Chungcheongnam-do(Seocheon-gun)

Famous for its unique taste, gizzard shads are a type of Herring delicacy in Korea best enjoyed in the fall. Hongwonhang Port in Seocheon (Chungcheongnam-do) hosts the Jeoneo (gizzard shad) Festival every October for visitors to enjoy a fresh catch of this fish served up in a variety of ways. A number of popular dishes range from roasted to sashimi-sliced Jeoneo and even salads mixed with spicy marinated Jeoneo, cucumbers, sesame leaves, and parsley.The festival opens with exciting performances and a food-tasting event and ends with a spectacular evening fireworks show. Visitors can also taste a variety of other local dishes made with salted eel, dried seaweed, crab, and shrimp. Fresh produce and seafood will also be available for sale in the various shops and stands. Additional exciting events include contests for fish-catching, shell-gathering, fishing, and singing.


Busan(Yeonje-gu)

The Asia Song Festival is one of the most popular music events that aims to do away with the existing cultural barriers by bringing together performers from all across the region. For 2014, the event will take place on November 2, 2014 starting at 6 p.m.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeongeup-si)


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

Located 87.4km away from Ulleungdo Island, and formed entirely from volcanic rock, Dokdo is an isolated island off the east coast of Korea bearing a latitude of 37°14' north and a longitude of 131°52' east. Collectively, both Ulleungdo Island and Dokdo once belonged to a country named Usanguk. According to geographical records, Usanguk became part of the Silla Kingdom (57B.C. ~ 935 A.D.) in June of the 13th year that King Jijeung ruled Silla. Isabu (a general and politician of Silla) gained significant strength during this period to overtake Usanguk.In the Seongjong Memoir of the Joseon Dynasty, there are passages by Kim Jaju describing Dokdo, which was referred to as Sambongdo at the time. Dokdo was initially called 'Sambongdo', 'Gajido' or 'Usando', but the name was later changed to Dokdo in 1881. The name 'Dokdo' was first used in 1906 by the Headman of Ulleung County Sim Heungtaek. In 1914, Dokdo officially became an administrative district of the Gyeongsangbuk-do.After The Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, Japanese fishermen often came near Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Sukjong Sillok, the Annals of King Suk Jong (1674-1720), records that An Yong-bok went to Japan twice in order to protest against Japanese nationals trespassing into Korean territory. He asked the Japanese authorities to recognize Korea's sovereignty over these islands and to forbid Japanese nationals to sail to Dokdo.Dokdo is comprised of two main islands: Dongdo, or East Island which sits 98m above sea level, and Seodo, or West Island, which sits 168m above sea level, together with 36 smaller rock formations. Seperating Dongdo and Seodo is the Hyeongjegul Cave, together with Cheonsanggul Cave on Dongdo. Over time, other caves and topographic features of the island formed due to weathering and erosion.Japan acknowledged the value of Dokdo after the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. Japan unilaterally transferred Dokdo to Shimane Prefecture, Japan and renamed it "Dakesima". Several authorities in Japan have continuously declared their dominion, over the island, which led to diplomatic conflicts between Korea and Japan. Such conflicts have yet to be resolved.Presently there are security guards on Dokdo that protect several houses that were built onto the rocks as well as a small harbor. For more information on traveling Dokdo, click here!


Jeollanam-do(Muan-gun)

The White Lotus Pond of Hoesan, known as ‘Hoesan Baengnyeonji’ (회산백련지) in Korean, is the largest habitat of white lotus in Asia, covering an area of approximately 330,000 square meters in Bogyong-ri, Illo-eup, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do Province. The white lotus flowers in this pond continuously blossom and fall from July until September. A lotus festival is held in August, when the flowers are at their peak. At the side of the road leading to the lotus festival grounds, there is an aquatic plants natural education site spanning an area of over 2,300 square meters.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

The Chocolate Museum in Seogwipo, Jeju is the second largest chocolate museum in the world (the largest being the Cologne Chocolate Museum in Germany). Built using volcanic scoria unique to Jeju, the museum looks like an ancient castle and seems to complement the surrounding natural environment. The front yard measures 5,000 meters squared and is surrounded by a low-lying fence made of rough stones, giving even passerbyers a great view of the museum's front garden .At the entrance to the museum, a whimsical statue of a cacao god greets visitors. The museum has three floors and houses a gallery, a theater, a café, a workshop, and a chocolate store. The most popular exhibits are the gallery with various exhibits on chocolate and the workshop showing the chocolate-making process. The chocolate produced at the museum is available for both sampling and purchase. In addition, the 'Collection Square' features a wide array of chocolate cases and other items that Mr. Han Ye-seok, the museum director, has collected from around the world.In the 'Chateâu Chocolat: Real Chocolate Place' chocolate shop at the Chocolate Museum, visitors can get a taste of hand-made chocolates. The Chateâu Chocolat is a retail chocolate chain with franchises in Gyeongbokgung, Apgujeong, Itaewon, and Changdeokgung in Seoul, and Yangyang and Somdari in Gangwon-do.The Chocolate Museum's general operating hours are from 10am to 6pm, but in the winter the museum closes early at 5pm, and in summer stays open until 7pm.


