Descriptionof Tourist Attractions in Seoul and South Korea
#1 One DayOld and New Seoul City Tour
ExperienceSeoul, fabulous city with two faces of modernity and tradition enjoying morethings in a less time.
We can startour journey from Gyeongbok-gung Palace, the first & formal palace of JoseonDynasty(1392-1910), which is surrounded by the inner-city mountains andskylines of Seoul downtown. At the front out of Gawangwhamun, South Gate ofGyeongbok-Gung, let’s turn around and overview Sejong-daero, which is the main avenue ofSeoul confronting the statues of historical figures such as 4th King Sejong andAdmiral Yi Sun sin and also lined by public buildings and corporations’ headquartersin the wide open air. In the front yard inside Gwanghwamun, you can observeRoyal Guards Changing Ceremony. With the great drum signal, the guard soldiersare taking their steps in a disciplinary but elegant strides in a colorfuluniform with pheasant tail on their heads. They follow Music Band playingtraditional instruments also with their Watching Corps’ flags going ahead. The Palacebuildings are backed by a mountain blocking Siberian Wind from the north andfacing the Han River in the south. This location is designed by fengshuitheory, the Oriental topology and architecture philosophy. Walking attentivelyon the rough, granite royal path facing Geunjeongjeon, the main officebuilding, you become a queen, a king or royal family members. (If desired, tryon rented Hanbok, traditional costume.) All the public officials in old Seoulgot together in the front yard line by line according to theirrank-representing stone tablets on the ground to have a weekly meeting. (Thecloser to the King’s place, the higher their rank) Once you stand on the second floorbalcony of Geunjeongjeon, turn around and feel the harmony of the old and thenew between straight-lined fence roofs and skyrising modern buildings. Insidethe ceremonial hall you can meet the king’s throne and staff’s seats.Now solve the pop quiz: find the gold dragon in the building.(It is hiddensomewhere...) Turning left toward Gyeonghoeru (Convention Center), a nationaltreasure, you’d feel like walking around a calming lake surrounding this geometricalstructure. After viewing a daily office building called Sajeongjeon and king’s, queen’s andqueen dowager’s residence, let’s have a relaxing time sittingon a bench in the backyard garden. It is the spacious green field, filled withsmell of spring flowers, fresh phytoncide of green trees, yellow and orangeautumn foliage and white snow varying from each season. You also walk to theThe Blue House (President’s office and residence) justacross from the exit of the Palace North Gate. With the background of a greatbuilding with blue roof tile, supported by a mountain in the north andsurrounded by policemen in uniform and agents, you can take snaps.
Bukchon isjust 15-minute walk away from the palace, going through galleries, museums,shops, eateries and cafes, you shall get absorbed into the Geometry ofHanok(Traditional House). Walk down following exotic shapes, as curves andstraight lines of roofs and walls from shuffled houses. They are skyrocketinginto the sky(upward) and flowing down slowly into the bustling of busystreets(downward). Why don’t you drop by a traditionalcafe and drink various tastes of energizing tea? While sitting on the floor,you also peep into leisure of indoor yard.
Insadong is amust-visit place in Seoul. The original gallery town where old calligraphywritings, landscape paintings and ceramics were enjoyed and sold. This streetis, in addition, with packed with souvenir shops. Characteristic and vernacularpresents are served here. Luckily, nice buskings and performances are alsoavailable on this street. Jogyesa Temple is just 5 minutes from the main roadof Insadong. This temple is built in a relatively small size but it is mostimportant one, as serving a headquarter temple managing over 2000 localtemples. The structure of a shrine, a lecture hall, a Sarira (bead-likecremated remains) Pagoda and wall paintings makes you feel sincere and pious.At its entrance without any blockage 4 Heavenly Kings meet you, each one ofwhich has a sword(for judging good and evil and guarding land), dragon &magic ball(giving life to all earthly things), a spear & tower(agonizingvillains and causing religious spirit) and a mandolin(saving wanderingmankind). At the side yard behind the Baby Buddha there stands a lacebark pinetree, 500-year-old, 14-meter-tall, which is one of a few remaining speciestrees. We are free to enter Daewoongjeon (with shoes off), main shrine andceremony hall where we can observe great gold shape of Buddha Triad, SakyamuniBuddha (middle), Amitabha(left) and Medicine Buddha(right). At its front yardalso a locust tree is taking pride of its nickname scholar tree, 450-year-old,26-meter tall and with its elegantly spread thighs and leaves. Some believersare making their wish while going around a Stupa, octagonal 10-story sarirapagoda in which a piece of Gautama Siddhartha is kept. Tourists naturally feeltranscendentalism or supernatural spirit by hearing the sound of Scripturerecitings and moktag(a percussion) performed by a monk. We can take a valuablebreak time by taking meditation and prayer in the middle of busy itinerary.
Now, it’s time toslide into the fantastic view of the whole Seoul. In N Seoul Tower located inthe center of downtown we breathe in fresh air from the Core Lung surrounded bythis 10 million people’s city. Observe the skylines of a megacity. Try to locate Hangang River,the tallest building(555 meters) in South Korea and tourist attractions youalready covered. Enjoy samulnori(traditional music and juggling play) andmartial art performances on the center plaza for free. Besides, you make yourconnection more romantic and destinable by using Love Locks in this high leveljunction. You would like to stay there till late at night, which providesanother view of night in the beautiful parade of lanterns, lamps and lightsmade by Tower ornaments, Seoul streets and car illuminations.
[Options]
--Visit oneof 2 National Museums in the boundary of Gyeongbokgung palace (between NationalPalace Museum or National Folk Museum).
--Drop byGwangjang Traditional Market (if time spared) and try Korean street foods suchas mung bean pancake, dumpling, Bibimbap and seafood like a living octopus insmall aquarium. Also can purchase Hanbok(traditional costume) in a reasonableprice.
--Visit WarMemorial (instead of another place or as an additional place) to get theunderstanding of Korean War(1950-1953) in the Cold Age and the history of warsrelated with Korean in Far Eastern Asia. It could be an exciting time forchildren and people who never experienced the war and watched arms(artillery,tanks, battleships, combat aircrafts).
#2 NamiIsland, Petite France (Garden of Morning Calm) Tour
Don’t forgetto get unforgettable reminiscences of Nami Republic-a mysterious Island with 4different attractions every season, and Petite France-a theme park of Frenchculture to experience French living styles and literature aroma of ‘TheLittle Prince’ by Saint-Exupery.
Nami Islandis an eco-friendly park on the upper flow of Han River, 70 kms north of Seoul.When we get to the entrance of the warf to the island, there stands a strangeboard named Nami Republic. This is ‘a republic’ ofnatural surroundings composed of trees, flowers, birds, animals and itspeople(employees and visitors). This park was first established by a retiredexecutive officer of Korea National Bank about 50 years ago. He wanted to makethis island a cultural park for all local people to enjoy. At the age of AsiaFund Crisis(since 1997), with the effort of remaining employees and new CEO(whoreceived 100 KRW for annual salary), for now his dream came true to exceed itsoriginal aim. Over 3,300,000 local and foreign tourists visited this island in2016.
The island’s totalarea is 460,000 m2, and its circumspect is just 6 km long, not too wide to walkaround for 3 hours. But much more time you might want to stay there. For 5minutes spent to cross the river by the cruise, you would like to take nicepictures around the lake-looking river as well as selfie photos of yoursstanding in front of your national flag raised on the ship. (transportationoption: Using zipwire) After boarding off, we have several options of travelingthe island: we can use the UNICEF Charity Train, and some of its fare is fundedto help impoverished children all over the world. Some tourists tired from longwalk also use Story Tour Bus. Kids like to ride a bicycle and electrictri-ways.
However, thebest way to enjoy the park is surely to take a walk. Stroll with your familymembers, friends and lovers hand in hand through the woods and along theriverside. You can meet different trees like pines, nut pines, firs, birches,maples and zingkos. On the way to the end of the island you can find severaleco- gardens (made with empty bottles, tree sticks, and other recycledmaterial), theme parks, some animals(ostriches, squirrels) and some birds(peacocks and others). Tired from walking, we can stop by coffee shops, snack barsand souvenir shops. Fans of K-drama loves to take photos sitting at thefirst-kiss bench, and some places along Ginko and Metasequoia tree lanes(filming spots of a drama). Jump together holding hands in the light and shadeof mountains, trees and astray out of your routine between woods, riversidesand fauna and flora. Every season you are welcomed to see its plentifulsceneries with flowers in spring, green herbs and trees in summer, yellow andorange fallen leaves in autumn and white snow and Ice World in winter.Originally this land was a half island occurring only after the heavy flood butbecame the sincere island itself because of a newly made hydro-dam on the riverbelow. And the deserted garbage-filled venue just 20 years ago, became now anecological-friendly park thanks to human efforts and creative ideas. All thesethings seen and heard in the Island make you feel like a resident in animaginative and brilliant Republic.
EnteringPetite France, French theme park, you can encounter ‘Little Prince’ statuesitting on the roof-end and looking down on you. After discovering theentertainers’ figures, you notice this place was used as lots of movies and dramafilming locations. Located on a hill, this orange, brick house town is circledby green mountains and overlooks indigo North-Hangang River deep downside.Walking up and down through narrow, curved stairs among house walls and fences,we meet the Provence-style houses, their modern furniture, a salle desejour(living room) and in-house gallery, European dolls and puppets, antiqueporcelain, indoor ornaments, fairy tale characters and as well Saint-Exupery’sliterature and life. Later at home you will be startled by the photos on whichyou are surrounded by all these things turning into your nice memories asimages. Besides, we can watch the free performances such as orgol playing,Guignol puppet performance, and marionette play. You can be a figure of a dramaor movie behind the character statues. Hearing a street musician’saccordion playing, you can finish this short picnic to an exotic world.
(Options)
Garden of Morning Calm: This is a botanical gardensurrounded with hills, streams and mountains with 5000 plants in 330,000 m2. Inthis park (named after a poem phrase ‘the Land of the Morning Calm’ writtenby Rabindranath Tagore, Indian poet), they have several theme parks. On theright from the entrance we meet Hometown Garden (and Memorial Hall), alsoenjoying the flower aroma in the Green House, we get down the steps to cross astepping-stone bridge, and pass by Rose-of-sharon Garden, Wildflower Garden andStream Garden. As we get to the Road to Heaven, tall and far mountains areproud of their ravishing green color. Standing in front of the Juniper Treebeside the Morning Garden, a child’s height can be measured astaller than the tree. Just before getting down to Sunken garden (the maingarden made after the same shape of Korean peninsula), we use the observatoryfirst overlooking the whole peninsular scene. J’s Cottage Garden, Pond Gardenand Korean Theme Garden have their own attraction.
I step downto a small crook to build up a stone pagoda to wish for good luck and then passby Bonsai Garden and cross a suspension bridge to the exit. Don’t forgetto visit Flower House where we can see beautiful flowers and plants every 4season. If you don’t want to enter the spots bustling with people and camera shutter noiseand then just step slantwise out of the main roads to walk up and down throughuntrodden paths. You can take a forest bath with refreshing air and feel muchmore freedom in these remoted mountain trails. Even in winter, lots of peoplerush to this garden to enjoy the absolutely different landscape and fantasticnight view in the name of Lighting Festival (or Star-Lit Festival). (optional)Visit with your kids and elderly people a zoological garden next to the park.
Riding the Rail bike: Get on the ecological railbike cherished with your adolescent memories! This romantic tour is designedalong on no more used train rail in the treasure of natural reserve sinceancient times. Cross the bridge and follow the stream of a river, pass throughthe mountains and run along the farming road with circumstance in differentcolors every season. If you enjoy it more, have a VR game to fight against a gangof villains living in the cave through Virtual Reality. (optional). When youpush up your legs and feet together with co-riders, you will make your humanrelationship more solid, amicable. You can start your trip either from KimYujeong Station or Gapyeong Railbike station.
Picking up Strawberry: Citizens who had noopportunities to participate in farming would like to be a farmer some day. Nowyou plunge into the job of collecting this organic fruit with your bare hands.You can also taste on the spot these fresh strawberries even without washingwith water as it was raised without any chemical fertilizers. While tasting theflavor of nature and hand-collaborating, you will have a great pleasure ofharvest with your family and friends. [One of organic strawberry farm towns isin Joan-myeon, Gapyeong County.]
