Turkish Woman Completes National Heritage Passport Challenge in Korea

Kübet Ayşe, a 28-year-old woman from Turkey, has become the first foreigner to complete the National Heritage Passport challenge, visiting all 76 designated heritage sites across South Korea in just 60 days. Posing in front of the Heungnyemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, she expressed her amazement at the beauty of Korea, stating, "I realized how beautiful Korea is through this tour."

The National Heritage Passport campaign, initiated by the Cultural Heritage Administration and the National Heritage Promotion Agency in 2020, aims to promote the value and beauty of Korea's heritage to both locals and foreigners. Participants collect stamps in their passports by visiting various heritage sites organized into ten themed routes.

Kübet began her journey at Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon and concluded at Oksan Seowon in Gyeongju, covering a total driving distance of 6,000 kilometers. She shared, "I love Korea and enjoy traveling, so I thought I had seen most of the palaces and temples. Honestly, I believed there wasn't much to see in Korea compared to Turkey, but I was mistaken. I just didn't know about the hidden gems because I usually took the subway."

Her fascination with Korea began in high school when she became a fan of K-pop, leading her to study Korean Language and Literature at Ankara University. After her first visit to Korea as an exchange student in 2017, she returned to Turkey to graduate, later receiving a scholarship from POSCO to complete her master's degree at Seoul National University. Now, she works as a popular YouTuber and influencer, promoting Korean culture in Turkey, while also teaching Korean and working as a translator.

The 76 sites she visited include many that even locals might not have explored, such as the Gaya Historic Sites, Baekje Historic Areas, and various ancient temples and natural heritage sites. For instance, the 'Seowon Route' required her to visit multiple Confucian academies, while the 'Royal Road' included significant historical sites like Namhansanseong Fortress and Changdeokgung Palace.

When asked about her favorite locations, Kübet enthusiastically listed several, including Pocheon Art Valley, which she found breathtaking, and Seoraksan National Park, where she enjoyed the beauty of Sinheungsa Temple. She also expressed a desire to revisit Naksansa Temple, especially during cherry blossom season.

Kübet shared her determination to complete the challenge, stating, "I set a goal to finish this course quickly, and I felt a sense of achievement planning my daily trips." She recounted the challenges she faced, including car troubles and the absence of staff at some sites to stamp her passport. Looking ahead, she aims to visit all 85 cities in South Korea, hoping to stay overnight in each one.