Gwangju(Seo-gu)

The Yangdong Market started in the 1910s as a traditional market held on the 2nd and 7th of every month on the white sand beach under Gwangjugyo Bridge. In the 1940s, the market moved to its current location, and was renovated to become the marketplace we know and love today.Covering an area of approximately 1,253㎡, the Yangdong Market is the largest traditional market in the Honam Region (the Southwestern region of Korea). There are four buildings in total and 340 stores selling a variety of items including fruit and vegetables, seafood, manufactured goods, and more. Yangdong Market is especially famous for its Jesa products (those related to Korean ancestral memorial service) and quality items for newly-weds. The market closes on every first and third Sunday from April to September but is open every day from October to March.During the May 18th Democratization Movement, both Yangdong and Daein markets were a grand venue where the citizens of Gwangju gathered together to rally for democratization of the nation. Merchants of the markets provided food, beverages, and medicine to the protestors and participated in the movement alongside their fellow citizens. One of the most well-known places in Yangdong market is Hana Bunsik (Noh Moo-hyun Gukbab) restaurant. It started to become famous after the late President Noh visited the restaurant on Dec.14th, 2002, just 5 days before the presidential election. 


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si) , Yongin

The Hankuk Art Museum first opened its door to the public in May 1983 in Gahoedong and was later moved to its current location. Focusing on modern art and the promotion of Korean art, the gallery presents special displays and open-run exhibitions mainly featuring artwork such as Western and Korean paintings, pottery, sculpture, photos, and tapestries.The gallery is comprised of five exhibition halls including indoor and outdoor sculpture exhibition halls. There is also a library open to the public with art-related books, magazines, and videos.Hankuk Art Museum is a pioneering and time-honored leader in the field of arts education as well. In 2006 alone, around 800 people joined in programs at the gallery. Programs focus on helping locals better understand the arts and on nurturing the creativity of children.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

Situated in Tongyeong (Gyeongsangnam-do), Mireuksan (461m) is considered one of the 100 best mountains in Korea. While not as high as other mountains, it is home to a lush forest, valleys with pure water, odd-shaped rocks, rock caves, and ancient temples. Upon climbing to the top of the mountain, visitors can see the breathtaking view of the sea enveloping Tongyeong. Near Tongyeong are a number of large and small islands including Mireukdo.Hiking used to be the only option to climb up the mountain, but a cable car (covering over 2km, the longest in Korea) now carries visitors to a stop that leads to the top of the mountain through wooden decks (400m in length). In clear weather, visitors can even see Tsushima Island (in Japan), Cheongwangbong Peak in Jirisan, and Dolsando in Yeosu. The top of the mountain boasts a dazzling array of flowers in spring and exquisite fall foliage, attracting visitors in droves year-round. At the outskirts of the mountain are two ancient temples, Yonghwasa and Miraesa. 


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

"Located on the first basement of Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, Saeran Glasses is a specialty eyewear store that opened at the same time as Lotte Department Store and Lotte Hotel in Myeong-dong. Saeran Glasses was originally Severance Optical, which opened in the 1920s first near Seoul Station and later in Jongno, becoming what it is today. Based on years of expertise, Saeran Glasses has maintained customer-oriented customizing system and aimed to produce top-quality eyeglasses that best fit individual customers’ vision. The store is operated as a tax refund shop for both Korean and foreign customers, offering full-scale after-service guaranteeing high customer satisfaction. Saeran Glasses showcases differentiated designs and price ranges of leading designer brands as well as popular brands in Korea and abroad, including Lindberg, Cartier, Chrome Hearts, IC! Berlin, Miu Miu, Anne et Valentin, Bulgari, BJ Classic, Oakley, and Ray-Ban. The store’s physical proximity to Lotte Department Store and Lotte Hotel as well as Lotte Young Plaza, Lotte Luxury Department Store (Avenuel), and downtown area makes accessing various convenience facilities and enjoying shopping convenient."


Gyeonggi-do(Icheon-si) , Icheon

The Cerapia (Icheon World Ceramic Center) is an exhibition center of contemporary ceramic works that is run by the World Ceramic Exposition Foundation. The Ceramic Center has three permanent exhibition halls which feature around 500 contemporary ceramic works by Korean and foreign artists; and one special exhibition hall which features works done for the World Ceramic Biennale International Ceramic Workshop event.Seolbong Park, where the Ceramic Center is located, is a comprehensive tourist location. It includes Mt. Seolbong, Seolbong Lake, and the Sports and Recreation Park. Nearby tourist attractions include the Haegang Ceramics Museum, Icheon Hot Springs, Icheon Ceramic Village, and Icheon City Museum.


