Gyeonggi-do(Gwangju-si) , Bundang

Namhansanseong Provincial Park is a very popular mountain-climbing and driving destination located just outside Seoul. The mountain is famous for being very beautiful all throughout the year. In the spring, the acacia trees grow thick, in the summer the green forest covers the entire mountain, and in the fall, many people visit to climb the mountain covered in red autumn leaves.Namhansanseong Fortress (남한산성), located on Namhansan Mountain, was originally built as a earthen fortress during Gogureyo period, about 2,000 years ago, but after many renovations, Gwanghaegun of the Joseon Period built the fortress properly in 1621. If you climb to the highest peak Iljangsan, you can see Incheon’s Nakjo area, and not only Seoul, but the surrounding Gyeonggi-do area as well. In terms of fortress structure, because the surrounding mountain area is high and rough, and the fortress center level and low, it is an easy place to defend, and to reside comfortably, two prime conditions for a mountain fortress.


Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si) , DMZ•Panmunjeom

The 3rd Tunnel was discovered in 1978 by Korean forces. It spans over 1635m in length, 2m in x_width, and 2m in x_height and is located 52km from Seoul. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 soldiers could move through the tunnel per hour. Once the tunnel was found, North Koreans insisted it was intentionally made by the Southern army to invade North Korea, but, their insistence was proven untrue as the explosions used to make the tunnel face southward.The tunnel offers various sightseeing points such as the DMZ Video room, symbolic sculptures, a souvenir shop and more.


Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si) , DMZ•Panmunjeom

Panmunjeom is located in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), 50 km north of Seoul and 10 km east from the city of Gaeseong, a city which now belongs to North Korea. This area is most notably known for the peace talks that were held here on October 25, 1951 and on July 27, 1953 when the Armistice Agreement was signed. It is now beyond the jurisdiction of both the North and South. The conference center in Panmunjeom is surrounded by the Joint Security Area (JSA) and measures 800 meters in diameter. It is the only portion of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where North and South Korean forces stand face-to-face. It was used as a filming location of the movie "JSA (Joint Security Area)." It was also the site of military negotiations between North Korea and the United Nations Command (UNC). It has now become one of the most visited tourist sites of the DMZ.


Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si) , Paju(Heyri Art valley)

The Odusan Unification Observatory opened to the public in 1992. It is one of the national tourist spot where foreigners choose to visit and experience the stark reality of the divided Peninsula. From this observation platform, Songaksan Mountain in the city of Gyeseongi and 63 Building in Seoul are visible.This observatory has five floors above ground and one underground. Various photos and computerized screens showing the reality of North Korea are displayed on the first and second floor. Products from North Korea can also be purchased here.


