151109 facts tourism

FACTS ABOUT KOREA

Tourism Historical Heritage of Seoul, Tourist Attractions and Shopping Centers, Streets of Youth, Recreation in Nature, Tourist Attractions outside Seoul, Hanok Villages, Major Local Festivals in Korea

4 Tourism 관광

Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, is itself an important Dancheong Dancheong is a traditional method of decorating various palace and temple buildings with intricate patterns of the five cardinal colors, blue (symbolizing the east), white (west), red (south), black (north) and yellow (center).

This type of painting also serves to protect wooden structures from the elements.

part of Korea’s cultural heritage and the most popular attraction among overseas visitors to Korea. Although it is now one of the very largest modern metropolises in the world, its downtown area is enclosed by historic walls that were originally built over 600 years ago and contains a number of valuable historical heritage including Royal Palaces, fortress gates, and old residential districts.

Historical Heritage of Seoul Gyeongbokgung Palace Located at the foot of Bugaksan, the main mountain overlooking downtown Seoul, Gyeongbokgung was 1

the principal Royal Palace for about 200 years from its

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construction in 1395, just three years after the foundation of

1. Gyeongbokgung Palace The main Royal Palace of Joseon located at the heart of Seoul 2. Changdeokgung Palace Garden A view of the rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace, including Buyongjeong and Juhamnu Pavilions, with Buyongji Pond situated between them

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the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), until it was burnt down just after the commencement of the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. Thereafter it remained in ruins for 275 years until 1867 when it was restored; but, less than fifty years later, it fell into the hands of Japanese colonialists who destroyed the front part of the palace to build the Japanese GovernmentGeneral Building on the site. The latter building, a neo-classical

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structure, continued to be used to house government offices even after Korea was liberated in 1945 until it was demolished in 1996 as part of an effort to remove the remaining vestiges

Geummamun Gate at the Changdeokgung Palace Garden in Jongno, Seoul (left)

of the colonial period. Some of the ruins of the building were moved to the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, Korea for public display.

Under a major renovation project to restore the palace starting in 1990, some of its buildings were restored and its main gate, Gwanghwamun, was moved to its original location.

Today, the palace features some of the country’s most popular tourist attractions, including the majestic architectural pieces, Geunjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.

Changdeokgung Palace Garden The rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace, one of the Royal Palaces of Joseon (1392-1910) still standing in Seoul, has been widely praised for the harmony between exquisite architectural structures and its natural surroundings, and is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Seoul. The garden, known as the “secret garden” (biwon), the “forbidden” (geumwon) or “rear garden” (huwon), was a preferred venue for royal events such as banquets and picnics. It features a pond and several exquisite pavilions that were built around it over a long period of time. The garden was open to the general public until the mid-1970s, but this caused severe damage which led to its closure for several years to restore it to its original condition.

Only a part of the garden was reopened to the public in May 2004, but at present visitors need to make reservations in order to visit.

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Deoksugung Palace Unlike other Royal Palaces of Joseon, Deoksugung contains both Western style stone buildings and traditional wooden structures.

Deoksugung Palace To most Korean people today Deoksugung Palace is largely 1

connected with the desperate struggle of the Joseon Dynasty

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to survive amid the incursions of the major imperial powers at

1. Sungnyemun Gate 2. Heunginjimun Gate Seoul, the capital of the Joseon Dynasty, was protected by a long stone wall with eight gates, two of which, Sungnyemun (Namdaemun or South Gate) and Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun or East Gate), can still be seen today. The first, literally “Gate of Exalted Ceremonies,” is famous for being the Korean National Treasure No. 1, while the second, Heunginjimun, is the only one of the eight fortress gates protected by a semicircular gateguard wall.

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the turn of the 19th century. It was in 1897 that King Gojong proclaimed the launch of the Korean Empire and designated Deoksugung as the imperial palace after leaving the Russian legation where he had taken refuge one year earlier in a desperate attempt to keep his government free from the interference of Imperial Japan.

With the proclamation of the Korean Empire the palace began to draw attention from foreign diplomats working in the legations of the United States, Russia, Great Britain and France located around it.

Today, the clearest reminder of Deoksugung’s short-lived glory as the only imperial palace in Korean history is the

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changing of the palace guard ceremony, which takes place three times a day except for Mondays. The promenade along the southern wall of the palace has been particularly popular among young people seeking romantic ambiance.

Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun - South Gate) Sungnyemun, or the ‘Gate of Exalted Ceremonies’, is the south gate of the old fortress wall that was built to protect the capital (todays’ downtown Seoul) of Joseon. It is the largest of the old fortress gates still standing in Korea today, and was designated as the National Treasure No. 1 in 1962. The pavilionstyle wooden building forming the upper part of the gate was severely damaged by arson in February 2008, but was it was returned to its original form after a full-scale restoration project that took five years to complete.