#3 Half DayDMZ Tour
Take a distinguished tour of a tragic scene of 2 divided nationsoriginally from one ethnic tribe.
Once arrivingat Imgingak Park just away 50 kms from Seoul, we first observe South Koreanpeople’s desire for reunification of 2 Koreas. In front of the Peace Bell whichwas made on 1st day of the new millennium, a visitor could wish for World Peaceand try to beat the great Gong. And we also notice the stones collected fromalmost every battlefield all over the world from Crusade War to Falkland IslandWar. Watching the disconnected railway line from Pyeongyang to Seoul a touristhears the pathetic melody sung by a defector from North Korea during Korean Warto have missed his parents and siblings for a long time. The singer accompaniedby his new family members in South Korea might have been bowing at the incenseburner to his mother whose life or death is not known yet. The long and deepdesire to meet their dispersed family members made Korean people a UNESCO WorldRecord, which is documentary films and records of a special TV show aired livefor 138 days without any stopping day and night. South Korean people in frontof TVs were weeping along with the cry of a brother who has succeeded inencountering his sister again after 31 years. While walking to the bombed anddestroyed train bridge, we can confirm the bullet marks on the surface of atrain locomotive derailed during the Korean War and as well mulberry trees growingup through a torn-away cleavage of locomotive top. Now, you stand on theFreedom Bridge temporarily made to admit 12,733 POWs returning from North Koreaafter the Armistice Agreement as a result of a 3-year war.
Now we canget on a shuttle bus managed by the army agency. After our IDs checked in, ourbus runs through the South DMZ line. Surrounded by well-reserved naturalcircumstances, we pass by military camps, a peaceful town and its farming fieldand green houses, being startled to find the signboards of Mines and No Flightsbeside the road. After a short ride we directly go into the Infiltration Tunnelwhich was dug by North Korea to dispatch the army and guerillas at the rate of30,000 members per hour. (Imagine they abruptly stand from underground ontoSeoul streets with 10 million population.) Bending at the waist with a helmeton in a 2-meter wide, 2-meter tall cave, we can approach the point of 170meters to the MDL, the borderline between North and South Korea now. Afterwatching the video and a display about Korean War and 4 infiltration tunnelsfound so far, we can take some photos at DMZ signboard, if lucky, with MPsoldiers together before ascending the bus again. Next, at the DoraObservatory, don’t be afraid to allow into your perspective the scenes of Gaesung, NorthKorean city just 2 kms ahead of your eyes. You can hear the propagandabroadcasting sound and see the national flag and Kim Ilsung’s(grandfather of Kim Jeongeun) statue raised high from the other hillside overthe borderline. Also listen to your guide’s explanation that you arestanding on the observatory with telescopes after sacrificing hundreds of SouthKorean and US Marine soldiers’ lives to get this small, solehill. Dropping by Dorasan Station, the last train station from South Korea, thefirst one to North Korea, assumed Reunified Korea’s ambition is revealed totravel to London by way of TCR, TMR, TSR from Busan, the far south city ofKorean Peninsula. And we have chance to get souvenirs and vernacular foods suchas soybean chocolate and some ginseng products raised in an organic way inTongil-chon(Reunification village), our last destination. While checking thenumber of about 580,000 people (deceased and missing soldiers and civilians)for Liberal party and about the double number for Communist party, you can wrapup your DMZ tour by reconsidering the significance of peace and freedom.
#4 JinhaeCherry Blossom Festival Tour (only available, around from April 1st to April10th)
To appreciatethe spring fever, pay a visit to Jinhae, a spot on CNN Go’s list of‘50 beautiful places to visit in Korea’. When overlooked from a seaton a cozy vehicle, the whole city is perched on powder pink blossoms justbeside the indigo color of beach. First created as a naval port in 1900s, Jihaeis the venue most number of visitors have been to who enjoy the flowerfestival. Walking along the streamside on Yeoja-cheon, you would feel likeflying as a bird through woods of pink flowers. Sick of a long promenade of 1.5km, you can cross any petite bridge, pose yourself facing a camera nozzle andthen rest on a bench. At the upper end of the stream you meet an environmentaland ecological park in NFRDI, one of the most beautiful photo zone selected byKorean photographers. Not awakening from this tranquil, fanciful lake park, wetry to step on the railway with a 800-meter-long blossom trees line inGyeonghwa Station. On a crooked roadway called Anmin Hill, we look down throughthe cherry trees on the warm and calming see and islets on one side andChangwon Industrial Complex on the other side.
In honor ofthe patriotism and achievements of Admiral Lee Soon shin (Korea’s herowho saved the nation from Japanese attack in 16th century, frequently comparedwith Nelson of Britain) and the headquarter of Korean Naval Ships, lots ofevents are performed in the city. You have the chance to watch the militaryparades in a modern and traditional form each. You can visit the Naval Academy,where military campus and naval ships are taken a tour. After running along thebeautiful beach you can arrive at Jinhae Maritime Park. In this island aresituated Experience Center of Sea War History with a retired Naval ship,Learning Center of Fishery and Maritime Ecology & Maritime Life theme Park.This could be used as an educational spot for children who are interested inthe sea and the navy. Even though you would not like to leave this fantasticcity, going upside on the road from a cloud of cherry blossoms to another, saygoodbye to the largest Cherry Blossom Festival on the Globe.
#5 SeoraksanMountain Tour
We can arriveafter only 2 and a half hours’ ride to Mt. Seoraksan, Korea’s No.1designated National Park. On the East Sea, we can enjoy both the sceneries ofmountain and coast range together.
We cannothelp admiring the panoramic view of the sheer cliffs and great rocks whileriding on the cable car to Gwon-geumseong. After getting off 10 minutes’ ride ofCable car, also the beautiful beach of Sokcho city on the East Sea isoverlooked from the observatory. Only a ten-minute hiking on a mountain trailis enough to see a light brown rock which stands steadfast against casualstrong wind in the blue air. Gwon-geumseong is situated at 670m above sea leveland was used as a fortress in order to protect the people from a Mongolianinvasion. Thus don’t take too many steps farther to a dizzily deep valley of which we can’t confirmthe rear end.
We also visita Buddhist temple called Shinheungsa we looked at in the cable car. We canenter the underground prayer room inside a 14.6-meter-high bronze BuddhaStatue, which was built to wish for reunification of 2 Koreas. After having aleisurely stay in a calm, relaxing temple, try to walk along a beautiful streamflowing down from the mountain, which is a UNESCO biosphere reserve containing1200 species of rare plants and over 100 species of rare animals.
Now it’s theright time to look around the fish market at Daepohang Port and try freshseafood.
Youcan choose the eateries moving alive in a restaurant aquarium, fish container.Directly from it, give it a try for yourself to dig up the sea food. You canwatch, smell and eat the fresh lively sea. Walking to the fishery market youalso observe some fish such as pollack, squid being dried in the sunshinebeside the beach. Try to find some seaweed in the clean water below theobservatory deck. And also at the store, purchase some driedseaweeds(sea mustard, kelp) and fish fillets(sliced, seasoned and dried fishsuch as of cuttlefish, octopus, filefish). In the fishery market, you can confirmvarious kinds of fish(octopus, flatfish, hairtail, angular fish ...) andseafood(crab, lobster, cram, oyster, abalone, sea cucumber, sea squirt, mussel,styela clava and spoon worm…)
NaksansaTemple (optional)
Stay in Naksansa Temple, repository of countless Buddhist treasures!This is a Buddhist temple complex primarily built during the Shilla Period in671 by a monk Uisang, thus boasting a 1300 year history! Facing the East Sea,the temple has plenty of monuments such as the seven-story stone pagoda and the15-meter-high statue Haesu-gwaneum-sang, Goddess of Mercy who looks downgraciously and mercifully on the people and the endless line of beach. It alsohouses the octagonal Ui-sang-dae Pavilion, which was built at the edge ofbeach, that is, the boundary between the Earthly World and Buddhist IdealWorld(here, East Coast), where the great monk used to sit and meditate besidethe seashore with wild waves swelling up and dispersing down. The temple hasbeen restored several times over the centuries, but still retains its originalbeauty.
#6 PocheonTour
If you feeltired of hanging around downtown Seoul bustling in a flood of vehicles andpeople, and then plunge into the nature in Pocheon after just one-hour drive.You can find yourself standing in the forest of National Arboretum(UNESCOBiosphere Reserve), and surrounded by a both natural and human-made Art Valleyand a flower world with aroma called Herb Island.
KoreaNational Arboretum(available except on Mondays) is originally located insideGwang-reung, King Sejo’s (4th Joseon Dynasty king) Tomb. Its natural surroundings have beenvery well preserved since the king’s graveyard was firstdesignated in 1468 and became a forbidden place for more than 550 years to commonpeople. Taking a monotonous path in the forest, be free to breathe in fresh airand phytoncide. This reserve on 1,157 ha is home to 6,870 species of conifers,acers, and other plants and also 4,370 species of animals, birds and insects.This is why this park is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve which allowsa limited number of entries. For a walking, you can take the course into awoods lane, around a natural lake, and into a fir tree lane. When you feelhunger for the information of forest and fauna and flora, visit the ForestMuseum. Here you also meet insect specimens, stuffed wild animals, plant seeds.Another attractive place to enter with a reserved forest commentator is itsgreenhouse(Tropical Plants Resource Research Center), where you can meetvarious kinds of hot region trees and plants(baobab tree, Mickey Mouse bush, aplant surviving for more than a thousand years, etc)
Pocheon ArtValley is well known for a shooting site of K-dramas, ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet HeartRyeo’ and ‘Legend of Blue Sea’ and a comedy show ‘RunningMan’. We can be TV stars aboard on the boat used as a mise-en-scene. Thishigh rock hill with a 20-meter deep valley was originally a quarry to minerocks and stones, which were used to build Korea’s celebrated buildings such asthe Blue House, National Assembly(Parliament), Sejong Culture Center forPerforming Arts, etc. At the observatory of this park recycled from a hideousquarry after being deserted for several years, you can look down on the deepindigo valley with clean water inhabited by minnows, crawfish, and salamanders.If you don’t mind getting down on steepy spiral stairs, you can climb a hillthrough between a man and woman’s statues and watch the otherside of the white-shining granite hill. After posing for snapshots in front ofsome art works in Sculpture Park, you can come back to the station by monorail.Don’t forget to visit a souvenir shop here to get a bottle of PocheonMagkeolli, one of the best quality rice wines in Korea.
Herb Islandis not a real island, but a theme park of aromatic plants isolated from a busycity. Going through a spacious green house packed with Mediterranean trees,flowers and herbs, we can encounter some shelters for sitting and takingphotos. On exiting out of the paradise of aroma, everlasting Santa Village iswaiting for you even in the summer. Beside a tunnel with cards on which lots ofpeople’s wishes and desires are written, is a wide expanse of the herb fieldwith colorful small lamps are attached on. In a small catholic church calledSanta House, we can smell fragrance spread in the hall of the myrrh and sulfurfor Baby Jesus presented by Oriental doctors. Besides, in the shop connected tothis house we can get take some tea and get some souvenirs. They also have amini zoo where we can experience to feed ponies. Pass by Flower & WaterfallGarden, Herb Museum, Herb Plant Museum, and Little Venezia. Before wrapping upyour tour, drop by Herb Market and have a free taste of herb tea and lookaround for some teas, candies, air fresheners, candles, oils, soaps, healthygoods and cosmetics. For lunch in this area, we recommend Hanjeongsik(KoreanTable d’hote or Korean full course meal). It is based on rice, vegetables, andmeats, with 3 main fermented sauces of Korea(soybean paste, chilli pepper pasteand soy sauce). The dish usually starts with appetizers like porridge, salad orgruel, and the main dishes (meat or fish) are either grilled, boiled, steamed,fried, or salted and mixed with seasonings. Also it includes various kinds ofside dishes such as kimchi, seasoned acorn jelly salad, Korean pancake,stir-fried pumpkin, and so forth.
JaeinWaterfall(optional and recommendable in a water-rich situation)
Admire theblue-green pool waterfall called Jaein or Acrobat Fall, which offers us acaptivating view and a sad legend as well. This area is a national geologicalpark which remains as the result of a volcanic eruption hundred thousands yearsago. We hear the refreshing sound of a fall pouring down from a 19-meter hightop, surrounded by columnar joints(complexities of columns with hexagonal sideon top). Any person with acrophobia is not recommended to climb down the longstairs seemingly going into the water pool and cannon stream. Even in winter itshows an attractive scene when ice is madeon the water with lots of snow. Wesee a long frozen water pillar different from surrounding volcanic ones.
HantangangRiver Skywalk and Bidulginang Waterfall(optional)
If you wantto see the volcanic topography made in ancient time and get refreshed fromnature, give a visit to this River Skywalk and Waterfall. This suspensionbridge 50-meter high over the Hantangang River with 200-meter length and2-meter width is a nice pedestrian course also good for elderly people inwheelchair and kids in baby carrier. When you cross the river Hantan(literallymeaning lamentation) starting from North Korea, you could feel a little bit ofgiddiness with the motion and much more with the natural sceneries of limestonevalley with columnar joints. From here dangling in the air, you can locateBidulginang Waterfall(literally meaning Dove Cage Waterfall whose name camefrom the shelter of hundreds of white doves in the cave behind the fall). Thewater apparently splashes down from the cave, which was created by fluvialerosion (lava flowing on the riverbed eroded the rock and earth away and made alarge hole), Let’s come and enjoy the 6th Scenic View on Hantangang River in PocheonCounty.
SanjeongLake(optional)
We begin ourtour from a wooden bridge which is looked down by the NakcheonjiWaterfall(Paradise Waterfall). The water flow falling down zigzag from the endof the Lake makes us cry an exclamation. Sanjeong Lake looks like a greatfountain surrounded by the back mountains and hills. Walk along a 3.2 km-longlane and cure your soul tired with busy city life and get energized again.Otherwise you can drive around the lakeside road. but even so you can’tperceive the complete lake shape at a glance. It’s okay to start at the otherend of the road. Down green trees (with orange and yellow leaves in autumn),trespass the water on the wooden bridge. After a refreshing walk, you can meeta cafe where you can taste some bread the Pope eats and sit down beside bonchaior flower pots for a break. If accompanied by your family or friends, you havelots of things to do together around this beautiful lake. Depending on everyseason, enjoy in spring the newly sprouting buds and flowers, in summercanoeing and motor boating, in autumn various colorful foliage or Flame Grassand also in winter skating, sled-riding and 4 wheel bike riding on the ice.
#7 Busan CityTour
Busan is thesecond largest city and the largest sea port in Korea. Feel this city’sdynamics and cultural variety.
Firstly, whenyou get to Gwang-an-ri Beach, you will hear seagulls’ welcoming songs and at nightsee the twinkling lights of Gwangandaegyo Bridge, the second longest bridge inKorea after Incheon Bridge. After drinking some coffee in a cafe overlookingthe beach, we will take a leisurely walk on the sand beach. Otherwise whilestriding along the 1.5 km long Hae-un-dae, we watch endless beach line in sandwith mise en scene, modernized buildings of hotels and cafes and restaurants.Tasting fresh raw fish or barbecued clams with soju(Korean whiskey) and hearingsea birds, we dive into world of miraculous sea. We also, if time permits, havefree time to take a walk in Dongbaekseom(Camelia Island). In this small islet,once a APEC venue, we have the chance to watch the plants in the well arrangedwoods and Busan’s peaceful seaside surrounding most part of city across the sea. Anearby Buddhist Temple called Hae-dong-yong-gung-sa is a must visit place. Thestructure sturdy standing in beach cliffs without any oscillation by wild windand wave is like a Buddha with absent mind and absolute calmness. I reconsidermy inborn nature according to one of 12 different Zodiac animal statues andwalking down 108 steps, pray for my personal wish in front of religioussymbols.
Afterrollercoasting on the skyrocketing road to the sky over the sea, we arrive atTaejongdae, sea cliff lined by high rocks and rich forest by the blue sea.Riding on a train of vehicles running along the cliff beach, and walking onOryukdo Skywalk, the harmony between the sky and sea makes you cry out withawe.
Situated indowntown Busan, Jagalchi Fish Market, one of the biggest fish markets in Korea,is composed of an outdoor modernized market and an indoor traditional market.You can find fresh living fish in a small aquarium, shellfish, dried seafoodand rare species(abalone, sea cucumber, mussel …). The best point of themarket is that you can choose the eateries yourself and have it prepared on thespot at one of the cooking restaurants. After enjoying your seafood party weobserve lots of fishing vessels and merchant ships moving or anchored at theport. Whilst we walk to Gukje Market, we will taste some street foods such ashotddeok(seed pancake with cinnamon and brown sugar) and patbingsu(ice sherbetwith red bean sauce or fruit). Also going through BIFF(Busan International FilmFestival) Square, we encounter famous actors, actresses and movie directors inthe hand printing panels with their signature on the ground floor. Gukje Marketis the largest traditional market in Busan. Visitors can find various kinds ofproducts from used everyday items, fruits and vegetables, electronic products,and imported goods sold at very reasonable prices.
In the middleof downtown is Yongdusan park, which means “dragon’s head mountain” namedafter its particular shape. Beautiful with diverse species of trees, the parkalso features the 118-meter-high observatory, Busan Tower from which we canadmire this seaside city ’s dynamic and colorful scenes.
Next time, weare lead to Gamcheon Culture Town with small mazes and picturesque alleys.Gamcheon also named ‘Korea’s Santorini’, is stuffed with little, vivid color houses draped with mural paintingsand sculptures. Waking up the steep hill, you will come across a wall on thehigh top of which the statue of The Little Prince and his fox(fromSaint-Exupery’s novel), untaintedly peacefully watching over the whole village. Youwill also find snack bars, cafes and souvenir shops. You will also find inyourself a photographer taking wonderful pictures and ambling on the streets ofthis idiomatic village.
#8 BukhansanMountain Tour(Samo-bawi Rock)
Do you knowthat Bukhansan Mountain Tour is one of the best 5 tours in Seoul? It is. Thistour requires a tourist’s physical strength and energybut offers us splendid satisfaction. Give it a challenge!
Mt. Bukhansanis designated as 15th national park in South Korea with about 8,650,000visitors for a year(as of 2009), which is enlisted to Guinness Book tocommemorate the most number of hikers per a unit area. This national park holds1300 species of flora and fauna. During the hiking you can hear birds chirpingand observe squirrels climbing up the tall tree. In the stream, you find evenminnows which reside only in the 1st-level clean water. The mountain comprises 32main peaks, one of which we will try. This peak, Samo-bawi Rock is 540 metershigh and takes 4 hours for a 6-kilometer round trip. It is not a piece of cake,nor a labor. Just at the point we feel some body heat we find a resting placeand meet cool wind from valleys. We cross a few cute bridges over brooks,mostly step up on mud and hard stones and sometimes clamber up and down onrocks. Around two-third area of the course, we have an option to meetSeung-ga-sa, a Buddhist temple with one millenium history. It is perching onhills of the mountain with 2 national treasures and a glandrous pagoda. Builtto memorize the achievement of The Great Monk Seunggadaesa, a Buddha ofMedicine, this temple also has a good command of view to the blue sky of SeoulCity. After having (legend-speaking) life-saving water and free lunch(if youwant) at the temple, we approach the highlight of the hike. But don’t regretfor your sweat and fatigue. After a hard climb we are rewarded by fantasticviews of deep green mountains and indigo sky. At the top of the peak isSamo-bawi or Silk Hat Rock (a court official's formal hat in Joseon dynasty).From here, you can hear a heartbroken folk tale involved in two lovers forciblyseparated by the war.
When wereturn from the mountain, try to dip cool water from a stream and pour it intoyour hands and arms. You will feel yourself refreshed soon. Now it’s time torefurnish your lacking calories by tasting delicious foods. Try a hot tofu stewand vegetarian side dishes at a traditional restaurant at the foot of themountain. You can deserve taking a pride in completing this attractive mountaintour.
#9. DiscoverHallyu in Gangnam
Before goingindulged into World of Hallyu(the popularity of Korean entertainment andculture all over the world since 1990s, first driven by the spread of K-dramasand K-pop across Asian regions), we can visit K-Style Hub. In this TouristInformation Center, managed by KTO Seoul Office, we can get some information onKorea and Korean culture in the form of brochures, leaflets as well as freecoupons. On 2nd floor, buy transportation passes to various tourist attractionsand discounted tickets for shows, museum, and performances (concerts, nonverbalperformances). View natural landscapes and landmarks in Seoul and South Koreaby VR. Indirectly experience Korean popular culture such as taking photos withcyber K-stars. On 3rd floor, visit Korean Food Exhibition Hall. We can makeourselves tea refreshments (option paid) and survey various sorts of Koreantraditional food according to every season and main sauces and ingredients,also have luncheon there. On 4th floor, we have another experience of making atraditional paper fan or hands-on arts crafts like knobs, embroideries. We findin the exhibition hall Korean vernacular products such as mother-of-pearlornament or ginseng(organic energizing herb).
Now move onto Gangnam, southern part of Hangang River to find top-notched, luxurious andvivid life styles. Why don’t we run to K-star Road inCheongdam-dong fashion street? We take a pose beside life-size art toys ofTVXQ, SHINee, Exo, 4-minute, 2 pm, FT Islands, Super juniors, Bangtan Boys andother celebrities, on display in a long queue from Apgujeong Galleriadepartment store along the SM Entertainment Office up to Cheongdam Crossroad.This area is the home to famous entertainment agencies like SM, Cube, Tree J,etc. and ‘stars shops’. Around K-star road or Garosu-gil Road, fans would like to visit someplaces that favorite stars frequent. Luckily, we can encounter celebrities onthe street, see their handprints, drink coffee at their favorite coffee shops,eat at restaurants, and get pampered at nail shops and more. Garosu-gil Road isa two-lane road lined with 160 gingko street trees, which is best known for itsexotic circumstances. This spot started from a romantic, artistic road with ‘Sohostyle’ and is now changing into a brilliant street surrounded with congenialcafes, restaurants, designers’ fashion shops, franchised brandshops, flagship stores such as of apple store. In KOEX Artium, if you areinterested in K-pop, we can pay a visit to SM Town, the studio of producer ofNCT, EXO, SHINee, f(x), RedVelvet, Girls Generation and Super juniors. Thistheme park houses a celebrity souvenir shop (2nd f.), a hallyu star experiencestudio(3rd f.; reservation required 2 weeks before visiting ), and aperformance hall(4th f.)
The center ofGangnam is Gangnam Metro Station. For just one day, 300,000 people pass andcommute through flashy illumination of its underground shops all day and night.And on the ground stage out of its exit 11, you can dance to the song of ‘GangnamStyle’ in front of Psy and backup dancers’ statue. Once we watched K-popstars’ life styles and music trend, now it’s the time for looking aroundthis nation’s advanced technology and its vision to future life. Samsung D’light isthe display and promotion center of Samsung Electronics, South Korea’s mostrepresentative corporation. Samsung d'light is an exhibition space to let youhave fun with Samsung's most innovative technologies. First, find out somethingnew about yourself. At the registration point you fill in your name and getyour own ID card, with which your personal character or personality isdescribed and titled on a monitor as a result of your answering simplequestions and acting yourself to guided motions. Can enjoy a 3-D simulationgame, too. By using and interfacing Samsung electronics products, you candiscover a new world of possibility and experience how much fun your futurewill be.
#10. SeoulSecret City Walk Tour
If you eitheralready visited well-known places in Seoul such as Palaces and N Seoul Tower oryou want to get out of bustling of populated places, try these hidden places inSeoul and get the pleasure of a walking tour.
We firstlystart our tour from Seoul City Wall Museum, which records the history andculture of Seoul Wall Fortress and its surroundings. Seoul Wall Fortresssurrounds the whole downtown of Hanyang(old name of Seoul), which contained 5royal palaces, headquarter offices of governmental agencies, royal familymembers’ and noblemen’s residences and a central market. It originally covered 18 kilometersand now is restored up to 13 kms length. In this museum, we confirm theidentity of city which the wall border demarcate as well as the changes of citylooks and citizens’ lifestyle that modern civilization brought us such as appearance ofpaved roads and streetcars. A bonus is included, an enrapturing scene to lookdown Dongdaemun Shopping Mall. This area is the center of Korean garmentmanufacturing and wholesale markets of daily necessities. On a spot from themountain hill just outside of the museum, we could skim the old and new line ofthis complicated city.
