Sunday: Yellow Sea Cost

Not all of these sites may be actually included in the program.
This excursion may be substituted by another option.

- Archeological site: Goindol dolmen^*

Goindol is also called Jisokmyo in Korean, Sokbung in Chinese, and a Dolmen in English. Goindol (dolmen) and Jisokmyo are used as the term with same meaning, but Jisokmyo means a tomb with a dolmen erected in a large sense as it is interpreted in its Chinese character. It is the reason why mankind leaved architecture made of huge stones that they believed there is mysterious power in a huge stone. They believed that there is a spirit in a huge stone and the spirit have a strong influence upon man's fate and fortune. This is why they worshiped a huge stones. A dolmen of Korea is a representative element of megalithic culture of Korea and the valuable materials to show the spiritual world of our ancestors.

- Natural attraction and a shrine: Byeonsanbando (Chaeseok-gang)^*

In the cliff face of the bulging mountain near Kyokpo Harbor, sedimentary rocks are layered like piles of books, making a marvelous scene. This spot, which attracts young couples and families on outings, is the most popular in Pyonsanbando National Park. Because of the presence of a connecting beach, there are more visitors in the summer than in any other season. Thanks to its beautiful scenery, this beach is frequently used as a location for making movies or for holding photo contests. If you walk along the white sandy beach to the north, you can encounter the Chokpyok-kang. On a knoll above the rock stands Susong-dang Shrine. An annual worship rite there is dedicated to the tutelary god of the sea (rite is not included in the excursion).

- Seawater Sauna^*

Panacea, Germanium Seawater Sauna: Gungsan-ri of Sonbul-myeon is famous for seawater sauna. Jupo seawater sauna develops the steam bath way of Saejongsilok using the ceramic pottery kiln. After burning pine trees and heating the stones containing sulfur and herbs like Sammocho, put these heated stones and herbs into the warm seawater. You can enjoy hot spring and good herb sauna together. It has an effect on the remedy of skin disease, neuralgia, and glycosuria. The stones from this area are acid stones containing much sulfur and feldspar, so when they are heated, they create alkali and cure skin disease, neuralgia, and glycosuria.

- Buddhist Temple: Sonunsa^*

Along with Gumsansa, Sonunsa is one of the two leading temples of the Korean Buddhist Chogye Order in the province. The ancient temple was founded by Buddhist Saints Gumdan and Uiwoon in 577 (the 24th year of King Widuk of Baekjae). The records of the temple that were written by Im Woo Sang in (the 18th year of King Jungjo) show that King Junhung forgone his throne and founded the temple.

Wednesday: Seoul

Not all of these sites may be actually included in the program.
This excursion may be substituted by another option.

- Ritual site: Jongmyo^*

Throughout much of traditional Asian culture, including China and Korea, rite has been highly important, and in modern society preserving rite carries with it the meaning of maintaining basic social order. There are a number of rituals which are considered important forms of rite, and the most significant for these in Korea are the Jongmyo and the Sajik rituals. Jongmyo is the term used for a place where memorial services are performed for deceased kings, and Sajik is the term for a place where services for the Gods of Earth and Crops are performed. There rituals are symbols for nations themselves in that they guarantee order and successful ruling of the nation. Consequently, due to the importance of these rituals, the Jongmyo and Sajik shrines where the rituals are performed are classic in their architectural grace, detail and beauty (rite may be not included).

- Traditional city market and workshops: Insadong^* My photos:

Insa-dong is the ideal place for visitors who want to experience the true character of Korean art, with its subtle, enduring beauty. Once you are in Insa-dong, you will immediately be drawn to the small alleys lined with numerous shops and galleries, both tiny and spacious: antique shops, Korean stationery stores, frame shops, handicraft shops, pottery and porcelain shops, bookstores and painting studios, and art supply stores. In addition, restaurants and cafes serve traditional food and teas.

- Royal Palace: Changdeokgung^* My photos:

Changdeokgung Palace was built during the 5th year of the reign of King Taejong (1405) as a royal villa. It was later used as royal residence when Gyeongbokgung Palace was burnt down during the Japanese invasion in 1592. Since the site of the Palace is not level, the layout of the buildings is designed in such a way that architectural forms adapt to the changing natural terrain. In particular, the back garden, along with numerous pavilions, tens of thousands of trees and flowering plants attest to the Korean design tradition that harmonizes the structure with its natural surroundings.

- City tourist attraction: Itaewon^*

Come to Itaewon. This is the place where west meets east, where the different cultures coexist, where there are a lot of foreigners and the waves of the strange signs. "The international streets", "small America in Seoul". These are the phase that represents Itaewon.

Saturday: Suwon

Not all of these sites may be actually included in the program.
This excursion may be substituted by another option.

- Open-air museum: Korean Folk Village^* My photos:

The Korean Folk Village, which was opened on the 3rd October, 1974, as an open-air folk museum and international tourist attraction for both Koreans and foreign visitors. It is the home of the true Korean heritage where many features of the Korean culture have been collected and preserved for succeeding generations to see and learn about. A traditional marketplace offers the exotic flavors of Korean cuisine from various regions. Shops stock a variety of traditional handicrafts and souvenirs. “Farmers’ Music and Dance” and “Acrobatics on a Tightrope” are performed in the performing arena twice a day. In spring, autumn and on big holidays, traditional holiday customs and ceremonies of coming-of-age, marriage, funeral and ancestor memorial are recreated. (Performances may be not included.)

- Art museum: Ho-Am Art Museum^*

The Ho-Am Art Museum began with the donation of over 1,200 Korean works of art collected over a period of more than 30 years by Mr. Lee Byung-Chull, the late chairman of the Samsung Group. In April 1982 the building that now houses this incomparable collection opened in Yongin, approximately one hour south of Korea's capital city of Seoul.

- Technological museum: Samsung Electronics Technological Museum

You will see the future of electronics made available today by Samsung engineers. Probably you will be shown some technological processes (may be not included). Possibly later we will add here more information on this excursion.

Option: Demilitarized Zone

This excursion can be considered if there is enough interest of the participants.
Vote (contact info) for this excursion (indicate your name).

- Historical site: Demilitarized Zone, demarcation line between the two Koreas

Demilitarized zone is one of the main attractions of Korea and perhaps a unique place of its kind in the world. It is the border between the two Koreas. You can see the place where the armistice was signed in 1953 ending the 3-year Korean War. You can go to the historic spots on a tour and look across the Border into the world's most sealed-off society, North Korea in escorted safety by UNC police. You can even see the Third Tunnel -- a tunnel excavated by North Koreans below the border for a surprise attack to Seoul. Here you can fully feel the tragedy of the divided nation.

Still we are not sure if such a full-day excursion is interesting for most of the participants. If you strongly prefer this excursion, please vote for it (see contact info here). Please indicate which excursion of those listed above you suggest to substitute with this one.

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