Jeollanam-do(Wando-gun)

The name Cheongsan (靑山) carries the meaning that all of the surroundings - the mountains, ocean and sky - are blue. Cheongsando Island is a small island located 19.2km from Wando in Jeollanam-do, featuring beautiful scenery and is the southernmost island in Dadohae. The island looks to Geomundo Island in the east, Soando Island in the west, Jejudo Island in the south, and Sinjido Island in the north. Cheongsando Island was designated as part of Dadohaehaesang National Park on December 23, 1981 and the first Asian slow city on December 1, 2007. The slower visitors walk through the island, the more beautiful the island is. Likewise, the island was picked as one of must-visit tourism spots by Korea Tourism Organization and CNN. The island also features the valuable agricultural asset of Gudeuljangnon (구들장논), terraced rice paddies. ​


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

A once in a lifetime opportunity to learn the secrets to preparing royal Korean court food is currently being offered through Korea’s National Palace Museum. Inside the walls of the Gyeongbokgung Palace garden, this unique cooking class offers hands-on preparation of traditional dishes, a privilege allowed only to the highest ranked servants called “suragan choigo sanggung.” This three-month intensive program held each Friday, and lasting for an hour and a half, offers participants a step-by-step introduction into the culinary world of Joseon royalty (1392-1910). This traditional Korean culinary course covers twelve different types of royal court dishes that were offered up to the king. Renowned for using the freshest and the most valuable ingredients from all over the country, the menu will delight modern palettes as well. Spots should be reserved online prior to the beginning of the first class. This course is taught in Korean, however non-Korean speakers are welcome to request the help of a guide made available by the palace museum upon reservation. The enrollment fee covers ingredients ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 won per dish, due monthly. Expect the total to amount to 50,000 to 60,000 won. Prepared by chefs of the highest caliber, the mistress presiding over the royal kitchen or “choigo sanggung,” used only the most rare and valuable ingredients from across Korea. Each recipe was kept secret, made available only to the top chef of the royal kitchen or “suragan.” An expert in court food instructs the Royal Court Food Cooking Experience at the National Palace Museum of Korea, presenting over 50 different dishes once enjoyed by the kings of Joseon.


Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si) , Paju(Heyri Art valley)

Located in Gyoha-eup (Paju, Gyeonggi-do), Paju Book City is a giant cultural complex, belonging to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. It is home to 250 publishers with over 10,000 workers. It covers the entire process of publishing from planning to printing and distribution.Asia Publication Culture & Information Center houses book cafes, used bookstores, galleries, and restaurants, hosting diverse exhibitions and forums; Tan Tan Story House, run by Yeowon Media specializing in illustrated storybooks for children, is a cultural center for children with a performance hall, a gallery, and a book café. Other notable attractions include Yeolhwadang, Chameleon (BIR Publishing’s book outlet), Darakwon Book Café, and Moongongsa Book Café. The first floor of Paju Book City is full of book stores and cafes.Visitors need to be aware that some stores are closed on weekends and during holidays and only open between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Aside from bookstores and cafes, Paju Book City also boasts many attractions. For instance, its chic building meshes perfectly with the beautiful surroundings; in the corner of Asia Publication Culture & Information Center is an elegant Hanok (traditional Korean house) that boasts both traditional beauty and modern touches. 


Seoul(Seongdong-gu)

Running through the central part of the Korean Peninsula, the Hangang River flows from Gangwon-do towards Chungcheongbuk-do, Gyeonggi-do, through Seoul and continues on to the Yellow Sea. The river has witnessed the history of the Korean people for over five thousand years, through good and bad times. The riverside parks offer a nice retreat for the citizens of Seoul. The Namhangang River (South Hangang River), which is the main source, originates from Taebaek-si in Gangwon-do. The water runs north through Goljicheon Stream in Samcheok-si and then passes through Gwangdong Dam before flowing into Songcheon Stream. Songcheon Stream starts from Hwangbyeongsan Mountain (1,407 meters) in Jeongseon-gun and flows into Joyanggang River. After joining Odaecheon Stream, it flows south into Donggang River, which in turn flows into Seogang River. Then after joining Dalcheon Stream in Chungju-si, Seomgang River and Cheongmicheon Stream, the river combines with the branch streams of Yanghwacheon, Bokhacheon, and Heukcheon before it finally joins Bukhangang River (North Hangang River) in Yangsu-ri.


