Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

Daemyung Sol Beach Hotel & Resort is a resort of Spanish architecture built in one of the most pristine areas in Korea, East Sea (Donghae) and Seoraksan Mountain. The resort offers a chance to feel the beauty and romance of the Spanish Mediterranean while staying in Korea. The resort is a high-class resort. Spa therapy using natural hot spring water and sea water, a themed café and restaurant, and a promenade along the beautiful East Sea provide guests with comfortable and relaxing recreation. Subsidiary facilities include restaurants and Aqua World, a modern-style indoor water park. Aqua World includes a sauna, fitness center, and sea water therapy center. A buffet restaurant offers diverse menus prepared by former 5-star hotel chefs. Menus include sashimi, sushi, and other dishes made of fresh fish caught in the nearby sea, while a fusion restaurant offers various foods of different countries ranging from nicely presented Korean set meals, to Chinese foods bearing the authentic taste of Beijing, to neatly organized Japanese food, all prepared with the finest ingredients.


Seoul(Seongbuk-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

M'amie Little Black Pot presents a fun-filled environment from the very first time you visit. Upon entering the restaurant, the feeling of a cozy, comfortable European home welcomes you with a small, exposed kitchen and the cooking area to the back. The immense popularity of M'amie Little Black Pot is characterized by its affordable prices, great taste, superior service, clean facilities, and warm ambiance. Salt is only used in making sauces and honey is used instead of sugar, for a healthier meal. Many people have already fallen in love with M'amie Little Black Pot as it serves a heartful meal with the warmth and coziness intended by its two owners.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)

Surrounded by Mt. Noja (565m) and Mt. Gara (580m), Hakdong Mongdol Beach provides a cozy atmosphere. Hakdong was named so because its shape was said to be like a crane (in Korean "Hak") flying up to the sky. Compared to other beaches, it has small pebbles, "Mongdol" in Korean, spans a distance of about 1.2 km, is 50m wide and covers a 30,000 ㎢ area starting from Yongbawi Rock. The feeling one gets when walking on these pebbles is soothing and the sound of the waves are refreshing. You can also soothe your feet when you walk on the rocks and activate acupressure points on the soles of your feet. The wild camellia forest, which blooms along the seashore in February and March, creates a beautiful landscape. You can also see the Parlsaek (8 color) birds that come here. These colorful birds can be seen from June to September.Hakdong Mongdol Beach has a lot of summer visitors and is the perfect place for vacationing families. The water is clear and clean, and setting up tents on the beach is possible.Near the beach, there are not only great restaurants specializing in sliced raw fish, but also restrooms and homestays which are well-equipped. There is also a beach festival every summer. An excursion ship starts at Hakdong and cruises towards Haegeumgang and Oedo Paridise Island. It would be romantic to take this ship through the crimson Haegeumgang at sunset. 


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley is located near Dongdaemun Shopping Complex and the many restaurants have operated anywhere from five to thirty years. Before the restaurants, people working at the shopping complex lived along the alley and would prepare dak kalguksu (chicken noodle soup). Over time and as the economy improved, this dish became quite normal while the focus shifted from the noodles to the chicken itself. Now, visitors can enjoy this local dish in the place where it all started.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

Buseoksa Temple is considered a 'masculine' temple. It differentiates itself from other temples by its huge size and the scenery is refreshing and beautiful. Buseoksa Temple was built in 676, when King Munmu (661~681) ruled the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. ~ A.D. 935), by the founder Uisang (625~702) after he received orders from the King. Later in the 7th year (1016) of the Goryeo Dynasty (918~1392) was in the reign of King Hyeonjong (reign 1010 to 1031) Great Buddhist Monk Wonyung (964~1053) renovated Muryangsujeon (National Treasure No.18). It was renovated several times afterwards.The legend of lady Seonmyo and Uisang is famous. The two met when Priest Uisang went to Dang (Dynasty of China) to study. When Uisang told Seonmyo he would go back to his country, Seonmyo jumped into the sea and drowned. After death, she became a dragon. Seonmyo followed Uisang to Silla to protect and be with him. When Uisang ran against a crowd that had gathered to stop him from building Buseoksa Temple, Seonmyo brought up stones in the air three times. The stone that floated stands on the left side of Muryangsujeon. Because a wide, flat stone had floated above the ground, the temple was named Buseoksa Temple.At the entrance of Buseoksa you will see 108 steps between Cheonwangmun gate and Anyangmun gate. The number of steps represents redemption from agony and evil passions through 108 cycles. You will find Buseoksa Temple's Three Story Tower when you pass the Iljumun and Cheonwangmun gates. Above the tower you will see Beomjongru. When you pass Beomjongru, you can see a pavilion called Anyang, which means 'entrance to Heaven'. Go past Anyang Pavillion and you will reach the main building of Buseoksa Temple, Muryangsujeon, which boasts beautiful curved lines of the building structure.Muryangsujeon is a wooden building made in the Goryeo Dynasty. Inside you will find National Treasure No.45, Sojo Yeorae Seated Figure. There are more National Treasures and relics inside such as the Josadang (National Treasure No.19), Josadang Wall Painting (National Treasure No.46) and the Stone Lantern (National Treasure No.17) in front of Muryangsujeon.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon


Gangwon-do(Donghae-si)

Situated in Donghae (Gangwon-do), Mukho Port (opened in 1941) and used to be the most prolific trading port on the east coast, but with the steady change in the economy, it has become a center of fishing.A large wholesale seafood market at the port offers a wide array of seafood from squid to mackerel, as well as mackerel pike, crabs, and sea squirts. From early in the morning on weekends, merchants across the country gather at the market to purchase fresh seafood. Mukho Port, in particular, is renowned for squid along with Jumunjin Port. The port, which is the largest squid market on the east coast is busy every day with boats stuffed to the brim with squid.The port is surrounded by the Mukho Lighthouse and Mukho Lighthouse Park. There are three ways to get to the park: a suspension bridge (which appeared in the popular Korean drama Shining Inheritance), a road, and Lighthouse Pathway. Lighthouse Pathway is decorated with artistic murals (with verses) and colorful signs.Donghae Regional Maritime Affairs & Port Office has made strong efforts to transform Mukho Port into a pleasant park for both tourists and residents by establishing broad squares, promenades, and leisure facilities; by 2012, the port will be the home of the largest coastal guard base after completing a port extension. 


Incheon(Ongjin-gun)

Daecheongdo Island is home to some of the best beaches in Korea. Also, there are some good hiking courses on the island that offer great views above the golden beaches and rocky shores. A smaller and less populated island compared to the neighboring Baengnyeongdo Island, Daecheongdo is a perfect pastoral getaway. Island History Daecheongdo Island was said to be first inhabited during the Neolithic Age (9500-4500 BC), but the earliest known history periods begin during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 AD), when the island was used as a place of exile. The first known case of an exile was recorded sometime during the reign of Chinese Emperor Togon-temur (1320-d.1370) from the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. It was said that he was exiled on Daecheongdo for meddling in a plot arranged by his stepmother. He supposedly arrived on the island with 100 relatives, and built a palace here. The next known record relates to the island's abundance in medicinal herbs including mulberry mistletoe (Loranthi Ramulus), which was used to cure the illness of Queen Munjeong (d.1565), the wife of King Jungjong (d.1544). There is no record of island inhabitation until 1793, when King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), authorized the inhabitation and cultivation of the island. During the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945), there were as many as 10,000 people living on the island due to its popularity as a major port. Today, there are about 1,500 people who sustain a living from tourism and fisheries.


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Hongik-University-Area

Sushigen is a restaurant where you can experience a truly traditional Japanese setting. At this establishment, there are two 'Idamaes' that prepare sushi in front of guests as soon as it is ordered. The skill of these sushi chefs carry a well-known reputation of excellence, guaranteeing perfection. In addition, though all the fresh fish is top-grade, it is served at affordable prices; the Chirashi is especially to die for. The Jjangkkonembi, steamed eggs, and fried tofu make a perfect companion to alcohol. Sushigen is a restaurant in pursuit of a fusion feel, with the melodies of jazz tickling the ears as soon as you walk in. The unique atmosphere and interior design make this a special place for dining. Additionally, all servers speak fluent Japanese, while the chefs present their diverse skills in a saxophone performance, making the dining experience at Sushigen even more memorable.


Incheon(Seo-gu) , Incheon Center

Yeongjongdaegyo Bridge connects the mainland of Incheon with Yeongjongdo Island that is home to the Incheon International Airport. Until the construction of this bridge, the only way to get to and from Yeongjongdo Island had been by boat. The 4.4 kilometer-long Yeongjong Bridge is the world’s first 3-dimensional self-anchored suspension bridge. The bridge carries both highways and rail lines on its decks, and 10,000-ton ships can pass under the bridge. The bridge was designed to withstand strong winds and earthquake.It is the first bridge in Korea to have been completed through private capital inducement project. In addition to its function as a bridge, it is also an architectural beauty as the shape of the cable and the girder was designed to symbolize the eaves of the traditional Korean tile-roofed house. In 2002, Yeongjongdaegyo Bridge won the Tanaka Award by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers for the first time in Korea.