Just afterobserving the city-circling mountains and residential buildings on the topbalcony of Hansung University, we hit the wall fortress trail starting from anatural gathering called Jangsumaeul, Longlife Village. With your children, wetake a warm up exercise on a quiet kids’ park with PT facilities nextto the Samgunbu Chongmudang, old military office building. Hiking crookedly upto the blue sky along the white stone Wall, we confront the metropolitan city’s uniquetopology with an ensemble of nature and artificial structures. Please don’t putyour buttocks on the roof of the fortress wall in Naksan Park, even though itlooks like a bench. Walking down across anonymous flowers, trees and plants, Ibreathe in the fresh air as I forgot myself standing in the middle of Seouldowntown. After 10 minutes’ sliding down from the tophill, at last we get to the Ihwa Mural Town, a colorful plenty of collage. Onthe steps, walls and outside of houses, we discover cute and simple images suchas balloons, bicycles, potteries, cats, pandas, angel’s wings, Korean poems, anormal person’s faces, Le Petit Nicola and much more. Between the itsy bitsy alleysare hidden lots of coffee makers’, snack bars, souvenir shopsto help you recollect forgotten memories about the past things. However, becareful not to give out exclamations too loud since this town is a commonpeoples’ residential area.
In the caseof eating lunch at Insadong, we will drop at a Hanok(Korean traditional house)to taste some traditional tea like Omija, SSanghwacha, or Patbingsu. Otherwise,in another tea salon called Gyeongin Fine Art Museum, we are welcomed to surveyKorean artworks painted and crafted in Western or Oriental art techniques aswell. Just across from Insadong, we could stay in a Buddhist Temple calledJogesa, or a remoted temple Gilsangsa(optional). Entering the sharine withoutany blockage and crossing the main bridge to the Ideal World, we evaluate theimportance of open mind and spirit of no possessing(Sakyamuni Buddha’slesson). Just like a monk, take one time to introspect yourself whilemeditating sitting in front of Buddhas’ statues.
Or take atour absentmindedly walking around a 470 year-old scholar tree(locust), not108-time turns at one period like a believer’s routine, though. We could puta pink or white lantern in the air with a wishing card attached or inflame anincense stick to give a pray.
Finishing thestay of calmness and sincerity, we drive to DDP(Dongdaemun Design Plaza), theConvention & Exhibition Hall, Fashion Show Venues and Designers' Shops.This geometrical monument’s feature lies on3-dimensional non-symmetry. Zaha Hadid, British architect originally from Iraqis the first female winner of Pritzker Prize(alias nobel prize of architecture)applied the theme of Metonymic Landscape to build this building. She employedthe images of Hanok (open ground in the center of a house, organically linkedwooden floor, vertical lift windows …...) and Jagi(ceramics).Openness and connectedness of Hanok structure is like separated buildingsgetting together to Eight Junctions of the Oullim Square. As some critics callher Diva of Deconstructivism, she rarely used the straight lines but mostlycurves and non-symmetric devices. Don’t mention much more offeatures on this architecture: cantilever structure with multi-trusses,different hues and shapes of aluminium panels, grade-1 green(eco-friendly)building, flexible GRG board as interior stair material. Let’s saythis: through DDP we can peep into Dongdaemun Area’s past, present and future. First,the past remains in the relics of City Fortress Wall and cement of Two-ArchedFloodgate(Igansumun) found under construction, the present is concrete wall ofDongdaemun Sports Stadium and the future is symbolized by aluminum panels ofDDP Plaza. The status quo of future is shown now by the skyscrapers ofDongdaemun Shopping Mall looked over gray panels of DDP.
Now shall wetake a walk around exterior of DDP? Be a fashion model yourself on CaveStairway, the filming spot of the magazine Vogue. Stand at the crossway andcount how many ways are connected from Oullim(Harmony) Square. Don’t passLED rose garden(especially at night), Pass through Igansumun, flood controlgate with 2 arches and confirm the Cheong-gye-cheon Stream’s intrasystem in the underearth cement. And locate the City Wall and Dongdaemun SportsStadium by Light Towers and the Flame Torch. And then walk up beside succulentplants looking at the mall buildings spread over the fence wall, leading into ‘the mouthof a whale’, on 4th floor of Design Lab. From now on walking down ‘insidethe whale stomach’ of Design Pathway, we observe the pathway getting a little bit higherand wider. On 2nd floor, we can get out of to the ‘Road to Future’ directlyconnected to the shopping mall across the street or keep on going down bySpiral Stairway to design & art shops for purchasing souvenirs.
To wrap upthe hidden place tour in Seoul, we have the last destination, Baeksasil Valley.This is also called Baek-seok-dong-cheon, Paradise Village surrounded by Nature.Located in the mountain just behind the old palace site and now BlueHouse(Presidential Office and Residence), it escaped the city development andconserve nature itself. Known as the reservoir of salamanders, this deep valleyis positioned in the core of downtown Seoul. It is also inhabited by rareliving things such as minnows, crawfish, peculiar species of frogs and someother plants such as zelkovas, pine trees, junipers, zingkos, and maples. Thisis why Baeksasil (the pastoral mansion of a prime minister of the Joseondynasty well known with pen name Baeksa) was built at this valley. The best wayto take a tour here is just wander along the hill trail and the natural streamcovered with trees and plants. Luckily when we can extend our tour time, takethe road of Bugak Skyway. On this amazing, beautiful road which high-passesthrough the skylines of mountains and buildings in Seoul, the mega cityembraced by nature, we will get repaired and revitalized.
#11 DanyangParagliding Tour
Danyang isproud of its beautiful natural sceneries from a long time ago in Korea whichwas visited by famous poets and artists. This is why this paragliding site wassituated at the top of a 664-meter high mountain. You can be a free flyer inthe air looking down mountains and a river(South Han River). When you leave theground, you have only to keep running on foot following an expert pilot’sdirections. While gliding up and down, revolving in the air, you can keepmemory of every exciting moment of your movement with an action camera.
Afterimitating to be a bird, you can go and eat delicious food called GarlicHanjeongsik(Table d’hote or Korean Set Menu). Garlic is an organic energizer, best quality,featured produce of this area. Otherwise you can drop by Googyeong TraditionalMarket where garlic dumpling, garlic dakgangeong(chicken seasoned with sweetand sour sauce) and other vernacular snacks and dishes are eaten.
Still in mindwith the excitement of flying, you will run to Jan-gyo, a long and narrow skywalkgoing around hillside along Han River. You will also visit Dodamsambong ThreePeaks, the best one among Danyang 8 scenic views. The Three Peaks are smallrocks on Han River with the background of surrounding mountains and hills. Youcan listen to the legend involved in the peaks and the story of a scholarcalled Jeong Dojeon, the Confucianist master of the first king of JoseonDynasty. If you have enough time, you can ascend the Chungjoo-ho Lake Cruiseship to watch scenic views on Han River such as exotic rocks and hills withstories, which were the subjects of Oriental paintings.
GosuCave(optional)
As travelingthis sun-lit Danyang County on a hot day, you would have the mind to exploreGosu Cave, the limestone cave greatest in Asia. Walking up and down the stairs,you will give out cheers with awe at the mysterious sights which stone pillars,stalagmites and stalactites dangling down from the cave ceiling had generated.You will marvel at the details and grandeur of Underground Paradise that Naturecreated.
Guin-saBuddhist Temple(optional): Located in a deep valley, this varied, grandiose andbrilliant headquarter temple of Cheontajong(Buddhist division compound out ofZen and non-Zen sect) is worth visiting. Even though climbing up to the high siteneeds plenty of your sweat, it is reimbursed with the beauty and solemnity ofthe silent temple.
#12 JeongseonTour
When youtravel around, didn’t you feel the zeal to get to an isolated spot out of busy town? If so,run to Jeongseon. Jeongseon was one of the most remote regions in South Koreawhere coal was mined and traditional lyric song Arirang was originated. Thissmall area enclosed by natural surroundings of high hills, mountains and ariver will make you sense unruled and homelike. Ride on a rail bike with yourfamily and friends and you will be captured by lukewarm sunshine, smooth windtouching your skin and cool temperature in the tunnel while running throughmeadows, fields, crossing crooks. After leaving some camera shots in front of agreat grasshopper and a minnow structure with prepossessing sceneriesbackground, you can climb up Byeonbangchi Skywalk. On a spot in the sky withbackup mountains you can observe a territory shaped in Korean Peninsulaenclosured by a river, Dong-gang. From here you can also glide down on a zipline directly to earth from the sky.
After a goodwalk or exercise, we rush to Arirang Traditional Market to grab something toeat. We will have really local foods made of vernacular vegetables and herbs.Also can watch and purchase rare organic herbs and various sorts of produceswhich are raised by local people. Don’t forget to visit ArariChon(Traditional House Village). As strolling between traditional housings,listening to elegant, exotic Arirang songs from speakers, you will findyourself relaxed and peaceful. After learning some lessons and morals frombronze statues originating from a novel called Yangbanjeon, you can get theCertificate of Yangban which ensures being an aristocrat with noblesse oblige.Please drop by a pavillion for a resting place and an observatory from whichwidespread grass field and a stream is viewed.
Hwa-amCave(optional)
Now we start anothertrip on a monorail to a masterpiece 6 hundred million years had created. Hwa-amCave, both an original limestone cave and theme park of gold mine brings usexcitement and tension. At History Phase, you can indirectly experience thegold mine excavation from developing gold mine to latest procedures worked byminers. At the beginning of the gold mine you meet a tiger, guardian of oremine. And then don’t be afraid to take down 365 steps, 220 meter-high. Here and there atthe pausing points you can locate the shapes of a puppy and Tyrannosaurs. Atthe Fairy Tale World, cute goblin characters are simulating the proceedingsfrom excavating gold to producing gold wearings and ornaments. At Gold World,with display and diorama,you will watch all the things about gold such as thecreation of gold mines, uses of gold and history of gold. You can peep into theMystery of Great Nature by looking at 28 meter-high flowstones together withstalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars and cave coral.
#13 K-styleExperience & Healthy Market Tour
Have youheard the term Hallyu? However, this doesn’t mean only the enthusiasm toK-pop and K-drama but also Korean people’s lifestyle which maintaintheir health and fitness: what and how they eat and drink, how they getenergized again from physical and mental fatigue.
By droppingby K-style Hub, you can peep into various kinds of Korean Foods which is cookedby seasonal ingredients, especially fermented food represented by kimchi andother 3 main sauces of doenjang, gochujang and ganjang(soybean paste,chill-pepper paste and soy sauce). You can also join making kimchi and otherdishes and snacks(optional) . In addition, at Tour Information and HallyuExperience Center, look for some general and medical tour information aboutKorea, get discount coupons for venue entrance and performance and get a viewof landscape and landmarks in Seoul and Korea through VR. Besides you will tryon Hanbok(traditional custom) and yourself handcraft such as making a foldingfan by hand. Can have some time to purchase some souvenirs.
We also dropby Gwangjang Market, Korea’s first established everydayand modern market (in 1905) which is specialized in various kinds offabric(wholesale) and Hanbok, and best-known for its street food. In this placewe can sightsee Korean people’s lifestyles: try Koreanstreet foods such as mungbean pancake, dumpling, bibimbap and seafoods like aliving octopus in small aquarium. Besides, we can purchase plentiful sorts offabrics such as Korean silk and also Hanbok(traditional costume) which can becustomized to your own shape(after 1 week) and is also ready made in an expertway for a reasonable price.
Now we can goand experience the ways of Korean people to drive away fatigue and stress inSeoul K-Medi Center. We can relieve stress by means of foot-bathing in a watertank containing medical material and lying and resting on a massage bed.Otherwise we have the time to hand-craft K-medi air freshener and soap withorganic herb. As an optional, free service, we can consult a K-Medical doctor.Have your body condition checked, learn some information about your physicalconstitution and body features and also get acupuncture & Chuna(ManualTherapy) treatments. Especially when you feel tired from a long travel, andgeneral pain in neck and back, you would be better to utilize this valuablechance.
