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Korean Creator Beloved by China
Spotlight · Written by Kim Samuel
Thrill of Walking in the Sky
Mancheonha Skywalk
Mancheonha Skywalk is the observatory right beside the peak near Namhangang River and offers a bird’s eye view of Danyang-eup.
It has a unique shape of a slanted egg and is selected as “100 Must-visit Tourist spots of Korea 2019”
It has attracted over a million visitors since its opening in 2017 and became a landmark of Danyang.
A Picturesque View of Korea
Three observatory decks appear in sight like stretched wings at the end of 30m-high spiral halls. Every step on the floor made with tempered glass makes anyone sweat. Visitors at the deck will be distracted by the flowing river of Namhangang beneath their feet. A breathtaking view from the deck and at the top of the observatory is worth all the courage it takes to get there; Dangyang is nestled in layers of mountain ridges where Namhangang River fills up the empty spaces. It’s not exaggerated to say that this is a picturesque view of Korea’s beautiful nature in a nutshell.
Sliding through the Wind
When visitors fully relished the view at the observatory, they can then be a part of it. Installed beneath the skywalk, the Mancheonha Zipwire is an activity to zip line all the way to the river bank on two 980m wire ropes. Sliding down at 50 km/h and 120m above the river, the fast and sharp wind will awaken every cell in your body.
100 Must-visit Tourist spots of Korea 2019 ⟶
Chungcheongbuk-do
Colorful Arts & Lively Culture
© Jazztonic Festival
Jazztonic Festival
/ May 17 - 19
The beautiful Cheongnamdae, meaning the “Cheong Wa Dae (presidential Blue House) of the south,” was the president’s official vacation villa from 1983 to 2003, when it was opened to the public. The Jazztonic Festival, launched in 2017, has received positive responses from audiences thanks to the integration of music and the arts.
This year’s edition will be characterized by music and art displays under the theme “King’s Cat,” with various artists set to collaborate to present unique works. Going beyond the simplicity of an art gallery, this will serve as a large center stage to artistically fuse the festival’s themes together. Audiences can see the stunning scenery amid the peak of the sunny spring season in May, with jazz and folk music tunes in the background. This outdoor festival will proceed rain or shine and invigorate crowds with the liveliness of jazz.
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© Eumseong Love Pumba Festival
Eumseong Love Pumba Festival
/ May 22 - 26
Pumba, a Korean word meaning “beggar,” is the theme of this festival in which participants adorn uniquely patched clothes. Launched as a celebration of the life of Choi Gui-dong, an elderly man who helped homeless people while being homeless himself, the event is now one of the best festivals in Chungcheongbuk-do Province. Despite being a disabled man who had to beg for food, he gave food to other hungry people unable to ask for a handout. His good deeds eventually led to the establishment of Kkottongnae, Korea’s largest welfare facility.
Named a promising cultural and tourism event this year, the festival offers numerous popular attractions including pumba performances featuring humor and sporadic flash mobs. Toward the end, everyone will walk on the streets together adorned with patched clothing and comical face paint.
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© Chungju World Martial Arts Festival
Chungju World Martial Arts Festival
/ Aug 30 - Sept 6
This festival is held every other year in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do Province, a region famous as the birthplace of the Korean martial art taekkyeon, which is designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Korean government and the first fighting style to be included on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Launched in 2010, this festival is the only one in Korea sponsored by UNESCO and attracts martial artists from the 42 member countries of the World Martial Arts Union under the theme, “Meeting between World Martial Arts and Culture.” A major highlight is demonstrations by martial art teams from home and abroad.
Events this year will include martial art performances from around the world, including nine shows from eight countries that registered with UNESCO in 2019. The International Martial Arts Contest sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will see participants compete while featuring creative and choreographed dance to music based on basic martial art movements. Also on the schedule are taekkyeon demonstrations, children’s martial arts theater and the soothing Suanbo Hot Springs.
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© Cheongju Craft Biennale
Cheongju International Craft Biennale
/ Oct 8 - Nov 17
This biennial festival is hosted by Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do Province; the city is where the printing and information revolution occurred that produced Jikji, the world’s oldest surviving metal type book. Marking its 11th anniversary this year, this international arts event encompasses all areas of crafts including ceramics, wood paintings, textiles and metals. The event has grown into the world’s largest and best crafts biennale, attracting 3,000 artists from 60 countries as well as 400,000 visitors.
At this year’s main exhibition, 90 artists from 15 countries will display artworks whose beauty strikes a stark contrast with the dreariness of reality. The Invited Country Exhibition will feature craft trends among the exhibits of 80 artists from five countries. The Craft Competition will allow visitors to take part in the experimental works featured by leading artisans with a traditional but practical mindset.
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