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.


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 Templestay Information Center is located across the street from Jogyesa Temple, and can easily be accessed from Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line3) or from Insa-dong Cultural Street. The center is a five-story cultural complex that houses the main Templestay offices, an information center, education center, a traditional temple restaurant called “Balwoo Gongyang”, the Lotus Cafe, and a Buddhist bookstore on the basement floor. The Templestay Information Center on the first floor handles all general information concerning Templestay programs. Here one can pick up pamphlets and other brochures about the programs, as well as get answers to questions. The Education Center on the third floor has facilities for both seated programs and open rooms for other activities. The fifth floor houses a restaurant called “Balwoo Gongyang”, specializing in traditional temple food, where one can taste the carefully prepared dishes, handmade by Buddhist practitioners.


Busan(Seo-gu)

Located a mere 3km from downtown Busan, Songdo Beach is a popular escape for the area’s city dwellers each summer. Opened in 1913 as Korea’s first official beach, the beach was named “Songdo” (meaning “Pine Island”) in reference to its bordering groves of pine trees. The beach began to gain popularity in the 1960s for its graceful coastlines, but was damaged by frequent hurricanes and subsequent sand loss. Starting in 2000, the beach underwent a comprehensive 5-year reconstruction and reopened with restored and expanded coastlines and the addition of several fountains. Songdo Beach is particularly beloved for its romantic summer night view and as host of the popular Busan Sea Festival and spirited Hyeonin Singing Festival. Nearby attractions include Busan’s famed Jagalchi Seafood Market and Amnam Park.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

The Mungyeongsaejae KBS Drama Studio was built by the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) in 2000 in Yongsagol to film a historical drama about the Goryeo Period. The spacious studio (65,755m2) consisted of two large palaces, 42 tile-roofed houses, 40 thatched houses, and 13 additional buildings. It is the world’s largest historical drama film set.The studio was built in Mungyeongsaejae because its mountains (Joryeongsan and Juheulsan) resemble Songaksan in Gaeseong (the capital of the Goryeo Period) and the area is filled with numerous traditional roads. Major dramas and films shot at the studio include Taejo Wang Geon, the Dawn of the Empire, the Age of Warriors, Dae Jo Yeong, Scandal, and Romantic Assassin.In 2008 the studio was expanded and now covers 70,000m2 and has over 130 buildings representing structures from the Joseon Period, including palaces, houses lived in by the nobles, tile-roofed houses, and thatched houses.


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.


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.


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.


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.


Daegu(Jung-gu)

The Daegu Gyesan Catholic Church was built by Priest Robert, A.P. (1853-1922), who came to Daegu for missionary work. In 1899, the church building was constructed with wood using a Korean-style design, but was destroyed by fire a few months after construction began. Priest Robert created a new building design and imported stained glass and galvanized iron from France and Hong Kong, since these types of building materials were hard to find in Korea. Construction was finally completed in 1902, three years after the project was first started.The Catholic Church is the only remaining structure in Daegu from the early 1900s. The church is Latin cross-shaped with a nave and transepts on both sides. Such formations are seen both inside and outside the building. This predominantly Romanesque church also features some Gothic architectural elements such as stained-glass windows and pinnacles.Daegu Gyesan Catholic Church played a pivotal role in promoting Catholicism in the Yeongnam area. In 1911, it was separated from the Joseon Catholic parish and became the main Catholic parish in Daegu area, naming Priest Robert as the first chief priest. Statues commemorating the priest stand in the rectory and a memorial hall named ‘Gwandeokjeong’ holds the remains of 65 Catholic martyrs.