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Hotels and resorts emerge as ideal sunrise destinations
Sunrise staycations to celebrate New Year Hotels and resorts in diverse locations across the country, from Gangwon Province to Jeju Island, offering a private and peaceful view of the first sunrise of the year away from the crowds, are emerging as popular New Year destinations. Lotte Resort Sokcho located near Oeongchi Port and Daepo Port offers a view of the sunrise over an emerald blue sea. The resort launched a special “2025 Lucky New Year” package that includes a one-night stay, two coffees
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Gyeonggi Province designates Hwaseong International Theme Park Tourism District
Gyeonggi Province‘s designation will expedite development of Asia’s largest Paramount-themed park The Paramount theme park project in Gyeonggi Province will get a boost when Gyeonggi Province formally declares an area in Namyang, a town in the western part Hwaseong City, as a theme park district on Tuesday. Gyeonggi Province, on Monday, said that the 2.85 square-kilometer Hwaseong International Theme Park Tourism District would be formally declared Tuesday after receiving approval from the Gyeon
Dec. 30, 2024 -
Looking for barrier-free forest trails in South Korea? Check this out.
For people with physical disabilities, a forest stroll isn’t always simple. To change that, Naver Map announced Friday that it updated information on 112 special forest trails, known as “barrier-free sharing paths” (mujangae nanum gil), created by the Korea Forest Welfare Institute. The trails feature deck paths and yellow ocher paths, making them safer and more convenient for people with disabilities, pregnant women, those with young children, and older adults to explore. The Naver app now deta
Dec. 28, 2024 -
What skiing season looks like for ultrarich
Ski resort on Hokkaido sets tone for Hanwha’s pitch for exclusive clientele For people who see money as no object in search of a luxury skiing experience, exclusivity is what counts. Add wellness, and that’s how Hanwha Solutions is pitching Muwa Niseko, a luxury ski resort in Hokkaido, Japan. Muwa Niseko, meaning “my Niseko” with the French word “moi” spelled out phonetically, is nestled in the ski resort town of Niseko on Japan’s northernmost island Hokkaido, best known for powder snow -- soft
Dec. 28, 2024 -
Festivals, sights across Korea
Ansan Star Village A light festival is running year-round in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. An 8,000 won entrance fee is all it takes to make a tranquil escape to Ansan Star Village, which includes a garden and animal installations. The park, open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., lights up at 5 p.m. Visit ansanstar.net for more info. Gwanghwamun Market At Gwanghwamun Square through Jan. 5, craft shops and food stalls will be open for year-end celebrations. Open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., starting and endin
Dec. 27, 2024 -
Traveling on exclusive Christmas train with digital tour ID
A special Christmas-themed train exclusively for holders of the digital tour ID will operate on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization. The train, which links six regions participating in the digital tour ID program—Jecheon, Danyang, Yeongju, Yeongwol, Jeongseon, and Taebaek—sold out just two days after its release. The digital tour ID program aims to boost tourism in areas experiencing population decline by offering discounts on a
Dec. 24, 2024 -
Warm weather disrupts winter festivals
Climate change wreaks havoc on major tourist draws As winters have become warmer in South Korea, festivals that rely on freezing temperatures are being pushed back or canceled. Organizers have postponed the opening of the Pyeongchang Trout Festival, one of the country’s signature winter festivals held in Pyeongchang County, Gangwon Province, that invites visitors to fish for trout on a frozen stream. The event, now rescheduled for Jan. 3-Feb. 2, had to factor in the slower freezing of the stream
Dec. 23, 2024 -
Festivals, sights across Korea
DDP Design Market Check out the latest Christmas-themed handcrafts at Dongdaemun Design Plaza’s Design Market through Dec. 25. Interactive programs like book talks are available, while giant installations around the compound make for perfect holiday photo opportunities. The market will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., starting two hours earlier on weekends. To find out more about the festival, go to english.visitkorea.or.kr. Hampyeong Winter Festival A winter festival is running in Hampyeong Coun
Dec. 22, 2024 -
Santa, crowds are coming to Gwanghwamun
As Christmas draws near, Seoul is gearing up for one of its busiest holiday seasons. If you’re planning to head out, brace yourself -- last year’s data shows the Gwanghwamun area was especially packed on Christmas Eve. According to Seoul City, this year looks no different. Last year on Dec. 24 at 7 p.m., Gwanghwamun and Jonggak -- part of the Jongno 1-4-ga-dong district -- saw 86,682 people in the streets, making it the busiest spot in the city. These numbers come from Seoul City’s big data plat
Dec. 22, 2024 -
Popular year-end destinations offer wintry vibe
Year-end is a time for merrymaking and travel to wintry destinations that bring the year to a close on a high note. This month, the Korea Tourism Organization, the state tourism agency, has recommended four spots to explore before the year runs out. French, Italian villages in Gapyeong Open since 2008, Petite France is a village in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, mirroring a typical French countryside landscape. The theme park, inspired by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupery of “The Little Princ
Dec. 21, 2024 -
[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages
Ring in the New Year at Inspire Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort located at Yeongjong Island in Incheon, will host Endless Midnight Countdown event on Dec. 31 to ring in the New Year. Set in the resort's immersive digital entertainment space Aurora, the event starts at 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 and continues into Jan. 1, 2025. At Aurora Bar, attendees can enjoy holiday cocktails and watch an immersive media art show. DJ sets and beatbox a cappella performances will build up to the countdown.
Dec. 20, 2024 -
[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea
Hampyeong Winter Festival A winter festival is running in Hampyeong County, South Jeolla Province, welcoming visitors to nighttime park views and food trucks. Through Christmas, Hampeyong Expo Park will be lit up from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Exhibition halls will introduce artifacts found in the area alongside photo zone installations. Admission is free. To find out the latest, go to hpftf.or.kr. Gwanghwamun Square market At Gwanghwamun Square through Jan. 5, craft shops and food stalls will
Dec. 20, 2024 -
Seoul Facilities Corporation to host ‘Winter Land’ festival
Seoul Facilities Corporation kindles the Christmas spirit with the “Winter Land” festival at Seoul Children’s Grand Park in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The festival, running from Saturday through Dec. 25, features a range of attractions, including a festive Christmas market, winter activities and themed photo zones. “We will expand various cultural and leisure programs that enhance the quality of life, striving to make the Seoul Children’s Grand Park a comfortable and attra
Dec. 20, 2024 -
Korea Tourism Organization pitches tech tourism
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is ramping up technology-driven initiatives to support tourism companies grappling with persistent labor shortages, a key challenge since the post-pandemic recovery began in early 2023. Kwon Jong-sool, executive director of the KTO’s company support division, sai
Dec. 17, 2024 -
[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea
Gwanghwamun Square market At Gwanghwamun Square through Jan. 5, craft shops and food stalls will be open for year-end celebrations. Open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., starting and ending 30 minutes later from Friday to Sunday, the market festival in its third year hosts over 100 mom-and-pop shops and
Dec. 13, 2024