Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea (MCST) and Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) are hosting a large-scale Hallyu concert for international visitors in a bid to promote Korea Grand Sale, which is running from August 14 to October 31, 2015.Visitors can see top K-pop stars, including Girls' Generation, CN Blue and Beast performing on a single stage, as well as sample traditional Korean hansik dishes and try on traditional Korean hanbok clothes.


Gangwon-do(Hwacheon-gun)

Yanguidae Wetland Protected Area located between Peace’s Dam and Ojak-gyo is home to a variety of critical species deemed to have a significant value that is worthy to protect. Left untouched for 50 years due to the conflicts between North and South Korea, the area has a well preserved ecosystems. Efforts to conserve this ecosystem and guarding otter nests are needed.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

In honor of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, Suwon adopted the idea of ‘restrooms with culture’- building beautiful, clean, brand new bathrooms at main tourist sites around the city. The Firefly Restroom, located near the Gwanggyo Reservoir, is the most beautiful of them all. It features a tunnel for the handicapped, a ceiling which filters light, a simple interior, a coffee vending machine, and a rest area.


Seoul(Songpa-gu)

This place is famous for its Namwon-style crushed loach soup that was enjoyed by commoners in the olden days. Your mouth waters as boiling crushed loach soup in an earthen bowl is put on the table. With chopped hot chili peppers from Cheongyang and Chinese pepper flour, you can enjoy the taste of hot and spicy crushed loach soup. *Best Korean Restaurants As Designated by The Seoul Metropolitan Government


Gangwon-do(Wonju-si)

Guryongsa Temple (구룡사) is located 6km from Birobong Peak on Chiaksan Mountain, in the direction of Hakkok-ri. Monk Ui Sang (625~702) of the Silla Kingdom (BC 57~AD 935) built and named the temple Guryongsa in 668 (during the reign of King Moon Mu: reign 661 ~ 681). However, it is now known that the temple was built after King Sukjong, the 19th King of Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910), who reigned from 1674 to 1720, because of the architectural style of the Daewoongjeon Shrine. There is a legend that the Guryongsa Temple site was originally a lake where nine dragons lived. The name Guryong comes from the story that the lake was filled up to build the temple on it. There are many shrines such as Daewoongjeon, Bogwangnu, Samseonggak, Simgeomdang and Seolseondang. Daewoongjeon has maintained its original shape though it was repaired many times. Daewoongjeon is a wooden building with the basic Dapojip style in the Joseon Era. The shape of the building is a Chinese character (八), with three rooms in the front and two rooms on the side and built without any nails. It is designated as Tangible Cultural Property No.24. We can see the characteristics of the Buddhist statues in the Joseon Period though the Samjonmokbul inside Daewoongjeon. With the Seokgamuni figure in the center and two Bosal statues on each side harmonize the structure of the building, and there are many other Buddhist artifacts in the temple such as Bogwangru and others.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

Hansongjeong Garden is owned by a first-rate chef who only uses carefully selected ingredients. The owner-chef won the Grand Prize in the SIFE Seoul International Culinary Competition 2007 and received a bronze medal for his work at the Gangwon Tour Service Competition. He also has a patent on Eolgari Nangmyeon (Cold Buckwheat Noodles with Eolgari Kimchi).


Gyeonggi-do(Uijeongbu-si) , Uijeongbu

The Uijeongbu Arts Center (의정부 예술의전당) is a multipurpose cultural space that maintains a large theater, a small theater, an international conference hall, and an exhibition hall. The large theater is a spacious performance hall that can support 300 on-stage performers and accommodate an audience of 1,057 persons. The theater has a multifunctional, three-dimensional, moving stage and state-of-the-art stage-lighting and sound facilities, making it a suitable venue for all genres, including orchestras, plays, dance performances, operas, and musicals. Despite its size, the small theater’s lighting and sound facilities match those of the large theater, and the facility can easily support a wide array of lively performances, including plays, chamber music, recitals, choral concerts, and other types of concerts, as well as experimental works. The exhibition hall is comprised of a large, round exhibition hall and two general exhibition halls, and its facilities are able to support any type of exhibition, irrespective of the field or size, such as drawings, calligraphy, sculptures, crafts, or photography. At the international conference hall, various symposiums, workshops, and academic seminars can be easily held, maintaining 109 seats for conference attendees, 68 seats for audience members, simultaneous interpretation facilities for up to five languages, and an audio-video control room. 


