Deoksugung Palace

Exterior view of Jeonghwangeon throne hall. An ornate building in red, orange and green stands on a stone platform. In place of windows is orange fretwork, and ornate carving in the eaves.

Deoksugung Palace was built in the 15th century and abandoned until the years immediately pre- and post Japanese annexation of Korea.

Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon Stream

Paving stones crossing the Cheonggyecheon stream with people walking and multicolored paper lanterns in the background.

Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon stream has become one of the city’s most popular icons, since the 6-kilometer waterway was restored and reintroduced to the public in 2005.

Visiting Korea’s Colorful Daegu

A close up of little bowls containing different seeds and powders in a shop in Daegu, Korea.

The southeastern city of Daegu in Korea is often left off travel itineraries. But this historic capital of North Gyeongsang Province has a lot of charm.

Jeonju Hanok Village

View towards the cathedral at Jeonju, in the background the cathedral has three dome shaped spires and arched windows. In the foreground are the traditional dark tile curved roofs of the hanok houses.

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

Andong Hahoe Folk Village

A light brown house with wooden frame and a thatched roof in a field of rows of vegetation and mountains in the background.

Andong Hahoe Folk Village is the most popular of Korea’s traditional villages. Set on a bend in the Nakdonggang river, it recently received UNESCO status.

Seoul Bukchon Hanok Village

A narrow street in Bukchon Hanok Village with wooden buildings on either side, decorated with red and white tile work. Blue sky and clouds in the background.

Seoul Bukchon Hanok Village is a special historical neighborhood, but sadly the city’s last with a high concentration of traditional Korean homes.

Seoul Design Olympiad 2008

A view into a large expansive room with columns brightly lit in pink light.

Seoul Design Olympiad 2008 (SDO) is an international design festival held by Seoul City aimed at showing the important role design plays in improving the quality of people’s lives.