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Historic Jeong-dong

Some of Seoul's best walking streets are in the historic and verdant Jeong-dong neighborhood, site of the city's earliest foreign churches, missionary schools and foreign legations.

Yongsan's Foreign Footprints

South of Mt. Namsan lie some of Seoul's most multicultural neighborhoods like Ichon-dong and Haebangchon - streets and restaurants where faces and languages other than Korean predominate.

Seoul's Folk Flea Market

This market sells everything under the sun, from Joseon-era pottery and a knight’s helmet to a real tiger pelt. It's a great place to get one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family.

The Jongmyo Royal Shrine's Great Rite

When King Taejo founded the Joseon Dynasty in 1394, he built the Jongmyo Royal Shrine to honor his ancestors. Each May, Korea's royal Confucian ancestral rites are opened to the public.

Saseongam: The Four Sages Hermitage

Saseongam is a small Buddhist temple set dramatically into a wall of exposed granite on a foothill of Korea's sacred mountain, Jirisan.

Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival

The Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival celebrates Seoul's most spectacular collection of king cherry trees, which erupt into ephemeral clouds of pink for a few short days each spring.

Oedo: the South Coast's Paradise Isle

Forty years ago, a fisherman came to Oedo Island to escape rough seas of Korea's southern coast. Shortly thereafter, he and his wife started what would become one of Korea's most exquisite private gardens.

A Bicycle Tour of Yeouido and Seonyudo

With spring on its way, why not take a bicycle tour of two Seoul islands - Yeouido and Seonyudo (My cover story from Seoul Magazine's April 2010 issue).

Sampling Samcheong-dong's Charms

Samcheong-dong's unique mix of traditional hanok-style buildings, modern art galleries, comfy cafés and excellent restaurants make it a huge draw.

Tranquil Seoul in Buam-dong

Buam-dong feels far away from Seoul. Indeed, one shop owner described the neighborhood as, “too quiet for a serious business.” Many hope their peaceful piece of the big city stays that way.

Yangsuri: Where Two Rivers Meet

Located in Gyeonggi Province, Seoulites know Yangsuri as a convenient and romantic getaway — the perfect place for a day-trip or weekend escape.

Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress

When the United Nations designated the Hwaseong Fortress a part of the world’s cultural heritage in 1997, they cited its unique blend of eastern and western architectural styles.

Boseong's Green Tea Fields

Tea was first cultivated in China over 2,500 years ago, but shortly thereafter it was introduced to Korea. Boseong is viewed by many as Korea's tea growing capital.

Jeonju's Hanok Village (Part 1)

The Jeonju Hanok Village in North Jeolla Province is a great place to sample Korea’s traditional food, tea, paper-making and hanok architecture.

Historic Jeong-dong

Some of Seoul's best walking streets are in the historic and verdant Jeong-dong neighborhood, site of the city's earliest foreign churches, missionary schools and foreign legations.
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Yangdong Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Gyeongju's Yangdong Folk Village is said to be the most valuable of Korea's six traditional villages in terms of its size, preservation and numerous cultural assets.
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Wongudan’s Temple of Heaven

At the turn of the 19th century, Korea's autonomy was threatened by several world powers. Located on Seoul Plaza, the Wongudan Altar was the Temple of Heaven, a symbol of independence for Korea's short-lived Daehan Empire.
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Yongsan's Foreign Footprints

South of Mt. Namsan lie some of Seoul's most multicultural neighborhoods like Ichon-dong and Haebangchon - streets and restaurants where faces and languages other than Korean predominate.
Continue Reading

Seoul's Lotus Lantern Festival

The Lotus Lantern Festival began centuries ago. Today, the tradition of making and hanging lanterns as symbolic offerings of light and compassion in a world too often filled with darkness and suffering continues.
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Seoul's Folk Flea Market

This market sells everything under the sun, from Joseon-era pottery and a knight’s helmet to a real tiger pelt. It's a great place to get one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family.
Continue Reading
The Jongmyo Royal Shrine's Great Rite

