Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Seokguram, located on Tohamsan Mountain, is the representative stone temple of Korea. The official name of Seokguram, National Treasure No. 24, is Seokguram Seokgul. Designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, it is an artificial stone temple made of granite. The construction was started by Kim Dae-Seong (700-774) in 751 during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC - AD 935) and it was finished twenty-four years later in 774, during the reign of King Hye-Gong (765-780).Seokguram is known to have been built with Bulguksa Temple. According to the history book Samgukyusa of the Goryeo Dynasty (the country that unified the Korean peninsula at the end of the Silla Kingdom, 918-1392), Kim Dae-Seong had Bulguksa Temple built for his parents in his current life, and Seokguram Grotto for the parents of his former life.Inside the round-shaped main hall are the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-sattva and his disciples. The Bonjon figure wearing a generous smile is seated on the stage engraved with a lotus flower design. The rounded ceiling looks like a half-moon or a bow and has a lotus flower decorated cover on it. As the sunrise from this spot is quite beautiful, many people climb the mountain at daybreak.


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

In the past, kimjang(kimchi-making) day was a day for sharing love, a day for festivals and feasting. Designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, kimjang has gone global and kimchi has become a classic, healthy food much loved by people around the world. With the first Seoul Kimchi Festival in 2014, the much forgotten Korean sharing spirit comes alive and kimjang was created into a cultural festival that has developed into a leading global sharing festival in Seoul. Celebrating the theme ‘Happy sharing, Kimjang day,’  the 4th Seoul Kimchi Festival will offer visitors opportunities to touch, feel and taste the unique Korean kimjang culture through various programs  such as Making&Sharing Kimchi, where over 5,000 people get together to  make kimchi for the underprivileged, Seoul Kimjanggan, where participants  get to try their hands at making kimchi for our families as well  the Kimchi Market and Kimchi Imagination Playground etc.  From November 3rd (Fri) to 5th (Sun), 2017, Kimjang Day! A festival with an authentic kimjang theme to create an enjoyable kimjang culture rich in traditional value. We hope that everyone will have a magical time at Seoul Kimchi Festival. Event name : The 4th Seoul Kimchi Festival Date and Time : November 3rd (Fri) ~ 5th (Sun), 2017 Venue : Seoul Plaza, Mugyo-ro Host : Seoul Metropolitan City Organizers : Seoul Metropolitan City, Kimchi Association of Korea, MIRAL Welfare Foundation  


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

A new leap in aerospace and aircraft history has been made on Jeju Island with the grand opening of the Jeju Aerospace Museum on April 24, 2014. The Jeju Aerospace Museum (JAM) is an aviation and space-themed state-of-the-art museum that provides both education and entertainment through its exhibitions and experience programs. Inside, visitors can find items that are representative of the world's history in aerospace technology and space science. One can also trace the footsteps of the Korean Air Force from the retired planes displayed in the hall. Astronomy-related stories from the ancient times to the early days of space exploration are also showcased. Through the exhibition, visitors can travel back 13.7 billion years to learn more about the creation of the universe and discover interesting facts about our solar system, the galaxy and massive black holes. The museum also presents diverse hands-on activities such as touching actual meteorites, sitting in the cockpit of real aircrafts, and future space exploration through a cutting-edge multimedia experience. As Asia’s largest aerospace museum, JAM aims to promote the country's efforts for innovation in the technology of flight. It is an ideal place for visitors of all ages to comprehend the evolution and impact of aviation, space exploration, and new breakthroughs in astronomy.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun)

Sobaeksan Mountain (소백산) is renowned for its natural splendor and mystery, standing tall in the middle of the Korean peninsula, and offering several magnificent peaks, such as Hyeongjebong, Sinseonbong, Gukmangbong, Birobong, and Yeonhwabong. Its captivating seasonal beauty (royal azalea in spring, wildflowers in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and snowscape in winter) attracts visitors year round. The open grass field on Birobong Peak (비로봉; 1,439 m in elevation) is reminiscent of a scene from the Swiss Alps. The Sobaeksan Optical Astromony Observatory (SOAO) located upon Yeonhwabong Peak (1,349 m in elevation) is the historic cradle of Korean astronomy. The Sobaeksan Royal Azalea Festival is held near Danyang-gun in early June every year.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

