Take a Trip Into the Past!
(Published January 31, 2013)

The best places to visit this February selected by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization

◇ In time for one of Korea’s greatest national holidays, the Lunar New Year’s Day, Gyeonggi Province presents some of the greatest places to visit this winter. ⓒ Gyeonggi Tourism Organization
 
February is Korea’s greatest holiday season because of the Lunar New Year’s Day. Why not visit a fascinating historic site this vacation, or learn more about traditional Korean paper (hanji), rice treats, Taekkyeon (a Korean martial art), and other cultural aspects of Korea?◇ Hanji made with the steamed, dried, and filtered inner bark of ‘paper mulberry’ trees. ⓒ Source: Gyeonggi Tourism Organization
 
■ The Beauty of Traditional Paper – Yeoju Korean Paper Participation School
 
The Yeoju Korean Paper Participation School is dedicated to the traditional Korean paper known as hanji. The bark of the ‘paper mulberry’ tree is boiled, dried, and filtered to make paper, which is then dyed upon completion of the production process. Established to raise awareness of the outstanding quality of traditional paper, the school displays artworks and dolls made of Korean paper. Reservations must be made for participation in the related craft classes.

Inquiries: +82-31-886-0135 http://www.yeojuhanji.com/
Address: 478, Jangan-ri, Jeomdong-myeon, Yeoju-gun, Gyeonggi Province
 
Recommended Travel Destination – Yeongneung Royal Tomb

King Sejong the Great and Queen Soheon were interred together in a tomb near the banks of the Namhangang River. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Sejongjeon Hall exhibits materials on the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty along with some of his inventions. This is a great attraction for those wishing to learn more about Korean history.
 
Inquiries: +82-031-885-3123
Address: san 83-1, Neungseo-myeon, Yeoju-gun, Gyeonggi Province
 
Great Food – Mandu (dumplings)
 
Imagine a hot dumpling served straight out of the steamer, plump with a Kimchi and tofu filling. At Ogeum-ri in Yeoju-eup they sell mandu, or dumplings, the size of a child’s hand. Some people order take-away mandu as a quick meal. The winter dish of dumpling soup, handmade acorn jelly, and hand-made tofu soup is also very popular.
 
Inquiries: +82-31-884-4243
Address: 405-2, Ogeum-ri, Yeoju-eup, Yeoju-gun, Gyeonggi Province◇ Fifteen minutes’ drive past the Jurok three-way intersection and Daesan Park along a narrow dusty road you will come to Forest Morning, where you will get the best of winter. ⓒSource: Gyeonggi Tourism Organization
 
Lodge; Forest Morning

Jurok-ri is an ecology village hidden deep in the mountains. It is not difficult to spot a deer in these parts of the forest. Fifteen minutes’ drive past the Jurok three-way intersection and Daesan Park along a narrow dusty road you will come to Forest Morning, where you will get the best of winter. Visitors will be served breakfast if they make a reservation for breakfast in advance.
 
Inquiries: +82-31-883-3395 http://julok.invil.org/ Saseum Information Network Village
Address: 177-4, Jurok-ri, Geumseo-myeon, Yeoju-gun, Gyeonggi Province◇ Wenn Ddock Slow Food Village runs a unique rice-cake-making class every month. February’s rice cake is meoseum songpyeon. ⓒ Source: Gyeonggi Tourism Organization

■ Handmade Korean Food – Wenn Ddock Village
 
Wenn Ddock Slow Food Village produces healthy organic rice cakes. The program for visitors includes a rice cake quiz, a class on basic knowledge and, finally, some actual rice cake making. The recipe used in this program is updated every month. In February the participants will be making meoseum songpyeon. The handmade rice cakes are served at a simple after-party once the program has finished. Any leftovers can be taken home. Families can opt for the one-day or two-day class. The village also offers programs in affiliation with the nearby agriculture theme park.
 
Inquiries: +82-31-333-2777 http://www.ddocksarang.co.kr/
Address: 771-3, Jungneung-ri, Wonsam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province
 
Recommended Travel Destinations – Sejoong Museum
 
The Sejoong Museum houses a collection of over 10,000 stone sculptures ranging from stone warriors and scholars to totem poles, dol hareubang (volcanic stone statues found on Jeju Island), and other relics that have been part of our collective history for many generations. The outdoor exhibition is divided into thirteen areas where visitors can enjoy the sculptures’ simple beauty amid natural surroundings.

Inquiries: +82-31-321-7001 http://www.sjmuseum.co.kr/
Address: 303-11, Yangji-ri, Yangji-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province
 
Lodge – Yongin Natural Recreation Forest Lodge
 
The Yongin Natural Recreation Forest Lodge is located in a dense forest of chestnut and pine trees, a dream getaway for any urban resident. There are play areas for children, ball courts, hiking trails, and other facilities for visitors. Why not take a day off and spend it in this beautiful winter forest to rejuvenate your spirits!
 
