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

Namsan Tower Hotel, a time-honored landmark of Seoul, has been renovated and reopened as ‘Banyan Tree Club & Spa’, a world leading resort hotel. Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul is a membership club/hotel created in Namsan, Seoul by ‘Banyan Tree Hotel & Resort,’ Singapore’s top resort brand. The new urban resort is a place where visitors can enjoy quality spa servcies while taking in a wide-open view. Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul consists of three buildings: the Club, the Hotel and the Festa. Facilities also include an outdoor sports center and other luxurious amenities like an outdoor pool, 23 private pools, a sauna, fitness center, golf course, tennis court, outdoor playing field, spa, and kids’ club. The 21-story hotel houses 34 Suites with a plunge pool, and 16 members-only club rooms. The 2 two-story Presidential Suites located on the top floors offer a wide-open night view of Seoul and Namsan Mountain. Banyan Tree Spa consists of five Deluxe Singles, four Deluxe Doubles and two Spa Suites. Every room has a shower and a rest area and the Spa Suite offers a special tropical rain mist.   


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

The only knife specialty shop in Korea, this Insadong gallery is home to over 6,000 knives from all over the world. They include traditional Korean and Japanese knives, Chinese knives, decorative knives, knives by some famous artists, and knives shown in movies. There are a variety of knives for both daily and decorative uses. Customers who order custom knives may observe the entire manufacturing process. 


Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

Mireuksa was the largest Buddhist temple of the ancient Baekje Kingdom (18 BC-660 AD). According to Samgukyusa (historical records published in 1281), King Mu (30th king of Baekje, in power 600-641 AD) and his wife Queen Seonhwa were said to have seen a vision of Mireuksamjon (the three Sanskrit) emerging from a large pond. At the time of their revelation, the king and queen were on their way to visit a Buddhist monk in Sajasa Temple on Yonghwasan Mountain (now known as Mireuksan Mountain). In response to their vision, the king drained the nearby pond and established Mireuksa Temple. The temple is believed to have shown the most advanced architectural and cultural skills of Baekje, Silla, and Goguryeo (the three main kingdoms at that time). Records indicate that King Jinpyeong of Silla even sent his craftsmen over to assist with the temple construction.The two main features of the Mireuksa Temple Site are the stone pagoda (Mireuksaji Seoktap) and the flagpole supports (Mireuksaji Dangganjiju). The 14.24-meter-high west stone pagoda (National Treasure No. 11) is the oldest and largest Korean stone pagoda in existence. The west pagoda currently has only six tiers, but is estimated to have originally had nine. The nine-story east stone pagoda (27.67m in x_height) was restored to its original stature in 1993 based on historical records. Other surviving landmarks include the flagpole supports (Treasure No. 236) to the south of the stone pagodas. The 395 centimeter-tall poles are estimated to have been created during the Unified Silla period (676-935 AD) and are set 90 meters apart from east to west.


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

Chungmuro Jjukkumi Bulgogi has been loved by customers for 40 years with only Sutbulgui jjukkumi bulgogi (charcoal-grilled ocellated octopus with bulgogi). In particular, their special sauce for jjukkumi seasoning features properly spicy and sweet taste adding more flavor to the dish.    


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

The Lotte Duty Free Shop is located at the center of Seoul, close to popular tourism destinations such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Mt. Namsan, Itaewon, and popular shopping areas like Namdaemun Market. The Lotte Duty Free Shop is a one-stop shopping complex providing over 30 boutiques that offer shoppers a wide range of products.  In 2001, the Lotte Duty Free Shop underwent a redesign for foreigners, allocating a separate area on the 11th floor for traditional Korean products and renovating the 10th floor with a new concept of imported products. A large parking facility is also available for customers of the Lotte Department Store and Lotte Hotel, able to provide parking for over 2,000 vehicles.


Gwangju(Buk-gu)

Gwangju National Museum collects and preserves cultural relics from Jeollanam-do. The exhibits are grouped in seven categories according to period and type. The Prehistoric Hall displays stone age tools from the Paleolithic Era, Neolithic Era, and Bronze Ages, as well as other relics from the early Iron Age. Samguk Hall displays many earthenware and ironware items from the Great Onggwan in the Jeolla-do area.The Buddhist Art Hall exhibits cultural Items related to the religion, the Painting Hall exhibits works of artists of the Honam district from the Joseon and modern periods. Jeolla-do is also considered the birthplace of Korean Pottery. The Goryeo Pottery Exhibit Hall showcases the transition from the Cheongja of the Goryeo Period to the Joseon Period's Buncheongsagi and Baekja. It is possible to witness the entire pottery-making process at once. Pottery items are also on display at Joseon Buncheongsagi Baekja Hall.The Shinan Ocean Floor Relic Hall is a unique exhibit hall with items on display from a trade ship submerged for 600 years in the Shinan Sea. The items were excavated during 11 operations that took place from 1976 to 1984. Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month, and the museum is closed on Mondays. 


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Cheonjiyeon, meaning "God’s pond," derives its name from the legend that the seven fairies serving the King of Heaven came down to the pond on stairs of cloud and bathed in its clean waters. Apart from the wild Dampalsu trees, designated as natural monument No. 163, the wooded area also contains a great variety of rare plants such as brambles, Songyeopnan as well as Gusiljappam trees, Sanyuja trees (Chinese lemon trees), and camellias which are all specified as natural monument No. 379. Take a walk along the subtropical path towards the Cheonjiyeon Falls for a kilometer and you will be able to hear the magnificent sound of waterfalls. The waterfall is 22m high, 12m wide and 20m in depth. The clear and deep water of Cheonjiyeon Falls is designated as natural monument No. 27 and is renowned as a habitat for Mutae eels (natural monument No. 258). Also, the annual Seven Fairies Festival is held every May.  


Incheon(Jung-gu) , Incheon Center

Silmi Beach, also known as Keunmuri Beach, is located on Muuido Island. The clean, sandy beach stretches out beautifully against the backdrop of a lush pine tree forest so dense that it does not let daylight in, even at midday. Facing the beach is Silmido Island, the location for the filming of ‘Silmido’ (2003), a Korean movie based on the tragic story of Korean Special Ops Unit 684. The film set, however, was demolished after the shooting. The pathway to the island, which has no residents, can be shown during low tide. Therefore, visitors should be aware of the tidal times to know when they can cross back to the mainland.


Busan(Yeongdo-gu)

Fish cakes are one of the most popular snacks in Busan. Among many fish cake makers in the city, Samjin Fish Cake is the oldest fish cake producer. Its main store in Yeongdo looks like a bakery shop. Visitors can choose among a variety of fish cakes and there is a separate space in the store where they can eat purchased fish cakes.


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Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Jeondeungsa Temple, located within Jeongjoksanseong Fortress in Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon-si, holds temple stay programs every weekend. The program entails learning temple etiquette, performing zen meditation, having a dialogue with a monk, and doing chores together.