Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu in Seoul, the Seoul Central Masjid was the first Islamic mosque in Korea. Construction of the mosque began in October 1974 on a piece of land (5,000 square meters) that was donated by the Korean government. Funded by the Islamic countries, the mosque officially opened on May 21, 1976 and now stands proudly halfway between the Hangang River and Namsan Mountain. The first floor of the mosque houses meeting rooms and the office of the Korea Muslim Federation; on the second floor is the men’s musalla (prayer hall) measuring 427 square meters; and on the third floor is the women’s musalla (prayer hall). The Islamic Center, originally a 2-story building (1,362 square meters) attached to the mosque, saw the addition of a third floor on July 20, 1990 thanks to generous funding from the Islamic Development Bank of Saudi Arabia. The Islamic Center now features a madrasah (educational institution for Muslim children), the Islamic Culture Research Institute, and more.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Approximately 6km northward from downtown Gangneung, Gyeongpo Provincial Park is surrounded by a slew of both natural and cultural attractions (Gyeongpodae, Gyeongpo Lake, and Gyeongpo Beach). Gyeongpo Lake, in particular, is home to precious species such as swans and mallards. Known as one of the most scenic locations in Gangwon-do for a long time, Gyeongpodae is a fascinating spot to enjoy the first full moon of the year; the serene Gyeongpo Lake used to attract fishing enthusiasts in droves, but fishing is now prohibited due to natural preservation purposes. Within the park are Gyeongpo Beach (one of the cleanest beaches on the East Coast), elegant Gyeongpo Lake, Gyeongpodae, Banghae Pavilion, Hohae Pavilion, Gyeongho Pavilion, and Gyeongyangsa (Gyeongyang Temple). Visitors can enjoy the attractions all year long with cherry blossoms in the spring, swimming in the summer, fishing, and walking on the beach in the winter. Restaurants near the park offer unique local food such as fresh sashimi (including the famous Squid Sashimi), spicy fish stews, and Chodang Tofu.  


Gangwon-do(Donghae-si)

Located in the west entrance of Samhwasa Temple, Yongchu Mureung Valley Falls stretches for 2.5 ㎞ and has the shape of a pot with the water falls flowing down. The waters are divided into 3 different sizes, high, mid, and low, descending from the flowing stream Cheongoksan Mountain (1,403 m). The waters coming down from the falls meets the water from Bakdalgyegok Valley. The water in the valley and sandalwood seems as if it represents the harmony and the destiny found in the nature of Yin. These places form the climax of beauty of the Mureung Yongchu Valley.


Jeollanam-do(Suncheon-si)

Suncheon Bus Terminal provides both intercity and express bus services connecting multiple cities in the country.


Gyeonggi-do(Hanam-si) , Namyangju

Misari Speedboat Park was created for use in rowing and sailing competition during the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. The park features various other sports facilities around the lake, including soccer fields and footvolley courts. Other amenities include pavilions and snack bars, making this place beloved by locals as a place to relax and play.


Busan(Haeundae-gu) , Haeundae

This festival takes place at Busan’s beautiful Haeundae Beach, an extremely popular summer vacation spot. The festival’s program is full of events inspired by the beach’s beautiful white sand. One of the highlights of the festival is the hot sand bath (beneficial for health and beauty), where visitors are buried in the sand from head to toe. Other events include a beach volleyball competition, an exhibition of different types of sand from around the world, and a marathon race.The festival continues into the night with spectacular fireworks displays, concerts, and other entertainment events. Popular tourist destinations such as the Jagalchi Market, Gwangalli, and Taejongdae are all located nearby. Visitors can also stop by one of the many restaurants along the coast to sample the sushi for which Busan is famous. 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Girimsa Temple is located in Mount Hamwolsan in Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju. The temple was built in the Silla era and, with 16 buildings, is the second largest temple after Bulguksa.Legend has it that the temple was originally built by the Venerable Gwang-yu, a sage from India, in the early part of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was reportedly called ‘Imjeongsa’ at first, but was later changed to ‘Girimsa’ after undergoing expansive renovations by Monk Wonhyo. It is still unclear exactly what year the temple was built in.Girimsa is divided into two main areas. The first is the area around Daejeokgwangjeon Hall where the statue of Birojanabul is enshrined. The second is the area around the majestic 500-year-old bo tree (a kind of large fig tree) that is home to a wooden pagoda, the Seongbo Museum, Samsingak, Mangbujeon, and Gwaneumjeon halls. The Daejeokgwangjeon Hall was first built during Queen Seondeok's reign, and was rebuilt six times since its original construction. Its simple but majestic architecture is characterized by baeheullim (aka, entasis columns) and a Dapoyangsik (Dapo-style) single-tiered gabled roof.Girimsa is famous for Ojongsu, water that is said to have five different tastes. It consists of gamrosu, which is best for making tea; hwajeongsu, which supposedly gives comfort to the drinker; janggunsu, which makes the body stronger; myeongansu, which gives clear vision; and otaksu, which is said to sparkle so brightly that it attracts all the birds of the air. During Japanese colonial rule, the source of janggunsu, literally meaning ‘water of a general,’ was reportedly blocked off by Japanese soldiers, who were afraid the water would give the Korean people the strength to overthrow them. Except for janggunsu, water still continues to flow from each source.On the way to Girimsa temple is the Golgulsa Temple, well known for its 12 grottos. Golgulsa was originally a hermitage (monastery) of Girimsa. After becoming an independent institution, it became the center of Seonmudo practice in Korea. The temple aims to promote the art of seonmudo on a national and international level.* Major Cultural Properties Lacquered Seated Mercy Bodhisattva of Girimsa Temple (Treasure No. 415)Daejeokgwangjeon Hall (Treasure No. 833)Sojo Birojana Samjonbul (Treasure No. 958)Sutras kept inside the Vairocana Buddha of Girimsa (Treasure No. 959) 


Seoul(Mapo-gu)


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Jukseoru Pavilion, estimated to have been built around 1266, is one of the eight major attractions of Gwandong District in middle eastern Korea collectively known as Gwandong Palgyeong (eight famous sites). Sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking Osipcheon Stream, the pavilion incorporates the rocks on the cliff as cornerstones, with a five-girder paljak (ancient-style roof).Then, there are 26 signboards hanging from the rafters of the pavilion. The signboards contain inscriptions of famous ancient scholars such as 'Jeilgyeongjeong' ('The best riverside pavilion'; 1662) by Heo Mok, 'Jukseoru' and 'Gwandong Jeilru' ('The best pavilion in Gwandong'; 1711) by Yi Seong-jo, and 'Haeseon Yuhui Jiso' ('The place that marine gods enjoy'; 1837) by Yi Gyu-heon. Others who have left their mark include King Sukjong (1674-1720), King Jeongjo (1776-1800) and Yulgok YiYi (1536-1584). Evidently, Jukseoru Pavilion has served as an inspiration since its establishment, and continues to inspire visitors today through the stunning view of its surrounding nature.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

The Jeon Hyuck Lim Museum of Art is located on the way to Yonghwasa Temple on Mireuksan Mountain in Tongyeong. This site used to be the location of the house where master painter Jeon Hyuck-lim lived for about 30 years since 1975. A new building was constructed and the site was turned into a creative space, opening to the public on May 11, 2003. The outer walls of the building is decorated with the master painter's paintings and his son Yeonggeun's paintings which were selected from among their works and reproduced by utilizing about 7,500 20x20cm ceramic tiles, with a view to represent the image of Tongyeong and the artistic image of the master painter. In particular, the front wall on the third floor is a reproduction of the great artist's work titled "Window" painted in 1992.