http://www.gg.go.kr/archives/3478004?ggd_term_id=7699

□ Pocheon is a region that abounds with nature, art, people, and relaxation

Pocheon Art Valley is Korea’s first venue for culture and art to utilize former stone quarries which were abandoned in the 1970s. It has now become a must-see attraction in Pocheon along with Sanjung Lake, Gwangneung Arboretum, and Sansachun.

A 420m-long uphill road leads to Cheonjuho Lake where the ticket office is located. On foot, it takes 7 to 10 minutes.

Admission fees for Pocheon citizens differ from those of other visitors, with Pocheon citizens receiving a small discount.

Thanks to some snow and suddenly frigid weather, I decided to take the monorail. The monorail is a 420m-long transportation amenity operated by a private contractor.

It climbs uphill very slowly so passengers can enjoy the view along the way.

Four musicians welcome the passengers when they arrive on the monorail.

Behind them, I can see Pocheon Art Valley Astronomical Science Museum.

As I pass along the ‘path of lovers’, I realize this place is a popular location for television programs and movies thanks to the beautiful view.

There’s a signpost that says this is where the television hit series Can You Hear My Heart was filmed. Not only that, this place was also the filming location for She’s 200 Years Old, a web drama series produced by Gyeonggi Province.

This is what Cheonjuho Lake looks like. The lake formed naturally when rainwater and spring water seeped into a 20m-deep hole in the mountain where, from the early to mid-1960s, people used to quarry granite.

The lake is home to animals like salamanders, crayfish, and minnows that can only be found in pristine waters.

People say the lake is roughly 20m deep, and the granite dust on the lakebed reflects sunlight to make the lake glow like an emerald.

Next to Cheonjuho Lake is the Wishing Sky Garden.

People believe your dreams will come true if you write them down and hang them on the door as you pass through. On the day I arrived, however, it was closed because of the snow.

Pocheon Art Valley has several outdoor elements to see, so it has places where they’ve put hot stoves in to warm visitors.

This is the outdoor sculpture park.

I imagine miners would have looked like that when they were quarrying stone in the past.

At Pocheon Art Valley, there are more than 20 sculptures in the sculpture park and along the visitor’s trail.

⁠The sky you see in Pocheon, the beautiful starlight atop Cheonjusan Mountain

Dreams aiming for space are made all the time at Pocheon Art Valley Astronomical Science Museum.  

Located by the foot of Cheonjusan Mountain, Pocheon Art Valley Astronomical Science Museum is the only municipal Astronomical Science Museum in northern Gyeonggi Province.

Visitors can develop their scientific creativity through activities they can’t easily come across at home or at school. They can also learn about astronomy in a much easier and more enjoyable way by touching and interacting with fascinating and fun exhibits.

The hall presented stories about the Earth and the birth of our planet that were organized in an easy, enjoyable, and fascinating manner.

It’s a place where children can develop their dreams about the depths of space. Visitors can take pictures with stars in the background so it’s a great place for everyone to have a good time.

You can observe the beautiful night sky of Pocheon through telescopes.

Today’s story was about the magnificent view at Cheonjuho Lake in Pocheon Art Valley and the overwhelming feeling of standing before the lake. It was a story of how a discarded, forgotten, and abandoned stone quarry was reborn as a place of culture and art where people come together. It was a story of the winter night at Pocheon Art Valley where people can enjoy the starlight in Pocheon’s night sky.

http://ggholic.tistory.com/10297

Winter holidays!

It’s an exciting idea for children but exhausting for parents.

Now you don’t worry about the long winter holidays…

Here we have a winter holiday special that ensures a great time for both adults and children!

‘Edu-farm’, it’s where families can learn while they play.

Let’s check out five places offering fun times regardless of age!

Five great farms at which to experience life in the countryside as selected by the Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services

Recommended: Travel destination for families

Characteristics: A place with outstanding agricultural programs linked with academic curricula at school

Selected by: Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services

We all have particularly intense memories from our past that endure even when we become adults.

I think farming experiences that provide children with hands-on activities away from the city, classrooms, and books might turn out to be among those happy and intense memories.

@Gyeonggi Net Keeper

http://www.gg.go.kr/archives/3465951?ggd_term_id=7699

◇ Bell of Hyowon located next to Seojangdae ⓒ Park Seong-joon/ Dream Tree Reporters

A new year has arrived. The year 2016 has been designated “The Year to Visit Suwon Hwaseong Fortress.” Apart from Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, Suwon has various exciting and meaningful tourist attractions. Most tourists come to Suwon to either visit Hwaseong Haenggung Palace and ride the Hwaseong Train, or to take part in the Gukgung (Korean Traditional Archery) activity. This time, however, I would like to recommend that you to go to Seojangdae and strike the Bell of Hyowon, the hidden jewel of Paldalsan Mountain.

◇ On the way to Seojangdae of Paldalsan Mountain ⓒ Park Seong-joon/ Dream Tree Reporters

There is a story about Paldalsan Mountain and Yi Go, who was a scholar during Goryeo Dynasty during the reign of King Gongmin. Yi Go stepped down from his position and went to live at the foot of this mountain. When King Gongyang sent a messenger to ask how he was faring, Yi Go answered, “The scenery of Tapsan Mountain behind my house is very beautiful. When I climb up the mountain, I have a good view in all four directions. Nothing blocks my view and heart, which makes me feel pleased.”

King Taejo of Joseon Dynasty recommended Yi Go for a position in the palace, but Yi Go rejected the offer. King Taejo ordered a painter to bring him a drawing of Tapsan Mountain. After looking at the drawing, the king said, “It is truly a mountain that provides a good view in all directions.” This is why the mountain is now called Paldalsan Mountain. “Paldal” means in all directions.

