Travel to Gyeonggi-do: what to do in 2 days

Gyeonggi-do is home to the most thrilling theme parks in South Korea. Visit Everland, the largest theme park in the country or make a huge splash at the neighboring Caribbean Bay! Scream your heart on the T-Express, South Korea's first ever wooden roller coaster or enjoy more intimate experiences and meet adorable animals on the Safari ride. Below are some of popular destinations to explore.

Bukhansan National Park

Granite-peak-studded Bukhansan National Park's sweeping mountaintop vistas, maple leaves, rushing streams and remote temples draw over 5 million hikers and rock climbers annually. Even though the park covers nearly 80 sq km, it is so close to Seoul (45 minutes by subway) that it does get crowded, especially on weekends.

The park is divided into the Bukhan-san area in the south and Dobong-san area in the north, each featuring multiple scenic, but strenuous, hikes to mountain peaks. Bring plenty of water.

Seoul Land

Seoul Land is an amusement park opened in 1987, in Gwacheon, a city in Gyeonggi-do province, South Korea. It is located in the Seoul Grand Park complex. It opened just before the 1988 Summer Olympics. It has about 40 rides, including roller coasters, and movie theaters. Seasonal festivals are held in the park. It is smaller than Everland, but closer to Seoul, about one hour away from downtown. Approximately 3 - 3.5 million people visit the park in a year. Roughly a third of its 300,000 m2 is green space, the rest being packed with the attractions.

Icheon Ceramic Village

This leafy cul-de-sac off a busy main road is the centre of Icheon's porcelain and celadon trade, a thriving tradition that dates back to the Joseon dynasty. Containing some 40 ceramics shops, kilns and a couple of cafes, it gets going daily from mid-morning, and one or two places, including Hankook Dojakwon beside the arched gate to the village, offer the chance to shape and fire your own cup, vase or pot.

Everland

Everland is the largest theme park in the country. It is divided into five zones with attractions to explore and roller-coasters to try out.

You enter and leave the park through Global Fair zone, which is an area with restaurants and shops. ZooTopia features a small zoo with a safari bus, a petting zoo, and animal shows. European Adventure is an area with European restaurants and architecture, and a roller coaster made out of wood. Magic Land boasts various rides and a Ferris Wheel, and the whole zone's style is based on Aesop’s fairy tales. The fifth zone is called American Adventure and focuses on American history.

Valley Rock Music and Arts Festival

One of the biggest dates on Korea's music calendar is this festival held over a three-day weekend in July. Valley Rock regularly attracts upwards of 50,000 concert-goers to see huge international rock, pop and electronic music acts.

Royal Tomb of King Sejong

Sejong the Great was the fourth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was the third son of King Taejong and Queen consort Min. He was designated as heir-apparent, Crown Prince, after his older brother Prince Yangnyeong was stripped of his title. He ascended to the throne in 1418. During the first four years of his reign, Taejong governed as regent, after which his father-in-law, Sim On, and his close associates were executed.

See more: Top 8 things to do in Busan, South Korea

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Explore amazing Abu Dhabi in two days

The list of things to do in Abu Dhabi is virtually endless, so it is only normal to get spoilt for choice when choosing the best ones to try. Replete with dozens of sky-piercing towers, architectural masterpieces, historical landmarks, and entertainment hubs, Abu Dhabi makes for a treasure trove of wide-ranging experiences.

Admire Louvre Abu Dhabi

The Middle East's most spectacular museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi traces the entire history of humanity's artistic achievements, from the Neolithic right up to the current day. The wealth and diversity of art on display, from ancient Egyptian statuary to famous paintings by Picasso, is mind-boggling, while the museum's contemporary architecture, with its galleries gathered under a vast silver dome, are the reasons to visit in itself.

As well as the permanent collection, which runs over 12 galleries, several major temporary exhibitions are staged each year. The Louvre is the first of three planned major museums to open on Saadiyat Island, which is set to become the cultural heartbeat of Abu Dhabi in the coming years. The other two, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum, are still in the planning phases.

Visit Ferrari World

Located on Yas Island occupying an area of 86, 000 square meters, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is counted among the most celebrated amusement parks in Abu Dhabi. Every ride and attraction at this park is inspired by the Ferrari brand, making it an interesting place for supercar lovers. A day at this park is sure to be a treat for your whole family since the park has something for every kind of visitor.

