Gyeonggi-do(Gwangju-si) , Namyangju

The Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum (경기도자박물관) in the Gonjiam special culture zone is the former site where ceramics were produced for the royal households of the Joseon Dynasty for 400 years. The museum specializes in the study of traditional Korean ceramics such as Joseon white porcelain or baekja. It also manages excavation projects, conducts research, and educates the public about the cultural aspects of traditional ceramics.The museum consists of two large exhibition rooms, a special exhibition room, a multi-purpose room, and other smaller rooms. Its auxiliary facilities include a large-scale outdoor sculpture park; kilns heated with firewood; a Korean-style garden; a tea ceremony performance room; and a shopping mall selling ceramics produced in Gwangju. The museum exhibits traditional ceramics from the Joseon Dynasty such as pure white porcelain, blue and white porcelain, white porcelain painted with under-glaze iron-brown, and punch'ong ware, that were all made throughout the Joseon Dynasty’s 500 years of history. The museum also displays works by modern artists, inheritors of Korea’s honorable ceramic tradition. And to fulfill its educational duties, the museum holds special exhibitions that focus on the culture and history of Korea’s traditional ceramics and offers visitors the opportunity to learn about and appreciate Korea’s traditional ceramics that are still being crafted, even today. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The Hwangi Art Museum was opened to honor the works of the painter, Kim Hwan-Gi. Kim Hwan-Gi (1913-1974) was Korea's top artist of modernism. He began painting abstract paintings in 1930, and in 1950 began using nature as his motivation to portray the emotions of Korea. Kim Hwan-Gi was famous for his unforgettable pieces. He is the role model for many young aspiring artists in Korea. On the first floor of the museum there is an art shop with scarves, ties, and other various products with Kim's designs are available for purchase. Upon entering the exhibits all bags must be checked in at the front desk. As you enter, aside from the paintings and art pieces, the most eye-popping sight is the beautifully decorated windows. You cannot help but marvel at their beauty. For those that are tired and need rest, there is a rest area on the second floor. There is a nice outdoor view from this area. Outside you can go for a walk on the trail. As you walk up the narrowing trail you will see a pond, and at the end of the trail you will enter a wooded area where you can rest.


Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)

Byeonsan Beach along with Daecheon Beach and Manripo Beach, is one of the three most popular beaches on the west coast of Korea. Byeonsan Beach is known for its white sand beach and fir trees. Since the water is tranquil and not very deep, this beach is a favorite summer vacationing spot for over a million people every year. What really draws the crowds to this shore is its 2km-long white sand beach and Bangpungrim, the windbreaker fir forest. The low tide lets the white sand beach extend out so far that you would have to walk a good 30 minutes to reach the end. During the summer, the Bangpungrim provides cool shade, and during the winter, acts as a buffer against the cold wind. The beach looks especially beautiful during low tide.You can taste the fresh fruits and vegetables that are produced in the surrounding mountain areas. You can also have fresh seafood from the nearby fishing villages. The only drawback of Byeonsan Beach is that accommodations are limited and you might be better off staying in the neighboring town of Gyeokpohang.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Ganghwa History Museum opened in 2010, and is located inside Ganghwa Dolmen Park, which was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Historic Site No. 137.The museum aims to exhibit, preserve and educate about the history and culture of Ganghwa from prehistoric ages to modern times based on artifacts from the area.


Busan(Seo-gu)

