Everything........Korea! Korean! :): Agosto 2015

Biyernes, Agosto 28, 2015

[Korea] Experience Korean Traditions First-hand!

The number of foreigners wanting to participate in traditional cultural experiences increases as Korean thanksgiving, also known as Chuseok, draws nearer. A variety of traditional cultural experiences and programs are readily available across Seoul, gaining great popularity.

With that, several cultural events and programs that are either ongoing or scheduled to be held in Seoul are as follows.

Coming August 28, the Seoul Baekjungnori play will be held at City Hall (Seoul Plaza), where you can experience one of the traditional folk events that used to be held on July 15 of the lunar calendar.

Also, from September 5 to October 25, Tea Ceremony Experience will take place at Jagyeongjeon in Gyeongbokgung Palace where you can learn traditional Korean tea culture and etiquette during a tea ceremony. Also Namsangol Hanok Village is set to offer a photo shoot session wearing hanbok, Korea’s traditional costumes, until November 9.

More Info

☞ Seoul Baekjungnori play
    Period: 16:00-21:30 on August 28, 2015
    Venue: City Hall (Seoul Plaza)
    Things to do:
    Playing traditional instrument, gilnori (traditional Korean music band parade),
    ganggangsulae (traditional Korean circle dance play), etc.
    Fees and registration: Free of charge (* Register on-site)
☞ Gyeongbokgung Palace Jagyeongjeon Tea Ceremony Experience
    Period: 14:00 on every Saturdays and Sundays from September 5 to October 25, 2015
    (* Closed on September 26- 27, 2015)
    Venue : Jagyeongjeon Hall in Gyeongbokgung Palace
    Things to do:
    Experiencing traditional Korean tea culture and etiquette and tasting traditional teas.
    Fees and registration: Free of charge (excluding the entrance fee to the Gyeongbokgung Palace)
    At 13:00 on the day of the event at Jagyeongjeon (first come first served)
☞ Hanpung Culture Masil – Hanbok Experience
    Period: 11:00-17:00, November 9, 2015 / (Closed on Tuesdays)
    Venue: The home of Lee Seung-eop in Namsangol Hanok Village
    Things to do: Hanbok wearing and photo shoot by professionals.
    Fees and registration: Hanbok wearing 5,000 won / Hanbok Snap Shot 20,000 won
    (* Register on-site)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan City, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Namsangol Hanok Village

Date

08/25/2015

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Huwebes, Agosto 27, 2015

[Korea] ‘Visit Korea Festival’ packed with benefits

If you are planning to visit Korea this fall, you will be pleasantly surprised by the many generous benefits. ‘Visit Korea Festival’ is planned to be held for international tourists visiting Korea from September 1 to October 31, 2015.

The special campaign page offers the latest information on food, travel and hallyu, as well as various discount coupons and benefits. In addition, an online event will take place, with the grand prize of round-trip air tickets to Korea!

More information will become available through the official campaign page, which will open on September 1. Simply click on the Visit Korea Festival banner to the right side of the www.visitkorea.or.kr homepage to start gathering these goodies.

More Info

☞ Visit Korea Festival :
    Discount coupons for Koreastay, City Tour, Non-verbal performances
    and information on other discounts through Korea Grand Sale, Busan Grand Sale and more!
☞ Website: Visit www.visitkorea.or.kr
    Click on the Visit Korea Festival banner (open from September 1, 2015)
☞1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

Date

08/27/2015

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Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff (주상절리(대포동지삿개))

	Address

2663, Jungmun-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do 제주 서귀포시 중문동 2663



Type

Beaches



Inquiries

• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-64-710-6616 (Korean, English)



Homepage

jikimi.cha.go.kr (English, Korean) english.tour2jeju.net (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish, German, Russian)

VisitKorea does not guarantee the quality of products or services introduced on its site and is not responsible for any direct or indirect losses resulting from use of said products or services.

Introduction

If you follow the farm road 600 m to the southwest from Depo-dong, at the end of the pine tree forest is a cliff. At the base of this cliff is the Jisatgae Coast along with the imposing stone pillars. The Jusangjeolli are stone pillars piled up along the coast and is a designated cultural monument of Jejudo Island. The Jusangjeolli was formed when the lava from Hallasan Mountain erupted into the sea of Jungmun. They are rock pillars shaped like cubes or hexagons of various sizes and almost seem as if stonemasons had carved them out. The administration of the district named them 'Jisatgae Rocks' from their old name 'Jisatgae'. Its 20 m cliff makes it a popular spot for high tide, sea angling. The waves of the high tides crashing into the side of the cliff provide a breathtaking view of the ocean surrounding the pillars.