After finishing Korean therapeutic and medical treatment, we can enjoyourselves to go to buy some fresh produce and ginseng. Visit Cheong-ryang-riFresh Produce Market and look around and purchase fresh produce such as fruits,vegetables and other groceries. Visit Gyeong-dong Ginseng and Herb Market andcan get ginseng(energizing and anti-cancer material), organic, healthful herbsand dried fruits such as nuts.
Remarks: K-Medi Center is closed everyMonday. Instead of it, visit DDP.
ConsultingK-Medical doctor is not available every Sunday and Monday.
Options:Visit DDP(a characteristic structure for Fashion Show Venue, Convention andDisplay Center in Dongdaemun Shopping Mall Area)
#14 EastCoast Tour
Do you wantto see the indigo colored sea and the endless horizontal line of Pacific Ocean?Then, go to the East Coast but you don’t need to go more than 2 hoursand 30 minutes from Seoul. Get the fresh air blown from the sea and come backagain relaxed. Let’s take a rail bike or Sea train starting from Jeondong-jin Station. Inthis station you also visit Sandglass Park and Time Museum or just watch thepoem monuments and sculptures in this calming train station surrounded by thebeautiful coast. Taking a Railbike on a railroad along the sand beach, blue seaand pine trees, you will taste the sentiment of primitive freedom with saltysea wind. Or take the East Coast Train from Jeongdongjin Station to Chu-amStation. At Chu-am Station, a filming spot of best known K-drama Winter Sonata,exotic rocks like chot-dae bawi(candlestick rock) are displayed on the beachfull of waves. Otherwise on Simgok Sea Fan Road you walk around along the beachor have only to sit on a cozy seat while enjoying the ebony rocks pridingthemselves of their spectacular shape each in the middle of azure-coloredbillow wave. From here you can wheel to Gangneung, one of 2018 Winter Olympichost cities. After you move around venues for speed skating, figure skating,curling and hockey, you will arrive at the Coffee Street on Anmok Beach, whereyou can drink a cup of coffee dripped with no. 1 barista’s ownhands in Korea, if lucky. Running along the East Beach you drop by a lighthousesite, which was a shooting spot of drama Goblin, where Goblin was summoned byhis bride in her crisis expecting her wishes come true. For a traveller stillhungry for the nature and its beauty, other 2 places are remaining on the wayback to Seoul. One is Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch with 200,000 m2 green fieldseated at 900-meter altitude. Walking up and down the green hill, let’s watchthe sheep grazing grass. Full of peace, you will feel yourself harmonized withnature, especially surrounded by the ambient, scarlet light at sunset. Besides,you can try to feed cute, little sheep with dry grass yourself. The other isWoljeongsa Buddhist Temple, built in 643 AD, with a number of culturalheritages such a nine-story stone pagoda and a sated statue of Buddha. On FirForest Trail 1-kilometer long towards the temple from Iljumun, the main gatewith 2 pillars, you can feel urge to throw away your shoes. Whilst passingthrough the 1800 fir trees, high-rising to the sky, over 80 years old, andambling on smooth mud on your feet, you feel liberated without worries andapprehension. Nature consoles and cures us, humans!
#15 KoreanFolk Village and Suwon Fortress Castle Tour
After a1-hour riding from Seoul we get to Suwon, capital city of Gyeonggi-do Province.In this unique city you can meet a UNESCO cultural heritage called SuwonHwaseong (Fortress Castle). This castle was established in 1796 for a temporarypalace by Jeong jo, 22nd king of Joseon dynasty. The newly modernized city atthat time was circled by the fortress which had the double purpose of bothprotection from enemies and center of commerce. This comparatively recentcastle and fortress was made with the techniques compromising Western andOriental architectural skills, for example, utilizing cranes and bricks(insteadof stone and earth). We start our tour just in front of SuwonHaeng-gung(temporary palace) by watching the martial art show performed bypalace guarding soldiers with mighty action, high morale and exquisiteswordsmanship. When strolling about the alternative palace, especially we finda 60-year-birthday party place for the Queen Dowager. From which we can hearthe sad story of King Jeongjo who had lost his father for a political reasonand was always missing him, so taking good care of his mother with filialpiety. Exiting out of the front gate, we can get on Eocha(royal cars in atrain) in gracious, deep red color. Like a king or a queen, we can take aparade downtown around the fortress wall. After covering some gates withobservation towers and flood control gates, we get out off Eucha in front ofSeojang-dae, West Command Post. With a short exercise walking upstairs, weencounter the Command Building and overview the downtown of Suwon. Whilewalking down the hill path, we review the whole palace again and meet thebronze statue of the great king Jeongjo, leader of Joseon Dynasty Renaissanceof Culture and Technique in the late 18th century.
For anoptional activity, we can visit either Suwon Hwaseong Museum or SIM. At SuwonHwaseong Museum, we learn the history and culture about Suwon Wall Fortresssuch as the construction of Suwon New City and Fortress and the King’s ParadeMiniature. Samsung is a global leading corporation especially for Electronics,IT sector and home appliances. Here in SIM(Samsung Innovation Museum), we canpeep into Samsung’s vision to the future life and innovation through its top-notchedproducts. Besides, we can survey the history of electric & electronicindustry and its products including those of any other companies all over theworld than Samsung.
After ridingfor 30 minute from Suwon, we arrive at Korean Folk Village. At this theme parkfull of Korean traditional things and entertainment, we observe different kindsof Korean traditional house type, from a luxurious nobleman’s houseto a thatched roof house. In addition, we will enjoy the farmer’s music& dance, acrobatics of walking on a tightrope and equestrian feats on theway. Also we can join as guests a real traditional wedding ceremony, not theshow. Furthermore, walking on the smooth ground among houses and museums oralong a beautiful stream, you will encounter some sorts of seasonal fests andevents and occasionally be greeted by some characters from Joseon dynasty, whoare dressed in a nobleman, a commoner, a policeman, a beggar or agisaeng(geisha). They also reserve for kids an amusement park with playthingssuch as Ghost House(paid).
#16 Gyeongju &Andong Tour
In Korea,there’s a place where the whole city is a UNESCO cultural heritage. This isGyeongju with a history of 2 millennia, which was the capital city of SillaDynasty(57 BC to 935 AD). Have an opportunity to feel relaxed and refreshed inthis calming, peaceful old-fashioned city embraced by high royal tombs andhistorical relics.
The stateideology of Silla was Buddhism and its kings also called themselves Buddha.Masterpieces of Buddhist relics in Oriental World are Bulguksa Temple and SeokguramGrotto, another UNESCO heritage as a duo by themselves. Kimdaeseong, Ministerof Treasury is said to build and refurnish these splendid architectures from751 to 774, one of which, Bulguksa was for respecting and honoring his parentsin his present life and another, Seokguram was for parents in previous life. InBulguksa Temple we search around plenty of treasures and relics. Cheongwoon-gyoand Baekwoon-gyo Bridges are a passage through which we ascend from EarthlyWorld to Ideal Buddhist World, and under them a beautiful pond used to beflowing around. In front of the Daewoong-jeon(Hall of Great Hero), we can see 2comparable pagodas called Dabo-tap and Seokga-tap. Dabo-tap Pagoda standing onthe right symbolizes Buddha of Ideal World in the future and Seoka-tap Pagodaon the left, Sakyamuni or real Buddha at present. Their architecture can bedescribed with distinctive features of magnitude vs. moderation, complexity vs.simplicity and romantic vs. classical. In Daewoong-jeon, main shrine where 3 goldenBuddhas(Sakyamuni, the Great Hero in the middle, past Buddha and futuristicBuddha) were seated. After walking under colorful lanterns with wish card andsteep stairs, we pass by Museol-jeon where acknowledged monks give lecture tocommon believers. Another shrine is Gwaneum-jeon where stands GwaneumBodhisattva as Goddess of Mercy in the bizarre shape. She has 11 faces, 1,000eyes and 1,000 arms, which means this Savior Budha can appear in varied shapesin front of the needy people, for instance a doctor for sick people, a fooddonator for impoverished people. We steer on the left and meet Biro-jeon. Atthis simple monument we see the 10 great and other pupil monks who had directlylearned from Sakyamuni. At the left side of the building you can find lots ofstone towers. You also try to collect and stack stones to make one for yourselfso that you pray for your own wish. Now we get to Geukrak-jeon, Paradise Hall,where is situated Amitabha in charge of ideal Paradise of Buddhism. This is agolden, seated statue of Buddha, one of national treasures. In front of thebuilding is a monument of gold pig which was believed from old age to bringhumans great luck.
To go toanother pair of UNESCO heritage, Seokguram Grotto, we go up through a zigzagmountain road with forest trees. This monument has around the same structurecave prayer rooms as found in India, but is considered as the highlight ofBuddhist relics in Oriental World. This grotto was made in a very sophisticatedand hardworking architectural skills and plans: it has a spring on the groundsurface with continuous cool air flowing all the time, so it functions as anatural air conditioning system for protecting moist, otherwise this in turncould cause moss and furthermore corrosion of granite Buddhist statue and itsencircling walls and ceiling. Besides, this marble statue is situated at aposition from which is straightly lined with the sun rise place on the east onthe day of winter solstice, only with the marginal gap by 1/1000 for today’sscientific measuring. Still happens a halo phenomenon, backlight of the Buddha’s headviewed in a straight line by a 160- meter tall prayer standing in the center ofthe prayer spot. Even by far-advanced technology of today, we can not imitatethis well fabricated state. This is why the treasure is enclosed by a glassbin. All this architecture started to be built in 751 AD, 8th century and wascompleted after 20 years’ labor. Most of all, theBuddhist statue itself overlooks us in a majestic and generous facial expressionsurrounded by Bodhisattvas and guardians inscribed on the walls. After viewingthe beautiful sceneries with hills and mountains we walk down from thismysterious relics and nature.
Now it’s time totaste featured foods of this local area: table d’hote of barbeque such asTteokgalbi(rib patty), bulgogi(beef seasoned with soy sauce) or Seoksoebulgogi(grilled Korean beef), or ssambab(meat seasoned with soy sauce or chillisauce, and eaten wrapped with fresh vegetables). After vernacular dishes, we cantake a walk around grand royal tombs in Daereungwon which high-rise to thesky(the biggest one is 23 meters at height, 120 meters at diameter forHwangnam-daechong), or visit some museums as Gyeongju National Museum orCheonma-chong. Just in front of Kyerim, the first king’s natal place in the forest,we drop by Cheomseong-dae, the oldest astronomical and astrological observatoryin Asia. Standing alone in a wide open air, this stone pagoda is a structuremade in a philosophical, symbolic and sternly architectural way, so it couldstand for an earthquake of 5.8 magnitude without damage.
When it’s thetime dusk falls down, we can visit Anapji Pond, literally means Pond of Ducksand Geese. This section of the old demolished palace, Dong-gung(East Palace)keeps mysterious different views from one spot to another if it is seen fromany place around the pond. After hearing elegant elegies from this alreadycollapsed but still brilliant dynasty palace and watching its pavilions andscenic views with 3 islets, we wrap up our tour. Gyeongju is still worthvisiting in spite of a long ride from Seoul.
As a secondday tour, we go up to Andong, a town with the background of naturalcircumstance and Confucianist culture in Gyeongsang-do Province. Byeonsan Sewon(literally, a Confucianist Academy surrounded by mountains) was a shrine andlocal education center which was established in 1572, and extended in 1863 inorder to commemorate Confucius, the founder of Confucianism and Ryu Seongyong,a scholar and prime minister of Joseon Dynasty during the Japaneseinvasion(1592-1598). Feel the spirit and aura of a private Confucianistuniversity while looking inside the main venu, lecture hall, studentdormitories and also its natural surroundings looking down to the stream surroundedby mountains. After a short ride and walk, you will stand on a hill calledBuyong-dae. On top of it, you can overview a fantastic view of Hahoe Village, aravishing village seeming like a lotus flower surrounded by a river. Afterdropping by 2 private gazebos owned by 2 brother scholars of Ryu Seongyong andRyu Woonyong and hearing of their friendship, we drive down to Andong HahoeVillage, a UNESCO cultural heritage. If lucky(on every Wednesday, Friday,Saturday and Sunday), you can join the performance of Byeolsin-gut Mask Play atits entrance. The play is shown by characters with humorous masks on such as anobleman, a Buddhist monk, a bride, farmers, a cow slaughterer and a sarcasticlad. Through the farce or satirical drama, town people tried to ridicule andcriticize the hypocrisy of the aristocratic class and Buddhism whichoverwhelmed common people mercilessly for a long time, as well as wish for thetown’s good luck, rich harvest and people’s welfare. Walking around thesmall alleys enclosed with short walls and various types of traditional houses,you will feel peace and stillness in this 600-year-old town. You can alsoconfirm the patriotism of Rue Sungyong, the prime minister who contributed tosave the country from an alien attack in the small museum(Chunghyo-dang) andlocate some memorable sites visited by celebrities like Queen Elizabeth the 2ndand President George Bush. Try vernacular dishes here such as steamed chickenwith sauce, bibimbap with soy sauce, noodles and salted mackerel. Especially asyou visit this town in mid April, you would not leave this alluring oldvillage, going along a riverside filled with cherry blossoms ravishing enoughto catch your eyes.
