Seoul Seoul Vicinity & Gyeonggi-do Province Eastern Region Central Region Southwestern Region Southeastern Region Jejudo Island and Southern Coastal Regions

Seoul

Located along the Hangang River, Seoul has grown into a teeming metropolis with a population of more than 10 million. Over the years, the capital city of has greatly expanded in the process of urbanization and industrialization and continues to grow as the thriving center of the country's political, economic, cultural and educational activities.

View of Mt. Bukhansan

Seoul is the world's 10th-largest city. Its past and present coexist in a fascinating way; centuries-old palaces, city gates, shrines, gardens and priceless art collections attest to the city's illustrious past, while the glistening facades of soaring skyscrapers and the bustling traffic represent its vibrant present.

The old city was encircled by four inner mountains and four outer mountains. Mt. Bugaksan in the north, Mt. Naksan in the east, Mt. Inwangsan in the west, and Mt. Namsan in the south are "the inner mountains" as they were originally inside the castle walls of the ancient capital of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The four outer mountains are Mt. Bukhansan in the north, Mt. Yongmasan in the east, Mt. Deogyangsan in the west, and Mt. Gwanaksan in the south. Each mountain has a unique beauty of its own while boasting natural scenic landscapes and spectacular views overlooking the city of Seoul. There are also numerous mountain springs that freely provide clean, clear water to refresh weary hikers.


In Seoul, the must see attractions are the ancient royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty: Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung, and Changgyeonggung. Shrine, the royal ancestral shrine of the Joseon Dynasty, along with Changdeokgung's adjacent Huwon (the Rear Garden) are noted for their beautifully landscaped gardens and classical structures.

One of the most popular areas for international visitors, Insa-dong, which is located in downtown Seoul, is lined with antique shops, art galleries, traditional teahouses, and restaurants as well as bookstores. It is a place that beckons both casual shoppers and serious collectors.

Other attractions highly recommended for visitors include the National Museum, the National Center for Korean Tradi-tional Performing Arts, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, the Ho-Am Art Hall and Korea House. The National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon, a southern satellite town, also deserves a visit.

At Mt. Namsan Park, in the heart of Seoul, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city from Seoul Tower and look around a recreation of a traditional Korean village below.


There are an abundance of parks within and around Seoul, such as Olympic Park, Seoul Grand Park, Citizens' Forest, and the Hangang River Trail, where tourists can relax, walk, or ride a bicycle. These parks are among the hidden treasures of Seoul, enjoyed by residents but often missed by tourists.

Visitors definitely should not pass up a Korean dinner, either at a modern restaurant or a courtly Korean-style restaurant. Excel-lent Chinese and Japanese food is also available, as well as French, Italian, Mexi-can, Pakistani and many other ethnic cuisines.

Seoul also has an active nightlife with bars, cafes, and roof-top nightclubs. The fantastic night scenery of Seoul can be experienced from the Seoul City Tour Bus or through a river cruise along the Hangang River, which slowly meanders through a valley flanked by high-rises.



Seoul Vicinity & Gyeonggi-do Province

Gyeonggido Province is located in the western central region of the Korean Peninsula, with the Hangang River running through its center. The river divides the province into a mountainous northern area and open fields to the south. While Seoul keeps its visitors busy with so many intriguing and enticing things to see and do, this area outside of Seoul can provide a refreshing and invigorating break.

The shoreline of coastal regions juts in and out along the beaches and includes countless bays and coves, capes and islands. The bays of Namyangman and Asanman, Gimpo and Hwaseong peninsulas, Ganghwado and Yeongjongdo islands are all attractions that visitors cannot afford to miss. The golden bell, the provincial flower, symbolizes prosperity and flourishes widely throughout the region.

Within a 30-minute drive to the south of Seoul is the Korean Folk Village. In this traditional village everyday Korean life of days gone by is reenacted. The Korean Folk Village opened in 1973 and now includes aspects of almost everything traditionally Korean. Homes typical of the various provinces are on display, and there are regular performances of tightrope walkers, wedding and funeral processions, kite-flying contests and folk dance troupes in the village square. The blacksmith, carpenter, potter and craftsman can also be seen at work in their shops. Adjacent to this traditional village is Hwaseong Fortress, a walled city of the Joseon Dynasty that was recently included on UNESCO's prestigious World Heritage List.


