Gyeonggi-do(Pocheon-si) , Pocheon

Idong Galbi is a famous term for Korean representing the delicious hanu (Korean beef) short ribs that's been made with high quality meat and marinated sauce. Once the meat is prepared, it is usually marinated in sweet soy sauce and various other fruit juice for some days. The recipes could differ slightly for each restaurant, therefore serving as a barometer that differentiates one store's taste from another. Nowadays, people can see signboards embedding "Idong Galbi" in many of establishments in Korea, however, the food was originated from Jangam-ri, Idong-myeon located in Pocheon of Gyeonggi-do. Now a huge town housing dozens of the galbi restaurants, this galbi-chon (or galbi village in English), only began with two stores in the early 1960s. 'Idong Galbi Jip (이동갈비집)' and 'Neutari Galbi (느타리갈비집)' were them, and after it earned the fame of becoming the 'local dish' of Pocheon, many more restaurants began to spring out. The secret to Idong Galbi is that they are slowly cooked over charcoal fire and thus has an additional "fire taste" that many like, as well as the tenderness that even the old and young enjoy. Secondly, the sauce is made only with natural ingredients such as pear, radish, onions and others, making it especially tasty and luring people to come for more. Besides, Idong makgeolli (rice wine) is also a famous local product that complements well with the meal. These days, unfortunately due to cost issues, some restaurants can no longer use hanu to make galbi but American beef are used instead.


Gyeonggi-do(Osan-si) , suwon

The Mulhyanggi Arboretum (물향기 수목원), situated in Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, is a peaceful area where you can come to relax, but is surprisingly located amidst high-rise apartment buildings in the city center. There are many things to see at the beautifully named 330,580m2 arboretum (mulhyanggi meaning water fragrance). There are 16 themed centers, various auxiliary facilities, and 1,601 different species of plants. The Mulhyanggi Arboretum, is a great place for a leisurely walk, and takes around two hours to see in its entirety. It is not so sublime as the Gwangneung Arboretum, but is charming, and offers many things to see as it features variously themed centers. Children will have an exciting time at the Topiary Center, which can be seen from the parking lot, and the Maze Center. Other themed centers include the Pine Tree Center, the Maple Tree Center, the Fruit Tree Center, the Tendril Plant Center, the Center of Native Plants of Central Korea, the Dwarf Tree Center, the Local Crafts Tree Center, the Wet Land Ecology Center, the Center for Plants that Live in Humid Areas, the Warm Temperature Zone and Pteridophyte Center, the Functional Plant Center, the Althea Center, and the Insect Ecology Center. There is also an observatory made from a tree. As indicated in its name, the waters of this arboretum are clear and clean. Tadpoles swim in the wetland and Korean squirrels scurry up and down the trees. The arboretum, only an hour away from Seoul, affords city dwellers a place to relax in peace where they can experience different forms of natural beauty according to the season.※ There are no shops, restaurants, or trash bins. Visitors to the site are recommended to take waste back homes and to be considerate of the environment. You can bring a lunch box and enjoy your meal at the ‘Rest Area inside the Forest’, which is a designated site for eating.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Jeju Haevichi Resort, whose name means ‘the first place that the sun shines,' offers the best views of Jeju Island’s spectacular natural scenery.All of the resort’s guestrooms offer a spectacular view of the ocean stretching out to the horizon, and there are four types of rooms available so you can choose the one best suited to your needs. Subsidiary facilities include a convention center, restaurants, coffee shops, an outdoor swimming pool, outdoor event plaza, spas, and more.


Seoul(Mapo-gu)

This guesthouse is located in Nogosan-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, as a space for young backpackers catered by a fellow lover of traveling. There are 12 rooms in total, including Double (2-person), Triple (3-person), and Quad (4-person) rooms. Guests have a choice of two double beds or two bunk beds for the Quad room. All rooms have bathrooms with a shower booth attached. There are no kitchen facilities available, but all rooms allow outside food and there are microwave ovens on premise. Washing machine and dryer is available for use with payment. The guesthouse has high customer satisfaction thanks to its affordable prices, clean facilities, and friendly service. Sinchon and Sogang University Stations on Seoul Subway Line 2 are located only 5 min away by foot, and airport limousine and Seoul city Bus Stops can also be found nearby. The guesthouse is also close to districts popular among the young in Seoul, such as Hongdae, Hapjeong, Mangwon, and Sangsu.


Chungcheongnam-do(Gongju-si)


Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)

Daemyung Resort at Byeonsan is located in Byeonsan Bando National Park near Gyeokpo Beach in Buan (Jeollabuk-do). This luxurious resort is patterned after Normandy Beach and its European-style architecture. Aqua World is the resort’s multi-level water park which has an indoor pool (Water Plex, Aqua Play), outdoor pools, slides, sauna and bathing facilities. Lying alongside the beautiful coast, the resort offers the best view of the local scenery and picturesque sunsets. The resort also offers easy access to Chaeseokgang Cliff (Provincial Natural Monument No.28).


Busan(Saha-gu)

An excellent place to see exhibitions and learn about and experience ecology, the Nakdong Estuary Eco-Center is located in Saha-gu, Busan. The center consists of three floors with the first floor home to an information office, a maintenance office, an educational room, and a volunteers’ room. The second floor is home to exhibition rooms, an experience zone, a small library, and an observatory. Audio-visual rooms are located on the third floor. The center runs a variety of experience programs so that visitors may explore the estuary, observe plants and insects, walk around tidal flats and reed beds, and make wooden sculptures. In addition, visitors can observe birds and compare the eggs and beaks of various birds. The center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on Mondays and New Year’s Day. The Nakdong Estuary Eco-Center, in turn is full of excellent amenities: picnic grounds, a botanical garden, a hiking trail, an observatory, abundant resting spots, an outdoor learning center, and lush trees.  


Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si)

Set on approximately 5,000 pyeong of land, the Asan Garden Horticulture Association opened to the public on March 20, 2004 in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do. A newly remodeled greenhouse features roughly 1,000 species of flowers. With over 30 years of experience, floriculture has flourished here with a variety of themes set up throughout the park for visitors to fully enjoy the experience.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Namhae-gun)

The Bangudae Petroglyphs are located in Daegok-ri, (Ulsan City) and were discovered by the Dongguk University Investigation Team in 1971. Since then, these rock engraving have been a representative cultural asset of Ulsan and have been a key reference point in research on rock carving techniques. The Bangudae Petroglyphs were designated National Treasure No. 285 in 1996. Petroglyphs (岩刻畵) are figures of animals or geometrical symbols engraved on rock. The Bangudae Petroglyphs are engraved on rocks located on the lower western banks of the man-made lake at Taehwa River. Due to the increased water levels resulting from the construction of the dams, the petroglyphs (10m wide and 3m tall) can only be seen during the dry season from October to February. Since the Daegok River blocks a closer view of the engraved figures, a model measuring 6m in x_width and 3m in x_height has been set up across from the Bangudae Petroglyphs to give visitors a better understanding of this unique ancient art. The engravings depict a total of 200 etchings including figures of land animals (deer, tigers, wild boars, etc.), hunting scenes, sea animals (whales, seals, sea turtles), and boats and fishermen. The Bangudae Petroglyphs are important reflections of the hunting rituals and religious arts of Korea’s prehistoric era and serve as an important clue into the lifestyle and customs of ancient Koreans.  


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).