Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

The Lotte World Folk Museum is a place where one can learn a great deal more of Korea's rich 5000-year-history. It was designed for both international visitors and Koreans alike to easily learn and enjoy Korean culture and history. One of the museum's more appealing characteristics is that it uses animation and smaller scale models to better illustrate various aspects of Korea's past. This makes learning much more enjoyable for visitors.It has restored several important cultural assets and features daily traditional music and dance performances. There are also many corners where the audiences can participate together. There is a traditional marriage ceremony vestibule where the bride and groom may marry one another according to the traditional marriage decorum. Perhaps if you are lucky you might participate in one yourself.The most important exhibit hall at Lotte World Folk museum is the history exhibition hall. Starting from the entrance you are able to meet the landscape and folk paintings. On the ceiling of the audiovisual room, pictures of the map of Korean Peninsula, crater of Mt. Baekdusan, and the galaxy unfold before your eyes. Through this multi-vision technique you are able to observe Korean traditional performances.Along past the entrance and the multi-vision room you enter the prehistoric ages. The prehistoric ages room presents a tyrannosaurus model roughly half its original size. You may be able to take a peek at the Stone Age life by looking at the relics of that time such as a dinosaur’s egg, fossil and dinosaur animation. It will be hard for those to walk away from the prehistoric age room if you are interested in those things. However, many other exciting places await you. At the model village you will be able to view the life styles and diverse customs of the Joseon dynasty.At Imjinwaeran Hall you will be able to view through advanced visual technology, the magic vision, simulating the fighting scenes of General Yi Sun-Sin that took place during that time. It will feel as if you were right there when the war took place. At the Folk Playground, the weapons and instruments of the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910) are exhibited. There are models of the villages of Korean ancestors as well. You will marvel at the amusing and colorful miniatures.The features of a ritual of exorcism in a shaman’s house are produced through an operation model. Also features of children reading the Chunjamun (thousand character text) at a Joseon Age Sodang (village school), and villagers making wishes at the tutelary deity shrine is also on display.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

The Beautiful Tea Museum exhibits porcelain artwork by young ceramists. It also offers a large variety of world tea from Korea, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, India, Europe and more, totaling 130 types of tea. The museum not only exhibits tea, but it also provides a café for visitors to relax and enjoy the taste of their selected tea. The Beautiful Tea Museum exhibition of tea-items is divided into three sections; Korea, China, and Tibet. Visitors can gain an overall understanding of the tea traditions of each country. Also, young ceramists’ artwork are offered for purchase. The Beautiful Tea Museum has up to 130 types of tea ranging from an assortment of green tea, blue tea, black tea, brown tea, herbal tea, flower tea, and more. Visitors can purchase the various tea or enjoy them on the spot in the café. The museum is a renovated hanok, a traditional Korean house, and the central garden offers an outdoors café where visitors can view the museum while drinking tea.


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

The National Gugak Center (Formerly: National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts) is the governing body established to preserve and promote traditional Korean performing arts. It consists of three performance halls. First, the largest venue for traditional Korean performing arts is the Reservation Hall. The outward appearance of this theatre is based on Suwon Castle. The interior is built to accentuate all the features of the performing platform for traditional performing arts, and can accommodate every single type of traditional performing art, such as Palace Music, Court Music, and all other genres including major productions of Changguek (Korean musical drama). The structure of the stage and seats are reminiscent of a Korean yard.Long ago in Korea, traditional arts were performed in the yard. The audience was separated into an area in the shape of an earthen wall, and the ceiling had a shield/kite shaped emanating plate. The theatre gives the illusion of being in an ancient Korean household. On the 2nd floor of the Reservation Hall, there is a separate children's playground, which allows for quiet enjoyment of the music in the performance hall. Umyeondang (small hall) was designed to accommodate performances which were held outdoors. The performing space can be adjusted to fit the needs of the production.The National Gugak Center Outdoor Performance Stage is also called the "Star Welcoming Stage." You can watch many traditional performances that are usually held on traditional holidays. You can listen to traditional music, and if you want more information on the music try going to the Gugak Museum. Videos on Korea's traditional instruments and other Gugak related videos are always exhibited here. Also at the shop you can buy various Gugak related souvenirs. Having a Gugak CD or a cassette will be a great souvenir to remember the inspiration of Gugak for a long time. At the Front courtyard of the museum you can try to play traditional games and instruments from 10am to 5pm. You can play traditional games like neol ttwigi (seesaw jumping) or jegi chagi (Korean hacky sack) and try playing traditional instruments like the jing (gong), janggu (drum), kkwaenggwari (cymbal) and buk (drum).


