Seoul - Hongdae Area

The Hongdae is a region near Hongik University (Hongdae, an abbreviation of Hongik University in Korean). It is known for its youthful and romantic ambience, underground culture, and freedom of self-expression. Unique cafes, cozy galleries, accessory stores, fashion shops, live cafes and clubs, art markets, and gourmet eateries make this a popular hang-out for local youth and a fascinating place to walk around.

Pedestrian Friendly Street
Main spot of Hongdae area has an outdoor stage for indie band performance and dynamic culture of young people.

Buskers perform on the Pedestrian Friendly Street.

Hongdae Mural Street
Mural street stretching from Kanemaya restaurant by the back gate of Hongik University to Four Seasons House (Wausan-go 22-gil) and featuring various arrangements of painting from graffiti to artistic design. It is also referred to as ‘Picasso’s Street’ and is famous as a dating spot.

Hongdae Free Market
The market is held every Saturday from March to November at Hongik Children’s Park in front of the main gate of Hongik University. All people can sign up to sell their hand-made products and other exhibitions created by artists will be shown. (Now this market is renewing thus it will reopen on June).

Nanta

Since the first performance on the 10th of October in 1997, this world famous Nanta has been drawing the largest number of audience in Korean stage history. Knives and other kitchen utensils are transformed into musical instruments of the performers.

* Time: Mon~Fri 20:00, Sat.Sun & Holiday 14:00/17:00
* Price: S KRW50,000  A KRW40,000

Trick Eye Museum
The Trickeye Museum is an art gallery with paintings created using 'trompe l'oeil' techniques that give each 2D art piece the illusion of being in 3D. Instead of merely viewing paintings (as in a typical art gallery) visitors can interact with the paintings, posing themselves just right so that they look as if they are part of the original work. To ensure that even its busiest patrons have time to enjoy the fun, the museum stays open each day until 9PM, making it a popular date and hang-out place.
* Tour course: Trickeye Museum – Ice Museum - Carnival Street
* Price: Adults 15,000 won / Children & Youth with Student ID card (age 18 and under) 12,000 won

Gyeongui Line Forest Park
Gyeongui Line Forest Park is located near exit 3 of Hongik Univ. subway station. It is made after Gyeongui Line is opened underground. Still there is a railroad remained and some trees and benches make this park pretty one decorated with railroad theme.

Others
- Flea Market

- B-Boy Theater

- Segyodong Cathedral

Gyeongju - Capital of Silla Dynasty

Gyeongju was the capital city of the ancient kingdom of Silla (BC57~AD935). The city is often referred to as a “museum without walls” because of the many cultural relics scattered throughout the city. Many of the hills are actually royal tombs and fields of grass used to be sites of ancient temples. Many sites have been designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

* Bus

   KTX Station - Bus terminal - Gyeongju Railroad Station - Donggung - Bulguksa Temple: No. 700

   Bus Terminal - Donggung -Bulguksa Temple: No.10

A. Daereungwon Tumuli Park and Cheonmachong Tomb

     Daereungwon Tumuli Park Belt are tombs and burial places of high personages including kings, queens, and nobility.

They were excavated and at Cheonmachong Tomb out of them, rare and precious artifacts including gold crown and Cheonmado (heavenly horse painting) were discovered.

B. Cheomseongdae Observatory

     Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. It was constructed during the reign of Queen Seondeok (632-647). This stone structure is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves.

C. Wolseong Palace Site (Banwolseong Fortress)

This was the location of the palace fortress during the Silla Dynasty. (57 BC ~ AD 935). The fortress takes after its name, which, literally translated, means 'a crescent moon shape on top of a hill'. Although the magnificent grandeur of the palace is now just an empty lot, it has been told that this area was filled with imperial buildings during the dynasty.

D. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond were the secondary palace site which was used for the palace of the Crown Prince along with other subsidiary buildings and it also was the banquet room for important national event and important visitors.

E. Bulguksa Temple

Bulguksa Temple, the representative relic of Gyeongju was built in 528. It is home to many important cultural relics such as Dabotap Pagoda, Seokgatap Pagoda, Yeonhwa-gyo & Chilbo-gyo Bridges, Cheongun-gyo & Baegun-gyo Bridges, the Golden Seated Vairocana Buddhist Figure, the Golden Seated Amita Figure, and Saritap Pagoda.

F. Seokguram Grotto

Seokguram Grotto, the greatest masterpiece of the golden age of Silla, was completed in 774 A.D. It is a heritage property in which architecture, mathematical principles, geometry, religion, and art are collectively realized through its design and construction.