The gate is often associated with the large complex of shopping facilities formed around it, including a traditional market which has steadily grown into a major tourist attraction.

The area is always bustling with Korean and international shoppers seeking to purchase clothes, kitchen wares, domestic appliances and other commodities offered at reasonably low prices despite their good quality. Many of the shops doing business in the area run their own factories to maintain competitive pricing of the products they deal in.

The Namdaemun Market currently houses over 9,300 stores and attracts over 500,000 shoppers a day. It has formed a huge international trading network of Korean merchants scattered around the world, spending and earning a large amount of money through imports and exports.

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Heunginjimun Gate (Dongdaemun - East Gate) Situated on the eastern part of the old fortified wall of Seoul, Heunginjimun (Gate of Rising Benevolence) attracts tens of thousands of people from across Korea and neighboring countries due both to its historic significance and its proximity to several large markets that have formed around it, including Gwangjang Market, Pyeonghwa Market, Sinpyeonghwa Market and Dongdaemun Market.

All of these markets are par ticularly famous for the diverse fashion items they offer, clothes and accessories in particular.

Co m p a re d w i t h d e p a r t m e n t s t o re s t h a t usually sell higher-priced luxury products, these markets have numerous wholesalers who supply competitively-priced good-

Dongdaemun Shopping Mall

quality products to retailers across Korea.

Tourist Attractions and Shopping Centers Insa-dong Insa-dong is a district in downtown Seoul that is packed with antique shops, antiquarian booksellers, art galleries, scroll mounters, craft workshops, brush shops, traditional teahouses, restaurants and bars that provide tourists with ample opportunities for an exciting cultural experience. The district had many places frequented by Korea artists, writers and journalists which have now begun to attract tourists from around the country and beyond. The Seoul Metropolitan Government designated Insa-dong as a District of Traditional Culture in 1988 129

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and turns it into a car-free zone every weekend to create a more comfortable environment for visitors.

Myeong-dong Myeong-dong has long been the busiest and most thriving shopping district in Korea where high-end shops and luxurious boutiques attract shoppers from all across Korea and tourists from different countries in Asia with luxury goods, brand garments, cosmetics, shoes, fashion accessories and souvenirs.

The district has also been the national hub of finance and culture as well as commerce since the Korean War (1950-1953) and, in the 1970s and 1980s, was frequented by Korea’s most energetic, fashion-conscious, outgoing people.

The position of Myeong-dong in the Korean fashion industry has dwindled somewhat in recent times, but its influence on the Korean fashion market remains significant. Many of the world’s top fashion brands maintain or have opened new stores in the district, winning back fashion-minded shoppers from the newly emerging fashion streets in the Gangnam area as well tourists from overseas. The district also contains Myeongdong Cathedral, established in 1898 and a central figure to all Korean Catholics, and the historic Chinese Embassy.

Apgujeong Rodeo Street Named after Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and home to some of the most prestigious fashion stores in the region, Rodeo Street in Apgujeong-dong is widely regarded as the “mecca of Korean fashion” and a trendsetter in Korea. Rodeo Street is packed with luxury stores, including the flagship stores of the world’s top fashion brands, and

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1. Insa-dong One of the most popular destinations among foreign tourists in Seoul, the district is packed with antique shops, art galleries, craft workshops, traditional teahouses, restaurants and bars.

2. Myeong-dong Korea’s busiest fashion district and the number one attraction among international shoppers visiting Seoul

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upscale restaurants, cafes and bars. The street also contains stores selling special fashion items sought after by young fashionistas, and fully meets all the diverse needs of shoppers. In October, the street is transformed into the main venue for the Apgujeong Culture Festival which presents movies, hair shows, fashion shows, dance competitions and other exciting cultural events.

Streets of Youth Jongno and Cheonggyecheon Jongno was one of the two districts, the other being Myeongdong, that typified the early economic and cultural vibrancy of Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. There were, and still are, between today’s Jongno 2(i)-ga and 3(sam)-ga some of Seoul’s oldest movie theaters, the nation’s major bookstores, and famous private educational institutions including foreign language schools which keep the districts perpetually crowded with students.

Cheonggyecheon, a historic stream cutting across the heart of Seoul, was restored and remodeled a few years ago and quickly emerged as one of the city’s top attractions. In the past the stream was a source of water for the families living around it, but it began to be covered over in the 1950s, and the overpass built over it came to be regarded as a symbol of Korea’s industrial growth during the 1960s and 1970s. The overpass, however, was demolished in 2003 as part of the project to restore the stream, which was completed two years later.

