Seoul(Jongno-gu)

"New Year Festival, Seol" is an event held by the National Folk Museum of Korea. Kick start this year by joining New Year Festival Seol. In celebrating the year of the monkey, the museum will present varied programs that are themed with monkeys as well as offering traditional folk experiences, Seollal cultural programs and a special exhibition. Over 30 programs will run for 5 days, offering plenty of opportunities to learn about Seollal customs and get a deeper understanding on the meaning of Seollal. Admission to the museum is free of charge and no reservation is required for most of the activites. Seollal traditions include fortune telling and wishing for good luck in the New Year. Start off the New Year with the National Folk Museum, and have a happy and abundant year. More detailed information is available on the official website.


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

The Geumgang Speed Muju Rafting resort is located on the upper Geumggang River and offers rafting, survival, hiking, and fishing programs. The area is over 3,000 pyeong in size and can accommodate lodging for up to 200 guests.


Chungcheongnam-do(Seosan-si)

Haemi Martyrdom Holy Ground is the site where nearly 1,000 Catholics in Chungcheongnam-do were buried alive during the time between the Byeongin Persecution in 1866 (3rd year of King Gojong) and 1882 (19th year of King Gojong). At that time, Catholics were executed outside Haemieupseong Fortress' Seomun Gate (West Gate). As it was difficult to execute them one by one, the martyrs were buried alive in a big hole all at once. When confronted with their death, the martyrs prayed while singing 'Yesumaria' (Jesus Maria). Because is also sounds like "Yeosumeori" (여수머리), the place was called 'Yeosutgol' as well.The 16-meter-high memorial tower was set set up near Haemicheon Stream to pay tribute to the nameless martyrs wo were buried alive. Many Catholics visit this location every year to remember and honor the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their belief.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Yangsan-si)

Baenaegol Valley is located at the heart of the mountainous region affectionately known as the Yeongnam Alps. The valley derives its name “Baenaegol,” meaning “the valley of pears,” from the wild pear trees that grow in large numbers along the valley. The valley covers nearly 8 kilometers of land between the range connecting Sinbulsan Mountain and Yeongchuksan Mountain and the western range connecting Cheonhwangsan Mountain and Jaeyaksan Mountain in Miryang. It is a popular vacation destination in the summer. Also, many tourists come to drink the water containing acer mono sap, which is known to be produced in this region during the springtime. Baenaegol Valley is just a short distance away from downtown Yangsan. The valley provides an opportunity to enjoy nature away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. The long valley is wedged between highlands, which results in at least two hours less of sunshine than other regions, so it feels cooler in the summer months. Strawberries are also widely grown in the area.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Sancheong-gun)

