| Seoul: A Historic City
Established as the nation's capital a hundred years before Columbus discovered the Americas, Seoul still reserves the status not only as the capital but also as the heart of the Republic of Korea. Within its city limits live about 10.3 million of the nation's 47 million people, and millions more on the outskirts. Seoul had been a seat of the central government during the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C.-A.D. 660), and later the capital of the Joseon Dynasty (1394-1910). Seoul is filled with the vestiges of Joseon, which enjoyed outstanding cultural achievements throughout its history.
One can catch a glimpse into the richness of Seoul's heritage in its magnificent palaces, shrines and monuments. The capital also offers a wealth of lore about Korea and its citizens to people who either make a special study of Korean history or simply travel around. There are few cities in the world known for such remarkable harmony of the ultramodern and the ancient, as Seoul.
Korea House, located at city center, is an antique Korean mansion that communicates an intriguing insight into Korean traditions and customs. Superbly prepared Korean cuisine is served there, and a special program of folk music and dancing follows every evening. A visit to Korea House is especially worthwhile for those traveling with only a little time to spend who but desire to get a taste of old Korea.
 Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty |
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Much of Seoul's allure centers around its palaces, where breathes a colorful history of more than 600 years. The palaces are conspicuous sightseeing attractions in the capital, and they are all downtown. In a brief moment, a visitor may feel Korea's heritage from the worn stone-paved paths, intricately patterned murals, and the clay figures sitting on roof ridges in eternal vigilance, believed to be warding off evil. For tourists on a tight schedule, a half-day visit to one of the palaces is highly recommended
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Jongmyo Shrine is a thickly wooded garden harboring the royal ancestral tablets of the Joseon Dynasty. On the first Sunday in May, the inner courtyards and shrines of Jongmyo are opened to the public for an annual Confucian ceremonial rite, one of the most fascinating traditional ceremonies in Korea. In 1995 Jongmyo Shrine was added to UNESCO's prestigious World Culture Heritage list.
Geunjeongjeon, the largest hall among those buildings, served as the throne chamber and the audience hall. Gyeonghoeru, a spacious two-story pavilion that seems to float in its near-surrounding pond, served as a banquet hall for royal ministers and diplomatic delegations. Hyangwonjeong is a pavilion nestled on an island in another lotus pond, where royal family members enjoyed private gatherings. Many of the country's historic stone pagodas and monuments are found in spots around the complex. The National Museum of Korea and the National Folklore Museum are also in the walled grounds, both of considerable interest to visitors.
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Gyeongbokgung Palace was first built in 1394, the third year of the Joseon Dynasty. It was burned down during the Japanese invasion of 1592 and left in ruins until reconstruction in 1868. It is located in a 40-acre complex along with several impressive buildings. Changdeokgung Palace, lying not far from Gyeongbokgung, is another favorite tourist attraction. Its main gate, Donhwamun, is considered the oldest gate in Seoul; it narrowly escaped the flames when major portions of the palace burned down in 1592. After being rebuilt in 1607, the palace served as the official royal residence until 1868. The palace has Huwon, the Royal Rear Garden a lovely expanse where intertwining paths link wooded slopes, lotus ponds and pavilions. Palace and garden tours can be made only with guides attended, and are conducted in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean. Changdeokgung palace was also registered on the UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List in 1997.
Adjacent to Changdeokgung is Changgyeonggung Palace, another well-preserved royal complex with magnificent gates and elaborate bridges, evoking visions of an earlier era. Across the street lies Unhyeongung, where Prince Daewon-gun, the father of King Gojong, lived. Gojong was the 26th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty and came to the throne in 1897 as the first emperor of Daehanjeguk (the new name of Korea when it came out from Chinese suzerainty). There, the aristocratic house structure and furniture style of those days in the late Joseon Dynasty are well preserved.
Deoksugung Palace is located just beside City Hall. Commanding structures boast its supreme beauty: Daehanmun, the main gate, and Seokjojeon, the first Renaissance-style building in Korea. At Seokjojeon is the Royal museum; exhibits include items used by the royal court.
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| Cultural and Leisure Activities |
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Mt. Namsan is a high granite peak and city park just south of Namdaemun in the heart of Seoul. From Seoul Tower at the summit visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the city while dining at the slowly rotating Skyline Restaurant. The National Theater, on the edge of Namsan Park, is provided with large and small performance halls, and experimental and outdoor stages. The largest theater among them has a seating capacity of 1,500. Performances by music, dance, and drama companies take place throughout the year.
