Gyeonggi-do(Ansan-si) , suwon


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

Mt. Bukhansan is situated in the northern part of Seoul. Designated as a national park in 1983, the mountain is 78.45km wide and has 6 districts and extends out into Gyeonggi-do Province. The name Bukhansan means "big mountain in the north," and it is also called Mt. Samgaksan. Mt. Bukhansan has such smooth curves that the large granite rocks sometimes look as if they would slide down the mountain. The sharp peaks provide contrast to the dozens of valleys and rivers flowing below. The mountain has many different kinds of peaks but its main peak is Baegunbong. The granite peaks blend well with trees, and there are about 1,300 kinds of animals and plants living on the mountain. Among the granite peaks, the best known is Insubong Peak's Giam rocks. The world famous granite rock peak Insubong is over 200m above sea level, and there are about 100 mountain paths leading to the rock. When you stand on Baegundae and look down, sometimes you can see as far as Seoul City and the Hangang River. Bukhansan has a rich history as well. Silla's King Jinheung Sunsubi Monument on Bibong Peak, the Bukhansanseong Fortress built along the mountain's ridges, Sangunsa Temple built by the monk Won-Hyo, and numerous other temples occupy the mountain areas. Especially, Bukhansanseong Fortress is a must-see tour site if you are visiting the mountain. The fortress was built with a wall spanning about 8,500m, built specifically to stop foreign invasion. It is one of the representative mountain fortresses of the Joseon Era. In the fall, the view you can get from the fortress of the mountain is spectacular. Temples are also representative of rich culture that flourished on Bukhansan. The Seungasa Temple on the east Bibong Peak, with Maaeseokgayeoraejwasang (seated rock-carved Buddhas) carved into a 5m granite rock, and the Munsusa Temple located halfway up the Musubong Peak, with purified mountain water dropping from the ceiling of Munsugol Cave, are indicative of both Bukhansan's history and culture. With its granite peaks and Bukhansanseong Fortress, Bukhansan is perfect for hiking in all seasons. In the spring, all kinds of flowers bloom, and in the summer, lush forests carpet the numerous valleys. The hiking path along the valley is perhaps the best summer mountain climbing course. And the fall is the perfect time to visit the temples and pavilions in their autumn colors. In the winter, the snow-covered mountain scenery is very beautiful. The park averages 5 million visitors and has received the Honor of being in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the national park with the highest number of visitors per square foot.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

The city of Suwon established the Suwon Hwaseong Museum to present the history and culture of the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, an important Korean cultural asset and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.The museum has two permanent exhibition spaces: ‘The Exhibition Hall on Construction of Fortress’ (construction process of the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and the development of the city) and ‘The Cultural Center’ (illustrates various historical events related to the fortress such events held during the 8-day visit of King Jeongjo in 1795).In addition, the museum runs a ‘Children’s Experience Center,’ where children can learn ancient measurement systems, try on royal court costumes, and more. The Suwon Hawseong Museum not only displays relics from Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (one of Korea’s most impressive historical heritages); it also gives visitors an opportunity to experience and explore.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

Daehangno Street, known as the street for young people, is the former location of Seoul National University. In the 1980s, many theater groups started moving to Daehangno, and it soon developed into a cultural center. In a short period of time, movie theaters, live-cafes, regular cafes and pubs sprung up, and it grew into an entertainment district. Its popularity is still maintained by famous small theaters such as Parangsae (Blue Bird) Theater and Hakjeong Theater, and some 30 additional theaters have concentrated here to contribute in keeping Daehangno as the root of performance art in Korea. The center of Daehangno, Marronnier Park, has frequent live acts and dance performances by young people. This is why Daehangno is called the “Play Mecca” and “Young Street” as well. Another reason Daehangno became so popular with young people is the various interesting sights and food to be found here. Many restaurants, fast food joints, cafes, and bars are concentrated here, making it convenient for people to find something to do after plays and live-performances. Its unique atmosphere and space continues to be loved by many young people.


