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. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Seochon Traditional Sundae Soup House is considered a must-visit destination. It was shown in the Korean drama series, “Doctors, as a restaurant owned by the father of the main character, Yoo Hye Jung (actress: Park Shin Hye). It is known for its special deep-tasting beef broth, which they brew with marrowbone for 24 hours. Its old-fashioned, traditional style Hanok architecture and its neat interior evokes the Korean traditional castle: Gyeongbokgung and its surroundings. Not only is the Sundae Soup first in its class, the in-house Kimchi is one of the best in its category as well. After the meal, don’t forget to take a photo where the “Doctors” couple, Jiho-Hyejung, enjoyed rice soup.  


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

The MK Liberty House offers guests easy access to some of Seoul’s major tourist destinations as it is located next to Seoul Station Exit 15 at the heart of the city’s transportation system. The guesthouse is also within easy walking distance of major shopping areas including large supermarkets and retail outlets, as well as the National Theater Company of Korea, where guests can enjoy exciting theatrical performances. Moreover, as the guesthouse is near Sinchon and Hongdae Street, where various exciting youth cultures coexist, it is frequented by young travelers. The surrounding tourist attractions include Namsan Mountain, Namdaemun Market, Seoul City Hall, Deoksugung Palace and other famous destinations in Seoul.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Just south of Gyeongpo Beach is Chodang Sundubu Village, which is famous for sundubu (watery tofu). Along Gangneung's most famous food street the beans are ground for Chodang sundubu, then through several steps, salt water from the East Sea is used in the congealing process resulting in a soft and light tofu. The name of this village, Chodang, originates from the name of a famous family that once lived here known as Chodang-Heoyeop. Heoyeop was the father of son, writer/poet Heo-gyun [1569~1618] and daughter, poet Heonan-seolheon [1563~1589]. A traditional-style Korean house has been reconstructed on the site where the original house of Heo-gyun and Heonan-seolheon once stood.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Dongdaemun

Won Halmeoni is a traditional Korean restaurant that has a strong reputation for serving its customers safe and nutritious food. It’s conveniently located near Cheonggyecheon, Dongmyo (a shrine dedicated to Guan Di) and Dongdaemun Shopping Malls.      