Seoul hosts a variety of concerts, operas, and recitals performed by local and visiting artists. The Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul, the Sejong Center fo the Performing Arts downtown, the National Theater at Mt. Namsan Park, and the Ho-Am Art Hall near Seoul City Hall - all of these present a wide range of cultural events and performances. The Seoul Arts Center, in particular, boasts of a diversity of cultural attractions. Its facilities are composed of large and small concert halls, a calligraphy hall, little art galleries, a library, an
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opera house, and an exuberant plaza. Moreover, it is the home of the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts.
Jeongdong Theater is a small concert hall near City Hall with a 400-seat capacity. It has deep symbolic and cultural value in that it was the first modern theater in Korea, originally the Won-gaksa Theater when it was built in 1908. The theater provides the cultural space where visitors can experience both traditional and modern performances by Korea's finest artists. In particular, "Korean Traditional Stage" has become an essential stop on the tourist agenda as it provides authentic renditions of a variety of musical performances that stretch far back into the roots of Korean tradition.
Yejiwon is an institute established to teach traditional Korean culture and manners. Among the classes offered, the tea-ceremony, cooking, dancing, Korean traditional clothes wear, kimchi making and etiquette of a traditional wedding ceremony classes are most popular. Special programs for tour groups are provided.
Seoul Nori madang , located near Lotte World, is an open-air stage for traditional performances such as the Farmers' Dance and the Mask Dance. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, people crowd around the stage beside Seokchonhosu Lake to watch. Olympic Park is a five-minute taxi ride from Lotte World. It accommodates the Olympic Velodrome for bicycles, Weightlifting and Fencing Gymnasiums, tennis courts, a gymnastic hall, an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool. The park also features 200 modern stone, metal, and glass sculptures.
On the other side of the capital city is the Sang-am World Cup Stadium, the main venue of the 2002 FIFA World Cup jointly sponsored by Korea and Japan. The Park of Peace surrounds the brand-new high-tech soccer stadium.
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| Shopping and Entertainment |
Tourists may purchase tax-free souvenir items, at fixed prices, at any of hundreds of shops located in stylish department stores or shopping arcades in Seoul and major cities throughout the country. Traditional furniture, lacquerware, ceramics and dolls, and brassware, leatherware, jewelry, gold, silver, and bronze articles, are popular souvenirs among foreign tourists, as well as, of course, Korean ginseng.
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Artistically designed and expertly crafted jewelry of smoky topaz, amethyst, amber, and jade and other semi-precious stones are available at reasonable prices. Especially appealing is Korean traditional lacquerware, intricately inlaid with mother of pearl and other tantalizing and multi-hued seashell nacre.
Insa-dong is a well-known street near central Seoul, lined with antique stores, art galleries, traditional teahouses, restaurants and book stores. Visitors may wander and browse at leisure. Known for its vast collection of antiques and especially Joseon chests, it is a place that beckons casual shoppers and serious collectors as well.
Itaewon is a popular district for shopping and entertainment. The street and adjoining alleys run for a mile or so, lined with boutiques, sidewalk stalls, tailors and souvenir shops, antique stores and art outlets. There are several Western fast food restaurants, as well as pubs and discotheques that offer a hopping nightlife with jazz, country music or pop. Foreign visitors abound in the Itaewon area. |
Namdaemun , the National Treasure No. 1, boasts a history of 600 years. Nearby with 10,000 shops and covering almost seven hectares, Namdaemun Market is the best-known traditional marketplace. It plays a vital role in determining the economic flow and consumer prices in Seoul, dealing with all kinds of merchandise, ranging from everyday necessities such as clothes, miscellaneous goods, kitchen utensils, stationary, flowers, accessories, food, agricultural and marine products to articles of folk art and imported goods. Tourists love it for its huge variety and rock-bottom prices.
Dongdaemun Market is another favorite shopping area for visitors. It is formed around Dongdaemun Stadium, and it also served as a traditional market until large shopping malls came to be built there. Dongdaemun now consists of shopping malls specializing in bedding, sporting goods, household goods, and books and large modern buildings selling various fashion merchandise. Young people find mega-complex shopping malls such as Doosan Tower, Migliore, Freya Town, and New Zone amusing and entertaining; they can browse and purchase the latest fashion items such as accessories, men's and women's apparel, children's clothing, shoes, hats, and handbags.
Yongsan Electronics Market , specializing in electric appliances and electronic goods, is reputed as the largest electronics market in Asia. With 5,000 stores housed in 22 buildings, the area is filled with a mind-boggling array of electronics products.