Gyeonggi-do(Hwaseong-si) , suwon

Yungneung (융릉) is the joint tomb of King Jangjo (1735-1762) and Queen Heongyeong (1735-1815). King Jangjo was the father of King Jeongjo, the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty.King Jangjo was the second son of King Yeongjo, the 21st ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. He was installed as a Crown Prince in 1736. As the Crown Prince, he administered the state affairs on behalf of his father and showed great capability in various fields. However, he died in 1762 after being locked in a wooden rice chest on the orders of his father, King Yeongjo.The tomb of this ill-fated Crown Prince was originally located in Baebongsan Mountain located in Yangju-gun, Gyeonggi-do. His son, King Jeongjo moved the tomb to Hwasan Mountain in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do and changed the title of the tomb to Hyeollyungwon (현륭원). Later, he posthumously gave his father the title King Jangjo and moved the tomb to its current place, and the title of the tomb was changed again to Yungneung.Queen Heongyeong was designated as a Crown princess in 1744. In 1795 when she turned 60 and long after her husband died, she wrote Hanjungnok (한중록), the memoirs, which is mainly about the terrible fate of her husband.The Memoirs have great historical significance, and these along with the Tales of Queen Inhyeon (Inhyeon Wanghujeon, 인현왕후전), are highly valued as pieces of royal literature.Yungneung is currently located in Annyeong-dong in Hwaseong. A stone called “Byeongpungseok” surrounds the tomb. On the stone, peony and lotus flowers are engraved. Like other royal tombs, there are two separate spaces – one raised and one lower space. In the raised space, there is the mound, “Honyuseok”, which is a rectangular shaped stone sitting in front of the mound, and 'Mangjuseok,' which is a pair of stones that sit on both sides of the mound. In the lower spaces, there are several stone statues. They include “Muninseok”, a statue of a civil officer, “Muinseok”, a statue of a military officer, and “Seokma”, a statue of a horse.Geolleung (건릉) is the joint tomb of King Jeongjo (1752-1800), the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Hyoui (1753-1821).King Jeongjo’s last wish was to be buried near his father’s tomb in Yungneung. King Jeongjo was the second son of King Jangjo and Queen Heongyeong, but in 1759, when he was 8 years old, he was designated as an heir to the throne. During his 24 year-reign, King Jeongjo influenced state affairs by implementing the “Tangpyeongchaek” (탕평책, a policy to balance the power of political factions), and he also had great accomplishments in the area of academic research by creating the “Gyujanggak” (규장각, a national royal library).Queen Hyoui was a daughter of Kim Si Muk and was installed as a partner of the heir to the throne at the age of 10. In 1776, when King Jeongjo ascended the throne, she also became Queen. She is known to have led a frugal life. In 1821, she died without an heir at the age of 69 in Jagyeongjeon, Changgyeonggung Palace.Geolleung looks very similar to Yungneung, but unlike Yungneung, it does not have a “Byeongpungseok”, which is a wide and rectangular stone that surrounds the mound and protects it. Instead, it is surrounded by “Nanganseok”, stone handrails. On every handrail, lotus flowers are engraved. King Jeongjo’s tomb is simpler and less decorated than his father’s, which reflects King Jeongjo’s respect and love for his father. Both Geolleung and Yungneung are designated as Historic Site No. 206.


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si) , Yongin

Caribbean Bay is part of Everland theme park. Here, not only can you enjoy swimming and water amusement rides, but you can also relax in hot spring waters all year round. The water park has various facilities, such as the indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a sauna, a wave pool, and slides like the Water Bobsleigh and Mega Storm. The water park is a favorite family destination. Caribbean Bay Water Park has been designed with a Caribbean theme, and it is the largest water park in the world. One of the most popular attractions in the water park is the Wave Pool where you can experience strong waves similar to those of the Caribbean Sea. The park’s cutting-edge computer system creates waves of up to 2.4m. * Caribbean Bay Spa Caribbean Bay Spa contains various hot spring pools and sauna facilities. The Jasmine Tea Spa is believed to make women more beautiful, the Lemon Spa relieves fatigue, and the Jade-crusted sauna is also beneficial for your health. With the Caribbean Bay pass, you can use all these facilities. - The health benefits of the Jasmine tea spa The Jasmine Tea Spa relieves nervous tension, stress, and depression. Jasmine tea balances hormones, so the spa can alleviate menstrual pain, create a regular menstrual cycle, and improve fertility. It also reduces aches and coughs, and is great for dry, irritated skin. - The health benefits of the mineral-rich hot spring water It is beneficial for women’s beauty, dry skin, reducing fatigue, aching muscles, and insomnia. - The health benefits of the Jade-crusted sauna It relieves fatigue and improves blood circulation. - The health benefits of the Lemon spa It is great for anti-aging and helps to release toxins from the body * Miracle Spa: contains a salt sauna and a couple’s footbath - The footbath in the Miracle Spa has been specially designed for a couple. The bubble footbath is very relaxing, and it makes for a romantic date. - In the salt-laden sauna, you can rub salt on your body and then sweat in the high temperatures. This expels toxins from the body. The salt-laden sauna is good for dry skin and is also beneficial for insomnia, neuralgia, lumbago, and stomach-related problems. * Kid’s Pool & Running Water Pool The Kid’s Pool is shallow and has been specially designed to ensure child safety. Its design is pastel-colored and inspired by children’s books. There are various water toys available so children can have fun in the water. The infants’ pool is even shallower, so parents can introduce their babies to water in a comfortable environment. Although the pool is very shallow for adults, it is a perfect place for parents and kids to have fun together. You can float lazily along the running water pool, which has the ambience of the Caribbean during the 17th century. You can have a relaxing time floating past waterfalls and stone bridges. *Relax Room and Sleeping Room: Take a nap here if you’re tired out after all that fun in the water. - Relax Room has massage machines and “relax capsules” for adults. Visitors can also receive an aromatherapy massage. - In the sleeping room, there are about 50 beach chairs and 10 jade beds. Temperatures in the room remain warm and air purifiers provide clean oxygen, so this is the perfect place for a good sleep. Visitors can rent a large-sized towel here.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

