Cheomsongdae Observatory

Cheomsongdae Observatory

Cheomsongdae Observatory in Gyeongju is the oldest observatory in East Asia.

The building dates back to the 7th century and the rule of Queen Seondeok (632-647) in the Silla dynasty. The 12 stones at the base of the building may represent the 12 months of the year or the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac. The number of stones in the construction equals the number of days in a lunar year - 362.

The structure is illuminated at night and a favorite place for lovers' snaps.

Korea images © Daniel Allen

Korea Headlines October 25 2009

Korean Headlines

North Koreans meet US envoys in New York

BBC

Fears grow about roaming wild boars

Korea Herald

Calvin Klein’s Sexy Billboard to Be Taken Down

Korea Times

Seoul to Host Snowboarding Contest

Chosun Ilbo

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Arirang Festival 2009 Ends

Arirang Festival 2009

The Arirang Festival 2009 officially ended on Tuesday in North Korea. The world's largest choreographed display attracted 1.4 million spectators according to the authorities in Pyongyang.

The Arirang Festival began at May Day Stadium in mid-August. Guests included Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao who watched the festival with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il on October 5.

© Korea Guide

Seoul By Night

Seoul Illuminated

As well as the Banpo Bridge many areas of Seoul are now lit at night and have colored water displays.

Korea images © Daniel Allen

Korea Headlines October 18 2009

Korean Headlines

North Korean diplomat to visit US

BBC

Drunk defense under scrutiny

Korea Herald

Koreans Detained in Foreign Countries Top 1,000

Korea Times

Construction of Asia's Tallest Building Starts

Chosun Ilbo

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North Korea Map

North Korea Map

New "cartograms" from Worldmapper graphically show the population density of North Korea.

The estimated total population of North Korea in 2008 was 23,479,088, less than half the population of South Korea.

Click on the map to enlarge it.

© Copyright 2009 SASI Group (University of Sheffield)

Korea Headlines October 11 2009

Korean Headlines

North Korean 'may return to talks'

BBC

More Korean women in 20s, 30s remain single

Korea Herald

President Lee’s Bicycle Sold for 310,000 Won

Korea Times

'Sarang' Named Loveliest Korean Word

Chosun Ilbo

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Banpo Bridge Seoul

Banpo Bridge Seoul

In 2008 the 1.4 km-long Banpo Bridge in Seoul got a major facelift with the installation of a 9,380-jet fountain that runs along both sides of the bridge that crosses the Han River.

The nozzles spray 190 tons of water per minute pumped from the river below. The fountain is illuminated at night, set to music and makes for a dramatic sight.

Korea images © Daniel Allen

Korea Headlines October 4 2009

Korean Headlines

Chinese premier meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-il BBC

"Comfort Women" victims pin hopes on Japan PM Hatoyama Korea Herald

Chuseok holiday-travelers' traffic clogs highways Korea Times

Korean Economy 'to Grow 3.6% Next Year' Chosun Ilbo

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South Korea Map

South Korea Map

New style "cartograms" from Worldmapper graphically show the very high population density of South Korea.

The main population density areas are Seoul and neighboring Incheon. The gray areas represent areas of low population density, with only the south west and eastern coasts having a relatively sparse population.



The estimated total population of South Korea in 2008 was 48,379,392.

Click on the map to enlarge it.

© Copyright 2009 SASI Group (University of Sheffield)

© Korea Guide

Korean Sashimi

Korean Sashimi

Thick cut and delicious Korean sashimi (raw fish) is a gastronomic delight.

Eat at Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan or at numerous specialist fish restaurants in Seoul, Korean raw seafood is a culinary adventure.

© Korea Guide

KTX Trains Korea

KTX Trains Korea 서울

The KTX is one of our favorite trains. It has a very elegant shape - sleek and refined.

© Korea Guide

Korea Headlines September 27 2009

Korean News

Korean families in rare reunion

BBC

Japan PM Hatoyama to visit Seoul October 9

Korea Herald

After School Girl Band Harassed by Rowdy Bikers

Korea Times

Korea 'to Host Next Year's G20 Summit'

Chosun Ilbo

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Pusan International Film Festival

Pusan International Film Festival

Pusan International Film Festival in Busan will take place this year from October 8-18 on Haeundae Beach in the southern port city of Busan.

PIFF is Asia's largest film festival and began life in 1996. Cinemas for screenings are MegaBox Haeundae 5 and Busan Yatching Center Outdoor Theater.

2009 PIFF
Annex 2-1, Yachting Center
1393 Woo1-Dong
Haeundae-Gu
Busan 612-797
Korea
Tel: 82 51 747 2684
Fax: 82 51 747 2694

© Korea Guide

Korea Headlines September 20 2009

Korean Headlines

North Korea ready for nuclear talks.

BBC

Charges pressed over Imjin flood deaths

Korea Herald

Koreans Fighting Obesity

Korea Times

Three Men Arrested for Illegally Uploading 'Haeundae'

Chosun Ilbo

A Succession Saga Goes Silent

Washington Post

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Dongdaemun Gate

Dongdaemun Gate 동대문

The Dongdaemun or "Great East Gate" has stood on its present spot in Seoul since 1396 though the present structure dates from 1869.

Dongdaemun Market is the major tourist attraction in the vicinity.

© Korea Guide

Eating Korean: from barbecue to kimchi, recipes from my home

Eating Korean

Eating Korean: from barbecue to kimchi, recipes from my home

by Cecilia Hae Jin Lee

John Wiley & Sons

ISBN: 0-7645-4078-5
272 pp

This book is an excellent introduction of the delights of Korean cooking. Written by a first-generation Korean-American and award-winning chef, the book covers the standard favorites of Korean cuisine such as bulgogi, bibimbap and kimchi as well as offering recipes that may not be so well-known to a Western audience.

Among the one hundred plus recipes presented are plenty of hot soups, vegetable dishes, noodles, and those saucy, hot Korean dips.

The author interweaves the recipes with personal stories about her large extended Korean family as well as interesting cultural insights into Korean food and culture. Highly recommended for those wanting to try Korean food at home with a useful list of US suppliers of Korean ingredients listed by state.

Buy this book from Amazon USA I UK I Japan

© Korea Guide

Korea Headlines September 13 2009

Korean Headlines

Ruse or reality in North Korea's uranium admission? BBC

Exhibition showcases Korean medicine Korea Herald

Book Highlights Essence of Korean Temples Korea Times

More Foreigners Take Korean Proficiency Test Chosun Ilbo

South Korea says supports U.S. talks with North Washington Post

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Japan Korea Flights

Japan Korea Flights

Flights to Korea from Japan have become much cheaper over the years and with the present exchange rate making the Won good value against the Japanese Yen, there is no better time to fly over the East Sea (Sea of Japan) and enjoy a visit to the Land of Morning Calm.

As well as a number of daily services from the big airports such as Narita, Haneda, Osaka, Fukuoka and Chubu International, there are regular flights to both Incheon International Airport and Busan from smaller, provincial airports in Japan, including Hiroshima.

English language newspapers or your travel agent are a good place to find cheap flights and good value package trips on tours. These will include airfare, hotel and usually a bus tour and last usually for 3 or 4 days. Recent prices quoted include 17,000 yen from Tokyo, 18,800 yen from Osaka (KIX).

© Korea Guide

Korea Headlines September 6 2009

Korean Headlines

North Korea enters final phase of uranium enrichment

BBC

Korea beat Australia 3-1 in football friendly

Korea Herald

Foreign Investors Flocking to Kosdaq

Korea Times

Report Predicts Older, Multicultural Korea on Stilts

Chosun Ilbo


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