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

With 24 granite pillars, a splendid blue dome, and white exterior, the National Assembly Building is a beautiful piece of architecture. The historic building came to life in 1975 after six years of construction. The pillars and the dome symbolize the various opinions of the public emerging as one. The building is a favorite among tourists as it is located next to the Hangang River. The Hangang River sits behind the building as a beautiful backdrop.The National Assembly Building contains the Visitor Center, a walking area, and benches alongside the Hangang River. The easiest way to visit the National Assembly Building is by applying at the Visitor Center. One can tour various parts of the National Assembly Building as well as the main conferencing area. The application process lasts roughly twenty minutes. The drawback is that it does not offer a foreign language service. Those who are interested in seeing Korean politics in action may also see sessions as they proceed. However, those not particularly interested in Korean politics will be more than satisfied with the regular tour.


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

Hangang River Ferry Cruise is one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery around the Hangang River, which flows through the heart of Seoul. On the cruise, you can see Hangang River’s beautiful scenery, various small islands, Jeoldusan Park, 63 Square, N Seoul Tower, Jamsil’s Sports Complex, and other famous tourist spots. The cruise is often used for weddings, birthday parties, music performances, and other events. The tours often have live performances featuring piano and other instruments. During the summer, the docks also offer motor boat rentals. The cruise will make stops at 7 docks including Yeouido, Jamsil, Ttukseom, Yanghwa, Jamdubong, Seonyudo, Seoul Forest, and Incheon, in addition to 2 passenger terminal currently at operation. However this routes and connecting services are subject to change depending on the weather conditions, therefore visitors will need to check the details from the official website before visiting.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu in Seoul, the Seoul Central Masjid was the first Islamic mosque in Korea. Construction of the mosque began in October 1974 on a piece of land (5,000 square meters) that was donated by the Korean government. Funded by the Islamic countries, the mosque officially opened on May 21, 1976 and now stands proudly halfway between the Hangang River and Namsan Mountain. The first floor of the mosque houses meeting rooms and the office of the Korea Muslim Federation; on the second floor is the men’s musalla (prayer hall) measuring 427 square meters; and on the third floor is the women’s musalla (prayer hall). The Islamic Center, originally a 2-story building (1,362 square meters) attached to the mosque, saw the addition of a third floor on July 20, 1990 thanks to generous funding from the Islamic Development Bank of Saudi Arabia. The Islamic Center now features a madrasah (educational institution for Muslim children), the Islamic Culture Research Institute, and more.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Ever since the introduction of high-speed railroads, Yongsan Station has been a primary station for trains heading towards Honam, Janghyang, and Jeolla-do. The station is also the first and final stop for several express trains. The privately-owned station has gone through various renovations to update facilities and now stands proudly as the largest railroad and subway station in Korea. A department store, an electronics market, and the I'Park Mall are situated nearby, making Yongsan Station a gathering spot for the younger crowds.


Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu)

Located within the KBS broadcasting station in Yeouido, the KBS Exhibition Hall is the first museum in Korea dedicated to the history and evolution of the Korean broadcasting industry. The exhibition hall is a space where visitors can experience radio and television broadcasting production firsthand. The KBS Exhibition Hall first opened on January 1, 1977 and after extensive renovation, the exhibition hall reopened in April 2001. Now, the hall offers better services than before with the addition of a Hologram Corner, 3D TV Experience Corner, and Character Photo Zone. The KBS tour starts from the main hall on the second floor and continues onto the fourth and fifth floors. In addition to the small museum, radio drama studio, sound effect instruments, 9 o'clock news corner, hologram corner, 3D movie experience hall and chroma key corner, visitors have the chance to observe the TV production process and radio programming process through a window that looks out into the broadcasting studio.


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

Kukkiwon (국기원, World Taekwondo Headquarters) was established to spread knowledge of the national Korean sport of Taekwondo, and raise popularity of the martial art. Currently, the World Taekwondo Championships and various national competitions are held at Kukkiwon. Kukkiwon also serves as a place where coaches are trained, and offers Taekwondo experience programs for foreigners.Various experience programs for foreigners including the basic Taekwondo stances, the art of self-defense, and the art of wood breaking are offered at the Seoul, Jongno-gu Gyeonghuigung Palace with reservation services available online. Reservations can be made up to one day in advance and can be made for single guests. Guests can choose to training sessions at any time between Tuesdays and Fridays. Be aware that classes may be cancelled on rainy days, and sessions will be instructed in Korean and English only.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Also known as Pagoda Park, Tapgol Park, located on the former site of Weongaksa Temple from the Joseon Era, is the first modern park to be built in Seoul. Weongaksa Temple was known as Heungboksa Temple during the Goryeo Dynasty, but was renamed when it was enlarged during the early years of the Joseon Era. However, it was destroyed during the reign of Yeonsangun and Jungjong due to the repression policy of Buddhism. Thereafter, a western park was built due to the proposal of an Englishman, John Mcleavy Brown, but no precise information on the reason and date can be found. The park contains several national treasures, including Wongaksaji Sipcheungseoktap and Weongaksabi, and Palgakjeong, where the Independence Proclamation was read; the independence movement relief plate; and the statue of Son Byeong-hee. The park is of great historical value and national spirit as it was the starting point of the March 1, 1919 Independence Protest.