Jeollanam-do(Gangjin-gun)

This hanok (traditional Korean house) guesthouse is nestled in the folds of Wolchulsan Mountain, in Gangjin’s Dalbit Hanok Village, a collection of hanok houses. The treasure of this place is the view of nature: Sitting on numaru (raised floor space), which has an open view to the three sides, one has a view of the Wolchulsan National Park and the green tea fields nearby. A wide courtyard serves as the home of flowers and the playground of the puppy in the residence. There are three rooms in total, all Korean-style ondol (under-the-heating system) rooms. Rooms are decorated with folk painting, dried flowers, and old-style ornaments to recreate the comfortable and charming atmosphere of rural Korea. Sunlight and moonlight filter between the screen doors, making one realize staying in a hanok building. Dalbit Room has a numaru for an even better view, where one can enjoy a cup of tea while appreciating the view of nature. Smile Room has access to jjongmaru (balcony). Another important thing that must be mentioned at Dalbit Smile is its breakfast: the owner, who is licensed in Korean and Chinese cuisine, offers a robust table of heartwarming home food every morning. It takes about 5 min by car to reach Gangjin’s famous tourist sites like Baegundong Garden and Gangjin Dawon (tea plantation), while Wolchulsan National Park is reachable in 10 min.


Seoul(Gangdong-gu)

Iljasan Mountain is the tallest peak in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, providing the western boundary between Gangdong-gu and Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do. Iljasan Mountain is one of the best spots in Seoul to watch the sunrise. Located on the mountain is the house of Master Lee Jip (pen-name Dunchon), providing a good getaway spot for local residents. Lee jip was a loyal government official during the reign of King Gongmin during the late Goryeo Dynasty. He was forced to move to a underground tunnel in the southwest side of Iljasan Mountain to avoid entrapment by Shin Don, a person of influence at the time. While living in hiding, he took the pen-name Dunchon (meaning drawing back to the countryside) to symbolize the hardships he was going through. The nearby area was named after him, being called Dunchon-dong.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun)

Nadeul-gil means a leisurely outing (nadeuri) road. Comprised of 19 courses in total, the Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Trail offers a variety of historical assets and cultural sites to see. Each Nadeul-gil course connects Ganghwa Fortress outposts that are located every 1.3 km on high ground along the walking paths. The trails are on the island of Ganghwa which holds many Goryeo Dynasty remains that are important to Korean history. Fortresses that stood against Mongolian invasions are still standing and many of the Goryeo Kingdom’s palaces and royal tomb sites are also found in Ganghwa region. Exploring the major cultural heritage sites dispersed throughout the town can be just as fun as exploring Ganghwa’s natural beauty. The sunset on the Seohae (West coast), expansive open mud flats, views from Marisan and Goryeosan Mountains and the peaceful farming villages are just a handful of the sights along this walking trail. The establishment of Ganghwa Nadeul-gil’s begins with the ancient scholar Go Jae-hyeong (pen name Hwanam), who left his hometown Ganghwa on a spring day in 1906 when the peach trees were in full bloom. He walked through more than 100 villages around the whole island. Back home, he composed poems about his journey and published them under the title of “Simdo Gihaeng (Simdo Travels),” Simdo being another name for Ganghwa. During his travels, he sang songs of his home Ganghwa. Thanks to his work, people can now follow in the footsteps of Hwanam and his appreciation of the beautiful scenery and great people of Ganghwa Island.


Jeollabuk-do(Namwon-si)

The Silsangsa Temple was constructed by monk Jeunggak, as one of nine special temples in the year 828. The temple was established because of the theory of divination, based on topology. The belief held that Korea’s good spirit would be taken away to Japan, bringing bad luck if the temple was not constructed on this particular location. The temple was reconstructed in the 26th year of Joseon Sukjong’s reign (1700) after it was completely destroyed by the Japanese invasion in 1597. However, it was almost burnt down in the 19th year of King Gojong’s reign (1882). It is presently preserved just as it belonged to the Unified Silla Kingdom, with its three-story pagoda and its 11 treasures with a total of 17 cultural assets. The entrance of the temple lies in the middle of a rice field and the temple has a pastoral view, surrounded by trees. From the entrance, you can cross the half-moon shaped stone bridge, and just beyond that a remarkable totem pole.


