Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Seungdong Presbyterian Church was designated Tangible Cultural Asset No. 130 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on April 6, 2001. Originally known as “Gondanggol Church,” the church was established by Samuel Foreman Moore (1860-1906) in 1893. In those days, the church was known as a “baekjeong church” since it primarily drew Korea’s social underdogs such baekjeong (the butchers), the untouchable class of Joseon society. Following a number of relocations and name changes (called “Gondanggol,” “Jungang,” and finally “Seungdong”) the church was moved to its current location in Insadong. After Moore died in 1906, Charles Allen Clark became the pastor of the church and Mongyang Yuh Woon-hyung, a key figure in the political history of Joseon, became active in the church. The church was attended by many other activists as well. In fact, the large student demonstration that took place during the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919 was organized by a group of young church members. The church once again made its mark on history with the establishment of the Joseon Theological Seminary in 1939. Seungdong Church (B1-2F) covers a total of 660 square meters. No record has been found on its architect or builder, but the building is said to have been one of the more magnificent buildings in the area before its beauty was obscured by newer structures.


Seoul(Gangbuk-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

Established in 1988, this five-star hotel has 89 rooms with a Korean restaurant, a large-sized banquet hall, and more. A large renovation was performed in 1998, and in 2002, a 35-room annex building was additionally opened. Hotel Victoria also offers a 2,000 person wedding hall and banquet hall, a sauna, health club, aerobics center, and other leisure facilities. Furthermore, the "Victoria Night Club" and "Don't Tell Mama Adult Night Club" are receiving great popularity as places of social entertainment and fun.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Daraenamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace is estimated to be 600 years old, meaning it had likely been planted before the palace was built. The tree stands 19m in x_height, and has six separate trunks sprawling in all directions. It is the biggest and the oldest in Korea. It is designated and protected as a National Natural Monument.


Seoul(Gangseo-gu) , The Western Part of the Seoul

The Shilla Duty Free Shop – Gimpo International Airport Branch is conveniently located at the departure lounge of the airport. The duty free shop offers many luxury items including cosmetics, perfumes, bags and sunglasses. There are also many gifts, souvenirs, Korean brands and traditional goods for business travelers and foreigners. The shop offers promotional events every month. Check the event page of the website to find out about the promotion of the month. Click here to see the event page.


Seoul(Gwangjin-gu)

Achasan Mountain Ecological Park was established under the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Five Year Plan for Urban Green Expansion. Through various events and activities, the park provides opportunities to experience and learn about nature and its ecology. Major facilities include Eco Park, Rendezvous Square, Red Clay Road, Barefoot Path, Pine Forest, Mineral Spring, Eco Trail and Pergola.


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

Korea's first pop-up store built with shipping containers, Common Ground is approximately 5300 square meters in scale, made up of 200 large containers and is capable of transforming into different structures or moving into different places.Mega-sized mainstream brands are hard to spot in the common ground. Instead, new and trendy mid-sized shops by up-and-coming new designers and editorial shops can be found here.On the central square of the ground market, a weekend market is held with different themes. In addition, various events such as exhibitions and performances continue to entertain the shoppers while playing its role as a cultural space. On its 3rd floor terrace, famous restaurants sprawl along the sides of the alley. If you feel like having a light snack, you can also pop down to the food trucks on the market ground that offers an exotic gastronomic dining experience.


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

Palpal Minmul Jangeo (also called as Palpal Freshwater Eel) is a 30-year old restaurant specializing in dishes made with eel. Many people come to the restaurant to enjoy the savory and delicate taste of freshwater eel marinated with the restaurant’s novelty sauce that has been developed for 30 years.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

This restaurant's feature items are its Samseon-nurungjitang, Dongpayuk, and Seafood Galbi. Seafood is plentiful in the Samseon-nurungjitang, making for a delicous soup base to which nicely browned rice is added later. When the browned rice is added to the soup base, a loud crackling noise is heard, which signals the beginning of a delicious meal.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

In an effort to promote the majesty and grace of Korean royal culture and present a major traditional ceremony to the public, the Seoul Metropolitan Government hosts a reenactment of the royal wedding ceremony of King Gojong and Queen Min in the spring and fall every year. The reenactment will take place at Unhyeongung Palace, the original site of the royal wedding ceremony on March 21, 1866, for emperor Gojong and his empress Myeongseong. Based on thorough historical research and consultation by the palace’s counsel panel, the event is organized to commemorate the significance of Korean history and to shed some new light on a fading traditional culture. Event Programs: Garye in Korean refers to 1) a royal wedding or enthronement of the king; 2) a wedding or formal installation of a crown prince or his eldest son, or the prince imperial or his son. Because it is a major national ceremony, it is not uncommon for thousands of people to be mobilized during several months just for this event. Also, because of the strict and complex procedures and formalities of Joseon-Dynasty royal weddings, the procedures were established according to a set of regulations. In all traditional Korean weddings, the groom customarily visited the bride’s house and brings her to his home. The same applied to the king. However, because common houses were limited in space, royal weddings were held at Byeolgung, known as detached palaces. For King Gojong and Queen Min, Unhyeongung Palace was used as the Byeolgung. The reenactment of the wedding starts with Eoga Haengnyeol, a royal procession led by a banner emblazoned with the king’s coat of arms, the yellow dragon. Following the coat-of-arms banner was the five directions banner and other traditional royal trappings. Then followed the Bisuchaeg Uisik, or the formal installation of Min as the queen, and the Chinyeong, in which King Gojong takes her as the queen. The wedding reenactment lasts for two hours. Major Highlights: This ceremony is an exact reenactment of the royal wedding ceremony of Joseon's imperial family. It offers a great opportunity to see royal costumes and the lifestyle of Joseon dynasty. The traditional royal costumes are spectacular and elegant, and the wedding displays such regal and grandeur distinction. After the ceremony, there is a photo session, so don’t forget to bring a camera. * The wedding ceremony is held in Spring (April or May) and Fall (September or October).