Seoul(Dongdaemun-gu) , Dongdaemun

Hongneung Arboretum is a first generation arboretum in Korea. It was established in 1922 when experimental forests were built on Hongneung burial mound, which is the royal tomb of Queen Myeong-Seong. On the 780 square meters area southwest of Mt. Cheonjangsang, there are 9 gardens such as a garden of conifers, a garden of broadleaf trees and an ornamental garden, 3 botanical gardens with edible & medicinal plants garden, an aquatic garden and a wetland garden. There are 6 resting places as well.Hongneung Arboretum has beautiful scenery for every season. The garden of broadleaf trees behind the main building is the one that shows the change of season most dramatically. The hundreds of broadleaf trees appear their best in autumn. The arboretum is good for nature education walk because of the many nameplates offering information on the species and characteristics of each tree. There are also many things to see at the Forest Science Exhibition Hall which provides visitors with knowledge and information of the value of forests, forestry, and the forest industry. The building itself is an exhibition because the hall is made of Korean wood. Inside, there are three general exhibition rooms, a regular exhibit hall, a planning exhibit hall, and a special exhibit hall.You may look around from Garden 1 to Garden 9 in regular order or take the course from Garden 2, pass the Forest Science Exhibition Hall to the mountain ridge ending at Garden 1. Note that it takes approximately 3 hours to see everything, whichever course you may take.


Seoul(Gangdong-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site reproduces the lifestyle of the Neolithic Era (7000 B.C. ~ 1000 B.C.) Even the entrance gate shaped like a huge dolmen and the trashcans are ancient diagonal-line patterned earthenware. Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site was excavated in 1925 when a flood washed away the soil on the banks of the Hangang River and exposed a large number of diagonal-line patterned earthenware. After several excavations, the Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site was established.The site was a massive colony of primitives, thus many ancient buildings, stone axes and stone arrows have been uncovered as well as countless diagonal-line patterned earthenware. The housing site is round with a spot in the center for fire. The site is colossal and possesses nine mud huts, two exhibition halls displaying ancient artifacts and an open mud hut where you can experience life in the Neolithic Era. The site offers many attractions such as mud huts and promenades. Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site is also very educational for children and families who want to learn and experience the Neolithic Age.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Samcheongdong・The Northern Part of the Seoul

The ritual grounds of King Taejo and Muhakdaesa and the castle wall built on the outer skirts of Seoul, stretching from the Sajik Tunnel to Jahamun, can still be found on the grounds of Mt. Inwang. Many people enjoy hiking from path that begins at the Sajik Tunnel and leads to the peak of the mountain then walk along the castle wall and finally arrive at Buamdong. The hiking course is also connected to the road situated before Cheongwadae so hikers can walk to historical locations such as Palpan road, Hyoja road, and Gyeongbok Palace. The hiking path located behind Sajik Park leads to Hwanghakjeong, where archers from the Joseon Dynasty once honed their marksmanship. The Hwanghakjeong was originally located in the Gyeongbok Palace but was relocated to the mountain. From the top, a panoramic view of the surrounding area, with the Gyeongbok Palace in the center, spreads as far as Mt. Nak, Mt. Nam, and Mt. Baegaksan.The hiking route along the caste wall is popular for the beautiful scenery hikers enjoy while climbing the mountain. When following the path located inside the caste wall, a set of stone steps will appear after passing Changuimun. After climbing the steps the path branches out to the outer part of the walls. The path stretches for 200m and leads to a set of rocks that were once used for building castles during the regimes of King Taejo, Sejong, and Sukjong. The thick dark-colored moss on the stones is a sign that indicates the long history of Seoul. The path also leads to the Tangchundae Castle. The castle was built with the purpose of reinforcing the capital’s defenses after the Japanese invasion in 1952 and the Manchu war of 1636.Mt. Inwang stands at a x_height of 338.2m and the mountain covers Honghedong, located in Seodaemungu, and Muakdong, Nusangdong, Ogindong, and Buamdong, located in Jongnogu. The unique and colossal rock formations and the view of Seoul and Cheongwadae are only a few of the many charms of Mt. Inwang.


