무령왕릉. Tomb of King Muryeong

Tomb of King Muryeong is one of the main sights of Gongju city.

King Muryeong

King Muryeong (461-523) was called Sama or Yoong when he was alive and Myryeong is his posthumous epithet. He enhanced national prestige overseas by preserving public peace and strengthening national power during his 23-year reign.

Interesting fact: king Muryeong passed away on May, 7 in 523 AD, but he was entombed on August, 12 in 525 AD.

There are 7 tombs of kings and the royal family of Baekje in Songsan-ri Burial Mounds. One of them is a tomb of King Muryeong.

ticket to Muryeong Wang Reung

Admission fees:

Adults:
individual - 1500 KRW
group - 1400 KRW

Teenagers (13019 years old):
individual - 1000 KRW
group - 900 KRW

Children (over 7 years old):
individual - 700 KRW
group - 600 KRW

Korea Brand Expedition 2011

Recently I came back from Korea Brand Expedition (코리아 브랜드 탐험대) in Chungcheong-do, South Korea.
I'm blogging about it just know, because of of strange restrictions on using foreign sns in Korea or something like that. I'm not sure, but still, I couldn't access my blog during all the time while I was in Korea.
Anyway, finally I can share everything!!


Well, what is 코리아 브랜드 탐험대?

This great project is arranged by  Presidential Council and National Branding and Hyundai Company

Motto of the project: New Thinking-New Korea

90 Koreans and 90 foreigners were invited to join this expedition. I was on of them~~ Lucky~~~~

I was appointed to explore Chungcheong-do! The program includes following places: Asan - Daejong - Gongju - Seosan. Unfortunatelly, due to some reasons (TT.TT don't wanna remind it) i had no opportunity to visit Hyundai plant in Asan TT.TT
Our route:

To be continue.....

NOVOSIBIRSK by Kim Kangsoo !!!

I share a link where you can see a program for Korean tourists who wanna go to my native city - Novosibirsk!!!

http://www.kbs.co.kr/1tv/sisa/walkworld/

http://www.netsko.com/693416


This is 47min video about some sights of Novosibirsk and its region - Berdsk, Koleuvan and a symbol of our city - Akadem Gorodok (A City of Science)

I think not  every "classic" sights for tourists were shown, but still I enjoyed the video))
But Novosibirsk seems not a 3rd largest city but a provincial town, in my opinion.

Particularly I was surprised at music in the video)) Dima Bilan who performed opening song is really one of the most popular singer in Russia and Russian singer abroad (after he won Eurovision). Two Alsou's songs was also used)
But J. Bieber  has nothing in common with Nsk)


I like the video and thanks Kim Kangsoo and his team for visiting Novosibirsk and making the video!!

Andong-2

I've already  posted about my trip to Andong. My today's post I'd like to dedicate to food I tried in Andong)
Every region in Korea has its own "title" dish, and I couldn't stand trying such a dish in every city I've visited.
I was amazed,  that in Korea, not so big country, there are so differences between regions!! great) Even language and grammar can vary from city to city~
So, let's turn to dishes)

This is 안동찜닭. We were said, it's the most popular dish in Andong, and kind of a symbol of Andong cuisine like kimchi is a symbol of Korea)) We were served with this big plate of duck meat with vegetables and  a portion of rice. It was very delicious!! And not spicy~~ I like hot dishes, not to that extend as some Korean dishes though) I mean "pepper soup"  - just hot chili pepper and water... impossible to eat without tears!!!

I don't know what's the fish, but (imho) it's the less delicious Korean dish!! No offense, but the taste of this thin fishes lags behind another!! 

This is 안동소주~~ the most strong in Korea, as our guide said) It's almost as strong as Russian vodka and twice as much as usual soju)
I haven't tried it at all=)  I just took a pic of it ᄏᄏᄏᄏᄏ

My trip to ancient capital

In my last week-end (T.T) in Korea we decided to go to Gyeongju!!
I was said that is the most beautiful place in Korea. And it's true!

From the books I got as a present for 20th anniversary of bilateral relations, I know that almost a whole city is enlisted in UNESCO list of world heritage.

So, I had just 2 days to see this unique place - a small piece of the Land of morning glory (I like this name!!)) which save an inexpressible spirit of traditional Korea.

This is Tombs.

My favourite place in Gyeongju is Anapji pond. I can't explain why, but I think, everyone who was there at least once want come back!

It's so calm place... you ever feel like meditating))

Unfortunately, weather changed my plans(( It was downpour, so I had to come back to Daegu T.T
In my further post I'll upload more photos of this unforgettable place!! 

Andong. Part 1

During that  short period when I was in Korea, I saw a lot though)
One of the first trip was a excursion to Andong - traditional Korean village.
I got plenty of unforgettable impressions after visiting Andong.
If you'll be in Korea, go there and, *I'm sure!!* you won't regret!!

Andong is not so far from Daegu. We went there as international students of KNU =)
First of all, we visited Museum. It was one disadvantage of this museum - poor English translation. Meanwhile, most of students didn't speak English at all((
Bur still, if you wanna know traditional Korean culture, a trip to Andong is a must have!!
I took some pics in the  museum.

a wedding ceremony