Travel City Korea: What to do in Seoul

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2013년 11월 25일 월요일

Korea Folk Village

On a time machine to 600 years ago!!

Wisdom in the Josun era, life of seonbi (classical scholar).

A professional tour guide will take you to Korea Folk Village,

a place right out of a historical drama.

Folk Village

Set in a natural environment occupying approximately 243 acres, visitors can experience the natural atmosphere with over 260 traditional houses reminiscent of the late Joseon Dynasty, including various household goods from different regions. All these features have been relocated and restored to provide visitors with a broad understanding of Korean food, clothing, and housing style of the past.

About twenty workshops, various handicrafts such as pottery, baskets, winnows, bamboo wares, wooden wares, paper, brass wares, knots, fans, musical instruments, iron wares and embroidery are practiced. In the Korean Folk Village, where the customs and lifestyles of the past generations have been carefully preserved, various lifestyles prevalent during the Joseon Dynasty can be seen.

You can visit the Folk Museum as well as the Art Museum (scheduled to open) to see and learn about the essence of Korean culture and folk customs, which are not suitable for display and re-creating in the open-air setting. Korean Folk Village is also the filming location for the famous movie Scandal as well as the TV miniseries Daejanggeum.

Kimchi and Making Kimchi Class

Experiencing Korean culture.

A unique experience into tea ceremony, Joseon’s high culture

and making and tasting kimchi, Korea’s representative food.

You can also learn Korean traditional manners and try on Hanbok,

Korean traditional clothing

Kimchi, the staple Korean food, was named as

one of the world’s five healthiest foods
by Health Magazine in the United States recently.

In the March online edition, the U.S. magazine recommended its readers to incorporate the spicy fermented cabbage dish into their diets for its bacteria lactobacilli, also found in yogurt, as well as its high content of vitamins A, B and C.

Citing recent studies, the magazine said the healthy bacteria in kimchi can prevent yeast infections, help with digestion and may also help prevent cancer.

It also provided readers with a few cooking tips, such as scrambling eggs or topping a baked potato with kimchi.

Other foods to make the magazine's top five list were Spanish olive oil for heart disease prevention and Japanese soy sauce for
prevention of cancer and osteoporosis.

Greek yogurt was also selected for its many health benefits, including enhancing immunity, improving lactose intolerance and
stronger bones.

Lentils from India were recommended for their high content of protein, cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber and iron.

2013년 11월 21일 목요일

Voted 10 Attractions in Korea by the foreign tourists (6) - Lotte World

" Perfect Place for Thrilling Entertainment Fun and Rides "

Located in the heart of the city, Lotte World is the perfect spot for entertainment and sightseeing. It is a theme park filled with thrilling rides, an ice rink, different kinds of parades as well as a folk museum, a lake, and much more. About 6,000,000 visitors are welcomed every year, and about 10% of the visitors are foreigners. The structure inside makes use of the natural sunlight, and it is open for visitors all year round, regardless of the weather.

Lotte World is divided into a '’Adventure’ theme once you are inside the building, and outside is a ‘Magic Island’ theme next to Seokchonhosu Lake. Lotte World Adventure has certain districts representing different countries with various kinds of facilities and souvenir shops. You can enjoy watching parades, numerous films, laser shows, and a variety of international cuisines even during the holidays. Magic Island is situated outdoors, where the dazzling Magic Castle is located as well as thrilling high-altitude rides that you can't experience elsewhere. Be sure to also check out the peaceful walking trail around the lake.

One of the major reasons tourists are attracted to Lotte World is the amusement rides. The Gyro Drop and Gyro Swing are the top pleasers– a steep drop with an altitude of 70 meters, or taste the thrilling sensation of being inside a tornado. You may need to take your shoes off before you get on since mostly likely they will come off during the ride. The Flume Ride is a long boat with a high-altitude wave, and the Spanish Pirate Ship swings at an electrifying 75 degrees. Besides the excitement of these rides, Lotte World also contains a variety of parades and laser shows. The 200 performers sing and dance to music in the World Carnival Parade, which adds excitement to the theme park.

