Chungcheongnam-do(Dangjin-si)

Gijisi Juldarigi is the main feature of this 500-year traditional folk festival, not like festivals developed on purpose by local governments. Juldarigi, a tug-of-war game, was started to pray for peace and fortune in the new year and to be in concord with neighbors as part of a traditional village’s feast. In 1982, Gijisi Juldarigi was designated as Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 75, one of Korea’s representative Intangible Cultural Heritages. Also, it was registered in 2015 as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO along with Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines.


Gwangju(Buk-gu)

Gwangju Biennale is an international contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years. Taking place in 2014, the event marks 10th anniversay and will celebrate the importance of being together though the theme of “Burning Down the House (터전을 불태우라).” It will bring together many different people, different times, various roles in arts production, and numerous different positions toward power such as exist  in various social, political, and cultural situations. The biennale consists of an exhibition, several workshops, e-journals, books, and various programs such as residency programs and new commissions. [About the 2014's theme] Burning Down the Houseexplores the process of burning and transformation, a cycle of obliteration and renewal witnessed throughout history. Evident in aesthetics, historical events, and an increasingly rapid course of redundancy and renewal in commercial culture, the Biennale reflects on this process of, often violent, events of destruction or self-destruction―burning the home one occupies―followed by the promise of the new and the hope for change. In the 1930s the critic Walter Benjamin coined the term ‘Tigersprung’ (the tiger’s leap) for a new model of history where the past is activated in and through the present within a culture industry that demands constant renewal. What can the ‘Tigerspung’ mean for today’s ‘tiger economies’ like South Korea in a context where economic and political powers deliver the eternally new of fashionable commodities and industrial progress at the apparent expense of a cultural past? Burning Down the House looks at the spiral of rejection and revitalization that this process implies. The theme highlights the capacity of art to critique the establishment through an exploration that includes the visual, sound, movement and dramatic performance. At the same time, it recognises the possibility and impossibility within art to deal directly and concretely with politics. The energy, the materiality and processes of burning ― the manner in which material is changed and destroyed by flames into the residue of dramatic interventions or remnants of celebrations ― have long informed artistic practice. The transformative powers of fire are central to the way in which this exhibition has been imagined. -Courtesy of Gwangju Biennale Foundation  


Incheon(Yeonsu-gu) , Incheon Center

Discover Incheon's Must-Visit Gem: Songdo Hanok Village If you're planning a trip to Incheon, South Korea, one destination you absolutely must visit is Songdo Hanok Village. This unique village, located in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, isn't an assembly of old traditional houses but a newly constructed hanok complex built in 2013. The stunning contrast between the high-rise buildings of Songdo International City and the traditional Korean architecture of the hanok creates a fascinating blend of East meets West. Originally intended to serve as a space for experiencing traditional Korean culture, Songdo Hanok Village has now evolved into a vibrant commercial area. The entire site is leased to various businesses and features a hanok-style hotel, restaurants, and cafes, offering visitors a taste of Korean culture with modern amenities. Moreover, this picturesque village has become a popular filming location for several famous Korean dramas, including "Goblin," "Queen of Ambition," and "Bluebird's House." Its scenic beauty and unique charm attract numerous visitors who come to walk the same paths as their favorite TV characters.


Daegu(Jung-gu)

Sponsored and managed by Daegu Foundation of Culture, Daegu Colorful Festival features performances and art programs for people to participate in. It will be held on the area of Gukchaebosang-ro. The festival prepares various genres of street performances and art programs to enjoy the festival to the fullest.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

The Museum of Old Roads (Former Mungyeongsaejae Museum) offers the history of traditional roads and routes in Korea. In the past, Mungyeongsaejae was a transportation hub for the people of Korea, particularly during the Joseon Period. Mungyeongsaejae is home to Haneuljae (one of the oldest roads in Korea, first established in 156 AD), Tokkibiri (a famous trade route), and Yugok Station (a transport hub in the Yeongnam area).Even though the importance of the roads as travel routes has diminished over time, they continue to increase in culture significance, conveying the area’s rich traditional heritage to visitors. The Museum of Old Roads was opened in 2009 after having been remodeled from the Mungyeongsaejae Museum, which mainly dealt with local history.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Swiss Rosen Hotel, located inside Gyeongju Bomun Complex, boasts sophisticated interior design and cozy guestrooms. Also, in addition to such free services as Wifi Internet, bike rentals, outdoor movie screening, and guest pick-up, the hotel offers easy access to several exciting adventures on the nearby Bomun Resort including horseback riding, hiking trails, golf courses and Bomun Lake.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

