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

The beloved outdoor swimming pools at Yeouido was reborn as Supia, a year-round theme park in Hangang. Unlike the previous pools, Supia at Ttukseom and Yeouido is a water park that added Flow Pool to the existing Adult Pool, Youth Pool, and Children’s Pool.* What is Supia?- Combining Arisu (the former name of Hangang) and Utopia, Supia is a fun theme park in the middle of the city that can be enjoyed all year long. 


Seoul(Dongdaemun-gu) , Dongdaemun

Yeonghwiwon and Sunginwon are burial mounds once designated for princes and consorts. The social hierarchy was very strict during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), and it influenced the patterns of the royal tombs. The tombs for kings and queens called ‘neung’ are larger and more luxurious than tombs for princes and consorts called ‘won.’Yeonghwiwon houses the tomb of Queen Consort Sunheon (1854-1911), King Gojong’s concubine and Sunginwon is for King Yeongchin’s son, Ijin (1921-1923). The composition of the two tombs is similar, but Yeonghwiwon is larger than Sunginwon. The first sight when entering the burial grounds is the red gate (the red color denoting holiness). Beyond the red gate is a sacrificial building where the memorial rites were performed. Behind the sacrificial building is the royal tomb. On the eaves of the sacrificial building are stone sculptures called japsang, which are carved into the shapes of animals such as monkeys and are believed to exorcise evil spirits. There is a pavilion next to the sacrificial building where the tombstone is located. The tombstone indicates who lies in the mound. The stone figures guarding the king’s tomb are memorable. A sacrificial building called "jasil" is now used as maintenance office and is worth visiting. The eaves, latticework and wooden floor are so well preserved that visitors can truly get an authentic feeling when walking through the premises.Yeonghwiwon & Sunginwon boast splendid views in the fall when the leaves change colour. The promenades and the stonewalls of the entrance are beautiful. Its tranquil and pleasant atmosphere attracts many families and the couples. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The Hwangi Art Museum was opened to honor the works of the painter, Kim Hwan-Gi. Kim Hwan-Gi (1913-1974) was Korea's top artist of modernism. He began painting abstract paintings in 1930, and in 1950 began using nature as his motivation to portray the emotions of Korea. Kim Hwan-Gi was famous for his unforgettable pieces. He is the role model for many young aspiring artists in Korea. On the first floor of the museum there is an art shop with scarves, ties, and other various products with Kim's designs are available for purchase. Upon entering the exhibits all bags must be checked in at the front desk. As you enter, aside from the paintings and art pieces, the most eye-popping sight is the beautifully decorated windows. You cannot help but marvel at their beauty. For those that are tired and need rest, there is a rest area on the second floor. There is a nice outdoor view from this area. Outside you can go for a walk on the trail. As you walk up the narrowing trail you will see a pond, and at the end of the trail you will enter a wooded area where you can rest.


Seoul(Seongbuk-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

Gilsangsa Temple is located in the Seongbuk-dong neighborhood of northern Seoul. The temple was built on the site of a fancy restaurant called Daewongak. The restaurant owner donated her property to the revered Buddhist monk Venerable Bupjeong (1932-2010), who turned the property into a temple that opened in 1997. Although Gilsangsa has a relatively short history, it is conveniently located in the heart of Seoul so it attracts many local and international visitors alike. The temple also serves as a downtown cultural space by offering a variety of Buddhist programs like temple experience, classes on Buddhist teachings, and templestay. The temple features Gilsang Seonwon (zen center) and the House of Silence, which are special halls dedicated to practicing meditation. While Gilsang Seonwon provides meditation rooms for Buddhists with experience in meditation, the House of Silence is open to the general public at liberty to pursue personal meditation. Gilsangsa also has a branch temple in Paris.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu)

S.J. Cho Korean Paper Art Gallery is dedicated to hanji (traditional Korean paper) art and opened in July of 2011. Hanji art uses an array of colorful hanji paper to create an image that is similar to a painting, but without the paints and brushes. Paper can be torn, folded, or crumpled into different shapes to create a unique work of art. S.J. Cho Korean Paper Art is the center of the Korean Hanji Art Organization, which has helped popularize hanji art over the past 30 years. Visitors can browse through hanji art at the gallery, enjoy traditional tea at the café, or look out at Bukhansan Mountain on the rooftop. The Experience Hall is located in the basement, where visitors can learn more about hanji art, or even try their hand at making their own.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

