Gwangju(Dong-gu)

Located on the western foothills of Mudeungsan Mountain, Jeungsimsa Temple is a representative temple of Gwangju. First founded by Buddhist monk Cheolgamseonsa Do Yun in 517 (Silla Kingdom), the temple was remodeled by Buddhist monk Hyesoguksa in 1094 (Goryeo Dynasty) and again by Kim Bang in 1443 (Joseon Dynasty). The temple was burned down during the Imjin Waeran War (Japanese Invasion, 1592-1598) and was reconstructed in 1609 by three Buddhist monks: Seokgyeong, Sujang, and Dogwang. It underwent several additional restorations before being destroyed again by fire during the Korean War (1950-1953). Most of the existing buildings, including Daeungjeon (main temple building), were rebuilt in the 1970s.Jeungsimsa Temple is home to a large number of valuable cultural assets: Obaekjeon (hall of 500 Arhats); Cheoljo Birojanabul Jwasang (seated metal Buddha statue, Treasure No. 131) enshrined in Birojeon (Saseongjeon) Hall; a three-story stone pagoda from the latter Silla Kingdom (Gwangju Tangible Cultural Property No. 1); Beomjonggak Pavilion; Beomja Seven-story Stone Pagoda engraved with Beomja (ancient Sanskrit); and more.


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.


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

63 SeaWorld features 20,000 marine creatures of 400 different species. Coral reefs, penguins, seals, dolphins, 2-meter-long crabs, and more are exhibited in 54 aquariums and 26 special aquariums. One of the highlights of the collection is its Coelacanth fish (pronounced "see-la-kanth"), a prehistoric fish once thought to be extinct. Coelacanth originated 350 million years ago, and their mysterious existence today as a “living fossil” continues to fascinate scientists.In the exhibition halls, located throughout two basement floors, you can watch a synchronized swimming show featuring former national synchronized swimmers moving among beautiful fish and sharks. Also waiting to delight visitors are a ‘Dr. Fish’ foot massage and some amphibians and reptiles, including lizards and anacondas. Throughout the day are a variety of shows including a seal show, a fur seals show, a sea princess show, and a penguin feeding show. Check out the show times so you don’t miss an interesting show.


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

Woljeongri Beach is known for its scenery, tranquil white sand and beautiful emerald ocean. Near the beach, a stretch of cozy and beautiful cafes aligned the streets. In additiona, a drive along the beach will be great to appreciate the exotic landscapes of Jeju-do island.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

Jeongdong Observatory is located on the 13th floor of Seoul City Hall Seosomun building. With a cafe inside the observatory, visitors can enjoy a drink while gazing upon the magnificent view of Deoksugung Palace. In addition, the walls of the cafe are decorated with photos of old Jeongdong for visitors' appreciation.


Incheon(Yeonsu-gu) , Incheon Center

Incheon Metropolitan City Museum opened in April 1946 and been serving as a cultural space for Incheon citizens ever since. With a 60 year history, the museum has been hosted many exhibitions, musical performances and other cultural and social events for the public.The museum underwent a major transformation and had a reopening on July 10, 2006 adding more spacious exhibition halls and facilities like a library and cafeteria.Close to Incheon Palmido Island, the museum allows visitors to learn the history of Incheon, which played a significant role in protecting the Korean peninsula from many invasions in the past, as well as enjoy the breathtaking ocean view.Incheon Metropolitan City Museum is dedicated to research and regional preservation programs founded within the region’s site, and offers many ancient artifact exhibitions hard to find elsewhere.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

Marronnier Park has at its center a symbolic marronnier (horse chestnut) tree, and all kinds of outdoor cultural event centers, sculpture exhibitions, and art centers are congregated in the area. The area began to develop in 1975 when Seoul National University was relocated away from here, and some 50 small theaters and 500 cafes concentrated in the area making this place a greatly beloved meeting and relaxation place for young and old alike. The park gets especially busy on the weekends when crowds gather to share cultural events. Bands and singers, as well as dance groups and comedians gather here and give on-the-spot performances. Fortunetellers and street artists also sit here and tell your fortunes or draw portraits of you. The park has many trees and benches to sit and relax on, making it an ideal place for relaxation and leisurely walks.Marronnier Park is a part of Daehangno, the famous street known as the ‘mecca of plays’. Beside plays, there are many cultural performances here, and interesting restaurants and cafes that make this place a favorite hangout destination for many young people.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

King Sejong, the 4th king of the Joseon Dynasty (1397-1450, reigning from 1418-1450) was responsible for some of the most brilliant achievements in the history of Korea, including the creation of Hangeul (Korean alphabet) and great advancements in the areas of science, culture, art and politics. The passage behind the Statue of King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Square is home to The Story of King Sejong Exhibition Hall, which describes some of the king’s most astounding contributions to the development of Korea as a nation.The Story of King Sejong Exhibition Hall comprises of 9 different sections with a total area of 3,200㎡. Throughout the museum are a variety of displays detailing Sejong’s invention of Hangeul, and his scientific, artistic, military, and political contributions (including the theory of Minbon, which recognized the people as the base of politics).*General InformationFor the convenience and entertainment of visitors, the museum also has a special exhibition room, the King Sejong Multimedia Room, books, a souvenir shop, and a lounge.The Exhibition Hall’s relatively new ‘Cia-Cia Hangeul Story Hall’ (opened in Feb. 12, 2010) gives visitors an even better chance to see the far-reaching effects of Sejong’s efforts. The Cia-Cia tribe in Indonesia, in lieu of having its own writing system, adopted Hangeul as their official written language.The Story of King Sejong Exhibition Hall is linked to the KT building on the left and the Sejong Center for Performing Arts on the right through an easily-accessible underground passageway.The museum is open every day (except Mondays) from 10:30am to 10:30pm. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Since its inception in 2009, the annual Seoul Lantern Festival has managed to put on remarkable displays of lanterns on the famous Cheonggyecheon Stream in downtown Seoul. During the festival period, hundreds of lanterns, each with a unique design and story, will be lit on Cheonggyecheon Stream. Visitors can expect to see lanterns made by international artists, as well as local citizens.


Busan(Yeongdo-gu)

Yeongdodaegyo Bridge connects Jung-gu and Yeongdo-gu districts in Busan. Constructed in November 1934, it is the first island-land connecting bridge and the only single-leaf bascule bridge in Korea. The bridge lifts up on one side to make way for large vessels.