Gyeongsangbuk-do(Cheongdo-gun)

The Gam Wine Tunnel opened its doors in 2006 in Songgeum-ri, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do and is the world’s FIRST persimmon wine cellar! The Wine Tunnel is the perfect place for aging persimmon wine, which is made by the process of fermenting seedless persimmons, a local specialty of Cheongdo. The tunnel has become increasingly popular due to its scenic location, elegant inside atmosphere, and its beautiful surrounding orchards. At the tunnel, group tourists can participate in a number of programs such as making their own wine or picking persimmons. For the individual traveler, there are exhibitions, wine sampling, a café, and a wine market. The tunnel, located in the middle of a mountain, stays at a temperature of 15 Celsius with 60~70% humidity all year round, making it a naturally refreshing place to visit during the summer. The tunnel was originally called “Namseonghyeon Tunnel” and was built back in 1898 during the Joseon Dynasty. The wine cellar as we know it today was created a hundred years ago when persimmon growers put red bricks on the ceiling of the tunnel and reinforced the tunnel walls with natural stone, turning the railroad tunnel into a great wine cellar and unique tourist attraction!      


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

The Seosomun Gate area, which is located outside Seomun Gate, is regarded as a sacred place for many Korean Catholics. During the 19th century, the church suffered persecution for introducing Catholicism in the country. A series of persecutions followed over the years, notably the Sinyu Persecution in 1801 and the Byeongbin Persecution in 1866. The memorial tower in the center of the park is for the 44 martyrs who died for their Catholic faith during the persecution. It was originally established in December 1984 and rebuilt on May 15, 1999. The tower consists of three granite pillars: the middle one is 15 meters high while the two pillars on both sides are each 13 meters high.


Daegu(Dong-gu)

Otgol Village was named for its concave topographical features, as three sides (except for the southern side) are surrounded by a mountain. Others believe that the name derives from the groves of lacquer trees (locally called otnamu) in the nearby mountains and fields. Otgol is the clan village of the Gyeongju Choi family, who settled with the arrival of Choi Dong-jip, a scholar in the mid-Joseon era who came and established himself in the area.Otgol Village has a beautiful earthen wall and stone wall spanning about 2.5 kilometers. A tree stands along the wall path: it was not cut down, but the wall was instead built low to accommodate the tree, showing the wisdom and the respect for nature of the people at the time. In the Baekbul Residence, the document bestowed by King Jeongjo to Baekburam Choi Heung-won in appreciation of his deeds remains. Various other relics are also preserved, including old books and identity tags that have been passed down over the generations in the head family, the Seonghaksipdo (The Ten Diagrams on Sage Learning) folding screen, and dishes used in religious services. Nearby is the forest of Oriental Arbovitae in Dalseong, which is the No. 1 Natural Monument of Korea, as well as the Bullo-dong Tumuli Park and Palgongsan Provincial Park.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

The Savina Museum provides visitors will fresh and exciting pieces that reflect the diverse and dynamic aspects of Korean modern art. Museum organizers actively focus on developing the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, publications, and art collections, continually working to transform the museum into a living, breathing center of the arts. The museum not only supports the development of artists from a more traditional list of fields like painting, sculpture, photography and media arts, but also introduces exhibits highlighting new trends in the art world.


Daegu(Jung-gu)

The Daegu Gyesan Catholic Church was built by Priest Robert, A.P. (1853-1922), who came to Daegu for missionary work. In 1899, the church building was constructed with wood using a Korean-style design, but was destroyed by fire a few months after construction began. Priest Robert created a new building design and imported stained glass and galvanized iron from France and Hong Kong, since these types of building materials were hard to find in Korea. Construction was finally completed in 1902, three years after the project was first started.The Catholic Church is the only remaining structure in Daegu from the early 1900s. The church is Latin cross-shaped with a nave and transepts on both sides. Such formations are seen both inside and outside the building. This predominantly Romanesque church also features some Gothic architectural elements such as stained-glass windows and pinnacles.Daegu Gyesan Catholic Church played a pivotal role in promoting Catholicism in the Yeongnam area. In 1911, it was separated from the Joseon Catholic parish and became the main Catholic parish in Daegu area, naming Priest Robert as the first chief priest. Statues commemorating the priest stand in the rectory and a memorial hall named ‘Gwandeokjeong’ holds the remains of 65 Catholic martyrs.


