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

The Bank of Korea Museum, open in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Bank of Korea, introduces the history of the currency culture home and abroad through the history and related documents of the Bank of Korea. In doing so, the museum aims to raise public awareness on currency culture while highlighting the importance of price stabilization in the development of the economy.The museum is not just a cultural space, but also a great place for hands-on education. The museum currently preserves & presents around 4,500 kinds of international and domestic currency as well as documents related to the work done by the Bank of Korea. Other exhibitions explain the minting process and the recognition of counterfeits as well as displaying systematic research documents on money and the state economy.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Samcheongdong・The Northern Part of the Seoul

Get off the subway at Gyeongbokgung Station (Subway Line 3), follow the wall of the Gyeongbokgung Palace and you'll find yourself facing a street with majestic trees whose foliage changes every season. This street leads directly to Samcheong-dong. As you enter Samcheong-dong and walk towards the Samchong-dong Tunnel, you'll come across Samcheongdong Sujebi, located right next to the Prime Minister Legation.Samcheongdong Sujebi became a hit among Japanese tourists, after being featured in a popular Japanese magazine. The main dish here is, of course, sujebi (a traditional Korean soup consisting of chunks of dough and various vegetables). It comes in a pot full of sliced pumpkin, clams, and potatoes. This delicious soup is so tasty that there's almost always people lined up outside the restaurant. Other popular items include dongdongju (traditional Korean liquor) and gamjajeon (a Korean potato pancake that uses only potato starch and no other ingredients). 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Opened in 2017, the ice theme park Freezing Island is a novel Seoul tourist attraction. The indoor theme park has over 250 ice sculptures and fun activities to enjoy! Freezing Island has 3 exhibition halls spread over 2 floors and it is Korea's largest ice theme park. Freezing Island is like seeing a bit of the North Pole right in Seoul. Great for visitors of all ages, the theme park is a fun outing for families, couples, and solo travelers. Don't forget to take a ride on the ice slide at Freezing Park!  


Busan(Nam-gu) , Haeundae

Oryukdo Island is attached to the southern part of Busan, and depending on the day and the tide, may appear to be five islands or six islands, hence its name. Designated a Monument of Busan, Oryukdo Island is a rock island that can be said to be made purely of stones.Of all the five islands branching out from the mainland, all of them, except the one with the lighthouse, are uninhabited. It is composed of Usakdo Island, Surido Island, Gonggotdo Island, Guldo Island and Deungdaedo (Lighthouse) Island, but because the lower part of Usakdo are divided into two segments that appear as two islands, sometimes Usakdo Island is known as Bangpaedo Island and Sol Island as well, depending on the level of the water. The name of the Usakdo Island comes from this phenomenon as well. Because many ships that come to Busan pass by Oryukdo Island, where it holds Busan's signature cultural heritages as well.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Samcheongdong・The Northern Part of the Seoul

Opened in 2002, Gahoe Museum has on exhibit, folk paintings and amulets reflecting the lifestyle and wishes of the Korean people from ancient times. Inside the Hanok gallery, visitors can immerse themselves in the traditions of Korea. You will find old paintings of the common people, paintings of religious beliefs, and roof tiles in the shape of human beings or goblins. You will also find folding screens made of amulets and see the wisdom of people in the old days to overcome difficult times through a variety of amulets. Guided tours of exhibits are available from Tuesday through Friday in English and Japanese.After viewing, you can participate in regular hands-on programs inside the gallery. For a small fee, you can choose a program of your liking that runs from 10am to 5pm. The programs can accommodate up to 20 to 25 people. There are many participants on weekends so before visiting, call in advance for availability (+82-2-741-0466, Korean and Japanese). Instructions are given only in Korean, so foreigners are advised to come with a local guide.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden opened its doors on February 18th, 1997 in Hannam-dong, where the residential complex for foreigners once stood before it was demolished in 1994. Covering an area of around 59m2, it is divided into 13 themed gardens with a total 117,132 plants from 269 species. Among this diversity, 60,912 plants from 129 species are tree types and 56,220 plants from 140 species are grass types. The 13 themed gardens include a garden of herbal medicine, apricot trees, wildflowers, royal azaleas, shrubs, commercial plants and a garden for the blind.


Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park in central Seoul is the first ecological park in Korea. It houses a wide variety of flora and fauna, including kestrels (Nature Monument No.323), herons, minnows, etc. There is a 6㎞-long promenade that lies across the park, and information signs explaining various flower and plant species throughout the park.


Gwangju(Buk-gu)

Gwangju National Museum collects and preserves cultural relics from Jeollanam-do. The exhibits are grouped in seven categories according to period and type. The Prehistoric Hall displays stone age tools from the Paleolithic Era, Neolithic Era, and Bronze Ages, as well as other relics from the early Iron Age. Samguk Hall displays many earthenware and ironware items from the Great Onggwan in the Jeolla-do area.The Buddhist Art Hall exhibits cultural Items related to the religion, the Painting Hall exhibits works of artists of the Honam district from the Joseon and modern periods. Jeolla-do is also considered the birthplace of Korean Pottery. The Goryeo Pottery Exhibit Hall showcases the transition from the Cheongja of the Goryeo Period to the Joseon Period's Buncheongsagi and Baekja. It is possible to witness the entire pottery-making process at once. Pottery items are also on display at Joseon Buncheongsagi Baekja Hall.The Shinan Ocean Floor Relic Hall is a unique exhibit hall with items on display from a trade ship submerged for 600 years in the Shinan Sea. The items were excavated during 11 operations that took place from 1976 to 1984. Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month, and the museum is closed on Mondays. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Daejojeon Hall was the queen’s residence at Changdeokgung Palace. Originally built in 1405 (5th year of King Taejo’s reign during the Joseon Dynasty), the hall had been destroyed by fires multiple times since then. The current structure is the one rebuilt in 1920 with materials taken from Gyotaejeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace after being burnt down in 1917. Daejeojeon is differentiated from other palace buildings in that it has no ridge on the roof. The center bedroom is surrounded by small-sized rooms for court ladies to attend to the king and the queen.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong