Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

BENIKEA Gyungpo Beach Hotel is located between Gyungpo Beach and Gyungpo Lake, better known to the locals as "the lake as clear as a mirror." Guests can take a stroll around the lake or visit other tourist sites nearby. In addition to 68 rooms, the hotel has a coffee shop, a cocktail bar, a Western restaurant, a Korean restaurant, a wedding hall and a banquet hall, equipped with a state-of-the-art lighting system.


Busan(Gijang-gun)

Busan’s beautiful port city of Daebyeonhang Port sees the richest harvest of anchovies in Korea, especially in the months of April and May, therefore holds the Busan Gijang Anchovy Festival during this period. Daebyeonghang Port is also the film location for the 2001 box office hit movie featuring Jang Dong Gun and Yu Osung. The scene where Jang Dong Gun reminisces about his childhood memory of swimming in the ocean near a lighthouse while smoking a cigarette was filmed at this very location. The beautiful clear sea decorated with a lighthouse is not only popular during the Anchovy Festival, but is also a popular tourist attraction all year round.Event Programs: As a symbol of the fact that the festival is held by the sea, the Gijang Anchovy Festival begins with a fishermen’s parade around the port while carrying nets and other fishing equipment, while the fishermen themselves dress up in traditional fishing outfits which are white Hanbok. Gijang Anchovy Festival also offers rich seafood dishes, and visitors can enjoy the most fresh anchovy hoe (raw fish) in the area during its peak season. Pickled anchovy with seaweed is also a popular dish, and cuttlefish and cutless fish are also popular spring catches of Daebyeonhang. An outdoor food market offers a variety of hoe (raw fish) dishes, soups, and baked foods at moderate prices with an incredible view of the ocean.At nights, a musical performance is held with music, singing, and dancing, adding to the evening excitement. For even more fun, colorful fireworks light up the sky and give pleasure to the evening events. The Gijang Anchovy Festival is smaller in scale and simpler compared to other festivals, but it doesn’t diminish the spirit of fun at one of Korea’s cleanest ocean villages.Festival Highlights: For Korean movie fans, watch the 2001 box office hit to add more enjoyment to your trip. Comparing the red lighthouse and Daebyeonhang’s clean ocean waters to the scenes in the movie offers another sort of fun. Of course, the Anchovy Festival is fun as well if you don’t end up watching the movie. Buying a freshly caught fish and having it served on the spot is definitely the highlight of the festival.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