After enjoying the rides, don't miss skating on the ice rink as well as visiting the museum. The ice rink is situated indoors on the B3 floor, and is opened throughout the year. Its pleasant atmosphere is perfect for family and couples to enjoy. The hours are from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm, and runs even during the holidays. Its facilities include a restaurant, a ticket booth, a snack bar, a sports shop, a skate rental service, and a changing room.

On the other hand, The Folk Museum is the most popular museum for foreign tourists. Folk cultural items are displayed and the items go back 5,000 years in Korean history as well as miniature villages, and a playground. The museum layout was arranged to attract the visitors' attention and the displays are easily understandable. In addition, audio-visual devices and miniature models will make it more enjoyable.

2013년 11월 20일 수요일

Skiing in Korea

Snow Angels

Skiing in Korea

If you’re into skiing, snowboarding, spas, festivals or just want to take in the gorgeous landscape, Korea is the perfect place for winter fun and adventure. The ski resorts are some of the finest in the world and attract thousands of tourists each year. Many are located in Gangwon-do Province, which is known for its abundant snowfall. Here, resorts are equipped with the latest facilities, a great range of slopes and superb accommodation. The peak ski season starts mid-December until the end of February. You’ll also find many ski resorts remain open all year round. When visiting, make sure you check out the annual ‘Ski and Snow Festival’ and take part in a tour of the popular ‘YongPyeong’ and ‘High 1’ ski resorts. Each tour lasts four days, and includes accommodation, meals, and lessons with hands on programs plus an exciting skiing and snowboarding competition. What’s more, there’s traditional Korean singing, dancing and of course, the beautiful mountain scenery to take in. So, if you’re searching for an adrenaline-packed holiday or quality family time in snow, Korea is ready to welcome you in winter.

Ski tour program : Click~! Ski tour

The Ski season is coming~!!

Korean Ski season is coming~! Ski tour in Korea~!!

Korean Pottery and Icheon Village

Making Pottery Program : Click~! Pottery Class in Icheon

The company Ichontour - located in the town of Icheon, 1 hour away from Seoul – proposes a one-day introduction hands-on program to Korean ceramics. The rather comprehensive program includes:

- Presentation on Korean traditional pottery (history, characteristics)
- How to make ceramics with a potter’s wheel
- Making your own pottery under the supervision of a potter
- Lunch – A Visit to an Exposition Hall and Shopping
- A Visit to the Ceramics Museum or the World Ceramics Center

A handmade pottery done by yourself will without a doubt be a great and memorable souvenir to bring back from your trip to Korea. You will have the choice to decorate already made, unvarnished pottery pieces or do your own with or without the potter’s wheel. In any case, you’ll quickly realize that it’s more difficult than it seems! Even if your work looks more like a melting object from a Salvador Dali painting than anything else, you will still love it like its your baby and that’s where the fun of it is.

This tour will also be a nice opportunity to learn more about the history of Korean ceramics and to see some wonderful pieces by some of the best potters in the country. The manager of the tour, Mr. Park Chan-bong, speaks English and will be able to answer all of your questions. This is a great way to discover one of Korea’s most precious cultural properties.

Icheon Ceramics Village produces traditional Korean ceramics, which are of high quality. The village became the center of traditional pottery during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) for about 500 years due to the easily obtainable materials in the areas. Icheon Ceramics Village was also the center of Joseon Baekja ceramics. Presently, about 80 pottery factories are congregated at the village, and about 300 pottery kilns are in use.

Visitors can observe the pottery production process, and purchase them directly. It is worthwhile to see the crafts of these potters known as Living Cultural Treasures of Korea for creating the highest quality handicrafts. Not only are the traditional Cheongja,Baekja, and Buncheong pottery produced here, but you can also view modern design pottery. The Haegang Ceramics Art Center is the only ceramics Art Center in Korea, where you can learn about ceramics. One of the must-see events at Icheon Ceramics Village is the internationally famous “Icheon Ceramics Festival” held every year. Displayed pottery as well as, pottery classes, traditional kiln handling, pottery character show, and even parades are held.

