Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The Culture, Design & Tourism Headquarters of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (History & Cultural Heritage Division) has been holding the “Bosingak Bell-Ringing Ceremony” since November 21, 2006. The program takes place at noon daily (except Tuesdays) and gives locals and international visitors the experience of ringing the bell 12 times. The program is run regularly and foreigners can also participate in the special program without the need to register. Foreign visitors can come before 11:40 a.m. and apply on-site at Bosingak Belfry, where participants will be able to experience a bit of Korean culture through the ceremony.[Origin of Bosingak Bell Ringing] Courtesy of the Seoul Metropolitan GovernmentThe Bosingak Bell was rung to signal the opening and closing of the four Main Gates (Sungnyemun, Heunginjimun, Sukjeongmun, and Donuimun) and the four Small Gates (Hyehwamun, Sodeokmun, Gwanghuimun, and Changuimun) in the capital city since the fifth year of King Taejo (1396) during the early Joseon Dynasty. Bell ringing at dawn was called “Paru” and bell ringing in the evening was called “Injeong.”* The bell was named Bosingak Bell in 1895 during the 32nd year of King Gojong. The belfry was originally called Jongnu (bell pavilion). ---------------Paru – ringing the bell 33 times (dawn)- Ogyeong Samjeom: The bell was rung 33 times at around 4 a.m. to signal the end of the night curfew and the start of the new day. The eight gates to the capital will be opened during this time.- The practice of ringing the bell 33 times can be traced to Buddhism; the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy manifests herself in 33 different forms in order to save mankind.---------------Injeong – ringing the bell 28 times (evening)- The bell was rung 28 times at around 10 p.m. to signal the end of the day, the closing of the gates and the start of the curfew.- In ancient times, people divided the universe into the four gung’s of East, West, South, and North. Each gung was further divided into seven, therefore forming 28 gu’s (28 su’s) of constellations. This resulted in the tradition of ringing the bell 28 times.※ Injeong refers to reporting to the 28 su’s of the sun, the moon, and the stars of the universe, while paru reported to the 33 “skies” led by Jeseokcheon (shamanic deity) to seek blessings for national prosperity and the welfare of the people, all of which are related to Buddhism.※ Bell ringing on the eve of New Year’s Day is meant to symbolize the end a year, and as a way wish for blessings, good health and the happiness of the citizens for the brand new year.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeongeup-si)

Visitors who take the Naejangsan Mt. cable car will enjoy a stunning view of the entire park, then after a 300m walk from the cable car terminus they will reach Yeonjabong Peak’s observatory. The cable car starts from the Mt Naejangsan Visitor Information Center and is operated year round from 6am to 5pm. [Operating hours] Summer (Mar-Nov) 09:00-18:00 Winter (Dec-Feb) 09:00-17:00 ※ Interval: 20 min ※ Different time applies during the autumn foliage season. ※ The operating hours may change without notice, consults with the management office for more details.


Gyeonggi-do(Pocheon-si) , Pocheon

At Sansawon, visitors may sample food (rice cakes, Sanghwa dumplings, pickled vegetable soaked in rice wine leftovers, rice punch) and beverages made of liquor and liquor ingredients such as suljigemi (rice wine leftovers) or nureuk (yeast). The museum displays over 1,000 historical documents on traditional liquor as well as liquor brewery devices such as yakteul, nureukteul, gyeobogary, and sojugori. Moreover, the traditional brewing process, as seen in the folktale 'Mrs. Kim's Brewery' is recreated using the actual tools and devices from the traditional brewing process. The museum also features the process and culture of Gayangju (homemade liquor) with puppets and dolls. Visitors will leave the facility with a deeper appreciation of the devotion of ancient Korean brewmasters and the art of traditional Korean liquor. At the Gayangju Class, operated by Sansawon, anyone who wants to know more about traditional liquor may have a chance to learn about liquor ingredients, liquor-related folktales, and the brewing process. You can even learn first-hand how to make traditional liquor. You may either take your alcohol home with you after the class or leave it at the museum and stop by for it later. *Grand open November, 1996


Jeollanam-do(Sinan-gun)

Located about 140㎞ southwest of Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, Gageodo Island is one of the remotest islands in southwest Korea. Centered on Doksilsan Mountain (639m, the highest peak in Sinan-gun), the island is surrounded by cliffs making the area perfect as a mystery island. Once featured in a Korean variety show, this place is also beloved by fishing-goers and hikers as it is known for its clean air and waters.


