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

Gyujanggak was founded in 1776 during the reign of King Jeongjo, the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, at which time it was located on the palace grounds of Changdeokgung. It functioned as the royal library, which housed writings by the previous kings, their relics and books from home and abroad.Today Seoul National University maintains the items of Gyujanggak in a Korean traditional house, Hanok, which is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities necessary for preservation of cultural heritages. Moreover, Gyujanggak Library of Seoul National University collects or publishes books from a variety of sectors such as politics, economy and society.Gyujanggak now houses more than 280,000 items including 7 national treasures, 8 treasures, 180,000-plus old books, about 50,000 documents and 18,000 Chaekpan (printing blocks). Among them, Joseon Wangjo Sillok (the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, National Treasure No. 151), Seungjeongwon Ilgi (the Diaries of the Royal Secretariat, National Treasure No. 303) and Uigwe (the Royal Protocols of the Joseon Dynasty) have been designated as UNESCO World Cultural Heritages. The exhibition hall in Gyujanggak is open to the public.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

With a 5-star hotel, high-rise condominium buildings, ski-slopes, and top-class golf courses, the mountain peak recreational complex of Phoenix Park provides various recreational and amusement facilities for a great vacation. The resort is located approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes from Seoul in Pyeongchang, a county in Gangwon province. Pyeongchang is a major winter sports region in Korea and it has been declared as the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Phoenix Park has become one of Korea’s most famous resort complexes since its appearance in the extremely popular drama ‘Winter Sonata’. The resort has a total of seventeen slopes, four of which are approved by the FIS (International Ski Federation), and has superb snow quality. Particularly popular is the ‘Panorama Slope’, which is at an impressive 2.2km length and has an average x_width of 46meters. Eight ski lifts, state-of-the-art gondolas, and six conveyer belts transport visitors around the park quickly and efficiently. Phoenix Park has many excellent accommodation options, including the main condo (famous for its unique design), the Euro Villa Condo (which was the filming location for Winter Sonata), a youth hostel, and a luxury hotel. In addition, the outdoor swimming pool, 18-hole members only golf club, and the 9-hole public golf club mean that visitors can have fun at Phoenix Park all year round! Phoenix Park Ski Resort is an environmentally friendly resort, created with the minimum possible disruption to surrounding nature. For more information on the Phoenix Park Ski Resort and subsidiary facilities, please visit the homepage or call the ski resort helpline.    


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

Janganmun Gate is the northern gate of Hwaseong Fortress and also serves as the main entrance. "Jangan" means capital, and Hwaseong Fortress carries the meaning of being a secondary capital. Janganmun Gate is considered the main gate because this is the direction that the king would come from when arriving from Hanyang, the capital city, now modern-day Seoul. It is interesting to note that this gate is larger than Sungryemun Gate in Seoul.


Gwangju(Seo-gu)

Gwangju World Cup Stadium is a major symbol of Gwangju. Designed to reflect the notion of ‘spreading far and wide’ the exterior is shaped like spokes of a wheel. When lit up, the stadium looks like a glowing dome. The ceiling and large ‘Y’-shaped pillars resemble a ‘Go,’ an instrument used in a traditional game from Gwangju, Gossaumnori. It is with design touches such as these that architects of the stadium have sought to capture and reflect traditional aspects of the Gwangju area.


Seoul(Dongdaemun-gu)

King Sejong The Great Memorial Hall was established in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, on November 1970 in memory of King Sejong and his saintly virtues and great achievements. Officially opened to the public in October 1973, the memorial hall is a modern structure housing an exhibition area, auditorium, laboratory, and a reference room. The exhibition area is further divided into the Hangeul Room, Science Room, Traditional Music Room, King Sejong Art Room, and an outdoor exhibition space.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)

Eight areas designated as the most beautiful sceneries in Danyang, are Haseonam, Jungseonam, Sangseonam, Sainam, Gudambong, Oksunbong, Dodamsambong, and Seokmun. These areas were visited many times by numerous scholars during the Joseon Period (1392-1910), and contain many historically and culturally important relics. There are Giamgwiseok on Mt. Sobaeksan, Mt. Geumsusan, and Mt. Doraksan and clear water flows through numerous falls in the valleys.The most famous of the eight is Dodamsambong Peak. Three Rocks create a large “S” figure as it stands tall in the middle of Namhangang River. This is the only place in the world where you can see such three longest rocks protrude in the middle of a river. The following legend still lives through to this day; among the three rocks, the big rock is called Nampyeonbong, Janggunbong the rock on the right side is called Cheobong (or Adeulbong), and the rock on the left is called Cheopbong (or Ddalbong). According to the legend there lived a couple who loved each other, but had no child. They found a mistress because they wanted to have a baby, but once she had the baby, she began to mistreat and taunt the wife. The heavens saw them, and turned all of them into stones. The way the rocks stand next to one another is very interesting.If you go to the opposite side of Dodamsambong, there is a small pavilion called lhoyangjeong. It was built to comfort the locals who lost their homes due to the flooding caused by Chungju Dam. When you look down from the pavilion, you can take in the entire Dodamsambong at once. If you walk in opposite direction from lhayangjeong Pavilion, a stone gate appears. As there is a big hole in the middle of the large stone, you would think it is artificial, but it is a natural rock. The other eight views should not be missed while you visit here.