Coming backto Seoul we drop by Woryeong-gyo Bridge(Moonlight Reflected Bridge). Thislongest as a wooden, pedestrian bridge in Korea was restored based on aever-lasting love story of a couple. This is a story also introduced byNational Geographic and CNN. When a 180-meter tall man’s tomb was found around thisarea about 450 years ago, were also excavated a letter and a shoe sole made ofa woman’s hair. The letter and the sole were the proofs of love, each of whichwas written and sewn by the buried man(Lee Eungtae)’s wife, who had survived hisdeath and always been missing her husband. Cherished with the love story, whydon’t you walk across the bridge, 387 meters long, 3.6 meters wide onNakdong-gang River accompanied with trees and lamps attached.
#17 Mix &Match Tour
Spend a dayto enjoy the modern and contemporary Seoul City and its culture & historyof 1970-80’s with our special Mix & Match Tour!
This tourstarts from your hotel at 9 in the morning. First, we visit the Seoul Museum ofHistory. This is the only museum (as of today) all over the world whichcontains a city’s whole history and its culture. The place comprises 5 sections as Seoulof the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1863), The Capital of the Daehan Empire(1863-1910),Under Japanese Control(1910-1945), Period of Rapid Growth(1945-2002) and SeoulPanoramic Theater. Especially at the last exhibition hall you can observe abird’s eye view of Seoul, the miniature with the scale of 1/1500 based onaerial photos and precise measurements. Through diverse forms of images,relics, documents, maps and displays you can overview a capital city withhistory of more than 620 years. Vestiges in Seoul from the prehistoric era tomodern age are on display. You will learn about the past and present of Seoulsimultaneously including its developmental spheres of civilization and thetransformation from Korean War to a rapid-growing metropolice. Also outside themuseum, you can observe a street car which ran downtown Seoul in modern age.The other outdoor monuments are supplementary material from Gwanghwamun(PalaceGate), and Japanese Colonial Government Building, and some relics from historicsites such as stone statues, Confucianist scholars’ statues, foundation stone ofBell Pavillion Site and a 5-story stone Buddhist tower.
SeMA Bunkerwas a secret underground bunker and now is an art gallery managed by SeMA(SeoulMuseum of Art). It was discovered by chance during a renovation of a bustransfer system of this area, Yeouido Island. This bunker was hidden in a 595m2 space with 5 meter height, 10 meter width and 50 meter length, especiallybuilt for prevention of bombs with 50-centimeter thick hard concrete. Itsconstruction period is presumed to be 1976-77 as no official record about thisforbidden spot was found. At that time the military conflict in Koreanpeninsula was highest since, in August 1976, a tragic accident happened in JSA,where 2 US officers was sacrificed with axes swung by North Korean soldiers.Much more, on top of this bunker there was the site of a platform for watchingmassive military parades frequently taking place at that time, which provesthis spot’s purpose for the shelter for the President and governmental staff in anemergency. Sure this contains a President’s emergency office. A heritageof Cold War is now changed into a cultural reservoir after 40 years of itsconstruction. This museum shows the history and discovery of the bunker andYeouido area as well as special programs and arts exhibitions all year round.
SeoulBattleship Park is the first ship theme park in Korea, visitors can see thereal battleship situated along the Hang riverfront. The park showcases 3battleships retired after 30-40 year duty each. They are Seoul-ham(1,900-tonconvoy), a 190-ton submarine and Chamsuri(high-speed patrol killer) which wasthe battleship fighting against NK vessels in 2002 Yeonpyeong Naval Battle onWest Sea. You can look around the inside structure of these battle vessels andindirectly experience the lives of naval soldiers. Much more at the front andend of the board you have unusual photo zones with the background of ships andthe Han River
Our lastdestination is Oil Tank Culture Park, a grade-1 security facility which hasbeen strictly prohibited from public access while used over the past 41 years.The park offers art exhibitions and village markets since 2017. These oil tankswere originally created to secure stable petroleum supply in 1st Oil Crisisduring the Middle East War in 1973. The containers of gasoline, diesel orbunker C oil were revived after 10 years’ abandonment into a culturecenter or a storytelling place, equipped with Glass Dome(T1), PerformanceHal(T2) and a wooden area(T4). Now this Culture Reservoir Facility whichcontains open space for citizens’ cultural and relaxingactivities, surrounded by 6 grand tanks, hopes to be a representativeattraction for city recycling movement.
#18 DanyangEight Scenic Views: Dodamsambong Peak & Chungju Lake Cruise Tour
Danyang havetaken pride of its beautiful natural sceneries since a long time ago in Korea.This place was visited by famous poets and artists such as Kim Hongdo and JeongSeon, and became the material of Oriental landscape paintings. Lee Hwang, greatConfucianist scholar, whose figure appears on 1,000 KRW bill, was once thegovernor of Danyang County. He admired its fantastic spots and named themDanyang Eight Scenic Views. Chungjoo-ho lake cruise ship voyages with a 25 -kmroute on this calming lake on Namhan-gang(South Han River) with 6,600 squaremeters space and 100-meter average depth which was enclosed by Chungjumulti-purpose Dam upto Dodamsam-bong. While you cruise on board down the river,you can watch exotic rocks and hills formed with shapes of several animals suchas Jebi-bong(swallow peak), Gudam-bong(turtle pond peak) and Juksun-bong(bambooshoot peak) and ones also involved with legendary stories such asDodamsam-bong. Especially you have the chance to compare a landscape picture ofcelebrated painter(Jeon Seon)’s with the real Gudam-bongPeak. These exotic rocks and peaks look entangled with pine trees, thuja treesand vine, seasonally with spring flowers and autumn foliage. You pass under anorange, gorgeous bridge, Cheongpung-daegyo contrastive to the blue river, stopover at Cheongpung-naru Quay, and then come back up among the aestheticmountain views of Weorak-san National Park.
We need mealafter scenic view: you can go and eat delicious food called GarlicHanjeongsik(Table d’hote or Korean Set Menu). Garlic is an organic energizer, best quality,featured produce of this area. Otherwise you can drop by Googyeong TraditionalMarket where garlic dumpling, garlic dakgangeong(chicken seasoned with sweetand sour sauce) and other vernacular snacks and dishes are eaten.
Still, notbeing satisfied, you will run to Jan-gyo, a long and narrow skywalk goingaround hillsides along the river. You also visit Dodamsambong Three Peaks, thebest one among Danyang 8 scenic views. The Three Peaks are stunning rocks onHan River with the background of surrounding mountains and hills. You canlisten to the legend involved in the Peaks and the story of a scholar calledJeong Dojeon, establisher of Joseon Dynasty’s state system and its Palaceof Gyeongbok-gung.
GosuCave(optional)
As travelingthis sun-lit Danyang County on a hot day, you would have the mind to exploreGosu Cave, the limestone cave greatest in Asia. Walking up and down the stairs,you will give out cheers with awe at the mysterious sights which stone pillars,stalagmites and stalactites dangling down from the cave ceiling had generated.You will marvel at the details and grandeur of Underground Paradise that Naturecreated.
Guin-saBuddhist Temple(optional): Located in a deep valley, this varied, grandiose andbrilliant headquarter temple of Cheontajong(Buddhist division compound out ofZen and non-Zen sect) is worth visiting. Even though climbing up to the highsite needs plenty of your sweat, it is reimbursed with the beauty and solemnityof the silent temple.
#18 Half DayKorea Contemporary History Tour
As you don’t haveenough time to take a tour of the whole Seoul, just stepping out of your hoteldowntown Seoul, you can plunge into unique sceneries with the historicalstories of Modernization Age in Korea. You start in a form of dark tourism atSeodaemun Prison History Hall since Korean modern time is represented in partby invasion and deprivation. From 1876, Joseon Dynasty officially opened itsgate to the outer world. However, this country of Morning Calm didn’t managewell the influx of Western civilization and finally fell to the knees of brutalJapanese colonialism. After Joseon was annexed to Japan, about 400,000prisoners were jailed in this prison(1908-1945), and most of them wereindependence activists. This prison is the symbol of Korean people’s spiritof Independence and Japan’s merciless ruling andatrocities. The hall is composed of Exhibition Halls (including Prison HistoryRoom, National Resistance Rooms, Underground Torture Chamber, SimulatedExecution Site and Shadow Image Experiment), Central Prison Building(formonitoring and controlling), Prison Building, Engineering Work Building (forlaboring) and other annex buildings like Execution Ground Building.
On runningout of the anti-civilization site, in the bright, open air you meet SeodaemunIndependence Park, where there used to be standing Yeongeun-mun (the gategreeting Chinese envoys) and it changed to Independence Gate, which is thesymbolic monument of Independence spirit in the era of Korean Empire.
Now we go toDeoksugung Stone Wall Walkway. Deoksugung Palace was also used for the palaceof Korean Empire(1897-1910) and Gojong, sincere last king of Joseon Dynastystayed during his last reign. Around the place was a gathering of embassies andligations of superpowers at that time. The town Jeong-dong became the field ofdiplomatic battles to get the hegemony of Far-Eastern Asia. From then this areahas been the spot where Western culture and Korean traditional culture aremerged together. Walking along the softly curved stone wall surroundingDeoksugung Palace, you can find neoclassical atmosphere about this idiomaticplace. The center of culture and diplomacy now and then is encircled withmuseums(Seoul Art Museum, Deoksugung division of National Museum of Modern andContemporary Art), theaters(Jeongdong Theater, Cecil Theater), Embassies andLegations in the past and present(British Embassy, Old Russian Legation Site,Old US Legation Site, etc), Christian churches (Anglican Church of Korea,Jeongdong Jeil Church, Salvation Army) and Deoksugung Palace. You can startyour tour from Jeongdong Observatory directly facing the Palace. While drinkingthe tea served on the 13-floor of city government affiliated building, you canoverlook Seoul downtown and its business district filled with palace buildingsincluding Seokjojeon Hall in Renaissance style, and Junghwajeon as throne hall,business buildings on Sejongdaero Avenue and the Blue House with the backgroundof Bukhansan mountains. Seasonally in autumn, strolling on the Palace WallWalkway covered with yellow, orange street trees, you can pay a visit to afilming site of K-drama Goblin, pass by the door to the palace and a smallpathway to the UK Embassy which was banned to enter for 60 years. After thepromenade of this elegant, vintage place which is hidden in the middle ofcrowds, vehicles and streets, you can try traditional noodles hot or cold, withsauce or soup, and of wheat or buckwheat at a local restaurant such asYurim-myeon Restaurant. Also have the chance to visit the Deoksugung Palace inparticular with the backyard concerted by modernity and tradition.
#19 SeoulAutumn Tour
Overview
In Korea, thebeautiful autumn leaves begin to change their color in late September. Ginkgotrees and maple trees throughout Korea change their hues to yellow and red.
This is oneof the best seasons to visit Korea from mid October until mid November.
Description
DowntownSeoul in the season of autumn when the cold wind is starting to blow, you findthe peculiar landscape complicated with modernity, tradition and nature. Thereis a street called Deoksugung doldam-gil with orange and yellow foliage treesplanted along a 900-meter-long stone wall around Deoksugung Palace. Walking onits elegant road, also known as Jeongdong-gil, you can meet numeroustraditional and modern structures such as art museums, embassies &legations, churches and theaters. This area was the field of diplomacy andintroduction of new Western culture and civilization to Korea in the era ofKorean Empire(1897-1910). Whereas the yellow ginkgo trees are seen outside thepalace, also yellowish brown foliage is observed inside Deoksugung along withthe relics of traditional and modern architectures. Moreover, another way tofeel the season of fall, is enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the wholelandscape of Seoul CBD streets from Jeongdong Observatory between skyscrapers.