Telephone

+82-64-710-6616

Current Status

[Columnar Joint Along Jungmun and Daepo Coasts, Jeju]
Natural Monument No. 443 (Designated on January 6, 2005)

Operating Hours

08:00 - 19:00 (Nov - Feb 08:00 - 18:00)

Parking Facilities

Available (Inquiries: KTO - Jeju Branch +82-64-735-7200)

Admission Fees

Adult 2,000 won(Group 1,600 won) / Youth and Child 1,000 won(Group 600 won)
* Group - more 10 people

Facilities for the Handicapped

Passage for wheelchair, restroom, reserved parking spaces

Parking Fees

Paid parking lot

Interpretation Services Offered

Not available

Directions

Fly into Jeju International Airport.
Take Airport Limousin Bus 600, and get off at International Convention Center.
(Travel time: 50min)

OR

Take Jungmun Express Bus from Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal to Jungmun Tourist Complex.
(Travel time: 60min)
Take a taxi to Jusangjeolli Cliff.

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Miyerkules, Agosto 26, 2015

Muju Firefly Festival (무주 반딧불축제)

Period

08.29.2015 ~ 09.06.2015

Address

326-17 Hanpungnu-ro, Muju-eup, Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 전북 무주군 무주읍 한풍루로 326-17 (설천면)



Location

Muju-gun area (Jinam Park, Bandi Land)



Telephone

• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-63-324-2440 (Korean)

VisitKorea does not guarantee the quality of products or services introduced on its site and is not responsible for any direct or indirect losses resulting from use of said products or services.

Sponsors / Management

Muju-gun / Muju Firefly Festival Committee

Introduction

The Muju Firefly Festival attracted over 72 million tourists from around the world in 2014. The festival is now the second most popular festival in the nation. The festival takes place at the habitat for fireflies and marsh snails the fireflies feed on, which will also become an open ecology lab to further discover the wonders of nature.

The festival has now garnered a global praise, enough that it was also listed on CNN’s travel website CNNgo. The article features Seopdari Bridge in Namdaecheon Stream, the highlight of the firefly festival, as one of the 50 must-see spots in Korea.

How to Particpate

Fireflies Exploration
Participate in the program and find more details at firefly.or.kr

Age Limit

Open to visitors of all ages.

Transportation

From Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus to Muju Intercity Bus Terminal.
* Bus Schedule: 07:40, 09:20, 10:40, 13:40, 14:35 / Travel time: 2 hrs 30 min

>> Click here for more details

Homepage

firefly.or.kr (Korean, English)

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Chuncheon Makguksu& Dakgalbi Festival (춘천 막국수 닭갈비축제)

Period

08.25.2015 ~ 08.30.2015

Address

37, Jungang-ro 68beon-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do 강원도 춘천시 중앙로68번길 37 (소양로3가)



Location

In front of Chuncheon Station



Telephone

• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-33-250-4347~8 (Korean)

VisitKorea does not guarantee the quality of products or services introduced on its site and is not responsible for any direct or indirect losses resulting from use of said products or services.

Sponsors / Management

Chuncheon Dakgalbi & Makguksu Festival Organization/
KBS Chuncheon /

Introduction

The 2012 Chuncheon Dakgalbi (Spicy Chicken Ribs) & Makguksu (Buckwheat Noodles) Festival is scheduled to be held this year from August 23rd to 28th. Visitors can enjoy Chuncheon-style buckwheat noodles and spicy chicken ribs, two representative dishes of the region. Special events include the Chuncheon Local Cuisine Cooking Contest and free sampling every afternoon of the area’s famous dishes.

Programs

- Official Events: Opening ceremony, Opening celebration performances, fireworks show
- Performance Events: Chuncheon Arts Festival, Public Participation Stage, Performing yard, Music Festival, etc.
- Hands-on Events: Makguksu making, free tasting of 100 servings of Dakgalbi & Makguksu, Traditional culture, play, photo zone & etc.
- Value Enhancement Event: Chuncheon local food nationwide contest, rediscovering Chuncheon

Transportation

[Train]
Chuncheon Station (Gyeongchun Line)

Homepage

www.mdfestival.com (Korean only)

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Martes, Agosto 25, 2015

Insa-dong (인사동)




Address

130-4, Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 서울 종로구 인사동 130-4 일대



Type

Cultural Districts



Inquiries

• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-734-0222



Homepage

www.insainfo.or.kr (Korean only) www.visitseoul.net (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese)

VisitKorea does not guarantee the quality of products or services introduced on its site and is not responsible for any direct or indirect losses resulting from use of said products or services.

Introduction

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.

Telephone

+82-2-734-0222

Parking Facilities

Parking available at the public parking lot of Seoinsa Madang
* Separate charges apply.

Available Facilities

Outdoor stages, souvenir shops, restaurants, etc.

