Jeollabuk-do(Gunsan-si)

Starting from Subun-ri, Jangsu-gun of Jeollabuk-do, Geumgang River flows from the east to the west passing through Chungcheong-do and the northern region of Jeollabuk-do before it reaches the Yellow Sea at Gunsan. In the old days people had to cross the river from Gunsan to Janghang by boat but over the years an estuary has formed at the mouth of the some 400-km-long river so that today people now come and go in their cars between the two cities.Geumgang estuary became a famous tourist attraction because of its majestic beauty but it has changed quite a bit compared to how it was before. Waves of reeds stretch along the riverside, and behind it are some hills that include Dolsan Mountain at about 100m and the more substantial Mt. Oseongsan at 230m. Come November a flock of swans fly into the estuary. It is truly a sight to behold. As well as being the breeding grounds for swans, the estuary has become a sanctuary for many rare birds including oyster catchers (Haematopus ostralegus) and Saunder’s gulls (Larus saundersi). So, visitors in winter can feast their eyes on the many birds that have made the estuary their home.


Chungcheongnam-do(Seocheon-gun)

Hongwon Port, located near Chunjangdae Beach, is a popular place for enjoying sea fishing and delectable meals of fresh raw fish. In addition to its culinary appeal, the port offers the picturesque scene of long stretches of shoreline guarded by two beacons in red and white.Located only 10 minutes away by car is Maryang Port, which is one of the rare places where visitors can see both the sunrise and sunset. Maryang Port is the third most popular spot along the west coast after Anmyeondo Island and Daecheon Beach and is particularly loved by couples. Though Hongwon Port is perhaps not as scenic as Maryang Port, Hongwon is bigger and has more fishing boats (thanks to its small tidal range), resulting in a livelier atmosphere and cheaper sashimi prices.There is also a beautiful camellia hill, called ‘Dongbaekjeong’ located nearby. When the camellias are in full bloom, short-tentacled octopuses are in season at Hongwon Port. However, gizzard shad is by far the most popular seafood caught in the waters off the port. There are even old Korean sayings that stem from the popularity of the gizzard shad, which is said to be most abundant and delicious in the fall. According to the sayings “In the head of Gizzard Shad caught in autumn are three bags of sesame” (referring to the worth of the fish) and, “The smell of grilled gizzard shad brings the runaway daughter-in-law back home” (in reference to its taste).Hongwon Port (along with Gwangyang Port in Jeollanamdo) is the prime spot for gizzard shad. Each autumn the port holds the Gizzard Shad Festival, a festival that has plenty of events & delectable fish dises. While at the festival, visitors are also encouraged to check out the Seocheon Museum of Marine & Natural History and Dongbaekjeong. The stuffed specimens at the museum are worth the visit and the view of the Maryang Port from atop the museum is unbelievable.Representative festival of Hongwon Port: Gizzard Shad FestivalHongwon Harbor hosts the Jeoneo (gizzard shad) Festival every October. During the festival fresh gizzard shad is served up in a variety of ways (including salads mixed with spicy marinated Jeoneo, cucumbers, sesame leaves, and parsley) and the village comes alive with fish-catching activities, performances, and fireworks.Jeoneo is known as a good hangover food and a good diet food because it is low in fat and high in protein. Also said to be good for the skin, this tasty fish appeals to a wide audience (as evidenced by the diverse crowds that visit the festival each year).


Gangwon-do(Jeongseon-gun)


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

NANTA is a top non-verbal cooking performance show about four chefs who must prepare a wedding banquet in just one hour. The plot is depicted through various genres of performances, including percussion that uses kitchen utensils to make beats based on traditional rhythms of samulnori (traditional percussion quartet). The entire show has no spoken dialogue, yet plenty of comedy and romance, too.Meanwhile, since its debut in October 1997, NANTA (also known as Cookin') has earned international acclaim, being staged on Broadway and at other famous venues worldwide.*NoteDue to the MERS outbreak, some performances will be discontinued from June 15 to July 31, 2015.


Jeollabuk-do(Gochang-gun)

The Gochang Pansori Museum was established in the old residence of ‘Dongni’ Sin Jae-Hyo (a musical theorist and arranger and a sponsor of Pansori) with the aim of honoring the great Pansori singers of the past (including Sin Jae-Hyo) and preserving and developing the indigenous tradition of Pansori. Of the original rooms of the residence only Sarangchae (an annex where men used to study or welcome guests) has been renovated and is open to the public. Right next to Sarangchae is the Dongni Gugakdang (Korean Traditional Music Hall).Over 1,000 pieces related to Pansori and great local singers are on display at the museum, included personal possessions once owned by Sin Jae-Hyo (penname ‘Dongni’). For those interested in learning more about the traditional art of Pansori music or experiencing high-quality Pansori, the Gochang Pansori Museum is a must-visit travel destination.


Seoul(Seocho-gu)

The soybean paste made from the beans of Baekryeongdo Island, pork raised on green-tea leaves and the 3-year-fermented kimchi make for a fantastic coordination of tastes. The owner is a member of the Korean Food Study Association and gives a lecture on the kitchen garden kimchi as well. You can have a very special experience at the farm under direct management of the owner of the restaurant, and purchase their famous soybean paste.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

With a marine climate characterized by cool summers and warm winters, Ulleungdo Island has over 700 species of medicinal herbs. Cows at Ulleung Yakso Sutbul Garden graze on vegetables and herbs from Ulleungdo Island, giving their meat a herbal fragrance and rich taste that is also tender and soft. The restaurant offers bulgogi, roseu-gui, as well as various kinds of Ulleungdo Island’s traditional food, such as rice made with mussels.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

Since its inception in 1960, chrysanthemum farming in Changwon (Masan) has proliferated, accounting for 13% of nationwide chrysanthemum farming. The Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival presents numerous exhibitions, cultural programs, food tasting, and many more.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Namhae-gun)

Sangju Silver sand Beach is busy all year long, with professional athletes coming for physical training in the winter, students camping in the spring and fall, and vacationers visiting the beach in the summer.Sangju Silver sand Beach is extremely popular especially in the summertime, attracting up to 1 million tourists who heard about the beach’s sands, waters, and groves. Families and vacationers in the summer especially love this beach, due to its beautiful white sands that stretch for 2 km and slope lazily into the shallow waters that are perfect for children to play in.Behind the beaches lies Geumsan Mountain, a place well known for its sunrises. If you happen to arrive in the evening, it’s highly recommended that you see the sunrise at Geumsan Boriam in the morning, enjoy the beach’s water during the day, and at last, enjoy an evening of ocean fishing at either Namuseom Island or Dolseom Island(Rock Island), situated right in front of Sangju Beach. To one side of the white sands are campgrounds, and the surrounding area consists of shopping streets and accommodation.