Lotte World , a mammoth indoor leisure and shopping complex, is in Jamsil, eastern part of Seoul. It consists of a deluxe hotel, a folklore center, an indoor theme park, movie theaters, an ice rink, a bowling |
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alley and a swimming pool, a shopping mall and a department store. Lotte World Adventure is a full-scale indoor theme park equipped with ultramodern rides, and it attracts throngs of young families from all over East Asia.
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| Seoul Vicinity |
Incheon is less than an hour away from Seoul and can be reached conveniently from Seoul via the subway train. Ferry services operate from Incheon to the Chinese mainland. On the small knoll overlooking the harbor is Jayu Park, where a statue of General Douglas MacArthur stands honoring his famous 1950 Korean War Incheon Landing. Seafood lovers will enjoy the Wolmido area and Songdo Resort.
Ganghwado island lies just northwest of Incheon, where the Han-gang (Han River) meets the Yellow Sea. On the island the entire spectrum of Korean history can be traced, from the hazy era of Dan-gun, the legendary founder of the country in 2333 B.C., to the opening of Korea to the West. A huge prehistoric dolmen, rising amid fields of ginseng, presents a striking sight. Remnants of numerous fortresses and fortifications are strewed across the island. At the summit of Mt. Manisan is an altar, believed to have been built by Dan-gun. His mother, according to the founding myth, had been turned human from a bear that beseeched the Lord of Heaven, and took the seed of His son.
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Korean Folk Village portrays aspects of almost everything that is uniquely Korean but already gone. A variety of homes are on display, arranged by provinces. Also, in the village square, you can see performances of tightrope walkers, traditional weddings, funeral processions, kite flying contests, and graceful dance troupes. You may watch blacksmiths, carpenters, potters, and instrument craftsmen at work in their respective shops. Under the low eaves of straw-thatched homes, an old |
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gentleman with a slender bamboo pipe in hand and wearing a wide-brimmed horsehair hat can also be seen occasionally strolling about, his flowing durumagi coat sweeping through the serene surroundings. For the tourist with not much time to spend traversing Korea, a trip to the Korean Folk Village is highly recommended. Everland is a huge amusement park with thrilling rides, a jungle safari and zoo, seasonal flower festivals and the very large water-themed Carribbean Bay with wave pools and water slides. Everland also features the Ho-Am Art Museum, which features one of the finest private collections of Korean art.
Panmunjeom, a symbol of a divided nation, is 56 km north of Seoul. It is a grim reminder of the 1950-53 Korean War, the half-century prolonged armistice, and the continuing tension with the North. Panmunjeom is now the domain of the Military Armistice Commission (MAC), whose function is to supervise the truce between North Korea and the United Nations Command. Although there is no actual threat of war and rapprochement is recently being made, the seriousness of armed readiness can be clearly sensed at Panmunjeom, and certain travel agents arrange tours there and to interesting nearby sites.
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| Central Region |
| Baekje Kingdom culture represents a period of almost 700 years, from the founding of the kingdom in 18 B.C. until it was conquered by Silla in A.D. 660. The two national museums located in Gongju and Buyeo highlight a tour of Baekje culture. One of the ancient Three Kingdoms, Baekje had its own unique culture separate from that of Goguryeo or Silla, and it influenced the early cultural development of Japan. Originally, Baekje established its capital just south of the Han-gang River, at what is now the outskirts of Seoul near the present tourist attraction of Namhansanseong Fortress.
Mt. Busosan was once the site of the capital's fortress, and several of the ancient pavilions have been reconstructed there. Nakhwaam Cliff drops sharply from the peak of Mt. Busosan to the Baengmagang River 150 meters below. It is called the "Rock of Falling Flowers" for legend has it that when Silla invaded 3,000 women of the Baekje royal court threw themselves off the cliff rather than submit to the triumphant invading army. Their colorful silk hanbok dresses would have billowed as flowers gently dropped into the water.
Located north of Buyeo, Gongju served as the Baekje capital until the mid-sixth century. A fascinating archaeological display is made up of relics excavated from the tomb of King Muryeong (r. 501-523) who was one of the last rulers to reign in Gongju. Hundreds of those artifacts are on display in the national museums at Gongju and Seoul.
Expo Park is on a 64-hectare site in northwestern Daejeon, where the 1993 World Expo took place. The area has since been renovated into a public science park.
Chungjuho Lake, 128 kilometers south of Seoul, offers a range of water sports in the mountainous area of central Korea. Cruise boats ply the 51.2-kilometer waterway between Chungju and Danyang. Passengers can also enjoy a stunning view of Danyang Palgyeong , "the Eight Scenic Wonders" of the limestone region surrounding Danyang. Nearby Gosudonggul Cave contains glistening stalactites in all shapes and sizes.