Yongin Everland, a comprehensive leisure complex, consists of state-of-the-art amusement park facilities, including a water park and spas, ideal for summer recreation for all age groups.


The distinguished Ho-Am Art Museum displays over 5,000 pieces of art. About 80 kilns are concentrated in the area of the Icheon Ceramic Festival which is held in September each year. Bigger still, the World Ceramic Biennale spreads out over Incheon, Gwangju and Yeoju on odd-numbered years, Here you can savor the mysterious color of Goryeo celadon and the white purity of Korean porcelain.

Ganghwado Island is situated in the estuary of the Hangang River north of Incheon Port. This is Korea's fifth-largest island, which is rich in history and natural beauty. Major historic monuments here include an altar said to have been erected by Dangun, the legendary founder of Korea, along with fortresses, ancient walls, a celadon kiln dating back to the 13th century Goryeo Kingdom, and Jeondeungsa Temple.


Just a 56-km bus trip north of Seoul is Panmunjeom, the truce village where the Korean Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, ending the fierce fighting of the Korean War (1950-53). It is now a joint security area managed by the UN Command and North Korean guards. Visitors, who are escorted and briefed by military guides, can easily sense the tension pervading the facilities and persons on duty.



Eastern Region

Gangwondo Province is located in the central eastern region of the Korean Peninsula. Most of the land is covered with thick forests, providing an abundance of scenic vistas with fewer residential areas than in other provinces. Both its remote wooded mountains and ravines as well as small coastal towns are rich in scenic splendor.

With these natural conditions, Gangwon-do served as an ideal site for the 4th Asian Winter Games in January 1999. The International Travel Exposition (ITE) '99 was also held here from September 11 through October 30, 1999. Over 2 million visitors from overseas and around the country participated in these events. Under the theme, "Man, Nature and Life of the Future," the ITE offered an array of performances and events in addition to a number of fascinating exhibitions and useful information to visitors.

The eastern coastline, stretching 390 kilometers (234 miles) from Hwajinpo to Busan, is rugged and mountainous, and offers visitors some of the most breathtaking scenery in Korea. Skiing and other winter sports help make the area a year-round resort destination. To meet the needs of the more than one million skiers per year, several ski resorts are now equipped with snow-making machines, which have extended the ski season from December to March. Other popular recreational activities in the region include swimming in summer and mountain climbing in autumn. The beaches here are perhaps the finest in Korea, gently sloping into shallow water and mild currents.


Mt. Seoraksan, which is part of the Geumgangsan Mountain Range, draws visitors with its magnificent splendor. The Asiatic black bear, the symbol of Gangwon-do and one of the most endangered species in the world, inhabits the mountain. Mt. Seoraksan, is truly an impressive and colorful all-season destination.

Other popular sites include the Cheoksan, Osaek and Sorak Waterpia hot springs in and around Seoraksan National Park and the unification observatories abutting the DMZ that offer excellent views of North Korean territory.

Every August, Chuncheon, the capital of Gangwon-do Province, holds the Chuncheon Puppet Festival, which features the active participation of puppet theater groups from around the world.

Ulleungdo Island, lying 217 kilometers (134.8 miles) northeast of Pohang, is an extinct volcano rising prominently from the East Sea. Dokdo Island, the easternmost point of Korea, lies 87.4 kilometers (54.3 miles) to the southeast of Ulleungdo Island.

Mt. Geumgangsan is one of the most scenic tourist spots on the Korean Peninsula and is considered one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. It is located in North Korea near the eastern end of the Demilitarized Zone that divides the peninsula. South Koreans can travel to Mt. Geumgangsan (the Diamond Mountains) by signing up with an authorized South Korean travel agency for a guided tour.



Central Region

Gosudonggul Cave

Chungcheongbukdo and Chungcheongnamdo provinces lie in the western center of the peninsula. Chungcheongbukdo is the only landlocked province. With the completion of the Government Complex in Daejeon and the newly opened international airport in Cheongju, the two provincial capitals are being turned into not only a strategic heartland of the domestic economy but also an international gateway to the Korean interior. Daejeon is situated about two hours by car south of Seoul, and is a major train junction for the Seoul-Busan and Seoul-Gwangju-Mokpo lines. It is rapidly developing into one of Korea's major science and technology centers. Expo Park, the site of the International Daejeon Expo '93, has been renovated and converted into a public science park.

