Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

Seoul Global Cultural Center offers a program that visitors can try on hanbok, the Korean traditional costume. Also, foreign language assistance by professional consultants is available in English, Chinese and Japanese so as to provide information regarding Seoul to the foreigners.


Daegu(Dong-gu)

Palgongsan Natural Park (Gatbawi District) is centered around Palgongsan Mountain, one of the larger mountains in the Taebaek mountain range. Palgongsan Mountain is located 20km northeast from downtown Daegu, where Nakdonggang River and Geumhogang River meet. The mountain has three peaks in a row: Birobong Peak in the center and Dongbong (aka ‘Mitabong,’ 1,155m) and Seobong (aka ‘Samseongbong,’ 1,150m) on either side.In terms of administrational district, the park (30.593㎢ in size) is within Dong-gu, Daegu and has four towns along its border including Yeongcheon-si, Gyeongsan-si, and Chilgok-gun. A number of Buddhist temples including Donghwasa, a headquarters of the 9th Buddhist Parish, are located in the area.The park has numerous rocks and valleys and is carpeted with azaleas in the spring. In the autumn many visitors flock to the park to admire the falls leaves on the trees lining the 16.3km-long road through the park. With vibrant green leaves and a delicate snowscape in the winter, Palgongsan Mt is an attractive destination for visitors throughout the year.[About Gatbawi]‘Gatbawi’ is a statue of Buddha that sits against a rocky cliff of Gwanbong Peak that rises 850m above the sea level. The name ‘Gatbawi’ comes from the fact that the Buddha has a flat rock (‘bawi’) on its head that looks like a Korean traditional hat (called a ‘gat’). The statue, designated Treasure No. 431, is one of the most sophisticated Buddha statues of the 9th Century. Legend has it that the statue grants honest prayers, so every year at sunrise on New Year’s Day people flock to the Buddha statue to make a wish for the new year and see the rising sun.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Chojijin Fortress was built in 1656 for the purpose of national defense against seashore attacks from foreign enemies. Chojijin Fortress also encompasses the fortifications of Jangjapyeongdon and Seomamdon, which were constructed in 1679. Chojijin was the scene of many hard-fought battles during Byeonginyangyo (the French invasion in 1866), Sinmiyangyo (the American invasion in 1871), and the confrontation with the Japanese warship Unyomaru in 1875. On April 23, 1871, the American navy under the command of Rear Admiral John Rodgers landed on Ganghwado Island, and an American force of 450 soldiers attacked Chojijin Fort, Deokjin Camp, and Gwangseongjin Camp one after another. On August 21, 1875, the artillery of Chojijin engaged a fierce firefight with the Japanese warship Wunyoho. Chojijin Fortress was restored in 1973, and bullet marks still remain on the old pine trees and the fortress walls. The canons used by the military of the Joseon Dynasty are displayed in Chojijin.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Located in Samcheong-dong and established in 1981, Seongsim Yeogongwon is an art studio by Sim Yong-sik (Intangible Cultural Property designated by City of Seoul). He works on various traditional windows and doors with his students, promoting them in Korea and other countries. In hanok terminology, daemokjang means a basic frame of a house while somokjang refers to doors, windows, and so on that add something to the frame. Doors and windows with beautiful patterns are all over the place in Seongsim Arts & Crafts: doors that can hang against a wall, windows decorated with cherry blossoms, comb-patterned windows and so on.Visitors can also enjoy beautiful crafts in various exhibition events held in Seongsim Yegongwon. The place is open to the public free of charge. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is the first national modern contemporary museum ever opened in Korea and it showcases the nation’s history in a comprehensive and structured way. The museum first opened its door to the public on December 26, 2012. Located in Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, the building where the museum is currently housed was formerly that of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Its current renovated state has 4 open-run exhibition chambers and 2 themed, rotating exhibit halls. Also inside the building is a seminar room, lecture hall, café, souvenir shop and a rooftop garden.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

The Namsan Cable car runs from the base of Namsan Mountain (located in central Seoul) up to the Namsan Tower, one of the most representative tourist attractions in Seoul, loved by tourists and residents alike. The new cable cars, which have been in operation since Dec. 6, 2008, have an increased capacity of 48 people per car (up from 38). Unlike the older cars, the new cable cars have glass on all four sides, giving riders a wider view of the mountainside. Approximately 50,000 people ride the Namsan Cable Car each month. Visitors who are looking for a more tranquil tour are advised to go in the morning. For both a daytime and nighttime view of Seoul and the tower, take the cable car up the mountain in the late afternoon and coming back down in the early evening (to beat the nighttime rush). To get to the cable cars without having to walk too much, take the Namsan Oreumi, (Namsan outdoor elevator). The Namsan Oreumi is the first inclined outdoor elevator in Korea. It runs a distance of 140m (from the entrance of Namsan 3rd Tunnel to the parking lot of the Namsan Cable Car) and takes visitors to the Namsan Cable Car station in about two minutes, as opposed to the usual 20-min. walk. Maximum capacity is 20 people and operating hours are the same as the Namsan Cable Car (09:00 to 23:30). The other way to get to the Namsan Cable Car station is by going out of exit 3 of Myeongdong Station, subway line 4 (see ‘directions’ section for details).


