), Chunghontap (memorial tower for Korean war victims), 4.19 Revolution monument (the student's anti-government revolt), the statue of General Lee Sunsin(the great commander in Joseon Dynasty period(1392-1910)) and Busan tower. During Korea war, displaced people built houses on it even on the top, but 2 times of big fires took all them away making it bald mountain. Since then, fierce efforts to plant trees have created such beautiful park. The name of the park was once Unam park in the time of the Liberal Party’s ruling but it went back to Yungdosan park after April revolution (1960). It is a place with beautiful scenery. Especially the night landscape from Busan tower is magnificent. Attractions of Yongdusan Park *Busan Tower(73.11.21) – 129m high (2 lifts), 1,510㎡ (Exhibition hall and Souvenir shop) * Palgakjeong (Octagonal Pavillion) (73.11.21) – 3 stories, 915㎡ (1F:Aquarium, 2,3F:resting place) *Exhibition pavilion(73.11.21) – 2 stories, 1,900㎡ *Statue of the Great general Lee Sunsin(56.3.20) – 12m high * Cheongdongyongtap (Bronze Dragon tower) (89.9.7) – 4m high, Donganhuijehyungsang(a bust of an activist for national independence, An Huije (pen name, Dongan) – stone bust *Flower clock (73.10.8))- 5m in diameter *Welfare Center for the Elderly - 413㎡ *Literary monuments – 9 monuments made of native rock *Busan citizens’ bell pavilion - 60.84㎡ of floor area, 11.62 m high * Buddhist temple      


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Youngpoong Bookstore has six branches as well as an on-line bookstore. Of those, the most famous branches are the Jongno and the Gangnam stores. Since both places are connected to the subway station, the location is very convenient. The Youngpoong Bookstores are not ordinary bookstores. They are exclusive cultural centers that carry all kinds of cultural products. The Jongno branch, located in the Youngpoong Building is spread out over two floors. There are roughly one million books to choose from here. Various kinds of stationary are also available and you can also enjoy fast food at several adjoining restaurants. At the record shop you can listen to the latest Korean hit songs. Since you can reserve tickets there for events and performances, if you see something on the posters that interest you, you can purchase them on the spot. At the large bookstore you will find quite a number of people reading books. Facilities for visitors such as photocopy machines, a gift-wrap center and photography studios are on hand. Outside the bookstore, the streets are directly connected to the areas of Jongno and Euljiro. As one of the most intricate places in Seoul, Jongno offers many places to eat and enjoy oneself. Euljiro has so many buildings that it actually seems like a forest of buildings. If you follow these buildings you will soon find yourself in the area of Myeongdong, another Mecca for shoppers.The Youngpoong Book store in Gangnam is located in the basement of Central City's Young Plaza, the area's giant shopping mall. It is 3600 pyong (pyong = 2.2 m2), roughly 600 pyong larger than the Jongno store. It provides all the latest cultural information and features a book café, event hall, magazine plaza, and information center. Even those not wishing to purchase any books can still spend time enjoying the atmosphere. Central City Plaza also has a lot to offer visitors seeking enjoyment: a department store, movie theater, hotel, car exhibition, game room, record shop, sauna, international conference rooms, bank, post office, medical center, and food courts. Therefore if you feel bored staying inside the bookstore, you can always get out and enjoy the many other activities on hand. The Express Bus Terminal is also connected to the bookstore. You may want to buy a book for your bus ride to the countryside. 


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

Kukkiwon (국기원, World Taekwondo Headquarters) was established to spread knowledge of the national Korean sport of Taekwondo, and raise popularity of the martial art. Currently, the World Taekwondo Championships and various national competitions are held at Kukkiwon. Kukkiwon also serves as a place where coaches are trained, and offers Taekwondo experience programs for foreigners.Various experience programs for foreigners including the basic Taekwondo stances, the art of self-defense, and the art of wood breaking are offered at the Seoul, Jongno-gu Gyeonghuigung Palace with reservation services available online. Reservations can be made up to one day in advance and can be made for single guests. Guests can choose to training sessions at any time between Tuesdays and Fridays. Be aware that classes may be cancelled on rainy days, and sessions will be instructed in Korean and English only.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

