Busan(Gangseo-gu)

  Culture is Here at Gimhae International Airport I saw a cocktail performance, an August event held by the Korea Airports Corporation as a seasonal festival! ≪Cool CoolCocktail Festa≫ Culture is Here is a seasonal festival held by the Korea Airports Corporation at 12 airports across the nation. It is held on a different theme every month. Last month, I watched the Return of the Heavenly Sword performance at Gimhae International Airport and shared my experience with you ^^     In August, a cocktail show was held as a cultural event in Gimhae International Airport’s Domestic Flights Waiting Room on the second floor. It was on the theme, Cool Cool Cocktail Festa!   Twelve airports across the nation use their respective region’s indigenous products to feature a cocktail performance at the airport as well as a non-alcoholic cocktail sampling event that embodies the respective airport’s unique taste.   [Dates on which the event is held at airports around the nation]     Lively music signaled the beginning of the cocktail performance, a seasonal festival held by the Korea Airports Corporation!! I didn’t have high expectations since the event was held at Gimhae International Airport. The two bartenders gave a wonderful performance that exceeded my expectations.     The bartenders gave a cocktail show, moving to the rhythm of exciting music. It was very fun to watch, so much so that I couldn’t move my eyes away from it. It is not easy to watch a cocktail show unless you go to a bar. It was great to enjoy cultural life while waiting for my plane’s departure at the airport!!     I took a video of that exciting moment.   It is a video of the cocktail performance that was held as the Korea Airports Corporation’s seasonal festival. Take a look at the video!! :-) The performers are great!!     The atmosphere was gaining momentum and the bartenders were heading towards the show’s highlight, moving to the rhythm of Psy’s song!!      Many travelers who were waiting for their flight clapped their hands and cheered the bartenders.  Adults and children alike truly enjoyed the cocktail show.     Once the exciting cocktail show came to an end, the bartenders began making a non-alcoholic cocktail drink using an indigenous product from the region!!      Gimhae is well known for raspberry, and this is why the bartenders prepared a raspberry cocktail drink.         The bartender demonstrated more acrobatic movements as the event progressed. The cocktail show almost seemed like a magic show, making it all the more exciting.         The bartender juggled three cocktail bottles. I felt giddy from the show, which was also amazing and great fun. I was fully entranced by the show.     This was the most amazing part of the cocktail show, which was quite like a magic show. I don’t know how the bartender did it!! During the entire time I watched the show, I was amazed by the high-quality performance that was given at the Culture is Here!event organized by the Korea Airports Corporation at GimhaeInternational Airport!  It wasn’t just an ordinary performance~~ It was truly a high-quality performance that travelers fully enjoyed while waiting for their flight!!       While I was engrossed in the show, the bartender completed the non-alcoholic raspberry cocktail drink!!     Enough cocktail was prepared for all travelers there to enjoy. A great number of people enjoyed the beverage.     Travelers watched the cocktail performance at Gimhae International Airport that was held as the Culture is Here!seasonal festival, and gathered to taste the beverage!! You could see there were many travelers.     The cocktail was a non-alcoholic drink that could be enjoyed by adults as well as children. Travelers of various age groups enjoyed the non-alcoholic cocktail drink!!     I also stood in line for a glass^^   Made of raspberry, an indigenous product of Gimhae, the cocktail drink was sweet and delicious! Its color is also pretty, isn’t it?^^ The cocktail performance was held as theAugust seasonal festival of Culture is Here! The Korea Airports Corporation holds Culture is Here!at airports for travelers to enjoy a cultural experience. The performance is great to watch while you are waiting for your flight.  Refer to the schedule table above for a convenient time. Your sense of excitement will double before you go on your journey :-)     Source : http://blog.naver.com/alwayspurelu/220783872652    Korea Airports Corporation www.airport.co.kr


Daegu(Dong-gu)

Donghwasa Temple (동화사) is located on the south side of Palgongsan Mountain, about 22km northeast of Daegu. It was built by Monk Geukdal in the 15th year of King Soji’s reign (reign 493, 21st king during the Silla period). The original name of the temple was Yugasa, but Simjiwangsa rebuilt the temple under King Heungdeok (reign 826~836) and named it Donghwasa, which means even during the winter season, the paulownia tree still blooms. The present temple was last rebuilt in 1732.When you turn the corner, the first thing that catches your eye is the Seolbeopjeon Building. To the left of Seolbeopjeon is Daeungjeon, the main temple, and to the right of the building leads to the Geumgang Stairs. If you turn left in the direction of Daeungjeon you will see Bongseoru, aptly named to signify a Bonghwang (phoenix) with its tail pointed downward. Past Bongseoru are stairs that are typical of the ones leading into Daeungjeon, called "Nugak Stairs". On either side of the stairs are railings in the shape of a dragon, and in the middle of the stairs, there is a round stone marble that resembles a Yeouiju (or a dragon orb), a ball often associated with dragons.Donghwasa’s Daeungjeon is segmented into 3 sections at the front and side, and its natural looking pillars are one of its main attractions. It includes the statues of Seokgamonibul, Amitabul, and Yaksayeoraebul inside. If you walk down the stone stairs beside Bongseoru and walk along the cement road for a while, you will find the huge Seokjoyaksa Yeoraebul. Created as a prayer for reunification, this large Buddha statue is 17m high. The stone tower, stone light, lion statue, and the lotus flower that decorate the Buddha statue are all very large in size. Behind the statue are also stones arranged in a circular form, resembling a beautiful scroll painting. These are world-class size stone artifacts.


