Where to visit in Changwon, the city of art

Changwon is located in Gyeongsangnam-do, known as a beloved hideout for artists, is a romantic travel destination throbbing with an artistic sensibility. The city is filled with a variety of attractions, including alleys adorned with beautiful flowers and trees, a charming mural village, heartwarming traditional markets, and more.

Changdong Art Village

Changdong Art Village was created by redeveloping Changdong Street, a declining yet once thriving downtown of the old Masan city (now consolidated into Changwon City). As ateliers, cafes, and galleries took over the vacant stores, the empty town has been transformed into a street of art, characterized by its distinctly romantic ambiance.

A great number of unique murals and popular photo spots hide behind every corner, offering a joyful experience of exploring the alleys. The Changdong Art Village Art Center, easily spottable during one's tour of the village, displays an array of artworks by international artists and also provides tourist information.

Garosu-gil

The quiet neighborhood of Yongji-dong is the new up-and-coming hot spot for Changwon residents to meet and gather, thanks to its metasequoia tree road. Dubbed as the "Garosu-gil of Changwon" (after the famous Sinsadong Garosu-gil in Seoul), the area is dotted with cozy coffee shops, galleries, and art shops that draw a constant stream of visitors, especially young people. The metasequoia-lined road and the revamped buildings give off an exotic vibe, for which it is an ideal place to take a leisurely stroll with take-out coffee in hand or enjoy tea-time on one of the cafe terraces. On weekends, a flea market is held here, adding to the fun of exploring the area.

Gagopa Kkoburang-gil Mural Village

Gagopa Kkoburang-gil Mural Village can be reached by walking through the alleys leading down from Changwon City Museum. It is a small village, the walls of which are decorated with mural paintings illustrating the old landscape of Changwon, such as its sea and port, as well as other diverse themes like animals, flowers, pop art, and more.

Some of the meaningful places in the village, including its 100-year-old well and the senior citizen center, have been turned into photo zones for visitors to capture the colorful murals. Climb up the stairs flanked by these mural drawings to get a magnificent birds-eye view of Masan Port. The village is a must-visit destination in Changwon, but it is also a residential area for locals, so visitors are advised to look around quietly.

Changwon City Museum

Changwon City Museum is an art museum dedicated to the internationally recognized artist Moon Shin (1923–1995), who spent a good part of his life in France. The art museum was completed after 14 years of construction under the guidance of the artist himself, who also designed the building. It is comprised of three exhibition halls housing around 290 works, including this artist-slash-founder's own sculptures and oil paintings that each display a great deal of artistry. In addition, the museum is situated on the hill overlooking Masan Bay, so visitors to the museum can also take in the great scenery.

The House of Changwon

This is a hanok (traditional Korean house) built in the Joseon Dynasty, where An Du-cheol, a fifth-generation descendant of the Sunheung An family clan, resided 200 years ago. It is an education center where visitors can learn about the traditional culture of Korea. On display inside the buildings are farming tools that were once used by Koreans, and beeswax figures reenacting scenes from the Joseon dynasty, thereby offering visitors a chance to travel back in time. Popular among photographers for its well-kept garden and architectural beauty, the House of Changwon offers use free of charge for couples holding a traditional wedding here.

See more: Top 5 places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul

Source: Internet

The reasons to visit Cambodia once during your lifetime

Cambodia has got the lot, and its enchanting landscapes, rich history and culture and the innate hospitality of the people keep visitors coming back for more. Here are a few reasons why the country should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Affordable location 

Although Cambodia is well-known for appealing to budget travelers, the country also offers everything posh travelers would expect of accommodation, service, activities, and exclusivity. Cambodia has a wide range of lodgings, from small mom and pop bed and breakfasts to 5 star hotels for a fraction of the price you would pay in Western countries.

Siem Reap and surrounding areas

While most visitors to Siem Reap are there only for the Angkor Complex, it is worth taking some time to appreciate the old-world charm of the colonial architecture within the city itself. With cute French fusion restaurants, a bustling night market and lively night life, Siem Reap is a great place to rest during your time in the area.

When you are tired of temple gazing and shopping, 15 km south of the city, is the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia. Here is an opportunity to view a distinctive ecosystem and cultural way of life different to the town of Siem Reap. The floating villages on the lake and among the tributaries of the river are not to be missed.

Friendly faces

Cambodians are renowned for their hospitality, and upon entering the Kingdom, visitors will be overwhelmed with the abundance of warm welcomes and smiles. The gentle nature of Khmers can be found in tuk tuk drivers, service staff, tour guides, stall owners and passersby on the street. Visitors should note that anger doesn’t bode well in Cambodia, and a bit of patience goes a very long way.

