Seoul(Yongsan-gu)

Danggogae Catholic Martyrs' Shrine is located on the small hill just five minutes away from Yongsan Eletronics Market. 10 Catholics were martyred on this hill during the Gihae Persecution in 1839 including Choi Gyeong-hwan (Francis)'s wife Lee Seong-rye (Maria). Nine of the 10 martyrs are now recognized as saints. Lee Seong-rye, the mother of Father Thomas Choi Yang-eop (Korea's second ordained priest), has not yet been canonized although she did suffer martyrdom. The reason was that the mother briefly put aside her faith because of the pressures of raising five children after she had her oldest son Thomas. However, the difficulty of combining these two interests was eventually overcome and she died a martyr. Aside from serving as a memorial site, Danggogae Catholic Martyrs' Shrine also offers a commanding view of Seoul. Nearby tourist attractions include Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs, which is a Catholic church with Korean architecture, and Yongsan Family Park.  


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changnyeong-gun)

Bugok Hot Springs, located at the foot of Deokamsan Mountain, was designated as a national tourist resort in 1977. It is one of the best hot springs in South Korea, appointed as Special Tourist Complex in January 1997. ‘Bugok’ was named according to the iron pot shape of the land. The temperature of the water is 78°c, high enough to softly boil an egg. As a representative sulfur hot spring, the spa is good for those who have difficulties with breathing, neuralgia, rheumatism, skin disease, chilblains, bruises, prickly heat and leucorrhoea. Other than sulfur, the water also contains over 20 kinds of inorganic matters such as silicon, chlorine, calcium and iron. As a multi-complex resort, Bugok Hot Spring Tourist Special Complex covers various facilities other than the large spa, such as the grand performance hall, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, zoo, botanical garden, five tourist hotels, 23 accommodation and 21 shopping centers. It is a suitable place for short family trips where you can relax your tired body at the hot spring, and rest at the accommodation and recreation facilities in the complex. There is a footprint of a herbivorous dinosaur in front of the Ilsung Condominium and eggs boiled in the hot spring water are served in the Bugok Tourist Hotel. Also, there are facilities for adolescents, which are frequently used for training and seminars. The Bugok Hot Spring Festival is held in every October to promote the Bugok Hot Springs.  


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Tongin Market is the place to go for traditional gireum tteok-bokki. The market is well-known as the best place in Korea for gireum tteok-bokki, and even foreign tourists come to have a taste. Gireum tteok-bokki is made by stir-frying rice cakes in oil and seasonings. There are two types of gireum tteok-bokki sold here. One kind is seasoned with just oil and soy sauce; the other is seasoned with spicy red pepper flakes and oil. Three of Tongshin Market’s gireum tteok-bokki eateries are particularly famous and popular. One such eatery is Original Grandmother's Gireum Tteok-Bokki. The shop has been featured on TV programs. Another is Hyoja-dong’s Old School Tteok-Bokki, once visited by John Kerry in 2014 while he was the U.S. Secretary of State.  


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Larva Town is divided into areas of three different themes: TUBAn Yard, TUBAn Goods, and Cafe Wingcle. TUBAn Yard greets visitors with animation character Larva dressed up as a gatekeeper from the Joseon Dynasty along with other amusing sculptures that serve as excellent props for taking souvenir photos. The yard is open to public, welcoming any passerby to stop by and relax. As for TUBAn Goods, the shop is filled with character merchandise targeted towards consumers of diverse age range. Featured characters include TUBAn's iconic character Larva, Dinocore, and Wingcle bear. After looking around TUBAn Yard and TUBAn Goods, visitors can stop by Cafe Wingcle, where they can enjoy a cup of coffee with dessert surrounded by adorable Wingcle and friends.


