Hiking ranks as one of the top attractions on foreigners’ to-do lists when visiting Seoul, a recent survey showed, but some raised concerns over the lack of information available. A survey conducted in April showed 83 percent of foreigners in the “Generation MZ” group -- categorized as those in their 20s to 30s in the survey -- would be willing to go on a hike while in Seoul. In order to gauge ...

Stories of kings and queens, beautiful greenery, walking trails at Joseon-era mausoleums

The nighttime walk package travelers will arrive at Chuncheon aboard the ITX-Cheongchun from Yongsan or Cheongnyangni. The Soyanggang Skywalk, which stretches some 174 meters, is located near the iconic Soyanggang Maiden Statue. It is the longest glass bridge in the country. A media facade and multimedia shows are also on display. Details and updates on the trip schedules can be found at the Ko...

Welcome to Joseon Festival The Welcome to Joseon Festival is set to run through June 26 at Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Visitors can enjoy concerts, theatrical performances and hands-on experiences, including making natural scented candles, key rings and more, at the spring event. In addition to the traditional programs, the serene hanok offers an amazing backdrop for Inst...

At Donggureung, a newly refurbished nature learning center invites families and children to observe flowers and wetland plants that grow in the region. In the western Gyeonggi Province, Samneung and Jangneung, both in Paju, and Yungneung and Geolleung in Hwaseong have their forest paths open. More information and updates about the royal tomb forest trails can be found at the CHA’s website. By ...

Located in Seoul‘s historic Bukchon neighborhood, Binkwan offers serenity in heart of megapolis

Gokseong International Rose Festival The Gokseong International Rose Festival is scheduled to run from May 21 to June 6 at Seomjingang Train Village in Gokseong, South Jeolla Province. The annual event presents a total of 1,004 types of roses from around the world to delight flower-loving visitors, offering splendid photo opportunities. Visitors can enjoy the vibrant beauty of roses from a rai...

Hanok and flowers in full bloom captivate visitors, including BTS

Hampyeong Butterfly Festival The Hampyeong Butterfly Festival runs through May 8 in Hampyeong, South Jeolla Province, including Hampyeong Expo Park. The annual festival seeks to provide the opportunity to learn about the Korean nature, including flowers, insects and more. The event seeks to entertain the visitors and tourists with VR and hands-on experiences with butterflies, insects, local ar...

Theme parks in South Korea are crammed with visitors as the country marks Children’s Day on Thursday, buoyed by relaxed COVID-19 containment measures. On this special holiday for kids, parents play a guessing game in picking places to go to entertain their children, as theme parks and other kid-friendly venues usually get massive crowds. Those who chose Everland as their destination this year s...

With barbed wire fences and stone walls, the Bugaksan trail presents its rich history to trekkers

Beartree Park’s Royal Azalea Festival The Beartree Park’s Royal Azalea Festival, which started from April 14, will run through May 8 at Beartree Park in Sejong. After the cherry blossoms and plum blossoms fell off, the azaleas are dressed in red, white and purple, creating some colorful sceneries across the park. The park welcomes the flower-loving visitors of all ages from 9 a.m. Tickets for...

In the nature and forest category are Geochang Hangnohwa Healing Land, an anti-aging wellness center located in Geochang County, South Gyeongsang Province, and Jeju’s Hwansang Forest Gotjawal Park. Both locations, surrounded by nature, have the potential to promote the physical and mental health of visitors, according to the KTO. Added to the Asian medicine category list is Lee Moon Won Medical ...

According to the UK social enterprise Treeconomics and The Royal Parks, a charity for parks in London, 4,000 trees in Hyde Park remove a total of 2.7 tons of pollutants each year. Other popular parks ranked among the top 20 of the world’s most picturesque green spaces were the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo, the Englischer Garten in Munich and the Sempione Park in Milan.

Cheongnamdae Spring Flower Festival The Cheongnamdae Spring Flower Festival will run through May 8 at Cheongnamdae in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. Once a private villa used by former presidents of South Korea, Cheongnamdae opened to the public in 2003. Surrounded by spring flowers, the festival welcomes visitors of all ages with various sculptures, art paintings and wild flowers. Che...