Seoul(Dongdaemun-gu) , Dongdaemun

The Herb Medicine Festival has been held every fall since 1995 in Yangnyeongsi (약령시), the largest herbal medicine marketplace in Seoul. The festival celebrates the history and effectiveness of the nation's traditional herb medicine and raises international interest in Seoul’s Yangnyeongsi market.During the festival, a wide variety of events will be held, including activity programs such as an herb slicing contest and writing, cooking, and singing contests. Other highlights on the festival calendar include traditional performances and a taekwondo demonstration. Visitors can also enjoy free herbal tea, food, and rice cakes and will be able to buy a variety of herbs at low prices.Perhaps the most anticipated events of the festival are the free herbal medical diagnoses and treatments, which are on offer for Korean and international visitors. This is a good opportunity for you to check your body condition and experience the benefits of oriental medicine.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changnyeong-gun)

There are four large and small swamps around the Yibang-myeon, Daehap-myeon, and Daeji-myeon areas of Changnyeong-gun, which are collectively called ‘Upo Wetland’. They are the largest natural swamps in South Korea, with a total size about 5,550 square km. The bottom of the swamp is shallower than 1m and there are over 1,000 species living in its murky waters. It has a primitive atmosphere with 100 kinds of plants containing 28 kinds of aquatic plants and 72 types of hydrophytes.Upo Wetland is a primitive low bed wetland, which was created about 140 million years ago. When soft ground collapsed, water started to come to a low basin, and this was a lake where dinosaurs lived 100 million years ago. Upo Wetland was formed in with the sediments from the mountains brought in by rivers. From the outer edge, the current Upo Wetland is going through natural alteration and ecological succession from a lake to swamp and from grass-covered plain to a forest. At Upo Wetland there are eight famous sites such as fireflies, constellation gazing, and willow groves, but there are many, many other interesting things to see. Among the eight famous sights, the Upo rain-fog is an especially eye-catching natural phenomenon, becoming visible when there is no wind, when skies are clear, and the temperature difference between day and night is 10 degrees or more. The fireflies come out around 8~9 P.M. in August and September, and they are also worth watching. In winter, migrating birds spend their winter here and you can watch about 33 species of birds such as swans, whopper swans, bean geese, teals and wild ducks. It is better to take a walk in the evening or early in the morning rather than in the daytime, it would be great also to visit in the night under the starlight. 


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

The year 2013 marks the 18th anniversary of the Seoul Friendship Fair. This year’s festival will be attended by 300 performance teams from sister cities from over 14 different countries as well as teams from foreign embassies, tour agencies, and cultural centers from over 60 countries. A wide spectrum of unique culture events will be taking place, including traditional performances and sampling of cuisine from around the world. Other events include traditional costume shows and a traditional folk art exhibition.


Gyeonggi-do(Namyangju-si) , Namyangju

Cheonmasan Mountain (천마산, 812m), located in the center of Namyangju City, is shaped like Dalma, a famous Buddhist monk, sitting with his shoulders back, and giving a grand and calm impression. The name Cheonma was given by King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty. It means a mountain that is high enough to touch the sky. The mountain is renowned for its beauty year-round, being snow-capped in winter; erupting in fresh verdure during spring; taking on a deep, lush green hue in summer and a myriad of colors in the fall. The mountain’s proximity to Seoul and its pristine spring waters that rush over the cliffs on the southwest face, make the mountain a popular destination. Mt. Cheonma is perfect for a day hike with its lush forests and natural springs where fresh healthy waters well up from the ground.


Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si)

Palm Spring Hotel ideally neighbours the largest theme spa in the Orient, the Asan Spabis. The hotel also offers high speed internet access in both wireless and wired setting for family and businessmen coming with their notebooks. All guest rooms are supplied with natural spa water.


Busan(Jung-gu)

Kumkang Shoes is Korea's leading fashion retailer specializing in formal, casual and athletic footwear, as well as trendy clothing and accessories. Located in Gwangbok-dong near many tourist attractions, Kumkang Busan carries a wide selection of trendy footwear and fashion items for young people in its clean and modern interior. Customers may receive free product consultation or simply take a rest at the customer service center on the 4th floor.


Daegu(Jung-gu)

The Empathy Guesthouse was designed with the idea that guests can make new contacts there by sharing their stories with empathy and affection, so its logo consists of an image of people hugging each other. The guesthouse is situated on Course 2 of the Daegu Modern Cultural Street Tour and is just five minutes’ walk from Dongseong-ro. In addition, it offers easy access to public transportation services as it’s located between Subway Line 1 Jungangro Station and Line 2 Banwoldang Station. The guesthouse also boasts various social facilities such as the Moonlight Garden on its rooftop and an outdoor terrace and café, making it the ideal place to make new acquaintances over a friendly chat.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hadong-gun)

The House of Choi Champan is known as the setting of the famous novel ‘Toji’ (‘The Land’) by noted author Park Gyeong-ri. Located in a small folk literature village in Agyang-myeon, Pyeongsa-ri along the Seomjingang River at the foot of Jirisan Mountain, Choe Champandaek consists of fourteen hanok (Korean traditional house) buildings.Also used as the main set of the drama version of ‘Toji’ (2004), Choi Champandaek gives visitors a look at the life of the Korean people in the late Joseon Era. The house has not only made its appearance in many films, but is also a valuable cultural asset of Hadong-gun Country.The Daecheong Maru (wooden-floored hall) connected to the Sarangchae (men’s quarters in a hanok) offers a wide view of the vast field of Pyeongsa-ri and an opportunity to meditate and reflect while appreciating the beautiful surroundings. Located in the vicinity are numerous tourist attractions including the Pyeongsari Literature Center, Hwagae Market, and Ssanggyesa Temple. In the fall of each year, Choi Champandaek hosts the Toji Literature Festival.


Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)

Chaeseokgang refers to a rocky cliff and the sea around it, situated in the Gyeokpohang and Dakibong areas on the Byeonsan Peninsula. It is easy to misunderstand the name for a river, but it is a very large rocky cliff. The origin of the name comes from China, from the story of Lee Tae-Baek, while drinking wine on a ship, he saw the moon reflected in the river and jumped into the water to grab it. The name Chaeseokgang was adapted as it resembles the Chinese equivalent of this location.Chaeseokgang was created from many layers of rocks stratified by the sea, and the blue sea and the rock cliffs together create quite a lovely picture. It is nature’s masterpiece of stratification, and you can see interesting structures and shapes here that are not seen elsewhere. You can enter Chaeseokgang twice a day when the water recedes, and at low tide, you can observe various sea life existing in the lower areas of the rock cliffs and the cave. If you are able to see the sunrise or twilight at the cave, the scenery there is simply awesome.Around Chaeseokgang, there also lies the stately Mt. Naebyeonsan as well. Mt. Naebyeonsan has a temple called Seonunsa Temple, and it is a fine place to be introduced to Buddhism. The quiet mornings and evenings at the temple adds to the calmness and beauty of the twilight.