Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Located at the Jongno-bound entrance of the Insa-dong main street in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Insa Gallery specializes in Korean traditional mother-of-pearl lacquer crafts. Popularly known as “Najeonchilgi” in Korean, the term, which refers to mother-of-pearl lacquer crafts, is shared in Korea, Japan, and China through Chinese characters. Various decorative items are embellished with mother-of-pearls and lacquered in various colors and glazes. Insa Gallery sells all kinds of mother-of-pearl lacquer crafts, including jewelry boxes, picture frames, plates, name card cases, hand mirrors, key chains, and other portable accessories. The products on sale range from traditional motifs to modern designs, such as wine stand. The store also carries specialized Korean tourism products that make for great gifts or collector’s items. Located on the first floor of Daeil Building, Insa Gallery is part of the shopping mall “Insa Korea,” which houses a number of stores specializing in traditional products. Thus, when locating Insa Gallery, visitors might find the address alone confusing. First, enter the shopping mall and look straight ahead toward the end of the central hallway, and you will find the store filled with glittering mother-of-pearl lacquer products.


Daegu(Dong-gu)

The Hotel Airport is located at the site of the old Daegu airport and offers a variety of comfortable rooms, including suites for couples. Among the hotel’s facilities are a European-style restaurant serving traditional Korean food, Japanese food, Chinese dishes, and Western cuisine. Menu items are prepared with only the freshest ingredients and are served in a classy atmosphere enhanced by relaxing music. The hotel coffee shop, named ‘Cielo’ (meaning ‘Heaven’ in Italian) is another peaceful retreat where you can relax, unwind, and nurse a cup of coffee. The hotel also has a bar, a spa/sauna called ‘Air Spa,’ a beauty shop, and a wedding hall. The hotel’s comfortable atmosphere and convenient facilities make it a good choice for business travelers. Special facilities for business travelers include a business center and fax services (available at the front desk).


Seoul(Yongsan-gu)

Located in Itaewon, La Tavola was the first original Italian pizza restaurant to open in the area. It continues to draw a steady stream of customers, many of whom are foreign nationals. Around 30 different types of pizza and pasta are served at the restaurant as well as an assortment of Italian wines. Boasting illustrated walls and a clean interior, this refined and modern restaurant has become a fixture in the Itaewon dining scene.


Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun)

Yeongsangang River (136 kilometers) is one of the four major rivers in Korea. It is the shortest of the four rivers (Hangang River 482 kilometers, Nakdonggang River 522 kilometers, Geumgang River 396 kilometers). The river starts from Yongchubong Peak (560m) located in Yong-myeon in Damyang Country, South Jeolla Province. It runs through Damyang, Gwangju, Naju, and Yeongam and eventually flows into the Yellow Sea at Mokpo through the estuary bank. The river also faces some environmental challenges and extreme weather events have caused flooding that lead to ecosystem loss and habitat degradation. In December 1981, a dam was built and the damage was significantly reduced. The government has also introduced the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project in 2009 with the objective of restoring the rivers while achieving regional development. Under this project, a significant amount of budget was allocated for resolving problems plaguing the Yeongsangang River.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Daemyeongheon House is a modern hanok building integrating elements of European architecture. Its interior features design that cannot be found in traditional hanok, such as English herringbone-style floorboards and stained glasses. The kitchen has a well-preserved domestic furnace and items in the style of 1930s, exemplifying the unique atmosphere of this modern hanok. Daemyeongheon is also famous for its connection to Kim Gu (pen-name: Baekbeom), a prominent independence activist: When Kim fled to Ganghwado Island about a hundred years ago, Daemyeongheon was the place he stayed for about three months, and also a place where he presided over a village school. Traces of Kim’s stay can still be found in the building. Daemyeongheon House is made up of three buildings of the main building, a detached building, and an annex. The area that the guests stay in is the annex. The annex has three rooms, a central wooden-floored hall (daecheong), raised floor (numaru), balcony (jjongmaru), and kitchen. The restroom, which is also fitted with a shower booth, is located outside the building. Since reservations are offered to only one group per day, visitors have the house to themselves during their stay. Because of the building’s unique characteristics, guests are prohibited from cooking indoors; instead, guests are provided with a complimentary breakfast, such as bread, tea, coffee, and fruit. Paid programs on site include tea ceremony, azalea craft on traditional Korean paper, retro-style clothing rental, and photography. Guided tours are offered twice per day at 14:00 and 16:00. The tour takes about 0.5–1 hr and requires a fee of KRW 10,000 (including tea). However, visitors should check the date before their visit, as the guided tour is not available when there are any guests staying in the house.


Gyeonggi-do(Yeoju-si) , Yeoju

According to historic records, ceramics have been developed here since the early days of the Joseon Dynasty, as the nation’s best materials for making ceramics, such as clay, white clay, and Kaolin, were produced around Mount Ssari in Bungnae-myeon. Mid-standing artists here study the process of making traditional ceramics as well as more novel works that utilize unconventional methods. In addition to the ceramic art complex, there are many cultural relics such as the Silleuksa Temple Resort, the royal tomb Yeongneung, and the ruins of Godalsa Temple.


Jeollanam-do(Haenam-gun)

Mihwangsa, located in Dalmasan Mountain, Seojeong-ri, Songji-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, is considered as one of the most beautiful temples in the nation. Unlike other temple stay programs, Mihwangsa Temple Stay, which is a year-around program available from January throughout December, offers diverse options from a one-day stay to an 8days/7nights program. The temple stay will be a precious opportunity for busy urbanites to do some soul-searching while learning more about Buddhist culture through various programs such as learning Chinese classics and communal living.  


Gangwon-do(Hoengseong-gun)

Heongseong Hot Springs opened in March 2002, and is a bicarbonate alkaline hot springs located at the foot of the Adapsan Mountain. Hoengseong Hot Springs Silk Road boasts picturesque rock outcroppings and an open-air hot springs that has an expansive view of the Thousand Years Wood of Adapsan Mountain. Hoengseong Hot Springs offers different types of hot springs for visitors to select and experience, including a red clay charcoal sauna, cold waterfall pool, daily event pool with a different theme every day and a paradise pool for couples. Enjoy a restorative stay at Hoengseong hot springs, which also offers relaxing accommodations.The hot water pools are known to be relaxing, as the refreshing alkaline hot springs are rich in carbon dioxide. A variety of other activities are also organized for guests every month, including a treasure hunt, traditional yutnori and jegichagi games, a swing ride and a lucky draw event, which offers a free hot springs bath for the winner.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Ganghwa Armiae World is a theme park with Ganghwa mugwort as its theme. The mugwort of Ganghwado Island is widely known for its great medicinal effects. Armiae means “creating beauty through mugwort.” Armiae World provides its visitors with various opportunities to experience Ganghwa mugwort.Mugwort Korean Beef Restaurant serves quality beef from cattle fed Ganghwa mugwort. The restaurant features a modern interior with beautiful views of the surrounding area. The Mugwort Experience Hall presents various mugwort-related experience programs such as a spa, foot bath, and sitz bath. The Agricultural Exhibition Hall provides a childrens' interactive experience about the value of farming, and the Onsaemiro Maze Park offers a history trip of Ganghwa greenhouses along the labyrinth. Other facilities include the Pottery Experience Hall, Ganghwa Agricultural Goods Sales Office, outdoor lawn square for events and picnics, and a processing plant for agricultural and indigenous products including mugwort.Armiae World is located at the foot of Hyeolgusan Mountain, which is well-known for beautiful azalea flowers in the spring. Providing hands-on experiences in farming, Armiae World is emerging as a unique tourist attraction of Ganghwado Island.