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Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum
The most unique of the three art galleries at the sprawling arts complex is devoted to hand-drawn hangeul (Korean phonetic alphabet)and Chinese characters, showcasing both traditional and contemporary examples of this art form. The others are the Hangaram Design Museum and Hangaram
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Seokjojeon
A good example of Deoksugungs potpourri of contrasting architectural styles, the grand neoclassical-style Seokjojeon was designed by British architect GR Harding and completed in 1910. Today it houses the Daehan Empire History Museum which displays the mansions opulent interior. Yo
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Hahoe Folk Village
This Unesco World Heritage site is the outstanding attraction of the region around Andong. Arrive early in the morning and the mystical beauty creates the illusion that you are in another time.Walk down the dirt road and you’ll pass small garden plots of squash vines, corn and gree
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Girim
About 3.5km down the road from Golgul-sa , Girim-sa is one of the largest complexes in the vicinity of the Shilla capital. Its size (14 buildings and growing) compares with that of Bulguk-sa, but the compound lacks a ‘wow’ factor, which might explain why it receives comparably fewe
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National Assembly
Home to South Korea’s parliament since 1975, the pleasant grounds here with a fountain and an elaborate hanok (traditional wooden house; used for official functions) are worth a wander. The interior of the green domed building can be viewed only as part of a tour – apply three days
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Taean
This beautiful marine park covers 327 sq km of land and sea, with 130 islands and islets, and more than 30 beaches. It was badly hit by South Korea’s worst-ever oil spill in December 2007, but the coast has been cleaned up and fishing and tourism have resumed with aplomb. At the so
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Gwangan
Among the citys seven beaches, Gwangan is the best option for access and quality (the other beaches are Haeundae, Dadaepo, Songdo, Songjeong, Ilgwang and Imnang). Although the ugly wall of commercial development behind the beach diminishes the daytime experience, Gwangan shines at
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Gwanghwamun
The impressive main gate to Seouls premier palace is flanked by stone carvings of haechi, mythical lion-like creatures traditionally set to protect the palace against fire; they never really did work and, appearances to the contrary, are superfluous today as the gate is now a paint
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Ewha Womans University
Come to this venerable university, founded in 1886 by American Methodist missionary Mary Scranton, to view Dominque Perrault’s stunning main entrance. The building dives six storeys underground and is split by a broad cascade of steps leading up to the Gothic-style 1935 Pfeiffer Ha
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Gatbawi Culture District
This area, 4km east of downtown, has a swathe of museums, the best of which is the National Maritime Museum. Just past the museums is the riverside Gatbawi Rocks , which have been heavily eroded into shapes that are supposed to look like two monks wearing reed hats. A pier extends
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Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain
Covered with 10,000 lights, the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountains coloured water rains down spectacularly in graceful arcs from the double-decker Banpo Bridge. Spanning 1140m, its the world’s longest fountain, and is best viewed from the islands observation deck or Banpo Hangang Park
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Sungnyemun
Standing alone on an island – in direct contrast to the mayhem around it – Seoul’s picturesque Great South Gate, Sungnyemun is one of the capitals original four main gates built in the 14th century. Its arched brick entrance, topped by a double-storey pavilion, is accessed by pedes
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Dongnakdang
A 10-minute walk beyond Oksan Seowon up the valley road will bring you to Dongnakdang, a beautiful collection of well-preserved buildings, constructed in 1515 and expanded in 1532 as the residence of Yi Eon-jeok after he left government service. The walled compound is partly occupi
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Nam June Paik Art Center
Not far from the Korean Folk Village, this gallery features the work of internationally acclaimed avante-garde artist Nam June Paik (1932–2006). It shows a changing collection of his pioneering new-media work, namely his signature TV sets. From Suwon station take bus 10, 66, 66-4,
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Gangjin Celadon Museum
The exquisite 800-year-old examples of Goryeo-dynasty celadon on display here look startlingly contemporary. At the back are pottery workshops (Monday to Friday), where visitors can watch artisans at work on various processes. On the right is an excavated kiln site, discovered in 1
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Anyang Art Park
A short bus ride north of Anyang, 20km south of Seoul, is Anyang Art Park – an open-air sculpture park set among the trees of a wooded valley and along the rocky river bank. It comprises 52 quirky pieces by Korean and international artists, including Anyang Crate House Dedicated to
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Mineral Spring Park
The highlight of this park, a 350m climb above Dodong-ri, is the cable car across a steep valley to Manghyang-bong (316m). The ride up affords stunning views of the sea and a bird’s-eye view of Dodong-ri. Visit early or late in the day to avoid crowds, and avoid the weekends entire
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Heyri
Just wandering around the village is a pleasure. Interesting pieces of architecture and sculpture abound, most created with materials that reflect and fit in with the natural environment. Bikes can be hired near Gate 3.Among the many small museums and galleries is the Han Hyang Lim
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Phoenix Island
Coachloads of tourists disgorge here daily to view the scenic location that has been featured in several Korean TV dramas and movies. But the real stars of the Seopji-koji Peninsula are two pieces of architecture by Ando Tadao: Glass House , housing the restaurant Mint , and the am
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Jeondeung
In Ganghwado’s southeast, Jeondeung-sa has a tranquil forested hilltop setting within the walls of Samrangseong Fortress. Founded in 1259, its one of Koreas oldest Buddhist temples. It comprises various halls, gates, temples and pavilions. Here the Tripitaka Koreana , 80,000 wooden
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