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Lotte World partners with Nexon for new MapleStory attraction
Three MapleStory-themed attractions to unveil in the first half of 2026 Lotte World, an amusement park in Jamsil, Seoul, has teamed up with Nexon, the publisher of MapleStory, to introduce a new theme zone called "Maple Island." The attraction, set to open in the first half of 2026, will be the park's first collaboration with external intellectual property for a dedicated theme zone. Previously, the two partnered on a smaller scale, introducing attractions such as World KartRacing (2021) and Kar
Feb. 14, 2025 -
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul retains Forbes 5-star rating for 6th consecutive year
Forbes Travel Guide 2025 recognizes the five-star hotel for exceptional services and sensuous interior Four Seasons Hotel Seoul maintained its prestigious Forbes five-star rating for the sixth consecutive year. The hotel received high praise from anonymous inspectors for its outstanding service, refined features and sensuous interior, according to Forbes. Located in the heart of Seoul, the 29-story luxury hotel first received Forbes five-star recognition in 2020. The hotel’s interior blends trad
Feb. 14, 2025 -
Festivals, sights across Korea
Colorful blooms, evergreens at Vicheollin Vicheollin is a theme park on Jeju Island combining go-karting and kayaking, flower beds and more. Camellias, vervain and trumpet vine as well as “gotjawal,” a type of forest unique to the climate of Jeju, offer a city escape. The park, open year-round, closes at 5:30 p.m. Admission fees vary. For more information, go to vicheollin.com. Garden, zoo combined at Beartree Park Beartree Park in Sejong City is a garden and zoo, showcasing everything from cact
Feb. 14, 2025 -
Packages and promotions
Grand Mercure Imperial Palace Seoul offers Valentine's Day packages Grand Mercure Imperial Palace Seoul is offering exclusive packages for Valentine's Day. The Club Imperial package includes a stay in an Executive Deluxe Room, access to the Club Imperial Lounge, breakfast for two, chocolates, and a two-hour late checkout. The Sweet Dream package includes a stay in a Corner Suite, access to the Club Lounge, breakfast, a flower bouquet and signature cocktails for two, offering a romantic, memorabl
Feb. 14, 2025 -
Korail to operate extra trains for Taebaeksan Snow Festival
Korail, the national railway operator, announced Friday that it will operate extra trains during the 32nd Taebaeksan Snow Festival to accommodate an increase in the number of visitors. The festival runs through Feb. 16. The special trains will run twice daily between Seoul Station and Taebaek Station on Sundays, Feb. 9 and Feb. 16. The services are expected to accommodate 1,700 passengers. The trains will depart Seoul Station at 7:28 a.m., while the return trains to Seoul will arrive at Seoul St
Feb. 7, 2025 -
Festivals, sights across Korea
Taean Light Festival Nature World, a park in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, lights up from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. through the end of February. Since 2013, the Taean Light Festival has been welcoming anyone longing for nighttime nostalgia. Admission is 10,000 won for adults with discounts. Lighting will be canceled if it rains. Go to ffestival.co.kr. Spring flowers on Jeju Island Check out the Spring Flower Festival on Jeju Island. Hueree Park showcases a field of yellow canola flowers, join
Feb. 7, 2025 -
Winter getaway without the travel
Stroll around gardens, borrow seeds and stop by exhibition at Seoul Botanic Park Seoul Botanic Park, the largest indoor botanical garden in the country, in Magok-dong, on the western edge of Seoul, is a four-story greenhouse that showcases unmatched varieties of plants from tropical to Mediterranean plans in two separate gardens. The Tropical Garden houses plants native to four countries: Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil and Colombia. Plants indigenous to Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey Uzbekistan, Austr
Feb. 6, 2025 -
Korea Tourism Organization eyes early tourism boom