Hongdae Street (Hongik University Street) It was during the early 1990s that Hongdae, or the area around Hongik University, saw an explosion of cafes and live music clubs 132

drawing young music lovers from all across Seoul, gradually turning it into one of Seoul’s most dynamic cultural areas packed with fun-seeking youngsters. What differentiate the streets of Hongdae from other similar districts are the live performances of indie bands held at the clubs scattered around the district. The bands cover a variety of popular music genres, including rock, funk and techno music, for the young audiences that gather there

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1. Cheonggyecheon Stream Plaza An attractive space for relaxation and refreshment in the heart of downtown Seoul 2. Hongdae District Streets crowded with young and ambitious artists and spectators

every evening.

The Hongdae district also contains numerous art galleries committed to displaying original works by emerging young artists. Some of these artists join with others devoted to other forms of art such as music and dance, to put on collaboration performances in the streets.

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Garosu-gil Street of Sinsa-dong Literally “the tree-lined street of Sinsa-dong”, Sinsa-dong Garosugil is a street in Sinsa-dong in Gangnam-gu that is lined with gingko trees on both sides. The street and nearby alleys have recently grown into one of Seoul’s main attractions, attracting tens of thousands of fashion-minded people to its array of highend coffee houses, art galleries, luxury boutiques and other fashion stores every day.

In the 1990s Garosu-gil began to attract ambitious young fashion designers, who opened shops along the road, eventually transforming it into a “fashion street.” The success of their shops was followed by the opening of other shops vending exquisite interior objects, furniture and personal fashion items.

Itaewon Itaewon, located south of Namsan Mountain in the heart of Seoul, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, particularly among foreign tourists seeking shopping, fun and thrills in more comfortable surroundings. The development of the district and the growth of its reputation among international travelers visiting Korea are largely related with the presence, since the Korean War (1950-1953), of the Eighth United States Army Base in nearby Yongsan. Today the district, encompassing Itaewon and nearby Hannam-dong, contains a number of foreign embassies including those of Germany, Denmark, Argentina, Rumania, Uruguay, Lebanon, Hungary, Brunei and Qatar, as well as the Seoul Central Mosque and diverse foreign communities.

Itaewon’s streets are packed with shops selling fashionable clothes and fashion items, nightclubs, bars and restaurants, many 134

of them providing exotic, at least to Korean visitors, foods from Mexico, India, Vietnam and Turkey among other countries, and a distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere. The district was designated by the Korean government as a Special Tourist Zone in 1997, and has since then held the Global Village Festival every October.

Furthermore, street performances are held for foreign tourists on

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1. Garosu-gil of Sinsa-dong A street busy with fashionminded young shoppers 2. Itaewon The Korean hub of international cultures

a daily basis

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Recreation in Nature Jirisan Mountain The highest and largest mountain in mainland South Korea, Jirisan Mountain consists of numerous scenic peaks, including its highest Cheonwangbong Peak (1,915m), Nogodan and Banyabong Peaks, and ridges and valleys extending for 40km from east to west. The mountain borders three provinces, Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, and its forests account for about 20% of all forestry in Korea. It was designated as Korea’s first National Park in 1967.

Jirisan Mountain is located at the southern end of the Baekdu A spring view of Jirisan Mountain

Daegan, a great mountain range that forms the backbone of the

(Source: Korea National Park Service)

Korean Peninsula, running down from Baekdusan Mountain in the

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northern most part of the peninsula to characterize geographical features of the south. The mountain has been widely admired for its majestic appearance and dense forests providing natural habitats for rare animal and plant species such as the Siberian musk deer, Korean goral, Asian birch, and the Royal Azalea.

The mountain’s main ridges, running from its tallest peak Cheonwangbong in the east to Nogodan Peak in the west, form deep valleys brimming with the headwaters of some of Korea’s main rivers, Nakdonggang, Seomjingang and Namgang. Some of these valleys are home to undisturbed forests, notably Piagol and Baemsagol, creating breathtakingly scenic views that attract over two million hikers every year.

Jirisan Mountain contains natural habitats for various animal

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Waterfall at Seoraksan Mountain (Sokcho, Gangwon)

and plant species which represent the ecological health and balance of the mountain, including endangered animals such as the Siberian musk deer and Korean goral, and some of the Korea’s biggest natural attractions such as the immense colony of royal azaleas covering the highland plain of Seseok Pyeongjeon, the dense ancient forest of Piagol, the aged wind-stripped trees scattered around high peaks creating unreal, eerie landscapes. This priceless natural heritage embraces some of Korea’s most valuable cultural assets, including historic Buddhist temples housing a wealth of historical and cultural treasures.

Seoraksan Mountain South Korea’s third highest mountain after Hallasan Mountain and Jirisan Mountain, Seoraksan Mountain is located in the

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the backbone of the Korean Peninsula, with its tallest peak

Landscape of Seoraksan Mountain (Sokcho, Gangwon)

Daecheongbong (1,708m) overlooking Korea’s eastern coast.