We climbed up to Paldalsan Mountain. Before climbing up, the mountain didn’t look so high. But once I arrived to its peak, it provided a beautiful view of all of Suwon City. 

◇ The view of Suwon City from the peak of Paldalsan Mountain Seojangdae ⓒ Park Seong-joon/ Dream Tree Reporters

After enjoying the view of Suwon City, I moved to Seojangdae. “Jangdae” means a command post from which a general can get a full view of the fortress and its surroundings, and give commands to soldiers outside of the fortress. 

◇ Seojangdae of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress ⓒ Park Seong-joon/ Dream Tree Reporters

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress has Seojangdae and Dongjangdae. In the past, King Jeongjo watched military training exercises, and issued commands at Seojangdae. After looking around Seojangdae, I heard the beautiful sound of a bell. So I went to where the sound came from, and there was Bell of Hyowon. This is a bell of filial piety. You can strike it three times after paying a fee.

The first strike conveys respect to your parents.

The second strike is a wish for your family’s health.

The third strike is to ensure your dreams come true.

I struck the bell while making these wishes. 

◇How about making a new year’s wish while striking the Bell of Hyowon? ⓒ Park Seong-joon/ Dream Tree Reporters

The Bell of Hyowon is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. To strike the bell, there is a ticket to buy, which is KRW 1,000 for 1-2 people, and KRW 2,000 won for 3-4 people.

The bell will not ring unless you hit it with sufficient strength. I also rang the bell, and it wasn’t easy to strike it accurately. A staff member from the ticket office said, “You need to strike it hard and accurately.”

I recommend that you go to ring the Bell of Hyowon for the health of your family and yourself for the New Year, and explore other tourist attractions in Suwon.

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Park Sung-Joon

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201601081402295031C076&s_code=C076

January 1, 2016: The first sunrise of the year signaling a new start is always a special occasion.

Let’s begin 2016 at one of these sunrise hot spots in Gyeonggi Province.

We’ve selected six sunrise hot spots in Gyeonggi Province.

Rising above the eastern banks of the Hangang River in Hanam-si, Geomdansan Mountain is one of the most popular places people visit to see the sun rise on New Year’s Day. With Paldangho Lake stretching below, Geomdansan Mountain is a great location to usher in the New Year with new hopes.

The mountain itself is also a great trekking option. If you scan the horizon standing atop its flat peak, you’ll see Yebongsan Mountain and Ungilsan Mountain in addition to Chungryeongsan Mountain and Gyegwansan Mountain to the north. You can also make out Dobongsan and Bukhansan Mountains far away, two mountains that are next to the city of Seoul. Paldang Dam and Dumulmeori, Yumyeongsan Mountain and Yongmunsan Mountain in the northeast will catch your attention as well, and last but not least, the magnificent landscape created by Jeongamsan Mountain, Haehyeopsan Mountain, and Yangjasan Mountain to the southeast will be gorgeous enough to make your jaw drop! ^^

Simhaksan Mountain is a short mountain, one you can climb in just 20 minutes. But don’t dismiss it because it’s short; the moment you stand on its peak, you’ll discover that the view is breathtaking and almost as good as the views from Bukhansan Mountain or Gwanaksan Mountain.

If you’re looking for a beautiful view that’s nearby, we strongly recommend Simhaksan Mountain.  

Watching the sun rise blissfully over the calm water mist, the view here feels like an Oriental painting. Just like the two rivers coming together and flowing along serenely, we hope 2016 will be a year full of peace and prosperity. 

There will be a special annual event to welcome the New Year at Dumulmeori, so how about having a warm bowl of rice cake soup while watching the sun rise?

A mountain where you can touch the sky… That description is for none other than Cheonmasan Mountain. Rising 812.4m above sea level, the exciting sunrise atop Cheonmasan Mountain offers a touching experience you’ll never forget. When the day slowly breaks, the long ridges that lead onto Cheonmasan Mountain reveal themselves, and peak after peak beyond Chungryeongsan Mountain come into full view.  

Surisan Mountain is the third provincial park in Gyeonggi Province. It’s the guardian mountain in Gyeonggi Province’s southwest stretching across Gunpo, Anyang, and Ansan.

If you climb Surisan Mountain, you’ll understand why it’s popular as a sunrise hot spot with an expansive open view that stretches all the way to Incheon near the Yellow Sea and Suwon City. A new day begins when the sun rises above the low lying clouds, and the eastern sky slowly turns red along the glimmering lights illuminating the Seoul Beltway.

7:36am, January 1: 2016. Begin a brand new year with Gyeonggi Province! ^^

Source: Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, Gyeonggi Net 

http://ggholic.tistory.com/10341

Soon, it will be the winter holidays for children.

What’s the most exciting activity for children during the winter holidays? There’s none better than some sledding! ^^

There was a time when a simple snow fight in a snow-covered field while blowing into hands to keep warm, sledding down hills using burlap bags, or sledding across frozen ice was enough to keep children entertained. 

Today, it has become hard to see children sledding until their cheeks turn red from the cold. Nevertheless, sledding ranges that let us glide along the snow and enjoy ourselves until our cheeks are rosy remain popular venues in winter. ^^

With the snowy season beginning, sledding ranges across Gyeonggi Province have begun to open up. Today we will introduce a number of sledding ranges capable of helping children have a fun time out in the snow without having to travel far in Gyeonggi Province. ^^

Gapyeong Year-round Sledding Range Opens December 5 

• The Gapyeong Sledding Range, built in harmony with its natural environment, is adjacent to Jojongcheon River and a number of snow-white valleys. In summer, it’s used as a water slide range while in winter, it’s used as a snow sledding range. The Gapyeong Sledding Range is a great place for creating childhood memories.
• Address: 5-20, Gitdaebong-gil, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
• Opening hours: 10:00am – 5:00pm
• Admission fees: KRW 7,700 for middle school students and above / KRW 5,500 for children
• Official website: http://www.gp4s.co.kr/
• Contact information: 031-8078-8048