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(Jongno-gu) , Namdaemun・Seoul-Station

Cheongwadae Sarangchae is a space to learn about Korean culture and the history of former Korean presidents. The area is comprised of a planned exhibition hall where various special exhibitions are held, Korean culture exhibition hall, Korean food (hansik) promotion hall on the first floor and Cheongwadae Hall which introduces former Korean presidents and Haengboknuri Hall which presents the future vision of Korea on the second floor.


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

Jamsil Hangang Park is located on the southern side of the river between Jamsil Iron Bridge and Yeongdong Bridge. The park is adjacent to Jamsil Sports Complex, Lotte World, and Olympic Park, and there are a variety of sports & cultural facilities located in the park.The nature experience field created within the park is the perfect place for fieldtrips as well as family picnics.One of the biggest features of the Jamsil Hangang Park is the fishway in the Jamsil Water Reserve. Not only is it a great place to appreciate the beauty of the Hangang River, but it is also a place where visitors can learn more about nature through the diversity of eco-programs offered here. Near the fishway is a themed park equipped with wind vanes, walking paths, and underwater plant islets which serve as a resting place for fish. From ‘Riverview Bom’, a lookout café located on Jamsil Bridge, you may enjoy the fantastic night view of the Hangang River. 


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

The National Library of Korea is where numerous materials are collected and preserved. It currently holds approximately 4.3 million books and theses, of which roughly two-hundred thousand are collected annually. Art exhibitions are occasionally held in the exhibition room on the first floor. Surrounded by Seocho Park, the scenery outside is beautiful and the atmosphere is very relaxing. If you would like to have fun partaking in other activities, take a ten-minute walk to the Express Bus Terminal nearby. Central City is connected to both a shopping center and theater. You can also go to different provinces from the bus terminal. But it would be nice to visit the library and spend some time reading before going on a trip out of Seoul.At the National Library of Korea, classical concerts are held exclusively for the library users on the last Friday of each month, except in January and August. Anyone who comes to the library can attend the concert for free. The Euro-Asian Philharmonic Orchestra and the famous conductor Geum Nan-Sae perform for the audience. Do not miss this unique opportunity.


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

The Korean Embroidery Museum, which was founded in 1976, is privately funded by Heo Dong-Hwa, and is a place where you can view the artistry of women from the Joseon Period. Embroidery is a picture drawn on leather or cloth using needle and thread. Displayed in this museum are about 1000 works of embroidery by women from the Joseon Period (1392-1910). You can see Buddhist embroideries, cloth wrappers, various cloths, and pleated sheets featuring traditional Korean patterns and colors. Starting with the '500 Years of Traditional Korean Embroidery' exhibition at the National Museum of Korea, the Korean Embroidery Museum has had 20 different exhibitions in many prestigious museums in Japan, the U.S, and other countries, that have garnered much praise. It has been at the forefront of running exhibits outside the country and of letting the world learn about the beauty of traditional Korean embroidery. It also publishes books about traditional embroidering methods. The museum is highly recommended for all who want to experience the beauty of traditional Korean embroidery.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

After Korea gained independence from Japan in 1945, the former president Lee Seungman and his wife lived in their house called Ihwajang. Even though he moved out of the house after he was elected the first president of Korea, he used to return and visit for walks in the garden. After he relinquished his appointment as president, he stayed here for a while before coming to America as an exile.Ihwajang house consisted of the bonchae, or the main building, which was where Lee Seungman and his wife’s living quarters were, jogakdang(president’s office area) and other buildings. Jogakdang, the president’s office area, is a small and narrow building but it is an important historical place where he had a conference to form the first Korean ministry. Ihwajang house shows the change of Korean traditional house under Japanese control. 


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

The 63 Wax Museum is your chance to get up close and personal with some of your favorite stars and world figures (or at least extremely realistic-looking replicas of them)! The 63 Wax Museum (B3 of 63 City) is the first celebrity wax museum in Korea and is a moderately-sized facility with 70 figures categorized into 11 sections.In the Hall of Fame, visitors can meet former Korean leaders such as Gimgu, Park Jeong Hee, and Kim Dae Jung. Wax figures of Einstein, Gandhi, and Beethoven can be seen in the Historical Figures section and David Beckham and Tiger Woods are among the famous figures in the Sports Star section. The museum also offers unique sections such as the Scary Gallery, Animation Zone, and more.