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

Located in Sangam-dong, Digital Media City is a cutting-edge digital media entertainment cluster covering an area of about 570,000㎡.Attractions and facilities at the DMC include the DMC Promotion Room, DMS (Digital Media Street), DMC Artpia, Digital Pavilion, and the Korea Cultural Contents Center (Korean Movie Museum).


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Woljeongsa Temple is located in the forest of the valley east of Mt. Odaesan, and it is composed of 60 temples and 8 monasteries made into one large temple. Woljeongsa Temple was established by Monk Ja Jang (590~658). At Woljeongsa Temple there is the Seongbo Museum where you can view the Buddhist culture of the Goryeo Dynasty (918∼1392), the nine-story octagonal pagoda, also called as the Sari-Pagoda (relic pagoda), and the Stone Seated Buddha figure. Also there is the Jeokmyeolbogung where Buddha's bones are said to be preserved, and the large sermon hall Jeokgwangjeon Pavilion. Usually in a Jeokgwangjeon Pavilion the Vairocana figure is enshrined, but it is interesting that the Sakyamuni figure is enshrined at Jeokgwangjeon Pavilion at Woljeong temple. Woljeongsa Temple of today was restored after the Korean war in 1950 when the Chilbulbojeon, Yeongsanjeon, Gwaneungjeon, Jinyeonggak and 17 other buildings were burned. Many cultural assets and historic data were lost at this time. The Silla Dongjong, which was excavated from the Seonrimwon site in Yangyang-gun, was also lost. The Budo site (relic site) and sagoji (historic document storage) is nearby Woljeongsa Temple. The Budo site is a 15-minute walk from the Woljeongsa Temple to its location at the Sangwonsa Temple, just before crossing the Banya Bridge. Here there are 22 pagodas that hold the remains of the monks who had lived here. Sagoji is an hour’s walk from Woljeongsa Temple towards Sangwonsa near Yeonggamsa Temple.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Since its foundation in 1986, the museum has displayed historical relics related to kimchi, different types of kimchi, mock-ups of the kimchi-making process, and information about the efficacy derived from the kimchi fermentation process. The museum now has changed its name to Kimchikan and has relocated to Insa-dong, a center of hallyu. Kimchikan aims to provide visitors with fun hands-on activities and a variety of information on kimchi. Visitors will learn about the origin and history of kimchi through historical books, paintings, and writings. Various types of kimchi containers, along with traditional kitchen utensils that were used to prepare it, will also be introduced. Various models show specific types of kimchi that were developed in regions all over Korea.


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si) , Yongin

Caribbean Bay is part of Everland theme park. Here, not only can you enjoy swimming and water amusement rides, but you can also relax in hot spring waters all year round. The water park has various facilities, such as the indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a sauna, a wave pool, and slides like the Water Bobsleigh and Mega Storm. The water park is a favorite family destination. Caribbean Bay Water Park has been designed with a Caribbean theme, and it is the largest water park in the world. One of the most popular attractions in the water park is the Wave Pool where you can experience strong waves similar to those of the Caribbean Sea. The park’s cutting-edge computer system creates waves of up to 2.4m. * Caribbean Bay Spa Caribbean Bay Spa contains various hot spring pools and sauna facilities. The Jasmine Tea Spa is believed to make women more beautiful, the Lemon Spa relieves fatigue, and the Jade-crusted sauna is also beneficial for your health. With the Caribbean Bay pass, you can use all these facilities. - The health benefits of the Jasmine tea spa The Jasmine Tea Spa relieves nervous tension, stress, and depression. Jasmine tea balances hormones, so the spa can alleviate menstrual pain, create a regular menstrual cycle, and improve fertility. It also reduces aches and coughs, and is great for dry, irritated skin. - The health benefits of the mineral-rich hot spring water It is beneficial for women’s beauty, dry skin, reducing fatigue, aching muscles, and insomnia. - The health benefits of the Jade-crusted sauna It relieves fatigue and improves blood circulation. - The health benefits of the Lemon spa It is great for anti-aging and helps to release toxins from the body * Miracle Spa: contains a salt sauna and a couple’s footbath - The footbath in the Miracle Spa has been specially designed for a couple. The bubble footbath is very relaxing, and it makes for a romantic date. - In the salt-laden sauna, you can rub salt on your body and then sweat in the high temperatures. This expels toxins from the body. The salt-laden sauna is good for dry skin and is also beneficial for insomnia, neuralgia, lumbago, and stomach-related problems. * Kid’s Pool & Running Water Pool The Kid’s Pool is shallow and has been specially designed to ensure child safety. Its design is pastel-colored and inspired by children’s books. There are various water toys available so children can have fun in the water. The infants’ pool is even shallower, so parents can introduce their babies to water in a comfortable environment. Although the pool is very shallow for adults, it is a perfect place for parents and kids to have fun together. You can float lazily along the running water pool, which has the ambience of the Caribbean during the 17th century. You can have a relaxing time floating past waterfalls and stone bridges. *Relax Room and Sleeping Room: Take a nap here if you’re tired out after all that fun in the water. - Relax Room has massage machines and “relax capsules” for adults. Visitors can also receive an aromatherapy massage. - In the sleeping room, there are about 50 beach chairs and 10 jade beds. Temperatures in the room remain warm and air purifiers provide clean oxygen, so this is the perfect place for a good sleep. Visitors can rent a large-sized towel here.