If you teach in Korea long enough, you will realize how much Koreans are proud of their culture and history and because of this they do their best to preserve their ancient wonders. As of 2016, Korea has 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites. If a location is deemed to have cultural or physical significance, the UN will help to ensure that it remains protected. The nomination process can take years and only a certain amount of locations will be designated a World Heritage site in any given year. This year, I was invited by my Korean friends to participate in the Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site.
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Tags: festival, Korea, history, history of Korea, music festival, korea history
Seolleung Royal Tombs: Learn about Korean Heritage while Teaching in Korea.
Posted on Wed, Sep 24, 2014 @ 09:39 AM
Since I have been searching for chilled places in Seoul, I came across the hidden and unknown Seolleung Royal Tombs. After traveling to Seoul a few times before, I was surprised to discover this sight last week. The tombs are not on the high priority list of things to do when traveling to Korea, but after visiting there last week, I would highly recommend it as a must-see for any foreigners wanting to check out some real Korean heritage.
Tags: tombs, temples, sights, heritage, Teach English in Korea, Teach in Asia, seoul, hiking, Activities to do in Korea, history, Walking, cultural activities, sight-seeing
Kickoff the Fall Season in Korea by Exploring Changdeokgung in Seoul
Posted on Mon, Sep 22, 2014 @ 10:56 AM
Before I leave Korea, I plan to see all five of the palaces in Seoul. While Gyeongbokgung has been my favorite from what I've seen so far, I have to give credit to Changdeokgung as well. It's a beautiful palace and it boasts something other other palaces don't: a secret garden. Now that the temperatures are dropping and the leaves are starting to fall from the trees, it's prime palace visiting season here in Korea!
Tags: Teach English in Korea, Teach Abroad, seoul, what to do in korea, cultural experience, what to see in korea, history, changdeokgung, palaces, Teach English in Asia, Weekend activities in Korea
If you have been around Korea for a while and have the determination to wake up early in the morning, you may have noticed the many Koreans on the subway with their hiking gear on. Hiking and mountain climbing are some of Korea’s favorite pastimes. When I first came to Korea, I was overweight and didn’t have a lot of money for a gym membership. A really good friend of mine said we should hike together. I was dreading exercise, but I was so happy with my decision to do it. I got so into hiking, I lost about 15 kilograms (33 lbs.) over five months. Instead of staying in and working out at the gym, one day a week I do my best to get outdoors and do some hiking. These are my top 3 mountains to climb if you are a novice like how I was.
Tags: things to do in Korea, things to do on the weekend, things to do, what to do on the weekend, things to see in korea, food in Korea, hiking, mountain, hiking in korea, history, outdoor activities, Hike, folk village, blue house, Weekend activities in Korea
Sometimes it is good to escape the Daejeon bubble and head up to Seoul. But last weekend, I decided to go even farther north. In my case, I literally went as far north as I can possibly go. Yes, that’s right, I am talking about the Korean DMZ. For all of you who do not know, that stands for the De-Militarized Zone, which essentially is the border between North and South Korea, established after the Korean War cease-fire in 1953.
Tags: teaching in Korea, a year in Korea, living in Korea, Korean War, Activities to do in Korea, exploring korea, history, DMZ
Always one for exploring museums and learning about history, I finally checked off a spot I'd really been interested in visiting: Seodaemun Prison History Hall. During my time in Korea, I've been very interested in any opportunity to learn more about the country's past, and friends have told me this museum was not to be missed. Now that spring has sprung, it seemed like the prime time to walk around the prison's grounds in Seoul and take in the history of the place.
Tags: tourist spots in Korea, museum, things to do before leaving korea, seoul, things to see in korea, museums, museums in Korea, history, seodaemun, Weekend activities in Korea