Gwanaksan Mountain Nakseongdae Park (관악산 낙성대공원) – Homepage www.gwanak.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) – Tel +82-2-879-6525 Nakseongdae Park was built as a tribute to General Kang Gam-chan (948-1031) of the Goryeo dynasty. In 1973, the city of Seoul reorganized the birthplace of General Kang, resulting in changes to the park. Located inside the park are…

Heolleung and Illeung Royal Tombs [UNESCO World Heritage] (서울 헌릉(태종,원경왕후)과 인릉(순조,순원왕후) [유네스코 세계문화유산]) – Homepage royaltombs.cha.go.kr – Tel +82-2-445-0347 Heolleung and Illeung Royal Tombs house the mounds for two kings of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) and their wives: King Taejong (1401-1418) and Queen Wongyeong, along with King Sunjo (1800-1834) and Queen Sunwon. Together, the tombs…

Archaeological Site in Amsa-dong, Seoul (서울 암사동 유적) – Homepage www.sunsa.gangdong.go.kr – Tel +82-2-3425-6520 The Archaeological Site in Amsa-dong reproduces the lifestyle of the Neolithic Era. Even the entrance gate is shaped like a huge dolmen and the trash cans are ancient diagonal-line patterned earthenware. Archaeological Site in Amsa-dong was excavated in 1925 when a…

Cheongdam Park (청담공원) – Homepage www.gangnam.go.kr – Tel +82-2-3423-6248 Up until the early 1960’s, people would cross the Hangang River from Ttukseom Ferry Dock and arrive in Cheongdam-dong. Although highly developed, Cheongdam Park remains as a soothing natural oasis that is relatively untouched by city pollution. Following the trail, there is a small exercise area…

Seoul Folk Flea Market – Traditional Arts & Crafts Studio (서울풍물시장 전통문화체험관) – Homepage blog.naver.com/pmmoffice – Tel +82-2-2232-3368 The Traditional Arts & Crafts Studio in Seoul Folk Flea Market was created to give both locals and international visitors a chance to experience the traditional arts of Korea first-hand. For international visitors, programs serve as a…

Samseongsan Holy Ground (삼성산성지) – Tel +82-2-875-2271 During the Gihae Persecution of 1839, three French Catholic priests were sentenced to death for spreading Catholicism in Korea. Saint Laurent Joseph Marius Imbert (Bishop), Saint Pierre Philibert Maubant (Priest), and Saint Jacques Honore Chastan (Priest) were beheaded on September 21, 1839 at Saenamteo, currently known as the…

Seoul Geumseonsa Temple (금선사(서울)) – Homepage www.geumsunsa.or www.templestay.com – Tel +82-2-395-9911 Geumseonsa Temple is located within Bukhansan National Park, just behind Cheong Wa Da (The Blue House) and Gyeongbokgung Palace. The entrance to the temple is just off the hiking path to Bibong Peak. After passing Banyajeon Hall, where Buddhist services are held, visitors will…

Seoul Gyeonggyojang House (서울 경교장) – Homepage www.museum.seoul.kr – Tel +82-2-735-2038 Gyeonggyojang House, a designated Historic Site, was the location of the provisional government and the place where Baekbeom Kim Koo passed away. Seoul reproduced the historical site, Gyeonggyojang House, to use the area as an educational site. Also, the house exhibits the history of…

Nakseonjae Hall (낙선재) – Tel +82-2-2148-1822 Located inside Changdeokgung Palace, Nakseonjae Hall is a one-story structure built in ikgong style (bird wing-shaped eaves placed on top of the pillars) with a hip tiled and gable roof. It has 6 kan in the front and 2 kan (traditional unit of measurement of the space between pillars)…

Cheongansa Temple (천간사) – Tel +82-2-355-7430 Cheongansa Temple was first built in 1960, and was re-built in 2009. It has many pagodas and monuments: a pagoda filled with sari relics of Buddha; Budotap Pagoda, which is a shrine to the monk who found the temple and his sacred relics; and a monument honoring the late…