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

If you are looking for a place to enjoy some homemade-style snacks while in Korea, Mom's Cookie is a definate stop to make. Located close to Seoul Nat'l Univ. of Education Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, it's very accessible and offers a unique activity for visitors to partake in. Equipped with a friendly and cozy interior, visitors to the shop can decorate their own sugar cookies and then take them home. Many young couples and families on mommy-daughter outings frequent the shop to create special presents for their loved ones. There are even more sweets listed on the menu, with their most popular treat being brownies topped with ice cream.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

Deoksugung Palace has held a guard-changing ceremony since 1996 after thorough historical research by leading historians. The ceremony, which is held in front of the Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace, is a tradition similar to the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and offers a rare opportunity to experience royal culture. The royal gate is opened and closed at pre-determined times, and the gatekeepers in charge of guard duty and patrols hold a shift ceremony three times a day. Special Programs: The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony is a highly recommended event for tourists. It is held three times a day (11:00 / 14:00 / 15:30) in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace. As each ceremony follows the same procedure and lasts for thirty minutes, visitors can choose whichever time is most convenient. The ceremony is free of charge. There are no ceremonies on Mondays as well as on severely cold or hot days.As the ceremony begins, the changing of the guards commences replete with traditional musical instruments, and exchanges a password for verification. An eight-minute guard ceremony ensues, followed by a seven-minute change ceremony, and finally a patrol that completes the ceremony. The procedure takes a dramatic turn when 18 guards in six official positions beat a drum and bellow some orders. Major Highlights: The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene. Be sure to bring a camera. The guards’ splendid costumes, with their brilliant primary colors, are a pleasure to view. While you cannot take pictures with the guards during the changing of guards, you can take a background picture of the guards and palace. You can also take photographs with the gatekeepers after the ceremony is over. Visit the palace and enjoy the beauty of Korean palaces following the ceremony.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Goransa Temple is located at the foot of Baengmagang River, surrounded by the cliffs of Nakhwaam. The temple is assumed to have been built toward the end of the Baekje Kingdom. Although there is no historical record of the temple, it has been said it was used as a resting spot for kings of the Baekje Kingdom.There is a well-named Goranjeong behind the temple, with Gorancho (Crypsinus hastatus) growing between the rocks above the well. The kings of Baekje used to drink water from Goranjeong at least once a day, and the servants who brought the water floated the leaves of Gorancho plant as sign that it came from that well.Visitors to the temple should also take some time to enjoy the beautiful views of Baengmagang River. A ferry ride along the river also offers splendid views.


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Yeosu Maritime Cable Car is the first of its kind in Korea that connects Dolsan island and Jasan mainland over the ocean. Crystal and standard cabins are available for passengers. In particular, crystal cabins allow passengers to observe the ocean below the feet, experience the thrill of being suspended in mid-air through its transparent flooring.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

This granite pagoda from the late Baekje period in Buyeo-eup, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do has been designated as National Treasures No. 9. It is generally known as the ‘Baekje 5-story Pagoda.’In the past, it would have been called ‘Pyeongjetap.’ As one of two extant Baekje pagodas, this stone pagoda itself is a precious artifact and very important in establishing the lineage of Korean stone pagoda patterns. With refined and creative features, this pagoda exemplifies the beauty and elegance that were imitated in pagodas built in later periods.


Gyeonggi-do(Namyangju-si) , Namyangju

Opened in 1995, Chungnyeongsan Mountain Natural Recreation Forest is located at Oebang-ri, Sudong-myeon, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, around 1 hour from Seoul. The recreation forest has various trekking courses leading to Chungnyeongsan Mountain and Seorisan Mountain and facilities like the forest park, training facility, water play site, nature observation sites, camping sites, and more.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changnyeong-gun)

The hot springs have been called Bugok (the hanja characters 釜谷 refer to “cauldron” and “valley” respectively) because the land resembles the shape of a cauldron. When the spring was first discovered, people with skin ailments came in crowds because of the water’s healing properties. The sulfur and minerals in the water are effective for respiratory and skin ailments. Today, the hot springs attract 10,000~20,000 visitors a day, adding up to about 4 million people a year. Discovered in 1973, the hot springs have a 6,000-ton daily water supply flowing from underground at a temperature as high as 78℃. Bugok was officially designated a national tourist resort in 1977. Twenty years later, it was promoted to a Special Tourist Zone. Composed of 24 hot springs, the complex has hotels, condominiums, a golf course, and a fountain that shoots up hot water. The resort Bugok Hawaii has a variety of amenities including outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a theater, and saunas, making it a popular destination for newlyweds and families. The Bugok Hot Springs Festival, also called Onjeongje, is held from October to December every year to promote the area. The festival offers various activities such as a boiled egg eating contest (eggs boiled using water from the hot spring), foot baths, Pungmulnori (Korean folk music tradition) and other performances. Nearby attractions include Hwawangsan Mountain and the Upo Wetlands. [Bugok Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone] Areas covered: Geomun, Sachang and Bugok-ri, Bugok-myeon, Changnyeong-gun,Gyeongsangnam-do Area size: 4,819,000㎡


Daejeon(Yuseong-gu)

Legend has it that the region of Hakhadong was where the gods lived when they periodically came down from the heavens. When the Jagwangsa Temple was built in the district, Song Siyeol saw it as a sign and created a village school near the temple to train his pupils. It was his hope that the sacred land would aide in the raising of gifted students who would grow to serve their community and country. When building the school, Song Siyeol also planted a juniper tree that, 300 years later, still proudly stands by Jagwangsa Temple.Upon entering the temple area, visitors will find to their left the Seongjeonnyeongdangji Memorial Stone, which serves to commemorate Song Siyeol and his school. Next to the memorial stone is a pond in which carp swim lazily around lotus flowers. To the left is a large bell which is rung every day, 28 times in the morning and 33 times in the evening. To the right is the main Dharma Hall.Not just a serene and beautiful building, the 3-story temple also houses artifacts such as the Beopgo, Mogeo, and Unpan, Buddhist instruments used during rituals to cleanse the mind of pain and doubt. Also inside the grand, 3-story temple are numerous signs and wall hangings engraved with Buddhist inscriptions.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

The Royal Tomb of Queen Heo in Gusan-dong, Gimhae is the final resting place of Queen Heo, the wife of King Kim Suro, the founder of Garak. The tomb dates all the way back to the Gaya Era and has been officially designated National Historic Site No. 74. Unlike many other ancient tombs located on Korea’s flatlands, the large earthen mound sits high upon a hill. Reinforced in the front with stone and surrounded by a low stone fence, the tomb is marked with a headstone and stone tablets erected in 1647 (25th year of King Injo’s reign). Some of the stone used at the tomb is said to have come all the way from India. Together with the Tomb of King Suro, the tomb area was expanded in the 28th year of King Sejong’s reign (1446) to include several auxiliary buildings: Sungboje, Oesammun, Naesammun, and Hongsalmun. Records indicate that the tombs were robbed over a century later during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasion, 1592-1598).


Busan(Jung-gu)

Formed in the aftermath of the Korean War, Gukje Market has served countless customers over 60 years. This tradtional market for retail and wholesale purchases has been the symbol of Busan and continues to adapt to new challenges in the 21st century. Certified quality items are available at 20-30% discount prices.