Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

The Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone is made up of five cities and counties in Gangwon-do, including Pyeongchang-gun, which is the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Blessed with picturesque highland scenery, the Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone includes the cities of Gangneung-si, Donghae-si, Samcheok-si, and the counties of Hoengseong-gun and Pyeongchang-gun. Gangneung is located the nearest to Daegwallyeong. Famous attractions in Gangneung include Gyeongpoho Lake and Gyeongpodae Pavilion. Two of Gangneung’s historic villas, Ojukheon House and Seongyojang House, have been beautifully maintained for centuries. The city of Donghae’s two ports, Donghae Port and Mukho Port, are always buzzing with the energy of coastal life. Donghae Port is a base for the distribution of materials, industrial development, and trade. Cruise ferries take passengers to Russia and Japan. Meanwhile, ferries going to Ulleung-do depart from Mukho Port, which is located near Mukho Lighthouse and the Bukpyeong 5-day Market. Samcheok is a coastal city in the southernmost part of Gangwon-do. With National Road No. 7 at the center, Samcheok is bordered by Donghae to the north and Uljin-gun to the south. Hwanseongul Cave, the biggest limestone cave in Korea, and Daegeumgul Cave are some of the city’s major attractions. Hoengseong-gun is famous for its hanu (Korean beef) and the diverse agricultural experience programs the county offers. The lush forests and the road with a scenic view of Taegisan Mountain also attract many tourists. At 700 meters above sea level, Pyeongchang-gun is home to many ski resorts, making it a major destination for winter sports. [Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone] Areas included: Areas around Hoengseong and Pyeongchang-gun, Gangneung, Donghae and Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do Area size: 428.3k㎡ (Gangneung 90.4k㎡, Donghae 48.4k㎡, Samcheok 11.3k㎡, Hoengseong 63.5k㎡, Pyeongchang 214.7k㎡) Tourist attractions: Yongpyeong Resort, Alpensia Resort, Phoenix Park, Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, Donghae Port, Mukho Port, Seongyojang House, Cheongok Cave, etc.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Located in Gyeongju City, the Hostel Hwarang is within easy reach of public transport services (including a bus stop), making it the ideal base for visiting various tourist attractions such as the Bomun Tourist Complex, Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Tomb of King Munmu, and Columnar Joints. The hostel is only 5 minutes’ walk from Gyeongju Station and 15 minutes’ walk from the Intercity Bus Terminal. Famous restaurants specializing in wheat noodles and haejangguk (hangover soup), and Hwangnambbang (Gyeongju bread) Bakery, are also situated near the hostel. In addition, guests can easily get around the many nearby tourist attractions on foot (including Gyeongju National Museum, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Stone Ice Storage, Gyerim Forest, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Daereungwon Ancient Tombs, Cheonmachong Tomb, Kyochon Village, Choe’s old house, and Bonghwangdae Pavilion).


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Jongmyodaeje (종묘대제), Korea’s Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite, is a traditional ritual that has been recognized with many important designations. It is a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 56 (Jongmyo Jerye), and Korea’s Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 1 (Jongmyo Jeryeak). The ritual is held yearly on the first Sunday of May. It begins with eogahaengnyeol (어가행렬), the fabulous royal parade dating from the Joseon Dynasy, which is truly a sight to behold as it moves through the modern city. Over 1,200 people proceed from Gyeongbokgung Palace, pass through downtown Seoul via Sejongro, Jongro 1, 2, and 3-ga, and finally arrive at Jongmyo.Jongmyo Daeje originated as a royal ancestral ritual to honor the past kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty. During the Joseon era, the ritual was held five times a year (spring, summer, autumn, winter, and December) until it was abolished by Japanese colonial rule. In 1969, Jongmyo Daeje was reinstated and has been held every year since in May.Jongmyo Shrine, the destination of the procession, was the setting of ceremonial rituals during the Joseon Dynasty. Originally, Jongmyo only referred to Jeongjeon (Main Hall) where the memorial tablets of Joseon’s reigning kings and queens are enshrined. Today, however, Jongmyo also encompasses Yeongnyeongjeon (Hall of Eternal Peace) where the tablets of posthumous kings and queens are enshrined and Gongsindang (Hall of Meritorious Subjects) where the tablets of esteemed ministers of the state are kept.To participate in the ceremonial rite, the kings of Joseon traveled to Jongmyo Shrine with princes and subjects in the eogahaengnyeol royal procession. Today, its reenactment features a king mounted on a royal palanquin and accompanied by civil and military officials and guards that stretch to the front and rear of the procession.The Jeongjeon Jehyang rituals are held according to Confucian tenets, largely consisting of the greeting, serving, and bidding farewell to the spirits. Each procedure is accompanied with Jongmyo Jeryeak, a ritual music performance played with pyeongyeong, bokgo and other traditional instruments, and parilmu, a dance performed by 64 female dancers.Jongmyo Jeryeak, Korea’s Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 1, was created under King Sejong the Great and adopted by King Sejo. The name refers to the entire series of music and dance performed during the Jongmyo rituals. Distinct music is played for each procedure of the Jongmyo Jerye rituals with accompanying songs called Jongmyoakjang and Ilmu dances called botaepyeongjimu and jeongdaeeopjimu.


