Busan(Dongnae-gu) , Dongnae Hot Spring Zone・Busan University

Hurshimchung Hot Springs is a new type of tourist zone that aims to improve the health of visitors through the power of comfortable hot spring bathes, relaxation, and physical training. Established during the citywide renovation of Busan in October 1991, Hurshimchung Hot Springs has a capacity of 3,000 people and covers approximately 4,297.54m², making it one of the largest hot springs in the East. There are around 40 different baths in the main hot spring area such as the Longevity Bath, Hoemok Bath, Cheongja Bath, Cave Bath, Outdoor Bath, and Event Baths, which combine hot spring water with oriental medicinal elements and seasonal herbs. Guests can also choose one of the recommended bathing courses according to their age, health concerns, and/or personal preferences.


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.


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

The K Art Hall (Formerly, Seoul Center of Education and Culture) is located in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu district. The natural surroundings are beautiful, and the air is very clean. The center has one basement floor, and eleven floors above ground. Its main facilities include the main theater, which can provide for an audience of 1,000, the Culture Center, Art Exhibit, Education Promotion Center, and the Sports Center. Outside the building are the Grass Square, Sculpture Park and Drive-in Theater. The main theater can hold a variety of performances such as plays, dances, movies, operas, musicals, and others. There are frequently performances for children as well. At times, the theater is used as an international stage, as in the case of the Russian Leningrad Ballet company’s performance in 1991. The Culture Center has guest quarters and convention halls, and so is often used for conferences. The Sports Center has an indoor gymnasium, a swimming pool, health and aerobics rooms, a bowling alley, and a golf practice range. The facilities here are used primarily as a resting area. One unusual facility is the outdoor Drive-in Theater. Called “Karma 21,” the theater can accommodate a total of 250,000 cars. Each car is charged 15,000 won a ticket. Usually the latest releases are shown here. The theater is located in “Yangjae People’s Grove” Park, which boasts a very clean environment. It is the perfect spot to relax while enjoying a movie in the fresh air.


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.


Seoul(Mapo-gu)

Gyeongui Line Book Street opened along the closed down tracks of the old Gyeongui Line near Hongdae. The street aims to provide a multipurpose cultural space where citizens can enjoy the worth and knowledge that have come and continue to come from books and literature.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Jecheon-si)

Cheongpung Land is a theme park created in 2002 near Cheongpunghoban Lake (Chungjuho Lake) in Cheongpung-myeon, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do. The theme park houses three major extreme amusement facilities: a 62-meter Bungee Jump, Korea’s first-ever Ejection Seat, and ‘Big Swing,’ an experience in zero gravity. The facility also boasts the grand sight of water fountains shooting up to 162m into the air as well as a wide-open view of the surrounding landscape. One of the biggest tourist attraction in the area, the park is adjacent to other popular tour sites such as the filming location of the KBS historical drama ‘Taejo Wangeon,’ Mt. Geumsusan, and the National Park of Woraksan Mountain.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

When taking the subway from Seoul Station to Yongsan Station, you will notice a tall and distinct hanok (traditional Korean architecture) building; this is Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs. Construction of the building began in 1984, the year of the 200th anniversary of Catholicism in Korea, and was completed after three years. Also called "Nodeul" and "Sanamgi", Saenamteo was used as military training ground during the early Joseon period. It was also the place where convicted felons and the Sayuksin (the six martyred ministers) were executed.   Many Catholics were executed here during the Sinyu Persecution of 1801, the Gihae Persecution of 1839, the Byeongo Persecution of 1846, and the Byeongin Persecution of 1866. Among those executed were 11 priests including the first Korean priest Kim Taegon (Andrew), the first Chinese priest that came to Korea Ju Mun Mo (Jacobus), the first French priest that came to Korea Bishop Imbert and other Catholics including Hyeon Seok-mun. There is also an altar here where the remains of nine Catholic saints are enshrined.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

The National Theater of Korea was opened in 1950 as the first national theater in Asia. The theater is the base of operations for four performance groups: the National Drama Company, the National Changgeuk Company, the National Dance Company, and the National Orchestra Company. By supporting these performance troupes, the National Theater strives to globalize Korean traditional arts, modifying select pieces to reach a larger audience.


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).


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Large ancient tombs of kings and nobles of the Silla Kingdom can be seen around Gyeongju at the Daereungwon Tomb Complex (Cheonmachong Tomb). There are twenty-three large tombs located here; the most famous being Cheonmachong and Hwangnamdaechong.In an excavation of the area in the 1970s, Cheonmachong was discovered with a painting of a mounted horse. This painting is the only discovered painting from the Silla era. You can also view the inside of Cheonmachong. There are 11,526 remains and royal crowns inside the tomb, demonstrating the lavish lifestyle of the king. Another tourist attraction is Hwangnamdaechong, the largest ancient tomb. It houses the bodies of both the king and queen and has over 30 thousand relics and gold accessories.The unique thing about Hwangnamdaechong is that the queen's tomb has more luxurious accessories. Researchers have concluded that even the queen can have a high social position before marriage. You can feel the ancient culture of Korea 1,500 years ago when visiting these tombs.