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Every New Year’s Day, Samcheok-si holds a sunrise festival on New Millennium Boulevard to celebrate the first sunrise of the New Year. The sunrise festival will start with concerts and fireworks and when the sun rises, there will be more events such as a sunrise meditation, unveiling of the Wishing Bell, bell tolling ceremony, a new year’s message of hope, and releasing balloons of many colors attached with wishes.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun)

Namquidang’s Hanok Story is a traditional hanok guesthouse located at the foot of the Manisan Mountain in Ganghwado Island. Namquidang means “the house that collects the energy of the green mountain.” The backyard is surrounded by the Manisan Mountain, whereas in front of the house lies a wide 3.3 km2fieldwiththeYeongjongdoIslandinview. The house was built by the owner himself who brought pine trees from Gangwondo; set up the frame in the traditional method without using nails; laid red-clay bricks; and finished the hanok with the Wonju Hanji. Even after 15 years, the delicate scent of wood penetrates to every corner of the structure. There are two buildings, Mariul (main building) and Ariul (detached building) in the guest house with 5 rooms to which kitchens and bathrooms are attached. Over the creaky wooden door are beams with engravings, roofs with exposed rafters, and windows and doors with Hanji attached on them. The lighting wrapped with Hanji emits soft lights and beddings made from cotton fabric provide a comfortable bedtime experience. At night, the stone lighting the yard creates a refined atmosphere. In the living room of the main building of Mariul is a separate tea room called “Haewon.” It is a space for a laid-back tea time against the background of the field over the window. In the Ariul (detached building), which is equipped with red clay Ondol system heated by oak trees, guests can have sweet potato roasting experience. Traditional dyeing and making of Gangjeong, a traditional Korean dessert, is also possible. Just inquire over the phone during room booking; it costs 10,000 won per person. Famous tourist attractions in Ganghwado Island including Dongmak Beach, Jeondeungsa Temple, Manisan Mountain, and Hamheodongcheon Valley are 5-10 minutes away by car.


Busan(Nam-gu)

A representative international music festival of Busan, the second Busan Maru International Music Festival (BMIMF) is set to run for 5 days from August 30 to September, 3 2011. The festival will be held in various locations throughout the city, including the Busan Cultural Center. Hosted by the city of Busan and managed by the BMIMF organizing committee, the festival’s goal is to develop the regional art sector while building the grounds for forming a robust global cultural infrastructure. The word “maru” is a Korean word that means “the best” and reflects the goals of the BMIMF of becoming one of the most recognized music festivals both domestically and internationally. This year’s festivities, held under the theme “Musical Globalization,” include performances from 37 teams (500 participants) who hail from all over the world.


Busan(Nam-gu)

Gohyangjip Kalguksu offers kal-guksu (noodle soup) using home grown red pepper powder, rice, and seasonal vegetables.


Seoul(Seocho-gu)

Seeking to become better and more advanced every year, the Korea Food & Tourism Expo offers a wide array of hands-on experience programs and seminars on food culture. Those hoping to participate in contests or special exhibitions should sign up on the festival website. For more information on the festival schedule, please see the website or call festival organizers using the number provided.


Seoul(Seodaemun-gu)

Nanhyang is a Chinese restaurant, decorated with glamorous and bright European-style ambience. Nine individual rooms that can accommodate up to 4 to 70 people surround the round-shape hall perfect for gatherings of varing purposes, such as a first birthday party, or a sixtith birthday party. Depending on the kind of party, visitors can use the room upon prior reservation. The staff who all have hotel-related working experience are trained to give the best service along with restaurant's reasonably priced dishes. The chef is a professional in Chinese cuisine and has worked in Shilla Hotel, Ambassador Hotel, as well as 6 years of working experience at Baeknihyang of the 63 building since opening for about 30 years. The restaurant strictly uses only fresh ingredients and makes an effort in reducing the Chinese dish’s oiliness, adding natural seasonings, sauces and vegetable oils to cut back on the over-oily taste that often accompanies Chinese dishes.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Daegwallyeong, the pass that connects Gangneung-si and Pyeongchang-gun, is 832m in x_height and 13km in length. The pass is the hub of public transportation, the bridge of culture, and the border of the natural environment between Yeongdong and Yeongseo areas. This pass was used for delivering agricultural and marine products from Gangneung to Yeongseo, while local products from Yeongseo area were delivered to Gusan-ni, Seongsan-myeon. Seonbis (scholars in the Joseon Dynasty) also walked over this pass to go to Hanyang (then Capital City of the Joseon Dynasty), where gwageo (the highest-level state examination to recruit ranking officials during the Joseon Dynasty) took place. The Old Daegwallyeong Pass used to be one of the sections of Yeongdong Highway. The highway has been turned into a local road, which helped reduce the traffic along the pass. Walking or driving along the pass offers a peaceful experience with spectacular views. The Old Daegwallyeong Pass is 19.1km long. In the middle of the pass, there is a fork that divides into a route that goes down all the way (1hr 50min), and another one that goes up to Daegwallyeong Museum or Gamagol Village (2hrs 20min). The pass is an easy walk, which makes a great weekend getaway.


