Gyeongsangbuk-do(Cheongsong-gun)

The Cheongsong Yasong Art Gallery was established by Cheongsong-gun County and opened on April 29, 2005 in Sinchon-ri, Jinbo-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. The art gallery exhibits 350 Korean paintings and pottery works of Yasong Lee Won-jwa, who is a traditional Korean painter native to Cheongsong. Also on display are around 50 works of noted painters and sculptors from in and out of Korea, and over 10,000 art books, all of which have been donated to the gallery. The two-story building was formerly Sinchon Primary School, which was remodeled into an art gallery after its closure. The gallery facilities include exhibition halls, an art library, and an art education center for holding permanent and special exhibitions and educational programs.


Gangwon-do(Taebaek-si)

Cheonjedan are altars set up by people a long time ago to offer goods to Heaven. In old records such as the Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), there are records that "The Silla Kingdom organized rituals in Taebaeksan Mountain, which it considered as a Bugak Mountain (Northern Mountain, one of the mountains for rituals)." This shows that Taebaeksan Mountain was considered to be a holy mountain in the past. Cheonjedan, or the altar, is situated at the summit of Taebaeksan Mountain. With Cheonwangdan altar in the center, there is the Janggundan Altar in the north and a smaller altar in the south. The altars are built by stacking stones, a sign of a sacred ground. The Cheonwangdan altar is made of natural stone. It has an oval shape and measures 27.5 meters in circumference, 3 meters tall, 7.76 meters wide, and 8.26 meters from front to back. The natural stone is a sort of gneiss, with the upper stone being round and the bottom stone rectangular. Such a form is based on the philosophy of Cheonwon Jibang. In the valleys nearby, there are small or large stacked stone pagodas and stone platforms, which were used for prayers. It is forbidden to kill wild animals or break off tree branches in the area.


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

The Maritime & Fisheries Science Museum is situated in Musulmok Resort, a historical site where Admiral Yi Sun-Shin won an important battle over the Japanese during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The Resort is connected to many popular tourist destinations along South Coast, such as Hallyeosudo Marine National Park. The major facilities of the museum include aquariums, maritime and fishery exhibition halls, a maritime science exhibition hall, a marine life cultivating facility and AV facilities. A 3-D theater and marine natural history exhibition hall were recently opened to enhance the visitor experience. In the lobby, a statue of red seabream (a type of fish and the symbol of Jeollanam-do Province) welcomes visitors, who are then guided into the main aquarium area by sea turtles and red seabreams swimming in a wave-shaped aquarium installed along the wall.


Gangwon-do(Taebaek-si)

This traditional guesthouse overlooks Taebaeksan Mountain, the summit of Hambaeksan Mountain, and the ski hills of O2 Resort. The houses on the site were moved from the ancient villages of Gyeongju, Yeongcheon and Gyeongsan in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and then restored.Some houses are equipped with a furnace for heating in the winter. The inner and outer walls of the buildings are made with red clay. There is a small detached room similar to a pavilion, called cheongpungnu, on both sides of the gate. The hanok buildings were built using good lumber that has lasted more than 200 years old. Consisting of 6 buildings in total, this traditional guesthouse was remodeled to provide more modernized facilities for guests.The hanok is equipped with open yard great for outdoor activities, where visitors can set up and enjoy Korean barbeques, or sit on a straw mat or wooden bench to view dazzling stars in the peaceful rural night sky. The owner may offer you treats during your stay; sweet, juicy watermelon in summer for a cooling effect or baked sweet potatoes on winter nights to fight the cold temperatures in the country side.Also, traditional folk games are available, as well as experience programs like watching a traditional wedding ceremony, playing yutnori, making rice cakes and more are ready. Read a review in English (blog post).


Jeollanam-do(Yeongam-gun)

Wolchulsan Spa is located five kilometers northwest of the town of Yeongam. The spa overlooks the beautiful scenery of Wolchulsan Mountain, the extensive plain of Yeongam, and Yeongamcheon Stream, a tributary of Yeongsangang River. The source of Wolchulsan Spa’s hot spring waters is red feldspar granite (elvan) that forms the aquifer column of Wolchulsan Mountain. The adhesive and purifying properties of the elvan removes harmful organic matter and pollutants, resulting in pure, natural hot spring waters. Rich in all kinds of minerals, dissolved oxygen, and far-infrared emissivity, the elvan hot spring waters are known to be effective for alleviating various ailments such as fatigue, neuralgia, rheumarthritis, skin trouble, and athlete’s foot. Various tourist attractions are located nearby, including the Wolchulsan Mountain, the reed field in Miwangjae, and Dogapsa Temple, so visitors can enjoy a good rest at Wolchulsan Spa after sightseeing.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Chuncheon National Museum is hosting the Seollal Traditional & Cultural Event to celebrate Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) in Korea. The museum offers traditional cultural activities that can help visitors remember the meaning of these Korean holidays. The event will be held in the front plaza, central hall, and at the auditorium with various programs including movie screening for family, play for children, etc.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Sangju-si)

Yonghwasa Temple is home to two official national treasures, Seokjoyeoraejwasang (Seated stone Buddha statue; National Treasure No.120) and Seokburipsang (Standing stone Buddha statue; National Treasure No.118). Pieces of broken stone pagodas, lanterns and fountains still remain at the site.


Daegu(Dalseo-gu)

The tradition of lantern festivals started during the Silla dynasty and continued to modern times. The Colorful Merrymaking at the Lantern Festival in Daegu began in 1967. The festival aims to continue the history and tradition of the lantern festival.


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

Masan Place is located in a famous food alley near Seoul City Hall. The restaurant has been in operation for over 40 years, being most well known for their soegogi gukbap (beef rice soup) and modeum jeon (assorted pancakes). The latter comes with pan-fried oysters, seafood, and other ingredients. This dish goes particularly well with alcohol. Masan Place is known for being frequented visited by Former President Roh Moo-hyun. Since the establishment opened, the same cook has prepared its delicious meals. The restaurant was named after the proprietor from Masan.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , Former Jeju

Tamnaguk is the ancient name for Jeju Island, once a small country, and the term Ipchun means the first day of spring. The coming of spring was also the beginning of the farming season, and Tamnaguk Ipchun Gut Nori is the customary gut (exorcism) ritual performed by the people of Jeju to pray for a bountiful harvest. In modern times, this event is an authentic reenactment of the many traditional gut rituals and is also held to welcome the coming of spring. Festival Overview: The festival is held for two days with an opening ceremony in the evening, followed by the main event on Ipchun day. The opening ceremony features a procession by Jeju citizens dressed in traditional clothing followed by lively music and traditional instruments made up of gongs and drums. On the second day (the first day of spring), the festival will proceed to downtown Jeju, stopping here and there to perform gut rituals. Generally a gut ritual expresses ancient beliefs; and specifically, the ipchun gut is meant to ensure a bountiful harvest at the end of the agricultural season. The ritual performers will wear tal (Korean traditional mask). A spring-related photo exhibition and drawing contest will also be held during the festival, and photos will be exhibited. Hands-on programs include making rice cakes in the traditional way from scratch to finish, and creating tal masks. Visitors can also experience traditional folk games like jegi chagi (shuttlecock) and paengi chigi (top spinning). Festival Highlights: As the festival name indicates, the highlight of the event is the gut performance. This ritual differs from those in other regions as it is performed according to local traditions with costumes unique to Jeju Island. Visitors will also enjoy walking with the farmers’ band and even “banging heads” the way band members do. For a good view of the ritual, arrive early to get a front-row seat just in front of the altar.