Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, exhibits traditional and modern works of art by Korean and international artists. The museum itself is just as fascinating as the works of art on display, since its three buildings were designed by the internationally renowned architects, Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel, and Rem Koolhaas. MUSEUM 1 houses traditional Korean works of art, such as calligraphy, paintings, ceramic arts, and metal craftwork, while MUSEUM 2 displays modern and contemporary art by both Korean and foreign artists. On Saturday and Sunday guided tours in English are conducted at 3pm. If you plan to visit during the weekdays and wish to receive an English guided tour, you will need to call at least 2-3 days in advance to make a reservation. Audio guides in English, Japanese, and Chinese are available, which provide detailed information on the works of art. These can be rented at the museum for a small fee. This is one of the places that the "first ladies of the Seoul G20" visited during the G20 Summit in Seoul in November 2010. This attraction represents the beauty of Korea.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

The street from the Cheongdam Station intersection to Galleria Department Store is lined with luxury brand stores and designated as the special fashion zone “Cheongdam-dong Fashion Geori (Street). Often frequented by celebrities, the area became a popular tourist destination for Hallyu fans.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Yeongdong-gun)

Situated in Yeongdong (Chungcheongbuk-do), Wine Korea is the only winery in Korea that maintains a vineyard and produces the wine brand, Chateau Mani.Beginning in November 2006, Wine Train run by Wine Korea offers a one-day train tour between Seoul and Yeongdong. Departing from Seoul Station, its passenger cars, themed Red/White Wine or Ginseng, boast an elegant café atmosphere. Above all, visitors can enjoy as much of the wine produced in Yeongdong as they want.Upon arriving at Yeongdong, visitors head to Wine Korea, enjoy foot massages in wine, participate in making natural cosmetics, and tour the wine production facilities. The tour goes on to visit Ginseng Exhibition Hall in Geumsan and Traditional Medicinal Herb Market. High quality wine, wellbeing grape juice, and Chateau Mani cosmetics are also available online for purchase. 


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

The village of Cheongho-dong is now the hometown to many people of North Korean ancestry and is commonly referred to as ‘Abai village.’ The word ‘Abai’ comes from the Hamgyeong-do Province dialect meaning ‘an aged person.’ Many elderly people fled to Cheongho-dong from North Korea during the Korean War; the large number of older residents resulted in the town’s current nickname.The streets of Cheongho-dong are lined with small Korean houses reminding many of Seoul in the 1970s. The simple nature of the town and quietness of the sea make for a unique atmosphere in Cheongho-dong. This area became extremely popular after the Korean drama ‘Gaeul Donghwa’ (Autumn in My Heart) was filmed here. In the drama, the lead actress’s mother had a supermarket in Cheongho-dong. Nearby the supermarket the lead actress often took a boat, which has now become a popular attraction for tourists. Holding up to 35 people, this ‘Gaetbae’ boat operates on manpower (people pulling on ropes moving the boat across a waterway) and can be taken from downtown Sokcho to Cheongho-dong. When looking for a bite to eat, Abai sundae and hamheung naengmyeon are two of the most popular dishes.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

Hwaseong Fortress is an impressive structure from the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and the official fortress of Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do. The fortress (constructed from 1794 to 1796) was built as a show of the King’s filial piety towards his father Jangheonseja and to build a new pioneer city with its own economic power.The fortress wall stretches for a total of 5.52km and has a great variety of military facilities that’s hard to find anywhere else. Four gates face each of the cardinal directions—Janganmun (north), Paldalmun (south), Changnyongmun (east), and Hwaseomun (west)—and the seven-arch style Sumun gates straddle the point where the nearby stream reaches the palace. Above the Sumun gates is a pavilion called Hwahongmun.Hwaseong Fortress was constructed under the guidance of Yu Hyeong-Won (1622-1673) and Jeong Yak-Yong (1762-1836), and is believed to have been constructed very scientifically. The fortress wall was built using Seokjae and Jeondol (bricks) and the holes between the bricks are just big enough to fire guns, arrows, or long spears through in case of an attack.During construction of the fortress Jeong Yak-Yong invented ‘Geojunggi,’ which uses a ‘hwalcha’ (lever) to lift up heavy stones, greatly reducing construction time.The Suwon Hwaseong Fortress went through many turbulent times and damage, and in the battle of June 25th, many of the facilities became so damaged that they were deemed irreparable. Even though the fortress restoration initiative (1975-1979) restored many of the sites to their former glory, Paldalmun to Dongnamgakru (an area 491 meters in length) has still not been renovated.The fortress was designated as Historical Monument No. 3 in January 1963, and in December 1997, it was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.a variety of performances and evens are held everyday and Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival takes place every autumn.>> Click here for more on Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Seoul(Seongdong-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

Majang Meat Market is the largest meat market in Korea. It is equipped with Korea’s most modern and cleanest facilities. The butchers here are proud of the market's size and hygienic facilities. The market sells fresh meat arriving every hour from all over the country and from overseas. The prices are overtly marked for each meat along with the country and place of origin. For the market's efforts to provide quality products, the market is recognized by the Korean Medical Association (KMA). Traders are able to trade easily thanks to the market's state of the art systems. At Majang Meat market, high quality meats are available at up to 30% less than at supermarket chains.  


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

Horim Art Center is located in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu. The Horim Museum at the art center is a branch of the Sungbo Cultural Foundation's Horim Museum. This museum has exhibition halls on the second through fourth floor, a museum shop, and a lounge. The building, themed to look like comb-patterned ceramics, is a piece of artwork in itself.


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

Located in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul-si, the Figurine Museum W is a new concept museum that combines figurines, toys, and a theme park all in one. The museum showcases unique figurines for all types of visitors, including children, youth, and adults in order to help visitors enjoy and experience a fresh culture and discover a tasteful hobby. Its aim is to establish a cultural tourism landmark for locals and visitors.Comprised of six themes, the exhibition hall includes a site for entertainment, a grand hall with a coffee shop, a "mania shop" available for shopping for figurines, and other facilities that allow visitors to experience various displays and activities.


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

Opened in 2004, Baekam Art Hall has 420 seats. Featuring an adaptable stage, it can host various types of performances, including plays, musicals, concerts and dances. Since it is located in Samseong-dong, an area frequented by young people, many performances targeting those in their 20s and 30s are staged there. In addition to the performance hall, it has a luxurious gallery cafeteria decorated in wood. 


Incheon(Seo-gu) , Incheon Center

Ara Waterway flows downstream of the Hangang River to the West Sea. In the 13th century, King Gojong, the twenty-sixth king of the Korean Joseon dynasty started the waterway construction for the first time, but it was discontinued due to technical obstacles and the difficult state of the country. In 2011, Ara Wateway was finally completed. Along the main waterway are ports and water bridges. and people can enjoy the parkways and Ara-rium.