Korean Cuisine

Originating from ancient agricultural and nomadic traditions, Korean cuisine has evolved through centuries of social and political change, reflecting a complex interaction of … More

China Seas, Part 3: Yellow Sea

The Yellow Sea, located between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula, can be considered the northwestern part of the East China Sea. Its name, which … More

China Seas, Part 1: East China Sea

The “Four Seas” were four bodies of water that metaphorically made up the boundaries of ancient China, one for each of the cardinal directions: … More

Gimpo Int’l Airport (GMP)

Gimpo International Airport, located at the far western end of Seoul, was the main international airport for South Korea before being replaced … More

Dragon Head Rock

Dragon Head Rock, known in Korean as Yongduam Rock, is situated to the north of Jeju City on the South … More

Yonam Engineering College

Yonam Engineering College (aka the Yonam Institute of Digital Technology) is a private technical college located in the city of Jinju … More

120 Favorite UNESCO Sites, Part VI (101-120) – Countries with the Most Sites

Here is a list of countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites (as of August 2021): Italy (58 – … More

120 Favorite UNESCO Sites, Part V (81-100) – Selection Criteria

Nominated UNESCO World Heritage Sites must be widely considered to be of “outstanding universal value” and meet at least one … More

120 Favorite UNESCO Sites, Part IV (61-80) – Site Types

The complete World Heritage List comprises 1153 properties of “outstanding universal value”. Of these, about 23% are represented by natural … More

120 Favorite UNESCO Sites, Part III (41-60) – In Danger

Armed conflict, war, natural disasters (such as earthquakes), pollution, poaching, uncontrolled urbanization, and unchecked tourist development all pose major problems … More

120 Favorite UNESCO Sites, Part I (1-20) – Origin

UNESCO (or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) was founded in 1945 as the successor to the League of … More

The Han River

The Han River (or Hangang) is the 4th-longest river on the Korean Peninsula (after the Yalu, Tumen, and Nakdong Rivers), measuring about 307 miles. It begins … More

Incheon Int’l Airport (ICN)

Incheon Int‘l Airport is the largest airport in South Korea, the primary airport of the Seoul Capital Area, and one of the … More

Gyeongju National Museum

The Gyeongju National Museum in South Korea is largely devoted to relics of the Silla Kingdom, of which Gyeongju (formerly Kyongju) was the capital. The … More

Korean War Veterans Memorial

The Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. is situated near the Lincoln Memorial just south of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. It commemorates … More

The Best of SOUTH KOREA

The country of South Korea derives its name from Goguryeo (Koryŏ), one of the great historical powers of East Asia, which ruled most … More

Itaewon

The district of Itaewon in Seoul, South Korea, whose name was derived from a government-run inn during the Chosun Dynasty, is one … More

National Museum of Asian Art

Committed to preserving, exhibiting and interpreting exemplary works of Asian art, the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. … More

Seoul Palaces, Part 3: Changgyeonggung

Changgyeong Palace (aka Changgyeonggung) is one of the Five Grand Palaces built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897) … More

Seoul Palaces, Part 2: Changdeokgung

Changdeok Palace (literally, “Prospering Virtue Palace”), also known as Changdeokgung, is located within a large park in Seoul, South Korea, east of Gyeongbok Palace. … More

Seoul Palaces, Part 1: Gyeongbokgung

Gyeongbok Palace (or Gyeongbokgung, “the palace of illustrious virtue”) was the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty of South Korea, … More

Myeongdong

1. Formally known as the Cathedral Church of Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception, the Myeongdong Cathedral (above) is South … More

Korean Cretaceous Dinosaur Coast

Dotted across the southern seacoast of South Korea are the largest Cretaceous dinosaur fossil sites in the world, including those … More

Namwon

Namwon is a small city located just outside Jirisan National Park, which has the largest set of mountains on the mainland of … More

Busan

With a population of over 3.5 million people, Busan (formerly Romanized as Pusan) is South Korea‘s 2nd-most populous city after Seoul. It is also the world’s … More

South Korean Flag

The state flag of South Korea was adopted in 1950 after the division of the Korean Peninsula into the northern … More

Bugok Hot Springs

Bugok Hot Springs is a tourist area located near Taegu in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, known for its natural hot … More

Namhaedo Island

Namhaedo Island, in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, is the 5th-largest island in South Korea. It is largely a farming community, growing rice as … More

Jinju Castle

Jinju Castle (Jinjuseong), originally built as Geoyeolseong during the Three Kingdoms Period, and later renamed Chokseokseong in the Goryeo Dynasty), … More