Ulsan(Buk-gu)

Lotte Mart Jinjang Branch sells high quality goods and has many convenient facilities and spacious parking spaces. The store also hosts various local events.


Busan(Busanjin-gu)

This Chinese restaurant is good for large or small gatherings and quick and simple meals. The chef has thirty years of experience in Chinese cuisine, having worked at the Chinese restaurants of Commodore Hotel and Glory Hotel. The restaurant offers two private rooms available for everyone to use. There is a ramp at the main entrance of the building, allowing easy access for wheelchairs. Inside, customers can take an elevator down to the basement to get to the restaurant.


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si)

Korean Folk Village hosts the Good Luck Feast for Welcoming the New Year to celebrate the New Year in February. During this feast, various traditional events including daljip (bundle of twigs that is burned to bring good luck), jisin bapgi (prayer ritual involving singing and playing instruments), sharing tteok (rice cake), stamping bujeok (charms preventing bad lucks), reading Tojeongbigyeol (Korean traditional fortune-telling book) and Yutjeom (new year’s fortune-telling by throwing yut) are available as New Year’s event. Visitors can pound rice cake (tteok) and also try boktteok (복떡) made in the traditional way. Unique programs such as stamping bujeok and reading tojeongbigyeol will entertain visitors who wish to enjoy Korean traditional holidays. In celebration of Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year’s Day), Korean Folk Village plans to introduce a new character, ‘Bok jangsu’ (복(福)장수), followed by Eoggaegeoji, Yeotgeol, and Gumiho. The varied characters each have their own personality. ‘Bok (福) geoji’ likes begging, ‘Bok (福) gumiho’ loves hanbok (Korean traditional costume) and ‘Bok (福) pojol’ cares for folk games. These characters can be seen throughout the festival venue, sharing well-wishing remarks for the New Year. In addition, people can be selected as a winner of ‘Daebak (big luck) lottery’ which provides prizes when playing a simple game with ‘Bok (福) jangsu’. A mask dance performance will be prepared at the entrance of Korean Folk Village to greet the New Year. Other events include face-painting, and deokdam (well-wishing remarks) photo zone. On the day of Lunar New Year’s Day, performance events such as ‘Beauty of Traditional dance, Tradition of Flowers’ and ‘Gukak B-boy’ are planned. Furthermore, visitors who enter the folk village wearing hanbok and visitors born in the year of the sheep can receive a 50% discounted one day ticket. To get the discount, please bring valid ID to the festival site.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

It is a house where you can enjoy Korean traditional bulgogi. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The representative menu is bulgogi hot pot.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun)

Nadeul-gil means a leisurely outing (nadeuri) road. Comprised of 19 courses in total, the Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Trail offers a variety of historical assets and cultural sites to see. Each Nadeul-gil course connects Ganghwa Fortress outposts that are located every 1.3 km on high ground along the walking paths. The trails are on the island of Ganghwa which holds many Goryeo Dynasty remains that are important to Korean history. Fortresses that stood against Mongolian invasions are still standing and many of the Goryeo Kingdom’s palaces and royal tomb sites are also found in Ganghwa region. Exploring the major cultural heritage sites dispersed throughout the town can be just as fun as exploring Ganghwa’s natural beauty. The sunset on the Seohae (West coast), expansive open mud flats, views from Marisan and Goryeosan Mountains and the peaceful farming villages are just a handful of the sights along this walking trail. The establishment of Ganghwa Nadeul-gil’s begins with the ancient scholar Go Jae-hyeong (pen name Hwanam), who left his hometown Ganghwa on a spring day in 1906 when the peach trees were in full bloom. He walked through more than 100 villages around the whole island. Back home, he composed poems about his journey and published them under the title of “Simdo Gihaeng (Simdo Travels),” Simdo being another name for Ganghwa. During his travels, he sang songs of his home Ganghwa. Thanks to his work, people can now follow in the footsteps of Hwanam and his appreciation of the beautiful scenery and great people of Ganghwa Island.