Buyeo, the last capital of the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C.- A.D. 660), features the Buyeo National Museum which houses a comprehensive collection of about 7,000 relics from the Baekje period.

The Geumgang River flows alongside Mt. Gyer-yongsan, one of the province's most popular mountains. As the original center of Baekje culture, the area abounds with unique cultural artifacts and historic relics.

Dotting between the many peaks and saddlebacks along the ridgeline of the Sobaeksan Mountains are a wealth of national treasures and historical places. These include the Seven-Story Stone Pagoda, Iron Flagpole of Yongdusa Temple, Palsangjeon Wooden Pagoda, Sangdangsanseong Fortress, and Hyeon-chungsa and Yi Chungmugong's (Adminiral Yi Sun-sin's) Chungnyeolsa Shrines. Moreover, many other celebrated temples, statues, national parks and hot springs are waiting to be discovered.

Chungjuho Lake offers a variety of delightful water sports in the mountainous area of central Korea. Cruise boats ply between Chungju and Danyang allowing passengers to enjoy the stunning Danyang-Palgyeong, or the "Eight Scenic Views of Danyang." Gosudonggul (cave) captivates visitors with its glistening stalactites in all shapes and sizes. Chungju orch-ards are one of the main sources of delicious apples. Yellow tobacco is also a specialty of this region, and the area's ginseng has gained a worldwide reputation.



Southwestern Region

Paik Nam-june's Art in the Gwangju Biennale

Korea's southwestern region encompasses Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do provinces. The region is relatively flat, containing broad stretches of rice paddies, and its jagged coastline creates many small harbors. It is a fertile and warm region sheltered by high mountains on the east and north and calm seas and many islands on the west and south. Because of the influence of both continental and ocean climates, the provinces exhibit a wide variety of weather conditions.

Jeonju is famous for its traditional mixed vegetable rice dish, bibimbap, and for hanji, traditional mulberry paper. The provincial bird is the magpie, which is related to a poignant legend. According to this legend, on the night of the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, magpies build a bridge above the Milky Way by carrying twigs and pebbles in their beaks, allowing two lovers, Gyeonu and Jingnyeo, who are destined to meet only once a year to see each other again.

Namwon is the gateway to Jirisan National Park, as well as the famed home of Chunhyang, one of Korea's most celebrated legendary heroines. Chunhyangga, a Korean traditional narrative epic song (pansori) about the faithfulness of her love, is one of the most favored performances in Korea. Mt. Jirisan contains the second highest mountain peak in South Korea. The sub-range is vast and stretches across three provinces, Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do.

Deogyusan National Park commands superb views of the 30 kilometer-long Mujugucheondong Valley. The valley encompasses Muju Ski Resort, the largest skiing area in Korea.

The Gwangju National Museum is home to a collection of Chinese ceramics recovered from a 600-year-old Chinese merchant ship that was wrecked in the seas off Sinan.

Damyang, 22 kilometers north of Gwangju, is the center of bamboo cultivation and craftsmanship. The Damyang Bamboo Museum is the world's first museum devoted exclusively to bamboo.

Other tourists sites and museums such as Hwangtohyeon Victory Field, Gochang-eupseong Fortress, the dolmen sites in Gochang and Hwasun counties and the Gangam Calligraphy Museum add historic and literary character to the province.

Wondrous separation of water near Jindo Island

On Jindo Island, which is some 350 kilometers south of Seoul, visitors can see the Korean version of the Moses' Miracle. The sea between the coastal village of Hoedong-ri on Jindo Island and nearby Modo Islet actually parts for about an hour twice a year in early May, and again in the middle of July, leaving a walkable path, 2.8 kilometers long and 40 meters wide. Jindo Island is also renowned for the indigenous Korean breed of dog, Jindogae, which is designated as Natural Monument No. 53.

Southeastern Region

Korea's southeastern region, encompassing Gyeong-sangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do provinces, is an area rich in tourist attractions, cultural assets and historical places. Hallyeosudo Waterway, and the Jirisan and Gayasan mountains are outstanding natural resources in this region.