Konjiam Resort Sledding Range Expected to open December 19 

• The sledding range at Konjiam Resort is 110m long and 40m wide. The resort operates a separate sledding slope between the skiing slopes for beginners and intermediate skiers. With a gentle gradient, it was designed to be safe even for younger children. In particular, Konjiam Resort has installed a moving walkway that extends to the top of the sledding slope to eliminate the inconvenience of taking the tubes and walking up the hill.
• Address: 278, Docheogwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Opening hours: 9:00am – 9:00pm
• Admission fees: 5 trip ticket – KRW 15,000 for adults / KRW 12,000 for children
                           Morning/afternoon/evening ticket – KRW 20,000 for adults / KRW 15,000 for children
• Official website: https://www.konjiamresort.co.kr/
• Contact information: 1661-8787

Gimpo Year-round Sledding Park Expected to open mid-December 

• Located inside the Gimpo International Sculpture Park, the Gimpo Year-round Sledding Park features outdoor sculptures made by 30 renowned artists from Korea and abroad in addition to a hiking trail. This makes the park a great place for cultural experiences with international sculptures while also enjoying sledding with your family.
• Address: 38, Yonggang-ro 13beon-gil, Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Opening hours: 10:00am – 5:00pm
• Admission fees: KRW 6,000 for children / KRW 7,500 for adolescents / KRW 10,500 for adults
• Official website: http://sledgepark.fgy.or.kr/main/main.asp
• Contact information: 031-981-7300, 989-6700

Mirinae Camp Sledding Range Opens December 25 

• At the Mirinae Camp Sledding Range, you’ll enjoy a unique and diverse sledding experience with plenty of time available on the slope, S-shaped zigzag slopes, hopping sleds, Viking sleds, bobsleighs, and ice sleds. The camp also offers a range of other activities including pony rides, a carriage experience, folk games, and ice sculptures that make it an even more valuable and enjoyable sledding range.
• Address: 21, Wolsanjeosuji-gil, Jipyeong-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
• Opening hours: 10:00am – 5:00pm
• Admission fees: KRW 18,000
• Official website: http://snowcamp.co.kr/
• Contact information: 1566-3131, 031-774-3131

Bears Town Sledding Range Expected to open December 24 

• With the longest sledding slope in Korea, Bears Town Sledding Range offers an exciting sledding experience for guests of all ages and genders. The resort also has a lift to help guests use the slope quickly and easily, and so it’s the perfect sledding range at which to enjoy a happy winter with your children.
• Address: 27, Geumgang-ro 2536beon-gil, Naechon-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Opening hours: Daytime (09:30-16:30) / Nighttime (18:30-21:30)
• Admission fees:
• Weekdays – Adults (Daytime KRW 30,000 / Morning, afternoon KRW 22,000 / Nighttime KRW 10,000)
                     Children (Daytime KRW 22,000 / Morning, afternoon KRW 15,000 / Nighttime KRW 6,000)
  Weekends – Adults (Daytime KRW 30,000 / Morning, afternoon KRW 22,000 / Nighttime KRW 22,000)
                     Children (Daytime KRW 22,000 / Morning, afternoon KRW 15,000 / Nighttime KRW 15,000)
• Official website: http://www.bearstown.com/ski/sled.asp
• Contact information: 031-540-5116~7

Sanjung Resort Sledding Range Opens early December 

• The Sanjung Resort Sledding Range is free of charge to pension guests of Sanjung Resort. With a 150m slope for adults and 50m slope for children, it’s a great sledding range for people of all ages.
• Address: 80, Sinjeong-ri, Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm
• Admission fees: KRW 7,000 for 3 year old children – primary school students / KRW 9,000 for middle school students – adults
• Official website: http://www.sjresort.net/page/resort05.html
• Contact information: 031-534-4861

Seoul Land Sledding Slope Expected to open mid-December 

• The best activity winter has to offer! With slopes for adults as well as children, the Lava Sledding Slope at Seoul Land is a great place to sled safely and enjoyably.
• Address: Seoul Land, 181, Gwangmyeong-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Opening hours: 09:30-18:00
• Admission fees: KRW 5,000 for adults / KRW 5,000 for adolescents / KRW 4,000 for children
• Official website: http://www.seoulland.co.kr/joy/playing_profile.asp?idx=72&flashcode=1_5_6_0
• Contact information: 02-509-6000

Ansan Sledding Range Opens December 19 

• The Ansan Sledding Range is a place where families can enjoy leisure sports all together. In winter, the range is used as a snow sledding range while in summer, it’s used as a water slide range.
• Address: 202, Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Opening hours: 10:00am – 5:00pm
• Admission fees: KRW 7,000 for adults / KRW 5,000 for adolescents / KRW 4,000 for children
• Official website: http://www.ansanuc.net/institution/pool.aspx
• Contact information: 031-8085-7444

Yangji Pine Resort Sledding Range Expected to open mid-December 

• Open to all family members, the sledding range at Yangji Pine Resort is 20m wide and 150m long. It also features a sunkid lift (moving walkway) so that guests can use the facility more easily and enjoyably.
• Address: 112, Nampyeong-ro, Yangji-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm
• Official website: www.pineresort.com
• Contact information: 031-338-2001

One Mount Snow Park Opens early December 

• One Mount Snow Park is a snow sledding range where it snows all year long. The park offers various games and activities using snow.
• Address: 300, Hallyu world-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Opening hours: Weekdays – 10:30am – 6:00pm
                         Weekends – 10:30am – 7:00pm
• Admission fees: Full-day pass: Weekdays KRW 25,000 / Weekends KRW 30,000
                          Afternoon pass: Weekdays KRW 12,000 / Weekends KRW 14,000
• Official website: http://www.onemount.co.kr/
• Contact inforamtion: 1566-2232

