Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

The Chocolate Museum in Seogwipo, Jeju is the second largest chocolate museum in the world (the largest being the Cologne Chocolate Museum in Germany). Built using volcanic scoria unique to Jeju, the museum looks like an ancient castle and seems to complement the surrounding natural environment. The front yard measures 5,000 meters squared and is surrounded by a low-lying fence made of rough stones, giving even passerbyers a great view of the museum's front garden .At the entrance to the museum, a whimsical statue of a cacao god greets visitors. The museum has three floors and houses a gallery, a theater, a café, a workshop, and a chocolate store. The most popular exhibits are the gallery with various exhibits on chocolate and the workshop showing the chocolate-making process. The chocolate produced at the museum is available for both sampling and purchase. In addition, the 'Collection Square' features a wide array of chocolate cases and other items that Mr. Han Ye-seok, the museum director, has collected from around the world.In the 'Chateâu Chocolat: Real Chocolate Place' chocolate shop at the Chocolate Museum, visitors can get a taste of hand-made chocolates. The Chateâu Chocolat is a retail chocolate chain with franchises in Gyeongbokgung, Apgujeong, Itaewon, and Changdeokgung in Seoul, and Yangyang and Somdari in Gangwon-do.The Chocolate Museum's general operating hours are from 10am to 6pm, but in the winter the museum closes early at 5pm, and in summer stays open until 7pm.


Jeollanam-do(Suncheon-si)

Songgwangsa Temple is located on the west side of Jogyesan Mountain, and is a famous sambosachal in Korea. Sambo means "three treasures" in Korean, and in Buddhism there is bulbo, beopbo, and seungbo. Songgwangsa Temple qualifies as a seungbo temple, which refers to the disciples and practicioners of Buddhism at the temple. The reason Songgwangsa Temple became a seungbo temple is because many high monks were produced from this temple.The road to the temple is covered by beautiful tall trees. If you cross the valley from the road, a bridge called Cheongryanggak appears. On the bridge is a pavilion, where you can have a rest. Inside the temple, you can see the Daeungbojeon, the main building. This building has a roof shaped to look like it has two roofs. To one side of the main building is Jijangjeon Shrine, where there is a statue of Buddha, and Seungbojeon Shrine, which tells the world that this is a seungbo temple.Songgwangsa Temple has three great treasures: the Bisari Gusi, Ssanghyangsu, and Neunggyeonnansa. Bisari Gusi is a rice container that was made from a large tree. It was used to store the rice for monks, and because it was so large, it contained enough rice for 4,000 monks. Ssanghyangsu refers to two large Chinese Juniper trees. Lastly, Neunggyeonnansa is a plate belonging to Songgwangsa Temple, and it was built with many intricate designs. Make time on your trip to see the many national treasures that are located here. 


Ulsan(Nam-gu)

Ijo Hanjeongsik seeks to serve varied dishes each season and can package up any leftovers. A clean ambience with its special Yeongeok snow crab add more taste to the appetite. Visitors are able to enjoy Han-jeongsik dishes blended with meat and seafood that are well-matched to Ulsan's regional features.


Jeollabuk-do(Gimje-si)

As King Gyeong-deok in 757 (16 years after ruling at the age of unified Silla) altered the administrative division system into Chinese style so as to strengthen the local power 'Ju', 'Gun', and 'Hyeon', which are hanja (Chinese characters). Since then, 'Byeokgol' was renamed as 'Gimje', which refers to golden field and thus the station name 'Gimje Station'.    


Gyeonggi-do(Hwaseong-si) , suwon

Yongjusa Temple is 5-minutes walk away from Yungneung (the joint tomb of King Jangjo and Queen Heongyeong) and Geolleung (the joint tomb of King Jeongjo, the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Hyoui). The temple was built by King Jeongjo to protect Hyeollyungwon (현륭원), the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado.This site was originally the location of Garyangsa Temple, which was constructed in AD854, the 16th year of King Munseong of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was very famous as it was surrounded by beautiful mountains and crystal clear waters. However, the temple was destroyed by fire during the Byungjahoran (the second Manchu invasion of Korea). During the Joseon Dynasty, King Jeongjo moved the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado (or posthumously designated King Jangjo), to this spot, and built Yongjusa Temple here to pray for the repose of his father’s soul. It is said that one night before the temple was completed, King Jeongjo dreamed of a dragon ascending to the sky holding a magic ball in its mouth. He therefore named the temple “Yongjusa”, which means the temple of a dragon with a magic ball in Korean.The courtyard of the temple contains Beomjong (the Sacred Bell of Yongjusa Temple, National Treasure No. 120), a stupa (stone pagoda), Daeungbojeon (the main hall) and Cheonboru Pavilion. Visitors to Yongjusa Temple can also find the “Bumoeunjunggyeong (부모은중경)” books, which were written by King Jeongjo on the subject of filial affection and respect for one’s parents. These days Yongjusa temple and the Yungneung and Geolleung tombs are highly valued for their cultural heritage.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

