Donghwasa Temple (동화사) is located on the south side of Palgongsan Mountain, about 22km northeast of Daegu. It was built by Monk Geukdal in the 15th year of King Soji’s reign (reign 493, 21st king during the Silla period). The original name of the temple was Yugasa, but Simjiwangsa rebuilt the temple under King Heungdeok (reign 826~836) and named it Donghwasa, which means even during the winter season, the paulownia tree still blooms. The present temple was last rebuilt in 1732.When you turn the corner, the first thing that catches your eye is the Seolbeopjeon Building. To the left of Seolbeopjeon is Daeungjeon, the main temple, and to the right of the building leads to the Geumgang Stairs. If you turn left in the direction of Daeungjeon you will see Bongseoru, aptly named to signify a Bonghwang (phoenix) with its tail pointed downward. Past Bongseoru are stairs that are typical of the ones leading into Daeungjeon, called "Nugak Stairs". On either side of the stairs are railings in the shape of a dragon, and in the middle of the stairs, there is a round stone marble that resembles a Yeouiju (or a dragon orb), a ball often associated with dragons.Donghwasa’s Daeungjeon is segmented into 3 sections at the front and side, and its natural looking pillars are one of its main attractions. It includes the statues of Seokgamonibul, Amitabul, and Yaksayeoraebul inside. If you walk down the stone stairs beside Bongseoru and walk along the cement road for a while, you will find the huge Seokjoyaksa Yeoraebul. Created as a prayer for reunification, this large Buddha statue is 17m high. The stone tower, stone light, lion statue, and the lotus flower that decorate the Buddha statue are all very large in size. Behind the statue are also stones arranged in a circular form, resembling a beautiful scroll painting. These are world-class size stone artifacts.
Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si) , Cheonan・Asan Hot Springs
Onyang Hot Springs is the oldest hot spring in Korea, founded about 1,300 years old and has been operating as a hot spring for about 600 years. During the Joseon Period, it is recorded that King Sejong (reign 1418~1450) and many other kings came here to rest or treat their illnesses.Onyang Hot Springs, with its water temperature at around 57℃, is considered hot even among hot springs. It has a high concentration of radium and its alkaline water is both high in quality and quantity. It is known to be effective in treating neuralgia, arthritis, skin problems, liver disease, high blood pressure, and various geriatric diseases. The combination of the quality of water and famous accommodations nearby has made this hot spring a hot item for many tourists. As there are 120 hotels and motels in this area, the whole city is sometimes known as a hot spring city. They also have swimming pools using the hot spring water, and they are very popular. Every year over five million tourists are welcome here.
Haeundae Beach (해운대해수욕장) is probably the most famous beach in the country. "Haeundae" was so named by scholar Choi Chi-Won (857~?) of the Silla Kingdom (BC 57~AD 935). When he was walking past Dongbaekdo Island, he was fascinated by it and left the carved words "Hae Un Dae" on a stone wall on the island. Haeundae is 1.5 km long, 30~50m wide, and spans an area of 58,400㎡. The white sand is rough and sticks easily to your skin. The sand of this beach is composed of sand that comes from Chuncheon Stream and shells that have been naturally eroded by the wind over time. Haeundae Beach is also famous for the various cultural events and festivals held throughout the year. At Haeundae Beach there is a Folk Square where you can enjoy traditional games such as neoldduigi (seesaw jumping), Korean wrestling, tuho(arrow throwing), tug-of-war and yutnori. There is also the Beach Culture Center and the Beach Library. Numerous people visit every year from June to August.
Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil・Seokchon Lake・Olympic Park
The Spa in Garden 5 is located on the 10th floor of Garden 5, a large shopping mall in Seoul's Munjeong-dong district. The spa features both baths and sauna rooms. The shower area also has divided stalls for more privacy. Sauna rooms range from a cypress room, helpful in the treatment of atopy, to a chimney steam room, using pine trees from Yangpyeong. Additional amenities include a snack bar, large-screen tv, and recliners.