Chasan-ri Sledding Range Opens December 20

• The Chasan-ri Sledding Range is a snow sledding range for you to enjoy that isn’t far from the city. With its safe and exciting facilities, the Chasan-ri Sledding Range is a place to give children an outstanding learning experience and give adults a romantic interlude within the city.
• Address: 117, Chasan-ri, Hwado-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Opening hours: 10:00am – 5:00pm
• Admission fees: KRW 12,000 for adults / KRW 10,000 for children
• Official website: http://www.chasanrisnow.com/
• Contact information: 031-593-0666

Swaeggol Village Sledding Range Opens December 27 

• Swaeggol Village is a comprehensive farm adjacent to the demilitarized zone in Geumgok-ri, Paju-si. It features a swimming pool and sledding slope among other amenities where families can enjoy some leisure sports with different types of events available depending on the season.
• Address: 420-3, Geumgok-ri, Beobwon-eup, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Admission fees: Free
• Official website: http://www.joyr.com/
• Contact information: 031-959-0123

@ Gyeonggi Net-keeper

http://www.gg.go.kr/archives/2323205?ggd_term_id=7699

Autumn is gone before you know it and winter is well on its way.

Some people might hate winter because it’s cold, but I think there are plenty of people who can’t wait for winter because of what the season has to offer! ^^

Why have you yourself been waiting for winter? ^^

Because of the snow that falls in winter and the romantic atmosphere it creates?

Because of winter’s biggest event, Christmas and its glittering lights?

Because of the awesome winter holidays that children and students eagerly await?

If you are looking for a reason, I think there are more than enough. ^^

But above all, the biggest reason why people wait for winter would be winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, skating, and sledding, which you can only enjoy in the winter season.

That’s why we’ve prepared a list of exciting winter sports you can enjoy in Gyeonggi Province! ^^

We’re going to introduce them one by one here, so take notes and have a fun and happy winter with your family, friends, and loved ones. ^^

Skiing, the best of winter sports!

Gyeonggi Province is home to five ski resorts: Star Hill Resort, Bears Town, Jisan Forest, Konjiam Resort, and Yangji Pine.

Ski resorts in Gyeonggi Province! What’s the biggest advantage they have to offer? The answer is their proximity to Seoul.

If traffic conditions are good, they are within an hour’s drive of Seoul, so you can enjoy the best of winter sports, skiing, to your heart’s content on a day trip without having to worry about it too much. That’s why ski resorts in Gyeonggi Province attract numerous visitors every year. ^^

Now then, shall we go and see the five ski resorts that represent Gyeonggi Province? ^^

Have your ski lessons right here! Star Hill Resort

•Star Hill Resort is a ski resort that was built in the bosom of Cheonmasan Mountain and its magical natural environment! Star Hill Resort is a popular destination thanks to ski lessons tailored to its patrons from children to adults as well as its luxurious Star Hill Resortel, which accommodates 350 to 600 guests in comfort, and a variety of other accommodation facilities. 

•Address: 96, Meokgat-ro, Hwado-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do

•Contact information:  031-2233-5311

•Official website: http://www.starhillresort.com/

•Opening date: Opens on December 5

50 minutes from Seoul! The joy of skiing awaits you. Bears Town

•Bears Town is a multi-purpose leisure facility located near Seoul that features a ski slope officially certified by the International Ski Federation (FIS). Bears Town has 11 ski slopes including the FIS certified 88 Challenger Line in addition to 8 lifts capable of transporting 15,200 skiers per hour. We invite you to join the fun at the winter snow festival at Bears Town!

•Address: 27, Geumgang-ro 2636 beon-gil, Naechon-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

•Contact information: 031-540-5000

•Official website: http://www.bearstown.com/main/main.asp

•Opening date: Opens on November 29

You can enjoy skiing all night! Jisan Forest Resort

•A place that is an hour’s drive from Seoul… A popular place among skiing fanatics because they can enjoy nighttime and late-night skiing even on weekdays! I’m talking about Jisan Forest Resort. The resort here features a total of 10 ski slopes with various gradients that add up to 7,383m including the longest intermediate course (1.5km) in Korea as well as the ‘Sunkid’ (escalator) slope. This makes Jisan Forest Resort an ideal place to satisfy beginners all the way up to experts.

•Address: 267, Jisan-ro, Majang-myeon, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

•Contact information:  031-644-1374~6

•Official website: http://www.jisanresort.co.kr/index.html

•Opening date: Opens on December 5

You can choose precisely when you want to use the lifts! Konjiam Resort

•Konjiam Resort is well known as the largest ski resort in the metropolitan area near Seoul! Skiers can save precious time and choose exactly when they’d like to hit the slopes, which is why it’s so popular among its patrons. 

•Address: 278, Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do

•Contact information : 031-8026-5000

•Official website: https://www.konjiamresort.co.kr/main.dev

•Opening date: Opens on December 5

The only competition-grade slope in Gyeonggi Province! I’ll give it a go! Yangji Pine Resort

•Yangji Pine Resort is a rising star among ski resorts! Pine Resort is home to the only competition-grade slope in Gyeonggi Province that is officially certified by the Korea Ski Association.^^ This makes it ideal for ski/snowboard aficionados! We recommend Yangji Pine Resort.^^

•Address: 112, Nampyeong-ro, Yangji-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

•Contact information: 031-338-2001

•Official website: http://www.pineresort.com/

•Opening date: Opens on December 6

http://www.gg.go.kr/archives/2318227?ggd_term_id=7699#

Recommended theme trips

◇ Gapyeong Petite France ⓒ Chosun DB

It’s almost the end of the year. Many people plan to travel during the year-end holidays. At a time like this, it’s important to plan with relevant information because the beauty of travel depends on how you plan your trip regardless of how long your trip actually is. Here is a list of places you should consider to enjoy your theme tour in Gyeonggi Province.

