Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si) , Ilsan

Seooreung (서오릉) is composed of Gyeongneung (경릉, the tomb of the posthumously designated rulers, King Deokjong and Queen Sohye), Changneung (창릉, the tomb of King Yejong, the 8th ruler, and Queen Ansun), Hongneung (홍릉, the tomb of Queen Jeongseong, a consort to King Yeongjo, the 21st ruler), Ingneung (익릉, the tomb of Queen Ingyeong, a consort to King Sukjong) and Myeongneung (명릉, the tomb of King Sukjong, the 19th ruler, and his two wives, Queen Inhyeon and Queen Inwon).Seooreung is the second largest royal burial site of the Joseon Dynasty after Donggureung. In Korean, the mausoleums of Kings and Queens are named “Reung” or “Neung”, the tombs of Kings’ parents, Crown Princes and Princesses are called “Won”, and the tombs of princes and princess are called “Myo”.In addition to the five “Reung”s (the tombs of the Kings and Queens) in Seooreung, there are three “Won”s. These include Sunchangwon (순창원, the tomb of Crown Prince Sunhoe and Crown Princess Gonghoebin), Sugyeongwon (수경원, the tomb of King Yeongjo’s concubine, Yeongbin) and Yeonghoewon (영회원, King Injo’s son, Crown Prince Sohyeon and Crown Princess Minhoebin). Also, Daebinmyo, the grave of Janghuibin who was King Sukjong’s concubine and King Gyeongjong’s mother, was recently moved to Seooreung.


Gyeonggi-do(Siheung-si)

The Ecological Culture Exploration Site on Oido Island (오이도) in Siheung City is abundant in natural resources and historic relics dating back to the prehistoric era. Shell mounds are scatted across the island, the scale of the shell mounds is the largest along the west coast and they are the only relics that give any information about exchanges between Korea’s neolithic populations. They show evidence of exchanges between the northern and southern populations that inhabited the peninsula and continent, and how the coastal environment along the west coast changed during the Neolithic Age.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si) , SinJeju

Psyche World offers a wide variety of attractions including a display of over 10,000 butterflies representing some 3,000 different species. Psyche means “butterfly” in Greek and it is also known as the lover of Cupid in Roman mythology. Parody World depicts human life using butterfly and bug specimens. Live World offers children opportunities to observe and experience parakeets, hamsters, birds, rabbits, bugs, butterflies, hedgehogs, beetles, stag beetles, and cocoons. Study World is full of attractions and information on butterflies and bugs. Visitors can observe live butterflies and bugs flying everywhere and rest at Crystal House. Parody World, Live World, and Study World offer information in English and Chinese for international tourists. Located across from Jeju Horse Racing Park, Psyche World is 15.3km from Jeju International Airport toward Jungmun Resort Complex. Visitors may take a taxi from the airport. The fare is approximately KRW 9,500-10,000.  


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si)

Located in Daepohang Hoe Town, an area where ‘hoe’ (sliced raw fish) restaurants are gathered, is Keun Gaetmul Hoetjipthe, a two-story modern restaurant with a large parking space and a great view of the ocean. The exceptional hygienic condition of the restaurant and the kitchen is quite impressive. Though a bit expensive, it offers the best and freshest ‘hoe’ (sliced raw fish) in the town, with twenty or more tasty side dishes. You won’t regret eating here if you want the best your money can buy.


Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

Hwajinpo (화진포) is named so because there are sweet briers that bloom by the lake, and it is one of nature’s great lagoons. It is designated Gangwon Provincial Monument No. 10 with a circumference of about 16 km, and it has a wide reed field which is an important place for migratory birds and swans in the winter. Hwajinpo Lake is surrounded by evergreens and white sandy beaches; it is a lagoon where the river and the sea meet. Materials drifting down the river deposited at the bottom of the river become a sandy beach that eventually block off the river from the sea, creating a lagoon. Hwajinpo Lake is the largest lagoon near the East Sea, and has many ancient artifacts around it, such as the Ten Goindol rocks (also called Jiseokmyeo) scattered around the lake. Because of its excellent scenery, Kim Il-Seong (1912-1994) of North Korea and the South Korean president Lee Seung-Man (1875-1965) had summer houses here after the independence of Korea in 1945. The two houses that originally faced each other with the lake at the center are gone now, but the sites still remain as tourist destinations. They have been converted to Hwajinpo’s Museum of History, and opened to public as a security exhibit center.


