Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , The Eastern Part of the Jeju Island

Haenyeo refers to female divers who dive into the ocean water to gather various shellfish, seaweed, etc, without using any underwater diving equipment. When diving underwater, a haenyeo carries only a pair of goggles, a round ball-like tube to keep her balance, and a basket to put her collections in. Such women involved in the fishing industry are known to be scattered all around Jeju-do, Korea, Japan, and Russia. Jeju-do has established the Jeju Haenyeo Museum to introduce to the world the unique activities and culture of Jejudo’s haenyeo female divers. Exhibition Hall 1 is entitled “Haenyeo Diver’s Life” and has a restoration of a traditional haenyeo’s home, and her meals. Also on display, to show a more realistic view into their daily lives, are the various utensils used by female divers. Exhibition Hall 2 displays a pair of haenyeo divers’ goggles and the fishing spheres they often use underwater. Her traditional working outfit is also on display along with various historical records and haenyeo-related materials. Exhibition Hall 3 has an underwater theme called “The Sea” and displays the fishing industry’s culture. Traditional fishnets and fishing equipment are on display including small ship models and salt farm models. The Jeju Haenyeo Museum exhibits various photos of haenyeo female divers and their activities, to provide an accurate picture of their lives. The Jeju Haenyeo Museum also has an observatory from where visitors can see an excellent view of the Hado-ri area, which has a garden with various sculptures and a resting area. The first floor lobby has a souvenir shop where visitors can purchase a variety of souvenirs related to haenyeo female divers.  


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Baekje Cultural Land, built over a period of 17 years, is nestled in Gyuam-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, providing a home to Baekje’s Cultural Heritages. The complex was used as a filming site for “Running Man”, in the episode starring Jeong Wooseong and Han Hyoju.The site is spread out over 3,276,000 square meters, filled with the trace of Baekje Culture. Sabigung Palace reproduces the scenery of a royal palace during the Three Kingdoms period, and Neungsa Temple, a royal temple representative of Baekje, has been recreated according to the real size at the historic site in Neungsan-ri, Buyeo-eup. The Five-story Stone Pagoda, prominently seen after passing through Daetongmun Gate and Wiryeseong Fortress during Hanseong Baekje Era, gives a different aspect of Sabigung Palace. To enjoy the entire view of the complex at once, get on the Jehyangnu ferry.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

You can see Sokcho Beach (450m long, 45-80m wide, average depth 1m) after about a 500m walk from Sokcho Express Bus Terminal. The view of its clear water, white sand and the pine forest is beautiful, and the nearby bus terminal makes transportation very convenient. It is also close to Seorak Mountain, and many hikers come by here as they go through Daecheongbong to Seorak-dong from the inner Seorak area. The white sand beach is 2km long, extending through Cheongho-dong, Joyang-dong, and Daepo-dong. The area open to the public is 0.45 km long and 75m wide, making it about 9,000 pyeong. More and more visitors are flocking to the area because of the superb quality of the sand.Sokcho beach plays an important role in displaying Sokcho-si as a great tourist area along with Seorak Mountain, Cheoksan Hot Springs, Cheongchoho, and Yeongrangho etc. On the bulwark, to the left of the beach, there are many places where you can enjoy hwaleo hoe (fresh sashimi). You can also enjoy sea fishing by taking a boat to Jo Island in the open-sea area by the beach.


Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

Mireuksa was the largest Buddhist temple of the ancient Baekje Kingdom (18 BC-660 AD). According to Samgukyusa (historical records published in 1281), King Mu (30th king of Baekje, in power 600-641 AD) and his wife Queen Seonhwa were said to have seen a vision of Mireuksamjon (the three Sanskrit) emerging from a large pond. At the time of their revelation, the king and queen were on their way to visit a Buddhist monk in Sajasa Temple on Yonghwasan Mountain (now known as Mireuksan Mountain). In response to their vision, the king drained the nearby pond and established Mireuksa Temple. The temple is believed to have shown the most advanced architectural and cultural skills of Baekje, Silla, and Goguryeo (the three main kingdoms at that time). Records indicate that King Jinpyeong of Silla even sent his craftsmen over to assist with the temple construction.The two main features of the Mireuksa Temple Site are the stone pagoda (Mireuksaji Seoktap) and the flagpole supports (Mireuksaji Dangganjiju). The 14.24-meter-high west stone pagoda (National Treasure No. 11) is the oldest and largest Korean stone pagoda in existence. The west pagoda currently has only six tiers, but is estimated to have originally had nine. The nine-story east stone pagoda (27.67m in x_height) was restored to its original stature in 1993 based on historical records. Other surviving landmarks include the flagpole supports (Treasure No. 236) to the south of the stone pagodas. The 395 centimeter-tall poles are estimated to have been created during the Unified Silla period (676-935 AD) and are set 90 meters apart from east to west.


