Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

Bamseom Island gets its name from its shape (‘bam’ meaning ‘chestnut’ in Korean) and has long been famous for its great view and beautiful surroundings. The Hangang River waters flowing around Bamseom Island were once so clean that the river was used as a source of drinking water for island residents. As part of the Yeouido Development Project, the 443 island residents and their 62 houses were mass migrated to Changcheon-dong, Mapo-gu and the hillside area of Wusan Mountain on Feb 10, 1968. As time passed on the newly uninhabited island, the river deposited sediment around the island and a bunch of wild water plants grew. In the early 1990s, the island became famous as a ‘migratory bird habitat in the middle of a city,’ which is a rare occurrence worldwide. On August 10, 1999 the Seoul Metropolitan Office designated the island an ‘Ecosystem Reserve,’ providing special care and preservation of the island. * Island Ecosystem Birds (41 species): the island is home to mandarin ducks, spotbill birds, reed warblers, white herons, and ringed plover (which also use the island as a breeding grounds). The island is a winter habitat for over 5,000 migratory birds. Fish (29 species): cornet fish, Korean bullhead, carp, mandarin fish, etc. Plants (189 species): common reed, dicentra, prince’s feather, salix matsudana, etc. Insects (15 species): small cabbage white, fabricius, faust, black-horned katydid, scopoli, etc. * Elevation: often submerged when large volumes of water are released from Paldang Dam due to flooding. * Island circumference: mudflats, sand, pebbles, etc.


Seoul(Mapo-gu)

Rolling Hall is a cultural complex ideal for holding a wide variety of artistic and cultural events. It has hosted renowned international acts, underground musicians, and indie bands. Equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, the hall has the distinctive, liberal ambience of the live clubs in the Hongdae (Hongik University) area.Audiences can enjoy musical performances in pop, hip hop, jazz ballad, and rock in an intimate atmosphere that is not likely to be found in large concert halls.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Founded in April, 1967, the Seoul YMCA Hotel reopened with a brand-new look following remodeling in 2006. The hotel has a long reputation of providing neat and clean facilities and dedicated services at affordable prices.The Seoul YMCA Hotel is located in downtown Seoul (Jongno2-ga) near popular attractions such as old palaces, Insadong, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Dongdaemun, Namdaemun and more.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Located in the cultural and art district of Insa-dong, the Sunbee hotel is an “Innostel”, a new concept of hotels developed by the Seoul City Government. These hotels provide comfortable accommodation, but without facilities such as fitness centers or saunas, at very reasonable prices. A wide selection of rooms are available, Korean-style, western-style and even fusion style. Prior reservations are required. English, Japanese service is available.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Cultural Heritage Administration, Royal Culture Festival Organizing Committee / Dae Han Imperial House Korea's beautiful palaces and the royal culture they present have great value as precious tangible and intangible heritages. The Royal Culture festival is held at the Four Royal Palaces and Jongmyo Shrine, allowing visitors to get first-hand knowledge of their value. Each of the five venues will have unique performances, exhibitions, experiences and programs set within the individual traits of the palaces and Jongmyo Shrine. The palaces and Jongmyo Shrine, which have kept their place forhundreds of years, will be hosting the Royal Culture Festival for ten daysfrom April 28 to May 7. Marking its third anniversary, the Royal PalaceFestival is a cultural heritage festival that reinterprets the court cultureand historical background of each palace. Different performances,exhibitions, programs and ceremonies will be taking place inGyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, ChanggyeonggungPalace, Deoksugung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine. It will be an opportunityfor people to get more involved in the festival. Programs [Gyeongbokgung, Encounter with Kings] - Opening ceremony - Photo Exhibition on Hanbok - Nighttime Concerts at Gyeonghoeru Pavilion - Royal Music Performance - Royal Kitchen Experience ‘A Taste of Royal Cuisine’ - Promenade of the King - Royal Library of the King - Media Facade Show at Heungnyemun Gate - Dae Han Imperial Culture Exhibition  - Intangible Heritage Performances - Royal Culture Experience             [Changdeokgung, Encounter with Nature]   - Nighttime Promenade at Changdeokgung Palace - Exhibition of Royal Poets and Palace Photos - Experience of Royal Pharmacy     [Changgyeonggung, Encounter with Everyday Royal Life] - King Yeongjo and Changgyeonggung Palace - One-Day Time Travel to 1750 - Nighttime Royal Music Performance - Outdoor Royal Theatre Performance       [Deoksugung, Encounter with Modernity]   - Intangible Cultural Heritage Performance - The Daehan Empire and Coffee - The Korean Empire Concert - Diplomatic Reception for Envoys to the Korean Empire   [Jongmyo, Encounter with Ritual] - Royal Ancestral Ritual at Jongmyo Shrine - Myohyeollye Ritual at Jongmyo Shrine - Nighttime Royal Ancestral Ritual Music at Jongmyo Shrine - Experience Hall       Today we meet the palace of yesterday The opening ceremony of ‘The 3rd ROYAL CULTURE FESTIVAL 2017’ "TODAY, WE MEET THE PALACE" is the start of the festival. A Festival that will infuse new life to the palace which has contained the time of the past and the present and a historical and cultural presence.   The 3rd ROYAL CULTURE FESTIVAL 2017 Special Event We meet the Korean Empire! In 1897, King Gojong became an emperor and proclaimed the establishment of the Korean Empire in order to widely express the independence of Joseon. In celebration of the 120th anniversary of the declaration of the Korean Empire, in 2017 we made an opportunity to experience its time   ​   ​   Today we meet the palace of yesterday At the Gyeongbokgung Palace, starting with the opening ceremony, ‘Gyeonghoeru Pavilion Nighttime Concert’ will be held in the spring evening, ‘A Taste of Royal Cuisine’ will let you taste royal cuisine culture and ‘Hanbok Photo Exhibition’ will show the beauty of Hanbok. At the Changdeokgung Palace, ‘Botanical Tour with Donggwoldo’ will help explore nature and ‘The Royal Medicine’ will give you a glimpse of Korean traditional medicine. At the Changgyeonggung Palace, ‘Time Travel to 1750’ will take you back to 1750 and show the royal daily life and ‘Outdoor Historical Drama’ will perform a realistic depiction of the era. At the Jongmyo Shrine, ‘Royal Ancestral Ritual’ will be held with other related music performances. On the 120th anniversary of the declaration of the Korean Empire, at the Deoksugung Palace, ‘Declaration of the Korean Empire’ will contain the dream Emperor Gojong had in mind along with ‘Diplomatic Reception for Envoys’ and coffee Emperor Gojong enjoyed.     • Further information will be posted on the Cultural Heritage Administration, Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation and Royal Culture Festival. Visit our website for more information Royal Culture Festival website : www.royalculturefestival.org Royal Culture Festival Facebook : www.facebook.com/royalculturefestival Cultural Heritage Administration website : www.cha.go.kr Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation website : www.chf.or.kr •For more info : http://www.royalculturefestival.org/info/guide


