Daegu(Dalseong-gun)

Dongdo Confucian Academy is located in Dongdo-ri, Guji-myeon, Dalseong-gun and is one of the five major Confucian schools in Korea along with Byeongsanseowon, Oksanseowon, Sosuseowon and Dosanseowon Confucian Academies.The school was first established by Confucian scholars in 1568 at the eastern base of Biseulsan Mt., but was burnt down during the Japanese Invasion in 1592. In 1605, the school was reconstructed on its current site and was re-named ‘Borodong.’ In 1607, the name was changed to ‘Dongdo.’ ‘Dongdo’ means that the teachings (Do) of Sung Confucianism come from the East (Dong).Dongdoseowongandangsadangbujangwon, National Treasure No. 350, is part of the school and was designated Cultural Site No. 488 on Oct. 10th 2007. This unusually long name refers to the classroom, shrine, and walls of the Confuncian Academy in Dongdo.Must-see features of the school are the earthen wall, a hall named ‘Jungjeongdang,’ the Suwollu Pavilion and the 400-year-old ginkgo trees. The earthen wall has beautiful patterns in the shape of birds engraved in it and is the only earthen wall in the nation to be designated a national treasure.If you continue past the ginkgo trees outside you’ll see the Suwollu Pavilion. The picturesque view from the pavilion is breath-taking.At Jungjeongdang, there is a sculpture with four dragon heads, each holding either cintamani (a bead) or a fish in its mouth. This sculpture, which is called 'Samuljam,' symbolizes the teaching of Confucius telling us not to speak, act, or even listen if it’s not done in the right way.Dongdoseowon Confucian Academy contains the ancestral tablets of Kim Geong-pil and Hangang Jeong Gu. The school holds ancestral ceremonies on the day of Jungjeong every February and August.


Incheon(Dong-gu)

Baedari Secondhand Bookstore Alley is located in the boundary between Geumgok-dong and Changyeong-dong in Dong-gu, Incheon. Prior to the establishment of Gyeonginseon railroad, this alley was Incheon’s representative road to Seoul, referred to as Ugakli Street. During the 60s and 70s when living was difficult and everything was hard to get hands on, it was the only secondhand bookstore alley in the Incheon area where people can quench their thirst for learning. Known as the Baedari Bookstore Alley, there are about 10 bookstores altogether within the area that sell secondhand books and new books. Countless books in wide range of topics from ancient Korean literature, arts, music, medicine, children’s books, dictionaries and more fill up the small but charming bookstores. Artworks that depict the old lifestyles of residents at Baedari decorate the alley walls, offering more to see to the visitors.


Incheon(Jung-gu) , Incheon Center

Nestled in Mt. Eungbongsan in Incheon Metropolitan City, Jayu Park was first called Manguk Park and then Seo Park as the Japanese power became stronger. During the colonial rule of Japan, there was another park called Dong Park (East Park), which was created and used as a shrine by the Japanese.  Jayu Park, or park of Freedom, has held its name ever since October 3, 1957 when a statue of General McArthur, who led the Incheon Amphibious Landing Operation during the Korean War, was erected at the summit of Mt. Eungbongsan. The park offers spectacular views of downtown Incheon and its surrounding mountains, the port, and the sea. Telephone  +82-32-760-7597 Closed  N/A (Open all year round) Parking Facilities  Available (Public Parking Lot) Restrooms  Available Facilities for the Handicapped  Parking spaces, restrooms, wheelchair ramp Baby Stroller Rentals  Not available Pets  Permitted


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.


Busan(Dong-gu)

Ever since its opening on Oct. 10, 1973, the Busan Citizens’ Hall has stood as a symbol of the international port city of Busan, offering an open cultural space for citizens. In 2001 the hall was modernized and expanded, reopening on July 5, 2002. The hall consists of large and small theaters and an exhibition hall. The large theater seats up to 1,832 people and is equipped with an orchestra pit and revolving stage, perfect for performance of various genres (concerts, operas, musicals, etc.). The small theater, with a total of 335 seats, provides an intimate atmosphere for modest performances. Other facilities at the hall include a banquet hall, outdoor stage, practice room, make-up room, and more. Busan Citizens’ Hall serves as a venue for concerts, performances, and public events of Busan City.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Cheongdo-gun)

The Gam Wine Tunnel opened its doors in 2006 in Songgeum-ri, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do and is the world’s FIRST persimmon wine cellar! The Wine Tunnel is the perfect place for aging persimmon wine, which is made by the process of fermenting seedless persimmons, a local specialty of Cheongdo. The tunnel has become increasingly popular due to its scenic location, elegant inside atmosphere, and its beautiful surrounding orchards. At the tunnel, group tourists can participate in a number of programs such as making their own wine or picking persimmons. For the individual traveler, there are exhibitions, wine sampling, a café, and a wine market. The tunnel, located in the middle of a mountain, stays at a temperature of 15 Celsius with 60~70% humidity all year round, making it a naturally refreshing place to visit during the summer. The tunnel was originally called “Namseonghyeon Tunnel” and was built back in 1898 during the Joseon Dynasty. The wine cellar as we know it today was created a hundred years ago when persimmon growers put red bricks on the ceiling of the tunnel and reinforced the tunnel walls with natural stone, turning the railroad tunnel into a great wine cellar and unique tourist attraction!      