Also referred to as Seolsan and Seolbongsan, the mountain was named Seorak ('Seol' meaning 'snow' and 'Ak' meaning 'big mountain') because the snow would not melt for a long time keeping the rocks in a permanent state of white. In November 1965, the Seorak Mountain district was designated as a Natural Monument preservation area. Afterwards in December 1973, it was designated as a park preservation area, and in August 1982, as a Biosphere Preservation District by UNESCO.The park is spread across 4 cities and counties: Sokcho, Inje, Goseong and Yangyang. The highest peak is Daecheongbong; to the east is OeSeorak and to the west is NaeSeorak, which is divided again into North NaeSeorak and South NaeSeorak. North NaeSeorak is composed of Bukcheon, which flows to Ingyecheon and Baekdamcheon streams. There are numerous valleys in NaeSeorak. Follow the Baekdamcheon valley where all the streams meet and you will reach Baekdamsa Temple, which is known for its beautiful scenery. Upstream there is Gayadong valley and Suryeomdong valley, and past Yeongsiam and Mangyeongdae there is Madeungryeong ridge (1,327m) that leads to Seorakdong.Follow Suryeomdong valley and you will reach Waryong and Ssangpok waterfalls. Further up is Bongjeongam (1,224m sea level). Once you arrive at Daecheong peak you can view the magnificent mountain range. The sunrise viewed from here is spectacular and should not be missed. South NaeSeorak directs the valley from Oknyeotang area to Hangyeryeong. Daeseung Waterfall north of Jangsudae is the most beautiful site of NaeSeorak, which is 88m high. South of Yongdaeri valley is the twelve fairy bathing spring, Oktang Falls, and Yongtang Falls, along with several other traditional relics.
Dong Seoul Bus Terminal is located at Gangbyeon Station
(Seoul Subway Line 2). Buses running to every corner of Korea including Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Gyeongsang, Chungcheong and Jeolla regions
depart from this bus station. Bus reservations may be made through the official
website or mobile application available, and tickets can also be purchased at the ticket window upon arrival at the bus station.
*Online ticket reservations may be applicable to Koreans or foreigners
residing in Korea only
Culture is Here at Gimhae International Airport
I saw a cocktail performance, an August event held by the Korea Airports Corporation as a seasonal festival!
≪Cool CoolCocktail Festa≫
Culture is Here is a seasonal festival held by the Korea Airports Corporation at 12 airports across the nation. It is held on a different theme every month.
Last month, I watched the Return of the Heavenly Sword performance at Gimhae International Airport and shared my experience with you ^^
In August, a cocktail show was held as a cultural event in Gimhae International Airport’s Domestic Flights Waiting Room on the second floor. It was on the theme, Cool Cool Cocktail Festa!
Twelve airports across the nation use their respective region’s indigenous products to feature a cocktail performance at the airport as well as a non-alcoholic cocktail sampling event that embodies the respective airport’s unique taste.
[Dates on which the event is held at airports around the nation]
Lively music signaled the beginning of the cocktail performance, a seasonal festival held by the Korea Airports Corporation!!
I didn’t have high expectations since the event was held at Gimhae International Airport. The two bartenders gave a wonderful performance that exceeded my expectations.
The bartenders gave a cocktail show, moving to the rhythm of exciting music.
It was very fun to watch, so much so that I couldn’t move my eyes away from it.
It is not easy to watch a cocktail show unless you go to a bar. It was great to enjoy cultural life while waiting for my plane’s departure at the airport!!
I took a video of that exciting moment.
It is a video of the cocktail performance that was held as the Korea Airports Corporation’s seasonal festival.
Take a look at the video!! :-) The performers are great!!
The atmosphere was gaining momentum and the bartenders were heading towards the show’s highlight, moving to the rhythm of Psy’s song!!
Many travelers who were waiting for their flight clapped their hands and cheered the bartenders. Adults and children alike truly enjoyed the cocktail show.