4.1/9
Incheon(Jung-gu) , Incheon Center

Incheon's Chinatown came into being with the opening of Incheon Port in 1883 and Incheon's designation as an extraterritoriality of the Ching Dynasty in the following year. In the past, the area held many stores trading goods imported from China, but currently most Chinese businesses in the area are restaurants. Today, the residents of Chinatown are mostly 2nd or 3rd generation Chinese, descendents of the early Chinese settlers. While the traditional culture of the first generation has been fully preserved, the area still harbors many of the flavors of China. Telephone  +82-32-810-2851~3 Parking Facilities  Available Admission Fees  Free Restrooms  Available in Incheon Station & within restaurants Pets  Permitted (Not allowed into shops and restaurants) ​


Gwangju(Dong-gu)

Gwangju Art Street is aimed at developing Gwangju’s traditional art scene through exhibition of local work. The street is 300m long and located behind Jungang Elementary School, nearby Gwangju Dongbu Police Station. Items commonly found here include Korean fine art such as paintings, ceramics, writings, and industrial art.Every Saturday, an art flea market famous for its unique pieces is held here. People from all over the nation gather to display items that include old calligraphy materials, collector coins, stone hairbrushes, Chinaware, wooden sculptures, folk drawings, classic books, ink, and incense burners. Part of the attraction is the stories the collectors share with each part of their collection. Enjoy the many shows and exhibitions that draw regular crowds to this famous road.The Mudeung art exhibit operates according to districts, and functions as a cultural festival as well. The outdoor exhibition was built in February 1995, and is open throughout the day. The large exhibition space has 32 booths and regularly holds special exhibits. Many regional cultural treasures are also on display here. Every Saturday, the Street of Fine Arts is blocked from traffic, and people gather to share and enjoy art culture. Gwangju Summer Universiade will be held this summer, 2015


Daejeon(Dong-gu)

Notice※ Terminals Daejeon Dongbu Intercity Bus Terminal and Daejeon Express Bus Terminal are under construction and will be completed in Dec. 2011. Currently, buses arrive and depart from the temporary bus stop (see map). Once construction is completed, buses will depart from Daejeon Express Bus Terminal and arrive at Daejeon Dongbu Intercity Bus Terminal.


Daegu(Buk-gu)

EXCO is a leading exhibition and convention center in Daegu Metropolitan City. Since opening in April 2001, the EXCO has been successfully hosting international events. Major facilities include exhibition halls, conference rooms, and meeting rooms, while subsidiary facilities include restaurants, cafes, bank, post office, travel agency, medical clinic, business support centers, and convenience store.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

Also referred to as Seolsan and Seolbongsan, the mountain was named Seorak ('Seol' meaning 'snow' and 'Ak' meaning 'big mountain') because the snow would not melt for a long time keeping the rocks in a permanent state of white. In November 1965, the Seorak Mountain district was designated as a Natural Monument preservation area. Afterwards in December 1973, it was designated as a park preservation area, and in August 1982, as a Biosphere Preservation District by UNESCO.The park is spread across 4 cities and counties: Sokcho, Inje, Goseong and Yangyang. The highest peak is Daecheongbong; to the east is OeSeorak and to the west is NaeSeorak, which is divided again into North NaeSeorak and South NaeSeorak. North NaeSeorak is composed of Bukcheon, which flows to Ingyecheon and Baekdamcheon streams. There are numerous valleys in NaeSeorak. Follow the Baekdamcheon valley where all the streams meet and you will reach Baekdamsa Temple, which is known for its beautiful scenery. Upstream there is Gayadong valley and Suryeomdong valley, and past Yeongsiam and Mangyeongdae there is Madeungryeong ridge (1,327m) that leads to Seorakdong.Follow Suryeomdong valley and you will reach Waryong and Ssangpok waterfalls. Further up is Bongjeongam (1,224m sea level). Once you arrive at Daecheong peak you can view the magnificent mountain range. The sunrise viewed from here is spectacular and should not be missed. South NaeSeorak directs the valley from Oknyeotang area to Hangyeryeong. Daeseung Waterfall north of Jangsudae is the most beautiful site of NaeSeorak, which is 88m high. South of Yongdaeri valley is the twelve fairy bathing spring, Oktang Falls, and Yongtang Falls, along with several other traditional relics.