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| Eastern Region |
| Yeongdong Expressway links Seoul and Gangneung and puts the East Sea coast within about four hours by car or bus.
Historical sites and colorful everyday scenes are to be seen in the small coastal towns as well as in the forested mountains of the region. Visitors can also stop over along the way at one of many ski resorts or take a luxurious dip and scrub at one of the local hot springs. Naksan is famous for its clear-water beach and fresh seafood.
Mt. Seoraksan National Park is part of the Taebaek Range which also includes Mt. Geumgangsan to the north, considered one of the world's most spectacular scenic sights. As the Korean peninsula comes into the full cooling of autumn temperatures, Seoraksan is an ideal place to view the fall foliage turning gorgeous shades of red and yellow. Seorak-dong is a resort village near the park entrance, with inns and hotels, campsites, convenience stores, parking, and a host of other public service facilities. A 1,100-meter cable car connects the park entrance with Gweon-geumseong , an old mountaintop fortress of the Silla Kingdom. Sokcho is the coastal town that serves as a gateway to the Seoraksan Mountains, which can be reached by air from Seoul in less than an hour.
Goseong Unification Observatory is located at South Korea's northernmost point on the east coast. Here, visitors can enjoy an excellent view over the beautiful mountains, rivers and coastline of North Korea.
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| Southeastern Region |
The area features a wide variety of tourist attractions, which include the major cities of Busan and Daegu, and Gyeongju, capital of the splendid ancient Silla Kingdom.
Gyeongju: Legacy of Silla Culture The legends of the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. - A.D. 935) echo across the years, leaving a legacy of beauty and mystery in the valleys surrounding Gyeongju. Kings and queens reigned in this ancient capital for almost a millennium. The achievements of Silla people and their devotion to Buddhism are evident in the stone images carved on cliff walls and the many exquisite stone monuments found throughout the area. Gyeongju is Korea's "culture city" and for anyone truly interested in delving into the antiquities a visit to numerous sites around here is essential. The Gyeongju National Museum contains some of the country's finest treasures. Gold art treasures, including crowns, pendants, and jewelry, were recently discovered and are now on display in the museums of Gyeongju and Seoul. A visit to the abundant remains will also provide tourists with some idea of the magnificence of the city's cultural achievements during the Unified Silla era that dates to a millennium ago.
Bulguksa Temple is located only a few miles away from Gyeongju. The stone bridges, stairs, terraces and two famous pagodas in the temple have been kept intact as they were originally built. Unfortunately the wooden buildings in the temple complex have all been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times over the centuries. Seokguram Grotto is one of Asia's finest Buddhist shrines. Seokguram stands as a proud testimony to Korea's brilliant tradition of classical Buddhist sculpture. A small but noble pantheon of Buddhist divinities symbolizes Buddhist philosophy and aestheticism in this eighth-century cave temple. It is an edifice of sublime beauty, a testament to the religious, scientific and artistic achievements of the Korean people who flourished during the golden age of Unified Silla. In 1995, Bulguksa temple and the Seokguram Grotto were registered on UNESCO's prestigious World Cultural Heritage List.
The sacred Mt. Namsan harbors the largest body of cultural relics of Silla in some 20 adjoining valleys. Seeing the stone relief carvings at Chilburam (Seven Buddha Heritage) is an unforgettable experience. Cheomseongdae is a stellar observatory here, built during the reign of Queen Seondeok in 634; it is the oldest extant one in East Asia. Bomun Lake Resort, a 15-minute drive from Gyeongju, has five super-deluxe hotels, a convention center, casino, golf course, tennis courts, a fleet of little pedal-boats, swimming pools and even a hotel management school.
Andong is one of the last living vestiges of old Korea, a treasure-trove of Confucian tradition. Hahoe is a small village near Andong, with a delightful blend of thatched roof peasant houses and tiled roof yangban (Joseon-era aristocrats) villas. Hahoe Village, a government-designated Historic Preservation Site, is known for a unique form of mask dance drama, the Hahoe talchum and is the site of a famous shamanism ceremony. Nearby Dosan seowon is a Confucian academy founded by the prominent scholar Yi Hwang (pen name Toegye) in the 16th century.
Busan, the world's third-largest container port, is the second largest city in Korea. The expansive Jagalchi Fish Market is a vibrant place to visit in the early morning hours as good-natured fishmonger ladies haggle over the fresh catch. The U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan is the resting place for many UN soldiers who were killed during the Korean War five decades ago. Taejongdae Park is on the tip of Yeongdo Island, south of downtown. It is hilly and heavily forested with rugged cliffs dropping straight into the sea below. Haeundae Beach Resort is the most famous and busiest beach in Korea.