(Source: Korea National Park Service)

middle of the Baekdu Daegan, a great mountain range forming

The mountain is characterized by rocky peaks and cliffs displaying grotesque shapes and deep valleys containing pools of crystal clear water which have led to it being compared with Geumgangsan, or the “Diamond Mountain” in the North, which has long been admired as Korea’s number one scenic mountain.

The mountain covers a vast area on the mid-eastern part of the Korean Peninsula which is divided into three areas, namely, Oeseorak (Outer Snowy Mountain) in the east of Daecheongbong Peak, Naeseorak (Inner Snowy Mountain) in the west, and Namseorak (Southern Snowy Mountain), which contains the famous mineral spring called Osaek Mineral Springs in the south.

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A nighttime view of N Seoul Tower and an octagonal pavilion at Namsan Mountain (right)

The mountain also contains the source of the Namdaecheon Stream, which flows through the Yangyang area into the East Sea, and the Bukhangang and Soyanggang Rivers, which flow westwards to form the Hangang River which cuts across Seoul.

Seoraksan Mountain provides a safe haven for many native or endangered species such as the Manchurian trout, Korean minnow, diamond bluebell (geumgang chorong), and edelweiss.

The mountain was designated as a National Park in 1970 and registered on the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in 1970. It is also home to many historic, cultural and natural heritage including Buddhist temples such as Baekdamsa, Sinheungsa and Bongjeongam, which is one of the five temples enshrining the relics of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, Heundeulbawi Rock, and Ulsanbawi Rock , an 873-meter-tall rocky peak of majestic appearance.

Seoraksan Mountain is famous for the breathtakingly beautiful landscapes created by its mountain peaks, deep valleys, stunning rock formations, and historic Buddhist temples which draw millions of hikers from all across the country every year. Meanwhile, in Seorak-dong, a tourist town located on the foot of the mountain containing an entrance to it, there is a fine network of accommodations and recreational facilities that form a convenient environment for tourists and hikers. Tourism in Seoraksan is typically connected with the presence of Goseong Unification Observatory, which is located close to the DMZ on the east coast.

Namsan Mountain and Bukhansan Mountain Namsan Mountain, a 262-meter-tall mountain standing in the heart of Seoul, is home to a number of attractive walking trails

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appreciated by the citizens of Seoul for hundreds of years. The mountain is dense with trees that provide an abundance of fresh air and flowers all year round. It usually takes about one hour to reach the summit via any of the paths, although one may opt to take the cable car. At the top of the mountain there are several fine vantage points overlooking downtown Seoul, including the N Seoul Tower (or Namsan Tower), one of Seoul’s most popular attractions where visitors can enjoy exceptional panoramic views of Seoul and, weather permitting, Incheon and the West Sea coast, as well as a historic beacon fire station used for long-distance communications during the Joseon Period (1392-1910). At the foot of the mountain there are several Rock climbing at Bukhansan Mountain (Source: Korea National Park Service)

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cultural institutions such as the National Theater of Korea, Seoul Municipal Library, and Namsangol Hanok Village. The Bukhansan National Park on the northern part of Seoul also provides

popular venues for various outdoor activities, hiking and rock climbing in particular.

Rivers of Korea Two large watercourses originating from the mid-eastern mountainous region of the Korean Peninsula merge together to become the Hangang, or the Hangang River, which passes through Seoul before flowing into the West Sea . The rivers have provided water for all the fields and factories in and outside the capital area and drinking water for many cities within it including Seoul. The rivers are installed with multiple dams including those for flood control and generating power.

The longest river on the Korean Peninsula is the Nakdonggang which cuts a 520km-long course across Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do before flowing into the South Sea. Its

A view of the setting sun over Yeongsangang River, the main source of water for the southwest of Korea

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estuary contains a large delta called Eulsukdo where reeds grow densely, forming Asia’s largest bird sanctuary. Other major rivers in Korea include the Geumgang and Yeongsangang Rivers which provide water for Korea’s largest granary in the southwest, and the Imjingang, Mangyeonggang and Seomjingang Rivers, which also constitute important sources of water for the rest of Korea.

Jejudo Island Jejudo(do is Korean for island), Korea’s largest island (approx.

73km from east to west, 31km from south to north), lies in the Korean Strait, southwest of the Korean mainland. The oval-shaped island maintains a rich cultural heritage that is distinctly different from that of the mainland. It is also the 144

only province of Korea where mandarin oranges are grown in natural conditions, providing a great source of income for many households since the 1960s. It was an extremely popular honeymoon destination among mainland Koreans during the 1970s and 1980s, and has since grown into one of Korea’s top tourist attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists from neighboring countries including Japan and China. In 2006,

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1. Baengnokdam Crater Lake of Hallasan Mountain A cauldron-shaped volcanic crater (111m in depth and 1,720m in circumference) atop Hallasan Mountain 2. Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone One of many parasitic cones scattered around Jeju

the Korean government designated the island as Jeju Special Self-Governing Province in an effort to turn it into a Free Trade Zone. It is now a very popular venue for important international gatherings including summit meetings.