The Gimhae Astronomical Observatory was opened on February 1, 2002 as part of the Millennium Commemorative Project started in December, 1998. It was built to satisfy the general public’s curiosity about the universe and celestial bodies, inspire young people, and give everyone a unique, memorable experience. The observatory is shaped like an egg, in memory of the legend of King Kim Suro, the founder of the Garak Kingdom, according to which the king was born from an egg. It is said that the queen of King Suro, Heo Hwang-ok, was a princess from the Indian country of Ayuta. Since sophisticated navigation equipment had yet to be invented, it can be assumed that she found her way to the Garak Kingdom by following the stars. It is also said that a prince of the Garak Kingdom built an observatory on the highest point of a mud fortress in Jinrye in order to make astronomical observations. The place is still referred to as Bibidan, which means a place to watch the stars. These historical facts indicate the stars were very important to the Gaya, an ancient kingdom established mainly in the Gimhae area. The peak of Bunseongsan Mountain, where the observatory is located, offers sweeping views of the entire area of Gimhae-si. The night view of Gimhae-si, when the stars are out, is breathtaking.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

Masan, located on the southern coast of Gyeongsangnam-do, is famous for agu-jjim (steamed monkfish). The dish is both spicy and pure, using a fish with a simple flavor, but adding plenty of spices to the broth. Monkfish is also full of vitamin A, making it good for the skin, as well as having little fat and helping with digestion. The vegetables mixed into the broth contain vitamin C, making this spicy dish very healthy. Masan Agu-jjim Street got its start in the mid-1960s, around the area of Odong-dong. Shop-keepers who generally sold jangeo-guk (eel stew) began to create something similar to bukeo-jjim (steamed pufferfish), using monkfish instead of the usual pufferfish. This new creation, agu-jjim, was easy enough for the locals to adjust to, and soon many people were ordering it. From just one shop, the dish has spread into over 20 shops on this street selling agu-jjim.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

The Gimhae Bonghwangdong was designated a historic site, where it includes an important shell mound from the Gaya period, which is located in Hoehyeon-ri. In 1920, it was the first archeological site to be excavated in Korea. The site also contains the Bonghwangdae tomb (Former Data for Cultural Properties No. 87), which was the largest tomb of Geumgwan Gaya area. On top of the hill remain Yeoui Pavilion and Hwangse Rock, which are part of the legend about General Hwangse and Yeoui. This is also where the remains of raised houses and a residential site of the Gaya period were excavated.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeongeup-si)

Located in the northern part of Naejangsan park, Seoraebong Peak is named after a farming tool that in the past was used to plow land. Either side of the peak stretch rocky cliffs that blaze red with autumn foliage. Seoraebong Peak’s picturesque location makes it particularly popular with hikers.A good hiking trail that takes you to Seoraebong and other highlights of Naejangsan Park starts at Iljumun Gate, and passes by Byeongnyeogam Rock, Seoraebong Peak, Bulchulbong Peak, Wonjeogam Rock, and Naejangsa Temple before turning back to Iljumun Gate. The hike takes about 3 hours.


Seoul(Songpa-gu)

In the wide grass field of Olympic Park in Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, the Seoul Jazz Festival will be held, featuring Asian top jazz festival. It is hosted in every May with world-famous artists who will entertain visitors during the festival.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

First established in Ganghwa-eup during the 5th year of King Injong in the Goryeo Dynasty (1127), Ganghwahyanggyo Confucian School was moved to Ganghwa-gun and then restored at the foot of Buksan Mountain (formally Songaksan Mountain) in 1624 by Sim Yeol during the 2nd year of King Injo. Ganghwahyanggyo Confucian School is regarded as an important cultural and historical site in Ganghwa-eup.