Restrooms

Available

Facilities for the Handicapped

* Parking (Seoinsa Madang parking lot):
- 80% discount on parking fees for visitors with disabilities

* Visitors can access Insa-dong through the elevators of nearby Subway Stations.
-Exit 3 of Jonggak Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), or Exit 5 of Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line3 )

Reservation Info. for Foreigners

Tourism Information: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Directions

[Subway]
Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6.
- Go 100m straight, then turn left.

Or,

Jonggak Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 3.
- Go straight 300m, and turn left at the 4-way Intersection.
- Go straight 100m, and take the left road towards Insadong-gil Road.

[Bus]
Take any bus bound for Jongno 2-ga or Jongno Police Station.
Jongno 2-ga: 101, 103, 143, 150, 160, 201, 260, 262, 270, 271, 273, 370, 408, 470,
471, 601, 708, 710, 720, 721
Jongno Police Station: 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, 272, 601,6011, 708

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Port of Dreams and Romance

The article courtesy of SEOUL magazine

View of the city and sea from Mt. Yudalsan

Mokpo intoxicates with heady mix of history, beauty …
and fermented skate

Written and photographed by Marius Stankiewicz

On the southwestern tip of the Korean peninsula, laid out across ferry-filled harbors and rolling hillsides, is the vibrant port city of Mokpo. By virtue of this land-meets-water harmony there has been much progress in recent years and based on the frenzied rate of development at the city's periphery, one may even imagine urban planners running amok-po, if one may permit such a play on words.

Despite feeling the last fading ripples of Korea’s economic miracle, Mokpo’s growth has been substantial, with a great network of sea routes and a burgeoning seafood trade, not to mention the recent construction of a KTX stop bringing in business from richer big-city dwellers.

Mokpo’s geographic location has also made it a popular starting point for those looking to explore some of the coastal attractions in the area. Though the most high-profile destination is Jejudo Island, the more than 1,700 islands of Dadohae Haesang National Park also make for some great port-hopping. With that, one may easily gather that Mokpo offers ample rewards to those willing to invest the time, thus, the city of “beauty, romanticism and dreams.”

Weathered old buildings near Mokpo’s waterfront

Yet by simply rubbernecking around the city’s old quarters with a camera in hand, one may also see how Mokpo’s charm came at a high price – paid, of course, by Koreans themselves under Japanese colonial rule.

While the “city of sea and sun” – another one of its many nicknames – dates back to the Goryeo period (918-1392) and served as an important garrison for Admiral Yi Sun-sin during the late 16th-century Japanese invasions, it wasn’t until Mokpo’s opening as a port city that it started to take the shape we see it today.

Painful memories

From 1897 and onward, boatloads of Japanese settlers arrived in Mokpo intent on developing the city, which at the time was nothing more than rice fields, some fishing boats and small straw huts. Progress was the objective as its establishment came after Busan, Wonsan and Incheon. The Japanese commenced their colonizing by first installing a faux government and by occupying the best concessionary lands between Mt. Yudalsan and the harbor.

Fisherman unloads crates of fresh catch.

In fact, one of the biggest hallmarks of this period can be visited today – the former Japanese consulate building. It is currently known as the Mokpo Culture Hall, inside which one can find photos retelling the city’s history. Out back, one could also find an interesting archive building and a former air raid shelter with replicas of Japanese officers using their clubs at will and Korean workers smashing rocks with pick axes, a reenactment of the status quo between oppressor and the oppressed. Its redbricked exterior is also reminiscent of the Renaissance style.

The Mokpo Modern History Museum is also worth a visit, located 200 meters from the Culture Hall. It was once the Mokpo Branch of Oriental Development Company, entrusted with the task of, to put it plainly, plundering crops and exploiting local workers. Nowadays, it exhibits several vivid pictures of the colonial era and serves as a teaching place for the younger generations.

Head across the street to marvel at what is perhaps the best preserved Japanese home in Mokpo. Salvaged by a man named Lee Yeong-chul and converted into a high-end cafeteria, “This house (was) the enemy’s house,” he says in a plain-faced manner. “After the defeat of the Japanese in World War II, many houses that were owned by the Japanese were transferred into private residences,” he explains. “This one was used as a shore patrol base and the navy’s dispensary. People say that this house should have been demolished, but I insisted on keeping it because we have to let our descendants know about our history. It was a tough decision, but I bought it and remodeled it into a café.”

Inside the House Full of Happiness—as the café was named after Yeong-chul’s wife’s interior design talents—a sign reads “No children under 10 years old.” This is perhaps justifiable as there are several delicate objects inside such as antique vases, radios, typewriters, old photos and faded tables, as well as hanging cotton shirts and plenty of earthenware in an open crockery cabinet. The home’s tranquil atmosphere and lush Japanese-style garden are well worth the southbound KTX from Seoul until it can go no farther, at least for a weekend trip.