Seoul(Seongdong-gu)

Located in Seoul Subway Line 2, Yongdap Station Bridge is a place that takes part in the everyday life of the local community. It was also a filming site in tvN's drama "Guardian (2016)" for many notable scenes, inclduing Sunny and Jeoseungsaja's first encounter.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Gyeongju Bird Park offers a unique experience for visitors, just like entering a big birdcage. Guests can touch birds in person and play with them, not just looking at birds inside a cage. The park is designed to give convenience for both birds and visitors. Gyeongju Bird Park, Korean’s first experiential park featuring flowers and birds alike, is comprised of two floors; the entire first floor is an ecology experience hall that houses 90% of bird and other creatures such as reptiles, fish, and small animals. The second floor consists of exhibitions and experiential hall with outdoor hands-on experience site. The bird park is registered as Gyeongsangbuk-do's top museum and specialized animal park, so it can import and exhibit international rare animal species.


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si) , Yongin

Paik Nam-june explained: ‘Marcel Duchamp achieved everything in every field except for video art. He created a large entrance and an extremely small exit. The small exit is video art. When we take the exit, we are out of the scope of influence of Marcel Duchamp.’ The NJP Art Center is a creative space, wherein it is possible to practice the ‘mediation of endless potential unfolded outside the exit of Duchamp’. As a space of ‘introspective anarchy of infinite light and life’, the NJP Art Center aims to become a venue for the ‘escape from enlightenment’, going beyond enlightenment. Paik Nam-june, who was well versed in aesthetics and music, rather than the figurative arts, discovered a new ‘exit’ by combining electronic music and happenings. He didn’t regard video and television, with their great disseminative power, or communication networks, as a means for communicating messages, but as an explosion of time, instead creating a space for mandala-based televisuals, and for participation by the public where ‘consilience’ among heterogeneous fields can take place.Inheriting the spiritual legacies of Paik Nam-june, the NJP Art Center will expand the possibilities of creating new media for information and communication in the information age, and create a new space for cultural participation from aesthetic, ethical, and political perspectives. The center aims at expanding effective, creative consumption by encouraging reflections on the aspects of human existence that are still involuntary and lack freedom. The center aspires to become a space for cultural mediation that expands the space of freedom’s activities throughout the globe.


Busan(Dongnae-gu)

Dongnae Hot Spring in Busan dates back to Korea’s three kingdom period. Records show that King Sukjong (1661-1720), the 19th king of the Chosun Dynasty, visited during the 17th year of his reign.The hot spring offers alkaline/saline water with a high concentration of chlorine ions and magnesium. The facility can accommodate up to 3,000 visitors with over 40 baths of varying styles. For instance, there are baths for nerve pain or stomach disorders while others are filled with herbal remedies and operate seasonally. Located in downtown Busan, Dongnae Hot Spring will be even easier to access with the planned subway station. The hot spring has been frequented for many decades and has well-developed lodging facilities in its vicinity. Visitors who enjoy hiking may want to consider a visit to Geumjeongsan Mountain and Geumgang Park on the same trip. 