Jejudo was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions and is rich with the distinctive features of volcanic topography 145

including 368 oreum (parasitic cones) and about 160 lava tubes.

This unique natural heritage led to the island’s inclusion on the UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2002, World Heritage Sites in 2007, and Global Geoparks Network in 2010.

The worldwide recognition of Jejudo as a global natural heritage is expected to further promote the value of the island as a tourist destination and as one of Korea’s key environmental assets.

Hallasan Mountain, a dormant volcano, soars upwards from the center of Jejudo to a height of 1,950 meters, making it the highest mountain in South Korea. The mountain is home to over 1,800 species of alpine plants that select their habitats according to altitude and exhibits great diversity of vegetation. The mountain largely consists of basalt, and slopes steeply in the south and more gently in the north. There is a crater-lake, Baengnokdam, at the top with over 50 parasitic cones scattered around it.

Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, situated at the eastern tip of Jejudo, is probably the most popular tourist attraction on the island. This 182-meter-tall volcanic peak is said to resemble a huge amphitheater with a deep, bowl-like center filled with reeds and rimmed with rocky cliffs. Many visitors also compare this popular sunrise celebration venue, which is now designated as a Natural Monument, with a heavily fortified, impregnable castle or a tall, full-circle tiara.

Other key attractions reflecting the natural wonders of Jeju include Yongcheondonggul Cave, located in Woljeong-ri of Gujwaeup, which exhibits a unique combination of the characteristic features of both lime caves and lava tubes, the lime caves in Hyeopjae and Pyoseon, and the Gotjawal forests which formed on the rocky areas thrown up during a volcanic eruption. These 146

forests provide natural habitats for rare plants, some of which are suited to cold climates while others are more typical of tropical or subtropical areas. These untouched, densely wooded forests are often referred to as the “lungs of Jeju.”

The Jungmun Tourist Complex located on the southern coast in Seogwipo boasts many fascinating places and facilities for a variety of outdoor activities, including swimming and sunbathing, golfing, horse riding and hunting, world-class hotels, and enchanting natural attractions such as the three-tier waterfalls of Cheonjeyeon and coastal columnar jointing. A new attraction was added to the already long list recently when one of Asia’s largest aquariums, Aqua Planet, was opened in July 2012 at Seopjikoji Beach in Seongsan-eup.

One of the island’s main attractions, the recently created Jeju Olle Trail, comprises a set of nature trails along the coast that lead hikers to fascinating views of Jeju, old villages and fields enclosed or separated by basalt stone walls, coastal seas where elderly women divers (haenyeo, “sea women”) harvest seafood beneath the sea, and waves of wind rolling through fields of long grass (Jeju has been called Samdado, literally, the “island of three abundances”, namely, stones, women, and wind).

Jejudo is famous for its many special farming and marine products of which the “prickly palm cactus” (Opuntia ficusindica), also known as baengnyeoncho (hundred-year plant), has recently amazed many scientists of the world for its extraordinary beneficial effects on human health. For some Korean tourists, Jeju is significant in that it has jurisdiction over the southernmost part of the Korean territory, a tiny island called Marado located about 10km off its southwestern coast, and Ieodo, a submerged rock 4.6 147

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1. Dodong Port in Ulleungdo A volcanic island lying in the East Sea 2. Dokdo (Ulleung, Gyeongsangbuk-do) Dokdo consists of two rocky islets, Dongdo and Seodo, situated about 150 meters apart, and 89 rocky outcrops around them.

meters below sea level located 149km southwest of Marado, the location of the Ieodo Ocean Research Station.

Ulleungdo and Dokdo Located about 130km east of the Korean Peninsula, Ulleungdo is a volcanic island of about 72km2 that is rimmed with steep rocky cliffs and has a basin (called Nari Basin) on the top. It is historically connected with a group of rocky islets called Dokdo situated 87.4km to its southeast, thus forming the easternmost part of the Korean territory. Now guarded by the Dokdo Coast Guard, Dokdo consists of two large rocky islets and eighty-nine small rocks, and is home to about seventy plant species, although most of the islets are barren. It was designated as the Dokdo Seabird Breeding Area and Natural Monument No. 336 in 1982 and then as the Dokdo Protection Area in 1999.