2013년 11월 19일 화요일

Korean Traditional Costume - Hanbok

Experience wearing Hanbok program : Click~! Korean culture tour

The Hanbok is the traditional outfit of the Korean people. Koreans nowadays wear this outfit only on festive days or special anniversaries, however it was worn daily up until just 100 years ago. It is a kind of traditional formal dress and most Koreans keep a hanbok for these special times. Children wear hanbok on their first birthday and adults wear it for their wedding ceremony and on their 60th birthday. The hanbok is also worn for funerals or religious services, and is still used as casual wear in villages or districts where the traditional ways of life are still maintained such as Chunghak-dong on Mount Jirisan.

One way to refer to Korea is 'the people in white’, which refers to the fact that the Korean people often wear white or similar tones. Koreans have long worn white clothing made of hemp or cotton regardless of their status. The case of formal dress was different, however. Color and design were typically luxurious and the hanbok was particularly highly valued for its gracious and subtle colors. Modern designers have presented the traditional Korean costume at renowned cities of fashion such as Paris and New York.

The hanbok is colored using natural dyes. The colors of nature are imbued in the cloth. For example, red dye is obtained from the petals of red flowers. The color pigment is extracted by grounding the petals in a mortar, putting them in a jar and rinsing them with hot caustic soda. It is a very slow, complicated, precise process. The colors obtained in this way differ greatly from artificial dyes in their color and depth. The Hanbok is creative and emotional in its design. One Korean phrase regarding the shape of the outfit is the 'upper is narrow, lower is wide'. The jacket must be tightened and the skirt relaxed, as was the silhouette of the women’s hanbok in Joseon times. The tightly fitting jacket attractively reflects the shape of the upper body. The wide sleeves and flexible skirts enhance the wearer’s gracefulness by hiding the physical features of the lower body.

The principles behind the creation of the hanbok can be explained by the movement from 2 dimensions to 3 dimensions. The flat cloth is patterned, cut, and sewn in 2 dimensions but the subject wearing the hanbok is a 3 dimensional being. The hanbok is frilled or fastened with string to enhance the 3D affect. The unique line of the hanbok is created from this process. The lines of the hanbok costume are as smooth as the curves of the eaves of tiled roof house and as sharp. An old adage says that you can tell the man by his clothes.

Koreans have traditionally lived as one with nature, and obtained all material from natural sources for making cloth and coloring it. Koreans favor smooth curves rather than straight lines and that has added a gracious line to the hanbok. A common comment that every hanbok designer gets is that the outfit is more beautiful when it is worn than when it is on the hanger, and more beautiful when moving than when standing. Indeed, the unique lines of the hanbok appear at their greatest when the wearer is in motion.

Although hanbok have become the ritual dress of choice worn only on traditional holidays, Koreans' love for hanbok is tremendous. The popularity of Korean classic dramas is causing many foreigners to take a keener interest in traditional Korean attire as well.

Seasonal Festival in Korea - Hwacheon Mount Trout Ice Festival (Winter)

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mount Trout) Ice Festival will be taking place in Hwacheon in Gangwon-do province. This virtually untouched region is known as the first area in Korea that freezes over in winter, and the river is covered with a thick layer of ice.

Visitors can try out ice fishing, and those who are feeling brave can try to catch mountain trout with their bare hands. As well as fun activities and performances, there is also an exhibition of ice sculptures that took 20 weeks to prepare. Visitors can sample raw and grilled mountain trout, both of which are delicious.

Sancheoneo Experience

Ice fishing (onsite registration/pre-booking), lure fishing, bare-hand fishing

Snow/Ice Experience

Ice sledding, bobsledding, ice football, eolgomiseong (tunnels, slides), snow sculptures, snow sledding, World Snowman Square, ice rink, ice train, snow train, cross country skiing, Nongmokjangchigi (mini ice hockey)

Photo and information by KTO (Korea Tourism Organization)

