燈 Lantern festival in the city of Jinju and Seoul

Monastery Popchusa: "The place where the law lives / resides", the law refers to the Buddhist law - dharma.

The temple/monastery is believed to have been built in 6th to 8th, or even to the 13th century AD. Even if it was only the 13th century, it is an old monastery;there are some ancient relics there, but a modern statue of Maitreya Buddha (height 33 m) you will see on the premisis strikes the imagination too.

One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Korea, enlisted in UNESCO world heritage.

Located in the Hadong province of South Gyeongsang, on the slopes of the Jirisan Mountains - the most majestic mountains of the mainland of South Korea, the largest national park.

The monastery was founded in 722 by two students of master Yisan - Sambop and Tebi. They say that the place of construction of the temple was suggested to them by a mountain spirit in the form of a tiger. Unfortunately, during the Japanese invasion in the late 16th century, the monastery was completely destroyed; most of the modern buildings and structures of the monastery belong to the 17th century.

Not far from the temple is the famous historical Hwagye Changtho market, where we can get acquainted and enjoy, if desired, the products of two provinces - Gyeongsang and Jeolla.

The name is tranlated 'Ears of a horse'. The two main peaks of this mountainous park do really look like two ears of a horse. The park is famous for its 'Stone Pagoda Park' which was made by one single person.

Chogyesa Temple is located in the heart of the capital of South Korea - Seoul. Despite the small area, the temple is the central administrative temple of the largest school of Buddhism in Korea with the same name - "chogye".

Gyeongbokgung Palace became the first residence of Korea's new Joseon Dynasty in 1395.

During the war with Japan (1592-1598) the palace was almost completely destroyed; however, it was restored in the middle of the 19th century and again became the residence of the Korean kings.

The palace is the architectural center of the northern part of the city of Seoul and impresses both with its size and extraordinary symmetry.

You will not only be able to capture yourself against the background of classical palace architecture, but also hear an entertaining story from our guide about the history, palace culture, the customs of the royal family, the symbolic meaning of the material attributes of the palace.

In the heart of Seoul, you can find an amazing architectural marvel — the Seoul Anglican Cathedral. Its history is both astonishing and fascinating.

So, in the early 1920s, when the skies were bluer than the dream of a weary builder, the Right Reverend Mark N. Trollope, the third Bishop of the Anglican Church of Korea, envisioned the construction of a cathedral. Funding for this idea came from the sacrificial offerings of the faithful Korean church members. These courageous Koreans were so devout that they could challenge the gravitational pull of any planet.

The British architect Arthur Dixon designed the cathedral. On May 2, 1926, the consecration ceremony took place, and everything was ready to begin construction. However, at that time, Japan ruled Korea, and it turned out that completing the project in its original cruciform shape was more difficult than explaining the meaning of life to the entire universe.

Since the cathedral was built during the Japanese colonial rule in Korea, it was impossible to finish the church according to the original design of the cruciform building. Therefore, the transepts on either side and the nave were shortened, and the building remained mostly unfinished.

The Cosmic Miracle of 1993

However, as they say, nothing is lost in the galaxy, especially if it involves architects' blueprints. In 1993, as if by the will of fate itself, the original plans were discovered in a library in England.

And so, in 1996, after long and convoluted years, the cathedral was finally completed according to the original plans. Now it stood as it should have from the very beginning — magnificent, splendid, and ready to welcome all visitors, whether earthlings or alien tourists.

Insadong is famous for the abundance of souvenir shops, traditional restaurants and tea houses, boutiques.

Insadong-kil Pedestrian Street is the central street of the area.

Often you can see street performances - traditional Korean samul-nori percussion quartet or martial arts tekkyon, taekwon-do or performances of youth groups in the fusion style, etc.

One of the central streets of Seoul, Jongno (literally "Bell Avenue") is named after the pavilion of the same name, which houses the main bell of the country. It is this bell that the best people of the country beat on New Year's Eve.

However, even mere mortals can hit it for good luck: at 12:00 noon, the pavilion is usually opened for visitors. However, a limited number of guests are allowed.

Shopping area, cafes, restaurants. The central Catholic Cathedral of Korea is also situated here.

A great opportunity to get acquainted with the history of the introduction of Christianity into Korea!

Symbiosis of urban landscape architecture and nature - the Cheonggyecheon River; everything is artificial in it: the bed of the river, the banks, the water itself ...

In fact, it was a real, natural river; but after the Korean War, it was "hidden" underground. As a result of the grandiose Cheonggyecheon restoration project in 2005, the river was reopened to visitors and residents of Seoul.

The complex of the central Gwanghwamun Square in front of the Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace, which is the compositional center of the capital of Korea, offers amazing views of Seoul: on one side is the main residence of the kings of the Joseon state (now a museum). But along the  Sejong-daero Avenue, departing from the square, there are high-rise modern buildings: government, embassies, Kyobo - the largest bookstore in Korea. Further down the avenue we can see the Seoul City Hall and still further - the Great South Gate of Namdaemun (National Treasure No. 1).

The unique architectural structure was opened to the general public (and city officials, of course) in 2013.

Its uniqueness lies in environmentally friendly, unusual and unexpected solutions: a double facade of an unusual shape, reminiscent of a sea wave, covering, by the way, the former Seoul City Hall; choice of heating sources; way of preserving the old city hall, Guinness record for the world's largest vertical green façade (internal).

