Seoul(Songpa-gu)

Jamsil Special Tourist Zone has Lotte World Amusement Park, the landmark of Jamsil, at its center. As Jamsil Special Tourist Zone functions as a resting area in the heart of the city, visitors can play, go shopping and participate in historical inquiries all within a comfortable distance of each other. The zone has a lot of entertainment and places to see and eat for international visitors of all ages with its diverse tourism resources, such as Seokchon Lake, Café Alley, Bangi Food Street, Olympic Park and Hanseong Baekje cultural relics. Seokchon Lake is great for a stroll in a tranquil ambience, and Bangi Food Street has restaurants serving a variety of appetizing dishes. Inside and around Lotte World Amusement Park are attractions and amenities that include Lotte Hotel World, Lotte World Indoor Ice Skating Rink and Food Court. It is popular among families with children and the elderly. Jamsil Station Shopping Mall in Jamsil, apart from Lotte Department Store (Jamsil Branch), is widely known as a shopper’s haven. The items sold at the shopping mall are affordable, attracting a crowd of young people. Olympic Park is frequently used as a venue by Hallyu (Korean wave) stars for shows and performances. There is a swimming pool inside the park where sports activities take place, like a scuba diving program for beginners. It is easy to access Songpa-gu District, where Jamsil Special Tourist Zone is located, from Gimpo International Airport on subway line No. 9. * Current State of Jamsil Special Tourist Zone 1) Districts Covered: Areas around Shincheon, Seokchon, Songpa, Bangi and Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul (Lotte World~ Seokchon Lake~ Bangi Food Street~ Olympic Park) 2) Area: 2,310,000㎡ * Tourist Attractions Lotte World, Lotte Hotel, Folk Museum, Seokchon Lake, Olympic Park, Cafe Alley, Museum, etc.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The Culture, Design & Tourism Headquarters of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (History & Cultural Heritage Division) has been holding the “Bosingak Bell-Ringing Ceremony” since November 21, 2006. The program takes place at noon daily (except Tuesdays) and gives locals and international visitors the experience of ringing the bell 12 times. The program is run regularly and foreigners can also participate in the special program without the need to register. Foreign visitors can come before 11:40 a.m. and apply on-site at Bosingak Belfry, where participants will be able to experience a bit of Korean culture through the ceremony.[Origin of Bosingak Bell Ringing] Courtesy of the Seoul Metropolitan GovernmentThe Bosingak Bell was rung to signal the opening and closing of the four Main Gates (Sungnyemun, Heunginjimun, Sukjeongmun, and Donuimun) and the four Small Gates (Hyehwamun, Sodeokmun, Gwanghuimun, and Changuimun) in the capital city since the fifth year of King Taejo (1396) during the early Joseon Dynasty. Bell ringing at dawn was called “Paru” and bell ringing in the evening was called “Injeong.”* The bell was named Bosingak Bell in 1895 during the 32nd year of King Gojong. The belfry was originally called Jongnu (bell pavilion). ---------------Paru – ringing the bell 33 times (dawn)- Ogyeong Samjeom: The bell was rung 33 times at around 4 a.m. to signal the end of the night curfew and the start of the new day. The eight gates to the capital will be opened during this time.- The practice of ringing the bell 33 times can be traced to Buddhism; the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy manifests herself in 33 different forms in order to save mankind.---------------Injeong – ringing the bell 28 times (evening)- The bell was rung 28 times at around 10 p.m. to signal the end of the day, the closing of the gates and the start of the curfew.- In ancient times, people divided the universe into the four gung’s of East, West, South, and North. Each gung was further divided into seven, therefore forming 28 gu’s (28 su’s) of constellations. This resulted in the tradition of ringing the bell 28 times.※ Injeong refers to reporting to the 28 su’s of the sun, the moon, and the stars of the universe, while paru reported to the 33 “skies” led by Jeseokcheon (shamanic deity) to seek blessings for national prosperity and the welfare of the people, all of which are related to Buddhism.※ Bell ringing on the eve of New Year’s Day is meant to symbolize the end a year, and as a way wish for blessings, good health and the happiness of the citizens for the brand new year.


Seoul(Nowon-gu)

Bennigan's inspects the freshness of its ingredients twice daily and prepares its food at the best appropriate temperature, then checks once again before the food is served to customers, ensuring great-tasting dishes of high quality. Also, Bennigan's prides itself on its friendly service, offering a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience. Bennigan's is not only a place for dining, as it presents a variety of unique experiences according to culture in terms of movies, concerts, and musicals.