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

Kyobo Bookstore is Korea's largest chain of bookstores. Approximately 2.3 million books are categorized electronically so you can easily find whatever selection you are looking for. It is always crowded with people, especially on weekends with readers both young and old enjoying a good book. Kyobo also hosts a variety of events, including a book of the month event where authors come and meet with readers to discuss their work. There's also a character shop, a stationery store and a music store where you can listen to your favorite album. The foreign book corner is popular among foreigners because there are numerous books written in various languages. Those unable to find specific titles can order them for delivery at the counter. [ Branches in Seoul ] Jongno There are many streets around Kyobo Bookstore famous for delicious food. If it's traditional spirits and tasty side dishes you're after then head straight to Pimatgol. There are many different dishes to enjoy in a comfortable atmosphere. The Chungjin-dong haejang-guk (broth to relieve hangover) street and the Mukyo-dong octopus restaurants nearby are also very famous. Gangnam Carrying numerous national and international bestsellers and just about every other book imaginable, Gangnam's Kyobo Bookstore is a popular meeting point for people of all ages. It was also the filming location for the drama, "Yeongae Sidae (Alone In Love)."    


Busan(Jung-gu) , Nampo-dong(Jagalchi Market)

Busan’s modern movie district was originally little more than a pair of cinemas that were built following Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule over half a century ago. However, major renovations took place ahead of the first Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in 1996, and the newly transformed district was named BIFF Square on August 14, 1996Having been remade as a cultural tourist attraction promoting the advancement of Korea’s film industry, the BIFF Square has contributed to Busan’s newfound status as an international cultural tourist city. The 428 meter-long street stretching from the Buyeong Theater in Nampo-dong to the overpass in Chungmu-dong was divided into “Star Street” and “Festival Street,” and on the eve of the festival each year the “Ground Opening the BIFF Square” is held on the street. During the ceremony events such as the hand printing of famous movie celebrities and Nunggot Jeomdeung (snow-flower lighting) take place. A district such as BIFF Square, crowded with first-run theaters in a city is rare not only in Asia but Europe as well, and for this reason it holds great potential. In recent years, the square has grown into a more complex area featuring not only movie theaters but also shops and leisure facilities, attracting growing numbers of young visitors and tourists.* Hand-printed movie celebritiesIn 1997 – Wayne Wang (director, China), Jeremy Irons (Actor, England), Xie Jin (director, China), Kitano Takeshi (director, Japan), Abbas Kiarostami (director, Iran), Kim Ki-young (director, Korea)In 1998 – Imamura Shohei (director, Japan), Fernando E. Solanas (director, Argentina), the late Yoo Young-kil (director of photography, Korea, represented by his wife)In 1999 – Zhang Yimou (director, China), Hwang Jung-soon (actress, Korea), Yu Hyun-mok (director, Korea)In 2000 – Wim Wenders (director, Germany), Krzysztof Zanussi (director, Poland), Mohsen Makhmalbaf (director, Iran)In 2001 – Hou Hsiao-Hsien (director, Taiwan), Shin Sang-ok (director, Korea), Choi Eun-hee (actress, Korea), Jeanne Moreau (actress, France)In 2002 – Kim Su-yong (director, Korea)In 2003 – Jan Troell (director, Sweden), Lucian Pintilie (director, Romania), Chung Chang-wha (director, Korea)In 2004 – Theo Angelopoulos (director, Greece)In 2005 – the Late Lee Man-hee (director, Korea, represented by his daughter Actress Lee Hye-yeong), Seijun Suzuki (director, Japan)In 2006 – Istvan Szabo (director, Hungary)In 2007 – the late Edward Yang (director, Taiwan, represented by his son Sean Yang), Volker Schlondorff (director, Germany), Claude Lelouch (director, France), the late Kim Seung-ho (director, Korea, represented by his son Kim Hee-ra), Dariush Mehrjui (director, Iran), Enrio Morricone (composer, Italy), Peter Greenaway (director, England)In 2008 – Hark Tsu (China), Paolo Taviani (Italy), Anna Karina (Denmark)


Busan(Suyeong-gu) , Gwangalli

Gwangalli Beach (광안리해수욕장) is 1.4 km long, 64m wide, and is famous for its fine sand. This area has undergone a water cleaning program, and as a result, the water of the beach is pristine. The clean waters of this area also attract many fishermen. You can prepare raw fish dishes on the spot, right after you have caught the fish. For those looking for some action, there is the Olympic Yacht Rental where you can rent yachts. You can also enjoy water-skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and other exciting water sports. On the beach there is an outer concert stage where the Busan Ocean Festival and other various events are held. The area has a cultural center, a museum, theaters for plays and movies, an art gallery, TV station, and famous Korean and non-Korean fashion brand name shops. It is a popular gathering place for young people in their 20s and 30s.