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

Of the 4 Great Gates (Sukjeongmun, Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, and Seodaemun), established by the Emperor of 1396, Sukjeongmun is called the north gate.Located to the north of Seoul, this gate, with Gyeongbokgung Palace in the center and Changaemun (Jahamun) to the right, make up the wings of the north gate. Due to the possible danger of the area being damaged from all the pedestrians, the Emperor of 1413 planted pine trees and prohibited passing this area. Henceforth, Sukjeongmun became a scenic walkway until the North Korean Communist infiltration of 1968, which prohibited the passing of all civilians.The reopening of Sukjeongmun in April of 2006 has led to the opening of Bukak Mountain in April of 2007 and is in the process of dividing it into 3 courses. Bukak Mountain has been kept well-preserved due to a long period of restriction in this area, and if you climb the mountain, you will be able to see all of Seoul in one breath. 


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si) , Yongin

Gyeonggi Provincial Museum was established for the purpose of inheriting and developing the history and traditional culture of Gyeonggi-do. It has actively engaged in various projects including historic research, relic excavation, management of the museum’s various collections, promotion of social education, and organization of cultural events that can help people understand the traditional culture of Gyeonggi-do better. The also museum promotes cultural exchange and cooperation by organizing events and programs that cater to the cultural needs of visitors. These include painting contests and cultural film screenings for university and elementary school students.


Busan(Haeundae-gu) , Haeundae

Songjeong Beach (송정해수욕장) is the ideal beach for families to swim together because of its shallow waters and fine sand. The white sandy beach stretches for 1.2 km, and covers an area of 62,150 square meters. The beach has the unique feel of the southern region, making the experience all the more fun. At the entrance of the beach is Jukdo, where you can find relaxation facilities in the evergreen groves. You can enjoy fishing as well at the northeast end of the beach. There is also a dock where you can use motorboats and take cruises in the summer. A particularly famous part of Songjeong Beach is the Songiljeong Pavilion, which offers a magnificent view of the sunrise and moonrise.Because this beach is a bit out of the Busan area, it is quite unlike many of the other beaches in Busan. Every year the Harvest Full-Moon Seaweed Festival and the Songjeong Beach Festival are held here, and many vacationers come to enjoy the celebrations.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Housed in an old hanok (traditional Korean house) Sukyoung Sikdang (숙영식당) is a restaurant famous for its glutinous barley rice meal. Various kinds of grains are mixed with glutinous barley rice to make a sticky and savory rice dish complete with seven different kinds of wild greens. For an extra boost of flavor, try mixing in the various herbs provided with lots of dressing and sesame oil. Even though the meal comes with bean paste-jjigae, if you’re still hungry take a trip to the traditional bakery located nearby (‘Hwangnam Bread’) for an extra special treat.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (성덕대왕신종), the largest Korean bell preserved, stands 3.75m tall, has a lip diameter of 2.27m, and is 11-25cm wide. In 1997, Gyeongju National Museum weighed it at 18.9 tons. The bell was cast to pay tribute to the memory of King Seongdeok. It was completed in 771 and named ‘The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok.’ However, because the bell was installed at Bongdeoksa Temple, it has also been called the Bell of Bongdeoksa. The bell is also known as the Emile Bell (에밀레종), a name derived from an ancient legend in which a child was sacrificed in order to give sound to the bell, whose echoes of ‘em-ee-leh’ resemble the traditional Korean word for "mommy." The tubular sound pipe at the top of the bell that helps the sound reverberate is a unique feature that can be found only in Korean bells. The yongnyu, which servers as a loop to hang the bell, has been decorated to resemble a dragon’s head. A band of arabesque patterns can be found at the shoulder, and the striking point of the bell is in the shape of a lotus flower. The magnificent design and inscription methods used in this bell exemplify the craftsmanship of artisan’s from the Unified Silla period. The bell is also inscribed with over one thousand Chinese characters, and its beauty and integrity have been meticulously preserved despite the passage of over 1,300 years.  


