Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites

Bus Tour of North Jeolla Takes in UNESCO Site and 'Great Wall of the Sea'

Chosunilbo; May 10 2012

Jeonju in North Jeolla Province is famous for its delicious food, history of traditional paper-making, and now also its film festival. But the province has much more to offer enthusiasts of Korean culture and history. Having ramped up its promotional activities to draw tourists to the region this year, it is operating a bus tour program from Seoul whereby to visit various tourist destinations in the area for those on a tight budget.

The first stop is Hanji Museum in Jeonju, which opened in 1997. It provides all kinds of information about traditional Korean paper from its history to where the industry is heading in the future as well as manufacturing methods and various uses. Displayed artifacts include craftworks, document cabinets, needle cases and jars. Although made from paper, they still maintain their original forms even a millennium after they were crafted. The museum also provides visitors with the chance to make traditional Korean paper themselves.

Jeonju is famous for bibimbap, or rice with an assortment of vegetables and beef. The delicious dish delights the eyes with the colorful decorations on top. It uses only the white rice produced from the area that is not too sticky or dry. As the rice is cooked in beef broth, locals claim it looks and tastes better than the regular dish found in other areas. Bibimbap is also served in brassware so that the fragrance of sesame oil does not disappear and the vegetables can be kept fresh while maintaining the rice at a constant temperature.

Read more

Enjoy springtime in Gochang

By Oh Kyu Wook; Korea Herald; April 17 2012

It’s spring. Flowers are blooming and the weather is warming up. Itching to get of out of town? How about walking around a vast green field or enjoying a quiet stroll at a beautiful temple.

Gochang, North Jeolla Province, located some 290 kilometres south of Seoul, is a perfect place for a spring outing.

Green Barley Field Fest

Read more

Ganghwa History Museum

By SIm Hyun Chul; Korea Times; April 5 2012

Ganghwa Island packs a whole lot of Korea’s history into a relatively small area. Consequently it is nicknamed a “roofless museum.” With military stations and dolmens registered in December 2000 as a UNESCO World Heritage, the island showcases relics of the past. In particular Ganghwa History Museum is an important stop on a visit to the island west of Seoul. The history of the entire peninsula can be witnessed inside. Cross Ganghwa Bridge and take Route 48 toward Ganghwa County Office and the Ganghwa Dolmen Park will gradually come into view. The museum is located in the park. Established in October 2010 the museum’s purpose is to preserve and study the cultural heritages of Ganghwa and exhibit them. One will be able to view the history and culture of Ganghwa through the cultural properties dating back to the prehistoric age through to the modern and present age. With a total floor area of 4,223 square meters composed of two ground floors and one underground, the museum has a number of subsidiary facilities such as the permanent and special exhibition halls, a video room, an auditorium and a museum shop.

Read more

GIC Tour to visit Gochang sites

Korea Herald; march 27 2012

Gwangju International Center will be organizing a trip to Gochang for the first GIC Tour of the year.

The day trip, led by local expat Warren Parsons, leaves the center at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The first stop on the tour will be Sonunsa, one of South Korea’s most important temples. It boasts a gigantic rock-face Buddha carving and incredible natural scenery.

Read more

Experience Korean Lifestyle In North Jeolla

By Lee Heo-Sik; Korean Times; January 26 2012

There are many spots across the country where foreign tourists can see how Koreans lived during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). But there is no place like the famous hanok village, made up of traditional Korean houses, and other historical sites in North Jeolla Province, a three-hour drive from Seoul, to experience Korea’s traditional lifestyle and get a taste of unique cuisines. The Jeonju Hanok Village is a must-go destination for foreigners visiting this southwestern part of the country. At first, they will be amazed by a spectacular view of 700 hanok, or traditional Korean houses, and then by a wide range of fun activities they can engage in. There are also many museums displaying historical artifacts and local specialties, with dozens of restaurants ready to serve visitors hundreds of local delicacies. Read more