Jeollanam-do(Gokseong-gun)

Dangunjeon Shrine was built in honor of Dangun, a legendary figure known to be the founder of Gojoseon, or the ancient Korea. He is known to be the grandson of the heavens and the son of Hwanung. According to the legend, Hwanung was approached by a bear and a tiger who wished to become human beings. Hwanung attended to their plea by instructing them to avoid sunlight for 100 days and live only by consuming garlic and mugwort. Unlike the tiger who gave up, the bear followed the instructions faithfully and transformed into a woman, who then married Hwanung and gave birth to Dangun. Located near Yeonguncheonbyeon in Gokseong-eup, Dangunjeon Shrine was first founded in Hakjeong-ri, Samin-dong in 1916 by Shin Tae-yun, also known as Baekdang, but later moved to its current location and went through reconstruction in 1931. An annual ancestral rite takes place at the shrine on October 3 (National Foundation Day) and March 15 to pay respects to Dangun. Dangunjeon Shrine was also a place where civilians gathered to take an oath of patriotism in action against the Japanese during Japanse colonization period; a stone plaque commemorating the March 1st Independence Movement and Baekdang Memorial Hall dedicated to Shin Tae-yun can also be found within the area. Shin Tae-yun was captured by the Japanese soldiers during the March 1st Independence Movement and served two years in prison.


Chungcheongnam-do(Dangjin-si)

Nanji Island Beach (난지섬해수욕장) in Dangjin-gun, Chungcheongnam-do has 700m-long, 50m-wide soft white sand beaches. The water is shallow, clean and warm (20-23 °C), and a pine grove nearly 3,306m² wide surrounds the beach. Nanji Island Beach offers various convenience facilities such as campsites, showers, drinking fountains and bathrooms. The rocky coast in the northwest is a great spot for catching popular fish, such as rock cod and spotty belly greenling. By taking a boat, visitors can enjoy scenic ocean views as they pass beautiful islands, such as Yeongheungdo, Palmido, Seonjaedo, Gukhwado, Yukdo and Pungdo.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Andong School of Korean Etiquette, which is located in Andong, is a Mecca of Korean traditional Confucian culture and provides an opportunity to experience and be coached in Korea traditional etiquette. In addition to Korean traditional etiquette, Andong School of Korean Etiquette also teaches tea etiquette and Korean traditional melodies using traditional instruments such as Janggu (double-headed hour-glass shaped drum) and Gayageum (a 12-stringed Korean harp). Students can also experience the joy of learning how to play folk games such as Yut-nori, a stick-throwing board game, and kite-flying. The school offers a wide variety of hands-on programs: Korean traditional masked dance; traditional paper craft; traditional cooking; traditional weddings; and eco rafting on Nakdonggang River. There are other popular tourist attractions nearby such as Dosan Seowon Confucian School, Forest Science Museum and Yi Yuk-sa Literary Hall.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Located around the tourist information center in Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno-gu, which is famous as the noblemen”s residential area during the Joseon Dynasty, Cheong Yeon Jae, meaning “a clear and clean connection that further advances to more precious and better relationships”, is a Korean-style boutique hotel that was established by renovating an old hanok, which was originally built in 1935, and opened in 2014. Korean red pine wood was used for building the hanok, while the stones used for the Korean floor heating system decorate the yard. The outstanding structure of Cheong Yeon Jae radiates its charm along with the tiled-roof stone wall and a large gate. The hotel has five guestrooms with pure Korean names – Daon, Dorae, Jini, Sinae, and Doran. Daon, meaning “every good will come“, is a byeolchae (detached house) consisting of two rooms, a bathroom, a small yard; and entering the main building, a “ㅁ”-shaped hanok structure with a small yard, four rooms and a living room is situated in which Dorae, meaning “live a healthy and long life”, the anbang (main room) of the hotel, has a large window with the view of the yard. Jini, meaning “all the luck of the world”, is a cozy room decorated with amiable items. Sinae, meaning “cool and clear”, is a spacious room. From the small courtyard that stretches out in front of you, you can feel the scent of nature. Lastly, Doran, meaning “gather around for a friendly chat”, is a small yet cozy room. The living room and the kitchen are situated between Rooms Dorae and Jini. Every room is equipped with an air conditioner, colorful bedding filled with cotton, and a refined bathroom for guests’ comfortable stay. In addition, its rafters on the ceiling, walls papered with hanji (Korean paper), and wooden furniture add sophisticated and antique atmosphere to the accommodation. Cheong Yeon Jae also provides a Korean traditional clothes experience program, which includes clothes for men, women, and children, and a traditional tea ceremony program to promote Korean culture and help guests to create interesting memories. Moreover, it offers Korean-style breakfast that is prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients every morning and is loved by guests.