TourKorea365

The Metasequoia is also called the dawn redwood in English. This tree is special because people once knew it only from fossils. For a long time, scientists thought it was extinct. But in the 1940s, living Metasequoia trees were found in China. This discovery surprised everyone. The tree earned the name “living fossil.” Its scientific name is Metasequoia glyptostroboides. Only one living species exists in the Metasequoia group today. It is a conifer but different from most pine trees. It is a deciduous conifer. Its leaves look like needles, but they fall off in winter. The leaves are bright green in spring and summer. They turn brown or reddish-brown in autumn before they drop. The tree looks very different in each season. Metasequoia grows tall quickly. It likes sunny places with moist but well-drained soil. Young trees can grow 30 to 80 cm per year, sometimes up to 1 meter in very good conditions. Because it grows fast and becomes large, it absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide — some repor...

  1. What Bamboo Needs to Grow Well Bamboo needs three main things to grow well. It needs warm weather, enough moisture, and well-drained soil . Damyang has these conditions. It is located in the southern part of Korea, so the weather is relatively warm. It also has mountains and rivers, so the air has enough moisture. At the same time, Damyang has many hilly areas, so water can drain well. This balance is very important. Bamboo grows very fast, so it needs a lot of water. But if the roots stay underwater for too long, the bamboo can become weak. So bamboo needs moisture, but it also needs soil where water can move out. Damyang had this good balance. Because of that, bamboo grew very well here. And because bamboo was easy to find, local people naturally used it in daily life. They made baskets, trays, mats, blinds, fans, and kitchen tools from bamboo. As a result, Damyang developed a strong bamboo craft culture and a famous bamboo market. So Damyang’s bamboo culture began with natu...

Damyang is often called the ‘Home of Gasa Literature’ because many famous Korean scholars and writers during the Joseon Dynasty created a special style of literature there called gasa. When people feel politically frustrated today, what do they usually do? Maybe they write on social media, start a blog, or leave the city to relax in the countryside. Well, about 500 years ago in Korea, Confucian scholars did something very similar. During the Joseon Dynasty, especially in the 1500s, many scholars lost political power because of intense factional struggles in the royal court. Some were exiled, some retired voluntarily, and others simply became tired of politics. Because of that, they moved away from Seoul and settled in quiet natural areas like Damyang in South Jeolla Province. That is the key reason why Damyang became connected to literature. Damyang is located in the southwestern part of Korea, in Damyang. Today, the population is only around 45,000 people, so it feels peaceful and ru...

Jinhae is a district of Changwon . Changwon has about 1 million residents, and Jinhae itself has roughly 180,000 people. The city is located on the southern coast, facing the Korea Strait. Because of this geography, it became strategically important for naval defense. Jinhae has a deep, naturally sheltered harbor. The land curves inward, protecting ships from strong waves and outside attacks. The water is deep enough for large naval vessels to dock safely. Because it faces the Korea Strait, naval forces here could monitor and control major sea routes connecting Korea, Japan, and China. In earlier centuries, control of sea routes meant control of trade, communication, and military supply. For that reason, this region already had strategic importance during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). In 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan. During the colonial period, Japan needed a strong naval base in the southern part of the peninsula. Jinhae’s protected harbor and strategic location made it ideal. ...

  "Hoesik" refers to company dinners or gatherings, often held after work, where colleagues eat, drink, and socialize together. When having a hoesik, people often go to barbecue restaurants, especially places that serve samgyeopsal (pork belly). During these gatherings, they eat and drink together. In Korea, there are complex etiquettes to follow when drinking alcohol. It’s important to participate actively but also know your limits when it comes to drinking.  In Korea, it’s important to pour drinks for others with both hands, receive drinks with both hands, drink the first shot together with a toast, and always respect elders by waiting for them to drink first. To drink soju properly, pour for others using both hands, receive drinks with both hands, take the first shot in one go, and say 'geonbae' for cheers." Drinking Etiquette in Korea Pouring Drinks: When pouring drinks for others, always use both hands. This shows respect, especially to someone older or of h...

Have you ever noticed large, round stone basins placed near the entrances of these palaces? These are called  "Deumu" (드므) , and they are more than just decorative water containers. 🏺 What is a Deumu? (드므) A  Deumu  is a large, round stone or ceramic water basin traditionally placed at the entrances of Korean palaces and noble residences. At first glance, it might seem like a simple water container, but its purpose is deeply rooted in Korean beliefs and practices. 🔥 Fire Prevention and Symbolism In ancient Korea, where buildings were primarily constructed of wood, fire was a constant threat. The Deumu served a practical purpose: it was filled with water to be readily available in case of fire. However, beyond its practical use, the Deumu held symbolic meaning. Water, in Korean culture, is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. By placing a Deumu filled with water at the entrance, it was thought to protect the building from both physical fires and male...