Seoul(Gangseo-gu) , The Western Part of the Seoul

Gimpo International Airport, located in Gangseo-gu neighborhood in Seoul, was first established in 1939 as a military facility by the Japanese Army. After Korea regained its independence from Japan, the facility continued to be used by the American Air Force until 1957. The airport was officially designated an international airport by a presidential mandate in 1958, and it started to function as one after 1971. Since then, Gimpo International Airport has been a major gateway of Korea.With the opening of the Incheon International Airport in 2001, the main function of Gimpo Airport shifted from that of an international airport to that of a domestic airport. However, it still remains one of the representative airports of Korea, serving millions of travelers every year. Recently the airport has expanded its facilities to include Sky City, a large multi-purpose leisure and shopping complex.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

Daehanuiwon (Daehan Medical Center) is an antique two-story brick building within the grounds of Seoul National University Hospital. It was established under the direct administration of the Uijeongbu (State Council), combining the Gwangjewon (under the Home Ministry), Gyeongseong Medical School and the Korean Red Cross Hospital (under the Royal Household). Built in the Madubong Hill area, this location where Hamchunwon, the outer garden of Changgyeonggung Palace, once stood in 1484 (15th year of King Seongjong), was also once the site of Gyeongmogung Palace, where King Jeongjo enshrined the mortuary tablet of his birth father Crown Prince Sado Seja in 1776 (the year King Jeongjo ascended to the throne). These places that held importance for the royal family were destroyed as the Japanese built Gyeongseong Empire University in its place. In 1907, with the announcement of the plan to establish Daehan Medical Center, construction began on the main building, seven wards and affiliated buildings. Construction was completed in November 1908. The Daehan Medical Center opened in Gwangjewon, but upon Japanese colonization in 1910, its name was changed to the Japanese Viceroyalty Hospital. In 1926, it was included as a part of Gyeongseongjeguk University to become a university hospital. Since the liberation of Korea in 1945, it has been a hospital affiliated with Seoul National University.


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

Yearimdang Art Hall (formerly Ungjin Think Big Art Hall), is a children’s theater that was renovated and officially reopened on June 3, 2011.A joint project of Yearimdang publishing company and PMC Production, the art hall is a mid-sized theater with around 440 seats located on the two floors. The first floor consists of VIP sets and S-class seats that allow for more interaction with the actors on stage and access to surprise events during the performances. Seats on the second floor (A-class) offer an affordable, bird’s-eye view of the stage.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The 19km-long Bugak Skyway runs along the northeast ridge of Bugaksan Mountain. Opened in September 1968, the road quickly became known as one of Korea’s most scenic driving routes. The road offers lovely views of Bukhansan Mountain’s Bibong Peak and Munsubong Peak on one side and Namsan Mountain on the other side. Trees line the roadside and different flowers bloom per season. The skyway leads to an octagonal pavilion at the top called Palgakjeong, where visitors can get a panoramic view of the city, take photos, and have a meal or coffee while enjoying the scenery. There’s also a parking lot that can accommodate up to 130 cars. http://bukak-palgakjeong.tistory.com


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

The Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum opened in 2008 in the East Hall of the Pai Chai Institute, a Western-style educational institution built in 1916. The museum building is designated Seoul Monument No. 16. With dynamically-arranged permanent exhibitions, annual special exhibitions and special lectures, the museum offers a unique learning experience to visitors and people with an interest in the history of education in Korea.


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

The Ttukdo Water Purification Plant (Waterworks Museum and Slow Sand Filtration Basin) was completed in August 1908. Construction first commenced in August 1906 as Americans C.H. Collbran and H.R. Bostwick were granted the rights by the Korean Empire to construct the waterworks facility. This was highly significant in that it was the first water purification plant ever built in Korea. At the time of the plants completion, it produced 12,500 tons of purified water to approximately 165,000 Seoul citizens. The Western-style brick mason building had a traditional clay tile roof and was 312.4㎡ in size. The water supply facility (currently renamed Waterworks Museum) and Slow Sand Filtration Basin are designated No.72 Tangible Cultural Asset of Seoul.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Inwangsa Temple refers to the entire cluster of small Buddhist temples located on Inwangsan Mountain (alt. 338m) in the heart of Seoul. The eastern foot of the mountain has many scenic spots with its distinctively cozy and tasteful atmosphere, and the northern area called Mugye-dong also offers beautiful scenery. Inwangsa Temple was established in the early Joseon period (1392-1910) to guard the national palace Gyeongbokbung. The temple is comprised of 11 shrines from five different Buddhist orders. The unique design of each shrine adds pleasure to hikers on their way up to Seonbawi, an unusual rock formation that is a site of many folk beliefs and shamanist rites.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Designated as Historic Site No. 10, the Seoul City Wall is an 18.627km-long wall surrounding Hanyang (present-day Seoul), formerly the capital of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). The wall underwent regular repairs during the 500-year Joseon Dynasty. The wall itself yields evidence of the different skills and materials used, thereby giving it a significant historical value. The Seoul City Wall Museum became full operational on July 31, 2014 after conducting partial operation since April. The museum displays historical artifacts relating to the transformation of the city, and has a permanent exhibition hall, special exhibition hall, information center and multi-purpose lecture room.


Seoul(Seodaemun-gu) , Sinchon・Ewha Womans University

On the second floor of Yonsei’s Student Assembly Hall is the gathering place, of foreigners and students of Yonsei, to come together and share ideas in foreign languages. The Global Lounge has an area for debates and a multimedia TV on which, with a headset, you can listen to multinational broadcasts.


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.