Gwangju(Gwangsan-gu)

This restaurant specializes in black dubu (tofu) dishes like heukdubu bossam (steamed pork with black dubu), heukdubu tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork with black dubu), and biji pajeon (spring onion and dubu curd pancake). It is particularly famous for its heukdubu made in the traditional way using black beans and bossam dishes. The steamed pork with dubu nicely combines the softness of black dubu and the chewiness of the pork. A slice of steamed pork and some old kimchi are eaten together with the nutty black dubu. The old kimchi, seasoned vegetables, mustard leaf kimchi, fresh green peppers and traditional doenjang are delicious with a deep flavor of the Namdo region. Those who don’t enjoy meat can order heukdubu (black dubu), which is still warm right out of the mold. Enjoy the dubu with the dressing flavored with various seasonings and vegetables.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Namsan Mountain, designated as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, envelops the surrounding areas of Surime, a restaurant where Park Mi-suk, the director of Surime and a graduate of the Royal Cuisine Institute, showcases her special royal cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty. Surime has a garden where its own fresh ingredients are grown that deliver an authentic taste of royal cuisine. Surime also offers a program for visitors to learn about royal cuisine, in the hopes of  passing along the splendor of royal cuisine to as many as possible. Captured within Surime's dishes, one can discover the beauty of Gyeongju, a city with a prosperous history of thousands of years during the Silla Dynasty.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hapcheon-gun)

Daejanggyeongpan (the Tripitaka Koreana) is stored inside the four wooden buildings of Janggyeongpanjeon located within the Haeinsa Temple in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. Daejanggyeongpan is the world’s oldest Buddhist canon, and has been designated as the 32nd national treasure of Korea. It is also known as Palman Daejanggyeong (Eighty Thousand Tripitaka), because a total of 84,000 Buddhist scriptures are engraved on some 80,000 wooden printing blocks. The complete collection was made over the period of 16 years starting in 1237 (24th year of King Gojong’s reign) to appeal for spiritual help in overcoming the national crisis of the Mongolian invasions. Janggyeongpanjeon which houses the Tripitaka Koreana was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1995.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Andong Station sits on the Jungang Rail Line. Since it opened in October 15, 1930, all passenger trains that currently travel along both Yeongdong and Jungang Lines stop at this station. Andong Station has water tower that was installed in 1940, whose 12-sided shape is very unique, thus leading to its designation as no. 49 on the list of  Registered Cultural Properties of Korea. For those transferring to intercity buses, Andong Terminal is about 6 kilometers away, and can be accessed via city buses 0, 1, 2, and 11 from in front of Andong Station.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)


Busan(Busanjin-gu)

Samgwangsa Temple is to hold its famous lantern festival, which has been attracting over a million visitors each year. CNN Travel also voted this temple to be one of the best spots you must visit in Korea. The festival is known for a variety of lanterns of over 3 millions kinds. The lanterns with hope and sincere love toward Buddha will create spectacular views, watching wave of lanterns lighten up the dark sky with their brilliant colors.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Namhae-gun)

The Bangudae Petroglyphs are located in Daegok-ri, (Ulsan City) and were discovered by the Dongguk University Investigation Team in 1971. Since then, these rock engraving have been a representative cultural asset of Ulsan and have been a key reference point in research on rock carving techniques. The Bangudae Petroglyphs were designated National Treasure No. 285 in 1996. Petroglyphs (岩刻畵) are figures of animals or geometrical symbols engraved on rock. The Bangudae Petroglyphs are engraved on rocks located on the lower western banks of the man-made lake at Taehwa River. Due to the increased water levels resulting from the construction of the dams, the petroglyphs (10m wide and 3m tall) can only be seen during the dry season from October to February. Since the Daegok River blocks a closer view of the engraved figures, a model measuring 6m in x_width and 3m in x_height has been set up across from the Bangudae Petroglyphs to give visitors a better understanding of this unique ancient art. The engravings depict a total of 200 etchings including figures of land animals (deer, tigers, wild boars, etc.), hunting scenes, sea animals (whales, seals, sea turtles), and boats and fishermen. The Bangudae Petroglyphs are important reflections of the hunting rituals and religious arts of Korea’s prehistoric era and serve as an important clue into the lifestyle and customs of ancient Koreans.  


Gyeonggi-do(Ansan-si)

Ansan Street Arts Festival, Korea’s largest street arts festival, will be held at Ansan Culture Square in Ansan. This festival is considered one of the top ten festivals held in Gyeonggi-do as well as a representative festival of Ansan-si, featuring various street performances. Invited performances from local and overseas, individual performers and other performances are prepared as well as other special programs.


Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

Hwajinpo (화진포) is named so because there are sweet briers that bloom by the lake, and it is one of nature’s great lagoons. It is designated Gangwon Provincial Monument No. 10 with a circumference of about 16 km, and it has a wide reed field which is an important place for migratory birds and swans in the winter. Hwajinpo Lake is surrounded by evergreens and white sandy beaches; it is a lagoon where the river and the sea meet. Materials drifting down the river deposited at the bottom of the river become a sandy beach that eventually block off the river from the sea, creating a lagoon. Hwajinpo Lake is the largest lagoon near the East Sea, and has many ancient artifacts around it, such as the Ten Goindol rocks (also called Jiseokmyeo) scattered around the lake. Because of its excellent scenery, Kim Il-Seong (1912-1994) of North Korea and the South Korean president Lee Seung-Man (1875-1965) had summer houses here after the independence of Korea in 1945. The two houses that originally faced each other with the lake at the center are gone now, but the sites still remain as tourist destinations. They have been converted to Hwajinpo’s Museum of History, and opened to public as a security exhibit center.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

About 3 kilometers from Osaek Mineral Spring in South Seorak, the road splits, and you can take a trail to Yongso Falls and Sibi (Twelve) Falls. Jujeongol is the name of the valley that meanders up to Sibi Falls. As you hike along this delightful path you encounter Seonnyeotang Pond, Dokjuam Rock, and Yongso Falls, and the Second Osaek Mineral Spring is a refreshing treat for thirsty hikers. The path is relatively smooth and can be enjoyed by hikers of all abilities.The hiking routes in South Seorak are open from 4 am to 2 pm in winter and from 3 am to 3 pm in summer.