Tourism body to focus on overseas road shows in first half of 2025 The Korea Tourism Organization said it will wrap up 14 of the 20 overseas road shows planned for this year by June to hasten the recovery of the tourism sector. “Going forward, travel spending isn’t rosy given the escalating US-China trade conflict,” said Seo Young-choong, the state-run KTO’s acting president, during a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday, referring to potentially shrinking Chinese travel spending. China, which
Feb. 5, 2025 -
South Korea tourism surges in 2024 with record spending and arrivals
South Korea’s tourism industry had a banner year in 2024. Foreign visitors spent more money than ever before, pouring 9.26 trillion won ($6.39 billion) into the local economy -- a 33.8 percent increase from the previous year. The number of international arrivals also surged, reaching 16.37 million, nearly matching pre-pandemic levels. Yet, despite this boom, South Korea’s long-standing travel deficit is expected to widen, as outbound Korean travelers considerably outnumber inbound tourists. Shop
Feb. 5, 2025 -
Dongmyo Flea Market: A nostalgic time travel experience for all generations
Delve into vintage, retro vibe The bustling neighborhood of Hongdae in Mapo-gu and Seongsu-dong, a vibrant cultural hub in Seongdong-gu, have been the go-to date spots for many millennials and Gen Zs. But, Korean baby boomers -- those who were born between 1955 to 1974, which is a period when South Korea’s economic development began in earnest -- have Dongmyo Flea Market, which is their own version of Seongsu-dong where cool vibes coming out from almost every shop and store filled with retro ite
Feb. 1, 2025 -
Packages and promotions
Grand Mercure Ambassador Hotel Seoul launches spring buffet 'Familia Blooming' Grand Mercure Ambassador Hotel Seoul is introducing a spring buffet promotion, "Familia Blooming," available from February to April. The buffet highlights dishes made with seasonal ingredients, including bibimbap with six types of greens and homemade condiments. Seafood lovers can enjoy sashimi, including mackerel smoked with rice straw, along with citrus scallop ceviche. Other offerings include spring seaweed soup wi
Jan. 31, 2025 -
Festivals, sights across Korea
Cheongdo Light Festival A train trip to Cheongdo County in North Gyeongsang Province is worth the two-hour ride from the capital -- if that’s where you are -- for photos and more. Cheongdo Provence Park, dotted with installations and attractions, has been running a light festival since 2012. Open through Feb. 10, the park lights up from 5 p.m. and sprays artificial snow from 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and 6:00 p.m. on weekends. For more information, visit cheongdo-provence.co.kr. Sancheoneo Ice Festi
Jan. 31, 2025 -
Hwacheon ice fishing festival draws 1m visitors
The 2025 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, one of South Korea's most popular winter events, has welcomed over 1 million visitors, according to the event's organizers Friday. The festival, which began on Jan. 11, takes place in Hwacheon, a remote mountain town in Gangwon Province, located 25 kilometers south of the inter-Korean border and about 90 km northeast of Seoul. The event is scheduled to run through Feb. 2. Between its opening day and Friday afternoon, approximately 982,155 people visited
Jan. 24, 2025 -
Festivals, sights across Korea
Immersive artifact exhibition An immersive exhibition of Korean cultural objects is open at Arte Museum in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. The show “Heritage Garden: Threads of Connection” showcases 146 items, from celadons to moon jars and more. The show has been extended to Feb. 20 to meet the growing demand. For more information, go to kr.artemuseum.com. Everland fireworks At Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, fireworks will fill the sky through March 3. The
Jan. 24, 2025 -
Packages and promotions
Kensington Hotels & Resorts launches 'Winter Travel with Kids' package Kensington Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a "Winter Travel with Kids" package, available until March. The package includes activities like regional winter festivals, sledding and tickets to popular tourist attractions. At Kensington Resorts in five locations -- Seorak Valley, Seorak Beach, Gyeongju, Jirisan Hadong and Jirisan Namwon -- guests also receive a SPAO pajama set featuring popular characters. Kensington Hotel Pyeongc
Jan. 24, 2025