THEME #1Travelling with the Shining Light
Take a palace walk in the moonlight; see the starlight on the railway

◇ Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace ⓒ Gyeonggi Tourism Organization

Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace
This is the season where nights are longer than days. A night-time trip can give you an incredible experience that you cannot have in the daytime. Hwaseong Fortress, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a nice place for a night-time stroll. It’s a perfect place for those who seek meditation to reduce the amount of thinking that goes on. Hwaseong Haenggung Palace does not open at night in December, but there is a special illuminated road along the four main gates – Changnyongmun (east gate), Janganmun (north), Hwaseomun (west) and Paldalmun (south) – in Hwaseong Fortress so that visitors can take a walk. It will be a meaningful experience to make a wish while looking at the moon above the shining city. After walking along through the palace, you can have a meal on Haenggung Road (area from Haenggung Place to Paldalmun) where workshops and restaurants abound.
Address: 825, Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Inquiries: 031-290-3600, www.swcf.or.kr

◇ Light Festival at the Ansan Starlight Village ⓒ Gyeonggi Tourism Organization

Light Festival at the Ansan Starlight Village
If you want to close the year well and prepare for the New Year, don’t miss this great opportunity for a lighting festival. The Ansan Starlight Village will welcome you with 10 million LED lights that twinkle like stars. Filled with beautiful bright lights, the light tunnel at the entrance offers various types of themed roads such as the White Love Road, Cupid Road and Propose Road where visitors can have fun and enjoy a romantic winter. There are great photo spots with themes like Halloween, weddings, and more, where families, lovers, and friends can take memorable photos. Don’t forget to wear thick winter coats, gloves and ear muffs when braving the piercing winds. Though the weather may be freezing, you will soon forget the biting cold amid the beautiful lights that brighten up the winter night. In the village, there are also restaurants and cafes where you can warm yourself. There are also tours that are coupled with other tourist attractions nearby, such as the Tomb of Yi Ik, Seongho Park, and Ansan Botanical Garden.  

Period: Oct. 1, 2015 – Jun. 30, 2016
Address: 1723, Suin-ro, Sangrok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do
Inquiries: 031-484-5050, www.star1723.co.kr

THEME #2 Forest break in winter
Relax in the woods with your family for a peaceful break

◇ Yongin Natural Recreation Forest ⓒ Yongin Natural Recreationa Forest

Yongin Natural Recreational Forest
If you are looking for a winter destination that the whole family can enjoy, a recreational forest will be the one of the best choices. You can relax in the woods and have a peaceful break. It’s so popular that, even in the cold of winter, the reservation rate is up to 80 to 90%. There are different types of accommodations. For example, the Forest Experience Center has 8 rooms (8-pyeong type), the House in the Forest has 14 buildings (12, 15, and 20-pyeong type), and the Timber House has 3 buildings (Hanok, Finland, and Mongolia type). Staying in the recreation forest itself will be a great experience. There are forest-education programs and wooden culture experience centers for families to learn about the value and benefits of forest.

Address: 220, Chobu-ro, Mohyeon-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
Inquiries: 031-336-0040, www.yonginforest.net

◇ Seolmaejae Natural Recreation Forest ⓒ Seolmaejae Natural Recreation Forest

Seolmaejae Natural Recreation Forest
The Seolmaejae Natural Recreation Forest gets its name from a mountain pass where travelers could see Japanese apricot blossoms bloom in the midst of a cold snowy winter. From the top of the mountain, you will have a great view of a grassy plain that extends endlessly without any rocks or trees. This is where many famous scenes from Korean movies such as “King and the Clown” and “The Face Reader” as well as dramas like “The Slave Hunters” and “The Great Queen Seon Deok” were created. You can breathe clean, fresh air by walking through the Damo Forest, Soseono’s Forest, Oak Forest, Chestnut Forest, and more. There are log cabins for four, six, and ten people. For those who enjoy winter camping, auto camping can be a good choice. There are other attractions nearby, such as Yongmunsa Temple, the Insect Museum, and Semiwon. 

Address: 510, Yongcheon-ro, Okcheon-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Inquiries: 031-774-6959, www.snrf.co.kr 

THEME #3 Gyeonggi Province sunrise trips
If you don’t want to travel too far, enjoy the sunrise in Gyeonggi Province

◇ Hwaseong Gukhwado Island (above), Paju Odusan Mountain Unification Observatory (below) ⓒ Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries/Odusan Mountain Unification Observatory

Hwaseong Gukhwado Island
Gukhwado Island in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, is famous for beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Approximately 60 people live on the 0.39㎢ island. The island itself is a ten-minute boat ride from Janggohang in South Chungcheong Province, but it is part of the administrative area of Gyeonggi-do. The biggest feature of Gukhwado Island is that you can watch both the sunrise and sunset. You will find many comments online from people stating that they fell in love with the orange-colored sunrises seen from this island. You can take photos easily because an observatory is built on the dock of the town. There are several places you might want to go in the town as well. You may feel healed walking along Gukhwado Beach as the seawater is clear unlike that of the west coast. You can also walk along a trail on the mountain behind the village.

Address: Gukhwa-ri, Ujeong-eup, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
Inquiries: 1577-4200 

Paju Odusan Mountain Unification Observatory
The Paju Odusan Mountain Unification Observatory is a security tourist resort from which North Korean land can be seen. A sunrise event takes place on January 1. Unlike other sunrise trips, many people make wishes for unification in this place. When you look at North Korea from the observation platform on the 3rd and 4th floors, you will experience the stark reality of the divided peninsula. On New Year’s Day, the observatory opens at 6:30 AM. Visitors should take a bus at the free bus station to the unification observatory. On this day, many events such as writing messages on a Korean peninsula-shaped board or sending wish balloons to North Korea take place as well. There are many places to explore nearby, including the Paju Heyri Art Valley, Paju Jangdan Soybean Village, and Paju Premium Outlets.