Olympic ParkGarden is a legacy of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. This is now used as a leisurefacility in which historic remains from the Baekje Era share the space withstate-of-the-art sports stadiums, approximately 1.45 million ㎡ withnatural environment. It is recognized as a cultural art park, eco-park, historyexperience park, largest sports arena and resting place. This is one of themost beautiful parks located in Seoul that not many aliens know, especially whovisit Korea for the first time. Do not miss out on this beautiful place. Comehere in autumn to explore the green grass field, ginkgo tree road and flowers.
It may besurprising but a dozen years ago this area Haneul Park is located was a massivedisposal site. Seoul Metropolis recycled it into a green space when it wasdesignated as a hosting city for the 2002 World Cup. Sky Park(another name ofHaneul Park) is the highest site among soccer fields, with good observatorypoints enabling visitors to take in the fantastic views of surrounding mountainsand rivers. This open-air park is full of lush Eulalia(flame grass) and home tothe Seoul Eulalia Festival, held in every October when the grass is in bloom.The park remains open until 10 pm. during the festival. In addition, visitorscan enjoy the light festival there in the night.
#20 HongcheonTour
Overview
Are youplanning to visit Korea in October? October is the best month to travel inKorea because the weather is fine, clear and dry. Also, this is the best monthto experience the beauty of autumn leaves. You will see the leaves of mapletrees and ginkgo trees change their colors to red or yellow on the highways andbusy streets. In fact, Hongcheon is the only place can see the most beautifulGinkgo forest in Korea. Hongcheon is a county located in Gangwon Province ofSouth Korea. The city lies on the northern bank of the Hongcheon-gang river.This place was selected as the best area for healing your mind and soul. Wewill visit the Ginkgo tree forest, Herb-nara farm, Wondaeri Birch forest &Mont Blanc Observatory in this tour.
Description
HongcheonGinkgo Forest
Ginkgo treeforest in Hongcheon is not a park, nor a daily tourist venue but a privateland. This yellow world of fantasy and romance was made by a man whose wife hadsuffered from chronic indigestion. He moved in this isolated mountain area toseek for the water healthful for her and started to plant ginkgo tress wishingfor her recovery. 30 years after that, the beauty came to be known to peopleand the landlord decided to make it public from 2010. This ginkgo tree forestis lined with around 2,000 ginkgo trees with 5-meter distance each without anyother tree species. You can see this forest turn into golden yellow only inOctober. Take a walk around and have chance to lie down on the yellow groundcovered with ginkgo leaves in late autumn, and you can get the unforgettablememory embraced by nature.
Herb-naraFarm
Opened in1994 in Pyeongchang, Herb-nara farm is the first herb-themed park in Korea.This Herb World where more than 100 species of herbs such as rosemary, lavenderand camomile are raised on the spot, features 7 different themed gardens (theButterfly Garden, the Medieval Garden, the Shakespeare Garden), Herb Museum,and Glass Greenhouse, etc. Those fantastic gardens combined with the variousponds, galleries and uniquely decorated buildings create a splendid 12km² areadisplaying a wide range of herbs, flowers and trees. Everything is wellarranged for visitors who will also find an exhibition room, in case you wantto bring back home herb-related products. The farm is family-friendly withnumerous activities and areas available so that kids have a memorableexperience there, such as making herb tea, herb vinegar, herb soap or candleand find other outdoor playgrounds. You can taste herb bibimbap, rice cake,buckwheat pancake or snacks like cotton candy, herb skewered, herb syrup. Alsothey have many other facilities a tea house, a birdhouse village. Amateurphotographers, families and lovers will surely find it a perfect place to visitand enjoy!
WondaeriBirch Forest
In Wondaeri,one mountainous place in Gangwon-do Province, birch trees are significantfeatures of the landscape. Walking through this ecological, esthetic andeducational woods which was reserved only for the purpose of planting andgrowing 690,000 trees for 21 years(1974-1995), it will take 1 hour (about 3hours to explore the whole area). You will see the trails, ponds, birches whiletrekking inward this mysterious forest. Besides, this beautiful place is theshooting location of ”Yong Pa Ri”, which is a Korean drama starring by top actor and actress, Joo Won andKim Tae-hee in 2015. Look up the end of these white trees high-rising to thesky and feel the primitive natural beauty. This is one of the best way torelieve your stress during the trip. (unavailable dates: 1st-15th in Februaryand 1st-15th November)
Mont Blanc onCable car
Mont BlancObservatory is located 1,050 meters high on the top of Mt. Taegi aroundPyeongchang Phoenix, one of the 2018 Winter Olympic Venue in Pyeongchang. Thissecond largest ski park in Korea has become one of Korea’s mostfamous resort complexes on account of the highest quality of ice and fantasticmountain scenic views and is especially well known since its appearance in theKorean drama ‘Winter Sonata. This Olympic venue was used for the Free Style Ski andSnow Board events during the period. You will see the amazing scenery of themountains in Pyeongchang County going up and down inside the cable car. Afterarriving at the top of the hill, you will visit a stock farm. Come here andenjoy the beautiful sceneries on grass plains and also experience feeding thecute sheep, ponies, rabbits, and ostriches etc.
#21 IncheonTransit Tour (Incheon City)
Overview
4-5 hourslayover tour from Incheon International Airport to Incheon city. Visit thefamous attractions in Incheon and try popular Korean style Chinese food.Incheon is the Gateway City to Korea now and then with old and modernizeddowntown. Enjoy the tour of Incheon old downtown to find historical traces ofKorea’s modernization.
Description
Incheon wasthe gateway to Korea in Modernization Era of Joseon dynasty(late 19th century)and now also is the one where international airport is located. Therefore thiscity has lots of titles of the FIRSTs in Korea: the venue 1st internationalagreement was joined, 1st social club between foreigners, 1st railway, 1st freeforeign trade market, 1st modern hotel, 1st lighthouse, etc. Survey 2 aspectsof Incheon: historic site of modernization and state of art New Town.
Since thetrade inland in Korean Peninsula was allowed to Chinese merchants in 1883, thiscity came to get one of China Towns. Sure Incheon has the first & biggestChina Town in South Korea. And now this area boast many restaurants withChinese Korean fusion cuisine such as jajangmyeon (Korean black bean saucenoodles) & Jiamppong (Korean spicy seafood noodles). In China Town,visitors can enjoy the delicious Chinese-Korean fusion cuisine and discover fascinatingbuildings and museums from the 19th Century, such as traditional Chinese gates,a Taoist Temple, Chinese schools, culture exchange centers and a muraldepicting the story of the three kingdoms. In addition, you can get somepleasure in locating K-drama ‘Goblin’ shooting sites where Gongyustarred around this area. Those are Art Flatform, Jemulpo Gurakbu(Foreigners’ SocialClub), Geu-Mart, and some spots around Jayu Park.
When you walkup for 10 minutes passing by some drama filming sites, you can meet Jayu Park.Also known as Freedom Park, this observatory place got its name when a statueof General MacArthur, who successfully led the Incheon Amphibious LandingOperation during the Korean War, was erected at the summit of Mt. Eungbongsan.This is the Korea’s first Western-style green park. Visitors can enjoy the views ofdowntown Incheon, surrounding mountains, harbor facilities and the beautifulbeach.
Coming downon the right direction from the Jayu park, we encounter a town of fantasy,Fairy Tale Village also known as Songwol-dong fairy town village. This is abeautiful place to take pictures and take a walk around after lunch becauseFairy Tale Village is just next to the China Town. Painted houses and windowframes decorates the whole village. Painting of fairy-tale story’scharacters, animals, flowers, rainbow stairs, etc are scattered aoo around thistown. Such a Fairy Tale Wonderland!
Now let’s go to asite of proof for religious influx from Western World in Incheon. Dap-dongCatholic church is a Gothic style brick architecture, first built in 1897,being one of the oldest Western style architectures in Korea. Wilhelm’ssuccessor designed this gothic-style cathedral. Cathedral has a ground plan inthe shape of a cross and is built mainly in red bricks, with granite in someimportant parts. A set of beautiful rose windows decorates the central frontentrance.
#22 IncheonTransit Tour (Songdo New Town)
A 4-5 hourslayover tour in the modern city Songdo. Songdo district is the largest privatereal estate development in history, it features the Northeast Asia Trade Towerand Incheon Tower. Visitors could enjoy the modern view of Songdo central park,visit the real historic Korean buildings (Hanok), take photos outside theunique style of architecture Tri-bowl or shop at the European-style street mallNC Cube Canal Walk. Enjoy a characteristic of Incheon: Songdo New Town with thefuturistic vision of Korea.
We start ourtour to overview the whole Songdo New Town and Incheon-daegyo Bridge fromG-tower. The home to IFEZ(Incheon Free Economic Zone) Authority, is aninternational building that is a landmark of Songdo International BusinessDistrict occupied by international organizations such as the Green Climate Fund(GCF) and some United Nations agencies. The “g” in G-Tower stands for “green,growth and global.” So, G-Tower is also an eco-friendly facility that is self-sufficientfor 17.8 percent of its energy use through solar heat and geothermal heat. Wecan learn a little bit Incheon’s history as the main gatewayto Korea old and now.
SongdoCentral Park, surrounded by skyscrapers of office buildings, shopping malls,educational facilities and private apartments, covers an area about 100 acresin the middle of IBD(International Business District) and features a number ofdifferent yet interesting characters. The park was completed in 2009 with theaim to be the central park of Songdo area. It’s easy to approach from anydirection and is set along a canal with urban water leisure facilities, Hanok(traditional house) Village, observatories, performance & exhibition hallslike Compact·Smart City and Tri-bowl. We can enjoy some water leisure activities atthe West Boathouse of the park. Water taxis provide a shuttle service on anartificial sea-water flow, taking about 20 minutes. From the taxis, visitorscan comfortably enjoy the charm of Central Park such as Rabbit Island, DeerFarm and Manneken Pis. In addition, at the East Boathouse are other leisureprograms such as canoeing, kayaking, boating and bicycling. This place is oneof the sought-after venues for shooting dramas and movies such as a K-drama ‘Descendantsof the Sun(2016)’.
Hanok Villageoffers a counterweight to the ultra-modernist architectures of Songdo with manyreplicas of real historic buildings. The complex sections offer restaurants, acultural space, a cafe and a Hanok hotel, enabling visitors to experience theKorean traditional things in a seemingly non-traditional location.
Compact·SmartCity or Incheon City History Museum is an exhibition center that shows thehistory of Incheon and the developmental process of Songdo International Cityat a glance. The center shows the past, present and future of Incheon throughthe Ancient & Modern Times Exhibition Hall, Incheon Miniature Hall,Experience Exhibition Hall, 5-D Theater and 4-D Theater. At the Ancient &Modern Times Exhibition Hall on the first floor, visitors can learn about theorigin of the name Incheon, while at the Incheon Miniature Hall on the secondfloor, they can see the city shrunk down to a scale of 1/1,200. Images are alsooffered of Songdo’s development phase through videos.
Tri-bowl is ageometrical architecture with the shape of three bowls being put togetherwithout straight pillars. The structure reminds of a cone hat upside down, andis also the world’s first construction built in an inverted-shell structure where itsbreadth widens from bottom to top. Tri-bowl symbolizes ‘sky (airport)’, ‘ocean(seaport)’ and ‘land (metro transportation)’. It also represents IncheonFree Economic Zone, comprising 3 international business districts of Cheongna(mainly for leisure), Yeongjong (for distribution) and Songdo (for business).Tri-bowl is also used for performances, exhibitions and educational purposes.That is why Tri-bowl received the Architecture Culture Grand Prize at theKorean Architecture Awards in 2010. Especially the night view at this3-dimensional monument based on esthetics of curves is a beautiful structure,luring many visitors.