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

The Savina Museum provides visitors will fresh and exciting pieces that reflect the diverse and dynamic aspects of Korean modern art. Museum organizers actively focus on developing the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, publications, and art collections, continually working to transform the museum into a living, breathing center of the arts. The museum not only supports the development of artists from a more traditional list of fields like painting, sculpture, photography and media arts, but also introduces exhibits highlighting new trends in the art world.


Daegu(Dong-gu)

Otgol Village was named for its concave topographical features, as three sides (except for the southern side) are surrounded by a mountain. Others believe that the name derives from the groves of lacquer trees (locally called otnamu) in the nearby mountains and fields. Otgol is the clan village of the Gyeongju Choi family, who settled with the arrival of Choi Dong-jip, a scholar in the mid-Joseon era who came and established himself in the area.Otgol Village has a beautiful earthen wall and stone wall spanning about 2.5 kilometers. A tree stands along the wall path: it was not cut down, but the wall was instead built low to accommodate the tree, showing the wisdom and the respect for nature of the people at the time. In the Baekbul Residence, the document bestowed by King Jeongjo to Baekburam Choi Heung-won in appreciation of his deeds remains. Various other relics are also preserved, including old books and identity tags that have been passed down over the generations in the head family, the Seonghaksipdo (The Ten Diagrams on Sage Learning) folding screen, and dishes used in religious services. Nearby is the forest of Oriental Arbovitae in Dalseong, which is the No. 1 Natural Monument of Korea, as well as the Bullo-dong Tumuli Park and Palgongsan Provincial Park.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Hahoe Mask Museum is located in Andong Hahoe Village, which is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Important Folklore Material No. 122. Hahoe Village is a representative traditional Korean folk town and is the home of the Hahoe Mask (National Treasure No. 121) and the Byeolsin Gut Mask Dance (Important Intangible Cultural Properties No. 69). The museum not only displays Hahoe masks, but also other traditional masks from all over the world. The museum consists of a 1-story main building, a two-story annex building, an outdoor event garden, and a research room. The research room houses a wide range of books, documents, and video-audio materials related to masks. At the museum, you’ll encounter time-honored Korean masks that have long since been used in a variety of traditional mask dances. Masks include Bongsan, Gangnyeong, and Eunnyul masks from Hwanghae-do province; Sandaenori masks (Yeongju Byeolsandae and Songpa Sandaenori) from Seoul; Yaryu (Dongrae Yaryu, and Suyeong Yaryu masks) and Ogwangdae (Goseong Ogwangdae, Gasan Ogwangdae, Tongyeong Ogwangdae masks) from the Yeongnam region; Hahoe masks from Andong; Yeonghae Byeolsin Gut masks; Yeonggwang Nongakjapsaek masks; Yecheon Cheongdan Noreum masks; the Gangneung Gwanno Mask of the Gangneung Dano Festival; the Deotboegi mask of Namsadang nori; and Cheoyong, Bangsangssi ceremonial masks.


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si) , Yongin

Dae Jang Geum Park in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do is the largest historical drama set in Korea and a hallyu themed park run by Munhwa Broadcasting Company (MBC). Located at 25, Yongcheon drama-gil, Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, the theme park was built on a 2,500,000㎡ site. Facilities in the themed park are semi-permanent facilities reflected the architectural style, lifestyle and culture of the past, based on historical records. The facilities are in great harmony with the surrounding natural landscapes, which makes tourists feel as if they have traveled to the past in a time machine. Popular dramas of MBC, such as "The Moon that Embraces the Sun (2012)," which made actor Kim Soo-hyun a super star, and "Gu Family Book (2013)" that starred Lee Seung-gi and Bae Suzy, were filmed at the Dae Jang Geum Park. "Dae Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace; 2004)," a mega-hit drama that was exported to around 100 countries, was first shot in Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, but later filmed at the Dae Jang Geum Park. In the park, you will be able to see buildings like Muryangsujeon Hall, Gyujanggak (Royal Library), Donggungjeon Palace (Crown Prince’s Palace), and Hyeminseo (Medical Institution) that appeared in the drama. You can also enjoy various things in 23 tour zones like Jeojatgeori (downtown), Pocheong (Police Bureau) & Oksa (a prison), Injeongjeon Hall, Bopyeongjeon Hall, Yeonmujang (practice ground), and more. Among them, Donggungjeon Palace was the main filming spot for the drama "Dong-Yi (2010)," and Yeonmujang is often used as a filming spot for various battle scenes. Injeongjeon Hall was used for shooting large-scale banquet scenes. For example, the coronation ceremony scene in the drama "Queen Seondeok (2009)" and the final battle scene in "The Moon that Embraces the Sun(2012)" where Hweon (Kim Su-hyun) and Yangmyeong (Jeong Il-woo) fought against traitors were all shot here. Injeongjeon Hall is a popular set for major scenes of many dramas. Dae Jang Geum Park is a well-known filming site for movies and commercials as well as MBC dramas. It also is used by foreign broadcasting networks including NHK to shoot historical scenes about Korea.