Inquiries: +82-31-336-0040 http://www.yonginforest.net/
Address: 220, Chobu-ro, Mohyeon-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province
 
Gourmet Alert – Gogiri Food Town
 
There are restaurants at every corner along the meandering path through the valley. The best dish to eat during the cold winter months is dak bokkeum tang, a chicken stew. Imagine succulent chicken cooked in vegetables and spicy sauce. The potato and carrot garnish is great with rice. Don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful snow-covered scenery right outside the window.

Address: Gogi-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province◇ Muyewon not only offers Taekkyeon classes but also pungmul (traditional percussion music), archery, etiquette classes, traditional games, seasonal mountain biking, survival games, and making enzyme. ⓒ Source: Gyeonggi Tourism Organization
 
■ Beautiful Traditional Martial Arts – Taekyeon
 
At the People’s Muyewon (martial arts center) situated in the old Myeongseong annex school building, which closed in 1995, visitors can learn all about Taekkyeon, one of Korea’s traditional martial arts, at a special camp. As well as exploring Taekkyeon, visitors to the center can take classes in pungmul, Gungdo, and etiquette, take part in traditional games and survival games, enjoy some seasonal mountain biking, or sign up for the enzyme making program.

Inquiries: +82-31-771-1012 http://muyewon.cafe24.com
Address: 144-2, Myeongseong-ri, Danwol-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province
 
Lodging – Minjok Muyewon
 
The Minjok Muyewon is located at the foot of the mountain just opposite Hongcheon Daemyeong Vivaldi Park. It’s a great venue for families as well as larger groups. Enjoy delicious meat barbecued over charcoal and birch wood in the outdoors and sleep beside a glowing campfire under the stars.
 
Tasty Food – Okcheon Cold Buckwheat Noodles
 
A cluster of cold buckwheat noodles restaurants started to form in Yangpyeong right after the Korean civil war. Koreans from the northern regions, especially Hwanghae Province where Okcheon cold buckwheat noodles originated, had to find a new way of making a living. Okcheon cold buckwheat noodles are served in pork broth seasoned with soy sauce.◇ Learn more about the way of life of early farmers though “nongsajikseol”, Korea’s first book on agriculture, and other interesting life details. ⓒ Gyeonggi Tourism Organization
 
Recommended Travel Destination – Sustainable Agricultural Museum of Yangpyeong

Yangpyeong is home to the Sustainable Agricultural Museum where visitors can gain valuable insight into the agricultural practices of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. More than 2,000 historic relics are on display along with “nongsajikseol”, Korea’s first book on agriculture.
 
Inquiries: +82-70-7715-3796 http://sam.go.kr
Address: 670, Yongmunsan-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province
 
■ Exotic Traditions from Abroad – Africa Museum of Original Art◇ You will be surprised by the colorful traditional dance on stage at Africa Museum of Original Art. Find yourself completely engaged in African exotic culture. ⓒ Source: Gyeonggi Tourism Organization
 
A long trip half-way around the world is unnecessary when you can visit the Africa Museum of Original Art right here in Korea. The Africa Museum of Original Art, the largest museum in Asia dedicated to different ethnic groups of the African continent, exhibits thousands of relics imported from Africa. African dances are performed on stage. Children can learn how to play percussion instruments and make crafts. You can also take a stroll around the Sculpture Park and lake. The museum is very popular among children.
 
Inquiries: +82-31-543-3600 http://www.amoa.or.kr
Address: 42, Murim-ri, Soheul-eup, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province
 
Good Food _ Idong Beef Ribs
 
Pocheon’s most popular dish is Idong beef ribs, which is cooked over an oak tree charcoal grill after removing all the fat from the ribs. Another famous dish from Pocheon is tender seasoned beef ribs marinated in fruit and traditional condiments. Both dishes are delicious with radish water Kimchi broth.

Address: Jangam-ri, Idong-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province
 
Lodging – Pocheon Hot Spring Area
 
Pocheon Hot Spring is famous for the outstanding quality of the natural spring water it pumps up from 800 meters below ground. Many of the local lodges use the hot spring water as their main water source, so you can enjoy a hot bath in the great hot spring water right in the privacy and comfort of your own room.
 
Address: Hwadae-ri, Ildong-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province
 
Recommended Travel Destinations – Bongseonsa Temple◇ Thewind is always blowing at Cheongpungru Pavilion. It is the kind of cool breeze that cleanses body and soul. ⓒsource Gyeonggi Tourism Organization
 
Bongseonsa Temple, nestled at the foot of Unaksan Mountain, was originally called Unaksa Temple when it was built in 969AD by King Gwangjong of the Goryeo Dynasty. The temple was renamed in honor of Queen Jeonghui in the year 1469 during the reign of King Yejong of the Joseon Dynasty. The copper bell that was cast as a memorial to King Sejo still tolls to this day. On the way up to the main temple building, you will pass Cheongpungru Pavilion where the wind never stops blowing. King Sejo and his queen Jeonghui were laid to rest at the nearby Gwangneung Royal Tomb, so don’t forget to visit the site.

Inquiries: +82-31-527-1956 http://www.bongsunsa.net
Address: 255, Bupyeong-ri, Jinjeon-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province
 
ⓒ G-News Plus News | Cheon Gyeong-nam chun0403@kg21.net
 
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