Address: 369, Pilseung-ro, Tanhyeon-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
Inquiries: 031-945-3171, www.jmd.co.kr

THEME #4 Culture trip to northern Gyeonggi Province
Take a break from your routine and visit northern Gyeonggi Province for a culture trip

◇ Yangju City Chang Ucchin Museum of Art (above), Gimpocity Dado Museum (below) ⓒ Yangju City Chang Ucchin Museum of Art/ Gimpocity Dado Museum

Yangju City Chang Ucchin Museum of Art
Does your head ache when you think of crowded attractions and traffic jams? Then how about visiting serene northern Gyeonggi Province for a culture trip? Built in April 2014, the Yangju City Chang Ucchin Museum of Art is a building with two floors above ground and one underground level; it has a site area of 6,506 square meters and a ground area of 1,851 square meters. There are enchanting sites nearby as it is adjacent to Gyemyeong Mountain. The museum displays the art world of Chang Ucchin, one of representatives of modern Korean fine art, and also holds various international modern and contemporary exhibitions. The special exhibition will be held until January 17, 2016.

Address: 211, Gwonyul-ro, Jangheung-myeon, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
Inquiries: 031-8082-4245, changucchin.yangju.go.kr

Gimpo Tea Etiquette Museum
How about brewing a pot of tea, sharing the fragrance and appreciating its flavor with your family during the cold winter? Opened by Yemyungwon in 2001, the Gimpo Tea Etiquette Museum is a building with three floors above ground on a site of 33,000 square meters. Apart from its exhibition hall, it has various auxiliary facilities such as a sculpture park, pottery workshop, natural dyeing experience room, pond, pavilion, and lawn plaza. A dense forest behind the museum presents a view like a beautiful painting. As many as 3,000 tea ceremony utensils collected by director Son Min-young over a span of nearly 20 years are on display in the museum. If you apply in advance, you can learn about Korea’s traditional culture and ethics in a natural setting. You can also enjoy a hands-on experience, learning the etiquette of Korean tea culture.

Address: 187-51, Aegibong-ro 275 beon-gil, Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
Inquiries: 031-998-1000
Operating Hours 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Closed every Monday)
Admission Fees Adult: KRW 5,000 / Adolescent: KRW 4,000 / Children: KRW 3,000 

THEME #5 Exciting Sled Journey
It’s so exciting that you forget about the cold of winter

◇ Pocheon Baegun Valley Dongjangkun Festival Sledding Slope ⓒ Pocheon Baegun Valley Dongjanggun Festival

Pocheon Baegun Valley Dongjanggun Festival Sledding Slope

The Pocheon Baegun Valley Dongjanggun Festival is one of the typical winter experience festivals of Gyeonggi Province. It is hosted by both Pocheon City and residents of the Alps of Korea, Doridol Town, which is famous for Idonggalbi and Idong Makgeolli. During the 12th Pocheon Baegun Valley Dongjanggun Festival, which takes place from December 23, 2015 to January 31, 2016, visitors can enjoy natural a sledding slope that uses the natural snow of the valley. Sledding takes place on tubes instead of plastic sleds for a more exciting trip down the valley hill. There are various winter culture activities that the whole family can enjoy, such as the Ice Castle Playground, T-nolja Kids Park, 80 Ice Slide, ice bumper cars, campfire experience, top-spinning game, family snowmen making, and more. In addition, there are also ice and snow sculptures on display, adding to the delight. There are popular attractions of Pocheon nearby, such as Sanjung Lake, the Ildong Hot Springs District, and the Pocheon Art Valley that visitors can go to.

Period: Dec. 23, 2015 – Jan. 31, 2016
Address: 2381, Hwadong-ro, Idong-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (Near Baekwoon Valley)
Inquiries: 031-535-7242, www.dongjangkun.co.kr

◇ Woongjin Play City Sledge Park ⓒ Woongjin Play City 

Woongjin Play Doci Sled Park
If it’s too cold for you and your child to go outdoors during the fiercely cold winter, you can still enjoy sledding indoors. The good thing about indoor sledding parks is that you can enjoy sledding regardless of the weather. The Woongjin Play Doci Sledge Park has seven separate courses and there is no need to worry about bumping into others while sledding. There is a 3-seat sledding tube that the whole family can enjoy.

Address: 2, Jomaru-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Inquiries: 1577-5773, www.playdoci.com/snow/info_fee.aspx

◇ Yongin Youth Training Center Sledding Slope ⓒ Yongin Youth Training Center 

Yongin Youth Training Center Sledding Slope
Located right in front of the Yeongdong Highway Yangji IC, the Yongin Youth Training Center Sledding Slope is used as water sledding slope in summer and sledding slope in winter. Covering a huge area of 6,000 square meters, nearly 30 people can enjoy sledding simultaneously using the long slope of 150 meters. It’s more exciting since you don’t need to wait in line. Safety management by staff deployed in many places is also systematic.

Address: 50, Jugyang-daero 2071beon-gil, Yangji-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
Inquiries: 031-328-9872, www.yytc.or.kr/sisul/sisul2.asp

Tips to Make Your Trip More Enjoyable

▶ Determine your travel style and interest

The first part of deciding where you want to go on your trip is to determine your travel style and your interest, whether you want something dynamic or peaceful, whether you want to travel alone or with group. It will give you a totally new experience by determining your travel theme in detail, such as a used bookstore-exploring tour, a delicious-food tour, a village street-photography tour, and more. 