Incheon(Jung-gu) , Incheon Airport

Incheon Medical Tourism Support Center (T1): Your One-Stop Gateway for Healthcare and Travel 1. Overview Located near the arrivals floor of Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 1 (T1), the Incheon Medical Tourism Support Center (T1) caters to international travelers and transit passengers seeking information about Korean medical services and medical tourism. Nurses and consultants fluent in English, Japanese, and Chinese are on hand not only to provide medical advice but also to offer comprehensive support for tourism and wellness-related tours, making it a truly all-in-one service hub. 2. Main Services • Free Health Checkups The center provides blood pressure monitors, body measurement tools, and BMI scales, allowing travelers to quickly and conveniently assess their health between flights or after a long journey. • Medical Consultations & Reservations Expert staff offer detailed information about medical facilities in and around Incheon, recommending suitable hospitals or clinics based on your symptoms. They can also assist with appointment bookings if needed. • One-Stop Medical Service Support From general tourism information and event guidance to concierge services such as interpretation and transportation, the center connects travelers to a variety of “healthcare plus tourism” experiences. There is also a dedicated space where foreign patients can consult directly with medical personnel. 3. Location & How to Use • Finding the Center After completing immigration and collecting your luggage in T1, head toward Gate 7 on the arrivals floor to find signs for the Medical Tourism Support Center. You can also confirm the exact location at an information desk. • Operating Hours The center often aligns its hours with the airport’s operating schedule. However, hours may vary on holidays or during special events, so it’s a good idea to check the airport’s official website or social media channels in advance. 4. Key Points When Visiting • Insurance & Documentation Having your travel insurance details (policy, insurance number) on hand can streamline billing and medical referrals. • Serious Conditions In emergencies or for severe injuries, your first step should be to call 119 (Korea’s emergency number) or visit the airport’s medical station. The center primarily focuses on initial consultations and booking assistance. • Language Support Staff can assist in English, Japanese, and Chinese. For more specialized medical terminology, consider using translation apps for smoother communication. 5. Why Use the Center • Health Check Between Flights With free health screening tools available, you can easily monitor symptoms of travel fatigue or jet lag while in transit. • Reliable Medical & Tourism Guidance Whether you’re interested in general healthcare, cosmetic treatments, or wellness tours, having direct access to knowledgeable staff is a major advantage. • Gateway to Medical Tourism For those planning a trip combining treatments, medical checkups, spa services, or healing programs, the center offers the convenience of resolving questions and making arrangements all in one place. Summary Incheon Medical Tourism Support Center (T1) is a reliable resource for international travelers, offering everything from free health screenings to medical referrals and integrated tourism experiences. Its convenient location near the arrivals area makes it especially helpful for first-time visitors to Korea and those planning a combined healthcare-and-travel itinerary. For a comfortable and safe journey, be sure to take advantage of this center’s comprehensive support.


Gangwon-do(Hongcheon-gun)

Located in Hongcheon, Gwangwon-do Province, which is well-known for its clean air and water, Gohyangui Bom is a hanok (traditional Korean house) style of pension surrounded by a beautiful natural environment including Palbongsan Mountain to its rear and the Hongcheongang River flowing in front. The pension was built as a hanok structure with special materials such as pine wood from Unduryeong Hill at the foot of Gyebangsan Mountain and pure red clay. Many guests visit the pension again because of the clear spirit of nature and the good energy emanating from the hanok, which is said to help guests recover from fatigue and revitalize themselves. In addition, it offers guests an opportunity to swim and play in the shallow depths of the Hongcheongang River and walk along the beautiful Palbongsan Mountain hiking course. Moreover, it is adjacent to such renowned tourist attractions as Gugok Falls (near Bonghwasan Mountain; 30 minutes’ drive), which twist and turn nine times before plunging sharply downwards,; and Vivaldi Park Ocean World, which is a popular resort packed with thrilling and exciting attractions. The pension has five guestrooms – Sarang-bang 1 and 2 on the first floor, and Hwangto-bang 1, 2, and 3 on the ground floor. Sarang-bang 1 is equipped with a large living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and fireplace (only for winter), while Sarang-bang 2 is composed of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an outdoor table, and a karaoke (norae-bang) facility. Hwangtobang 1, 2, and 3 are built with red clay. Hwangto-bang 1 is equipped with a living room and a bedroom; Hwangto-bang 2 with a living room and two bedrooms; and Hwangto-bang 3 consists of one room. All of the rooms are equipped with a bathroom, kitchen, air conditioner, fridge, and toiletries. The pension is also a great place for large family meetings and company workshops as well as for friends or couples. The pension is also famous for its buffet style of breakfast, which includes rice and soup cooked by the host with local organic ingredients. Guests can also request a dinner cooked according to their preferences. Its most popular dishes include BBQ, chicken soup with rice, spicy stir-fried chicken and others dishes prepared according to guests’ preferences. The breakfast costs KRW 7,000 per person, while the dinner menu and cost can be discussed when making a reservation. The pension recommends that guests spend a whole day in the hanok’s peaceful natural environment. Guests can set up a tent on the pension’s outdoor lawn, watch a movie, enjoy a BBQ party, and make a campfire at night to create romantic memories. The deck placed across the river is another popular place for taking a nap or relaxing in the cool breeze.


Busan(Busanjin-gu)

Boltaegijip has been recognized across the nation for 15 years for its delectable foods and tradition. It serves steamed fish, fish stew, and boiled fish cooked with one of three fish, including cod, blowfish, and loach. Daeguppol-jjim (braised codfish head) is especially popular.