Jeollabuk-do(Sunchang-gun)

Gochujang (고추장) is the famous traditional sauce/garnish used in almost every dish in Korea. The one prepared in the Sunchang region, is well-known in Korea for being especially tasty. The Sunchang Gochujang Village (순창 고추장마을) is located at the foot of Mt. Amisan in Sunchang City, Jeollabuk-do. The village has a population of just 149 people who live in 46 Hanoks (traditional Korean style houses). When you first walk into the village you will notice rows of traditional hang-a-ri (large clay jar) all lined up everywhere you go transporting you back into Korea’s past. Actually, it has not been long since Sunchang Gochujang Village was established. Gochujang-making artisans from all over Sunchang-gun (county) in one village came together and started up this village.Every year in early November the village hosts the Sunchang Gochujang Festival drawing many visitors to the place for the many attractions nearby. The places include the Hoemunsan Natural Forest, a lovely woody area and historical site; Gangcheonsan County Park; Baegyangsa temple, beautifully scenic in the snowy winter; Churyeong Jangseungchon, a village where visitors can see various forms of jangseung (Korean totem poles made of wood); Hyangga Yuwonji, a public park famous for being the place where scholars would come to boat and live a peaceful life in these inspiring surroundings; and Naejangsan, a mountain that turns into a vision of fiery autumnal shades in the fall. 


Seoul(Seodaemun-gu) , Sinchon・Ewha Womans University

Located at the skirt of Ansan Mountain in Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Bongwonsa temple , as the center of Korean Buddhism Taego, is a thousand year old temple with a long history and tradition. In 889 (3rd year of Shilla Jinseong Queen’s reign), Master Dosun founded it at the ground of Yeonhui palace (now Yonsei Univ.) and named it Banyasa temple. It was destroyed during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, and later in 1748 (24th year of Joseon King Yeongjo’s reign), it was rebuilt and renamed “Bongwonsa” by two Buddhist monks, Chanjeup and Jeungam.“Yeongsanjae”, one of the Buddhist rituals and also the Important Intangible Cultural Properties No. 50, takes place at Bongwonsa on June 6 every year wishing for the world peace and the reunification of North and South Korea. It was designated as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. During Yeongsanjae, visitors can enjoy the Buddhist arts such as Beompae (Buddhist temple music for rituals) and dancing. Also, during summer time, “Seoul Lotus Flower Culture Festival” takes place, so visitors can enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers which are a symbol of Buddhism. 


Busan(Jung-gu) , Nampo-dong(Jagalchi Market)

Located right next to the sea, Dried Seafood Market is a tradtional Korean market. Customers, who want to taste the feel of the traditional seafood market in Busan, are strongly encouraged to visit there. Fresh seafood is offered at inexpensive prices. It houses Suhyup Seafood Joint Market as well.


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

Opened in May, 1999, Hotel Centro is the only first-class business hotel in Seocho-dong, Korea's central business district. The hotel (B2-8F) offers 94 comfortable and modern rooms as well as a convenient location. Situated only 2-3 minutes from the Nambu Terminal Station (Seoul subway line 3) and 5 minutes away from the express bus terminal via subway, the hotel offers easy access not only to Seoul, but also other regions of Korea. Hotel facilities consist of a Korean restaurant, coffee shop, sauna, reception hall, banquet hall, and a modern sky lounge. Thanks to its high-quality interior design and prime location, Hotel Centro has been gaining recognition internationally as a top business hotel.


Gangwon-do(Wonju-si)

Located in strikingly beautiful surroundings, the 1.4million square meters Oak Valley Snow Park contains two beginner, five intermediate, and two advanced level courses. Each course presents a different theme, and the slopes have varying inclines. Oak Valley is a first-class resort complex providing condo facilities, a golf course, and various other subsidiary facilities. Oak Valley also offers special children’s facilities making it the perfect ski resort for all the family. It is also the nearest resort complex to Seoul. During the winter season, Oak Valley operates shuttle buses to the resort. Please refer to the homepage for the shuttle bus schedule and more detailed information on the resort.