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. 


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun)

Introduction ‘Dolmens’ are stone graves/tombs which date back to the pre-historic era. Dolmens are largely concentrated in Northeast Asia with Korea alone being home to a total of around 30,000 dolmens. The Ganghwa Dolmen Heritage Site, in Bugeun-ri, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, encompasses roughly 120 dolmens, most of which are Northern-style dolmen that are made of large pieces of stone 7.1m in length and 2.6m in height. The dolmens in this region are found in unusual altitudes of 100-200m above sea level and reveal important information about the prehistoric period. The Ganghwa Dolmen site was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage in Nov. 29th, 2000 along with Gochang Dolmen and Hwasun Dolmen sites. You may enjoy the best view of this historic site around sunset. Current Status Historical Site No.137 Closed N/A (Open 365 days a year) Parking Facilities 1,500 spaces Admission Fees Free Facilities for the Handicapped Restrooms Restrooms Available


Daejeon(Dong-gu)

Daejeon Station is located in the center of the country, and is a key stop on the Korea Railroad (KORAIL) line. The station opened January 1, 1905, when the railway between Seoul and Busan opened. Located in the old downtown area on the southeast side of Daejeon, the station serves as a railway transportation hub. All the passenger trains bound for Korea’s major cities including Seoul, Gwangju, Dongdaegu (East Daegu), Busan, Ulsan, and Pohang pass through this station. In front of the station is Daejeon Subway Station.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

King Naemul was the 17th monarch of the Silla Kingdom (in power from 356 to 402) and became the second king of the Kim family name. King Naemul was known as the first king to initiate the king title of ‘Maripgan’ and was known for spreading cultural advancements from China to the Korean people. When the allied forces of Baekje and Japan attacked, he asked Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo for help and led the people to victory, contributing to the increased strength of the Silla Kingdom. After his rule, the throne was exclusively ceded to members of the Kim family clan. The royal tomb of King Naemul is a large mound (2.2m in diameter and 5.3m in x_height) that sits on the northern hill of the Confucian school of Gyeongju. The edge of a natural stone is exposed around the bottom of the mound, pointing to the fact that the inner chamber tomb was made of stone. In the historical document Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), no records are found about the tomb, but the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) describes the king’s tomb as being located in the southwest of Cheomseongdae, which is consistent with the tomb’s location.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

Uisangdae (의상대) is located on a seaside hill, on the way to Hongnyeonam Hermitage’s Gwaneumgul Cave from Naksansa Temple. It is a small temple, believed to have been built by Great Monk Uisang (625-702) during King Munmu’s reign (661-681) during Silla Period, on the spot where Uisang used to meditate while building Naksansa Temple. The current pavilion was built in 1925.Hongnyeonam Hermitage is a place you shouldn’t miss when you visit the octagonal Uisangdae. Believed to be built 5 years after Naksansa Temple, it is also where Great Monk Uisang used to meditate. It was named Hongnyeonam ('Hong' meaning 'red' and 'Ryeon' meaning 'lotus flower') because there is a legend that a red lotus flower bloomed in the sea during Great Monk Uisang’s seven days of prayer. It is built against the cliff beside a rocky cave, making it part of a great scenery, and the sunrise from Uisangdae is absolutely spectacular.Songgang Jeongcheol, who was a poet from the mid Joseon Period (1392-1910) expressed his feeling on the spectacle of sunrise from Uisangdae like this: “After the pear-tree flowers have fallen and when the cuckoo cries sadly, beyond the hill east of Naksan Mountain at Uisangdae, I get up in the middle of night to see the sun rise. The auspicious clouds look like they are blooming, and the sun look as if it is being held up by six dragons. As the sun rises majestically from the sea to the sky, the whole world shakes and the sun rises swiftly, shining more brightly than a thousand candles.” That is how much wonder the view of sunrise from Uisangdae has created from long ago.


Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si)

Cheonan-Asan Station began its operation along with the opening of KTX railway. Its location overlaps the admistrative district of both Cheonan city and Asan city, hence the name.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

This was the location of the palace fortress during the Shilla Dynasty (57 BC ~ AD 935). The fortress takes after its name, which, literally translated, means 'a crescent moon shape on top of a hill'. The famous history books of Samgukyusa mention that Shilla’s 4th King Seoktalhae (AD 57~80) thought this area was an ideal spot for the fortress and bought the land from a nobleman. The 2nd King Namhae (AD 4~24) impressed by Seoktalhae’s actions, took him in as his son-in-law, later, becoming the 4th king. The area was then under Shilla’s rule for 900 years, the last king being the 56th, Gyeongsoon (AD 927~935).Although the magnificent grandeur of the palace is now just an empty lot, it has been told that this area was filled with imperial buildings during the Shilla Dynasty. Currently, the region of Wolseong has a freezer made out of rocks called Seokbinggo, an archery range, horse-riding field, and a traditional playground, which resembles the grounds of the Joseon Period (the dynasty that ruled the Korean peninsula from 1392-1910). 


Jeollabuk-do(Gochang-gun)

Along with Geumsansa in Gimje-si, Seonunsa is one of the two major temples of Jeollabuk-do region. Every year, many tourists come to visit the temple to enjoy the valued cultural heritage and the beautiful natural surroundings of the temple. Seonunsa has a temple stay program where you may appreciate the Buddhist culture as well as the quality time of your own. The temple stay consists of such sub-sessions as having a conversation with a monk over a cup of tea, Barugongyang (formal monastic meal), striking a bell, 108 prostrations, Chamseon (Zen meditation), hiking to Dosolam and other programs to experience Buddhist culture while enjoying the camellia flower habitat and other genuine natural beauty of the surroundings.


Gangwon-do(Wonju-si)

At Wonju Hanji Theme Park, you can learn everything about hanji (traditional Korean paper) including its origin and history, through exhibitions, education and activity programs. The 1st floor of the theme park is the Hanji History Exhibition Hall, where you can get a glimpse of the past of hanji, such as how it was invented and spread, the history, origin and manufacturing process of hanji, and related artifacts. Visitors can imagine what the life of Korean ancestors was like and understand hanji better. Visitors can also appreciate the artistic value of quality works like the Jiseung Fan by Na Seo-hwan, the Manchu by Sobin, and the Jumchi Armor by the Hanji Development Institute, which are exhibited in the Hanji History Exhibition Hall. In particular, the Jumchi Armor was made with the jumchi technique, where hanji is layered on top of each other using water as an adhesive, resulting in thick paper with a grainy surface unlike ordinary hanji. Jumchi hanji is light but has a strong enough surface to be arrow-proof, and therefore it was often used for armory or winter outfits. The Hanji Media Hall presents hanji related movies, documentaries, etc., as well as the stories of hanji and the history of Wonju hanji. Planned exhibitions regarding hanji and other types of paper made home and aboard are held on the 2nd floor. Try hanji-related activity programs after looking around the exhibition halls. The theme park mainly offers two programs: a hanji-making program where visitors can actually make hanji; and a hanji-craft program to make several hanji-related items.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

The Chuncheon Museum was first opened in the exhibition room of the Children’s Center in Samcheon-dong in 1995 thanks to the efforts of the Chuncheon Fine Art Association to make Chuncheon a city of culture and arts. The museum offers local artists a venue to actively present their works, serving as a stimulant for expanding the popularity of culture and arts and enriching the lives of citizens. The Chuncheon Museum is a relaxing and easily accessible cultural space to enjoy art in the Chucheon area.