Seoul(Jung-gu)

Wongudan (Hwangudan) Altar refers to an altar complex for the rite of heaven. The rites were first performed in the Goryeo Dynasty by King Seongjong in the first month of 983 (2nd year of his reign), but was repeatedly adopted and abolished, and eventually stopped at the start of the Joseon Dynasty. Then in 1456 (2nd year of King Sejo), the practice was temporarily standardized and the rites were performed at Wongudan (Hwangudan) Altar again in 1457. However, rites were again abolished in 1464 (10th year of King Sejo). It wasn’t until 1897 (34th year of King Gojong) when the Joseon Dynasty was renamed the Korean Empire and King Gojong ascended to emperor, that the rite was revived. Now, Hwangungu Shrine and three stone drums stand at the location of the former altar complex. The three stone drums symbolize the instruments used for the rites. The shrine was completed in 1899, two years after the altar was started in 1897. Today, the Hwangungu Shrine still stands within the hotel grounds of the Westin Chosun Hotel.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

International Convention Center Jeju (ICC Jeju) is located within Jungmun Resort, with fantastic views of Hallasan Mountain and the ocean. Opened on March 22, 2003, the convention center is comprised of two underground levels and five above-ground floors. Amenities include an international meeting hall that can accommodate up to 4,300 people, as well as exhibition halls and related facilities for all types of international events and meetings. The exterior of the center is designed with a motif of Jeju Island and stands in harmony with the surrounding nature.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Located close to Dongdaemun Gate and Cheonggyecheon Plaza, Haruyeonga is a great restaurant for a hearty meal after sightseeing or shopping in the surrounding area.Haruyeonga specializes in meat and typical Korean dinning options, including bibimbap with marinated pork, spicy ribs and doenjang stew (bean paste stew) with lean beef brisket. Their stir-fried small octopus is also popular. The Jeju roasted black pork is another must try dish as it is grilled over hardwood charcoal.


Seoul(Songpa-gu)

Munjeong-dong Rodeo Street is a large shopping district containing over 200 brand-name discount stores. The street is T-shaped, with a 1km-long main street connected to a 400-meter-long alley, and the Munjeong 1-dong Resident Center located at the center. For shoppers’ convenience, there is a public parking lot (if visitors purchase goods at Rodeo Street, they can park here for free) and a parking lot for foreign tourists only (free of charge). Munjeong-dong Rodeo Street is one of Korea’s major shopping streets with customers ranging from teenagers to adults, since discount stores stocking sports wear, casual wear, shoes, men’s and ladies’ suits, and golf wear are all located on this street. Moreover, this is a great place to find deals on famous brands, at prices lower than at a department store. On some items you can get discounts of up to 70-80%.Shopping TipsSince most of the goods are stock from previous seasons, it might be better to purchase the more classic styles rather than the trendy fashions. In some cases, the goods might have been slightly crumpled or stained during the transfer from warehouse storage, but taking them to the dry-cleaners should fix most problems. However you should be careful when looking at the sewing quality, and check for missing buttons.One more thing to bear in mind is the shopping season. Even discount stores have periods when stock runs low. The best time to shop is immediately after the stores in Rodeo Street restock their merchandise. This is done at about the same time as department stores. There is also an enormous variety of goods to choose from during the Rodeo Festivals in May and September. The purchased goods are exchangeable but non-refundable, so check the quality of the products carefully before you purchase them. In addition, Munjeong-dong Rodeo Street has a wide selection of restaurants and entertainment facilities. There are a number of pizza places, coffee shops, and food courts, as well as internet cafes and game rooms in the alleys behind the stores. Visitors can also relax in the surrounding parks. There’s a park with a 600-year-old zelkova tree right behind the Munjeong 1-dong Resident Center. Munjeong Rodeo Street is not just a shopping area; it’s a cultural area. The ‘Munjeong-dong Cultural Festival’ takes place every year in May, and the ‘Munjeong-dong Rodeo Festival’ takes place in May every other year. During these festivals, visitors can watch traditional Korean performances, traditional wedding ceremonies, international fashion parades, hip-hop dancing, and more. A charity sale is held on weekends and national holidays on the open-air stage of the Munjeong 1-dong Resident Center, and merchandise is sold for even bigger discounts.


Gyeonggi-do(Gwangmyeong-si)

Lotte Premium Outlets - Gwangmyeong branch is an unban shopping venue that is combined with IKEA, the first Korean branch of the global furniture store, and Costco. The Gwangmyeong branch is conveniently located at the meeting point of four roads - Seohaean Expressway, Gyeongin Expressway 2 and 3, and outer circular road as well as KTX Gwangmyeong Station.


Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

Home Plus Jamsil Branch can be easily reached via subway lines 2 or 8 and is in close proximity to Special Tourist Zones, Seokchon Lake and the Hangang River dock, thus attracting many foreign tourists. The store also has a POS self payment line where shoppers can make payments easily just by touching the screen and don’t need assistance from a staff member. However, English speaking staff members are available for a more convenient shopping experience.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Namdaemun・Seoul-Station

The old building of the Seoul train station was designed by Tsukamoto Yasushi, a professor of Tokyo University. Construction of the station started in June, 1922 and was completed in September, 1925. Due to its unique domed roof and large size, the station attracted much attention in its early years.After Korea regained its independence from under Japanese colonial rule, the station’s name was changed from ‘Gyeongseong Station’ to ‘Seoul Station’. During the Korean War, the station was partially destroyed but later restored. After Korea began industrializing after the war, the South annex and West annex were constructed to handle the increasing transportation volume.In 2004 when the privately-funded new station was constructed, the old station closed down, but after reconstruction in 2011 opened as a multicultural space called ‘Culture Station Seoul 284’. The main section (Jungang Hall) is for performances, exhibitions, events, and cafés, while the 2nd floor houses a hall that serves as a venue for cultural performances, exhibitions, academic seminars, business meetings, and more.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

At Goam Sikdang, you can have refreshingly spicy budae jjigae, a stew of sausages, meat and vegetables. The budae jjigae at this restaurant tastes more authentically Korean than Itaewon-style budae jjigae, which usually includes processed cheese. This restaurant is famous in the Itaewon area for its delicious food.   spicy budae jjigae, a stew of sausages, meat and vegetables.            


Busan(Haeundae-gu) , Haeundae

Shinsegae Centum City is a wildly popular attraction in Busan that is home to an excellent indoor ice rink with a capacity of 500 visitors. This state-of-the-art ice rink is operated under natural light during the day and under spectacular, romantic lighting at night. The ice rink is a great place for visitors of all ages and has a variety of facilities for the comfort of its guests. Those needing a break from skating can head on up to Food Park or Snack Corner to look out over the ice and munch on food from around the world. Other facilities at the rink include the Culture Hall, customer lounges, and customer service center.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)