The attractions range from the world's fastest roller coaster ride, Formula Rissa to some easier activities like Tyre Twist and Motor Midway Games which are suitable for just anybody. To double your fun, the park even features shopping and dining experiences. So if you are thinking of taking a break from sightseeing excursions, visiting this fun-filled place is one of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi.

Visit the largest mosque in the UAE

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the UAE’s most beautiful mosque, and it is here that you can stroll barefoot on the world’s longest hand-knotted carpet, beneath one of the largest crystal chandeliers on the planet. This elaborate religious site can hold up to 40,000 worshippers and was inspired by Persian, Mughal and Moorish architecture, taking its name from the country’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The mosque was Sheikh Zayed’s idea and he rests within it. Apart from allowing visitors the opportunity to learn more about Islam (there are free tours hosted by local guides), the mosque boasts a unique lighting setup guided by the evolution of the moon during the lunar cycle.

Relax at Umm Al Emarat Park

Umm Al Emarat Park, a meticulously designed public park, blends nature with modern design. Rows of palm trees lead to water features that evoke a man-made oasis, all made to look like a contemporary fountain. The park is home to a number of sites, including an amphitheater, gardens, a playground, and an animal barn. The Wisdom Garden is particularly beautiful, with well-maintained indigenous plants and marble slabs with quotes from the late Sheikh Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Shopping at Yas Mall

One of the primary rules when coming to Abu Dhabi, Do not diss the malls. Malls here are not simply places to shop, they are social and cultural hubs too, especially in summer when it's too hot and humid to congregate outside. Of the many malls sprinkled around Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall is the largest and the most frequently referenced. The architecture feels more like a hotel than a shopping mall, thanks to the long reflecting pool and otherworldly entrance.

Visit Emirates Palace

Redefining royalty even in a place like Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace is an ultra-luxury hotel spanning over an area of 85 hectares. With landscaped gardens on one side and the endless stretch of the sea on the other, the grand structure of Emirates Palace bearing a golden shade is a sight to behold.

Since some parts of the hotel are open for visitors, you can relish the tasteful interiors and captivating architecture even if you are not staying here. Or you can book a table at one of the 14 restaurants and bars located within the hotel premises.

See more: 9 must-see architecture works in Abu Dhabi

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Where to visit in Nantou, Taiwan in one day

During your stay in Nantou, you can visit the historical and cultural sites around the lake or take a stroll along the many hiking trails there. Nantou County is rich in history and its background is every bit as charming as its locals.

Bamboo Rock Garden

Sun Moon Lake offers many scenic spots, but the Bamboo Rock Garden is one place you have to visit. The garden’s many trees offer a shady respite from the sun and a place to rest. Ardent photographers can attempt to capture the beauty of the towering bamboo plants.

There are a butterfly garden and a hotel within the grounds. The Tea Research and Extension Station is a short stroll away, too, so be sure to visit it if you have a thirst and time to spare.

Carp Lake

Carp Lake is a very scenic tourist spot, and although it may be located near the outskirts of the township, there’s plenty to see and do here. It’s an especially good spot if you like outdoors activities since you can go boating, camping, picnicking and hiking. The shoreline is fairly well developed, so don't go expecting beautiful natural scenery. However, that development means that there's a good choice of restaurants and hotels immediately around the water.

Wenwu Temple

Wenwu Temple is the result of 2 post-Japanese-era temples being combined as a single entity. The locals here had Wenwu Temple built in place of two temples when rising lake waters threatened to submerge the buildings.

At first glance, the temple looks every bit like a traditional Confucius temple reminiscent to those found in Northern China. The structure is majestic and a sight to behold. With so many travelers visiting each day, officials thought it would be wiser to leave the main gates open for tourists’ convenience, so it is accessible throughout the day.

Batongguan Historic Trail

The Batongguan Historic Trail was established by soldiers in 1875, during the rule of the Qing dynasty. Along the trail, you will find numerous stone inscriptions that act as milestones in the history on the area as well as distance. These include the “Wan Nian Heng Cyu” stone inscription made on a gargantuan boulder. When translated, it reads: “The opening of the roads expedites trade and travel to the benefit of future generations”.

Besides learning about the deep-rooted history of Nantou, you can also bask in the beauty of the Central Mountain Range.

See more: Explore top attractions in Shilin, Taiwan

Source: Internet