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Incheon International Airport's Stargarden (인천국제공항 스타가든)

Incheon International Airport has won many awards for its fast, courteous service and unusual amenities like a huge indoor botanical garden.

Jul 19, 2011

Photos: 39

Dongmyo Shrine (동묘)

Dongmyo, or the Eastern Shrine, was built in 1599 to honor Guan Yu, a Chinese military commander from the 3rd century whose spirit is said to have helped Korean soldiers repel Japanese invaders in the late 16th century.

Jul 5, 2011

Photos: 24

The Korean War

2011 marks the 61st anniversary of the start of the Korean War, which took the lives of an estimated three million soldiers and civilians. Images that remember the "Forgotten War."

Jul 5, 2011

Photos: 62

Insa-dong (인사동)

Insa-dong is a historic Seoul neighborhood that's very popular among tourists. Among my favorite places is Ssamzie-gil (쌈지길), a multi-level art, culture and retail destination.

Jul 5, 2011

Photos: 29

Food + Drink

This album is dedicated to hansik, Korean food and drink!

Apr 4, 2011

Photos: 22

Central Temple of Cheondogyo (천도교 중앙대교당)

Cheondoism is among Korea's most significant 20th century religions. Located on the edge of Insa-dong is the Central Temple of Cheondogyo. Built of red brick and granite between 1918 and 1921, it once was considered among Seoul's three most beautiful buildings.

Feb 28, 2011

Photos: 27

Digital Media City (디지털미디어시티)

Digital Media City is a state-of-the-art digital media entertainment cluster built on 570,000 square meters of land in northwestern Seoul. Launched by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2002, the DMC was envisioned as a way to expand Korea's advanced IT, human resources and entertainment industries.

Feb 26, 2011

Photos: 47

Miscellaneous Korea

Feb 1, 2011

Photos: 9

Kwangjang Market (광장시장)

Kwangjang Market was opened in 1905 as Seoul's first daily market. With 5,000 independent shops and an upper level dedicated to high quality silk, satin and linen, it's a popular place for crispy bindaetteok and traditional Korean hanbok outfits!

Jan 22, 2011

Photos: 13

Beopjusa Temple (법주사)

Beopjusa is a beautiful temple that balances nature- and human-made things. The campus includes distinguished wooden structures dating from the early 1600s that are located amidst dramatic, pine-covered peaks with ancient graffiti is etched into huge granite boulders.

Jan 22, 2011

Photos: 31

Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁)

Changdeokgung is considered by many to be Seoul's most beautiful palace. Completed in 1412, the "Palace of Prospering Virtue" was home to 13 kings over 270 years. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is architecturally significant because it harmonizes with nature, instead of dominating it.

Dec 11, 2010

Photos: 32

Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch (대관령 양떼목장)

Pyeongchang County's Daegwallyeong Yangtte Sheep Farm offers a unique experience for Korea - the opportunity to be amongst hundreds of sheep in the foothills of the Taebaeksan Mountains.

Nov 26, 2010

Photos: 22

G20 Seoul Summit Venues

On November 11~12, 2010, Seoul hosted the leaders of the world's top economies at the G20 (Group of 20) Summit.

Nov 12, 2010

Photos: 21

Korean Food (한식)

The album dedicated to all of the great food I find in Seoul and elsewhere in Korea!

Nov 7, 2010

Photos: 13

The Hangang (한강)

The Han River, or Hangang (한강), is Seoul’s most iconic symbol. The vast waterway – nearly two kilometers wide in places – winds its way from the mountains through the city and out into the Yellow Sea.

Nov 4, 2010

Photos: 59

Hadong County (하동군)

Located between Mt. Jirisan and the Seomjingang River with the sea to the south, Hadong County is known for its beautiful scenery.

Oct 13, 2010

Photos: 78

Cheongwadae Sarangchae (청와대 사랑채)

The Cheongwadae Sarangchae is a presidential museum that informs visitors about Korea’s past, present and future.