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The 24 Guest House Jongno Tower offers guests practical Korean-style rooms at reasonable prices and excellent services delivered by competent young staff who will be only too happy to recommend tourist attractions at any time with their fluent linguistic ability in various languages. The hotel is popular among foreign tourists in particular. The surrounding tourist destinations include Gwangjang Market, the footpath along Cheonggyecheon Stream, Dongdaemun Shopping Town, Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village, Changgyeonggung Palace, the shopping street in Jongno 5-ga, and various cultural and artistic areas of the city center including Insa-dong, Myeong-dong, and Daehak-ro, where tourists can experience Korea’s passion and energy on the city’s lively streets 24/7.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Cheonjeyeon Falls (천제연폭포), named 'The pond of God', consists of 3 sections. Around the falls, a variety of plant life thrives, such as the rare ‘solipnan’ reeds. To the east, there is a cave where cold water pours from the ceiling to create a waterfall.The water from the first waterfall divides into the second and third waterfalls, which then flow into the sea. In Cheonjeyeon Valley, visitors can see “Seonimgyo Bridge” (arch bridge with 7 nymphs carved on the side) and the octagonal “Cheonjeru tower”. Seonimgyo Bridge is also called “Chilseonyeogyo”(meaning "seven nymphs bridge") and it connects Cheonjeyeon with the Jungmum Tourist Complex.On the surface of Cheonjeru Tower, there is a painting that tells Cheonjeyeon’s legend of the nymph and mountain god. In May of every even-numbered year, the Chilseonyeo Festival is held here.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Gwanbuk-ri Relics and Busosanseong Fortress (Historic Site No. 5) is a mud fortress located on top of Busosan Mountain (alt. 106m) in the northern part of Buyeo. The fortress is estimated by some to have been built around 538 AD (16th year of King Seongwang) to protect Sabi (now Buyeo), which was once the capital of the Baekje Kingdom. Other historians, however, believe that the fortress was already in place by 500 AD (22nd year of King Dongseongwang) and modified in 605 (6th year of King Muwang) into the structure we see today. In either case, some parts of the fortress were reconstructed during the Unified Silla Kingdom period (676-935 AD) and modified again in the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910) eras.Busosan Mountain was once considered the guardian mountain of Buyeo and is home to historic landmarks from the Baekje Kingdom (18 BC-660 AD). In addition to Busosanseong Fortress, some of the most famous sites on the mountain include Baekhwajeong Pavilion, Sajaru Pavilion, Banwollu Pavilion, Yeongillu Pavilion, Samchungsa Shrine (dedicated to three loyal subjects of the Baekje Kingdom), Gungnyeosa Shrine, Goransa Temple, Gunchangji (military warehouse site), and Suhyeoljugeoji (site of pit houses for the Baekje soldiers). The mountain is also home to Nakhwaam Rock where, according to legend, 3,000 women of the Baekje Kingdom threw themselves into the river below after the collapse of the empire.Historic Sites of Busosan Mountain■ Samchungsa ShrineSamchungsa Shrine is just a short hike from Sabimun, the main gate of Busosanseong Fortress. The shrine holds the portraits and memorial tablets of Seongchung, Heungsu, and Gyebaek, who were known as the three most loyal subjects of the Baekje Kingdom. Memorial services are held for these great patriots during the annual Baekje Cultural Festival each October.■ Yeongillu PavilionYeongillu Pavilion was built on the site of Yeongildae, an observation platform located on the easternmost peak of Busosan Mountain. Kings and members of the royal family of the Baekje Kingdom once used this spot as a place from which to watch the sun rise above Yeoncheonbong Peak on Gyeryongsan Mountain, plan state affairs, and pray for the peace of the kingdom and their subjects.■ GunchangjiAlso known as “Mallichang,” Gunchangji is the site of a warehouse that was used to store grain for military use. Remnants of burnt grain were discovered at the site in 1915.■ SuhyeoljugeojiSuhyeoljugeoji, only a short distance from Gunchangji, was once the site of a pit house for soldiers of the Baekje Dynasty. The thatched-roof pit houses that stand on the site today have been reconstructed based on historical evidence uncovered during site excavation. Measuring 1m in depth with walls of wood and straw, the pit houses are neighbored by an exhibition hall that stands on the original excavation site.■ Sajaru PavilionSajaru Pavilion, located on the highest peak of Busosan Mountain (alt. 106m), is said to represent the cosmic powers of yin and yang together with Yeongillu Pavilion in the east. Adorned with a nameplate written by Prince Uichinwang Yi Gang (1877-1955), Sajaru commands an ethereal view of the moon and has long since been the source of poetic inspiration. The pavilion was also the site of discovery of the famous Geumdong-seokga-yeorae-ipsang (Gilt-bronze Standing Buddha, Treasure No. 196).■ Baekhwajeong PavilionBaekhwajeong Pavilion, perched on the cliffs of Nakhwaam Rock, was built in 1929 by a poets’ society called Bupungsisa to commemorate the story of the famous rock. According to the historical tale, the women of Baekje flung themselves off the cliffs of Nakhwaam to their deaths after the kingdom collapsed to keep themselves from being defiled by the men of the insurgent kingdoms.■ Gungnyeosa ShrineGungnyeosa Shrine is located a short distance from Taejagol (Crown Prince Valley) to the northeast of Banwollu Square. Established in 1965, the shrine honors the Baekje women who leaped to their deaths from the cliffs of Nakhwaam Rock in 660 when the empire was conquered by the allied forces of the Silla Kingdom and the Tang Dynasty of China. Commemorative rites are held at the shrine every October during the Baekje Cultural Festival.


Busan(Yeonje-gu)

Busan Asiad Main Stadium, consisting of 1 underground floor and 4 above-ground floors, with an area of 330,000㎡, has been furnished with 53,000 seats including 252 seats for guests with physically disabilities, and has a maximum holding capacity of 80,000 spectators in stadium. Since beginning construction in November of 1993, the city of Busan invested a total of 22,694,800 won, a work force of 488,000 laborers, and 7 years and 9 months to complete the stadium. An auxiliary stadium of 24,785㎡ stands next to the main stadium. Asiad Main Stadium is a multi-purpose sports complex for holding various performances and residential events. The architectural structure is designed to flow with the image of the international marine city, Busan, focusing on curved, delicate lines throughout rather than straight lines in order to reflect the ocean's rolling waves. The circumference of the stadium is equipped with a deck, similar in appearance to the belt of Saturn. With forty-eight pillars and seventy-two gateways, the wall-less deck embodies an openness with the world and the flow of cosmic energy. Busan Asiad Main Stadium was the first sports arena in Korea to be recognized as a first-class international stadium by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Even in the case of heavy rain, with rainfall of as much as 10~15mm/hr, players can continue their competitions after 12~24 hours because of the unique lawn planting method. A lighting system of 2000 lx and the greatest electric scoreboard also provide spectators with high-resolution TV relay broadcasting for a better watching experience.