Daegu(Dalseong-gun)

Spa Valley first opened in 2003 and the citizens of Daegu City have been enjoying its hot springs and sauna facilities ever since.The 1st floor of Spa Valley holds a health club, souvenir shop, and various stores, while the 2nd floor has a variety of hot spring pools and a jjimjilbang. The hot spring pools include a bath pool that is said to be good for your health and a kids’ pool for the children, while the jjimjilbang facilities include the UK-Ball Jjimjilbang, proven to be beneficial for skincare and blood circulation, and a jjimjilbang cave.The 4th floor provides a large hot springs spa where visitors can enjoy various themed saunas and hot springs. The outdoor water park offers a wave pool, youth pool, waterslide, a water polo pool, diving pool, and more.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Just south of Gyeongpo Beach is Chodang Sundubu Village, which is famous for sundubu (watery tofu). Along Gangneung's most famous food street the beans are ground for Chodang sundubu, then through several steps, salt water from the East Sea is used in the congealing process resulting in a soft and light tofu. The name of this village, Chodang, originates from the name of a famous family that once lived here known as Chodang-Heoyeop. Heoyeop was the father of son, writer/poet Heo-gyun [1569~1618] and daughter, poet Heonan-seolheon [1563~1589]. A traditional-style Korean house has been reconstructed on the site where the original house of Heo-gyun and Heonan-seolheon once stood.


Jeollabuk-do(Jinan-gun)

Tapsa Temple is located 1.9km away from the southern parking lot of Maisan Mountain in Dongchon-ri, Maryeong-myeon, Jinan-gun, Jeollanam-do. Tapsa Temple is famous for the over 80 stone pagodas built by Lee Gapyong, a retired scholar. Those stone pagodas have different sizes and shapes from cone-shaped to straight-shaped. Behind Daeungjeon, Cheonjitap tower is located. It is the largest tower, with a x_height 3 times as high as the average adult’s x_height. How this tall tower was built is still unclear, drawing much attention from people. It is said that those stone pagodas were made in the late 1800's entirely by Lee Gapyong alone. He collected stones in daytime and built the pagodas at night. Even though the pagodas have been around for more than 100 years, they have never collapsed nor even moved through strong winds, making them truly amazing.Tapsa Temple is also well known for cherry blossoms in spring, covering an area of 1.9km from Nambu (south) parking lot of Maisan Mountain to the entrance (a 30min walk). This road is the venue for Maisan Cherry Blossom Festival as well.* Cheonjitap is comprised of two twin pagodas with x_heights of 13.5m and placed in the south and north directions. Cheonjitap is the main pagoda, making the other pagodas at Tapsa Temple look well-balanced. It is believed that 120 towers originally existed, but only 80 of them remain today. The two towers at the very front are named Ilgwangtap and Wolgwangtap. These groups of towers are strong enough to stand up to typhoon winds, something quite hard to believe, giving the towers a certain mystery. Also, towers are tilted slightly in both directions, showing that Lee Gapyong erected the towers with the direction of the wind in mind.


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

Yangjae Citizens' Park, located near Yangjae Tollgate, was created in anticipation of the Seoul Asian Games (1986) and the 24th Olympic Games (1988). The park provides a scenic habitat for 94,800 trees from 43 different species including pine, zelkova, purple bloom maple, horse chestnut, and nut pine. The leafy green woods, such as is rarely seen in cities, are a popular date spot for couples. In the fall, the trees in the park bear an abundance of persimmons and quinces.Amenities and facilities include an outdoor wedding venue, 4.8-km walking course, basketball court, volleyball court (also used for foot volleyball), tennis court, barefoot walking path, and outdoor workout equipment. Memorial sites and monuments like the memorial of Patriot Yun Bong-Gil can also be found scattered throughout the park grounds.