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

Muju Gucheondong Valley is located within Deogyusan in Jeollabuk-do, and is often referred to as Mujugucheon-dong, meaning the 25km stretch of land and water from Najetongmun to Deogyusan Mountain's Baengnyeonsa Temple. Muju Gucheondong Valley is not a deep valley. However, the valley flows through a lush forest that's quite beautiful. The calm and soothing sounds of the river are very refreshing.The 33 scenic points of Gucheondong are what make it so famous. Of the 33, the most famous are Najetongmun and Sushimdae. Najetongmun, the first scenic point is a huge boulder with a hole through it like a tunnel. During the Samguk era, this spot once served as the border between the Silla and Baekje nations. Because it was the dividing line between the two nations, even to this day, the east and west side's speech and customs are different. No one knows how the hole got there, but the experience of walking through it is quite interesting. Sushimdae, the 12th scenic point, is a valley approximately 400m in length. It is surrounded with mountain cliffs, which makes the area resemble Geumgangsan Mountain, and so it is often referred to as Sogeumgangsan, or little Geumgangsan. The clear water and beautiful scenery makes this spot a must-see.Many people come to Muju Gucheondong Valley for trekking. The trails go from Deogyusan National Park to Baengnyeonsa Temple. It's a 3-hour roundtrip hike for this 6km trail. Though it's a mountain trail, it's not that steep, making it ideal for trekking.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hapcheon-gun)

Featuring the highest peak, Sanghwangbong, Mt. Gayasan is composed of many summits each over 1,000m in x_height. From the Taebaek Mountains, the Gayasan stretches from east to west. In 1972, it was designated as National Park No.9 due to its breathtaking scenery. Gayasan is know for its many tourist highlights, namely Haeinsa Temple, which is in the southwestern part of Gayasan. It is one of the three most famous temples in Korea. The Tripitaka Koreana (National Treasures No.32), consisting of over eighty thousand blocks, are found here. The place makes for fantastic scenery with the old temple and the beautiful landscape. In addition, there are other cultural properties such as Jangkyunggak (National Treasure No.52), Stone Buddha Figure (Treasures No. 518) Banya Temple Gyeongwangsa Monument (Treasures No.128) which was designated as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Moreover, Gayasan is noted for its graceful mountain landscape. The water flowing from Gayasan valley meets in front of Haeinsa Temple and flows to the southeast where it forms Gayacheon stream. Among the many valleys, Hongryudong valley (its water seems to turn red because of the leaves' autumnal tints) finishes the grandeur scenery with the several thousand year-old pine tree. Namsanjeil-bong, a peak located in southern part of Hongryudong, is called Mt. Cheonbulsan among Buddhists because it seems like thousands of Buddhist statues cover the mountain ridge. Mt. Cheonbulsan is a favorite one-day mountain climbing course for many. Gayasan shows magnificent landscapes every season with the cherry blossoms, azaleas and royal azaleas lined up on the road to Haeinsa Temple in Spring, the clean water and green trees in Summer, the glorious tints of its autumn foliage along the rock ridges in Autumn and a snowy landscape in Winter.  


Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)

The Cheongnamdae (청남대) is a presidential vacation villa located near Daecheong Dam (대청댐) in Cheongwon-gu, Chungcheongbuk-do. The former president Chun Doo-hwan was greatly impressed by the scenic surroundings while attending the ceremony for the completion of Daecheong Dam in 1980. The construction of Cheongnamdae started in June, 1983 and was completed in six months (December). Cheongnamdae, built on a 560,000 pyeong-wide area, means ‘Cheongwadae in a warm southern land’ in Korean. South Korean presidents would stay in this remote vacation villa 4-5 times (or sometimes 7-8 times) a year during summer vacation or national holidays. In total, Korean presidents have stayed here nearly 400 days over 88 visits in two decades.There were four presidential villas including the one in Gimhae in the past. During Kim Young-sam’s administration, however, all but Cheongnamdae were closed. Cheongnamdae, which had been closed to the public for twenty years, was finally opened to the public on April 18, 2003 by former president Roh Moo-hyun. Visitors can view a music fountain inside the ecological wetland garden (990㎡), hike a 3.3km mountain trail and visit the Hoban Promenade (8km), or simply take a pleasant walk along a beautiful trail, and enjoy the scenic landscape of Daecheongho Lake.* Geographical Location Cheongnamdae is located in Munui-myeon, Cheongwon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. Encircled by mountain peaks including Oksaebong Peak, Wolchulbong Peak, Mt. Jakdusan and Sowibong Peak, it is completely hidden. The beautiful Daecheongho Lake surrounds the presidential vacation villa as well and many feng-shui masters have declared this spot to be the finest in Korea. * Size1) Site area: 330 land parcel area, 558,000 pyeong (1,844,628.1 ㎡)2) Buildings: 46 houses / 3,377 pyeong (11,163.64 ㎡)


Daegu(Dalseong-gun)

HerbHillz Sled Slope Park is located in HerbHillz, the biggest Eco-Theme Park in the country. With the winter season coming, Herbhillz is getting ready for its own special winter with safe yet thrilling sled slopes, Ice Valley, Snowman Square, Igloo Village, Santa Village, and more. HerbHillz has various themes throughout the year, such as year-around herb gardens and various experience tours as well as characteristic winter recreations. Also with a family-friendly zoo, performances, exhibitions, experience facilities, a water park (summer), sledding slopes (winter) and herbal food, Herbhillz has become one of the area’s most popular tourist spots.  


Gyeonggi-do(Seongnam-si)

Gin-Ja is a Japanese restaurant specializing in sashimi (raw fish). In addition to serving fresh sashimi, the restaurant provides adequate space for gatherings.