Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Located in the heart of Seoul, Changgyeonggung Palace was first built by the 4th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong (r.1418-1450), for his retiring father, King Taejong. It often served as residential quarters for queens and concubines. During the reign of King Seongjong (r.1469-1494), the palace was renovated and renamed to Changgyeonggung Palace. It later became a park with a zoo and a botanical garden during Japanese colonial rule. The palace was then relocated in 1983 and regained its old grace after years of restoration. Past the entrance of Changgyeonggung Palace, the Honghwa Gate, you will find Okcheongyo Bridge. All palaces of the Joseon Dynasty have ponds with an arch bridge over them, just like Okcheongyo Bridge. Cross Okcheongyo Bridge, pass the Myeongjeongmun Gate, and you will find Myeonjeongjeon. This is the office of the king, and Myeongjeongjeon is the oldest of the Joseon Dynasty palaces. The houses face southwards, but Myeongjeongjeon faces east. Because the ancestral shrine of the royal family is located to the south, the gate couldn't face the south, as is required by Confucian custom. There are stones with the status of the officials carved on the yard. Behind Myeongjeongjeon on the upper left side is Sungmundang. This building utilizes the slope of the mountain. If you look at Myeongjeongjeon and Munjeongjeon, the combination of the high and low roofs offers a beautiful view. Tongmyeongjeon was built for the queen. It is the biggest building in Changgyeonggung Palace, and you can recognize the delicate details of its structure in various parts of the building. Walk up the stones past Tongmyeongjeon and there you will find Jagyeongjeon. On the southeast direction of the Jagyeongjeon is the Punggidae. This Punggidae is a measuring instrument. It is a long pole with a cloth hung at the end used to check the speed and direction of the wind. If you head north there is a large pond called Chundangji. Half of the pond was originally a rice field that the king took care of. But during the Japanese occupation, the rice field was changed to a pond with little ships floating on it. And the botanic garden built above the pond still remains today.  


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.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

The main feature of Dongsoong Arts Center is that it accepts various cultural genres. Movies, plays, dances and traditional Korean music (Gukak) that are artistic and experimental are mainly held here. The main facilities are the Dongsoong Hall, the Studio Theater, Hypertheque NADA, etc. Dongsoong Hall is a performance theater where you can watch performances such as plays, dances, and concerts. Located on the B1 floor of the art center, it has a capacity of 450 people on the 1st and 2nd floor balcony. The Studio Theater is on the 5th floor. It boasts a stage set that can be easily changed to fit the performance features. There are 150 seats in the small theater. The most eye-catching facility at Dongsoong Art Center is the Hypertheque NADA, which is on the 1st floor. Its name means 'the theater of the audience.' Here you can spend the night watching various movies that are bizarre. In this theater you can find 147 names of celebrities on the seats. You'll be able to sit in a chair with a celebrity's name written on it. At the Hypertheque Character Shop you will find the 'NADA' character and various movie character products. After browsing around the shop, you can go to the cafe for tea and snacks. There you can relax in the tranquil space and cultural atmosphere of the art center.


Seoul(Yangcheon-gu) , The Western Part of the Seoul

The International Seon Center, operated by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, is a global templestay center where both local residents and foreign visitors alike can experience Korea’s Buddhist cultural practices. The seven-story building with three basement floors is equipped with various facilities including the Seon (Zen) practice hall, templestay hall, Great Dharma hall, and education and culture halls. The temple offers opportunities to experience traditional Korean Buddhist culture through such programs as Ganwha Seon (meditation classes), Templestay, Seon Culture Class, and temple food lectures. The regular Sunday ceremony provides a dharma talk both in Korean and English.


Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

Olympic Park is an expansive outdoor area for Seoul residents to enjoy and also offers facilities and venues for a range of events including athletic competitions, concerts and other performances. The park houses athletic facilities including the gymnasium of the ’88 Seoul Olympic Games, a fencing stadium, weightlifting stadium, swimming pool and tennis courts. Moreover, those venues are multi-purpose facilities that can host a wide range of events and performances. The park also holds sports classes in swimming, golf, badminton, basketball, gym, dance and others. There are also daily use gym facilities as well as a number of walking and jogging trails.


Seoul(Dongjak-gu)

Located inside Boramae Park, the Boramae Safety Experience Center operates an experience program focused on safety measures in the event of disaster. With a 'Safe Seoul' vision, the center teaches safety awareness and safety measures through simulation-based training in how to handle disasters, earthquakes, windstorms, fire and traffic accidents. The center also operates a program to learn about first aid such as CPR and the use of various safety facilities and equipment.At this safety experience center, visitors can also listen to real-life stores from fire officers and participate in the programs to learn more about safety. 


Seoul(Gwangjin-gu)

Sheraton Walker Hill Riverpark is a swimming pool using water comprised of alkali ingredients such as sodium and potassium from underground granite. Since it opened in 1994, the Riverpark is one Seoul's most popular summer getaways to enjoy swimming. Surrounded by Hangang River and Achasan Mountain, it provides fresh air as well as natural scenery. People can use any of the various facilities, including the main pool, lazy river, swimming pool for children, pool-side restaurant offering special summer lunch, and one of the 250 sun tanning beds.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Jeongbang Falls is among the top three waterfalls of Jeju-do and is the only waterfall in Asia to fall directly into the ocean. Next to the waterfall is an inscription reading “Seobulgwacha,” referring to Seobul passing by this place. Seobul was a servant of the Emperor of the Chinese Qin Dynasty (BC 259~210) who was ordered by the Emperor to find a substance that would make him immortal. Seogwipo is also said to have gotten its name from this story, meaning "Seobul Headed Back West."On the cliff high above the sea stands an old evergreen tree, leaning out as if ready to fall into the ocean. Approximately 300 meters to the east is another waterfall, Sojeongbang Waterfall. It is a great place to relax during the summer. There is an observatory at the top of the cliff, from which you can command a fine view of the sea.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Opened in 1992, Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery is a 17,791 sq. ft., two-story building with four exhibition halls. It is one of the main pavilions of Insa-dong, displaying diverse artwork ranging from Western and Korean paintings to sculptures. Due to the great interest in Korean paintings, 2~3 of the annual long-term exhibitions focus solely on them.


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

Background Information: The Chungdong Church, having being completed in 1898, is Korea’s first Protestant church. The church was 115 pyeongs when it was first built, but as they added some extra buildings to each wing in 1926, it now stands at 175 pyeongs.The Church has been declared the 256th greatest achievement, displaying a North American style Gothic architecture. Inside the church grounds stands a bust of the founder, Minister Appenzeller, and a 50th year commemoration memorial. In 1889, the church appeared in a monthly publication magazine called ‘Church’ as having Korea’s first summer Bible studies and also one of the leading churches who does missionary work. Chungdong Church is located in the center of the beautiful Chungdong Street, and is especially beautiful in autumn, when the leaves fall from the trees that line the street. Chungdong Theater, Deoksugung Palace, and Seoul Museum of Art are also in the vicinity, making it a great place for tourism.