Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Insa Art Plaza is a giant shopping mall that deals with everything Korean: traditional crafts made by superb artists, daily use pottery, lacquerwear, hanji (traditional Korean paper) crafts, silver/pearl/crystal accessories, mobile phone key rings, scent pouches, tradtional teas, rice cakes, traditional chopsticks and more. Customers can purchase high quality products at reasonable prices at Insa Art Plaza. 


Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si) , DMZ•Panmunjeom

Panmunjeom is located in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), 50 km north of Seoul and 10 km east from the city of Gaeseong, a city which now belongs to North Korea. This area is most notably known for the peace talks that were held here on October 25, 1951 and on July 27, 1953 when the Armistice Agreement was signed. It is now beyond the jurisdiction of both the North and South. The conference center in Panmunjeom is surrounded by the Joint Security Area (JSA) and measures 800 meters in diameter. It is the only portion of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where North and South Korean forces stand face-to-face. It was used as a filming location of the movie "JSA (Joint Security Area)." It was also the site of military negotiations between North Korea and the United Nations Command (UNC). It has now become one of the most visited tourist sites of the DMZ.


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

The Coreana Art & Culture Complex is the largest museum in Korea that is exclusively for cosmetics and was created to preserve and to promote beauty items and the make-up culture of Korea.Centered around the 53,000 beauty items collected by Dr. Yu Sank-Ok, one of the executive directors of Coreana Cosmetics, three cosmetic museums were created: one in Seocho-dong in 2001 (known as the 2nd center), one in Sinsa-dong in November 2003 (Space *C, the Main Center), and one in Cheonan in June, 2004 (Songpa Tech Institute, the 3rd center). The Main Center, opened in November 20th 2003, within a cultural center named Space *C, drew much attention from the public. The museum sits right next to the Coreana Art Museum that features and curates modern art. The Coreana Art & Culture Complex contributes to the education and research of the nation’s cosmetic culture by presenting the history of women in Korea, including the exhibition of traditional make-up tools. In 2006, in commemoration of the 120th anniversary of ties between Korea and France, the museum held a special exhibition titled “Nature-like Beauty, Cosmetic Culture of Korea”, which attracted much attention and applause at the Center Culturel Coreen in Paris, France. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Insadong Chatjip is a hanok teahouse that serves home-made traditional tea. Even the red beans used in the summer delicacy Patbingsu are carefully prepared at the restaurant.


 
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Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

The National Souvenir Center is a duty free shopping complex that sells Korean souvenirs, including crafts, pottery, lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl, traditional food items, and Korean celebrity memorabilia. Visitors can expect to find items that are made by renowned local artists as well as of cultural and historical significance.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Gru is a shop dedicated to the promotion of Fair Trade items. Items in Gru are made by women living in impoverished areas in Asia. These environment-friendly clothing and daily use items are paid with fair prices to help the economic independence of the women. Over 300 Fair Trade items include clothing, handmade items, food, and daily use itmes. In the store, visitors will find meticuously-made shawls, patchwork scarves, and organic cotton tunics in a rainbow of colors.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

Hadongkwan is a 70-year-old restaurant in Myeong-dong, Jongno-gu. This restaurant first opened in the 1930s, and serves only two items: Gomtang and Suyuk. And there are only two side dishes: kkakdugi (radish kimchi) and kimchi. Unlike other restaurants, Hadongkwan serves its soup in a brass pot. The broth of the soup seems thin but the taste is delicious and thick. The soup is made of 100% natural ingredients and free of artificial additives.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Sinsadong・Garosu-gil

Dosan Ahn Changho Memorial Hall was established for the purpose of sharing the mind and spirit of Ahn Changho. It opened in November 1998 to mark the 120th anniversary of the patriot’s birth and the 60th anniversary since he lost his life serving his country. On the first floor of the building is Dosan Hall, which is used as an exhibition hall, multimedia room and reference room. One floor below is Daeseong Hall, which houses the secretariat and Dosan ideology research association. The floor below that is Jeomjin Hall, which is used as an auditorium. The memorial hall holds collections such as Dosan’s personal belongings and related materials and also hosts experience-oriented programs for students of all ages to educate them on the dedication Dosan had for his country, his people and for humanity. * Ahn Changho (Pen name: Dosan), who dedicated all sixty years of his life to both modernizing his country and to Korea’s independence movement, was a great leader and mentor to the Korean people. The Dosan Ahn Changho Memorial Hall was built to express the strenuous efforts, loyalty and bravery he demonstrated during his life in hopes for a better future. This memorial hall hopes to inspire patrons with the same direction and passion in life that Dosan had for Korea and humanity.


 
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Gyeonggi-do(Yeoncheon-gun)

The Herb Village in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do Province gives a splendid view of Imjingang River. This beautiful oasis is perfect for a relaxing day out of Seoul with the whole family. Colorful flowers, wooden benches, original statues, and a beautiful landscape decorate the whole space of the garden. One can just take a leisurely walk down the hill towards the river while stopping to smell the herbs every once in a while. If you need some refreshments, there are a couple of restaurants in the garden. If you want to stay overnight, there is beautiful guesthouse that offers comfortable accommodation. The village also has an herb jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) that creates a romantic ambience after sunset with candle lights, and foot baths that use different herbs can be found outside. The village is just a short drive from Seoul and one can enjoy a scenic view of the surroundings along the way.


Gwangju(Buk-gu)

Located in Gwangju Metropolitan City, the Namdo Folk Food Museum was established to preserve and promote the folk foods of the Namdo region. The museum is housed in a building that resembles both the long, rectangular presses used to make patterned rice cakes and the Ipseokdae Rock of Mudeungsan Mountain, a symbol of Gwangju. Even the colors of the building’s walls hold special significance. The obangsaek ‘five colors’ (blue, white, red, black, and yellow) symbolize the cardinal directions, the seasons, the major organs in the body, different tastes, feelings, and philosophy.Major facilities at the museum include: a special exhibition room for invitational displays on culture and art, the permanent exhibition room on Namdo folk food, the Museum Studio with material related to the museum itself, and the Museum Shop, which sells a selection of Namdo folk food. Other facilities include the Honam Cultural Material Exhibition Room, which showcases the culture of the Honam region (literature, customs, and art), and a seminar room for art and culture-related lectures and conferences.