On the bus from Gyeongju to Bonggil-ri, the sight of the vast blue sea spread before your eyes will leave you breathless. As you gaze at the glittering blue sea, a small but particularly beautiful islet catches your eye. This little rocky islet is the Underwater Tomb of King Munmu (661-681 A.D.), who unified the three kingdoms and became the 30th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. The king gave specific instructions to be buried in the East Sea after his death so that he would become a dragon and protect Silla from Japanese intruders. The rocky island, about 200m in circumference, is divided by a cross-shaped waterway, forming a pool at the center, at the bottom of which is a granite 3.6 meters long, 2.9 meters wide and 0.9 meters thick. Legend has it that the remains of King Munmu’s cremated body are buried under this rock. Historians still debate whether the ashes of the King Munmu were scattered or stored in an urn and placed under the granite. The beauty of the landscape of the underwater tomb reaches its peak in autumn.


Gyeonggi-do(Gapyeong-gun) , Namyangju

Located in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, Iris Hotel is a seven-story hotel on the banks of the Bukhangang River. The lobby is clean and luxurious and Namiseom Island can be seen nearby. The morning fog on Bukhangang River creates a picturesque scene. Free karaoke and a coffee shop are in operation for guests. Located a stone's throw from Namiseom Island dock, it is easy to catch a ferry to Namiseom Island, and tourist attractions like Petit France, the Garden of Morning Calm, Jarasum Ihwawon, and Yongchu Valley are all available within 30 minutes of the hotel. As for food, you can enjoy restaurants serving dakgalbi, makguksu, gapyeong chukhyeop, and Icheon rice.


Jeollanam-do(Jindo-gun)

Once a year at Jindo Island in Jeollanam-do, the sea mysteriously parts and visitors can walk through the sea from the main island to a smaller nearby island. This phenomenon is due to the difference between high and low tides, creating a 2.8-kilometer-long road measuring 40 meters in x_width.The Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival takes place at the same time as this phenomenon. Visitors can enjoy walking along the sea road, gathering abalone and various other fun activities that make up the festival program. The spectacular sight of the waves parting is widely known and about half a million visitors flock from all over the world just to witness this amazing event.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

The Ye-an branch of the Gwangsan Kim clan’s founder, Sir Hyo-ro Kim created this village Descendents of the family have resided in the village ever since. In 1974, when the Andong Dam was constructed, the village was moved from Ye-an Myeon, Andong to Waryong Myeon, Andong in its original form. Located between these two points are the designated national cultural heritage sites of Takcheongjeong Pavilion and Hujodang Annexed House. On display at the Sungwongak Pavilion Exhibition Hall are rare archives from the family’s history. Some of these documents on display include family records, estate documents and servant records. Among these writings, there are 7 varieties of ancient writings showing up in 429 pieces. There are also 13 varieties showing up in 61 records that are designated treasures. Takcheongjeong Pavilion The pavilion was constructed in 1541 by the Ye-an branch of the head of Gwangsan Kim clan. The pavilion is unique from others in that it is rather stately. It remains a highly treasured and important cultural landmark. During the Joseon Dynasty, noted calligrapher Ho Han named the pavilion 'Takcheongjeong.' Hujodang Annexed living quarters This house belongs to the head residence of the Ye-an branch of the Gwangsan Kim clan. The exact age of the house in unknown but it was built by Bupil Kim who lived from 1516~1577. This structure was built separately from the main house. The annexed living quarters were divided into interior and exterior areas. The exterior quarters were used for the male head of the household as a place for relaxation or social gatherings. The interior quarters were used as a place for elderly women or girls of marriage age to stay. Hujodang Annexed living quarters were exterior quarters.


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si) , Yongin

Hantaek Botanical Garden, located in Oksan-ri, Baekam-myeon, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, is divided into an East Garden and West Garden. The East Garden is comprised of 25 uniquely-themed gardens that together measure 70,000 pyeong (about 231,420 square meters). The West Garden is a natural habitat for research and conservation purposes and is not open to the public.Hantaek Botanical Garden holds a wide range of festivals, events, educational training programs and other activities while nurturing 9,000 different species of flowers in a clean, natural environment. Inside the garden are Korean restaurants, a souvenir shop, and a plant shop.