Seoul(Seocho-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

The Seoul Arts Center is the representative art complex of Korea. It is comprised of the Opera House, the Concert Hall, the Art Gallery, the Art Morgue, the Calligraphy Hall and the Performance Theater which is exclusively for plays. You can enjoy various performances and exhibitions at this one site.One of the prominent aspects of the Seoul Arts Center is that it was built to the quality of the world's ten best art centers. The Opera House that stands in the middle of the complex, represents the Gat - a traditional Korean hat made of bamboo. You will notice that the roof of the building is the shape of the Gat. Since it is the only place in the world that has a well-preserved collection of written Chinese Characters, the Calligraphy Hall is a nice place for foreigners to visit. You can watch movies and videos at the Art Morgue.The plot of this complex is approximately 276,800 square yards. Even if you do not enter the buildings of the complex, you will be surprised at the facilities. The outdoor space is fit for the citizens of Seoul and tourists to rest and relax. Behind the complex you will see the mountains. Follow the trail up the mountains and you will reach Daesungsa Temple, a Buddhist temple in the mountains.The Seoul Arts Center is famous for its free, relaxing outdoor space. At the 'Jangteo' (meaning 'market') there are many events and shows. There is an outdoor theater, which has a half-moon shaped stage along with a square where many performances are held. You can also rest by Umyeonji, the Korean-style pond. You can find further information about the Seoul Art Center, the programs and events held there, on its online English homepage.


Seoul(Seocho-gu)

Hangaram Art Museum, located in the left wing of the Seoul Arts Center, displays a unique exhibition of formative arts. Established in 1990, the museum has a total area of 15,540㎡ and contains 6 exhibition halls (including one for oversized artwork), a storage area, and an art shop. The building features a lighting system that controls the humidity and temperature and is equipped with a luminous ceiling system that captures natural sunlight and feeds it into the museum, allowing visitors to enjoy a brightly lit viewing area. The Art Square in front of the museum houses a wide range of exclusive artwork and serves as a venue for various events such as the Cloz Art Market. Visitors may also enjoy the open-air café right in front of the building or dine at “Yehyang,” a traditional Korean restaurant right down the stairs.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

Arko Art Gallery (formerly Marronnier Art Gallery) is located inside Marronnier park in Daehakno, where many youth flock. Daehakno is a place where many couples have their dates and is beloved by the artisans who use the area as a performance center. The Arko Art Gallery is situated in the partk. The Arko Art Gallrey was founded by the Korean Culture Promotion Department to flourish and enrich the Korean arts. Founded in 1979, when there were not many exhibition spaces for artists, it was a place of hope for many of them. With low general exhibit fees and relatively important self-planned exhibit openings, it became a place that contributed significantly to the development of Korean art.The exhibits taking place in the Arko Art Gallery can be divided into two. One is the General Exhibition and the other is the Planning Exhibition. Both of these exhibitions take place in the small gallery on the 1st floor. Since the exhibits are admitted through strict screening it is recommended that you just go and visit them. There is no admission fee. However, during August, repairs usually takes place. You should try to avoid visiting the gallery during that time or you should call and inquire about the opening times. On the 2nd floor there is a family café. There are six computers to use along with refreshments, so you might want to visit it as well. There are many other places to rest and drink along Daehakno street. While walking through Marronnier Park if there is a specific place you are interested in, just visit it. Wherever you visit, the place's unique atmosphere will be evident. During the Christmas season especially, you may not even find a vacant seat in the area. It is that crowded and popular. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Samcheongdong・The Northern Part of the Seoul

Located in Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Saint James Samcheong opened in July 2016. With its large, transparent glass façade, the store is very much a part of the tranquil, sophisticated atmosphere and sunlight of the Samcheong-dong street. Evocative of the marine look, the interior highlights the cool colors and displays. Along with products from Saint James (France), the store sells imported brands like Buddy (Japan), Veja (France), Soludos (U.S.A.), Bronte (Netherlands), and Butterfly Twists (United Kingdom). The single-story store comes with an entrance and an exit on both sides, making it easy and convenient for shopping even during busy hours. The brand started in 1889 at a French village near Mount Saint-Michel in Normandy. In the early days, the store specialized in sailor’s outfits – or the “marine look” – and gradually expanded as the French look gained popularity around the world.


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

Handicraft-Nuri, located within Cuture Station Seoul 284 (Former Seoul Station), offers Korea Craft and Design Foundation's top quality designed and handcrafted products including, but not limted to, ceramics, cups, and postcards.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

Located near Hwahongmun, one of Suwon’s eight wonders, Yeonpo Galbi (연포갈비) is the perfect place to stop by for a rest and to eat some authentic Suwon galbi while touring the area. With rustic logs on the outside and a bright, clean interior, the restaurant seeks to capture the spirit of the area and aesthetically complement nearby Hwahongmun. As far as the food, each assistant cook is assigned specific dishes as their concentration, assuring the preservation of each dish’s original taste. If you’re a first-time visitor to the restaurant, make sure to check out the Suwon souvenirs on display for sale, which are an affordable way to commemorate your trip.