Chungcheongnam-do(Dangjin-si)

Gijisi Juldarigi is the main feature of this 500-year traditional folk festival, not like festivals developed on purpose by local governments. Juldarigi, a tug-of-war game, was started to pray for peace and fortune in the new year and to be in concord with neighbors as part of a traditional village’s feast. In 1982, Gijisi Juldarigi was designated as Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 75, one of Korea’s representative Intangible Cultural Heritages. Also, it was registered in 2015 as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO along with Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines.


Seoul(Songpa-gu)

The Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival is held at Peace Square of Olympic Park in Seoul. The festival is a leading traditional cultural festival of Seoul, highlighting the 493 years of history and culture of Hanseong Baekje.Hanseong Baekje refers to the era between 18 BCE and 275 CE of Baekje - one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla-- before it moved its capital to Ungjin (now Gongju) in 475. The festival features various folk performances, musical, family concert, food festival, and photo contest.The Peace Square of the Olympic Park, which is the venue of the festival, can be accessed from Mongchontoseong station on Seoul Subway Line 8 (Exit 1, 200 meters from the station; it takes 7 minutes-10 minutes on foot).


Busan(Haeundae-gu) , Haeundae

Polar Bear Swimming Contest is held in every winter that allows participants to swim in the sea, just like a polar bear. It offers an exciting experience to participants and sightseeing to tourists, along with various programs as a famous winter festival. More than 2,000 people from Korea and abroad are expected to be participating in this event as the festival was thought to be one of the best winter festivals in the nation.


Gangwon-do(Hoengseong-gun)

Every year, Hanu (Korean native cattle) Festival takes places in Hoengseong County, where the climate and the environment are said to be perfect for raising cattle. The festival attracts a large number of people, who come to try the usually expensive Hoengseong hanu beef at affordable prices, along with another specialty of Hoengseong County, deodeok (mountain bellflower). In addition to food sampling, the festival holds diverse agriculture experience programs, while offering access to nearby attractions such as Hoengseong Hot Springs and Jucheongang River Natural Forest Lodge.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Girimsa Temple is located in Mount Hamwolsan in Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju. The temple was built in the Silla era and, with 16 buildings, is the second largest temple after Bulguksa.Legend has it that the temple was originally built by the Venerable Gwang-yu, a sage from India, in the early part of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was reportedly called ‘Imjeongsa’ at first, but was later changed to ‘Girimsa’ after undergoing expansive renovations by Monk Wonhyo. It is still unclear exactly what year the temple was built in.Girimsa is divided into two main areas. The first is the area around Daejeokgwangjeon Hall where the statue of Birojanabul is enshrined. The second is the area around the majestic 500-year-old bo tree (a kind of large fig tree) that is home to a wooden pagoda, the Seongbo Museum, Samsingak, Mangbujeon, and Gwaneumjeon halls. The Daejeokgwangjeon Hall was first built during Queen Seondeok's reign, and was rebuilt six times since its original construction. Its simple but majestic architecture is characterized by baeheullim (aka, entasis columns) and a Dapoyangsik (Dapo-style) single-tiered gabled roof.Girimsa is famous for Ojongsu, water that is said to have five different tastes. It consists of gamrosu, which is best for making tea; hwajeongsu, which supposedly gives comfort to the drinker; janggunsu, which makes the body stronger; myeongansu, which gives clear vision; and otaksu, which is said to sparkle so brightly that it attracts all the birds of the air. During Japanese colonial rule, the source of janggunsu, literally meaning ‘water of a general,’ was reportedly blocked off by Japanese soldiers, who were afraid the water would give the Korean people the strength to overthrow them. Except for janggunsu, water still continues to flow from each source.On the way to Girimsa temple is the Golgulsa Temple, well known for its 12 grottos. Golgulsa was originally a hermitage (monastery) of Girimsa. After becoming an independent institution, it became the center of Seonmudo practice in Korea. The temple aims to promote the art of seonmudo on a national and international level.* Major Cultural Properties Lacquered Seated Mercy Bodhisattva of Girimsa Temple (Treasure No. 415)Daejeokgwangjeon Hall (Treasure No. 833)Sojo Birojana Samjonbul (Treasure No. 958)Sutras kept inside the Vairocana Buddha of Girimsa (Treasure No. 959)