NC Cube CanalWalk is a European-style street mall where visitors can walk along the canaland enjoy shopping and relaxing. Built under the four themes of spring, summer,autumn and winter, the walk is lined with commercial facilities. Also, the longcentral canal that runs between buildings and artistic sculptures create anavant-garde atmosphere to savor.
#23 CanoeTour
Description
Chuncheon hasa nickname called ‘City of Lakeshore’ as it stands surrounded bySoyang-gang River. Because a multi-purpose dam blocks one great flow ofHan-gang River upstream of the city, this area seemingly became a lake. Withbeautiful sceneries and nice climate in Chuncheon, you can enjoy some outdoor activities.If you watched the comedy show Running man, this Chuncheon Mulle-gil (the waysurrounding the river) is the perfect place for watersports! To fully enjoy thebeautiful weather, we will take an adventurous canoe tour! You can feel thebreeze blowing from the water when you row around the lake. In addition, youcan observe beautiful bridges, Puppet Theater, Animation Museum and Skywalk.
Soyang-gangSkywalk
SoyanggangSkywalk suspending between 2 landmarks of Chuncheon, Soyang-gang Maiden Statueand 2nd Soyang-gang Bridge, is the longest skywalk in Korea and trulyspectacular. You can look down the river flow waving through a156-meter(512-foot) long glass. Walking above the water will certainly give yougoosebumps!
Dakgalbi(Grilledor Barbequed Chicken)
At lunchtime, don’t skip trying dakgalbi whose recipe is 2 ways: chicken grilled withvegetables and sweet & spicy sauce and chicken barbequed over charcoal.Whichever you try, it will be your nice memory for your tongue.
Gangchon Railbike (optional)
Get on theecological rail bike cherished with your adolescent memories of having takenthe train or bicycle! This romantic tour is designed along on no more usedtrain rail in the treasure of natural reserve around this area. Cross thebridge and follow the stream of a river, pass through the mountains and runalong the farming road with circumstance in different colors every season. Youcan enjoy beautiful landscapes while enjoying a relaxing ride on the bike atyour own pace. It’s a great experience for families, lovers and friends! Your sweat from agood exercise will be put down from accepting cool wind by going through theriver bride and the tunnel. You can experience the feeling of solidarity inyour group with a team spirit.
NamiIsland(optional)
To cross overthe Bukhan-gang River into the Nami Island, you can also choose to dangle on azip line instead of taking a cruise boat. Nami Island is an eco-friendly parkon the upper flow of Bukaan-gang River, 70 kms north of Seoul. The dream of thefounder, former CEO of Korea National Bank to make this place a relaxing parkfor Korean people came true to exceed its original aim. Over 3,300,000 localand foreign tourists visited this island. Stroll with your family members,friends and lovers hand in hand through the woods and along the riverside. Youcan meet different trees like pines, nut pines, firs, birches, maples andzingkos. On the way to the end of the island you can find several eco- gardens(made with empty bottles, tree sticks, and other recycled material), themeparks, some animals(ostriches, squirrels) and some birds (peacocks and others).Tired from walking, we can stop by coffee shops, snack bars and souvenir shops.Fans of K-drama loves to take photos sitting at the first-kiss bench, and someplaces along Ginko Tree Lane and Metasequoia Tree Lane (filming spots of thedrama Winter Sonata). All these things seen and heard in the Island make youfeel yourself like a resident in a natural and imaginative Republic.
# 24Pyeongchang Tour
Pyeongchangwas a small town away from 3 hours by car from Seoul but is the city hosting2018 Winter Olympic Games. You first visit Alpensia Ski Jump (K98) Tower afterascending monorail car. Standing on the 98 meter-high spot, you couldexperience to become a ski jumper. On the observatory, you can overlook Coursesfor Cross-country, Biathlon, Alpine, and Sliding Center, as well as somefacilities like MPC, IBC of 2018 Winter Olympic Games scattered on hills andmountains. Even though we cannot see the Main Stadium and major monumentsbecause of Pyeong Chang’s original eco-friendly planthat most of the venues and facilities should be demolished or restored tonature or original state, it’s also worth visiting theremaining sites of 23rd Winter Sports Festival of Mankind. You can also havethe pleasure to purchase some official Olympic souvenirs.
For atraveller hungry for the nature and its beauty, other 2 places are remaining onthe way back to Seoul. One is Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch with 200,000 m2 green fieldseated at 900-meter altitude. Walking up and down the green hill, let’s watchthe sheep grazing grass. Full of peace, you will feel yourself harmonized withnature, especially surrounded by the ambient, scarlet light at sunset. Besides,you can try to feed cute, little sheep with dry grass yourself. The other isWoljeongsa Buddhist Temple, built in 643 AD, with a number of culturalheritages such a nine-story stone pagoda and a seated statue of Buddha. On FirForest Trail 1-kilometer long towards the temple from Iljumun, the main gatewith 2 pillars, you can feel urge to throw away your shoes. This fir tree laneis also a shooting spot of K-drama ‘Goblin’, where Dokkaebi(Goblin)confessed his feelings for Eun-tak by saying, “I want to continue to live,with you.” And one more spot: you will find Haetalgyo Bridge, the snow-coveredbridge where Dokkaebi(Goblin) followed Eun-tak slowly from behind in episode #9. Whilst passing through these 1,800 fir trees, high-rising to the sky, over80 years old, and ambling on smooth mud on your feet, you feel like a humanbeing liberated from worries and apprehension. Nature consoles and cures us,humans!
(option)Alpine Coaster:
With yourfamily or friends, you can also enjoy riding a plaything like a roller coasterriding on the 1.4 km-track made between the advanced and intermediate Alpineski slopes. You can control the gliding yourself up to the highest speed of 40km/h, with accelerator or brake. You can feel some thrill while steering on acrooked or a steep path.
(option)Gangneung Olympic Park and Anmok Beach:
From PyeongChang, you can go farther for more 30 minutes to Gangneung, one of 2018 WinterOlympic host cities. After you move around venues of Gangneung Olympic Park forhockey(Hockey Center), speed & short-track skating(Speed Oval), and figureskating(Ice Arena), and curling(Curling Center in Indoor Sports Complex), youwill arrive at Anmok Beach, where you can drink a cup of coffee while watchingthe beach scenery of East Coast.
# 25 Ulleungdo Tour
There is a solitary island onthe East Sea of Korea, remote from the mainland as well as Dokdo (Hornet Islands). Ulleungdo isconsidered as a mysterious island with its accessibility, history, and naturalsurroundings. To go to Ulleungdo, an officially uninhabited island before 1882,it still takes 3 hours by ship from Port Mukho or every east most part ofKorea, thus it is still an unknown and favored place to the most of localpeople. The island, 73 km-wide, 41 km-long with 100,000 inhabitants has a986-meter-tall volcanic peak in the middle surrounded by the indigo sea.
On Arriving at Jeodong Port we can run to HobakyeotConfectionary and try sweet, pumpkin malt candy to be refreshed from a longvoyage and also watch its manufacturing procedure.
Now we take a tour around this outlandish isle startingfrom Cheonbu Underwater Observatory. At the 5 to 6 meters under the sea weobserve the marine ecosystem filled with plentiful kinds of fish.
On the way upward the mountain, we meet the only plain ofUlleungdo called Nari Bunji which is a crater basin formed by the mouth of avolcano collapsing. Here we could find some shingle-roof and thatched-roofhouses. Down to the beach, just 200 meters away from the seashore standsSeongbulsa Buddhist Temple. The bizarre beauty of Mt. Song Got-san (literallymeaning Mt. Awl) and the Ocean merge together here.
While driving along the beach, we pass by Elephant Rock(looking like an elephant drinking water with its nose sinking into the sea).After a short drive, we arrive at Taeha-whangto-gumi (Cave of Yellow Mud with 9Tastes). Now you have two options here: whether to take a walk through thestairs installed on the beach cliff (Not recommendable to the people withacrophobia, HA HA) or to use the monorail on the other way. This is, reportedly,one of the 10 best scenic views in South Korea.
On the way back to the wharf, we also encounter TurtleRock (with intrusive material on one side, and basalt on the other side), attachedon the emerald sea, where you wind up your Ullengdo Tour together with theravishing sunset falling behind the rock. Otherwise we can say farewell to thisexotic island on the cruise ship with the dark-red sun glow on the ocean.
#26 Jeonju Tour
The city ofJeonju (as well as Naju) has been the central city of Jeolla Province since oldtimes and it became now one of the best tourist attractions by Koreanyoungsters. It features Hanok Village composed of about 550 Traditional Housesand plentiful foods and snacks. Jeonju is also a UNESCO City of Gastronomy whichis dedicated to thousands of years of traditional food with its characteristicrecipes, and home-made cuisines. Besides, Jeonju takes pride in being theoriginal town of the royal clan, Lee’s family who founded Joseon Dynasty.
From the entranceof Hanok Village, nobody can not but take out a camera to keep memories of thisbeautiful town. Enter the narrow alley between Jeonju Traditional MusicBroadcasting Station and House of Korean Traditional Music. And meet traditionalcafes, folk & arts centers and Hanok guest houses. You happen to findyourself standing in the middle of old town and old time while riding on timemachine.
Theleft end of the alley is Seung Gwang Jae, a royal family member’s residencenamed Lee Seok who is the 10th son of the 5th prince ofKing Gojong(26th King). Being hungry you rush to the Eunhaeng-ro.This is Ginkgo Tree Road which starts from a 600-year-old tree filled withvarious kinds of snack bars, Hanbok (traditional costume) rental shops, andfolk arts and crafts shops. As well, you can get some sophisticated souvenirswith cultural tradition on the street. Interested in Korean culture, you willpay a visit to a few of the museums and culture centers such as Hanok VillageHistory Museum, Jeonju Kimchi Culture Center, Jeonju Handicraft Master Center,Fan Culture Center, Jeonju Traditional Art & Craft Exhibition Center, GangamMuseum of Calligraphy and National Intangible Heritage Center.
Toget the image of the whole town, you can walk on steps upward to O-Mok-Dae, an observatoryand a monument for commemorating the triumph of Taejo, the first King who droveout pirates and invaders at the end of Goryeo Dynasty.
Thereis a must-eat dish here in Jeonju. In a house built in traditionalarchitecture, you eat bibimbap, a brassware bowl of rice in a vegetarian stylewith marinated sauce. Or you can try it in a hot stone pot or with some smashedmeat together. Otherwise it would be alright to try some street foods such as skeweredchicken or octopus, sticky rice cake, chocolate pie, and Patbingsu (ice sherbetwith red bean).
Aftersatisfying your hunger, you visit Gyeong Gi-Jeon, a Confucian Shrine where KingTaejo’s, (founder of Joseon) official portrait was originally installed. On thewalkway to Jeonju Sago, take a nice photo stance in the center of thesky-scraping bamboo trees. And then you can enter the Jeonju Historic Archivefor keeping one set of Annals of Joseon Dynasty (A UNESCO World Record). Thisplace has Jogyeongmyo, another shrine dedicated to Lee Han (progenitor ofJeonju Lee’s family) and his wife (from Gyeongju Kim’s family). Besides, we seeTaesil, the monument in which the container of 8th King Yejong’sumbilical cord (symbol of life origin) is conserved in a holy way. And the lastplace is Royal Portrait Museum, as well.
Acrossfrom the Oriental Shrine you access to a Western Shrine called Jeondong Cathedral,one of the 3 most beautiful catholic churches in Korea. This grand architecturein Romanesque and Byzantine style was designed by a French priest named Poinelwho had also planned to build Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul. This place has ahistoric spot to enshrine the first 2 martyrs in Korea who had been sacrificed duringthe Persecution of Christianity in 1791. This church was, surely, used for ashooting spot of the movies "Promise" and "Jeonwoochi".
Thelast place to drop by is Nambu (Southern) Market, the largest market in Jeonjusituated just outside of Pung Nam-Mun(South Gate of Jeonju Castle, whose stoneswere used for making corners stone of Jeondong Cathedral and whose soil wasbaked to make its bricks). The market became a regular market in 1905, butstill maintains the tradition of old market since mid Joseon. You can get everyitem of life supplies and necessities. Main food items here is white bread,bean sprouts rice soup for hangover, pork blood sausage, bibimbap roll, and beancurd soup.
Once we observedJeonju citizens’ pride in history, tradition and culture around Jella Province,we can leave this attractive city.