Seoul()

Founded in 2007, the Seoul Arts and Culture Tour Project is a cultural experience program operated by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture. Tours are held Thursday to Saturday on the second and fourth weeks of the month from April to October.   Participants meet at the square in front of Seoul City Hall around 10:30 am to ride the bus provided by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture and begin their tour of Seoul. The program has a variety of excursions, which are divided up by theme: art, theater, literature, architecture, and design. During the weekdays, the tour is popular among housewives who may have a little extra time while their children are at school; during the weekends, it becomes the perfect opportunity for families, couples, and international to tour Seoul. Through this free program, participants will be able to visit some of the sites in Seoul and discover what makes each place one of Seoul’s crown jewels. Interested parties are asked to make reservations by calling the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture or by visiting the website.  


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

Once In A Blue Moon is a jazz club offering live performances by top jazz musicians, a wide range of menus, and over 130 types of wine. Frequented by world-renown musicians, the club is also a popular shooting location for films, TV shows, and commercials.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Santorini is a 2-story, traditional Italian restaurant with a luxurious interior. During the warmer seasons, tables are placed on a green grassy field allowing customers to dine outside while enjoying the fine weather and scenery. Not only well known for its traditionally-prepared Italian cuisine made with fresh ingredients, the restaurant is also famous for its huge selection of wine. A café and bakery are located on the first floor, perfect for those who just want to relax with a beverage or enjoy a light meal.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Buyongdae is a cliff about 64 meters high situated where the Taebaek Mountain Range ends. From the summit, one can get a bird’s eye view of the Hahoe Village in Andong. The name was taken from an ancient history of China. Meaning lotus, the name Buyongdae is said to be given for Hahoe Village’s configuration like a lotus flower. Thus, one can get the best view of the village from the cliff. Located near Buyongdae are Ogyeonjeongsa House, Gyeomamjeongsa House, and Hwacheon Seowon Academy.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The Culture, Design & Tourism Headquarters of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (History & Cultural Heritage Division) has been holding the “Bosingak Bell-Ringing Ceremony” since November 21, 2006. The program takes place at noon daily (except Tuesdays) and gives locals and international visitors the experience of ringing the bell 12 times. The program is run regularly and foreigners can also participate in the special program without the need to register. Foreign visitors can come before 11:40 a.m. and apply on-site at Bosingak Belfry, where participants will be able to experience a bit of Korean culture through the ceremony.[Origin of Bosingak Bell Ringing] Courtesy of the Seoul Metropolitan GovernmentThe Bosingak Bell was rung to signal the opening and closing of the four Main Gates (Sungnyemun, Heunginjimun, Sukjeongmun, and Donuimun) and the four Small Gates (Hyehwamun, Sodeokmun, Gwanghuimun, and Changuimun) in the capital city since the fifth year of King Taejo (1396) during the early Joseon Dynasty. Bell ringing at dawn was called “Paru” and bell ringing in the evening was called “Injeong.”* The bell was named Bosingak Bell in 1895 during the 32nd year of King Gojong. The belfry was originally called Jongnu (bell pavilion). ---------------Paru – ringing the bell 33 times (dawn)- Ogyeong Samjeom: The bell was rung 33 times at around 4 a.m. to signal the end of the night curfew and the start of the new day. The eight gates to the capital will be opened during this time.- The practice of ringing the bell 33 times can be traced to Buddhism; the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy manifests herself in 33 different forms in order to save mankind.---------------Injeong – ringing the bell 28 times (evening)- The bell was rung 28 times at around 10 p.m. to signal the end of the day, the closing of the gates and the start of the curfew.- In ancient times, people divided the universe into the four gung’s of East, West, South, and North. Each gung was further divided into seven, therefore forming 28 gu’s (28 su’s) of constellations. This resulted in the tradition of ringing the bell 28 times.※ Injeong refers to reporting to the 28 su’s of the sun, the moon, and the stars of the universe, while paru reported to the 33 “skies” led by Jeseokcheon (shamanic deity) to seek blessings for national prosperity and the welfare of the people, all of which are related to Buddhism.※ Bell ringing on the eve of New Year’s Day is meant to symbolize the end a year, and as a way wish for blessings, good health and the happiness of the citizens for the brand new year.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

