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.


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.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

In 2013, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea opened a new branch in Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu at the former site of the Defense Security Command. The announcement for the construction of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (MMCA Seoul) came out in 2009, and the architecture for the museum was selected through idea proposals and an architectural design competition in 2010. What makes the Seoul branch different from the others is that it introduced Korea’s traditional architectural concept of ‘madang’, which is a spacious courtyard where people can come in and gather together to socialize. MMCA Seoul's building is also designed to harmonize with the surrounding nature around the city.Equipped with facilities including a reference center, a project gallery theater and a multipurpose hall, MMCA Seoul strives to accommodate every mode of new artistic endeavor and to communicate with the public. The site is where Korea’s historical and political developments were achieved. Most of the old buildings are gone but a few still remains to remind people of its significant role.MMCA Seoul was inaugurated on November 12, 2013


Seoul(Mapo-gu)

Near Mapo-gu, Mangwon Hangang Park is situated on the northern part of the river, between Wonhyodaegyo Bridge and Seongsandaegyo Bridge. It offers lush grass perfect for picnics and promenades. Since it’s located close to the World Cup Stadium, this spacious park is often full of residents and visitors. There is a wide array of excellent amenities: a bike trail, an outdoor swimming pool, sports facilities, and a dock for water sports such as yachting, waterskiing, and motor boating. Cultural attractions near the park include Mangwon Pavilion and Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine. 


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

The Seosomun Gate area, which is located outside Seomun Gate, is regarded as a sacred place for many Korean Catholics. During the 19th century, the church suffered persecution for introducing Catholicism in the country. A series of persecutions followed over the years, notably the Sinyu Persecution in 1801 and the Byeongbin Persecution in 1866. The memorial tower in the center of the park is for the 44 martyrs who died for their Catholic faith during the persecution. It was originally established in December 1984 and rebuilt on May 15, 1999. The tower consists of three granite pillars: the middle one is 15 meters high while the two pillars on both sides are each 13 meters high.


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.


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.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu)

AmorePacific, a Korean brand, initially gained popularity in New York since its opening of AMORE Beauty Gallery & Spa in Soho, New York. The AMORE Spa is a popular spa and treatment center frequented by many international celebrities. The AMORE Spa Seoul branch, opened in April 2005, offers approximately 30 different kinds of programs. One of the most popular spa programs is Spa Therapy, which uses a diverse range of natural therapy materials including lotus flower, ginger and bamboo. Another popular program is the Halla Green Tea program, which uses green tea leaves grown in Jeju's Hallasan Mountain. Other programs include Gold & Silver Energy Healing therapy, Mystic Bamboo Forest, facial therapies, body slimming and massages.


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.


Busan(Haeundae-gu) , Haeundae

The Busan Aquarium takes visitors into the exciting world of life under the sea. The aquarium covers an area of 36,000 ㎡ and is spread over 3 underground levels and one above-ground level with different sections divided into special themes. The underwater tunnel experience resembles a walk along the ocean floor with various sea creatures swimming above, serving as a popular attraction within the aquarium. The aquarium is home to over 250 different species of fish, algae, reptiles, and amphibians, including large sharks, turtles, seahorses, and more, for total of over 10,000 sea creatures.