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

Originally known as Unamjeong Pavilion, the pvailion was built to comemorate Lee Seung-mahn in 1959, was demolished by the 4.19 movement in 1960, and then rebuilt on November 11, 1968.This pavilion now sits atop Namsan Mountain, with views covering the entirity of Seoul below.


Seoul(Mapo-gu)

Located in the Hongdae area, the Modern Design Museum is one of the first design museums in Korea. It opened in March 2008 and exhibits historical records that are dedicated to Korea’s design development, featuring more than 15,000 items. The items displayed are mostly from the private collection of Park Arm-Jong, who is a Seonmun University professor as well as the museum’s director. He has gathered items for over 20 years and has arranged them in such a way that visitors can get a very good idea of Korea’s modern design history. Under the theme of “The Big Dipper, 7 stars lighting up the night sky,” exhibitions are categorized into different periods of time. Section 1: Inception Stage (Introduction of Modern Western Culture. 1876-1910), Section 2: Stationary Stage (Slump of Traditional Korean Culture and the Beginning of the Corporate Era. 1910-1945), Section 3: Incubating Stage (Beginning of Understanding the Utility of Design. 1945 – 1961), Section 4: Early Developing Stage (1961 – 1976), Section 5: Developing Stage (Systemizing Design and Development through International Sports. 1976 – 1988), Section 6: Take-off stage (1988 – 2000), and Section 7: Maturing stage (2000s and after).


Seoul()

Founded in 2007, the Seoul Arts and Culture Tour Project is a cultural experience program operated by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture. Tours are held Thursday to Saturday on the second and fourth weeks of the month from April to October.   Participants meet at the square in front of Seoul City Hall around 10:30 am to ride the bus provided by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture and begin their tour of Seoul. The program has a variety of excursions, which are divided up by theme: art, theater, literature, architecture, and design. During the weekdays, the tour is popular among housewives who may have a little extra time while their children are at school; during the weekends, it becomes the perfect opportunity for families, couples, and international to tour Seoul. Through this free program, participants will be able to visit some of the sites in Seoul and discover what makes each place one of Seoul’s crown jewels. Interested parties are asked to make reservations by calling the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture or by visiting the website.  


Seoul(Dongdaemun-gu) , Dongdaemun

Located in Jeongnong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, Cheongnyangni Station runs on the Gyeongwon Line and between Wangsimni Station and Hoegi Station. It is the first and last station of on the Jungang Line.It began operating as a regular station on October 15, 1911 and changed its name to Donggyeongseong Station in 1938. The name was later changed to Cheongnyangni Station in 1942. The station belongs to the Metropolitan Dongbu branch of Korail and it operates the Mugunghwa Line and the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, and also handles ticket sales.


Seoul(Nowon-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

Hyangrim serves traditional Chinese food using only the freshest seafood, vegetables, and high-grade meat. The cooking of its cuisine is done with true sincerity in order to please the customer's taste buds. The chef also uses all-natural MSG flavoring and small amounts of vegetable oil, making the food less greasy, catering to the tastes of Koreans and foreigners alike. Specialties that guests frequently order are the Galbi in Spicy Sauce, Seasoned Prawns with Vegetables, Shark's Fin, and crab dishes.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

The Seosomun Gate area, which is located outside Seomun Gate, is regarded as a sacred place for many Korean Catholics. During the 19th century, the church suffered persecution for introducing Catholicism in the country. A series of persecutions followed over the years, notably the Sinyu Persecution in 1801 and the Byeongbin Persecution in 1866. The memorial tower in the center of the park is for the 44 martyrs who died for their Catholic faith during the persecution. It was originally established in December 1984 and rebuilt on May 15, 1999. The tower consists of three granite pillars: the middle one is 15 meters high while the two pillars on both sides are each 13 meters high.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Luden Loquen SPACE (Cafe LN) is a unique hanok cafe, located at the end of the alley where Bukcheon Hanok Village starts. The cafe is not just an average café where you can drink tea or coffee but because of location and design it has an added sense of cultural value. Locals come to enjoy the best tea in town, brewed using high quality tea leaves with information on its origin attached. (For example, the gukhwa-cha (chrysanthemum tea) at the café comes from the Andong region.) In addition to traditional drinks and sweets, the coffee shop offers a variety treats that combines Korean ingredients and modern desserts. The hanok (traditional Korean house) building has been reinterpreted through a modern design.