Chungcheongbuk-do(Jeungpyeong-gun)


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.


Gyeongsangnam-do()

The shape of Ulsan Station resembles the image of a crane’s wings, as Ulsan’s historical name was ‘Hakseong’ (‘Hak’ means crane in Korean). The station features a pleasant and comfortable environment for visitors.


Chungcheongnam-do(Seocheon-gun)

Visitors can have a chance to make mosi (ramie fabric) firsthand at the village. Walking around the village at dusk, visitors will realize why the village is called Dalgogae (moon hill): the village was built on a flat plain and when the moon rises slowly, the place is illuminated by the moonlight. While basking in the moonlight, people will hear the sound of a flock of wild ducks flying together. In this ordinary-looking village, the long-standing tradition of Hansan mosi (ramie fabric) is passed down and preserved in the hands of the village women. Hansan mosi is also called 'semosi' (fine ramie) because of the time-consuming and labor-intensive process involved. The village offers a variety of mosi-themed experience programs for visitors. Village artisans with valuable mosi-related experience assist the participants. Programs include ramie plant harvesting and ramie fabric weaving. Visitors can also try some highly nutritious ramie rice cakes and tea. Mosi's history can be traced back as far as the period of the Three Kingdoms. It is said that during the Baekje Dynasty, an old man found the ramie plant at the foot of Geonjisan Mountain after a mountain god appreared in his dream. The natural fabric, mosi, is so thin and delicate that it is compared to the wings of a dragonfly. In the Goryeo Dynasty, the king presented the China's king with Hansan mosi. In the Joseon Dynasty, mosi was was offered to the kings. One can see the difference between mosi and regular fabric by trying on mosi clothes made by the artisans. Experience programs at the village also include natural dyeing, making mosi jegi (object used to play jegichagi) and mosi mobile phone accessories. Food made from mosi plants include mosi buchimgae (Korean pancake) and mosi bread. Another fun activity at the village is hangwa (traditional sweets & cookies) making. Hangwa-making, much like producing mosi, is a labor-intensive process. In making hangwa, grains harvested at the village are used. The grains are fried for a short time, carefully mixed with honey, and then flattened. After it cools down and hardens, it is then cut into small pieces. The taste of freshly-made hangwa adds to the joy of the experience, making it the best activity of the program.


Incheon(Yeonsu-gu)

Famous for its impressive night views of Songdo, Tri-Bowl is a multi-complex culture and arts center built to seem as if it is floating on water. Its unique architecture of three bowl-shaped buildings floating on water symolizes Incheon, a city in harmony with the sky, ocean, and earth.


Jeollanam-do(Jangheung-gun)

Jeongnamjin in Jangheung is a pristine region with beautiful mountains, beaches, and rivers. One of these attractions is the cypress forest, where a refreshing breeze blows through the green shade of these 40-year-old trees. Cypress Forest Woodland is a wood culture & experience center located on Eokbulsan Mountain, allowing visitors a view of the entire downtown area. Guests can stay in the various hanok-style pensions, enjoy the cypress and salt rooms of the jjimjilbang, and take part in various ecology education experiences at this relaxing family leisure resort.


Jeollabuk-do(Wanju-gun)

Samrye Culture & Arts Village is an art village also referred to as "Samsamyeyemimi." Once used as a granary and an official residence during the Japanese administration, it has now become a village of art. The village consists of Design Museum, Visual Media Art Gallery, Kim Sang-rym Carpentry Shop (Wood Works), and Book Museum and offers a variety of programs during exhibition events and art festivals.


Gyeonggi-do(Seongnam-si) , Yongin


Chungcheongnam-do(Boryeong-si)

The Muchangpo Mystic Sea Road Jjukkumi and Dodari Festival is held from mid-March to early April at the Mucheonpo Port area. During the festival season, there will also be an abundance of freshly caught seasonal seafood such as jjukkumi (baby octopus), gaebul (fat innkeeper worm), and shellfish.


Jeollanam-do(Wando-gun)

This open set is the filming location of the TV series Taewangsasingi (The Legend). This is where scenes of a shipyard that built ships during the years of the great King Gwanggaeto were filmed. Major scenes for the drama series Haesin (Emperor of the Sea) were also shot here. The 16,000-pyeong space houses a variety of sets, including a dock, ships, inns and military quarters. The compound was designed to recreate various scenes from the Tang Dynasty. A number of historical dramas have been filmed here. In addition to the Sosepo Village, where Taewangsasingi (The Legend) was filmed, the Silla Village set in the east part of the site has private houses and taverns.