Gwangju(Dong-gu)

Held every October, the 7080 Chungjang Recollection Festival is one of Gwangju’s most representative festivals. The festival theme is the 1970s and 80s and creating a nostalgic atmosphere with various performances, exhibitions, and hands-on programs.During the festival, the streets in the venue are made to be similar to the scene of 70s and 80s. The 7080 Chungjang Recollection Festival hosts various programs such as a street parade, alumni reunions, intangible cultural asset performances, and more. 


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

A Korean BBQ restaurant.The best menu at this restaurant is Grilled Skin-on Pork Belly.This is a Korean cuisine located in Myeongdong Cathedral , Seoul.


Jeollanam-do(Yeongam-gun)

Nestled at the foot of Wolchulsan Mountain's western side in Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do, Yeongam Gurim Hanok Village has a 2,200 year-long history, stretching from the Three Han States to Proto Three Kingdom Period. The village is abundant with various historical stories and features, offering plenty of cultural tourism resources. The village includes 12 pavilions including Hoesajeong Pavilion and Gukamsa Shrine, traditional houses, stone walls, and old oak trees. Especially, 96 Korean-house accommodations including Anyongdang, Wolindang, Gukamsa, and Anhyeongung are located for tourists to stay in a traditional Hanok as well as to offer various traditional programs like paper craft, traditional wedding ceremony, rice cake-pounding, straw craft, catching fish, water activities and others. Also, Wangin Cherry Blossom Festival and Chrysanthemum Festival are held here every year.


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.


Chungcheongnam-do(Gongju-si)

The Songsan-ri Tombs and Royal Tomb of King Muryeong (reign 462-523) contains representative relics of the Baekje period (234~678). The Songsan-ri Tombs contain the graves of kings from the period when Baekje's capital was Gongju, and it is believed to contain 10 such graves. Only seven graves have been discovered so far.The main attraction of Songsan-ri Tombs is the wall painting drawn on the number six tomb – it is the only art of its kind in the world, created from the way the bricks were laid to create the wall. The tomb is shaped like a long tunnel, the top rounded like a dome. There are pictures of fire-breathing dragons on the tomb. Only the parts of the wall where the pictures were to be drawn had earth coated on, and on that earth was drawn Sasindo, the Four Symbols – blue dragon, white tiger, red peacock, and black turtle.The popular Tomb of King Muryeong is the 7th tomb, and it is the resting place for Baekje's 25th King Mu-Ryeong and his queen. This tomb was discovered accidentally when installing pipes to prevent tombs number 5 and 6 from being flooded. Tomb of King Muryeong was found to be unusual in the way it was built and what it contained. It was built with bricks like the 6th Tomb, and many national treasures were found inside, supplying scholars studying Baekje culture with precious research material. There were 108 kinds of artifacts found inside, totaling 2,906 items altogether. Twelve of these artifacts were designated National Treasures. They are all on display at Gongju National Museum. Some of the representative treasures are the crowns worn by the king and the queen, gold decorations for the crowns, gold earrings, necklaces, bronze mirrors, pillows, and foot rests. Recently the tomb was permanently sealed off to protect the treasures. However, you can look at the miniature of the tomb, an exact duplicate of the original, in the basement of the Gobungun Building.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeongeup-si)

Jeongeupsa Park (located in Sigi 3-dong in downtown Jeongeup-si) was built in honor of ‘Jeongeupsa’ a famous Baekje Gayo (a type of poem from the Baekje Dynasty). Jeongeupsa is the only poem of the five Baekje Gayos (Jeongeupsa, Mudeungsangok, Bangdeungsangok, Seonunsangok, and Jirisangok) recorded in Hangeul that remains in existence today.The park, built on the location where the epic poem took place, boasts a 2.5-meter high granite statue of the heroine of Jeongeupsa. Nearby the statue are a shrine and a 2-meter wide monument commemorating the poem. Located in the vicinity are the Jeongeupsa Art Center, the Korean Classical Music Center, the city library, and an outdoor stage.