Seoul(Jung-gu)

The Russian Legation was built in a Renaissance style in 1890. Russian architect, A. J. Scredin Sabatine designed the structure. In 1895, during the Joseon Dynasty, the Eulmisabyeon Incident took place as a show of force by the Japanese.Empress Myeongseong-hwanghu was emerging as a strong figure in Korea at a time when a power struggle between Japan, China, Russia, and other powers were taking place. Japanese Minister, Miura Goro saw her as a threat and ordered her assassination. After hearing news of the Empress’s assassination, King Gojong and the Crown Prince sought refuge in the Russian Embassy for one year.After 1945, the Soviet Union took over the embassy until it was almost completely destroyed by a fire during the Korean War [1950~1953]. The only remaining parts of the building are the tower and basement areas. The building was restored to its current condition in 1973 and is now enjoyed by many as a public park. 


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Located at the foot of Mt. Halla on Jeju Island, Seongeup Folk Village is a small town that holds a vast amount of culture.Cultural properties in the folk village have been handed down from generation to generation and include treasures such as residential houses, Confucian shrines and schools, ancient government offices, stone statues, large millstones (pulled by horses or ox), fortress ruins, and stone monuments. Among the cultural gems of the folk village are intangible cultural assets such as folk plays, native foods, local folk craftsmanship, and local dialect. Even the trees are an important part of the area’s heritage. Several zelkova and nettle trees that are hundreds of years old stand at the center of the village, preserving the dignified atmosphere of a bygone era.The Seongeup Folk Village shows the unique culture of Jeju Island: the black lava rock walls, the straight but curvy alleys to block the wind, and the stone grandfather statues (Harubang), which have become a prime feature of the landscape. The local black-haired pigs and tongsi (pigsty / restroom) are especially well-known characteristics of Jeju folk culture. The Jeju black pork is said to be very nutritious.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

Cheonbuldong Valley is the main Valley of Seorak Mountain and is also called Seorak Valley. It was named Cheonbuldong because the many peaks on either side look like a lineup of a thousand Buddhist statues. It is also called Cheonbuldong because the peaks also look like Buddhist saints offering food sacrifices to Buddha. If you follow the waterway of Waseondae for about 300m, you’ll arrive at Biseondae. Travel 12 km further from here and you will arrive at Daecheongbong. There’s also Biseondae Munjudam, Ihodam, and the steep Guimyeonam. On the opposite side, an hour’s walk past Chilseongbong, attached to Hwachaebong, is Chilseonggol’s forked road from which you can reach Oryeon Falls, Yangpok, Cheondang Falls and other valleys with exceptionally beautiful sceneries. The path used to be rough and difficult, but because of new facilities and a mountain villa, you can more easily climb and see the scenery of Cheonbuldong. Many people who go hiking at Seorak Mountain seek this place out because of the convenient transportation provided by Seorak-dong’s Sogongwon, which becomes the starting point for many mountain climbers, and there is an endless line of hikers and tourists who come to visit during mid October when the autumnal leaves start turning color.


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

Digital Pavillion, located inside Digital Media City in Sangam-dong, offers visitors a look into IT-related products in its ubiquitous lifestyle experience center. Covering a total area of 9,721 ㎡, the four-story building holds about 40 items on display. The Exploration Hall on the second floor and the Imagination Hall on the third floor are especially popular among children. * Opened on April 30, 2008


Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , TheWestern Part of the Jeju Island

Located in Bongseong-ri, Aewol-eup, Saebyeol Oreum (also called Hyoseongak) is a parasitic volcano located almost 520 meters above sea level. It is a famous oreum, which means 'mountain in the Jeju dialect, and hosts the Jeju Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival every year, marking the first full moon day of the lunar calendar. During the festival, the pampas grass covering the oreum is lit and the entire oreum becomes engulfed in flames. The mountain is renowned for it’s elegant curves, connecting ridges as well as being one of the best spots to overlook the nearby landscape.While thickets blanket the North Slope, the rest of the mountain is a meadow. Burial mounds can be seen on the northwest, southwest and the southern outskirts of the mountain. The name is related to Saebyeol Oreum the lonely morning star rising first in the night sky. Visitors can climb to the top of the mountain within 30 minutes.Visitors are not permitted to climb Saebyeol Oreum at times due to fire danger (Feb 1 to May 15 and Nov 1 to Dec 15), so they should check the availability of hiking at the Aewol-eup Office prior to their visit.※ Aewol-eup Office: +82-64-799-6001* Information on Hiking Restrictions during the Mountain Fire Warning Period 


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

Located in Sokcho, the Teddy Bear Farm Gallery offers a glimpse into the unique lifestyle of Sokcho through teddy bears: teddy bears are displayed mountain-climbing, skiing, playing golf, riding a boat from Abai Village to downtown, working hard on a squid fishing boat, sun tanning, or even defending the country. Visitors can purchase teddy bears at the gift shop and there are also some learning programs for teddy bear fans.


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

The Ttukdo Water Purification Plant (Waterworks Museum and Slow Sand Filtration Basin) was completed in August 1908. Construction first commenced in August 1906 as Americans C.H. Collbran and H.R. Bostwick were granted the rights by the Korean Empire to construct the waterworks facility. This was highly significant in that it was the first water purification plant ever built in Korea. At the time of the plants completion, it produced 12,500 tons of purified water to approximately 165,000 Seoul citizens. The Western-style brick mason building had a traditional clay tile roof and was 312.4㎡ in size. The water supply facility (currently renamed Waterworks Museum) and Slow Sand Filtration Basin are designated No.72 Tangible Cultural Asset of Seoul.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. Constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-deok (632-647), it was used for observing the stars in order to forecast the weather. This stone structure is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves, and was designated as National Treasure No.31 on December 20th, 1962. Cheomseongdae was built in a cylinder shape with stones 30cm in diameter. 362 stones were piled up to make 27 levels. Roughly 4.16m up from the bottom there is a 1㎡ square entrance and a space to hang a ladder under it. The inside is filled with soil up to the 12th level, and the 19th, 20th, 25th, and 26th levels all have long rocks hanging on two areas, shaped as the Chinese letter '井' (jeong). It stands 9.17m high and the base stone on each side measures 5.35m. The Vernal Equinox, Autumnal Equinox, Winter Solstice, Summer Solstice and the 24 solar terms (also known as the astronomical solar year) were determined by the observation of stars. The pavilion stone is believed to have been used as a standard of deciding directions, north, south, east and west. The 362 stones used to build Cheomseongdae represented the 362 days in a lunar year.