Hallyeosudo (Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park) The area of coastal seas ranging from Yeosu in Jeollanam-do to Hansando in Gyeongsangnam-do has long been praised for its breathtakingly beautiful seascapes characterized by sparkling blue seas, islands of all sizes, fantastically-shaped rocky cliffs, and dramatic coastlines. The area is also famous as the habitat of diverse marine species, and became Korea’s first national marine park in 1968.

Yeosu, one of Korea’s leading industrial cities and host of the

Odongdo Camellia Odongdo, a tiny islet just off Yeosu, has about 3,000 camellia trees that remain in bloom from October to mid-winter.

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World Expo in 2012, contains some of the most popular tourist attractions in the national marine park such as Odongdo, a tiny islet covered with camellia trees, beautiful beaches, and historic sites related with the victories of the Joseon navy, under the

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Hallyeosudo Korea’s first national marine park - famous for the spectacular seascapes created by many differently-sized islands floating on blue seas.

leadership of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, against the Japanese forces that invaded Korea in 1592. A new attraction was added in February 2013 with the opening of Yi Sun-sin Bridge, the world’s fourth longest bridge, connecting two of the largest industrial cities in the area, Yeosu and Gwangyang.

Namiseom Island Namiseom Island - located 3.8km south of Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, in the middle of a large artificial lake created

by Cheongpyeong Dam, built in 1943 - has become a very popular tourist attraction among Hallyu (Korean Wave) fans across Asia thanks to the huge success of the TV series Winter Sonata, parts of which were filmed here. The island is dense with trees including Korean nut pine, dawn redwood, white

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Metasequoia Forest Walkway on Namiseom Island

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Prayer ribbons tied to a barbed wire fence located between the DMZ and Freedom Bridge

birch and gingko, creating a number of romantic nature trails.

In addition to walking, the island offers visitors places and facilities for various indoor and outdoor activities including cycling courses, art galleries, museums, craft workshops, bungalows and campsites.

Korean Demilitarized Zone The cessation of the Korean War in 1953, following the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement, led to the creation of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and the Korean Demilitarized

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Zone (DMZ), which is 250km long and approximately 4km wide, i.e. 2km on the South’s side and another 2km on the North’s.

On the western part of the DMZ there is a farming village called Daeseongdong, better known as “Freedom Village” among South Koreans. The western part of the DMZ also contains the Panmunjeom where the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. It is now known as the Joint Security Area (JSA) which only those holding a permit issued by the Military Armistice Commission (MAC) are allowed to visit. The prohibition of public access to the DMZ for the last 60 years has helped maintain the environment in pristine condition, a quality for which in recent times it has attracted the interest of scientists and conservationists the world over.

Tourist Attractions outside Seoul Gyeongju, the Millennium Capital Gyeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do was once the capital of the ancient Korean Kingdom of Silla (57 BCE – 935) for about one millennium, and contains a great wealth of heritage sites and relics that reflect its remarkable cultural achievements.

The remaining historical and cultural heritage led to the city’s registration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, under the name of the Gyeongju Historic Areas, in 2000. Tangible evidences of Silla’s cultural glory include Bulguksa Temple, which was founded to represent the ideal world of Buddhism which Silla’s people aspired to, Seokguram, a man-made grotto admired for its unique architectural structure and outstanding sculptural works, and Cheomseongdae, which is regarded as Asia’s oldest extant astronomical observatory.

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The royalty and aristocracy of Silla left behind large tombs in and around today’s Gyeongju. Archaeologists discovered priceless treasures in some of these tombs, such as the image of a heavenly horse painted on a piece of white birch bark (Cheonmachong Tomb), and gold crowns lavishly decorated with exquisite and advanced skills (Geumgwanchong Tomb). Apart from the fabulous archaeological discoveries, these ancient tombs clustered in downtown Gyeongju create fantastic and fascinating landscapes in themselves.

Silla Buddhists in the 8th century made a great temple bell now known to be the “Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok.”

As well as its imposing size, the bell is known for having several unique devices designed to help produce a clear, long lingering sound when struck, such as the “sound pipe”, and elaborate carvings decorating the outer surface of its body. Some of the most valuable treasures of Silla Buddhism, stone images and pagodas in particular, can be seen in Namsan, making Gyeongju’s guardian mountain one of the holiest places of Korean Buddhism.

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Gongju and Buyeo, Capitals of Baekje Gongju and Buyeo are two cities in Chungcheongnam-do,

1. Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju A seated Buddha image carved on a rock face on Namsan Mountain

each of which served as the capital city of the ancient Korean

2. Tomb of King Muryeong (Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do) The burial chamber of the tomb of King Muryeong, the 25th ruler of Baekje, and his consort shows the influence of the Chinese Southern Dynasties.

are best represented by the Tomb of King Muryeong and other

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Kingdom of Baekje during the period from the late 5th to the 7th century. The cultural achievements of Baekje in this period ancient tombs in Gongju, Nakhwaam Rock, and Gungnamji Pond in Buyeo.