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Gwanbuk-ri Relics and Busosanseong Fortress (Historic Site No. 5) is a mud fortress located on top of Busosan Mountain (alt. 106m) in the northern part of Buyeo. The fortress is estimated by some to have been built around 538 AD (16th year of King Seongwang) to protect Sabi (now Buyeo), which was once the capital of the Baekje Kingdom. Other historians, however, believe that the fortress was already in place by 500 AD (22nd year of King Dongseongwang) and modified in 605 (6th year of King Muwang) into the structure we see today. In either case, some parts of the fortress were reconstructed during the Unified Silla Kingdom period (676-935 AD) and modified again in the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910) eras.Busosan Mountain was once considered the guardian mountain of Buyeo and is home to historic landmarks from the Baekje Kingdom (18 BC-660 AD). In addition to Busosanseong Fortress, some of the most famous sites on the mountain include Baekhwajeong Pavilion, Sajaru Pavilion, Banwollu Pavilion, Yeongillu Pavilion, Samchungsa Shrine (dedicated to three loyal subjects of the Baekje Kingdom), Gungnyeosa Shrine, Goransa Temple, Gunchangji (military warehouse site), and Suhyeoljugeoji (site of pit houses for the Baekje soldiers). The mountain is also home to Nakhwaam Rock where, according to legend, 3,000 women of the Baekje Kingdom threw themselves into the river below after the collapse of the empire.Historic Sites of Busosan Mountain■ Samchungsa ShrineSamchungsa Shrine is just a short hike from Sabimun, the main gate of Busosanseong Fortress. The shrine holds the portraits and memorial tablets of Seongchung, Heungsu, and Gyebaek, who were known as the three most loyal subjects of the Baekje Kingdom. Memorial services are held for these great patriots during the annual Baekje Cultural Festival each October.■ Yeongillu PavilionYeongillu Pavilion was built on the site of Yeongildae, an observation platform located on the easternmost peak of Busosan Mountain. Kings and members of the royal family of the Baekje Kingdom once used this spot as a place from which to watch the sun rise above Yeoncheonbong Peak on Gyeryongsan Mountain, plan state affairs, and pray for the peace of the kingdom and their subjects.■ GunchangjiAlso known as “Mallichang,” Gunchangji is the site of a warehouse that was used to store grain for military use. Remnants of burnt grain were discovered at the site in 1915.■ SuhyeoljugeojiSuhyeoljugeoji, only a short distance from Gunchangji, was once the site of a pit house for soldiers of the Baekje Dynasty. The thatched-roof pit houses that stand on the site today have been reconstructed based on historical evidence uncovered during site excavation. Measuring 1m in depth with walls of wood and straw, the pit houses are neighbored by an exhibition hall that stands on the original excavation site.■ Sajaru PavilionSajaru Pavilion, located on the highest peak of Busosan Mountain (alt. 106m), is said to represent the cosmic powers of yin and yang together with Yeongillu Pavilion in the east. Adorned with a nameplate written by Prince Uichinwang Yi Gang (1877-1955), Sajaru commands an ethereal view of the moon and has long since been the source of poetic inspiration. The pavilion was also the site of discovery of the famous Geumdong-seokga-yeorae-ipsang (Gilt-bronze Standing Buddha, Treasure No. 196).■ Baekhwajeong PavilionBaekhwajeong Pavilion, perched on the cliffs of Nakhwaam Rock, was built in 1929 by a poets’ society called Bupungsisa to commemorate the story of the famous rock. According to the historical tale, the women of Baekje flung themselves off the cliffs of Nakhwaam to their deaths after the kingdom collapsed to keep themselves from being defiled by the men of the insurgent kingdoms.■ Gungnyeosa ShrineGungnyeosa Shrine is located a short distance from Taejagol (Crown Prince Valley) to the northeast of Banwollu Square. Established in 1965, the shrine honors the Baekje women who leaped to their deaths from the cliffs of Nakhwaam Rock in 660 when the empire was conquered by the allied forces of the Silla Kingdom and the Tang Dynasty of China. Commemorative rites are held at the shrine every October during the Baekje Cultural Festival.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , The Eastern Part of the Jeju Island

Geomum Oreum, with an altitude of 456m, is located in Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si and refers to a parasitic volcano (also called Oreum in Jeju dialect).Geomun Oreum was created by volcanic activities between 100,000 and 300,000 years ago. Lava flow from the crater went along the coastal slope to the Northeast and formed a unique geographical feature called Seonheulgot. The lave flow also formed Bengdwigul Cave on the left side, and Manjanggul, Gimnyeonggul, Yongcheondonggul and Dangcheomuldonggul Caves on the right side. Each of these caves has its own unique features.Upon entering Geomun Oreum, visitors are met by a dense forest filled with Japanese cedar trees. Further along, visitors will see a deciduous broad-leaved forest, shrubbery, and an evergreen broad-leaved forest. Not only featuring various types of forests, Geomun Oreum is also a breeding place for local birds such as Brown-Eared Bulbul, Korean Bush Warbler, Varied Tit, Streptopelia Orientalis, White-Backed Woodpecker and migratory birds such as Fairy Pitta and Tricolor Flycatcher.After it was designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, many visitors has come to enjoy the area's trekking course and the ecological exploring area.Excluding Tuesdays, the trails are open from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM in 30 minute intervals. A reservation must be made in advance for this activity.※ Geomun Oreum Visitors Center: +82-64-784-0456 (Reservation must be made two days before visiting)