Oct 10, 2010

Photos: 19

Seoul Fortress (서울성곽)

One of the most conspicuous remnants of Seoul’s ancient past is the fortress wall that still encircles much of the old city.

Sep 12, 2010

Photos: 38

Jeong-dong (정동)

One of Seoul's best walking tours can be had in the historic and verdant Jeong-dong neighborhood, site of the city's earliest foreign churches, missionary schools and foreign legations.

Aug 14, 2010

Photos: 75

Wongudan (원구단)

From the street beside Seoul Plaza, all that’s visible of the Wongudan Altar (원구단) is a colorful traditional gate that was recently restored. But up the stairs behind it, hidden on the grounds of the Westin Chosun Hotel is a reminder of the short-lived Daehan Empire.

Aug 14, 2010

Photos: 20

Boseong's Green Tea Fields (보성녹차분야)

Boseong is famous in Korea for its many hectares of green tea fields.

Aug 7, 2010

Photos: 16

Yangdong Folk Village (양동민속미을)

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. On August 1, 2010 it was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Aug 1, 2010

Photos: 25

Yongsan (용산)

South of Mt. Namsan lie some of Seoul's most multicultural neighborhoods, like the Japanese enclave of Ichon-dong, and the North American-heavy areas of Haebangchon and Gyeongnidan Street.

May 29, 2010

Photos: 20

Seoul Folk Flea Market (서울풍물시장)

The Seoul Folk Flea Market sells everything under the sun, from Joseon Dynasty-era pottery and a European knight’s helmet to a real Siberian Tiger pelt. It's a great place to get one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family.

May 22, 2010

Photos: 21

Lotus Lantern Festival (영등회)

The Lotus Lantern Festival is a traditional Korean folk festival that began centuries ago during the Goryeo Period, when Buddhism reached its zenith as ancient Korea’s state religion. But even today, the festival continues the tradition of making and hanging lanterns as symbolic offerings of light, wisdom and compassion in a world too often filled with darkness and suffering.

May 22, 2010

Photos: 16

Jongmyo Royal Shrine (종묘)

When King Taejo founded the Joseon Dynasty in 1394 and designated Seoul its new capital, he built the Jongmyo Royal Shrine to honor his ancestors. Today, Korea is the only country to have preserved its royal Confucian shrine and ancestral rites, and each May the ceremony is opened to the public.

May 14, 2010

Photos: 28

Jin's "Around the Block" Tour

Matt's friend Jin takes a bicycle tour of Korea and takes Discovering Korea along for the ride.

Apr 25, 2010

Photos: 49

Saseongam Hermitage (사성암)

Saseongam Hermitage is a small Buddhist temple located on Mt. Osan, a foothill of South Korea’s most sacred mountain, Jirisan. Saseongam is notable because it is set dramatically into a mountain wall of exposed granite.

Apr 21, 2010

Photos: 23

DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

Just one hour from Seoul is a peculiar land of misnomers – kilometers of barbed wire line Freedom Road and block access to the sea, and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is the world’s most heavily armed border.

Apr 15, 2010

Photos: 32

Seoul's Lock Museum (쇳대박물관)

It’s primarily known as having one of the world’s highest concentrations of theater stages, but Seoul’s Daehangno neighborhood is also home to a six-story modern box of rusting metal, an appropriate façade for a museum dedicated to the collection, preservation and display of the dying art of handmade metal work.

Apr 10, 2010

Photos: 18

Oedo Island (외도)

Oedo Island is home to an elaborate garden carefully cultivated by a husband and wife over 30 years. Located about 4 kilometers from Geojedo Island in South Gyeongsang Province, Oedo is often called an "island paradise."

Apr 6, 2010

Photos: 37

Sinchon & Edae (신촌 / 이대)

The name Sinchon means “new village,” and yet it’s actually one of Seoul’s older areas. But if you ask most people what comes to mind when they hear Sinchon, they’ll invariably say young people.