The Korean Embroidery Museum, which was founded in 1976, is privately funded by Heo Dong-Hwa, and is a place where you can view the artistry of women from the Joseon Period. Embroidery is a picture drawn on leather or cloth using needle and thread. Displayed in this museum are about 1000 works of embroidery by women from the Joseon Period (1392-1910). You can see Buddhist embroideries, cloth wrappers, various cloths, and pleated sheets featuring traditional Korean patterns and colors. Starting with the '500 Years of Traditional Korean Embroidery' exhibition at the National Museum of Korea, the Korean Embroidery Museum has had 20 different exhibitions in many prestigious museums in Japan, the U.S, and other countries, that have garnered much praise. It has been at the forefront of running exhibits outside the country and of letting the world learn about the beauty of traditional Korean embroidery. It also publishes books about traditional embroidering methods. The museum is highly recommended for all who want to experience the beauty of traditional Korean embroidery.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu)

The Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa is a charcoal sauna permeated with an oak fragrance created by traditional heating techniques. The jjimjil-bang and spa facilities offer sweating rooms/sauna, an open-air bath, seawater bath, salt room, swimming pool, and health center. The main hall of Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa boasts a Chinese-style design and a luxurious interior that has been used as a filming location for various Korean television broadcasts.


Jeollabuk-do(Gochang-gun)

Seonunsa Temple was built during the Baekje Dynasty (18 BC-678 AD). It was originally a very large temple, but much was lost during the Jeongyujaeran (the 2nd Japanese Invasion in 1597). Seonunsa Temple includes the treasured relics of Daeungbojeon, Manseru, Yeongsanjeon, and Myeongbujeon Pavilions, together with four additional Buddhist grottos that include Dosoram.Soenunsa Temple is famous for its camellia flowers. On the low hill behind the Daeungbojeon Pavilion, there are numerous camellia trees. In the spring, the brilliant camellias shower Seonunsa Temple in vibrant colors. These flowers, which frequently appear in literature as well, are designated as Natural Monuments. Seonunsa temple is also known for its beautiful surroundings throughout the year. In the spring, cherry blossoms, and in the summer sangsa flowers decorate the road to the Dosoram area, and fall leaves and winter sceneries are beautiful as well.The Budo Field, a gathering place for monks' relic is another must-see spot at Seonunsa Temple. There are Budo fields at other larger temples, but those in Seonunsa Temple are located in a lush grove with several small Budo towers that blend beautifully with the surrounding trees. You can also see Jinheung Cave and the huge Maaebul (rock-carved Buddha) when you visit the Dosoram area.


Seoul(Seongdong-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

Opened on June 18, 2005, Seoul Forest had previously undergone a series of changes on Ttukseom (Ttuk Island). In the past the forest had been a royal hunting ground for kings and served as a military inspection facility. But, in more recent decades the area has served a wide variety of functions. Ttukseom initially served as a water-treatment facility, and later as a golf course, horse racing track, and eventually a sports park. Consisting of five parks spread over 350,000 pyeong (approximately 1.16 million ㎡) of land, Seoul Forest is an eco-friendly zone appreciated not only by the people of the city but also those visiting Seoul. Seoul Forest is rapidly developing into the premium city-park of Korea like Hyde Park in London and Central Park in New York. * Cultural Art Park (220,000㎡) Situated in the heart of Seoul Forest, the Cultural Art Park features Seoul Forest Square, Ttukseom Family Field, decorative flower beds, a visitors’ center, a skate park, an outdoor stage, a waterside lounge (restaurant), an in-forest open space, an in-forest play ground and a water play area. * Ecological Forest (165,000㎡) The Ecological Forest, once an area covered by the Hangang River, has been transformed into an eco-forest connecting the Han and Jungnang-cheon (Jungnang stream). This natural habitat for wildlife animals is home to fallow deer, formosan deer, elks, chipmunks, mandarin ducks, mallards, spot-billed ducks and moorhens, there is also an observatory to help visitors get a better view of the local wildlife. * Nature Experiencing Study Field (85,000㎡) Occupying the structure of the former Ttukseom Water Treatment Facility, this refurbished educational area was established to house an insect botanical garden, a wild flower garden, a themed flower garden, an event ground and a surrounding protective forest. * Wetlands Ecological Field (70,000㎡) Making use of the local reservoir’s natural environment, the Wetlands Ecological Field contains a wetlands ecological management office, an ecological playground, an outdoor nature classroom, a bird observatory, a wetlands flower garden and a botanical garden fed with local, clear waters. * Hangang River Waterside Park (33,000㎡) Located southwest of Seoul Forest, this riverside area at the junction of the Hangang River and Jungnang-cheon features a waterfront park, a marina and a rest area.