Seoul(Gwangjin-gu)

Dong Seoul Bus Terminal is located at Gangbyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 2). Buses running to every corner of Korea including Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Gyeongsang, Chungcheong and Jeolla regions depart from this bus station. Bus reservations may be made through the official website or mobile application available, and tickets can also be purchased at the ticket window upon arrival at the bus station. *Online ticket reservations may  be applicable to Koreans or foreigners residing in Korea only


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

Established by Korea International Trade Association and COEX, COEX Artium is a spacious muscial performance hall with over 800 seats. High quality and diverse musical or theatrical performances are held year-round to satisfy both Korean and international visitors. Foreign language services (English, Japanese, and Chinese) are also available. It has the Trade Promotion Exhibition Hall. Near COEX Artium are many performance halls such as COEX Art Hall (184 seats), Auditorium (1058 seats), Convention Hall (7,000 seats), ang Grand Conference Room (450 seats), making the COEX area a main place for cultural and musical performances in Seoul. Visitors may want to visit the COEX website (www.coex.co.kr) to find out information on various performances.


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Seoul(Dongjak-gu)

Opened in 1927 on Uiju Boulevard, Noryangjin is one of Korea's largest seafood markets. The vibrant, abundant year-round market is connected to Noryangjin Station by a bridge. Over 830 seafood items are available for wholesale and retail purchases. Main items include clams, shrimp, blue crabs, octopuses, sea cucumbers, halibuts, and snappers. Visitors can purchase fresh seafood and get it sliced into sashimi at one of the restaurants in the market. Or, they can enjoy maeuntang (spicy fish stew), sushi, roasted fish, and fried food there. Opening around three a.m. every day, the market offers an authentic marketplace feel with bustling patrons and fish sellers calling out the day's catch.  


Incheon(Jung-gu) , Incheon Center

Silmi Beach, also known as Keunmuri Beach, is located on Muuido Island. The clean, sandy beach stretches out beautifully against the backdrop of a lush pine tree forest so dense that it does not let daylight in, even at midday. Facing the beach is Silmido Island, the location for the filming of ‘Silmido’ (2003), a Korean movie based on the tragic story of Korean Special Ops Unit 684. The film set, however, was demolished after the shooting. The pathway to the island, which has no residents, can be shown during low tide. Therefore, visitors should be aware of the tidal times to know when they can cross back to the mainland.


Gwangju(Buk-gu)

Gwangju National Museum collects and preserves cultural relics from Jeollanam-do. The exhibits are grouped in seven categories according to period and type. The Prehistoric Hall displays stone age tools from the Paleolithic Era, Neolithic Era, and Bronze Ages, as well as other relics from the early Iron Age. Samguk Hall displays many earthenware and ironware items from the Great Onggwan in the Jeolla-do area.The Buddhist Art Hall exhibits cultural Items related to the religion, the Painting Hall exhibits works of artists of the Honam district from the Joseon and modern periods. Jeolla-do is also considered the birthplace of Korean Pottery. The Goryeo Pottery Exhibit Hall showcases the transition from the Cheongja of the Goryeo Period to the Joseon Period's Buncheongsagi and Baekja. It is possible to witness the entire pottery-making process at once. Pottery items are also on display at Joseon Buncheongsagi Baekja Hall.The Shinan Ocean Floor Relic Hall is a unique exhibit hall with items on display from a trade ship submerged for 600 years in the Shinan Sea. The items were excavated during 11 operations that took place from 1976 to 1984. Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month, and the museum is closed on Mondays. 


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

Chaum is a premier wellness, longevity, and aesthetic medical facility offering a combination of oriental medicine, western medicine, and alternative medicine as well as traditional treatment techniques such as medical spa, exercise, and food therapy programs. Instead of rushing people off to the doctor’s office for minor discomforts, Chaum seeks to treat clients naturally while they are in what they call the ‘Gray Zone.’ The Gray Zone is the state between sickness and health; by treating illness while clients are in the Gray Zone, Chaum seeks to help clients achieve a healthy body condition more naturally.Chaum offers high-end health programs consisting of a professional medical check-up and personalized therapy programs, which help customers maintain a healthy physical state.