Daegu(Dalseong-gun)

Dongdo Confucian Academy is located in Dongdo-ri, Guji-myeon, Dalseong-gun and is one of the five major Confucian schools in Korea along with Byeongsanseowon, Oksanseowon, Sosuseowon and Dosanseowon Confucian Academies.The school was first established by Confucian scholars in 1568 at the eastern base of Biseulsan Mt., but was burnt down during the Japanese Invasion in 1592. In 1605, the school was reconstructed on its current site and was re-named ‘Borodong.’ In 1607, the name was changed to ‘Dongdo.’ ‘Dongdo’ means that the teachings (Do) of Sung Confucianism come from the East (Dong).Dongdoseowongandangsadangbujangwon, National Treasure No. 350, is part of the school and was designated Cultural Site No. 488 on Oct. 10th 2007. This unusually long name refers to the classroom, shrine, and walls of the Confuncian Academy in Dongdo.Must-see features of the school are the earthen wall, a hall named ‘Jungjeongdang,’ the Suwollu Pavilion and the 400-year-old ginkgo trees. The earthen wall has beautiful patterns in the shape of birds engraved in it and is the only earthen wall in the nation to be designated a national treasure.If you continue past the ginkgo trees outside you’ll see the Suwollu Pavilion. The picturesque view from the pavilion is breath-taking.At Jungjeongdang, there is a sculpture with four dragon heads, each holding either cintamani (a bead) or a fish in its mouth. This sculpture, which is called 'Samuljam,' symbolizes the teaching of Confucius telling us not to speak, act, or even listen if it’s not done in the right way.Dongdoseowon Confucian Academy contains the ancestral tablets of Kim Geong-pil and Hangang Jeong Gu. The school holds ancestral ceremonies on the day of Jungjeong every February and August.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

The best way to see Seoraksan Mountain if you only have a limited time, is by taking the Seorak Cable Car. However, it is so popular that you sometimes have to wait in line for approximately 2 to 3 hours during the peak seasons (summer vacation and fall foliage seasons) and during the weekends, but during off-seasons, the cable car can be boarded without having to wait in line. Riding up and down the cable car, visitors can view the fascinating rock formations of the Gwongeumseong region as well as the Sogongwon area, Jeohangnyeong, and Ulsanbawi Rock to the north. To the northeast, downtown Sokcho and the East Sea comes into view.After getting off the cable car, visitors can take a 20 to 30 minute hike to Gwongeumseong to get a birds-eye-view of Oe-Serok. The cable car ascends at a relatively high speed with some excitement. Safety is assured and the scenery can be enjoyed with the guided tour in the cable car. It runs even when it is raining or snowing, but operation may be suspended under windy conditions.


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

The Sanwoolim Theater Company is the only drama group in Korea to have its own exclusive theater. The theater company began with the staging of Samuel Beckett’s Nobel Prize winning play “Waiting for Godot” in December 1969. The director Lim Young-woong and the cast performers who had participated in this play co-founded Sanwoolim Theater Company. Since then, it has grown into Korea’s representative drama group by staging over 60 theatrical productions and receiving more than 80 awards over the years. Following the foundation of Sanwoolim Theater Company, company director Lim Young-woong and his wife Oh Jeung-ja built a three-story building with two basement floors near Seoul’s Hongik University at their own expense. The theater building was designed and constructed for theater-use only so that it may not be used for any other purposes. Hence, the exclusive theater for Sanwoolim Theater Company opened in March 3, 1985.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Hahoe Mask Museum is located in Andong Hahoe Village, which is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Important Folklore Material No. 122. Hahoe Village is a representative traditional Korean folk town and is the home of the Hahoe Mask (National Treasure No. 121) and the Byeolsin Gut Mask Dance (Important Intangible Cultural Properties No. 69). The museum not only displays Hahoe masks, but also other traditional masks from all over the world. The museum consists of a 1-story main building, a two-story annex building, an outdoor event garden, and a research room. The research room houses a wide range of books, documents, and video-audio materials related to masks. At the museum, you’ll encounter time-honored Korean masks that have long since been used in a variety of traditional mask dances. Masks include Bongsan, Gangnyeong, and Eunnyul masks from Hwanghae-do province; Sandaenori masks (Yeongju Byeolsandae and Songpa Sandaenori) from Seoul; Yaryu (Dongrae Yaryu, and Suyeong Yaryu masks) and Ogwangdae (Goseong Ogwangdae, Gasan Ogwangdae, Tongyeong Ogwangdae masks) from the Yeongnam region; Hahoe masks from Andong; Yeonghae Byeolsin Gut masks; Yeonggwang Nongakjapsaek masks; Yecheon Cheongdan Noreum masks; the Gangneung Gwanno Mask of the Gangneung Dano Festival; the Deotboegi mask of Namsadang nori; and Cheoyong, Bangsangssi ceremonial masks.