Apr 3, 2010

Photos: 13

Hwaseong Fortress (수원화성)

Located just south of Seoul in the Gyeonggi Province city of Suwon, the impressive Hwaseong Fortress was built by King Jeongjo to honor his father, the late Prince Sado. The 5.7-kilometers of walls feature beautiful structures, crossbow towers, sentry posts and secret passage ways. Inside there is also the Hwaseong Haenggung, the largest of the Joseon Dynasty detached palaces.

Apr 3, 2010

Photos: 71

Buam-dong (부암동)

The northern Seoul neighborhood of Buam-dong is nestled between two mountains – Inwangsan and Bugaksan, the area has the feel of somewhere far from downtown Seoul. Indeed, one shop owner described the neighborhood as, “too quiet for a serious business.” And yet, that entrepreneur and many others hope their peaceful piece of Seoul stays the way it is.

Apr 3, 2010

Photos: 57

Seoul's Best Brunch

Although brunch is a foreign import to Seoul, the city’s residents have taken to it with gusto. Here are photos from some of my favorite places that serve that hybrid meal.

Apr 1, 2010

Photos: 5

Yeouido Island (여의도)

The name Yeouido means, “Useless Island," but this home of Seoul’s financial, political and broadcasting worlds is anything but useless. Tucked here and there are delicious places to eat, worthwhile attractions, and some of the city’s best green spaces.

Apr 1, 2010

Photos: 37

Seonyudo Island (선유도)

Once upon a time, Seonyudo Island inspired wandering Confucian gentleman scholars who came here to paint and compose poetry. In the 20th century, however, it was turned into a waste treatment plant before becoming transformed into an eco-consciousness park in 2003.

Apr 1, 2010

Photos: 31

Busan (부산)

The southeastern port city of Busan is South Korea's second-largest city. Famous for its rugged coastline, world record-setting Haeundae Beach and feisty residents, Busan offers a different flavor of Korea.

Mar 29, 2010

Photos: 35

Samcheong-dong (삼청동)

One of Seoul's most popular neighborhoods is located directly east of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Samcheong-dong is admired for its eclectic mix of cafés, art galleries, restaurants and traditional hanok style homes.

Mar 20, 2010

Photos: 35

Seoul's Best Cafés

Many assume that Korea is a tea-based culture. Indeed, Korea has an indigenous tea culture that goes back centuries. But ever since King Gojong became the nation’s first coffee lover in the late 1800’s, java has taken the nation by storm.

Mar 19, 2010

Photos: 8

Yangsuri (양수리)

Located in Gyeonggi Province’s picturesque Yangseo Township, Yangsuri is a convenient and romantic getaway — the perfect place for a day-trip or weekend escape.

Mar 19, 2010

Photos: 28

Jeonju Hanok Village (전주한옥마을)

One of the best examples of a traditional hanok village is in the city of Jeonju. Jeonju was once the capital of Korea’s Baekje Dynasty, and was also the home of the Joseon Dynasty’s founding king, Yi Seong-gye.

Mar 19, 2010

Photos: 47

Mt. Dobongsan (도봉산)

Mt. Bukhansan National Park forms much of Seoul’s northern border and is home to 1,300 different types of plant and animal life. The park's second tallest mountain (and my favorite) is Mt. Dobongsan.

Mar 19, 2010

Photos: 57

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁), or the “Palace of Virtue and Longevity” was built during the mid-1400s as a private villa for Prince Wolsan. In the years pre- and post Japanese annexation of Korea, the palace was the site of fascinating political intrigue and tragedy.

Mar 19, 2010

Photos: 39

Korea Queer Culture Festival 2009

From May 30-June 13, Seoul saw its 10th annual Korea Queer Culture Festival (KQCF), Korea's largest-ever celebration of sexual minorities.

Jun 13, 2009

Photos: 15

Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival (청도소싸움축제)

Bullfighting has a long history in Korean village life. But as South Korea has rapidly industrialized, traditional sports like bullfighting have been in decline. To bring back the discipline, the small town of Cheongdo hosts an annual bullfighting festival.

Mar 30, 2009

Photos: 22

Management

Jan 21, 2009

Photos: 4

Matt
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