▶ Dig through travel apps and guidebooks to find information

The proverb “Knowledge is power” applies when travelling as well. Get information using travel-related books and applications before you go on your trip. For those festivals hosted by local governments, you can check details beforehand as the event may vary due to weather and circumstances. It is also good to know the phone number of the local travel call center, just in case.

Apps: “Daehanminguk Guseok Guseok” (from the Korea Tourism Organization); “Good Doc” (information on pharmacies and emergency hospitals that are open on holidays and at night); “Travel Line” (from Daum Kakao – provides a list of hottest destinations through SNS analysis)

Call Center: Gyeonggi-do Call Center: 031-120, Seoul Dasan Call Center: 120 without area code

▶ Post trip review

After your trip, share your travel experience on your blog or SNS accounts. Record what you learned, experienced, and liked the most. Your memories don’t last forever, but your posts do. A list of your trip reviews will become valuable. It will be also a fun experience to read comments left by visitors.

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | G-News reporters Lee So-young, Han Jin-hee 

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201511241048347055C059&s_code=C059

Gyeonggi Children’s Museum holds planned exhibition to help children learn the importance of grandparents

Unlike conventional exhibitions, the planned exhibition is an activity-zone that invites children to touch the exhibits themselves

◇ The interior of the Gyeonggi Children’s Museum’ captures the attention of children. Photo of planned exhibit entrance. ⓒ Reporter Song Jeong-hyo

If you want to enjoy a relaxing cultural experience in the middle of a city full of apartments and shops, how about heading out to the Gyeonggi Children’s Museum in Giheung-gu of Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province? Celebrating its fourth anniversary, the Gyeonggi Children’s Museum is holding a planned exhibition titled ‘Very Special Friends! Our Grandmothers and Grandfathers’. The exhibit runs from October 2 all the way to August 21 in 2016 to help children, who tend to forget about their grandparents, learn and experience their importance.

The pastel-tone interior of the museum is packed full of, hands-on experience facilities set at the eye level of children as well as interesting exhibits capable of capturing their attention. It has four doors, each in a different color. As children open the doors one by one, they inch closer to their grandmothers and grandfathers before they even realize it.  

■ A special planned exhibition full of great experiences

◇ The blue door that helps children understand their grandparents (left), and magnifying glasses that help children experience how it feels to have cataracts (right). ⓒ Reporter Song Jeong-hyo

If you knock on the green door and enter, you’ll find activities that help children take interest in their grandfathers and grandmothers. Fedoras, glasses, and grey-haired wigs that belong to grandparents are there for the visiting children. When they wear those items and press a button, they can take photos of themselves in grey hair.

Children can also experience the difficulties their grandparents face in everyday life. They don’t understand why old people wear glasses and squint when they read newspapers. To help children understand why, there are magnifying glasses and ‘cataracts glasses’ for them to wear and read books. Apart from these items, the museum has plenty of interesting activities such as ‘Grandmother’s bundle of wisdom’ that help children learn various lessons from the experience of grandmothers, as well as ‘Grandmother’s treasure chest’ and ‘Grandfather’s dream’ that invite children to participate in the activities.

It takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes to fully tour the planned exhibit. Children barely notice the time flying by as they enjoy activities that invite them to take photos, ride the ‘bicycle of life’, and play old games from the past. The exhibition is expected to inspire the desire in children to play with their grandmothers and grandfathers. Meanwhile, for accompanying adults, the exhibit is expected to be a heartwarming experience as it reminds them of their own parents and grandparents.

Regarding the exhibition, one curator with the Gyeonggi Children’s Museum explained, “It’s not just an exhibition hall to see with your eyes. Rather, it’s an experience-based exhibition hall that’s approachable, interesting, and easy for children to understand.” The curator added, “We hope parents can come to the Gyeonggi Children’s Museum and experience culture for as long as they want without having to worry about costs instead of taking their children to expensive facilities such as kids cafes.”

■ Gyeonggi Children’s Museum is full of various cultural activities!

◇ Children playing with yellow and red leaves at Nature’s Playground (left), and Healthy Playground (right) ⓒ Reporter Song Jeong-hyo

Parents and children can enjoy healthy and informative cultural activities at the Gyeonggi Children’s Museum between 10:00am and 6:00pm from Tuesdays to Sundays. Infants under 12 months old are admitted for free, while the admission fee for children from 12 months of age is KRW 4,000 per person. Gyeonggi residents can visit the museum for the economic price of KRW 3,000.

The Gyeonggi Children’s Museum has its Planned Exhibition Department, Nature’s Playground, Healthy Playground, a cafeteria, and museum shop on the first floor. The second floor features three exhibition halls and the third floor features four halls. Once you enter the museum, you’ll be able to spot designs and eco-friendly playgrounds that are popular among children. A cooking program for families on weekends is also available until November. For more information, please visit the Gyeonggi Children’s Museum’s official website (http://gcm.ggcf.kr).

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Gyeonggi Province Youth Press Corps, Reporter Song Jeong-hyo love99song@naver.com 

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201511171548315122C083&s_code=C083

– Final winner of ‘NEXT Gyeonggi Creative Audition, Season 2’

– Mine that produced ‘rich gold ore’ attracts one million visitors since opening to public in 2011

◇ ‘Light Space’, a course available for visitors at Gwangmyeong Cave, is well received thanks to some fantastic colors. ⓒ Reporter Choi Hyeon-min

“This place, located in Gwangmyeong City of Gyeonggi Province, is the only tourist cave in the metropolitan region. It’s an all-weather tourist attraction because it maintains a steady 12℃ inside the cave throughout the year. It also offers a unique wine-tasting experience inside a cave. What is the name of this place?” The answer is ‘Gwangmyeong Cave’.