Gyeonggi-do(Gwangju-si) , Namyangju

Located in Nogobong Valley in Taehwasan Mountain in Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi-do Province, Konjiam Resort is only an hour away by car from the Gangnam area in Seoul. The year-round resort boasts the largest ski slopes of Gyeonggi-do Province, a condominium with 476 rooms, the nation’s first residential spa, and a variety of other facilities.Some of the most unique features of the resort are the ecological stream running through the resort and the cave wine cellar where about 90,000 bottles of wine are stored. Another visitor favorite is the Konjiam Arboretum, which has 3,700 species of plants and about 20 themed gardens.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

When it opened in 1988, Seogwipo Submarine was the first of its kind in Asia the third in the world. Seogwipo Submarine offers safe undersea tours in its recently acquired state of the art submarine from Finland. Munseom, where the submarine travels, is home to outstanding coral reefs, colorful schools of fish, and rich seaweed. The exquisite landscape makes it one of the most beautiful places to dive as well. Going deep into the 40 meter sea-bed, visitors can see countless fish, rare iridescent coral reefs, and a surreal-looking shipwreck with schools of fish surrounding it. Over 20 years of technical knowhow and safe operation (in fact, the longest submarine tour without a single accident on record) make Seogwipo Submarine a must-see attraction on Jeju Island. 


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

Lotte City Hotel Mapo is a premium business hotel that opened on March 10, 2009. Conveniently located near Myeongdong, Seoul Station, Hongdae, and Yeouido, it has easy access to public transportation including the airport railroad to Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport. The hotel provides 5-star hotel facilities at reasonable prices. The 284 guestrooms include 100 twin rooms, 182 double rooms, and 2 ondol rooms, while the subsidiary facilities include a swimming pool, a gym, and a business center equipped with free internet service, a fax machine, a copy machine, a printer, and stationary. The double rooms feature a spacious workplace for business travelers, while twin rooms have a luxurious and comfortable interior. The family twin rooms are for family travelers, and ondol rooms provide a chance for visitors to experience the traditional Korean lifestyle. The buffet-style hotel restaurant ‘Naru’ features an elegant ambience and fresh dishes cooked at its open kitchen.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

             


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Located in Bukchon, surrounded by Bugaksan Mountain between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, Rakkojae Seoul is one of the first hanok accommodations opened in the area, and it is a popular tourist spot for the unique beauty of its hanok buildings and delicious restaurants as well as ancient palaces and Insa-dong street. Entering the alleyway along the wall of Jaedong Elementary School, an extraordinary-looking hanok structure with the name plaque ‘Rakkojae’, meaning “a place where one can enjoy the traditions of times past and rest one’s soul”, is found. Rakkojae Seoul is a boutique hanok hotel that was built by renovating an old noble family’s house with a history of 130 years by Human Cultural Asset-Master Carpenter Chung Young-jin. With the quiet and still atmosphere, the hanok hotel has a ‘ㅁ’-shaped hanok structure with various charms including black roof tiles, a red clay wall, a tall gate, a yard with a pond, sotdae (pole), an iron pot and jars, a pavilion, and a garden planted with bamboo and pine trees along the walls. Rakkojae aims to promote the true beauty of the traditional Korean house and provide the best quality services. At the hotel, eating is a matter of the highest priority. Based on Korean style food, guests can choose between standard and high quality Korean table d’hote, which requires an advance reservation. The music performance of gayageum (Korean zither with twelve strings), pansori (epic chant), geomungo (Korean zither with six strings), or daegeum (large bamboo transverse flute) takes place on the floor of the pavilion. It also offers various hands-on programs including a tea ceremony, making Kimchi, and a royal court traditional Korean clothes experience. The room temperature of the Jjimjilbang (Korean dry sauna), the most popular experience among guests, reaches up to 60°C through a furnace. In addition, each room is equipped with a bathtub made of Hinoki cypress. There is an interesting background story about how the owner started running the hanok hotel. Mr. Ahn, who worked for an engineering company in the U.S.A. and came back to Korea after about ten years, originally ran the Korean restaurant. As he was charmed by the hanok structure of the restaurant and wanted to introduce it to his foreign friends, he led trips to ancient hanok buildings from 1994. Then, he heard about the plan to demolish the building of Jindan Academic Society in 2000, and Ahn bought it to establish Rakkojae. With the motivation of promoting the true beauty of Korea to the world, the boutique hanok hotel ‘Rakkojae’ was designed with sophisticated decorations and objects such as old furniture, paintings, elegant ceramics and tea sets.


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

Woomyunsan Budnamujip is located in the woods. The Seoul Arts Center and the landscape create a real sense of Korean tradition. You can also enjoy the flavor of tradition and the unchanged spirit of the artisan from the dishes prepared with devotion.*Best Korean Restaurant as designated by The Seoul Metropolitan Government.