Best Western Premier Hotel, based in Arizona (USA), is the world’s largest hotel chain. The corporation has 4,200 accommodation facilities in 84 countries (Europe, Americas, Asia, Africa, Middle East, and Oceania) and is known for its excellent services and reasonable prices. By charging relatively low loyalties and guaranteeing completely independent management, the hotel chain has set itself apart in the hospitality industry. The hotel chain itself is a non-profit corporation that is a union of independent hotels seeking quality management. The Best Western Premier Kukdo (opened on March 1, 2007) was the first Best Western in Korea. Since then, the Best Western chain has expanded to include 15 different facilities (a total of 1,900 guestrooms) located all around the country. Best Western Premier Kukdo offers subsidiary facilities such as a fusion restaurant, sky lounge, fitness center, and business center. Each of the 296 guestrooms has a bidet and high speed internet. Double rooms have a shower booth, while twin rooms have a bathtub. From the sky lounge (21F) guests can get a great view of Bukhansan Mountain, Cheongwadae, Dongdaemun shopping center, and Myeongdong, not to mention a bird’s-eye view of Seoul nightscape. The hotel also offers VIP rooms that can accommodate up to 20 people and a number of other conveniences that makes this an ideal choice for those traveling for business. Myeongdong and Dongdaemun are only a 10-20 minutes away on foot.


Gyeongsangnam-do()

Geojedo Island is Korea's second largest island with breathtaking scenery. At Jangpyeong-ri, simply pass the great bridge and you will be led directly to Geojedo Island, which boasts the bulk of the South Sea's tourist attractions. Haegeumgang, Mongdol Beach and Oedo Island Paradise Island are the most popular sites among them.Haegeumgang, an island made of rocks, belongs to Hallyeo Marina National Park and is also called the Geumgang of the South Sea. It is famous for both its sunsets and sunrises, and its unique rock formations. Also, Hakdong Mongdol Beach, made of pebbles called Mongdol, has camellias and fairy pits in spring, and comes alive as a beach resort in summer. Oedo Paradise Island, which recently became a popular site, is called the ‘Paradise of Korea’ because of the 3,000 kinds of decorated trees and the Mediterranean style buildings that stand upon this 264 square km land. This island is a poplar site for filming soap dramas due to the combination of the exotic atmosphere and sea.Geojedo Island is historically a significant place. Memorial services are held annually in memory of General Lee Sun-Shin at the Okpodaecheop (war) Memorial Park, built in memory of the battle of Okpo(1592.5.7 - 5.8). Geojedo Island also had the biggest prisoner-of-war camp during the Korean War, and the camp has been restored as a historical relics site. 


Jeollanam-do(Yeongam-gun)

The district of Jeollanam-do is located on the western coast, bordering Jangheung-gun in the east, a narrow bay in the west, Haenam-gun and Gangjin-gun to the south, and Naju-si to the north. Its entire area spans over a 565.9 ㎢, with a population of almost 60,000 (as of January, 2015) and is divided into of 121 ri, 9 myeon,and 2 eup. Its county office is in Dongmu-ri, Yeongam-eup. * Nature Having Noryeongsanmaek Mountain range descending from the top of Cheonwangbong Peak (alt. 809 m), Wolchulsan Mountain forms the mountain ranges in the southeast. The northwest district features flatlands unfolding toward the vicinity of the Yeongsangang River and Yeongsanho Lake, and the southeast area mainly features rolling hills. Nearly 20 streams, including Yeongamcheon Stream, begin in the vicinity of Wolchunsan Mountain and other nearby mountains, passing by the plains and joining up with the Yeongsangang River. The river eventually flows into Seohae (West Sea) through an estuary at the mouth of the Yeongsangang River in Samho-myeon. * Culture The Yeongbo Cultural Event is a folk event held by each myeon (township) of Yeongam-gun every 5th of May. Also, Yeongbo Aehyanghoe, organized and held in Deokjin-myeon, has been giving awards for filial children since 1979, and also holds a gukak (traditional Korean music) festival to honor the independence movement of Hyeongjebong Peak in May 1931 by inviting of survivors and bereaved families. During the feast, various folk games take place, as well as Jehyang (an ancestral ritual). Wangin Culture Festival is also held in the area of Yeongam to view the achievements of Dr. Wangin, who spread knowledge, culture, and art of Japan using Chunhyangdaeje, Doil Parade, Dopoje juldarigi (tug-of-war), Yeoseoksan Ssangpae nongak (farming music), as well as food exhibitions from each eup and myeon units. Folk games of this area include hwaetbul nori (torch parade), yut nori (Korean board game), juldarigi (tug-of-war), and ganggangsullae (Korean circle game). In particular, ganggangsullae is mainly done by women at night on the day of Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), and it is said to have originated during the Imjinwaeran War (Japanese invasion). Also, there are other ancestral rites such as Dangsanje, Sanje, Mireukje, Saeamje, Saemje, Chonje, Jeonghoje, and others that are held at dawn on the 15th of January on the Lunar calendar.