To the northeast of Gyeongbokgung Palace lies the scenic hilly area of ​​Samcheon-dong. Due to the fact that the residence of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan was located north of Gyeongbokgung (and west of Samcheon-dong), development activity in Samcheon-dong is very limited. Thus, despite the unique location in the center of the capital of Korea, there are no high-rise buildings in this area, and the cost of land is relatively low. This feature gives the area a unique charm: art galleries have chosen it; cafes and restaurants; flea markets and boutiques of stylized Korean clothes; here you will see a large number of preserved Korean-style houses - hanok.

The name of the district comes from the name of the government office of the Kingdom of Joseon, Samcheon-jeong (also known as Seogyeok-jeon); Samcheon-jeong's activities included performing Taoist sacrifices to Heaven, Earth and Stars. Literally, the name translates as "Districts / quarter of three purity": "Clean (light) mountains and clean water lead to greater purity and kindness of the human soul."

Ecopark is famous for its thickets of reeds, reaching heights higher than human height. This is the densest reed thickets in all of Korea. In addition, this place is known for the fact that cranes, storks, spoonbills and other rare birds fly here. There are about 140 different species of birds throughout the park.

The garden, which hosted the 2013 World Gardens Exhibition, impresses with its variety of landscapes, abundance of plant species and modern garden design.

The zones of the countries participating in Expo 2014 have been preserved, as well as separate zones created by excellent Korean gardeners.

From April to October 2023, the World Garden Expo 2023 will be held again at the Suncheon National Garden!

Hwasong Fortress was first built in 1794-1796. This is the first Korean fortress designed and constucted using European technology. The king Jeongjo planned to move the capital of Korea here once, but due to his early death his dream did not fulfill.

What is Everland?

Everland is the largest theme park in Korea, nestled in the picturesque city of Yongin, just outside Seoul. It’s a place where adrenaline, enchanting landscapes, and family-friendly entertainment come together to give you a day packed with unforgettable experiences.

The park is open 365 days a year and features five themed zones, each a unique little universe. From thrilling roller coasters to safari adventures with real animals and vibrant seasonal festivals, Everland has something for everyone.

The 5 Worlds of Everland

1. Global Fair — Your adventure begins here. This zone offers souvenir shops, restaurants, and street performances to set the tone for an exciting day.
2. American Adventure — A trip back to 1950s America, complete with classic music, a rebellious spirit, and exhilarating rides.
3. Magic Land — A paradise for kids (and kids at heart), filled with carousels, whimsical characters, and magical decorations.
4. Zootopia — The crown jewel of Everland. A safari experience where you can see tigers, bears, giraffes, and even white lions in a natural habitat — all from the comfort of a bus or jeep.
5. European Adventure — A charming area with beautiful flower gardens, European-style restaurants, and the iconic T Express wooden roller coaster.

Top Attractions and Experiences

1. T Express: Korea’s first wooden roller coaster. With a 77-degree drop and speeds over 100 km/h, it’s a must-ride for thrill-seekers.
2. Safari World: Get up close with lions, tigers, and bears while riding a safari bus.
3. Lost Valley: A jeep safari that brings you face-to-face with exotic animals, including giraffes, just a few meters away.
4. Hurricane: A giant pendulum ride that will get your heart racing.
5. Amazon Express: A water ride down a wild river, complete with unexpected splashes.

Festivals and Parades

Everland is a master of transformation, changing with the seasons:

• In spring, enjoy the Tulip Festival with stunning flower gardens.
• In summer, cool off with refreshing water shows.
• In autumn, the park becomes a spooky Halloween wonderland with themed quests and eerie decorations.
• In winter, Everland transforms into a fairy tale land, complete with dazzling lights and Christmas parades.

Good to Know

• Everland offers a wide variety of dining options, from Korean specialties to European delicacies.
• The souvenir shops ensure you can take a piece of the park home with you.
• The park is enormous, so wear comfortable shoes and prepare for an exciting, action-packed day.

Traveler’s Tip: Start with Zootopia to enjoy the safari before the lines build up, and head to T Express while your courage is still intact!

The first and largest Korean folk village in terms of area and exposition.

There are more than 260 buildings in the village, including houses of representatives of different classes, government agencies, pharmacies and mills, and craftsmen's workshops.

The village recreates in detail the atmosphere of rural life of the Joseon era. Buildings were brought from all regions of Korea: here you will also find houses made of volcanic tuff from about. Jeju (and the famous black pigs from there, by the way!), And thatched houses from the southern provinces of Korea, and the house of the provincial governor, and the Confucian village school. You can taste traditional Korean dishes at the village market.

The journey begins with a fascinating walk through the narrow streets surrounded by traditional Korean houses - hanoks. Each house is a living museum that reflects the unique style and architecture of ancient times.

Travelers hungry for knowledge can discover the craftsmanship of folk artisans.

But that's not all! This wonderful complex offers unique shows and concerts featuring traditional Korean dances, music and rituals.

Each show and concert is organized with love for details and leaves a unique impression. You will be delighted with beautiful costumes, incendiary rhythms and incredible talents of artists. The atmosphere will be filled with energy and delight, and you will find yourself a real witness to the beauty and splendor of Korean culture.

The temple was founded in 1970 by a monk who lost his homeland due to the Korean War (1950-1953). Thus, the architecture and internal philosophy of the temple expresses the desire to unite the two Koreas.

In addition, the temple is the first temple in Korea belonging to the direction (sect, order) of Nirvana.

This temple cannot please lovers of antiquity, due to its young age; but beauty lovers are a must! There are more than 3,000 statues on the territory of the temple, the most famous of which is the huge head of the Buddha, which greets you almost at the entrance to the temple.

In the temple you will see the world's largest (got into the Guinness Book of Records) Buddha statue made of wood. The Unification Pagoda, made from stones brought by temple visitors from holy places around the world.