Chungcheongnam-do(Cheonan-si)

Tedin Family Resort is the largest water park in the central region of the country, spanning 33,058 square meters within the 46,000-square-meter Huracle Resort. Equipped with more than 10 types of slides, the water park compares favorably with any other top-class water parks in Korea. The condominum also has a seven unique rooms based on different children's fairy tales.  


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

The Maengbang Flower Festival is one of the landmark spring celebrations in Korea and is held every April near Samcheok-si City in Ganwon-do Province. The festival boasts a breathtaking view of canola flowers, cherry blossoms and the blue sea of the East Coast. The festival also offers a diverse set of events and programs including a local produce market, fresh strawberry picking, and exhibition on canola flowers and bees. The Samcheok Tourist Center will also be at the festival to help any tourists to the area visit the variety of tourist attractions nearby such as Haesindang Park, New Millennium Ocean Road, Wife of King Suro Park, and the filming place for “One Fine Spring Day.”


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si)

Saeyeongyo Bridge is the longest pedestrian overpass created in the southern-most area of the country. The bridge, inspired by ‘Tewu’ (Jeju's traditional log boat), was opened in September 2009, and connects Seogwipo Port and Birds Island. The overpass is the first single cable-stayed bridge ever created in Korea. The bridge has a major tower inspired by the wind and a sail and flamboyant LED lights. With the creation of the bridge, it has become much easier for people to travel to Birds Island, which features the island's ecosystem designated as a warm temperate forest conservation zone. The island also has diverse convenience and leisure facilities such as a 1.2km walking path, a public square, wooden deck road, pebble road, forest walking path and theme photo zone.


Jeollanam-do()

Daedaeseonchangjip Hanjeongsik, located near Suncheonman Bay Ecological Park (순천만자연생태공원) in Jeollanam-do, is famous for its Jangeo (eel) and jjangttungeo (mudskipper) with menu including Jjangttungeo-tang (mudskipper soup), Jangeo-gui (grilled eel), Jangeo-tang (eel soup), Jjangttungeo-jeongol (mudskipper hot pot), and Cheongdungori-tang (mallard duck soup).


Jeollanam-do(Gurye-gun)

On December 29, 1967 Jirisan Mountain (지리산) was designated Korea’s top national park. Jirisan is the largest mountain national park in the nation. You can get a full view of the Seomjingang River (섬진강), which runs alongside the mountain and into the Namhae Sea. If you’re lucky you can also spot some various plants and animals, including the Asiatic Black Bear, making Jirisan Mountain an even more interesting and inviting place to visit. As Jirisan Mountain changes with the different seasons, hikers can enjoy various aspects of the mountain’s terrain. However, there can be heavy rain and snow in the summer and winter, so some areas will be closed off in case of drastic changes in the weather and temperature. In the spring and fall, you can explore the mountain relatively freely. However, access may be limited to some areas for fear of forest fires in the dry season. If you want to hike up Jirisan Mountain it is recommended that you visit the homepage of the Korea National Park Service or contact the Jirisan Mountain Management Office before planning your trip.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Wiki Cafe is a cafe near Gyeongbokgung Palace and is owned and operated by the mother of Sung Min from Super Junior, the famous boy band. With light steps, and just as if you are in your neighbor’s home, you can walk up the wooden stairs to the 2nd floor of the cafe, which is a terrace, and on that terrace, you can see a view Gyeongbokgung Palace. During the evening, as lights fall on the rampart stairs of Kwangwhamun, it creates/exudes a very warm mood. It is a good place to rest after viewing Gyeongbokgung Palace, Kwangwhamun Plaza, and galleries around these attractions. Its menu is filled with beverages such as coffee and teas, desserts such as waffles, cakes, and many other varieties of desserts. Imagine what it would be like: having a warm cup of tea while sitting on a terrace that overlooks Gyeongbokung Palace.   In the cafe, there are all kinds of pictorials and photos of Sung Min from Super Junior. Also, on one corner in the cafe, there are many messages from fans written on the wall, and they are countless! There are also various forms of merchandise that are sold there; the merch shows different characterized versions of Sung Min