Daegangno Arts Theater (B5-4F) is a venue for performing arts that is comprised of three halls of varying sizes. The main hall on the 1st and 2nd floors has a proscenium stage and seating arranged in fan-shape. In an effort to present a more contemporary theater experience, the seats in the main hall are closer to the stage than those of a standard theater, allowing audiences to experience performances more vividly.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Sajik Park is one of the three most popular parks in Jongno-gu along with Tapgol Park and Samcheong Park. Located west of the Government Complex-Seoul on the southeastern foothills of Mt. Inwang, the park measures an impressive 188,710m².The name of the park dates back to 1395 when Taejo Lee Sung-gye made the first Sajikdan (altar to the State deities) along with the Jongmyo Shrine (Royal Ancestral Shrine) at the center of the park. "Sa" refers to the deity of the earth while "jik" refers to the deity of the five grains. Rites wishing for a good harvest were held regularly at the Sajikdan. However, the area was not officially recognized as a park until 1922 under the Japanese colonial period.In the park are several playgrounds, statues of Sin Saimdang, Hwanghakjeong, and Yi I (often referred to by his pen name ‘Yulgok’), and the Municipal Children's Library. Dangun Shrine and Jongno Library are situated nearby. By following the path next to Sajik Park for approximately 5 minutes, travelers can reach the Mt. Inwang hiking path with relative ease.


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(Jung-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

Jungmyeongjeon Hall is located near the Chongdong Theater. It is easy to locate by simply walking along the stonewall of Deoksugung Palace. The three-story western-style building, designed by the Russian architect Seredin Sabatin, was used as the imperial library between 1897 and 1901. It was initially known as Suokheon.After Deoksugung Palace caught on fire, Jungmyeongjeon Hall became the main office of Emperior Gojong for discussing national affairs greeting foreign dignitaries. It also witnessed the tragic part of history in which the infamous Eulsa Treaty (Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty) was signed.Jungmyeongjeon Hall used to be within Deoksugung Palace, but it was separated from the palace when a stone wall was built between the two. It exhibits one of the modern architectural styles in Korea, but, unfortunately, has lost most of its original structure except for its exterior because in a fire in 1925. After Liberation from Japan on August 15, 1945, Jungmyeongjeon Hall was used for many different things. In September, 2006, the ownership of Jungmyeongjeon Hall changed to the Cultural Heritage Administration and was classified as part of Deoksugung Palace as part of Historic Site No.124 in February 2007. 


Seoul(Gangbuk-gu)

From the last Uidong bus stop, follow the road 2.5km past Jabium and Cheongdam Waterfall to Annyangam and the ‘Mind's Square,’ the first two areas of Doseonsa Temple.Doseonsa Temple was established 1,100 years ago during the latter part of the Silla Kingdom when the renowned Buddhist priest Doseonguksa was traveling through the mountains. After visiting the site, Doseonguksa made a prophecy that led to the construction of the temple. According to legend, he used only his walking stick to carve the large Bodhisattva that sits at the temple. Interestingly enough, the statues does not show any evidence of chisel marks, further adding to the mystery of how the statue was made.During the 7th year of King Gwangmu of the Joseon Dynasty the Doseonsa Temple was officially named the representative temple of Korea with the purpose of promoting Cheongdamdaejongsa's Korean Buddhism movement, aiming at a religious revival. Due to these special circumstances Deseonsa Temple gained a high reputation and much recognition, which have held strong to this day.Inside the temple, visitors can view the remains and written works of Cheongdamdaejongsa in the Cheongdamdaejongsa Memorial Hall. Next to the road leading to Cheonbuljeon is a pond where you can toss a coin and make a wish and just past Yongammun is a hiking path connecting Baegundae and Insubong. Inside the Ksitigarbha Hall are portraits of President Park Chung-hee, Yuk Yeong-su, and Hyundai Chairman Chung Ju-yung. In front of the hall is a tree that is said to have been planted by a Buddhist priest who brought it from India 200 years ago. Historical artifacts can be found throughout the temple.