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Tongin Market is the place to go for traditional gireum tteok-bokki. The market is well-known as the best place in Korea for gireum tteok-bokki, and even foreign tourists come to have a taste. Gireum tteok-bokki is made by stir-frying rice cakes in oil and seasonings. There are two types of gireum tteok-bokki sold here. One kind is seasoned with just oil and soy sauce; the other is seasoned with spicy red pepper flakes and oil. Three of Tongshin Market’s gireum tteok-bokki eateries are particularly famous and popular. One such eatery is Original Grandmother's Gireum Tteok-Bokki. The shop has been featured on TV programs. Another is Hyoja-dong’s Old School Tteok-Bokki, once visited by John Kerry in 2014 while he was the U.S. Secretary of State.  


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

The Seoul National Science Museum first opened its doors to the public in 1945. It was destroyed during the Korean War (1950-1953) and was later rebuilt at its current location in 1972. The museum features a range of exhibition halls and hands-on programs offering visitors an opportunity to experience the principles of science. In addition, the programs focus on nurturing the creativity of children and helping children better understand science.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

This restaurant specializes in boribap (steamed barley). Once a rather humble staple, boribap has been reintroduced as a popular health food. The meal consists of steamed barley and potato, as well as ten types of cooked greens, all mixed with red-pepper paste. Miso soup is also given as a side dish. Add some soup to the boribap for more flavor. Gamjajeon (a potato pancake) and dotorimuk (an acorn-starch jelly) are recommended as good appetizers. Deodeok jeyuk-bokkeum (stir-fried deodeok), godeungeo-gui (a grilled mackerel)and bassak bulgogi (completely baked bulgogi) are the restaurant’s specialties that you do not want to miss out on. *Best Korean Restaurant as designated by The Seoul Metropolitan Government  


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Myeong-dong, Namdaemun and Bukchang-dong are widely known among international visitors as hot spots for shopping and food. Myeong-dong is a popular destination for shopping, culture, arts and fashion. Major shopping malls such as Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore and Samik Fashion Town are located here. Shoppers can find a variety of products here from high-end items to relatively inexpensive clothes. There’s also no shortage of street food, traditional restaurants, coffee shops and fancy cafes. Namdaemun Market is the biggest traditional market in Korea. Visitors can purchase souvenirs and local produce at an affordable price in the shopping complex crowded with stores and street stalls. The market sells a variety of clothes, kitchenware, toys, accessories, food, flowers and imported goods. Bukchang-dong and Sogong-dong have high-end accommodations including Lotte Hotel Seoul and Westin Chosun Seoul, duty-free shops, and restaurants serving traditional dishes. [Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong Special Tourist Zone] Areas included: Myeong-dong, Hoehyeon, Sogong-dong, Bukchang-dong, Mugyo-dong and Da-dong, Seoul Area size: 872,809㎡ Tourist attractions: Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong, Department Stores (Lotte Department and Shinsegae Department Store, etc.), Traditional Market, Duty-free Shop, Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, etc.


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

Bongeunsa Temple, located on Sudosan Mountain in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, offers a 2-day, 1-night temple stay program designed to provide urbanites with an opportunity to take a break from their busy routines and meditate on Buddhist teachings. Every Thursday, the temple also holds ‘Thursday Temple Life’ for foreign visitors only. The temple has a volunteer group to help and accommodate the needs of foreigners attending the program.