Articles by Lee Si-jin
Lee Si-jin
sj_lee@heraldcorp.com-
[From the Scene] Early birds win at plum blossom festival
GWANGYANG, South Jeolla Province -- If you are considering celebrating the arrival of spring at Gwangyang Plum Blossom Festival, one of South Korea’s most favored spring flower events, be ready to be at the festival site by 7 a.m. The 10-day flower festival kicked off March 8 at Gwangyang, a county located some 330 kilometers south of Seoul. Early birds will be able to enjoy the beautiful spring flowers to the fullest in a pleasant environment. Visitors exploring different areas of Gwang
Travel March 11, 2024
-
Haman Nakhwa Festival taking online reservations
Haman, South Gyeongsang Province, on Thursday announced that online reservations will be required to attend the annual Haman Nakhwa Festival this year. This is the first time online reservations are being taken since the festival's launch in 1985, with reservations available for 16,000 spectators to enjoy the event this year. The county decided to hold two separate Nakhwa Festival events on May 14 and 15, each with 8,000 visitors, in consideration of visitor safety and the size of the venue
Travel March 9, 2024
-
[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages
WE Hotel offers new spring-themed program WE Hotel, a premium health resort located in Seogwipo, southern Jeju Island, is offering a new program for the upcoming spring season from March 15 to April 15. “Walk Under Cherry Blossom” presents visitors the chance for a one-night stay in a superior room, free breakfast buffet, cherry blossom tea with the Korean honey snack yakgwa as well as a wellness program for two guests. Visitors can make their choice from a total of four wellness pro
Travel March 8, 2024
-
[Drama Tour] Explore Jeju Island as shown in rom-com series 'Welcome to Samdal-ri'
Jeju Island, an 80-minute flight from Seoul, is a go-to destination for many local and overseas holidaymakers, beckoning with its unique culture and activities, from Jeju horseback riding to tangerine picking and "haenyeo," among many others. Haenyeo are women divers who harvest marine products from the seabed for a living. But, Korea’s southernmost island is looking to expand its touristic reach by promoting iconic spots featured in the popular 16-part rom-com series “Welc
Travel March 7, 2024
-
Korail Tourism Development presents cheap day trips via train
Korail Tourism Development, a subsidiary of the Korea Railroad Corp., is offering large-scale discounts on train travel in March. Korail Tourism Development has launched “Train Trip in March” (unofficial translation), a program that includes an opportunity to experience a day trip to provincial areas. The cost is 30,000 won ($22.42) per person. According to the agency, “Train Trip in March” will be available for 1,700 people who will be chosen in a raffle. Applications fo
Travel March 5, 2024
-
Danyang's new, old indoor tourist attractions beckon family travelers
DANYANG, North Chungcheong Province -- Danyang, home to multiple outdoor activities and renowned historical sites, like Dodamsambong Peaks, three stone peaks rising out of the Namhan River, is starting to draw more traveling families with its unique indoor spots as well. The augmented reality-themed tourist attraction Pops World Dajagu Halmine is a place that has appealed especially to young visitors since its opening in August 2023. Pops World Dajagu Halmine, a four to five-minute ride from the
Travel March 2, 2024
-
South Jeolla vows to hold eco-friendly festivals
The South Jeolla Provincial Government on Thursday announced that its 22 local festivals will be held without using any disposable products. Local festivals, each from South Jeolla Province’s 22 cities and counties, will become eco-friendly, according to a provincial government official. Though the festival venues and food trucks freely used disposable products without separate regulations in 2023, host cities and counties will create guidelines for stores and businesses to provide reusabl
Travel March 1, 2024
-
Gyeongju wins at IEFA 2024 Pinnacle Awards
Gyeongju, an iconic tourist destination in the southeast of Korea, clinched the prize for best world heritage city and festival at the 2024 Pinnacle Awards and Asia Festival City Conference held in Thailand on Thursday. The Pinnacle Awards is a tourism industry event that celebrates different cities’ tourism excellence across the globe. The Asia Festival City Conference is an annual meeting dedicated to creating quality Asian festivals to beckon overseas travelers from different regions. G
Travel March 1, 2024
-
[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages
Grand Hyatt Seoul unveils 'Spring Citrus Afternoon Tea' Grand Hyatt Seoul, located in Yongsan, central Seoul, runs its spring food promotion at The Gallery, from Friday to May 31. The promotion includes a variety of mini cakes featuring seasonal fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruits, as well as The Gallery’s charcuterie and savories. Strawberry mojitos and rosemary sparkling drinks will be offered as well. “Spring Citrus Afternoon Tea” will be available from
Travel March 1, 2024
-
[Well-curated] Learn Hangeul with Pinkfong, get a caricature done and treat yourself to expensive dessert
Learn Hangeul with Pinkfong If you have young children, nephews or nieces who are Pinkfong fans, head to Pinkfong Hangeul Playground at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul with them this weekend. The Pinkfong Hangeul Playground, which opened Monday, is an offline experience area, with photo zone, media zone and study zone teaching visitors Hangeul, the Korean writing system. Children can take selfies with Pinkfong characters at the photo zone and enjoy a special animation at the
Culture March 1, 2024
-
Culture Ministry, KTO seek to make S. Korea an Arab-friendly travel destination
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Korea Tourism Organization on Wednesday launched a new public-private consultative group Aalam Arabi Korea with the aim of creating a more enjoyable tourism environment for holidaymakers from the Middle East. Aalam Arabi Korea, meaning “world of Arab in Korea” in Arabic, has been formed to create tourism products for travelers from the Middle East travelers, analyze Arab holidaymakers’ travel trends, identify major customers, and
Travel Feb. 28, 2024
-
Incheon presents new city tour bus routes, promotions
Incheon Metropolitan City and Incheon Tourism Organization on Sunday announced changes to its city tour bus routes and upcoming promotions in March. The double-decker bus Ocean Line, one of the two circular route services covering Incheon’s newly-developed Songdo district and Yeongjongdo Island, will add a new bus stop at Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort. Inspire Resort is Incheon’s latest landmark, scheduled to make its official opening on March 5. Incheon Retro Line, a 90-minut
Travel Feb. 26, 2024
-
Aegibong Peace Ecopark poised to become popular border-area tourism spot
GIMPO, Gyeonggi Province -- Aegibong Peace Ecopark, celebrated the country’s annual Jeongwol Daeboreum festival on Saturday with a lighting show, media performance, magic show and concert. Jeongwol Daeboreum is a traditional holiday marking the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, when people share nuts and other traditional food and drinks among families and neighbors, send their wishes for a healthy and fruitful new year to the first full moon. “We are celebrating Jeongwol Daebor
Travel Feb. 25, 2024
-
Enjoy Danyang with unique cafes and dynamic activities
DANYANG, North Chungcheong Province -- Danyang, a county some 170 kilometers southeast of Seoul, is perhaps a lesser-known tourist destination, even for many Koreans. While historical sites, like Guinsa and Dodamsambong Peaks -- three stone peaks rising out of the Namhan River -- are popular spots, the county has much more to offer, from unique dishes and restaurants to exciting outdoor activities. To enjoy Danyang to the fullest, one would have to stay more than just a single night. Those looki
Travel Feb. 24, 2024
-
[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages
Haevichi Hotel and Resorts Jeju presents unique package Haevichi Hotel and Resorts Jeju is offering a new staycation “Spring Riding” package, available through May 31. The package provides an opportunity to feed carrots to their horses and experience horse riding at Gotjawal Forest in Samdal-ri. The package also includes a one-night stay, buffet breakfast for two, swimming in both the indoor and outdoor pool of the hotel, and a choice between a bottle of hallabong orange juice an
Travel Feb. 23, 2024
Most Popular
-
1
Hyundai Motor eyes 80,000 jobs, W68tr investment at home by 2026
-
2
Korea enters full election mode
-
3
Seoul bus drivers go on general strike, cause morning rush hour delays
-
4
Immigrant woman stabbed to death by Korean husband
-
5
Official campaigning kicks off for April 10 elections
-
6
Dialogue hopes fade as doctors pick hard-liner as new head
-
7
Coupang pledges W3tr to expand Rocket Delivery nationwide by 2027
-
8
[Election Battlefield] Political novice to face off star politician in ‘swing district’
-
9
Court upholds jail term for man who attempted to murder ex-girlfriend
-
10
S. Korea to boost support for single-parent families