Nature attractions

Just a little bit away from the big cities, you will find nature cover most of the parts of Cambodia. Some ancient temples are hidden in nature, some waterfalls are hidden in the forest, therefore you need to step out of your comfort zone and be adventurous to explore the beauty of nature in Cambodia. Nature in the Angkor land is also the main reason to visit Cambodia.

The delicious Cambodian food

Many people consider Cambodia’s cuisine to be a pale copy of Thai cuisine, known around the world for its strength and flavours. It is true that there are similarities, but the art of the Khmer table is finer in taste, less spicy for us poor Westerners, which allows us to discover its extraordinary flavours.

Rich culture

The Kingdom of Wonder comes coupled with a rich culture and heritage that runs through the veins of Cambodians. From magical apsara dancers, traditional music, elaborate ceremonies and stage shows, there are plenty of opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant local scene. Sovannaphum Theatre in Phnom Penh puts on regular performances, with workshops in shadow puppetry available. Cambodian Living Arts also produces a series of traditional dance shows.

Unspoiled beaches

When tourists travel to Cambodia, they may be surprised to hear that there is more to the country than Angkor Wat and the modern tragedies of the Khmer Rouge. Indeed, Cambodia has some of the most beautiful, untouched beaches in South East Asia on the Gulf of Thailand.

If white and gold powdery sand, palm trees, turquoise waters by day and  iridescent algae glowing in the shimmering moonlight by night sound like your kind of thing, look no further than the beach towns of Sihanoukville and Kep on the southwest banks of Cambodia.

See more: 5 interesting things to do in Cambodia

Source Internet

Visit the UNESCO sites in Macau

The Historic Centre of Macau is a collection of over twenty locations that witness the unique assimilation and co-existence of Chinese and Portuguese cultures in Macau, a former Portuguese colony. It represents the architectural legacies of the city's cultural heritage, including monuments such as urban squares, streetscapes, churches, and temples.

Ruins of St. Paul’s

Arguably Macau’s most famous landmark, the Ruins of St. Paul’s continue to captivate visitors centuries after it was originally constructed. Built from 1602 to 1640 by Jesuit priests who traveled to the Far East to spread Catholicism, the site originally included St. Paul’s College and the Church of St. Paul.

Located at the top of a hill, the structure was the largest church in Asia at the time, and was acclaimed as ‘The Vatican of the Far East’. Its existence was meant to express the triumph of the Roman Catholic Church through the ornate grandeur of the buildings. The original structure was made of wood, which burned down in a fire during a typhoon in 1835, leaving only the beautiful granite façade and a grand staircase of 68 stone steps leading up to it.

A-Ma Temple

Built in 1488, A-Ma Temple is the oldest and most famous Chinese temple in Macau. It’s dedicated to the goddess Mazu, protector of seafarers and fishermen, and is believed to be the temple from where Macau’s name is derived.

The site consists of the Gate Pavilion, the Memorial Arch, the Prayer Hall, the Hall of Benevolence, the Hall of Guanyin, and Zhengjiao Chanlin (a Buddhist pavilion). The temple is inspired by Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and multiple folk beliefs. The goddess A-Ma is still very popular among local residents. On her birthday – the 23rd day of the third moon of the Chinese lunar calendar – the square in front of the temple is packed with all sorts of street performances.

Leal Senado Building

Located in the heart of Macau’s colorful Senado Square, the Leal Senado Building was originally built in 1784. This was Macau’s first municipal chamber and is still home to Macau’s municipal council. The building is neo-classical in design and has retained all of its original master walls and primary layout, including the courtyard garden in the back.

Today the building houses a gallery holding regular exhibitions on the ground floor, a public library storing old foreign books between the 17th century and mid-20th century, and an auditorium with a chapel. At the back of the building, there is a relatively quiet Portuguese-style courtyard with a flower nursery in the shape of a celestial globe and a bust of the Portuguese poet Camoes.

Holy House of Mercy

Founded in 1569, the Holy House of Mercy is famous for its beautiful arcaded façade and was modeled on one of Portugal’s oldest charitable organizations. Part of their work was to help the families of sailors who drowned.

A neo-classical building that’s painted a refined white on the outside, it is closely bound up with the origins of Macau. It is also home to The Holy House of Mercy Museum. Opened in 2001, the museum comprises a collection of Macau’s Catholic relics, which bear testimony to the history of Western culture that was introduced to China through Macau.

See more: Visit Macau to admire incredible artworks

Source: Internet