Daehanuiwon (Daehan Medical Center) is an antique two-story brick building within the grounds of Seoul National University Hospital. It was established under the direct administration of the Uijeongbu (State Council), combining the Gwangjewon (under the Home Ministry), Gyeongseong Medical School and the Korean Red Cross Hospital (under the Royal Household). Built in the Madubong Hill area, this location where Hamchunwon, the outer garden of Changgyeonggung Palace, once stood in 1484 (15th year of King Seongjong), was also once the site of Gyeongmogung Palace, where King Jeongjo enshrined the mortuary tablet of his birth father Crown Prince Sado Seja in 1776 (the year King Jeongjo ascended to the throne). These places that held importance for the royal family were destroyed as the Japanese built Gyeongseong Empire University in its place. In 1907, with the announcement of the plan to establish Daehan Medical Center, construction began on the main building, seven wards and affiliated buildings. Construction was completed in November 1908. The Daehan Medical Center opened in Gwangjewon, but upon Japanese colonization in 1910, its name was changed to the Japanese Viceroyalty Hospital. In 1926, it was included as a part of Gyeongseongjeguk University to become a university hospital. Since the liberation of Korea in 1945, it has been a hospital affiliated with Seoul National University.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hadong-gun)

The Tea Culture Center located at the foot of Jirisan Mountain in Hadong Gyeongsangnam-do Province aims to promote the tea culture of the area, the first tea producer in the nation, while advertising the quality and superiority of Hadong green tea. The center is located adjacent to the tea farming area and Ssanggyesa Temple, one of the most famous tourist attractions in Korea.In the Tea Culture Center, there is a tea culture museum where you may learn about the history and culture associated with Korean tea. At the Tea Promotional and Experience Center visitors can enjoy such hands-on programs like making tea in a traditional hand-made way and learning the traditional tea etiquette of the region, a pottery class where you can make your own pottery in a traditional way, and a tea market where you can purchase a variety of high-quality tea produced in the region. Every year, the center holds the Hadong Wild Tea & Culture Festival, an official local celebration designated by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

Situated in Tongyeong (Gyeongsangnam-do), Mireuksan (461m) is considered one of the 100 best mountains in Korea. While not as high as other mountains, it is home to a lush forest, valleys with pure water, odd-shaped rocks, rock caves, and ancient temples. Upon climbing to the top of the mountain, visitors can see the breathtaking view of the sea enveloping Tongyeong. Near Tongyeong are a number of large and small islands including Mireukdo.Hiking used to be the only option to climb up the mountain, but a cable car (covering over 2km, the longest in Korea) now carries visitors to a stop that leads to the top of the mountain through wooden decks (400m in length). In clear weather, visitors can even see Tsushima Island (in Japan), Cheongwangbong Peak in Jirisan, and Dolsando in Yeosu. The top of the mountain boasts a dazzling array of flowers in spring and exquisite fall foliage, attracting visitors in droves year-round. At the outskirts of the mountain are two ancient temples, Yonghwasa and Miraesa. 


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Ilchulbong Hotel is only a 5-minute walk from the entrance to Ilchulbong Peak and a 10-minute walk away from Seongsan Port. From the hotel, guests can enjoy the sight of the sun rising over Seongsan, a view which is considered one of the ’10 beautiful scenes of Yeongju.’ The hotel is located within easy access of a number of tourist sites and is surrounded by the beauty of nature.


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

Hyangrim serves traditional Chinese food using only the freshest seafood, vegetables, and high-grade meat. The cooking of its cuisine is done with true sincerity in order to please the customer's taste buds. The chef also uses all-natural MSG flavoring and small amounts of vegetable oil, making the food less greasy, catering to the tastes of Koreans and foreigners alike. Specialties that guests frequently order are the Galbi in Spicy Sauce, Seasoned Prawns with Vegetables, Shark's Fin, and crab dishes.