Hwacheon Biking festival

Arbab the CHINGU

There are many lakes and dams in the Hwacheon region. In its name, “Hwa” means “flowers” and “cheon” means “streams and rivers”, and it is true that Hwacheon has the cleanest of water and some of the most unspoiled nature in Korea. Its clean environment and crystal-clear mountain streams are home to otters (designated one of Korea’s national treasures) and fresh water trout (sancheoneo). Taking the tour course through pristine Hwacheon should be special treat for nature lovers.

Abid, Biking Lover

Section 3 of the course starts from the Peace Dam, which is the location of one of the best mountain biking routes in Korea. A special destination on the course is the bell near the dam that is made from melted down bullets, collected from battlefields all over the world. The bell weighs 37.5 tons, representing the weight of the sorrows of war. In front of the bell, visitors pray for peace. 

The Master, Sports man and True friend

I along with my Pakistani friends have opportunity to explore that part of Korea. I think it is the beauty of Korean Tourism Organization that they advertise the events in such  a nice way that people and specially the foreigners are attracted towards their events. We got  a free opportunity through one of our Korean Language teacher. That was a wonderful day with Bikes in hands and follow the beautiful Tracks of Hwacheon. 

The weather was cool and amazing for biking. there were a number of people including many foreigners who started a long way journey of 24 KM. We just moved  a little way while some of my friends went all the way to finish line... :) 

My Lovely Family

At the end of race their were traditional Korean noodles and Mackoli available for all and just free of cost. W also have a chance to rafting in near by Hwacheon river. It was nice and memorable trip. 

Hiking in Korea

It was a nice week end with Professor and Lab mats to have hiking in the beautiful greenery of SURISAN and near about. Surisan Hiking track is about 4 and half Km one side full with awesome scenery. Korea is celebrating mountain day and that's why our lab decided to have hiking like every year.Alumni of our lab also joined us in this event and made it a memorable Hiking trip. We had lunch together and have so much fun .

Because hiking is such a popular sport, Korea has many hiking clubs that offer weekly group outings for its members. Because most members work Monday to Saturday, Sunday is the biggest day for hiking. Unless you like crowds, avoid the mountains on Sundays! This is especially true during the autumn, when the entire country goes to admire the changing colors of the leaves.

Although most of the over 1,700 trails are well marked, many have several branch paths leading off in various other directions. Over the years, hiking club members have marked many trails by placing small, colorful ribbons in tree branches. The USO operates an English speaking hiking club which has organized hikes on most weekends.

One reason hiking is so popular in Korea is that it can be enjoyed very cheaply. Many of the trails are free, or only cost a few hundred won. When getting started, you can get by with tennis shoes, shorts, and a shirt. However, if you plan to do any serious hiking, you should spend some money and get some good clothing and equipment. However, given that most items are made locally, you can outfit yourself quite cheaply.

Royal Guard at Deoksugung Palace Korea

Deoksugung Palace has held a guard-changing ceremony since 1996 after thorough historical research by leading historians. The ceremony, which is held in front of the Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace, is a tradition similar to the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and offers a rare opportunity to experience royal culture. The royal gate is opened and closed at pre-determined times, and the gatekeepers in charge of guard duty and patrols hold a shift ceremony three times a day.

It was really a nice opportunity for me to be the royal guard of do palace. It was through FB i have come to know about the offer. i have.to chose my date and time and they really concerns about the time as it quite important ceremony and should be performed well in time. it took me some time to change my dress and get up for me it was a nice experience to be dressed up with traditional royal guard of Korean past.

I have to play an important role being the royal guards i along with one other commander have to open the palace. While leading the army to the palace it was just a remarkable moment of my life. I was a bit confused as there were a lot of spectators but all I did was superb. The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene. I was another worth moment when different spectators come forward and took pictures with me.

Just after the ceremony I was interviewed by one of the private channels. It was truly a nice experience and i enjoyed it a lot. Thanks to the Korea Tourism organization and the admin of the Deoksugung Palace.The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony is a highly recommended event for tourists. It is held three times a day (11:00 / 14:00 / 15:30) in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace.

Performance Times

11:00 / 14:00 / 15:30 (except Mondays) The program is subject to change and may be canceled due to weather conditions.

Directions:

City hall Station exit-2

Hadong-gun tea Festival

Hadong is famous for being the first tea plantation site in Korea. Unlike other tea production sites, which typically use machines for processing, Hadong continues to produce tea using time-honored traditional methods. As a result, it produces particularly high-grade teas, which are often sold at high prices.  During the festival, we got some sample of a variety of Hadong’s tea for free and purchase their favorites at bargain prices. The festival also offered visitors a unique and entertaining combination of events and hands-on experiences, drawing a large number of visitors every year.

 It was an awesome trip to Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do although faraway for Ansan but we had a great time. Thanks to the Organizers Sanghyun Ahn, Yoonjin Lee and Hannah Madelennah for making this journey wonderful for us. It was so nice to found new friends and sharing some good time with one another. We had a wonderful experience of making Green tea and this process was Amazing.. It was a lovely day all the way... :)







There were many ceremonies like,Tea Etiquette Ceremony at the first tea plantation site, seminar on tea and tea bowls, farming green tea, demonstration of making Dasi, making wild tea, making tea bowls, Cheonnyeoncha (a thousand year tea) Auction, tea etiquette competition for international tourists, temple stay, temple concert.

Transportation

From Seoul to the festival venue 1) From Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Hadong and get off at Hwagae Terminal. * Bus Schedule: 07:30-19:30, 2 hour intervals 2) From Hwagae Terminal, take a local bus or a taxi to Ssanggyesa Temple. (15min) * Bus Info: 07:00, 08:00, 08:20, 08:30, 09:10, 10:30, 11:10, 11:30, 12:40, 13:10, 14:30, 14:50, 15:50, 17:20, 18:20, 19:20, 21:00  From Hadong to the festival venue From Hadong Terminal, take a local bus bound for Ssanggyesa Temple. (40-50min) * Bus Info: 08:00, 09:15, 10:10, 11:00, 12:40, 14:00, 15:20, 16:45, 18:50, 20:30  * Bus schedules are subject to change.

E-Mail

ch0318@hadong.go.kr

Homepage

festival.hadong.go.kr  (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese)

World Beat Vinary

World Beat VINARI, which has introduced Korean traditional sound and rhythm to audiences in 53 countries worldwide, is now coming back home to Korea. World Beat VINARI is a musical performance by the fusion gugak (Korean traditional music) group “Dulsori.”

It features upbeat and exhilarating Korean rhythms created by a combination of traditional string and percussion instruments, Korean opera, and modern interpretations of folk songs. On August 18, 2012, the second theater of Cine Core in Seoul's Jongno-gu neighborhood re-opened as an exclusive theater for Vinari. 

Friends It was a wonderful night at Namasan traditional theater with the Korean artists . World Beat Vinary performance was awesome. The music was really amazing. Moreover the traditional village of Korean Society was attractive . I suggest everyone to go and explore this beautiful site of Korea.
Thanks to KTO for such a nice opportunity.

Period

08.18.2012 ~ 07.31.2013

Address

Seoul-si Jongno-gu Samil-daero 386

Location

Jongno Cine Core, Theater 2 (4F)  (Exclusive VINARI Theater)

Telephone

• 1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330  (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)  • For more info: +82-2-744-6800 Performance Times Tuesday-Friday: 20:00  Saturday & Sunday: 16:00  ※ No performance on Mondays Admission/Participation Fees VIP seats: 60,000 won  R seats: 50,000 won S seats: 40,000 won Duration of Performance 80 minutes