Busan(Dongnae-gu)

Opened on June 10, 1994, the Busan Marine Natural History Museum is the first and largest museum of its kind in Korea. The museum features some 25,000 marine specimens from over 100 countries around the world, including rare living species and those native to Korea. The museum opened a second exhibition hall in April 2003, and launched the Busan Fishing Village Folk Museum on February 23, 2007. Marine life on display in the museum The major exhibits of Busan Marine Natural History Musem include the largest existing man-eating clam, arapaima (the largest living freshwater fish), oarfish (a legendary fish that is said to live half of the month in the mountains and the rest in the sea), whale fish (the largest living of the fish species), jumbo squid (the largest of sthe quid species), a blade bone fossil of a dinosaur, piranha (an omnivorous freshwater fish that inhabits South American rivers), sturgeon (toothless bony fish species, whose eggs are often eaten as caviar), water monitor (the second largest species of lizards), alligator snapping turtle (giant turtle with strong teeth and a violent temper), spur-thighed tortoise (the third largest turtle in the world) and more!


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Gyeongju National Park is a bevy of cultural preserves dating back to the Silla Kingdom. Unlike the other parks located in the area, this park is segmented into individual districts. However, admission fee covers entry to the entire park because the districts are segmented for the government administration. Because Gyeongju itself is a historic city with many important historic sites and relics, Gyeongju is divided into 7 districts, and the park is divided accordingly. The Namsan area of Gyeongju is called the Namsan District. This is where many stone Buddhist statues, stone pagodas and about 100 temples sites are found. Here you can find Poseokjeong Pavillion, which was part of the living quarters the king had prepared outside of the palace for feasts. The Namsan District contains many relics spread about the area. You might feel like you took a ride on a time machine to a Buddhist temple of the past. Another district is the Tohamsan Mountain District. Here you will find the most famous tourist sites of Gyeongju, Bulguksa Temple. Bulguksa Temple was built in 535, during the reign of King Beopheung (514~540) of the Silla Kingdom and is located at the edge of Tohamsan Mountain. In front of Daeungjeon, there is Dabo Pagoda (10.4m high) to the east and the 3-story Seokga Pagoda (8.2m) to the west. These two pagodas are known as the most artistically constructed Korean stone pagodas, domestically and internationally. On the east side of Tohamsan Mountain is Seokguram, which is called the principal Korean Buddhist statuary. Within the Daebon District, a district of Gyeongju National Park, is King Munmu’s Sujungreung. Nearby the King Munmu’s Sujungreung Tomb there is the Gameunsaji 3-Story Stone Pagoda, which was built to honor King Munmu. In downtown Gyeongju there is a palace built on a half-moon shaped hill called Banwolseong and there is also the oldest stone relic in the east, called Cheomseongdae Observatory (9.2m high). Cheomseongdae Observatory was built and used as an astronomical observatory during the reign of Queen Seon-Deok (reigned 632~647). Between Cheomseongdae and Wolseong is the Gyerim Forest, where Kim Al-Ji (65~?), the progenitor of the Kim family, was born. The name Gyerim was also once used as the country name of Silla. Half a kilometer west of Cheomseongdae is Hwangnamdong where Jeonmachong is located. Anapji Pond, which was built to serve noble guests and where feasts were held, is also located in downtown Gyeongju. Gyeongju National Museum is located in Inwang-dong, Gyeongju, where the relics from 1,000 years of the Silla Kingdom are preserved.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Le Saint-Ex is an authentic French restaurant whose owner and chef indeed hail from France. Published by Louis Vuitton, Seoul City Guide printed the restaurant as the first authentic French cuisine restaurant in Korea. It has been also become a hot spot for young adults following a big renewal. The menu changes every Tuesday and Friday to help people to try new dishes. Its ingredients are fresh as they are delivered every morning. Their signature menu includes foie gras, hanu ansim steak (Korean beef tenderloin steak), lamb cheese salad, and they also offer a brunch menu on weekends.


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

Located in Yeouido, Seoul, Kobos Hotel is a customer-oriented business hotel. A golf driving range is operated on the roof and tourists can use whirlpool bathtub and steam sauna. It is a strong point of Kobos Hotel that broadcasting stations like KBS and MBC, Yeouido park, Han Riverhigh water ground, and Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market are located in 10 minutes distance. Breakfast and shared PC services are provided for free.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

The neighborhood around Paldalmun Gate serves as the main business district of Suwon, where more than 300 stores and stalls are joined to make a large market place. The atmosphere and the physical surroundings help to both keep traditions alive and move into the modern age, which is one of the many aspects of this market that draws in more visitors each year. Since 1917 when the market first opened to the public, the vendors here have specialized in traditional garmets, including hanbok (traditional Korean clothes) and accessaries. The products made here are highly praised by customers for their outstanding quality. For this reason, nearly one-third of the stores currently in business are hanbok shops. Moreover, the lively vibe is added to by the nearly 20,000 visitors to the market every day, including the regular sellers and buyers. An on-going maintenance project to keep the originality of the market began in 2002 and is continuing to make Yeongdong Market a representative tourist desitnation in Suwon.


