Yeoju Premium Factory Outlet Shopping

Yeoju is located in the southeastern part of Gyeonggi Province and borders Wonju City in Kangwon Province in the east, Icheon city in Gwangju Province in the west, Eumsung-Gun, Chungju city in North-Chungchung Province in the south and Yangpyeong-Gun in the north. Together with the neighboring city of Icheon, it is known as a major center of contemporary South Korean ceramics, and hosts the World Ceramic Exposition every year.

Yeoju is famous as a history culture tourism in Korea. Yeoju has 2 famous history sites such as The tomb of King Sejong and the birthplace of Empress Myeongseong.

The tomb of King Sejong

King Sejong was the third son of the 3rd ruler, King Taejong, and his wife Queen Wongyeong. He came to the throne at the age of 22. During his 32-year reign, he was very influential in the development of Korean culture.

Sejongdaewangneung is the tomb of King Sejong (1397-1450) of the Joseon Era and his wife Queen Soheon (1392-1910). King Sejong not only created Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, but also contributed greatly in the fields of politics, economics, culture, defense and education.

Yeongneung (영릉) is the joint tomb of the 4th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong (1397-1450, reign 1418-1450) and his wife Queen Soheon (1395-1446). This was the first joint royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty.

How to access The Tomb of King Sejong :

- Bus : Take a bus for Yeongdong Express Bus Terminal. There is a bus every 40 minutes. And then take coach bus #111 and get off in front of the air force base. It takes 20 minutes on foot from there.
- Car : Exit from the Yeongdong Expressway at the Yeoju Tollgate and take state route #37 in the direction of Yeoju, then take state route #42 in the Icheon direction for approximately 10 minutes.

Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong (Queen Min)

Empress Myeongseong was a brilliant diplomat who pursued openness and reform to maintain the sovereignty of the nation. Unfortunately, her tumultuous life came to an end in the early morning hours of October 8, 1895 when she was murdered by the Japanese army.

This is the house where Empress Myeongseong (Joseon Period) was born, and lived until she was eight years old. She would grow up to be the wife of the dynasty’s 26th ruler, King Gojong. The birthplace and the adjoining Memorial Hall are open to the public.

We can see the house where Empress Myeongseong lived until the age of 16, when she became the queen of Joseon Emperor Gojong. The structure is estimated to have been built in the 13th year of King Sukjong (1687). She was born in the 2nd year of King Cheoljong's reign (1851) as daughter to Min Chirok. Drawn into the maelstrom of enlightenment, she lived a dramatic life until the 32nd year of King Gojong's rule when she was assassinated by Japanese agents in wartime.

The the original Haengnangchae (the rooms on both sides of the front entrance) and Sarangchae (reception room for male guests) have now disappeared, but the extant Anchae (the owner's room) was restored in 1975 and 1976.

How to access Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong (Queen Min)

- Bus : From the Yeoju Bus Terminal, take the Janghowon bound bus and get off at Jeombong-ri, Yeoju-eup. It's a 10-minute walk to the house.
- Car : Exit from the Yeongdong Expressway at the Yeoju Tollgate and take state route #37 in the direction of Yangpyeong for approximately 1km.

Yeoju Premium Outlets

Another activities to do in Yeoju is Shopping. Yes, Yeoju has a famous designer outlet named Yeoju Premium Outlets.

Yeoju Premium Outlets is Korea’s very first and only authentic premium designer outlet operated by Shinsegae Chelsea; a joint venture between the Korean conglomerate Shinsegae and Chelsea Property Group, the world’s largest developer of outlet centers. The exotic shopping atmosphere is separated into two buildings, A and B, and shoppers can also enjoy the beautiful outdoor landscape while shopping.

Take advantage of the year-round discounts of 25–65% or more on over 140 popular luxury brands including Burberry, Bally, Bottega Veneta, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Escada, Fendi, Ferragamo and Gucci. In particular, lifestyle and beauty brands such as Le Creuset and Royal Copenhagen are also available at the
outlet, with the addition of international beauty brands such as Clinique, MAC and Estée Lauder; sold here at prices lower than at duty-free shops. Moreover,four restaurants are available inside the mall to satisfy your appetite, including a 500-seat food court, a Japanese restaurant, and a family restaurant.

The Yeoju Preumium Outlet Shopping Center is enormous, taking up 265,500 square meters, and is Asia’s 2nd largest outlet to Japan’s Gotenbar Outlet. The outlet center houses such shops as Adidas, Armani, Burberry, Coach, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Ermenegildo Zegna, Escada, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Royal Copenhagen, Ferragamo, and Valentino, with over 120 popular brand names, 90% of them being foreign brands, also including Korean designer brands such as Kuho, Kim Young Joo, and Hazzys.

How to access Yeoju Premium Outlets

From the Gangnam Express Bus Terminal located in Banpo, Seoul, take the Yeongdong line bus headed towards Yeoju (station #21) and get off at Yeoju Terminal.

The ride takes about 1hr and 30mins, but may take up to 2hrs during the weekends due to traffic congestion. Across the street from Yeoju Terminal, there is a bus that takes you all the way to the outlet. A taxi ride will take about a 15min ride, and come out to about ￦7,000.

Yeoju Ceramics Expo

Together with Incheon, Yeoju is famous for their high quality ceramics. The Yeoju Ceramics Expo was launched in May 1990 by the Yeoju Ceramic Co-operative, which was established in 1985. The Yeoju Ceramics Expo is held every year to promote the excellence of its ceramics both nationwide and abroad. As the first and best ceramics festival in Korea, the expo exhibits unique, high quality ceramic artwork and products.

Yeoju laid the foundations for becoming a major ceramic city by hosting the World Ceramics Expo in 2001, and since hosting the World Ceramics Biennale in 2003 and 2005 it is now internationally recognized as a world center for ceramics. Yeoju has been producing ceramics ever since the early Goryeo period (AD

918 ~ 1392), and through the production of high-quality Goryeongto (Kaolin) and Baekto (white clay) it played an integral role in the development of the early ceramic industry. At the expo, you can see works of art by ceramics masters and buy a variety of ceramic products, such as tea sets, at discounted prices.

Photos of Yeoju tourist :

Birthplace of Empress Myeongseong (Queen Min)

Yeoju Ceramics Expo at Silleuksa Temple tourist site. The Yeoju Ceramics Expo was launched in May 1990 by the Yeoju Ceramic Co-operative, which was established in 1985. The Yeoju Ceramics Expo is held every year to promote the excellence of its ceramics both nationwide and abroad.

Yeoju Premium Outlets, Korea ‘s 1st Luxury Premium Outlet

Tourists are standing in front of Gucci Shop, at Yeoju Premium Outlets

The tomb of King Sejong the Great of Joseon

Yeoju Dojang was completed in 1986 and expanded in 1990. To its north Gwangju Range is situated and commands Namhan River in its southern direction. The ground where Yeoju Dojang is situated takes a shape of ume tree fruition. In February 1993 it has been appointed as headquarters of Daesunjinrihoe.

Yeoju is also famous for its rice. Nureungji (누릉지), which is essentially rice served in a hot stone bowl. The rice in contact with the stone becomes crunchy, and you then add water and mix into a kind of soup or porridge.

Yeoju World Ceramic Livingware

Watch tourist shopping at Yeoju Street Market video here