Sancheong Yulsuwon was opened in October 2013 as traditional hanok accommodations to provide guests comfort and relaxation in nature. It was named after the expression from “Decade of Wen Wang” of the Classics of Poetry (the oldest existing collection of Chinese poetry), meaning “Following the virtue of ancestors, one should cultivate one’s mind,” in the hope that guests can experience traditional Korean culture in hanok and learn common themes and cultivate virtues in life. Located at the hanok street in Sancheong County, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Sancheong Yulsuwon is a hanok stay facility established by Korea’s major education company JEI Corporation. It was built by expanding and renovating the Old House of Suncheon Park’s Clan for over four years. It is not only a hanok cultural facility but also an educational facility that aims to provide visitors comfortable relaxation and to establish a sound, rich environment of educational culture, which is also the philosophy of JEI Corporation. It is located around the Dumulmeori area where Dangyecheon Stream and Sindeungcheon Stream -- the water branch of Hwangmaesan Mountain (1,108m above sea level) -- meet. The area is known for many houses of noble families situated in a propitious site combined with mountains and water and as a hanok village with the old stone wall, which was designated as a cultural heritage. Among them, Sancheong Yulsuwon is an outstanding hanok structure built on a total area of about 2,975m2 according to the theory of divination based on topography. Entering the main gate Yeongsumun, one sees the Anchae (inner house) situated in front, the outer Sarangchae (detached building) on the right, and the bathroom on the left. Then, there are the inner Sarangchae, the kitchen, and the pavilion around the vegetable garden and the pond. The arrangement of buildings has special meaning: the kitchen signifies a green dragon (east), the bathroom, a white tiger (west), the inner Sarangchae, an Ansan (a low and small mountain in front of the house), and the outer Sarangchae and the main gate, a Josan (a high mountain behind Ansan); these five buildings seem to embrace the Anchae. As for the special names of the buildings, the inner Sarangchae built with the splendid style of semi-hipped roof and double eaves was named “Nongam,” meaning “a thatched cottage of a skilled farmer”; the outer Sarangchae was named “Goheon,” meaning “an old sarangchae,” and the Anchae -- named “Hagyejae” meaning “modesty” -- is situated in the innermost area. In particular, its upper floor (numaru) offers an open view of the environment. The bathroom, which was named “Seoljodang” meaning “one should keep the mind and body clean,” is composed of two connected houses. It is also equipped with red clay sauna and jjimjilbang (Korean dry sauna). Sancheong Yulsuwon was built based on a traditional hanok style of the Yeongnam area, with a splendid Seoul style of modernity added to the design. The sunshine comes through the windows made of hanji (Korean paper) in the clean and cozy rooms. Guests can also enjoy the outside view from the windows, which show the typical scenery of hanok consisting of jars, trees, flowers, and low stone wall with tiled roof. Every room is equipped with a bathroom including a bathtub and a modern-style kitchen. Sancheong Yulsuwon is adjacent to various tourist attractions including the following: valley of Daewonsa Temple surrounded by Geumgang pine trees; Namsa Yedamchon village, a village with an old wall made of red clay and stones; and Jeongchiwam Hermitage, Traditional Buddhist Temple No. 83 built by Silla’s Buddhist monk Uisang (625-702) and where the Buddhist Painting of Mountain Spirit can be found.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

It is a place where you can enjoy various Korean side dishes at once. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The representative menu is homemade-style set menu.


Jeollanam-do(Jindo-gun)

Jindo Island (진도) is the principle island among the cluster of 230 islets in the south western part of the Korean peninsula. The island is blessed with an abundance of fertile land therefore much of it is used for agriculture. The sea around it is teeming with fish and wildlife. The island has many park reserves like the Dadohae National Marine Park, historical relics and sites; and you can find traditional artistic performances everywhere. With the Jindo Bridge construction completed, the island is connected to the mainland. Every year during the month of February on the Lunar Calendar, the sea parts, mimicking the parting of the sea by Moses. Many tourists come to watch this rare spectacle. There are mascots found around the island that symbolize the friendly image of the Jindo dog, which happens to be natural treasure no.53.


Jeollanam-do(Sinan-gun)

The Sinan Sasanqua Festival takes place at 1004 Island Park (Cheonsaseom Bunjae Park) in Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do. The festival is the nation's one and only festival about potted plants. Camellias (dongbaek in Korean) bloom during the cold winter months. The flowers fall off completely intact, keeping their brilliant color and appearance. This festival is expected to have around 30,000 sasanqua flowers blooming from around 3,000 trees at 1004 Island Park and Songgongsan Mountain. There will also be 2,000 kinds of potted camellias on display, a program demonstrating how to care for potted plants, and a poetry and painting exhibit.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Since its opening, Arts Council Korea - Performing Art Center has introduced many regular programs including excellent repertory series, new generation performance artists series, themed performance arts series and other planned programs. The Marronnier Summer Festival will be a participatory festival including outdoor performances with an expected audience of 20,000 people for six consecutive days.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Sacheon-si)

Jeodo Island derives its name from the abundance of paper mulberry (a fiber crop largely used for papermaking) growing on the island. The Sino-Korean character "楮" (jeo) refers to paper mulberry, while "島" (do) refers to island. The native Korean word for paper mulberry is “daknamu”. Hence, the island is also called Dakseom. Hanji, a Korean handcrafter paper, is made from the inner back of paper mulberry. On Jeodo Island, one can get a glimpse of what daily life in a small fishing village is like. The island can also be seen just behind the bamboo weirs from Siran Dock. The view is a combination of a lighthouse, fishing site, lush meadows, and lodgings with the ocean in the background. * Area: 38,216㎡