The Ancient Tombs in Songsan-ri, Gongju consist of seven tombs of Baekje’s royalty including that of King Muryeong and

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his consort. Archaeologists discovered inside the tomb a wealth of precious burial objects preserved in near original condition that

1. Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori A traditional mask dance preserved in Hahoe Village in Andong that satirizes the corrupt ruling elite of Joseon society

now provide important clues to the lifestyle of Baekje’s people.

2. Yangdong Village in Gyeongju A village that has maintained the traditional lifestyle for over 500 years

countries. Other Baekje heritage sites preserved in the city,

Buyeo, which was the last capital of Baekje for 123 years until 660, also contains valuable relics dating from the cultural heyday of a Kingdom that exerted a powerful influence on neighboring including Nakhwaam Rock, which is connected with the last days of Baekje, and Gungnamji containing the features of a Baekje palace garden, have now become major tourist attractions.

Hahoe Village in Andong and Yangdong Village in Gyeongju In 2010, two old villages, Hahoe in Andong and Yangdong in Gyeongju, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites,

Seonyu Julbullori This traditional firework festival involves hanging up bags of mulberry root charcoal powder upon four long (approx. 230m) ropes hung between Mangsongjeong Pavilion on the riverbank of Nakdonggang and the summit of Buyongdae Terrace across the river.

under the title “Historic Villages of Korea.� The villages were created and developed by a few influential aristocratic families of Joseon, and still preserve the original living conditions in which the houses and their environments were built hundreds of years ago. Each village was established in a site chosen according to the traditional principles of feng shui, i.e. "Mountain Behind and Water in Front", and consisted of dwelling houses with family shrines, communal academies, pavilions. It also had farming fields around it which provided the villagers with all the basic necessities they needed.

Hahoe Village in Andong was formed in the 17th century when some families of the Pungsan Ryu Clan settled there. The village, now containing about 450 traditional tile-

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roofed or thatched houses, is surrounded by the Nakdonggang

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1. Bukchon Hanok Village 2. Jeonju Hanok Village 3. Seongyojang House in Gangneung 4. Bukchon guesthouse

rural landscape. The village is also connected with a traditional performance, byeolsingut tallori, which is performed to invoke divine help for the village’s safety and prosperity, and seonyu julbullori, a local firework festival held at riverside beaches.

The other historical village, Yangdong, located 16km northeast of Gyeongju, has a history of about 500 years. It consists of about 160 traditional houses, both tile-roofed and thatched, and is surrounded by attractive natural surroundings, shallow valleys and gentle hills. The village is prized not only for its attractive old houses but also for other heritage that preserve the influence of Confucian ideology and ancient customs.

Hanok Villages The recent revival of interest in modernized traditional Korean houses (called hanok) among architectural designers and house

Tourism Korea The number of foreign visitors to Korea has increased rapidly in recent years, rising from 5 million in 2001 to more than 12 million in 2013.

Number of foreign tourists in Korea

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Unit: 1,000 Source: Korea Tourism Organization

Observers believe that the increase

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buyers from across Korea has also helped attract numerous tourists to Korea’s old villages and districts where they can experience the traditional Korean lifestyle in an authentic environment. Two of the most popular destinations for enthusiasts are Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul and Jeonju Hanok Village in Jeonju.

Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul refers to a residential area located north of the Jongno and Cheonggyecheon Stream area in downtown Seoul—hence the name—once occupied by wealthy aristocratic families during the Joseon Period. The area has become one of Seoul’s main tourist attractions, largely because of the oldworld atmosphere and the well-preserved traditional houses and the narrow winding alleys linking them. Flanked by the two main Royal Palaces of Joseon, Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, with Inwangsan and Bukhansan Mountains rising directly behind them, and modern skyscrapers in the south, the district exhibits a unique harmony between Seoul’s present and past.

The largest Hanok district in Korea and one of the most popular tourist destinations among visitors is that in Jeonju.

The Jeonju Hanok Village consists of about 700 traditional tileroofed houses, some of which have been turned into guesthouses, restaurants, teahouses and workshops, providing visitors with opportunities to experience the local cultural heritage. The district also contains some of the city’s most important heritage sites such as Gyeonggijeon Shrine, which houses the official portrait of King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty, a local Confucian school (hyanggyo), and Omokdae Terrace, which commands a great view of the entire district.

There are but a few mansion houses dating from the Joseon Period across Korea, of which Seongyojang in Gangneung is particularly 160

famous for its exquisite, fully preserved 300-year-old buildings and well-tended traditional garden. Built by a minor member of Joseon royalty and still used as a dwelling house by one of his descendants, Seongyojang is regarded as a fine example of a dwelling of the wealthy ruling class of Joseon. It also consists of rooms such as an inner quarter (anchae) for women, detached outer quarter (sarangchae) for guest receptions, servants’ quarter (haengnangchae) for servants and separate rooms (byeoldang), as well as an artificial pond at the entrance and a pavilion called Hwallaejeong.