A haenggung is a temporary palace where the king and royal family retreated to during a war. Hwaseong Haenggung Palace is the largest one of these, use by the Joseon kings since the time of King Jeongjo (r. 1776-1800).In addition to being used as a shelter during war, King Jeongjo also stayed here during trips to worship at his father's tomb. The palace was the location of a splendid feast held on the 60th birthday of his mother, Hyegyeonggung Hong, and many other events, including award certificates for successful candidates of special national exams.Jangyongyeong guard ceremony is held at the front gate every Sunday from April to October.


Gyeonggi-do(Gwacheon-si) , Seoul Grand Park

Located in beautiful Gwacheon, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon displays works by Korean and international modern artists, as well as works by contemporary artists currently making waves in the art world. As well as its permanent collection, the museum generally presents several special exhibitions, which run for three to four months. For English information on the special exhibitions, visitors should check the Art Exhibitions section of VisitKorea’s “What’s On This Month” calendar, the link to which can be found on the main page. Most of the exhibitions can be seen free of charge, although some of the major special exhibitions may charge an admission fee. The museum’s six exhibition galleries are spread over three floors, and include a children’s gallery. The museum is conveniently located on the outskirts of Seoul near several other attractions, such as Seoul Grand Park and SeoulLand amusement park, so the area makes for a good day-trip.


Gyeonggi-do(Seongnam-si) , Bundang

Opened on October 14, 2005, Seongnam Art Center is operated by Seongnam Cultural Foundation. The art center is famous around the nation for its superior facilities and its scale. The center also makes an effort to raise their competitiveness by hosting exclusive performances and making their own productions.


Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si) , DMZ•Panmunjeom

Imjingak Resort, located 7 km from the Military Demarcation Line, is now at the forefront of tourism related to the Korean War. Imjingak was built in 1972 with the hope that someday unification would be possible. The three-storied Imjingak is surrounded by several monuments, Unification Park and North Korea Center.Over 400 photos and documents showing the stark reality of North Korea are displayed in the North Korea Center of Unification Board. Outside Imjingak, there are 12 unique tanks and warcrafts on display that were used during the war.Mangbaedan Alter, which stands opposite Imjingak, is famous as the place where Korean's separated from their families in the North visit to perform ancestral rites by bowing toward their hometowns every New Year's Day and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). The Bridge of Freedom, which South Koreans crossed when they came back to their mother country from North Korea after the signing of the Armistice Agreement, stands behind Mangbaedan Alter.In front of Imjingak is the Gyeongui Train Line which was destroyed during the Korean War in 1950. It has been under reconstruction since 2000. Every year many events for unification are held at Imjingak. It is now one of the more famous DMZ tourist spots for foreigners because it is possible to visit without going through any security check points.*Travel Tips- Tourists who want to tour Dorasan Observatory and The 3rd Tunnel, have to have a passport and make a reservation in advance at the DMZ ticket box located in Imjingak parking lot.- Tourists can tour The 3rd tunnel, Dorasan Observatory and Unification Park by shuttle bus. Soldiers act as guides on this package tour. Only Korean speaking guides are available if you make your reservation here, so foreigners should contact a travel agency to arrange an English-speaking guide in advance.- Private cars and taxies are not permitted. Only designated shuttle buses can enter because it is located in the Civilian Restricted Zone.