2007 Korean Culture Experience Tour
Tags: 2007 Korean Culture Experience Tour dokdo golgulsa Ulleungdo students in korea Takeshima KOIS tour South Korea sunmudo
Length: 6:26
Description: BROADCASTED ON ARIRANG CHANNEL KOREA.
It gives me pleasure to share my experience regarding dynamic Korea. When I heard the term dynamic Korea for the first time, I really wanted to discover the fact behind this term. Thanks to KOIS (Korean Overseas Information Service) which organized a tour for overseas students under the Ministry of Culture and Information. The purpose of this tour was to assist foreign students better understand Korea and to disseminate information about Korea. Fortunately I joined this tour and explored the rich history, culture, beauty as well as the dynamic development of Korea.
On July 3, 2007, we gathered in Seoul and left for Gyeong-ju by bus. On our way to Gyeongju I learned about partition of Korea by watching a popular Korean movie (tai guk gi). Upon our arrival to Gyeong-ju we went to Gyeongju National Museum, which gave me abundant knowledge of Silla dynasty (57 BC - 935 AD). The museum contains considerable number of relics of the Silla kingdom. My visit to Anapji (an artificial pond in Gyeongju National Park), Cheomseongdae and Royal burial mounds intensified my knowledge about great Silla dynasty. Especially I was glad to visit one of the oldest surviving astronomical observatories in East Asia called Cheomseongdae -- which proves the scientific work of Silla kingdom. We went to Shilla Milleniuk Park for accommodation. After dinner we watched an incredible live performance in Silla Millenium Park. This performance plays a pivotal role in enriching my understanding about Silla dynasty. At the end of first day I learned more than I expected about Korea.
On the next day we went to Pohang by bus. We took ferry from Pohang to Ulleungdo Island. It took around 4 hours to reach Ulleungdo Island. After taking lunch we took another ferry to Dokdo. Dokdo islets belong to South Korea from records that date back to the sixth century during the unified Silla period and was officially incorporated into
modern Ulleung county in 1900. South Korea currently controls these islets by the name of Dokdo but it is also claimed by Japan where it is known as Takeshima. We climbed to top of the rock with flags of dynamic Korea in our hands. We stayed there around one hour and enjoyed the awesome beauty of Dokdo. We raised flags of dynamic Korea and proved these Solitary islands to be in Korean territory. We went back to Ulleungdo for accommodation in Dae-A resort. At the end of second day I explored the natural beauty of South Korea and learned about the history of Dokdo.
On the third day we attended a lecture about the history of Dokdo. Various historical evidences were presented to prove that Dokdo belongs to South Korea. Furthermore we went back to Pohang by ferry and from Pohang to Golgulsa by bus. My stay at Golgulsa was an unforgettable experience for me where I practiced different ways of meditation. Golgulsa also called Stone Buddha Temple is situated 20km east of Gyeongju and is the only cave temple in Korea. I learned about Buddhism and the life style of monks. We took our dinner at the temple and slept early, because we had to get up at 4:30 am- according to temple rules. The next day we got up at 4:30 am and went to temple where we practiced Yebul and walking meditation. A demonstration regarding Sunmudo was given to us. On the top of it, I practiced Sunmudo (a buddhist martial art) by myself and experienced the monk's lifestyle at temple. On the same day we traveled to Pohang Iron and Steel Company POSCO- the third largest steel producer in the world. We visited POSCO museum and learned about the enormous technological growth of POSCO and its influence on the world. POSCO was our last spot. Finally we returned to Seoul and all participants went back home with great pleasure and considerable information about Korea.
Once and for all I would express my extreme gratitude to KOIS which gave me the opportunity of learning and exploring the dynamic Korea. The three days tour will last for ever in my life.
I love Korea!!!
Author: sanajcs
Source: YouTube