Local Festivals As in many other parts of the world, local communities in Korea have developed a variety of cultural programs and events to

Andong International Maskdance Festival This festival contributes to the effort to preserve and revive the Hahoe byeolsingut tallori and boost other mask-related cultural activities around the world.

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mark their achievements or to celebrate the cultural and natural heritage bequeathed to them. In Boryeong in Chungcheongnamdo, for instance, the local mud festival attracts summer holidaymakers from all over Korea and from overseas, while in Andong of Gyeongsangbuk-do the annual international mask dance festival entertains tourists visiting the city.

Other popular festivals include the Gimje Horizon Festival, which is focused on the local agricultural heritage preserved Boryeong Mud Festival One of the most popular summer festivals in Korea today, the Boryeong Mud Festival attracts tens of thousands of international holidaymakers every year.

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in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do, the Jeonju Hanji Culture Festival, and the Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, which is held to celebrate the heritage that has helped the city of Jeonju gain an international reputation. In Jinju of Gyeongsangnam-do, the Jinju Namgang

Yudeung Festival has begun to serve a similar function. Held to commemorate the ordinary people of Jinju, who fought heroically to protect their hometown against invading Japanese forces during the Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion of 1592) at the turn of the 16th century, the festival provides tourists with fantastic nighttime views of lanterns floating along the Namgang River. In Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, the Chuncheon International Mime Festival (CIMF) offers an exciting range of performances presented by ‘mime theater’ companies gathered for the event from across the world.

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Major Local Festivals in Korea

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1. Cheonan World Dance Festival The festival entertains visitors with exciting festive events related to folk dances of the world.

Period: Oct 7-11, 2015.

Venue: Cheonan Samgeori Park, and Arario Park, Cheongan-si Website: cheonanfestival.com

6. Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival This festival holds various entertaining events and programs focusing on the Korean tradition of tea drinking.

Period: May 22-25, 2015.

Venue: Hadong Tea Culture Center, Hwagae-myeong and Agyang-myeon

in Hadong-gun Website: festival.hadong.go.kr

2. Geumsan Insam Festival This autumn festival focused on health and wellbeing presents an array of experience-based events and competitions related with insam, Korean ginseng grown in Geumsan.

Period: Oct 2-11, 2015.

Venue: Ginseng and Herbal Street, and Ginseng

Expo Square, Geumsan-gun Website: www.insamfestival.co.kr

Gangwon-do 3. Hwasan Sancheoneo Ice Festival This winter festival held on the frozen Hwacheoncheon Stream provides visitors with various fun events including an ice fishing contest and a competition to catch mountain trout with one’s bare hands.

Period: Jan 1-Feb 1, 2015.

Venue: Hwacheoncheon Stream and five eup and

myeon districts in Hwacheon Website: www.narafestival.com 4. Chuncheon International Mime Festival This festival presents a variety of performing arts and merrymaking events highlighting the human body as a powerful artistic medium.

Period: May 24-30, 2015.

Venue: Chuncheon-si Website: www.mimefestival.com 5. Yangyang Pine Mushroom Festival This festival celebrates the season of pine mushrooms with a range of exciting activities related with this special local product of Yangyang.

Period: Oct 1-4, 2015.

Venue: Vicinity of Namdaecheon Stream in Yangyang-gun Website: song-i.yangyang.go.kr

7. Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival Launched to mark the tradition of floating lanterns on the Namgang River during the Japanese Invasion in 1592, this festival offers a range of exciting history-based events including an exhibition of traditional lanterns from around the world, floating river lanterns, and a fireworks display.

Period: Oct 1-11, 2015.

Venue: Vicinity of Namgang River, Jinju Website: www.yudeung.com

Jeollabuk-do 8. Gimje Horizon Festival This festival offers a variety of experience-oriented events and programs focused on local agricultural traditions.

Period: Oct 7-11, 2015.

Venue: Byeokgolje Plaza, Gimje Website: festival.gimje.go.kr

Jeollanam-do 9. Hampyeong Butterfly Festival The festival presents diverse exhibitions and fun events centered on flowers and butterflies.

Period: May 1-10, 2015.

Venue: Hampyeong Expo Park, Hampyeong-gun Website: www.hampyeong.go.kr 10. Gangjin Celadon Festival This festival holds various activities and programs aimed at the preservation and further development of the cultural heritage of Goryeo celadon.

Period: Aug 1-9, 2015.

Venue: Goryeo Celadon Kiln Sites in Gangjin Website: www.gangjinfes.or.kr 165