Where to find kicks in Korea

Long known for its upscale Deogyusan ski resort, the mountainous and remote countryside of Muju-gun in the province of North Jeolla has now become the new go-to destination for taekwondo. 

A two-hour-plus drive from Seoul stands the Taekwondowon, the world’s largest taekwondo training space. Situated at the foot of Mount Baekunsan, it spans across 2.3 square kilometres and nine valleys – roughly three-quarters the size of New York City’s Central Park. The Taekwondowon includes a large stadium, an exhibition hall, a “virtual experience centre”, a museum of the sport and hotel-quality accommodations. 

With taekwondo practised by more than 70 million people in 188 countries, the Taekwondowon is intended to provide world-class training and exhibition opportunities for everyone, from the skilled grandmasters to novices.

Managed by Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters, the World Taekwondo Academy conducts a wide range of daily programmes at the Taekwondowon that are dedicated to the research and teaching of the sport.

The Taekwondo Professional Course for Education is one of the programmes, designed to convey the spirit, philosophy, history and techniques of the Korean martial art, as well as strengthen students’ competency in both study and practice. The centre also offers courses for those looking to boost their competitive edge through improved technical performance and strategies. 

In the state-of-the-art facilities, students can improve their know-how through virtual means. The “Experience Centre Yap!” has a 3D theatre, strap-yourself-in wire machines for perfecting form, and even screens that offer a taste of competitive fighting through a motion-sensor virtual sparring game. 

The grounds were also designed with the spiritual and cultural aspects of the Korean martial art in mind. North of the main campus is the “Spirit Zone”, where visitors can find complete serenity amid expansive gardens complete with man-made waterfalls and streams, a bamboo forest, scattered traditional Korean pavilions and an observation tower. It’s not just a tourist attraction but also a way to convey the fundamental philosophies of taekwondo through its roots in nature.

Taekwondowon visitors can also take in the picturesque, panoramic view of Muju-gun and its brother mountains by taking a sky-tram up to an observatory. There’s an indoor cafe where patrons and sip coffee in front of stunning views. The rooftop of the observation tower provides a 360-degree view of Mount Baekunsan. 

For more information, visit www.Tkdwon.kr/eng.