The magnificent cliffs and tree-lined seaside views of Amnam Park bring the harmony of the bluish-green waters and the forested landscape together. Made into a protected area, entrance was not permitted until its opening to the public in 1996, when visitors could first experience the untouched landscape. In the park one can fish, visit an observatory, and enjoy the walking path and elevated bridge. The abundance of pine trees along the walking path makes for a pleasant stroll; going up to the observatory, this well-forested area offers great views. If it is fishing that you want, here you can fish on the ocean as well as off the fantastically shaped rocks. There is a famous road from Songdo Beach to Amnam Park that is popular for leisurely drives. This drive is about 5 minutes, but for those who want to walk it’s about 20 minutes.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Ojukheon is an important house which shows the lifestyle of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It is one of the oldest preserved Korean houses. In Mongryongsil room of Ojukheon, one of Korea's great men, Yulgok Yi-I (1536-1584) was born. It is told that his mother Sin Saimdang, also a heroin in Korean history, had dream of a dragon before she gave birth to Yulgok. In rememberance of his birth, the Yulgok Festival is held annually at Ojukheon. There are many traditional materials and regional remains which are displayed in the private museum. You can find the painting of Yulgok in Munseongsa (the ancestral shrine of Yulgok).In the Yulgok Memorial Hall you can see the artwork of the talented Yulgok family. In addition, various Buddhist artwork, ceramics, pictures and common living appliances are on display in the Folk Tradition Hall, History Culture Hall, and the outdoor exhibition area. Near the Ojukheon Municipal Museum is Gyeongpo Beach and Sungyojang, the house of a high-class family of the Joseon Dynasty. At Gyeongpo Beach, you can relax sitting by the sea and the pine tree forest. You can also stop by the Chamsori Museum where about 1,600 phonographs from Edison's inventions to up-to-date audios are kept.


Jeollanam-do(Jindo-gun)

The most beloved breed of dog in Korea is the Jindo Dog (진도개), named after the island from which they are said to originate. The breed has been designated a national treasure, and great efforts are made to keep the bloodline pure. For example, any non-Jindo dog that comes to Jindo Island must be sterile. Jindos were originally hunting dogs, raised to take down small to large sized prey. They are known for their extreme loyalty and keen homing sense. Traditionally Koreans hunted without guns, instead taking with them a pack of Jindos. After making a kill, one dog promptly returns to the master while the others stand guard over the prey. The Jindo dog is registered with the Federation Cynologique Internationale and the British Kennel Club.


Seoul(Dongdaemun-gu) , Dongdaemun

Dapsimni Antique Art Street is where the travelers can stumble upon good old paintings, antique furniture and pottery, as well as, a variety of household items. These antique shops used to scatter all around the area of Cheonggyecheon Stream 8(pal)-ga, Itaewon, and Ahyeon-dong, wand has now gathered up around dapsimni areas since the mid-1980s. There are about 140 shops lined up along the streets.It is quite fun to browse through antiquities including wooden candlesticks, grandfather clocks, old picture frames, which are usually hard to find in usual stores. This is also the reason to that explains why it not only attracts Koreans but also international visitors to this street. Shops in Insa-dong, also known for the sale of antiqes, typically and mainly sell good quality and expensive antiques, while dapsimni is known for a wide assortment of small items with reasonable prices, starting from a few one thousand won.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Goryeogung Palace Site on Ganghwado Island is the site of the royal palace where the people of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) resisted the Mongolian invasion for 39 years. In June 1232, King Gojong moved his capital to Ganghwa on account of its natural and strategic advantages. The construction of the government office and the royal palace in Ganghwa was completed in 1234. Ganghwado Island holds historical significance as the place where metal type was developed and where the Palman Daejanggyeong (the Tripitaka Koreana printing woodblocks) were made during the Goryeo dynasty. Upon the conclusion of the peace treaty with Mongolian forces in May 1270, the capital was moved back to Gaeseong (present-day Gaeseong in North Korea), and the royal palace in Ganghwa was subsequently destroyed.In the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), Haenggung (the king’s temporary palace) was constructed on the same site as the Goreyo palace. During the Byeongjahoran (Chinese invasion of Korea) in 1637, the palace was conquered by the force of Ching dynasty of China. Afterward, Ganghwa Yusubu (Ganghwa governor’s office) buildings were built on the palace site. Nowadays, the only structures that remain are the Dongheon main office (built in 1638) and Ibangcheong administration office (built in 1654). The palace and its subsidiary buildings were restored in 1977.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , Former Jeju

The clear waters that are highlighted with cobalt-blue and the clean sand of Gimnyeong Beach (김녕해수욕장) steal the hearts of visitors every year. The beach is popular with fishermen who enjoy rope fishing from the rocks. This area is known to be good for catching striped beakfish and spotty belly greenlings. Not far from the beach is Manjanggul Cave, which offers a welcome escape from the daytime heat.