Seoul(Jung-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

Deoksugung Palace has held a guard-changing ceremony since 1996 after thorough historical research by leading historians. The ceremony, which is held in front of the Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace, is a tradition similar to the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and offers a rare opportunity to experience royal culture. The royal gate is opened and closed at pre-determined times, and the gatekeepers in charge of guard duty and patrols hold a shift ceremony three times a day. Special Programs: The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony is a highly recommended event for tourists. It is held three times a day (11:00 / 14:00 / 15:30) in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace. As each ceremony follows the same procedure and lasts for thirty minutes, visitors can choose whichever time is most convenient. The ceremony is free of charge. There are no ceremonies on Mondays as well as on severely cold or hot days.As the ceremony begins, the changing of the guards commences replete with traditional musical instruments, and exchanges a password for verification. An eight-minute guard ceremony ensues, followed by a seven-minute change ceremony, and finally a patrol that completes the ceremony. The procedure takes a dramatic turn when 18 guards in six official positions beat a drum and bellow some orders. Major Highlights: The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene. Be sure to bring a camera. The guards’ splendid costumes, with their brilliant primary colors, are a pleasure to view. While you cannot take pictures with the guards during the changing of guards, you can take a background picture of the guards and palace. You can also take photographs with the gatekeepers after the ceremony is over. Visit the palace and enjoy the beauty of Korean palaces following the ceremony.


Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

Lotte Mart Jamsil Branch (Formerly named World Branch) is a discount store complex offering fresh groceries, high-quality living essentials, and popular fashion brands. You can also take time to relax from shopping by grabbing a bite to eat at fast food restaurants such as Lotteria and Popeye’s, or spend some time at a music cafe. This branch is located in Jamsil, along with various leisure attractions such as the Lotte Department Store, Lotte Hotel, Lotte World Amusement Park, Lotte Folk Museum, and a gym.


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

As part of the Hangang Renaissance project, Nanji Hangang Park will be transformed into an eco-friendly theme park that should attract visitors from around the world. The Park will feature the Nanji Eco-Wetland, Nanji Campground and a marina. Also, there will be a specially designed area where visitors can enjoy extreme sports such as inline skating and BMX. A riverside swimming pool, the Water Plaza, and a riverside stage will be set up as well. Visitors will be able to relax and take a leisurely stroll around the park. The fully equipped Nanji Campground will open first in August 2009. The campsite is complete with all the items and facilities needed for camping, such as 24-hour-shower rooms, tents, and BBQ grills. This camping site is open to everyone.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

The COEX, Convention and Exhibition Center is a large-scale business town established on September 7, 1988, primarily for domestic and overseas businessmen. Business operations can be managed easily as assembly halls, exhibition halls, the Korean City Air Terminal, the Intercontinental Hotel, and Hyundai Department Store are assembled in one spot. A 57-story assembly hall contains 20 trade organizations including the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), and 250 companies and financial institutions. Convention and Exhibition, which houses three specialized exhibition halls and permanent exhibition halls, is composed of a four-story main building and three-story extension. It is located at a convenient spot as Samseong subway station is directly connected to the basement. Gimpo Airport is only 40 minutes away and Incheon International Airport is about an hour and 30 minutes away.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

I'PARKmall is a state-of-the-art shopping mall that is connected to Yongsan Subway Station and the KTX train station. Covering an extensive area of 82,000 pyeong, the complex boasts an astonishing 11 floors with a huge variety of shops. Everything from electronic goods to apparel can be found here. The mall also has a food court, a CGV digital movie theatre and an E-mart, the nation’s biggest discount mall.


Seoul(Seodaemun-gu) , Sinchon・Ewha Womans University

Innisfree is the acronym of 'innis' (island) and 'free.' Items in Innisfree use environment-friendly ingredients. Main ingredients include green tea, tangerine, rape flowers, and cactuses along with volcanic spring water. Located right around Ewha Womans University, it is a spacious store popular among Japanese and Chinese tourists.


