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.


Busan(Dongnae-gu) , Dongnae Hot Spring Zone・Busan University

Located at the foot of Mt. Geumjeong (alt. 802 m), Geumgang Park stretches over a 3 million-square meter plot of land filled with lush forest and craggy cliffs and broken up by winding creeks. Regardless of the time of the year, a constant stream of people come to visit the many historical and cultural sites in the region, which once served as a base of operations for the government during the Joseon Dynasty.The area was referred to as Geumgangwon before becoming a park in June, 1973. On July 1st, 2004, the park once again made the news, as the entrance fee was abolished and the park was made free to the public.In addition to more typical sports facilities like badminton courts, the park also boasts carnival rides such as cable cars, bumper cars, and more. Visitors are also encouraged to stop by tourist sites such as the Busan Folk Tradition Arts Center, the Busan Marine Natural History Museum, and the Busan Botanical Garden.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)

Opened in July 2003, Aqua World within the Daemyung Resort Danyang is an indoor water park supplying clean heated water. With numerous hot springs and amusement facilities which are open year round, it is the perfect vacation spot for families, couples and friends.Aqua World has a unique Mediterranean-style interior design. The two main features of the Aqua World are the Aqua Health Pool Zone and Amusement Zone. The Aqua Health Pool Zone contains three main sections: the Neck Shower, where you can massage your neck, shoulders and legs by the pressure of running water and the Bench Zet where you can massage your waste and legs. In the Floating area you can massage all parts of your body by the pressure of water bubbles.Among the amusement facilities in the Amusement Zone, you can enjoy the Water Slide, a massage corner exclusively for women and even the Couple Bath for those wanting romance. Take advantage of the numerous therapeutic springs including sulfur spring, mineral water spring, pine-tree spring and fruit-extract spring.The Jade Sauna, Charcoal Sauna and Amethyst Sauna, each have its own health benefits. At the Open Air Bath, you will enjoy relaxing and admiring the scenic view of Danyang. Viitors may also stop by the nearby attractions surrounding the condo such as Chungjuho Lake, Woraksan National Park, Sobaeksan National Park and Mungyeongsaejae Provinicial Park.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

The street in front of Cheongwadae (Blue House) is open to the public and includes both Hyoja Samgeori (Hyoja three-way intersection) in Hyoja-dong and Palpan Samgeori (Palpan three-way inetersection) in Palpan-dong. When walking along Hyoja-ro Road from Gyeongbokgung Station, sights include a fountain, Mugunghwa Garden, Yeonmugwan Hall, Daegogak and Yeongbingwan Hall.Cheongwadae Sarangchae consists of one basement level and two above-ground levels, including Korean Culture Exhibition Hall, Planned Exhibition Hall, a gift shop, and rest area (Korean Food Promotion Hall, Café) on the first floor and Cheongwadae Hall and Haengboknuri Hall on the second floor. Daegogak Hall houses a book donated to former president, Kim Young-sam for expressing the past spirit of Sinmungo (Petitioner's drum from Korean History). Yeonmugwan Hall is a martial art and fitness center for guards. Mugunghwa Dongsan, formed after the ansa (Safe House) was demolished in 1993, includes a well, mock fortress, and rest area. Located behind Mugunghwa Dongsan is Apostolic Nunciature in Korea and Chilgung (Seven Palaces).At the beginning of the street in front of Cheongwadae, dense trees and beautiful flower gardens decorating both sides of the road make it a nice place for taking a walk. The area from the north gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Chunchumun, to the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Geonchunmun, is Samcheongdong-gil Road. This road is home to many art galleries, including Kukje Gallery, Growrich Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, and Jin Art gallery, in the area of Hyoja-ro.


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.


Gwangju(Nam-gu)

Missionary Wilson’s House is a two-story brick building that sits upon the eastern foothills of Yangnimsan Mountain. Known as the oldest surviving Western-style house in Gwangju, the house is an icon of modern culture and architecture in Korea. The house was built by an American missionary named Wilson in the 1920s (exact date unknown) and was the home of the Wilson family while they stayed in Korea. When the family completed their work in Korea, they sold the house for a very cheap price with the stipulation that the house continued to be used for missionary purposes. The house fell into the possession of the General Assembly of Chonnam Presbyterian Church of Korea in 1986 and now serves as the home office for the Presbyterian Church of Korea.The square-shaped house consists of a living room, a family room, a kitchen, and a bathroom (1F), several bedrooms (2F), and storage areas and a boiler room (B1). The fact that the entrance of the house faces east is said to be a result of the prevailing architectural culture of Korea at that time. A Netherland-style house built with 55-milimeter thick, gray bricks, the first and second stories are delineated on the exterior with an eye-catching band of bricks.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Namhae-gun)

The Amethyst Cavern Park is the largest man-made cave tourist attraction in Korea. It is made inside a closed amethyst mine. Connected like a labyrinth, the cave is 2.5 kilometers long and about 16,529 square meters wide. The average temperature is between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius year round. Visitors can observe amethyst stones, see exhibitions, and attend a circus performance full of thrills. Outside the cave, visitors can enjoy a snow sleigh during winter, play facilities, ceramic workshop for youths and children, and hands-on learning experiences using sweet potatoes, peanuts, corn, and herbs.


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. 


Gyeonggi-do(Gwangju-si) , Namyangju

Located in Nogobong Valley in Taehwasan Mountain in Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi-do Province, Konjiam Resort is only an hour away by car from the Gangnam area in Seoul. The year-round resort boasts the largest ski slopes of Gyeonggi-do Province, a condominium with 476 rooms, the nation’s first residential spa, and a variety of other facilities.Some of the most unique features of the resort are the ecological stream running through the resort and the cave wine cellar where about 90,000 bottles of wine are stored. Another visitor favorite is the Konjiam Arboretum, which has 3,700 species of plants and about 20 themed gardens.


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.