Gyeonggi-do(Gapyeong-gun) , Namyangju

The Jarasum International Jazz Festival is held every October on the beautiful Jaraseom Island in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do. During the festival world-famous jazz artists come together to delight audiences with the smooth vibes of live jazz.The festival was designated as one of the “Outstanding Festivals” for three consecutive years by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and as one of the “Top Festivals” in 2014. As a Green Life Honorary Ambassador, the festival is also passionate about environment protection. In order to share the external growth with the community, the festival holds a Gapyeong band contest, publishes a Gapyeong restaurant guidebook, and produces Jazz Makgeolli and Jazz Wine made from the region’s products.


Gyeonggi-do(Anseong-si) , Anseong

Baudeogi made history by becoming the first female entertainer in Korea to lead the vaudeville troupe Namsadangpae. Armed with her artistic personality and an array of special talents, Baudeogi entertained the construction workers working on Gyeongbokgung Palace in the 19th century with popular folk performances. In recent years, Namsadang’s Jeonsugwan was recreated to share the indomitable spirit and artistic talents of Baudeogi with the people of today.The reformatted performance is comprised of six exciting acts of Namsadang: Salpan (a tumbling performance), Deolmi (a puppet show), Deotboegi (a mask show), Pungmulnori (a traditional folk dance), Beonanori (spinning hoops and dishes), and Eoreum Jultagi (tightrope walking). Much like in the olden days, the show embodies the spirit of coming together and is a fascinating and energetic display of folk art that is as captivating the first time you see it as it is the hundredth.Major Highlights: The most popular portion of the program is the tightrope walking act called “Eoreum Jultagi,” which starts with audiences breathlessly watching the risky tricks upon the rope and ends with thunderous rounds of applause.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

The city of Suwon established the Suwon Hwaseong Museum to present the history and culture of the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, an important Korean cultural asset and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.The museum has two permanent exhibition spaces: ‘The Exhibition Hall on Construction of Fortress’ (construction process of the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and the development of the city) and ‘The Cultural Center’ (illustrates various historical events related to the fortress such events held during the 8-day visit of King Jeongjo in 1795).In addition, the museum runs a ‘Children’s Experience Center,’ where children can learn ancient measurement systems, try on royal court costumes, and more. The Suwon Hawseong Museum not only displays relics from Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (one of Korea’s most impressive historical heritages); it also gives visitors an opportunity to experience and explore.


Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si) , Ilsan

Lafesta is Korea’s largest open street shopping mall, full of fun events year-round. Resembling Santa Monica Pier in California or Shinjuku Street in Tokyo, Lafesta is tailored to maximize pedestrian shopping experiences. Consisting of six buildings, Lafesta is a unique place full of shopping and entertainment. Its main facilities include Fashion Outlet, accessory shops, food courts, restaurants, theme cafes, a game center, a book store, and a movie theater.Near Lake Park, Lafesta has become a wildly popular place in Ilsan among Korean and international tourists by offering exquisite shops, fun entertainment, and colorful events. It is also surrounded by shopping malls (e.g. Lotte Department Store and Homever), Ilsan Dong-gu Office, banking and finance institutions, MBC, and China Town. 


Gyeonggi-do(Gapyeong-gun) , Namyangju

Located in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do Province, Jaraseom Island is an island formed on the Bukhangang River as a result of the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam in 1943. The name ‘Jaraseom’ comes from the fact that it faces a hill that resembles a Jara (Korean word for soft-shelled turtle). Jaraseom consists of four islands called Dongdo, Seodo, Jungdo, and Namdo, and has various leisure and park facilities. Visitors can find a car camping site and the filming location of the popular TV drama series 'Iris' on Seodo (west island), and an eco-cultural park with a grass plaza of over 100 meters in diameter on Jungdo (central island). There is also an ecosystem theme park called Ehwawon Garden at the westernmost tip of the Jaraseom Campground. A popular camping spot, Jaraseom Island is also widely known as the venue of the annual Jaraseom International Jazz Festival.


Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si) , Ilsan

Aram Nuri means "a grand and beautiful world" in Korean. Built with a vision to accomplish Renaissance in culture and art, Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center houses four theaters, an art gallery and several other facilities. The Aram Opera House is a four-story, horseshoe-shaped auditorium that holds 1,887 seats. Aram Concert Hall a rectangular hall that holds 1,449 seats. Saerasae Digital Theater is an experimental theater that allows free arrangement of 16 section floor panels that hold up to 300 seats. Norumok Outdoor Theater is an outdoor arena that can hold about 1,000 seats. Aram Art Gallery is an exhibition site with movable partitions. Aram Library manages special data and provides information on arts and culture. Aram Village, located at the entrance of the center, houses family restaurants and cafes. Aram Sun Plaza, home to four streets named Light, Water, Earth and Wind, is open to the general public.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

Paldalmun Gate is the southern gate of Hwaseong Fortress, designated National Treasure No. 402. A crescent shaped 'ongseong' (defensive secondary wall to prevent the main gate from being broken down with logs) is built on the outside of the door. On the right wall of the gate is a nameplate which contains the names of the people involved in the construction of the gate. The Paldalmun Gate is unique in that it is detached from the rest of the gates, and located in the middle of the busy city. The reason for this is because commerce took roots around the gates before its reconstruction, making it impossible to build in that area.


Gyeonggi-do(Bucheon-si) , Bucheon

Aiins World is a theme park where miniature recreations of world famous buildings are on display. The miniatures at Aiins World were crafted with such painstaking attention to detail that visitors feel like they are looking at the real thing. People also feel as if they have taken a trip around the world all in one day.The miniature version of the Great Wall of China and Mt. Kilimanjaro, blowing out smoke and ash, attracts many visitors with realistic models as well as sound effects. Other miniatures include the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center with its famous ice rink, and the street of Broadway in New York City. Aiins World lights up at night, creating a romantic and festive mood. Taking pictures next to some of the most famous structures in the world can be a rewarding experience and fun for everyone.


Gyeonggi-do(Seongnam-si) , Bundang

Jeongja-dong Café Street is a popular place in Bundang. Because its chic atmosphere resembles Cheongdam-dong in Seoul, it is also called Cheongja-dong.The street, starting from Neulpureun High School to Geumgok-dong, is lined with charming cafes with lovely terraces. The wide array of cafes along the street boasts delicious food as well as chic atmosphere. Reminiscent of street cafes in Europe, Jeongja-dong Café Street has become a popular attraction among visitors who enjoy reading or promenading. It is also a fabulous spot for couples. 


Gyeonggi-do(Yeoju-si) , Yeoju

This is the house where Empress Myeongseong (Joseon Period) was born, and lived until she was eight years old. She would grow up to be the wife of the dynasty’s 26th ruler, King Gojong. The birthplace and the adjoining Memorial Hall are open to the public.Empress Myeongseong was a brilliant diplomat who pursued openness and reform to maintain the sovereignty of the nation. Unfortunately, her tumultuous life came to an end in the early morning hours of October 8, 1895 when she was murdered by the Japanese army.During Japanese colonial rule, the empress was wrongfully accused of being a jealous and overly ambitious person. Studies of various archives have since revealed what a great person she really was. Recently, numerous television productions and musicals have also corrected those misunderstandings. Renovated in 1995, her birthplace includes three buildings with servants’ quarters, master’s quarters, and a separate house. A commemorative monument now stands at the site of the room where the empress studied as a child. The Memorial Hall in front of the house contains various archives and artifacts related to Empress Myeongseong’s life. There is also a 161-seat theatre.