The entire city of Gyeongju, which was the ancient capital of the 1,000-year Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935), is now an exceptional open-air museum. Royal tombs, temple sites with weathered stone pagodas and Buddhist decorations, and fortress ruins are scattered all around the city. Mounded royal tombs have yielded many precious antiques, including exquisite gold crowns and other jewelry.


The two supreme treasures of Gyeongju are Bulguksa Temple and nearby Seokguram Grotto. Both were completed in the eighth century and are representative of highly refined Buddhist art widely appreciated throughout East Asia. They were included on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1995. Other important historic sites include: Dumuli Park, Oreung (Five Tombs), Cheomseongdae Observatory, General Kim Yu-sin's Tomb, and Mt. Namsan, which is dotted with numerous Buddhist images, pagodas and temple remains. The Gyeongju National Museum houses antique treasures recovered from Gyeongju and its vicinity.

Bomun Lake Resort, six kilometers from downtown on the eastern outskirts of the city, is an integrated tourist destination with several first-class hotels and various recreational facilities. Haeinsa Temple is famous for housing the 80,000 wooden printing blocks used to print the Tripitaka Koreana, which were carved in the 13th century. The Tripitaka Koreana is acknowledged as the most complete compilation of Buddhist scripture in East Asia.

Not far from historic Gyeongju are the growing industrial cities of Pohang and Ulsan. Pohang is home to the POSCO steel mills, while Ulsan is the industrial base for Hyundai, one of Korea's leading conglomerates.

Further to the south is Busan, Korea's principal port and second-largest city. The Jagalchi Fish Market, one of Korea's most famous markets, is right next to the piers where fishing boats unload their daily hauls. The market offers tourists a great, early morning attraction as buyers and sellers haggle over the catch of the day.

Andong is one of the last living vestiges of old Korea, a treasure-trove of Confucian tradition. Hahoe, a small village near Andong, is famous for its unique traditional masks and the mask dance-drama, Hahoe-talchum. Dosanseowon, a Confucian academy founded in the 16th century by one of Korea's most well-known scholars, Yi Hwang, is also nearby. Massive international tour and resort complexes are due to open in 2006 in the western and northern areas, featuring ultramodern recreation and leisure facilities.



Jejudo Island and Southern Coastal Regions

Within an hour's flight from Seoul, Busan or Daegu, travelers in Korea can reach a land of a completely different character. Recognized as the best-preserved area in the nation, Jeju-do is Korea's only island province.

The island is Korea's most popular honeymoon destination. Known as "Little Hawaii" for its volcanic landscape, picturesque subtropical scenery, sandy beaches, waterfalls and hiking trails, it is one of the world's top ten tourist attractions with over four million visitors a year.


Jeju-do enjoys a semitropical climate, with its plants and landscape being remarkably different from those of the mainland. It is also the natural habitat of over 2,000 species. Its principal mountain is the 1,950-meter-high Mt. Hallasan, a dormant volcano with a large crater. Lava flows from this volcano (last active in 1007) created many tunnels, pillars and other unusual features formed by the quickly-cooled basalt. Favorite destinations include the Jeju Folkcraft and Natural History Museum, Jungmun Resort, Cheon-jiyeon Falls, and Jeju Fantasy Gardens.

Jeju-do offers visitors a great chance to glimpse the island's unique folk culture, especially through its thatched-roof houses. They reflect both the island's natural environment, characterized by strong winds, and the lifestyle of the island people.


Most of the rivers in Korea have their tributaries in the northern and eastern regions and flow west and south. Concentrated for the most part along the southern coast are more than 3,000 islands providing grand scenery with a winding coastline. The completion of the Honam and Namhae expressways in 1973 made these picturesque coastal routes more easily accessible.

The areas around Jinhae, Tongyeong, Jinju and Namhae are recommended highlights of this scenic region. The southern boundary of the Korean Peninsula is a jagged coastline which has created an irregular pattern of bays and inlets with more than 400 offshore islands. For those preferring waterways to expressways and railways, a hydrofoil cruise between Busan and Yeosu is available. The boat stops at Seongpo, Tongyeong, Samcheonpo, and Namhae.