Anmingogae Hill is a 9 kilometer-long hill that reaches from Taebaek-dong in Jinhae to Anmin-dong in Changwon. Six of the nine kilometers are lined with cherry blossoms, making up the famous Jinhae Cherry Blossom Tunnel. The hill is also known for its view of Jinhaeman Bay, Ungsan Mountain (alt. 703m), Sirubong Peak (alt. 630m) and Cheonjabong Peak (502m). The hill is dotted with benches placed about 100m apart, offering visitors a comfortable way to catch their breath while enjoying the view and cherry trees.Also of note is the Anmin Saengtaegyo Bridge (Anmin Ecology Bridge), which was built as a passageway for wild animals to travel between Jangboksan and Ungsan mountains after the mountains were divided by the Anmin Tourism Road running from Jinhae and Changwon. The hiking trail to Jangboksan Mountain past the Anmin Saengtaegyo Bridge is closed in the spring as part of fire prevention measures.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The Culture, Design & Tourism Headquarters of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (History & Cultural Heritage Division) has been holding the “Bosingak Bell-Ringing Ceremony” since November 21, 2006. The program takes place at noon daily (except Tuesdays) and gives locals and international visitors the experience of ringing the bell 12 times. The program is run regularly and foreigners can also participate in the special program without the need to register. Foreign visitors can come before 11:40 a.m. and apply on-site at Bosingak Belfry, where participants will be able to experience a bit of Korean culture through the ceremony.[Origin of Bosingak Bell Ringing] Courtesy of the Seoul Metropolitan GovernmentThe Bosingak Bell was rung to signal the opening and closing of the four Main Gates (Sungnyemun, Heunginjimun, Sukjeongmun, and Donuimun) and the four Small Gates (Hyehwamun, Sodeokmun, Gwanghuimun, and Changuimun) in the capital city since the fifth year of King Taejo (1396) during the early Joseon Dynasty. Bell ringing at dawn was called “Paru” and bell ringing in the evening was called “Injeong.”* The bell was named Bosingak Bell in 1895 during the 32nd year of King Gojong. The belfry was originally called Jongnu (bell pavilion). ---------------Paru – ringing the bell 33 times (dawn)- Ogyeong Samjeom: The bell was rung 33 times at around 4 a.m. to signal the end of the night curfew and the start of the new day. The eight gates to the capital will be opened during this time.- The practice of ringing the bell 33 times can be traced to Buddhism; the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy manifests herself in 33 different forms in order to save mankind.---------------Injeong – ringing the bell 28 times (evening)- The bell was rung 28 times at around 10 p.m. to signal the end of the day, the closing of the gates and the start of the curfew.- In ancient times, people divided the universe into the four gung’s of East, West, South, and North. Each gung was further divided into seven, therefore forming 28 gu’s (28 su’s) of constellations. This resulted in the tradition of ringing the bell 28 times.※ Injeong refers to reporting to the 28 su’s of the sun, the moon, and the stars of the universe, while paru reported to the 33 “skies” led by Jeseokcheon (shamanic deity) to seek blessings for national prosperity and the welfare of the people, all of which are related to Buddhism.※ Bell ringing on the eve of New Year’s Day is meant to symbolize the end a year, and as a way wish for blessings, good health and the happiness of the citizens for the brand new year.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

24 Martials Arts (Muye 24-gi in Korean) refers to the 24 martial art techniques in the Muyedobotongji (Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts). The manual was compiled in 1790 by Silhak (practical learning school of Confucianism) scholars Lee Deok-mu and Park Jae-ga, along with the martial art expert Baek Dong-su, under the orders of King Jeongjo (22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty). Regarded as a resource for understanding the nature of Korean military science, the manual is an exemplary martial arts compilation that was organized into 24 techniques by adopting the traditional martial arts of Joseon, as well as China and Japan. The 24 Martial Arts were practiced by the soldiers of the outer military unit of Jangyongyeong, the most elite military troop during the Joseon Dynasty. Soldiers stationed at the northern and southern military camps of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace practiced these techniques to effectively guard the palace. It is a considered as a significant intangible heritage because of its great historical, artistic, and athletic values. With the restoration of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, a regular event is being held to demonstrate the 24 Martial Arts. The performance features 18 ground martial arts among the 24 techniques recorded in the Muyedobotongji. From every Tuesday to Sunday at 11:00, the 24 Martial Arts Trial Performance where eighteen martial arts will be performed as they fight on ground among twenty four martial arts written in Muyedobotongji (Korean Martial Art Book) at the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace.


Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si) , Ilsan

Seosamneung (서삼릉) is the name of the three royal tombs of Huireung (희릉), Hyoreung (효릉) and Yereung (예릉). It is located in Deokyang-gu in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do province.Huireung (희릉) is the tomb of Queen Janggyeong, the second wife of King Jungjong, the 11th ruler. The tomb is simple, surrounded only by “Nanganseok”, stone railings, but the lotus flowers engraved on the railings make it very pleasant.Hyoreung (효릉) is the name of the tombs of King Injong, the 12th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Inseong. The two graves are linked by a railing. The mounds are surrounded by “Byeongpungseok”, which is a wide and rectangular stone border that protects the tomb. The tombstones are engraved with clouds and the twelve animals of the Eastern zodiac.Yereung (예릉) is the name of the tombs of King Cheoljong, the 25th ruler of the Joseon dynasty, and Queen Cheorin. The two graves are linked by a railing.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Jinju-si)

The Gyeongnam Culture and Arts Center is a cultural space located along the Namgang River. A beautifully designed building inside and out, the center has a performance theater and two exhibition halls, making for a total seating capacity of 1,564 spread throughout its two floors. The glass walls on each of the four sides of the building and the glass elevator in the lobby afford a wide-open view of the river. On the rooftop is a resting area where visitors can overlooking the beautiful surrounding and soak in the melodies of nature.


