The Gamcheon Culture Village (Taegeukdo Village) is called “Busan’s Santorini” and as you stare out upon the community you instantly understand why. Spread out below you is a panorama of endless rows of low-rise cubicle homes climbing up the steep hillsides from the sea below, their cheerful blue, yellow and pink hues a delight to the eye. Narrow stone and concrete alleyways wind their way through the homes, yielding something new at every turn. Beloved by photographers throughout Korea, it might not be Busan’s most famous tourist destination, but it certainly is one of its most picturesque.
Gamcheon Culture Village was formed by Korean War refugees back in 1950. It was a temporary place of abode for the poor, who aspired to move on to better accommodation as soon as possible. But the village is now an attractive feature of the old city with its terraced houses on the hill, and maze-like narrow alleyways. Now the village has transformed into a beautiful village of culture and became a new tourist attraction for both Korean and overseas visitors, with its own distinctive culture and unique views.
“The rolling green fields of Boseong” - Boseong Green tea plantations famous for its green tea leaves.
Seoul, 1945. This is the year when World War II ended, also the year when Japanese surrendered and the Korean Peninsula was liberated from 35 years of imperial rule. But this caused country to be divided into South and North Korea. The USSR occupied Korea north of the 38th parallel, while the U.S. occupied the southern section. Under UN auspices, a democratic government established the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in 1948 with its capital in Seoul. The Communists established the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) with its capital in P’yongyang.
Pororo the Little Penguin (Korean: 뽀롱뽀롱 뽀로로) is a popular cartoon series. In South Korea, Pororo has become famous among preschool kids and children and has earned the nickname “Pororo the President”, while to some teenagers, “Pororo the God”.
The series revolve around the adventures of Pororo and his friends who live in the snowy village of Porong Porong Forest. No-one knows how they came to live on the island but they naturally came to live together in the village situated in the little valley where the sunshine is warmest and the cold wind is least harsh. Pororo and his friends often encounter challenges and learn practical and moral lessons in each episode. In this episode Pororo and his friend Crong travel and experience life in Korea.
Production of Pororo began in 2002 and the program began airing in South Korea on EBS in 2003. Internationally, the program currently airs on Australian, French, Taiwanese, Indian, Italian, Puerto Rican, Singaporean and Vietnamese channels. It also started airing in Norway, on Boomerang, and Cartoonito in the UK. It also airs in Disney Junior (Asia).
(Source: youtube.com)
Hoeryongpo Village, in North Gyeongsang Province, got its name from the bends of the Naeseong River, a tributary of the Nakdong River. The area is small enough to scoop up with a shovel and is known as the “island within the mainland”, as it is surrounded by the river. The best way to enjoy the view is to walk up to the observatory along the 1.5 kilometer trail that leads up to Jangan Temple on Mt. Biryong, which was built during the Unified Silla Kingdom (668-935).
The area has been developed as a tourist spot ever since 1997, with numerous hiking trails and parks, and was also the location for the hit drama “Autumn in My Heart” (2002). For more information about the village.
Gwanaksan - ”mountain of the hat-shaped peak”
Changdeokgung Palace (“Prospering Virtue Palace”) was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbukgung Palace in 1405. The palace gained in importance starting from the time of 9th king of Joseon, Seongjong, when a number of kings began using it as a place of residence. It was the principal palace for many of the Joseon kings and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces.
The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden which was constructed during the reign of King Taejong. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond, and a pavilion. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary. The most beautiful time to see the garden is during the fall when the autumn foliage is at its peak and the leaves have just started to fall.
It is one of the “Five Grand Palaces” built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897).
“Pavilion of Far-Reaching Fragrance” - Hyangwonjeong Pavilion in winter, Seoul
Gonggi (공기) is a popular Korean children’s game that is traditionally played using 5 or more small grape-sized pebbles. Nowadays, children buy colourful plastic stones instead of finding pebbles. It can be played alone or with friends. The stones are called gonggitdol (공깃돌), which means “gonggi stones.” Since only a few stones and a flat surface are needed for play, the game can be played by anyone almost anywhere.
How to play:
- Level 1: The stones are thrown on the playing surface and the player picks a stone to throw up in the air. While airborne, the player picks up one stone on the playing surface. Then, the player catches the stone. These steps are repeated until all the stones have been caught.
- Level 2: The stones are thrown on the playing surface again. However, at this level, the player picks up the stones two at a time.
- Level 3: The stones are thrown on the playing surface. The stones are picked up once in a cluster of three, and the other in the amount of one.
- Level 4: The player throws one stone in the air, places the others on the surface, and catches the airborne stone. Then the player picks up the four clustered stones on the playing surface. Then the player catches the airborne stone.
- Level 5: The player tosses the stones from the palm of their hand in to the air. While airborne, the player switches his hand backside up. The stones are then caught on the back of the hand. Then, the player throws the stones in the air and catches them. The number of stones caught amount to the score.