Voted 10 Attractions in Korea by the foreign tourists (5) - Everland

Everland Resort was opened in 1976 as the first family park in Korea. Though originally called ‘Yongin Jayeon Nongwon,’ the company changed its name to ‘Everland’ to make the name more recognizable to international audiences. The park is home to over 40 heart-pounding rides and attractions. In addition to ‘Safari World’ featuring white tigers, tigers, lions and bears, ‘Herbivore Safari’ opened in April 2010, letting visitors get up close and personal with the safari’s giraffes, elephants, and ostriches. Everland is also known for its gorgeous flower arrangements and beautiful gardens, which have been year-round fixtures since the Rose Festival in 1985. Other great spots for family fun are the Snow Sled (the first and the longest of its kind in Korea), Caribbean Bay (an outstanding water park) and Everland Speedway (a racing track). Full of exciting attractions and entertainment, Everland is one of the most popular places in Korea for families, friends, and couples.

Dreams Become Reality, the Land of Year-Round Festivals!’
Everland is divided into five sections: American Adventure, Magic Land, European Adventure, Zoo Topia and Roller Coasters, in addition to the Global Fair.

Located near the front entrance of Everland, the Global Fair is home to a large bazaar decorated with reproductions of castles from France, Middle Eastern countries, Spain, India, and Russia. Not only visually captivating, the various architectural styles invite visitors into the culture and history of other nations, such as the Ancient and Medieval Periods of Europe.

The Four Seasons Garden of Everland is decorated with beautiful flowers arranged in a French garden style. Surrounded by Holland-style architecture, the gardens are the stage for seasonal flower festivals (tulips from April to June, lilies from July to August, and chrysanthemums from September to October), laser shows, and musical fountain shows.

The Zoo Topia section of the park is the where guests can find the ever-popular Safari World and Herbivore Safari. In safari world white tigers, tigers, lions, and bears roam around freely, providing guests with an up-close look at these amazing creatures. In Herbivore Safari, visitors can even feed some of their favorite animals like elephants, giraffes, camels, and ostriches.

Best Activities (1) - Gangchon Rail Bike

Rail Bike Tour Program : Click~! Rail bike tour

Where is the Gangchon?

The Gangchon Resort (강촌유원지) is a small village nestled along the Bukan River in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do Province. The river is on one side of the village, while Bongwhasan Mountain and Samaksan Mountain are on the opposite side making for beautiful scenery anywhere you look.
Gangchon Train Station is conveniently located near the entrance to the recreational area. Many young Koreans enjoy taking the romantic train ride to this cozy little village and for the past ten years this spot has also become a popular place for college students to go to on weekend trips. The village area has campgrounds, a youth hostel and other lodging facilities, bicycle paths, bungee jump facilities and many other recreational areas.

The Rail Bike

The rail bike in Gangchon is a new type of leisure sport that combines biking along a railway and scenic views. Rail bikes are commonly found in the mountainous regions of Europe. The sport makes use of an abandoned railway track that runs from Gangchon station to Kim Yu Jeong station. The total track is 8.2 kilometers long and is a continuous descent that is easy to ride along clean valley waters and crimson red foliage.
There are 2-person (110 kilograms) and 4-person rail bikes (138 kilograms). Despite its large size, a rail bike runs quite smoothly so it is sufficient for one person to pedal a 4-person rail bike at speeds of 10 to 30 kilometers per hour.
Ride at a slow speed of 15kph to enjoy the surrounding scenery. On the way back, you will return to Gangchon stn on a free bus for a comfortable ride with a view.

Voted 10 Attractions in Korea by the foreign tourists (4) - Insadong Antique Street

Seoul Tour Program : Click~! Seoul tour

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Insa-dong (인사동), located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, traditional teahouses, and cafes.

The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. At first they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the twisting alleyways, the window shopping in itself can be very entertaining. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.

Every Saturday from 14:00 – 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 – 22:00, some streets are blocked off from traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and others set up shops (Korean candy merchants and fortune tellers.) There are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular with foreign tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art. On the street you can eat Korean taffy and traditional pajeon (Korean pancake), and see many foreigners lost in all the joyous festivities of the street.

가장 많이 본 글

2013년 11월 25일 월요일

2013년 11월 21일 목요일

2013년 11월 20일 수요일

Snow Angels

Skiing in Korea

2013년 11월 19일 화요일