Busan(Jung-gu)

Yongdusan Jagalchi Special Tourist Zone covers the area around Gwangbok-dong in Busan, which includes Yongdusan Park and the well-known traditional markets such as Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market and Bupyeong Market, which are filled with life and energy. Gwangbok-dong area is always crowded with young tourists as well as young locals enjoying the vibrant shopping street and affordable street food. At Yongdusan Park, visitors can enjoy a panoramic sight of Busan, and the night view from the park should not be missed. There is an escalator to take visitors up to Yongdusan Park. Jagalchi Market and Gukje Market retain some traces of what Busan used to be like in the 1970s and 1980s, and that is why these markets are popular among the middle-aged as well as young people. There are a lot of marine products and food to eat. In particular, Gomjangeo (inshore hagfish) street in Jagalchi Market is well known, along with the restaurants that serve the grilled fish at affordable prices. The Busan International Film Festival and the Busan Jagalchi Festival take place in the autumn. There are dozens of secondhand bookstores in Bosu-dong Book Alley where people can freely purchase, sell, read or browse secondhand books. Apart from Jagalchi Market and Film Street, the area around Nampo-dong, together with Haeundae Special Tourist Zone, is famous for holding the Busan International Film Festival. On the Food Street, which spans from Film Street to Gukje Market via Arirang Street, are street vendors selling food such as ssiat hotteok (seed-stuffed Korean-style pancake), bibim dangmyeon (spicy sweet potato noodles) and patbingsu (shaved ice with sweetened red beans). There are also restaurants serving jokbal (steamed pig trotters,) dwaejigalbi (grilled spareribs) and gopchang (grilled beef or pork intestine). It is the perfect place for visitors to enjoy unique Korean food. Current State of Yongdusan and Jagalchi Special Tourist Zone 1) Districts Covered: Areas around Gwangbuk, Nampo and Bupyeong-dong, parts of Donggwang, Daecheong, Bosu and Jungang-dong, Jung-gu, Busan 2) Area: 1,079,836㎡ * Tourist Attractions Yongdusan Park, Sumireu Park, Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, Bupyeong Market, Bosu-dong Book Alley, etc.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

The Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village is a place where author Lee Hyo-seok (penname “Gasan”) was born and raised. The village is also the setting of the author’s story "When the Buckwheat Blossoms,” one of the most celebrated Korean short stories to date. At the x_height of the blooming season, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the snowy-white fields of buckwheat flowers, and also from late August to early September. Buckwheat’s prominence in Pyeongchang comes about largely from its pristine nature. The culinary hero, buckwheat, memil in Korean, comes in different varieties, including memil-guksu (buckwheat noodles), memil-muk (buckwheat jelly), memil-buchim (seaoned buckwheat jelly), and memil-kkotsul (buckwheat flower makkolli). The natural buckwheat dishes are said to possess healing power. Since ancient times, Korea has been making and enjoying jelly and noodles made from buckwheat. It is no exaggeration to say that buckwheat jelly and noodles are one of Korea's national dishes. There is something special about buckwheat dishes in Bongpyeong. Its beautiful nature, along with its preserved literary and artistic heritage, has played a part in maintaining the good taste of its buckwheat dishes. It's a great place to find a thriving food culture.


Busan(Haeundae-gu)

Rama & Bavana is a place where you can feel the Indian traditional taste and charms. They serve lots of traditional Indian foods cooked in traditional ways with strictly chosen ingredients flown from India as well as fusion foods cooked to suit the tastes of Koreans. The pizza made of naan (Indian flatbread) and curry source is one of their unique offerings.