Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Museum Kimchikan is a unique museum dedicated to kimchi and kimjang, the process of making kimchi which was designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The museum was also selected by CNN in March 2015 as one of the world’s top 11 food museums. Visitors can learn the history of kimchi as well as learn and get a taste of the different types of kimchi. Audio guides in English, Japanese, and Chinese are available for international visitors and a guided tour of the museum by a docent is also available at designated times. Online reservation is available through the museum’s official website.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Large ancient tombs of kings and nobles of the Silla Kingdom can be seen around Gyeongju at the Daereungwon Tomb Complex (Cheonmachong Tomb). There are twenty-three large tombs located here; the most famous being Cheonmachong and Hwangnamdaechong.In an excavation of the area in the 1970s, Cheonmachong was discovered with a painting of a mounted horse. This painting is the only discovered painting from the Silla era. You can also view the inside of Cheonmachong. There are 11,526 remains and royal crowns inside the tomb, demonstrating the lavish lifestyle of the king. Another tourist attraction is Hwangnamdaechong, the largest ancient tomb. It houses the bodies of both the king and queen and has over 30 thousand relics and gold accessories.The unique thing about Hwangnamdaechong is that the queen's tomb has more luxurious accessories. Researchers have concluded that even the queen can have a high social position before marriage. You can feel the ancient culture of Korea 1,500 years ago when visiting these tombs.


Gyeonggi-do(Gapyeong-gun) , Namyangju

Held at the Garden of Morning Calm, the Lighting Festival is the biggest festival of lights in Korea, covering 100 thousand pyeong illuminated by 30,000 lights. The gleaming lights add a festive glow to the garden during the winter season. The main gardens are Hakyung Garden, Hometown House Garden, Bonsai Garden, Moonlight Garden, Sky Path and Garden of Eden, with colorful lights adorning the trees. In the event of inclement weather, lights may be turned off for safety.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu)

"Platform Place Hannam Branch opened in June 2014 near the main street of Itaewon in Yongsan-gu, Seoul as a specialty store selling living goods. Platform Place is a fashion select shop selling imported brands that are not officially distributed in Korea, among other brands, but each branch is individually designed to fit the regional characteristics and customers. Hannam Branch in particular carries living and daily goods, stationery, kitchenware, and various design products. Decorated with natural wood, the store creates a pleasant mood for shopping. Platform Place offers a wide range of products and designs. Many items, especially stationery like notebooks and ballpoint pens, and practical scissors and nail clippers have unusual, unique designs. The store also carries over 50 rare brands: Saint James, Neul, Norse Projects, Blue de Paname, Homecore, Rocky Mountain Featherbed, Club Petanque, Nanamika, Ordinary Fits, Cuisse de Grenouill, Veja, Bronte, etc. The select shop is easily accessible by public transportation due to its proximity to Hanganjin Station on Seoul Subway Line No. 6. Shoppers with cars can use paid public parking near the subway station."


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Toyo specializes in pottery for daily use such as mugs, plates, and tea cups. Crafted by Sonnae Pottery (a pottery village in Jinan, Jeonbuk), pottery in Toyo demonstrates sophisticated simplicity and elegance. Guests can also can view pottery for decorative purposes. The Sonnae Pottery was honored with the 2008 UNESCO Seal of Crafts Exellence in East Asia. 


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

               


Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

The Olympic Park Peace Plaza ice skating rink, located in the Songpa-gu district of Seoul, is open for every winter. Seoul Olympic Museum, Soma Museum of Art, and Mongchontoseong Fortress are also within the vicinity.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

Saladian is a restaurant that specializes in salad dishes, serves vegetarian food, and is recommended by the Seoul Government. The name is a newly-coined word that means a person who loves salad. The portion size of their salads makes for a filling meal, and you can add more toppings and other condiments as well. The restaurant chooses the freshest and healthiest ingredients, and they use pasta made of 100% semolina. Their pasta with olive oil is the most popular item besides the salads.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

The Namsan Cable car runs from the base of Namsan Mountain (located in central Seoul) up to the Namsan Tower, one of the most representative tourist attractions in Seoul, loved by tourists and residents alike. The new cable cars, which have been in operation since Dec. 6, 2008, have an increased capacity of 48 people per car (up from 38). Unlike the older cars, the new cable cars have glass on all four sides, giving riders a wider view of the mountainside. Approximately 50,000 people ride the Namsan Cable Car each month. Visitors who are looking for a more tranquil tour are advised to go in the morning. For both a daytime and nighttime view of Seoul and the tower, take the cable car up the mountain in the late afternoon and coming back down in the early evening (to beat the nighttime rush). To get to the cable cars without having to walk too much, take the Namsan Oreumi, (Namsan outdoor elevator). The Namsan Oreumi is the first inclined outdoor elevator in Korea. It runs a distance of 140m (from the entrance of Namsan 3rd Tunnel to the parking lot of the Namsan Cable Car) and takes visitors to the Namsan Cable Car station in about two minutes, as opposed to the usual 20-min. walk. Maximum capacity is 20 people and operating hours are the same as the Namsan Cable Car (09:00 to 23:30). The other way to get to the Namsan Cable Car station is by going out of exit 3 of Myeongdong Station, subway line 4 (see ‘directions’ section for details).


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Seoul(Jung-gu) , Namdaemun・Seoul-Station

The Seoul Backpackers Hostel is a hostel particularly popular among international tourists. The international clientele and relaxed atmosphere make even Korean tourists feel as if they are traveling abroad. Located right across from the Namdaemun Market, it is only 2 minutes from Hoehyeon Station (Subway Line 4) and 10 minutes from Seoul Station (Subway Line 4). The hostel is also within walking distance of Myeong-dong and N Seoul Tower.