Gyeonggi-do(Yeoju-si)

Yeongneung (영릉) is the joint tomb of the 4th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong (1397-1450, reign 1418-1450) and his wife Queen Soheon (1395-1446). This was the first joint royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty.King Sejong was the third son of the 3rd ruler, King Taejong, and his wife Queen Wongyeong. He came to the throne at the age of 22. During his 32-year reign, he was very influential in the development of Korean culture. For example, King Sejong created the Korean alphabet, which he called Hunmin Jeongeum, and set up the Hall of Worthies (Jiphyeonjeon, 집현전), an association of the kingdom’s brightest scholars. He also used Confucian principles to administer state affairs. Under the reign of King Sejong, therefore, many sectors including politics, economy, society and culture flourished. In fact, King Sejong the Great is regarded as making some of the most brilliant achievements in Korean history.Yeongneung is currently located in Neungseo-myeon in Yeoju-si in Gyeonggi-do, but the tomb was originally located in Seogang, Gwangju. When it was constructed following Queen Soheon’s death in 1446, it was decided it should be a double tomb, and the space on the right side was reserved for King Sejong. In 1450 when King Sejong died, he was buried together with the dead queen. Later, the tomb was moved to its current place, as it was thought that the original location was not an auspicious place according to geomantic traditions.Various items that were originally buried in the tomb were excavated in 1973 and now are exhibited in the King Sejong the Great Memorial Hall (세종대왕 기념관), which is located in Cheongnyangni, Seoul.Nyeongneung (녕릉/영릉) is the royal tomb of the 17th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Hyojong (1619-1659, reign 1649-1659), and of his wife Queen Inseon (1618-1674).The tomb was originally located to the west of Geonwolleung (건원릉, the tomb of King Taejo, the 1st ruler of the Joseon Dynasty), but in 1673 cracks appeared on the tomb’s “Byeongpungseok” (stone border), and it was moved to its current location, which is to the east of Yeongneung (영릉, the tomb of King Sejong).King Hyojong was the second son of King Injo, Joseon Dynasty’s 16th ruler, and Queen Illyeol. Upon ascending to the throne, he devised a plan to conquer the Northern region of Asia, including the Qing Dynasty (part of China). As part of the plan, he reformed the military system and strengthened the army and military enforcements. King Hyojong had spent time in northern China when he was taken hostage by the Manchus. During that time he became exposed to many different cultures and technological advancements. When a group of Dutch sailors were shipwrecked on the Korean shore, King Hyojong ordered them to build the Korean army’s first muskets.King Hyojong also implemented “Daedongbeop (대동법)”, a tax system under which people had to pay taxes with rice, and circulated “Sangpyeongtongbo (상평통보)”, the coinage of the Joseon Dynasty.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Sancheong-gun)

Opened in May 2010, the Sancheong Oriental Medicine Theme Park is Korea's first hanbang (traditional oriental medicine) themed park. It is divided into five distinct sections, each representing one of five elements of the universe: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. As an environment-friendly facility, the theme park uses eco-friendly materials in its statues of mascots, memorials, as well as other subsidiary facilities. Also, it features natural hiking trails through the surrounding forest and valley, a wooden promenade, and a medicinal herb garden with ample rest areas. Moreover, visitors may check out the Oriental Medicine Museum located adjacent to the theme park.


Gangwon-do(Jeongseon-gun)

Hwaam Cave (화암동굴) used to be a gold mine that was commercially operated from 1922 to 1945. The nation’s 5th largest goldmine was, however, found to have natural stalactites, and later the cave was developed as the only theme-based cave that combined gold and nature. The stalactite area is an open space of 2,800㎡ and the length of the path open to visitors is 1,803 meters. The entire area consists of 5 chapters, which in turn constitute 41 zones; it takes about an hour and a half to see all of the zones. You can travel to the entrance of Hwaam Cave on Korea’s first cave monorail listening to the soft pipe-in music of Jeongseon Arirang. Hwaam Cave is not only a tourist attraction but also an educational venue where you can learn a lot about the subterranean ecology of a stalactite-lined cave and the process of gold mining/refining.* Five ChaptersChapter 1. History: The processes used in the development of the Cheonpo Goldmine are demonstrated. Also, actual gold veins, excavating facilities and other mining traces have been preserved for tourists.Chapter 2. 365 Steps to Gold: The 90-meter high natural cave that connects the upper and lower shafts is now connected by 365 steps, and you can enjoy cave flowers and wall craters/holes while walking down the steps.Chapter 3. Golden Fantasy: The process of gold mining and the value of gold are explained by animated characters.Chapter 4. More About Gold: You can see an 18.5kg gold bar, educational videos, dioramas, and learn even more about gold.Chapter 5. Mysterious Mother Nature: The natural stalactite cave offers unembellished yet magnificent scenery with Asia’s largest stalactite cascade, huge stalagmites/stone pillars, a statue of the Virgin Mary, a statue of the Buddha, cave flowers and helictites. 


Jeju-do(Jeju-si)

Located amid beautiful maritime scenery, Jeju R Hotel offers modern and simple guest rooms at reasonable prices. In addition, the hotel commands a wonderful view of Hallasan Mountain, which creates a fantastic sight at sunset with the sea in the background. The hotel is just ten minutes’ drive from Jeju Airport and three minutes from the bus terminal. The café and lounge are situated on the ground floor, while a seminar room, karaoke room, and breakfast restaurant are in the basement.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Placed in Gyeongju-si Gyeongbuk, Sum Guesthouse offers help for pleasant travelling with the clean and up-to-date facilities. Because Seongdong market is in 2-minute walk from the Guesthouse, travelers can buy Gyeongju's products at the low costs. Also, Gyeongju Station is in 5-minute walking distance. This is the best place for Gyeongju bus tour. Travelers can meet each other to exchange their experiences in the Guesthouse.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Located in Gyeongju City, the Hostel Hwarang is within easy reach of public transport services (including a bus stop), making it the ideal base for visiting various tourist attractions such as the Bomun Tourist Complex, Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Tomb of King Munmu, and Columnar Joints. The hostel is only 5 minutes’ walk from Gyeongju Station and 15 minutes’ walk from the Intercity Bus Terminal. Famous restaurants specializing in wheat noodles and haejangguk (hangover soup), and Hwangnambbang (Gyeongju bread) Bakery, are also situated near the hostel. In addition, guests can easily get around the many nearby tourist attractions on foot (including Gyeongju National Museum, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Stone Ice Storage, Gyerim Forest, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Daereungwon Ancient Tombs, Cheonmachong Tomb, Kyochon Village, Choe’s old house, and Bonghwangdae Pavilion).


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)

The Baek Man Seok Restaurant (Prisoner-of-war Camp Branch) is a restaurant, specialized in sea squirt bibimbap for 35 years of tradition. When ordered, the rice comes in a separate bowl where you can mix in frozen sea squirts, seaweed, sesame salt powder, and sesame oil. Simply put the rice into the bowl to mix. The bibimbap may be a little bitter at first due to the sea squirt, but it soon becomes sweet as the fragrance of the sea squirts begins to fill the mouth. It is located next to the parking lot of Geoje prisoner-of-war camp and near Geoje City Hall.    


Gyeongsangnam-do(Namhae-gun)

Ulsan Petroglyph Museum was established on May 30, 2008 at the entrance to Petroglyphs of Bangudae Terrace, National Treasure No. 285 in Ulju-gun. The museum is comprised of 311 exhibit materials, an exhibition hall (1,249㎡), a storage room (45.42㎡), an office room (72.96㎡), a research room (30.36㎡), and an audiovisual room (79.52㎡). The exhibition hall presents models for the petroglyphs of Bangudae and petroglyphs of Cheonjeon-ri (National Treasure No. 147), video facilities for petroglyphs, a children’s hall, and family experience facilities. Visitors can also take a look at models of petroglyphs famous from Korea and overseas in an outdoor space.


Incheon(Jung-gu) , Incheon Center

Opened in December 2002, Hotel Sevilla has 34 guestrooms with a neat and simple design. The hotel offers non-smoking rooms, which can be selected during the reservation process. Each room has ondol floor heating, comfortable beds, internet, and a TV with satellite channels. A coupon for a discount at the hotel restaurant is provided to all guests.


Gangwon-do(Cheorwon-gun)

Located in the northern area of South Korea, Baengma Battlefield was one of the bloodiest battlefields during the Korean War. The communist Chinese army launched a major offensive attack for 10 days on October 6, 1952 during the Battle of Baengmagoji (Baengma; White horse). Due to this battle, the communist Chinese army suffered around 14,000 casualties and the army completely collapsed while the 9th Infantry Division won the battle of the Baengma High Ground and got the name “White Horse.” After the battle the area gave off a bad smell because of the dead bodies. The mountain area lost its original shape due to the severe battle and as a result the area was named “Baengmagoji” as it was said to resemble a white horse (Baengma) lying down.