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si) , Yongin

The Daejanggeum Park was co-created by Munhwa Broadcasting Company (MBC) and Yongin Municipal Office in August 2005. Located in Yongcheong-ri, Baekam-myeon, Yongin-si, this is an open set that measures a total of 29,421m² (8,900 pyeong).Different from other drama sets, Daejanggeum Park has been re-created based on historical records and very accurately reflects the structures and culture of ancient times. Dramia has served as the filming location for hugely popular Korean historical dramas such as “Jumong," “Queen Seon-deok,” “Isan,” and “Dong Yi” and many more of historical documents and films.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Hyochang Park covers 122,245 square meters spanning across Hyochang-dong and Cheongpa 2-dong. It is a historic landmark that once contained several royal tombs, and was known at that time as Hyochangwon. The cemeteries that were originally located in Hyochangwon belonged to Crown Prince Munhyo (King Jeongjo’s first son, who died only at the age of five), Royal Noble Consort Uibin of the Seong Clan (King Jeongjo’s royal concubine and Crown Prince Munhyo’s mother), Royal Noble Consort Sugui of the Park Clan (King Sunjo’s royal concubine), and her daughter Princess Yeongon. The royal tombs were moved to Seooreung Tombs in the waning months of the Japanese colonial period. The Japanese empire began the development of Hyochangwon into a park in 1924, and the Japanese governor-general officially assigned the site as a park in 1940.Presently, several of Korea’s greatest leaders are buried in Hyochang Park. The remains mostly belong to independence activists including Yoon Bong-gil, Lee Bong-chang, and Baek Jeong-gi, whose graves are collectively known as “Samuisa-myo” (graves of the three martyrs). A statue of Lee Bong-chang has been built in the graveyard. Among the other patriotic martyrs who are interred in the park are Kim Gu and some of the key figures of provisional government such as Lee Dong-nyeong, Cha I-seok, and Cho Seong-hwan. An ancestral shrine named Uiyeolsa has been built along the main gate and holds the portraits of the deceased independence activists.


Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

The Lotte World Folk Museum is a place where one can learn a great deal more of Korea's rich 5000-year-history. It was designed for both international visitors and Koreans alike to easily learn and enjoy Korean culture and history. One of the museum's more appealing characteristics is that it uses animation and smaller scale models to better illustrate various aspects of Korea's past. This makes learning much more enjoyable for visitors.It has restored several important cultural assets and features daily traditional music and dance performances. There are also many corners where the audiences can participate together. There is a traditional marriage ceremony vestibule where the bride and groom may marry one another according to the traditional marriage decorum. Perhaps if you are lucky you might participate in one yourself.The most important exhibit hall at Lotte World Folk museum is the history exhibition hall. Starting from the entrance you are able to meet the landscape and folk paintings. On the ceiling of the audiovisual room, pictures of the map of Korean Peninsula, crater of Mt. Baekdusan, and the galaxy unfold before your eyes. Through this multi-vision technique you are able to observe Korean traditional performances.Along past the entrance and the multi-vision room you enter the prehistoric ages. The prehistoric ages room presents a tyrannosaurus model roughly half its original size. You may be able to take a peek at the Stone Age life by looking at the relics of that time such as a dinosaur’s egg, fossil and dinosaur animation. It will be hard for those to walk away from the prehistoric age room if you are interested in those things. However, many other exciting places await you. At the model village you will be able to view the life styles and diverse customs of the Joseon dynasty.At Imjinwaeran Hall you will be able to view through advanced visual technology, the magic vision, simulating the fighting scenes of General Yi Sun-Sin that took place during that time. It will feel as if you were right there when the war took place. At the Folk Playground, the weapons and instruments of the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910) are exhibited. There are models of the villages of Korean ancestors as well. You will marvel at the amusing and colorful miniatures.The features of a ritual of exorcism in a shaman’s house are produced through an operation model. Also features of children reading the Chunjamun (thousand character text) at a Joseon Age Sodang (village school), and villagers making wishes at the tutelary deity shrine is also on display.