Gyeongsangnam-do(Miryang-si)

Just north of Cheonhwangsan Mountain (Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do), Eoreumgol Valley (Ice Valley) sits at an elevation between 600 and 750m and covers an area of 29,752m². Designated as Natural Monument No.224, the valley is unusual in that it begins to freeze in March when the weather becomes warm and thaws in the fall when the weather becomes cold. In the winter, the valley generates warm breezes and the water rarely freezes. Because of these unique attributes, the valley is considered one of the Four Mysteries in Miryang and attracts visitors from early summer through fall.Other notable ice valleys in Korea include Binggye Gyegok in Uiseong (Gyeongsangbuk-do), Punghyeol Naengcheon in Yanghwa Village (Jinan, Jeollabuk-do), and Aircongul in Nari Plain (Ulleungdo Island). 


Seoul(Jung-gu)

Hosted by Kyunghyang Shinmun, C Channel, Agape Cultural Foundation, Baekseok Arts University and sponsored by Seoul Metropolitan City and Korea Tourism Organization, 2016 Christmas Festival is a Christmas Festival that takes place at Cheonggye Plaza, the center of Cheonggyecheon Stream. Marking its 2nd anniversary of this year, Cheonggyecheon will be entertaining visitors with fancy illuminating Christmas tree theme park and photo zones for 30 days. Various events and programs are also prepared for a heartwarming end-of-the-year experience for everybody.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

Located 87.4km away from Ulleungdo Island, and formed entirely from volcanic rock, Dokdo is an isolated island off the east coast of Korea bearing a latitude of 37°14' north and a longitude of 131°52' east. Collectively, both Ulleungdo Island and Dokdo once belonged to a country named Usanguk. According to geographical records, Usanguk became part of the Silla Kingdom (57B.C. ~ 935 A.D.) in June of the 13th year that King Jijeung ruled Silla. Isabu (a general and politician of Silla) gained significant strength during this period to overtake Usanguk.In the Seongjong Memoir of the Joseon Dynasty, there are passages by Kim Jaju describing Dokdo, which was referred to as Sambongdo at the time. Dokdo was initially called 'Sambongdo', 'Gajido' or 'Usando', but the name was later changed to Dokdo in 1881. The name 'Dokdo' was first used in 1906 by the Headman of Ulleung County Sim Heungtaek. In 1914, Dokdo officially became an administrative district of the Gyeongsangbuk-do.After The Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, Japanese fishermen often came near Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Sukjong Sillok, the Annals of King Suk Jong (1674-1720), records that An Yong-bok went to Japan twice in order to protest against Japanese nationals trespassing into Korean territory. He asked the Japanese authorities to recognize Korea's sovereignty over these islands and to forbid Japanese nationals to sail to Dokdo.Dokdo is comprised of two main islands: Dongdo, or East Island which sits 98m above sea level, and Seodo, or West Island, which sits 168m above sea level, together with 36 smaller rock formations. Seperating Dongdo and Seodo is the Hyeongjegul Cave, together with Cheonsanggul Cave on Dongdo. Over time, other caves and topographic features of the island formed due to weathering and erosion.Japan acknowledged the value of Dokdo after the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. Japan unilaterally transferred Dokdo to Shimane Prefecture, Japan and renamed it "Dakesima". Several authorities in Japan have continuously declared their dominion, over the island, which led to diplomatic conflicts between Korea and Japan. Such conflicts have yet to be resolved.Presently there are security guards on Dokdo that protect several houses that were built onto the rocks as well as a small harbor. For more information on traveling Dokdo, click here!