How could there be a tourist cave in Gwangmyeong City of Gyeonggi Province that doesn’t feature limestone like Yeongwol in Gangwon Province or Danyang in Chuncheongbuk Province? First of all, Gwangmyeong Cave is not a limestone cave. It was a mine developed in 1912 that produced various minerals including gold, silver, copper, and iron until 1972 when it was closed down. A 7.8km-long mining tunnel remained that subsequently became a cave for tourists. After the mine was shut down, it was all but forgotten even by Gwangmyeong citizens. However, people gradually learned about it when the cave was opened to the public in 2011. 

Despite the rain, I headed over to Gwangmyeong Cave on November 7. As soon as I stepped inside the cave, I found the ‘Wind Road’, which is the first course to greet visitors to the cave. Wind Road isn’t particularly windy in autumn because the temperatures inside and outside the cave are similar, but when the temperatures are different in summer or winter, wind blows in and out of the cave through this ‘Wind Road’. 

◇ ‘Wind Road’ is the first course that appears in Gwangmyeong Cave. I feel my head clearing up just looking at the gaping Wind Road. ⓒ Reporter Choi Hyeon-min

After passing the Wind Road and Light Space, I came face to face with a fish. As you would expect from a place that was formerly a ‘gold mine’, even this aquarium fish glows in a golden hue. Called ‘Guem-ryong (Golden Dragon)’ because of its beautiful golden scales, it is said that this fish brings fortune and luck. The glitzy fish can cost up to KRW 100 million. Cultural Tourism Commentator Lee Seung-ah light-heartedly said, “Thanks to this Geum-ryong, which is a bringer fortune and luck, Gwangmyeong Cave was able to win such a major award (Grand Prize in the NEXT Gyeonggi Creative Audition) and receive a large prize purse of KRW 10 billion.”

◇ ‘You want this? It’ll cost you KRW 100 million’. A photo of Geum-ryong that lives inside Gwangmyeong Cave. It lives in the underground water inside the cave. The water doesn’t receive any additional treatment. Only the temperature is regulated. ⓒ Reporter Choi Hyeon-min

Going deeper into the cave using stairs, I arrive at the ‘Palace of Gold’. A stone incarnation of ‘Cave Elf Ayesha’ who protects the Palace of Gold awaits us with a mysterious hammer in one hand that turns stone into gold and a golden stone in the other hand. Quite a few people pose for photos while hugging the golden stone Ayesha carries and wishing for prosperity. 

◇ ‘Cave Elf Ayesha’. Ayesha protects the Palace of Gold with a golden hammer and stone in her hands. The glittering gold looks very tempting ⓒ Choi Hyeon-min

As my visit was about to end, ‘Wine Cave’ – something that’s available only at Gwangmyeong Cave – captured my attention. If you visit the cave, things might feel a little weird because you wouldn’t have seen wine in a cave before. However, because wine can be very sensitive to the temperatures and humidity of its storage environment, and because caves maintain constant low temperatures and high humidity throughout the year, they’re perfect wine cellars. Opened this year, the Wine Cave exhibits wines produced in Korea and overseas, and it also offers wine-tasting events for visitors. If you purchase a lot inside the ‘Wine Cellar’, you can enjoy a romantic wine experience at the Wine Restaurant inside the cave. 

◇ ‘What will it taste like?’ Reporters with the Gyeonggi-do Youth Press Corps on a group reporting assignment line up in front of the tasting booth for wine. ‘Non-alcoholic Wine’ is available at the Wine Cave so children and adolescents can enjoy the wine experience as well. ⓒ Choi Hyeon-min

Once you’ve finished visiting the Wine Cave, your tour of Gwangmyeong Cave comes to an end. Just because your trip through the cave is complete, however, don’t assume your day out is over. The ‘Gwangmyeong Up-Cycle Art Center’ located near Gwangmyeong Cave has a wide range of exhibitions, design classes, and performances focusing on ‘Up-Cycle’. ‘Up-Cycle’ here is portmanteau that brings together two words: ‘Upgrade’ and ‘Recycle’. It takes conventional recycling a step further in that it adds artistic value to waste products and reproduces new artwork or products.  

Various works created by Up-Cycle artists are on display on the center’s first floor. Unbelievably neat art pieces made using recycled materials really catch the attention of visitors. Meanwhile, there’s a Cave Café on the center’s second floor where people can enjoy some refreshments (snacks and beverages) and take a break. 

◇ Gwangmyeong Up-Cycle Art Center’s front gate. ⓒ Reporter Choi Hyeon-min

◇ An Up-Cycle art piece on display inside the center. The artist seems to be immensely talented. ⓒ Reporter Choi Hyeon-min

The access road that connects Gwangmyeong Cave and Gwangmyeong Up-Cycle Art Center with the parking lot is a 1.7km-long road with only two lanes. This causes traffic jams on weekends because of the large number of visitors. So I recommend using public transport rather than driving. For subway users, you can use line no. 7 and get off at Cheolsan Station, or the Express Train Gwangmyeong Station then take inner city bus no. 17 and get off at the ‘Gwangmyeong Cave’ station. Gwangmyeong Cave admissions are KRW 4,000 for adults, KRW 3,000 for soldiers, KRW 2,500 for adolescents, and KRW 1,500 for children. Gwangmyeong citizens can benefit from discounts of up to 40%. Groups of 20 or more visitors, seniors who are 65 years old or over, national patriots, disabled people, and basic living care recipients also receive discounts. Gwangmyeong Cave is open from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Gwangmyeong Up-Cycle Art Center admissions are free, and the center is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Both venues are closed on Mondays, Lunar New Year’s Day, and Chuseok (Korean Moon Festival).

Let’s not stay at home, look out the window and feel depressed on rainy or snowy days any more. All-weather attraction Gwangmyeong Cave is nearby.

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Gyeonggi Province Youth Press Corps Reporter Choi Hyeon-min hmchoi0515@naver.com

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201511101555079422C083&s_code=C083