Tongdosa Temple is located between Gyeongju and Busan, one of Korea's three great temples. The original purpose of Daeungjeon, the main hall, was to preserve the Bodhisattva; but behind, through the Geumganggyedan, the sarira ash remnants of the Buddha have been preserved.
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The temple was first built in the Queen Seondeok of Silla, then reconstructed in the 23rd year of Joseon King Injo (1645) after it was burned.
Tong-yeong (formerly known as Chungmu) is a traditional seaport holding great charm and historical interest. For those seeking a quiet place to relax for a few days, Tongyeong could be an excellent choice. Several off-lying islands of this port city boast of opulent tradition, much of which are related to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Korea's greatest naval hero. Jinhae on the southern coast is headquarters for Korean naval activities, but it is also well-known for its scenic cherry blossoms. Every street in Jinhae is lined with cherry trees. And each year in early April, a naval port festival is held here for 12 days when the cherry trees are in full bloom. Hallyeosudo is dotted with 400 islands and islets in the Korea Strait off the southern coast. The indented coastline has created unusual rock formations and caves, which make spectacular sights for a cruise. Visitors to Hallyeosudo Marine Park will enjoy the clear water, steep cliffs, exotic rock formations, abundant fresh seafood and rich heritage of seafarers' life. The port of Yeosu is the western end of Hallyeosudo. It links to the nearby island, Odongdo, famous for camellia and bamboo groves, by a 787-yard-long breakwater. |
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| Southwestern Region |
This area is rich in fertile rice paddies; it is often called the "rice bin" of Korea. The only large region in Korea not folded up in multiple mountains, the terrain slopes gently down to the coast, dotted with numerous small harbors.
Jeonju is famous for its delicious dish bibimbap (a large bowl of rice mixed with various vegetables and minced meat). Tourists can find shops specializing in Korea's traditional hanji paper made of mulberry bark. This "rice paper" is used in calligraphy and in making umbrellas, fans, and many other items. Mt. Maisan (Horse Ears Mountain) Park lies east of Jeonju, with two huge jutting peaks, of 673 and 667 meters. Mt. Deogyusan National Park commands a superb view of the 30 km-long Muju gucheondong valley which surrounds Korea's largest ski resort. Mt. Naejangsan National Park and Baegyangsa Temple, which date back to the 7th century, are picturesque in the fall with stunning autumn foliage.
Namwon is the gateway to Mt. Jirisan National Park. The town is the famed home of Chunhyang , a character in a popular novel and one of Korea's most celebrated heroines. Pansori Chunhyangga , a narrative opera about fidelity adopted from the original story, is a cherishable performance. The Jirisan Mountains are South Korea's second highest ( Cheonwangbong Peak is 1,915 meters) after Mt. Hallasan on Jejudo Island. They boast vastness as well as height, stretching across three provinces: Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do.
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Gwangju in Jeollanam-do province lies four hours south of Seoul by train. It is connected with Daegu to the east via the Olympic Expressway. The Gwangju National Museum is the home of a Chinese ceramics collection recovered from a 700-year-old Chinese merchant ship that was wrecked off the Sin-an coast; prehistoric remains of the Gwangju area, relics from the Baekje Kingdom, paintings and other works of art are also on display. The city holds the Gwangju Biennale between September and November every two years. The event features a global and stimulating collection of avant garde installation art.
Damyang , just north of Gwangju, is Korea's center of bamboo cultivation and craftsmanship. The area produces large quantities of quality bamboo furniture, household items, and artwork, and a big bamboo market is set up every fifth day. The Damyang Bamboo Museum, |
the world's first museum of its kind, exhibits a total of 1,150 antique and modern works of bamboo ware from this area and from other countries.
Hongdo Island with its camellia groves and unusual rock formations, is an especially favored destination for photographers. On Jindo Island, about 350 kilometers south of Seoul, the Korean version of Moses' miracle occurs in late April and in the middle of July. The sea that lies between the coastal village of Hoedong-ri and nearby Modo-ri islet parts for about an hour leaving a seabed pathway 2.8 km long and about 40 meters wide. Jindo Island is also famous for jindotgae , an indigenous Korean breed of especially ferocious but loyal and intelligent dogs.
Unjusa Temple was constructed by the great Buddhist monk Doseon-guksa during the Unified Silla period (668-935). Eighteen pagodas and 80 statues of Buddha in and around the temple are the remains from the old "thousand pagodas and thousand Buddhas" that once belonged to the famed temple.
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