05 May 2010, Posted by Matt in Chungcheong, Gyeonggi, Historic Korea, Jin's Around the Block, 3 Comments

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.

Continue Reading...

01 Sep 2009, Posted by Matt in Art & Culture, Chungcheong, Festivals & Holidays, Food & Drink, Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongsang, Historic Korea, Jeolla, Nature, 2 Comments

Autumn 2009 Festivals Calendar

Summer may be peak festival season in Korea, but I much prefer traveling during the autumn months, when the temps fall, the leaves turn and the crowds are a little less crazy. What follows are some of Korea’s best autumn festivals.

Continue Reading...

15 Aug 2009, Posted by Matt in Gyeonggi, Historic Korea, 3 Comments

Independence Series: Independence Hall of Korea

August 15th is Gwangbokjeol (광복절) or Korean Independence Day, which celebrates the defeat of the Japanese during WWII and Korea’s liberation after 35 years of oppressive colonial rule.

In honor of the day, let’s head to Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province to visit the Independence Hall of Korea. The extensive complex was opened to the public in 1982, and serves to collect, preserve and display a wealth of data about the Korean civilization, with a special focus on the nation’s early 20th century independence movement against Japan.

(more…)

Continue Reading...