Busan(Dong-gu)

Located in Beomil-dong, Busan, snowH (Won Ginseng) is the first and largest single-store company in Korea to open a health food shop that specializes in black ginseng. Now, the company has entered a partnership with black ginseng industry leaders to bring the highest quality of goods to consumers. The shop has 1 floor underground and 3 floors aboveground, and it can host up to 300 customers at once. An exhibition space where visitors can take a look at the history and the efficacies of Korean black ginseng is located on the first and second floors. Meanwhile, the sales room holds various black ginseng products, which range from concentrates and powdered high-quality black ginseng to candied ones, made from six-year-old ginseng and fermented with wild honey, as well as capsules filled with powdered ginseng. The shop has a barrier-free elevator and wheelchair lift and provides services in English and Chinese. Moreover, it is a convenient stop on the way to Busan's many sights. The shop is close to Beomil Station of Busan Metro Line 1 and located four stations away from Busan Station (KTX, SRT), making it accessible for visitors who use public transportation. It is also just two stations away from numerous shops, restaurants, and cafés in Seomyeon.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Myogaksa Temple is located on the east side of Mt. Naksan in Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. First established by Monk Taeheo Hongseon in May of 1930, it has since expanded and underwent two renovations. The temple’s location was selected based on the principles of Feng Shui, which dictated that a temple built in its location would bring peace and comfort to Seoul’s residents. The Myogaksa Temple complex on Mt. Naksan accommodates a Deabul (Grand Buddha) Shrine, a Wontong Buddhist shrine, a Nakga preaching hall, Seokgulam Grotto, Sanshingak (Mountain Spirit Pavilion), and the Mae Buddha Statue. Deabul and Wontong shrines are two of the finest Buddhist architectural masterpieces. The Buddha statue, located inside the Seokgulam Grotto, was built around the ninth or early tenth century and has been designated a national cultural treasure. The Mae Buddha Statue, also located in this temple, was carved out of the rocky cliffs of Mt. Naksan and has been designated a cultural asset of the City of Seoul.Since the 2002 FIFA World Cup when Myogaksa began operating its temple stay program, the temple has become a wonderful place where locals and tourists can escape the daily hustle-and-bustle of Seoul to experience the serenity of Buddhism. 


Seoul(Gangdong-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

'Vietnamssam Injeongwon,' keeping the new trend of well-being food in mind, serves 'ssam' (roll or wraps), a type of food most familiarly related to Korean food. Normally in Vietnam, the rolls were served as lunch, but the cuisine made its way to Australia where it was altered into a fusion dish and then brought to Korea, where it catered to the taste of Koreans. So, 'Australian-style Vietnamese rolls' takes the main idea of the Vietnamese rolls and adds plentiful amounts of vegetables and fruit, acquiring the fresh taste Koreans love. 'Vietnamssam Injeongwon' is a well-being fusion restaurant that opened in the Korean market, hoping to expand its business.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

After Korea gained independence from Japan in 1945, the former president Lee Seungman and his wife lived in their house called Ihwajang. Even though he moved out of the house after he was elected the first president of Korea, he used to return and visit for walks in the garden. After he relinquished his appointment as president, he stayed here for a while before coming to America as an exile.Ihwajang house consisted of the bonchae, or the main building, which was where Lee Seungman and his wife’s living quarters were, jogakdang(president’s office area) and other buildings. Jogakdang, the president’s office area, is a small and narrow building but it is an important historical place where he had a conference to form the first Korean ministry. Ihwajang house shows the change of Korean traditional house under Japanese control. 


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Aqua Planet Jeju boasts the largest aquarium facility among East Asian countries. Housing over 5,000 marine creatures from domestic regions and abroad, the Jeju branch is a highly recommended place to visit for all, especially for family visitors. This museum offers versitle features, including an aquarium as the main attraction, in addition to Marine Science, Kiz Planet and many more convenience facilities. A hands-on experience is also available where children can touch real-life sea animals and partake in many of the science and history classes that are on-going throughout the year. Aqua Planet, which is run by the Hanhwa Hotels and Resorts group, has several branches located throughout Korea. However, one particular program that is only found at the Jeju branch is "Haenyeo's Achim," which directly translates into 'the diving women's morning' in English. In this program, visitors are able to witness how Jeju haenyeo (female divers) catch various shellfish, seaweeds and more items underwater.