A trek up Mt. Yudalsan is one of Mokpo’s biggest highlights. After passing five pavilions en route to its peak, as well as a stolidly postured bronze statue of Yi Sun-sin, a monument commemorating Lee Nan-yeong’s famous song, “Tears from Mokpo,” and an old canon used to fire a noon signal, you’ll arrive at a point where you can take in an incredible panoramic view of the city. About halfway up, be sure to try a Korean fried pancake, or pajeon, at a small restaurant and some rice beer, or dondongju, heavily endorsed by the locals.

Pungent delicacy

At the same place where fishermen head out from the harbor before dawn, they return at dusk to haul off Mokpo’s most prized catch – the skate, or hongeo. Once turned over, this humble, diamond-shaped ray shall undergo a most interesting preparation in the hands of local chefs.

Hongeo is an essential serving at family gatherings in the Jeollanam-do region. It is so important, in fact, that if left out then one is simply “depressed and feeling cheated,” says Kim Kyung-sun at Mokpo’s tourist information centre. Though this food is considered by many to be wretched in taste – mainly due to hongeo’s fermentation process of being stewed in its own urine, which results in a heavy ammonia smell – locals will not pass on any opportunity to eat it. At Mokpo’s central fish market directly in front of the port, you could pick some up, or even better, head to a restaurant where a plate of the smelliest dish out there costs anywhere from KRW 50,000 to 70,000. One of the city’s best known hongeo restaurants is Deok Inn Jip ran by Kim Mal-sim. It has been in operation for thirty-three years and continues to thrive today.

“Hongeo is a well-known food all over the world,” she says, “and my restaurant serves the most delicious skate straight from the island of Heuksando.” Despite the city’s economy being highly dependent on hongeo, there is a lower-quality variation entering the market. This has caused such a stir that the government has initiated the need for certificates of authenticity.

“Imported hongeo contains a lot of preservatives,” she says, “but hongeo from Heuksando is fresher. I compared both and the imported hongeo’s condition was worse, so it cannot be sold.”

Apart from Mokpo’s aquaculture, the province of Jeollanam-do’s agricultural largesse is also quite impressive, producing tons of rice, wheat and fruits due to the region’s mild climate year-round. This could explain why Mokpo is also home to the Bohae Company, a producer of Bokbunjajoo fruit wine, interestingly packaged in their familiar rugby ball-shaped bottles. Also produced is a brand of soju called A Hop Si Vahn, literally translated as “9:30” because, according to the company’s website, this is the time “that real talk begins,” presumably of the business kind.

Nine-thirty is also the time things start to slow down in Mokpo, making it an ideal time to traipse through the shopping district near the train station to marvel its luminaria motifs, a dazzling – if not dizzying – display of neon that also gives Mokpo the name “City of Lights.” At the same time the following morning, you can start your day visiting the National Maritime Museum where you can see traditional boats from the region and learn about Korea’s shipbuilding history. All in all, Mokpo is something like a living museum, where traditions are sacred and its heritage and history are never forgotten. It offers a most rewarding trip to Korea’s land’s end, to escape the chaos and congestion of Seoul.

Fermented skate, or hongeo, at Deok Inn Jip.

More info

Mokpo has many cheap motels in the port
area around the old quarter. For something a bit higher end, take a taxi to Pyeonghwa Plaza and try Benikea Hotel Fontana
(T. 061-288-7000).
Give your taste buds a challenge and try
hongeo at one of the restaurants near Mokpo’s fish market. Deok Inn Jip near the train station is a simple establishment that prides itself on its tradition of serving great hongeo dishes (T. 061-242-3767). A three-person portion will run you KRW 70,000. If fermented skate is not up your alley, try nakji bibimbap (rice and veggies mixed with spicy stir-fried octopus) at Dokcheon Sikdang
(T. 061-242-6528).
Direct KTX trains from Yongsan Station to
Mokpo Station (travel time: 2 hours, 30 minutes) depart several times per day. Please consult www.letskorail.com for more information. Several buses depart daily from Seoul’s Central Bus Station to Mokpo along the Honam Line (travel time: about 5 hours). The Sea Star Cruise ferry departs from Mokpo’s Port Passanger Terminal to Jejudo daily at 9 AM, arriving at 1:20pm. The Pink Dolphin ferry leaves at 2 PM, arriving at 5:10 PM. Contact Mokpo’s Port Passenger Terminal for more information (T. 061-243-1927). There are three daily ferries to Dadohae Haesang National Park (Hongdo and Heuksando Islands). The same ferry serves both locations stopping at Heuksando first (1 hour, 30 minutes) and then Hongdo (another 45 minutes).

The article courtesy of Seoul magazine

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