Seoul(Seodaemun-gu) , Sinchon・Ewha Womans University

The Hyundai Department Store Sinchon Branch stands at the center of the young and vibrant Sinchon area. Several universities are clustered around this area so the products displayed cater to a younger crowd. For added convenience, the Sinchon Subway Station, Line 2 is also directly connected to the department store.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Youngpoong Bookstore has six branches as well as an on-line bookstore. Of those, the most famous branches are the Jongno and the Gangnam stores. Since both places are connected to the subway station, the location is very convenient. The Youngpoong Bookstores are not ordinary bookstores. They are exclusive cultural centers that carry all kinds of cultural products. The Jongno branch, located in the Youngpoong Building is spread out over two floors. There are roughly one million books to choose from here. Various kinds of stationary are also available and you can also enjoy fast food at several adjoining restaurants. At the record shop you can listen to the latest Korean hit songs. Since you can reserve tickets there for events and performances, if you see something on the posters that interest you, you can purchase them on the spot. At the large bookstore you will find quite a number of people reading books. Facilities for visitors such as photocopy machines, a gift-wrap center and photography studios are on hand. Outside the bookstore, the streets are directly connected to the areas of Jongno and Euljiro. As one of the most intricate places in Seoul, Jongno offers many places to eat and enjoy oneself. Euljiro has so many buildings that it actually seems like a forest of buildings. If you follow these buildings you will soon find yourself in the area of Myeongdong, another Mecca for shoppers.The Youngpoong Book store in Gangnam is located in the basement of Central City's Young Plaza, the area's giant shopping mall. It is 3600 pyong (pyong = 2.2 m2), roughly 600 pyong larger than the Jongno store. It provides all the latest cultural information and features a book café, event hall, magazine plaza, and information center. Even those not wishing to purchase any books can still spend time enjoying the atmosphere. Central City Plaza also has a lot to offer visitors seeking enjoyment: a department store, movie theater, hotel, car exhibition, game room, record shop, sauna, international conference rooms, bank, post office, medical center, and food courts. Therefore if you feel bored staying inside the bookstore, you can always get out and enjoy the many other activities on hand. The Express Bus Terminal is also connected to the bookstore. You may want to buy a book for your bus ride to the countryside. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

Having completed a grand remodeling project in 2007, Sejong Center offers customer-friendly programs aimed at improving the quality of art performances in a comfortable resting area. Comprised of the Grand Theater of Sejong Center, Sejong M Theater, Sejong Chamber Hall, Exhibition Hall, and other subsidiary facilities, Sejong Center is a multicultural art center.Various genres of performances including traditional, classic, and crossover taken place in the center, giving many opportunities for cultural nostalgia.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

Globally-recognized Korean performance, ‘DrumCat Concert' whips people into a frenzy of rhythm and fun! DrumCat Concert, created in 2003, is an all-female percussion group that has moved into its own exclusive theater just 7 years after its first performance. 2008 was landmark year for DrumCat Concert, as the group received both the ‘2008 Edinburgh Festival Herald Angel’ award and the ‘2008 Scotland Cavalcade Best Unit’ award, the first awards even won by a Korean team at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. At the festival, competing teams were ranked based on their accumulative skill points throughout a number of concerts and other performances. Reporters and audiences members alike were simply stunned by the performance of DrumCat Concert. The group not only continued to play sold-out concerts, but also consistently received high, 5-star ratings from festival judges and critics.DrumCat Concert has also been a sensational hit at home, receiving the Grand Prize in the ‘2009 Korea Entertainment Awards.’ The DrumCat Concert performance is bursting with unique rhythmical styling and emotional involvement that so often seems to categorize Korea’s most stunning musical performances. The group’s superb skills in high-speed drumming and unique combination of recorded and live sound is a treat for both the eyes and ears.DrumCat Concert, a world renowned performance, is sure to continue beating its way into the hearts of audiences for ages to come.