When King Taejo founded the Joseon Dynasty in 1394, he built the Jongmyo Royal Shrine to honor his ancestors. Each May, Korea's royal Confucian ancestral rites are opened to the public.
Continue Reading
Jin's Around the Block, Day 2 (Suwon to Onyang Hot Springs)

Despite more rain, Jin and her friend continue their voyage south from Suwon to Cheonan and the Onyang Hot Springs.
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Jin's Around the Block, Day 1 (Seoul to Suwon)

Day 1 of Jin's "Around the Block" bicycle tour of Korea begins with bike building, brunch eating and an especially windy journey from Seoul to Suwon.
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Saseongam: The Four Sages Hermitage

Saseongam is a small Buddhist temple set dramatically into a wall of exposed granite on a foothill of Korea's sacred mountain, Jirisan.
Continue Reading
Introducing Jin’s “Around the Block”

Matt's friend Jin is riding a bicycle around Korea. Thankfully, she's also invited DiscoveringKorea.com to come along for the ride. You can follow her journey here!
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Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival

The Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival celebrates Seoul's most spectacular collection of king cherry trees, which erupt into ephemeral clouds of pink for a few short days each spring.
Continue Reading

Oedo: the South Coast's Paradise Isle

Forty years ago, a fisherman came to Oedo Island to escape rough seas of Korea's southern coast. Shortly thereafter, he and his wife started what would become one of Korea's most exquisite private gardens.
Continue Reading
A Bicycle Tour of Yeouido and Seonyudo

With spring on its way, why not take a bicycle tour of two Seoul islands - Yeouido and Seonyudo (My cover story from Seoul Magazine's April 2010 issue).
Continue Reading
Sampling Samcheong-dong's Charms

Samcheong-dong's unique mix of traditional hanok-style buildings, modern art galleries, comfy cafés and excellent restaurants make it a huge draw.
Continue Reading
Sinchon's Playground for Youth

The name "Sinchon" means “new village,” yet this home to several of Seoul's best-known universities is actually one of the city's older neighborhoods.
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People: N.K. Activist Lauren Walker

Lauren Walker has been in Korea for just over one year, but in that short time she's employed media advocacy, community organizing and performance art to raise awareness about the humanitarian disaster taking place in North Korea.
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People: Artist Vincent Sung

The creative director, visual artist and photographer, Vincent Sung discusses his first solo fine art photography exhibition in eight years, the controversial work of French poet Charles Baudelaire, and the “misery of boredom."
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People: Cho Jae Hyun of the ASEAN-Korea Centre

The Assoc. of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is the 3rd largest destination for Korean exports. Career diplomat Cho Jae Hyun is Director of the Development Planning and General Affairs Unit at the new ASEAN-Korea Centre.
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People: Peter Liptak on Korean Idioms

While it's common for expats to learn a few words or phrases in Korean, the poet, author and teacher Peter Liptak has published a book about Korean slang titled, “As Much As a Rat’s Tail." Liptak says that Korea is a source of inspiration, both linguistic and otherwise.
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People: Simon Bureau of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called Korea and Canada “ideal partners” for trade and the chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Korea, Simon Bureau, agrees.
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People: Journalist Don Kirk on Kim Dae-jung

Don Kirk is the author of several books, including, Korea Betrayed: Kim Dae Jung and Sunshine (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009). During our interview, we discuss his three decades of covering Korea and former president Kim Dae-jung.
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People: Sonia Hong of Visit Korea Year

This week I interview Sonia Hong, Secretary-General of the Visit Korea Year Committee. Ms. Hong’s distinguished background in the tourism and diplomatic arenas made her an obvious choice to help promote Korea to the world.
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People: Stephen Revere of 10 Magazine

I kick off a special four-part series on "Visit Korea Year" with an interview with Stephen Revere, Managing Editor of 10 Magazine, a monthly lifestyle and events publication for expatriates, returnees and English-speaking Koreans.
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