Once the exciting cocktail show came to an end, the bartenders began making a non-alcoholic cocktail drink using an indigenous product from the region!!
Gimhae is well known for raspberry, and this is why the bartenders prepared a raspberry cocktail drink.
The bartender demonstrated more acrobatic movements as the event progressed. The cocktail show almost seemed like a magic show, making it all the more exciting.
The bartender juggled three cocktail bottles. I felt giddy from the show, which was also amazing and great fun.
I was fully entranced by the show.
This was the most amazing part of the cocktail show, which was quite like a magic show. I don’t know how the bartender did it!!
During the entire time I watched the show, I was amazed by the high-quality performance that was given at the Culture is Here!event organized by the Korea Airports Corporation at GimhaeInternational Airport!
It wasn’t just an ordinary performance~~
It was truly a high-quality performance that travelers fully enjoyed while waiting for their flight!!
While I was engrossed in the show, the bartender completed the non-alcoholic raspberry cocktail drink!!
Enough cocktail was prepared for all travelers there to enjoy. A great number of people enjoyed the beverage.
Travelers watched the cocktail performance at Gimhae International Airport that was held as the Culture is Here!seasonal festival, and gathered to taste the beverage!!
You could see there were many travelers.
The cocktail was a non-alcoholic drink that could be enjoyed by adults as well as children. Travelers of various age groups enjoyed the non-alcoholic cocktail drink!!
I also stood in line for a glass^^
Made of raspberry, an indigenous product of Gimhae, the cocktail drink was sweet and delicious! Its color is also pretty, isn’t it?^^
The cocktail performance was held as theAugust seasonal festival of Culture is Here! The Korea Airports Corporation holds Culture is Here!at airports for travelers to enjoy a cultural experience.
The performance is great to watch while you are waiting for your flight.
Refer to the schedule table above for a convenient time. Your sense of excitement will double before you go on your journey :-)
Source : http://blog.naver.com/alwayspurelu/220783872652
Korea Airports Corporation www.airport.co.kr
Located in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul-si, the Figurine Museum W is a new concept museum that combines figurines, toys, and a theme park all in one. The museum showcases unique figurines for all types of visitors, including children, youth, and adults in order to help visitors enjoy and experience a fresh culture and discover a tasteful hobby. Its aim is to establish a cultural tourism landmark for locals and visitors.Comprised of six themes, the exhibition hall includes a site for entertainment, a grand hall with a coffee shop, a "mania shop" available for shopping for figurines, and other facilities that allow visitors to experience various displays and activities.
Gwangju Art Street is aimed at developing Gwangju’s traditional art scene through exhibition of local work. The street is 300m long and located behind Jungang Elementary School, nearby Gwangju Dongbu Police Station. Items commonly found here include Korean fine art such as paintings, ceramics, writings, and industrial art.Every Saturday, an art flea market famous for its unique pieces is held here. People from all over the nation gather to display items that include old calligraphy materials, collector coins, stone hairbrushes, Chinaware, wooden sculptures, folk drawings, classic books, ink, and incense burners. Part of the attraction is the stories the collectors share with each part of their collection. Enjoy the many shows and exhibitions that draw regular crowds to this famous road.The Mudeung art exhibit operates according to districts, and functions as a cultural festival as well. The outdoor exhibition was built in February 1995, and is open throughout the day. The large exhibition space has 32 booths and regularly holds special exhibits. Many regional cultural treasures are also on display here. Every Saturday, the Street of Fine Arts is blocked from traffic, and people gather to share and enjoy art culture. Gwangju Summer Universiade will be held this summer, 2015
Horim Art Center is located in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu. The Horim Museum at the art center is a branch of the Sungbo Cultural Foundation's Horim Museum. This museum has exhibition halls on the second through fourth floor, a museum shop, and a lounge. The building, themed to look like comb-patterned ceramics, is a piece of artwork in itself.