[Travel bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Lotte World Christmas Miracle Lotte Word Christmas Festival will be held from Nov. 11 to Dec. 31 with a “Christmas miracle” theme. Visitors can see Christmas decorations hung everywhere at the festival site.The event is held at Lotte World in Songpa-gu, Seoul and is open to visitors of all ages.For admissions and other information, refer to the homepage (http://www.lotteworld.com). It offers information in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Russian, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Mongolian.Li

Dec. 22, 2017

[PyeongChang 2018] PyeongChang puts finishing touches on Winter Olympics

President Moon Jae-in recently said in a meeting with South Korean reporters that he hopes the success of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics will contribute to easing regional tensions sparked by North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.As Moon goes all out to promote the games, the government is now putting the finishing touches on preparations for the country’s first Winter Olympics.The Winter Games will kick off on Feb. 9, 2018 and run until Feb. 25, followed by the Paralympic G

Dec. 22, 2017

Stories hidden within southernmost strip of Korea

HADONG, South Gyeongsang Province - Take the scenic route to South Gyeongsang Province by train. Drift down past Gyeonggi Province, Sejong City, and Namwon, where the most famous pansori love story of Chunhyang is set. Change at Suncheon and it’s a short trip to Hadong-gun and Namhae-gun -- where you will find unique people with stories to tell.When you are visiting a place just a stone’s throw away from the shore, make sure to try some of the seafood. One of the delicacies of the area is the Ch

Nov. 24, 2017

An urban underwater adventure

 From streams to the deepest oceans, water, covering more than two-thirds of the planet’s surface, is the home to a myriad of creatures.As many as 1 million different species are thought to inhabit Earth’s oceans, the majority of which have yet to be fully described. Aquariums are windows into this vast, mostly unexplored world. At the Lotte World Aquarium in southern Seoul, visitors can see organism from diverse aquatic habitats including sturgeons, sharks, and pirarucu, one of the largest fres

Sept. 8, 2017

[Travel Bits] Sights, festivals around Korea

Cultural Night Walk in JeonjuCultural Night Walk in Jeonju, a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition, offers visitors the chance to walk through hundreds of traditional Korean houses in Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Highlights include a moonlight photography competition, traditional music, Jeonju traditional opera, a shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is being held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-night.kr for i

Aug. 11, 2017

[Eye Plus] Excitement runs through Han River

Although the sea is usually the top choice for exciting water activities, it is not easy for busy Seoulites to carve out time to travel to the nearest beach. But for water sports fans who desire to beat the heat with a rush of adrenaline, the Han River is a more practical destination with a splash of summer fun. The river that runs through South Korea’s capital will help ease the stress of city-dwellers. Family-friendly activities, including waterskiing, kayaking, and windsurfing, are offered wi

Aug. 11, 2017

Is Hongdae going south? Only to Hapjeong, Sangsu and Mangwon

Hongdae, the pinnacle of youth culture in Seoul, is best known as a hub for fashion, food, music, culture and clubs. However, some Seoulites are shunning Hongdae for neighborhoods south of the area, such as Mangwon, Sangsu and Hapjeong. “Hongdae is too overcrowded and is becoming too commercial. People want something new and frankly Hongdae is so yesterday,” said Kim Se-Jung, a student at Ewha Womans University.“It used to be made up of small, privately owned retail shops but recently we’re seei

Aug. 9, 2017

[Travel Bits] Sights, festivals around Korea

Cultural Night Walk in JeonjuCultural Night Walk in Jeonju, a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition, offers visitors the chance to walk through hundreds of traditional Korean houses in Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Highlights include a moonlight photography competition, traditional music, Jeonju traditional opera, a shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is being held until Sept.13. Visit www.jeonju-night.kr for information in Korean,

Aug. 4, 2017

Seoul delays Jamsu Bridge beach festival due to heavy rain

Jamsu Bridge beach festival (The Seoul Metropolitan Government) Seoul has delayed its Jamsu Bridge beach festival due to the wet weather. The festival, which was to be held from Friday to Sunday, will be postponed by two weeks. In a bid to create a summer vacation spot for citizens who cannot get away from the city, the city plans to turn the bridge into a beach-like playground from Aug. 11-13. Jamsu Bridge beach festival (The Seoul Metropolitan Government)The festival will feature attractions s

July 28, 2017

[Travel Bits] Sights, festivals around Korea

Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju, a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition, offers visitors the chance to walk through hundreds of traditional Korean houses in Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Highlights include a moonlight photography competition, traditional music, Jeonju traditional opera, a shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is being held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-night.kr for

July 28, 2017

Nighttime stroll across the seashores of Yeosu

Whatever you do, do not leave the city of Yeosu without a good view of it at night. Upon sunset, the city comes alive with colorful nightlights scattered across the bridges and islands across the seashore. The cool breeze blows away the sweat from your brows as you stroll across the city, smelling the salty air of the sea. The nighttime view of Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. (Yonhap)Alighting from the train at Yeosu Expo Station, you can guess it is a city of youth; evident from animated young co

July 28, 2017

Ananti Cove, seaside haven for heavenly holiday

BUSAN -- As Lee Choon-hee’s daughter-in-law neared the date when her baby was due, their family decided to celebrate the auspicious occasion in the most precious way possible. They decided to take a vacation together in cozy surroundings, finding their ideal place in the Ananti Cove seaside resort on the outskirts of Busan.“Our family often stays at the world-famous Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore, but we think Ananti Cove is even better, as it is surrounded by pristine nature and has the s

July 27, 2017

Gangneung temple stays for foreigners offered for 10,000 won

An affordable temple stay program for foreigners will be available next month, a local Buddhist body said Tuesday. The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism said that five selected temples in Gangwon Province -- Naksansa, Baekdamsa, Samhwasa, Shinheungsa and Woljeongsa -- will offer the two-day program tailored for foreign visitors from Aug. 18-28, and the cost is set at 10,000 won ($8.90). The special program is being prepared as the nation is scheduled to host the Winter Olympics in February 2018.

July 24, 2017

YouTubers prove the key to Korean tourism

Due to an entertainment market flourishing in the pan-Asian region, South Korea's tourism industry has made tremendous gains over the years. But while Hallyu generates interest and curiosity in Korea, there are cultural bridges that prevent some potential overseas visitors from making the trip.English-speaking YouTubers have filled that gap. Living in Korea and documenting their time here, viewers become more accustomed to the idea of traveling in the country.Clark in one of her vlogs introducin

July 23, 2017

[Travel Bits] Sights, festivals around Korea

Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju“Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju,” a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition, offers visitors the chance to walk through hundreds of traditional Korean houses in Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Highlights include a moonlight photography competition, a traditional music night, Jeonju traditional opera, a shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is being held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-nigh

July 23, 2017

[Weekender] Explore the east

GANGNEUNG/SOKCHO, Gangwon Province -- Just a two-hour drive from the sleepless metropolis that is Seoul, South Korea’s eastern coast feels like a different world: white sandy beaches, laid-back shore towns and surfers paddling in the sea.No wonder beaches along the East Sea are popular holiday destinations for locals seeking to escape the city. Songjiho Beach, located in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, some 200 kilometers east of Seoul.“We often come to the beaches off the East Sea as the wate

July 21, 2017

[Weekender] Four beaches to check out on east coast

Beaches along the East Sea draw vacationers for their soft sand and clear water. Below are The Korea Herald’s top four picks to check out this summer. 　Gyeongpo Beach, the biggest on East SeaThe Gyeongpo Beach located between the East Sea and Gyongpo Lake in South KoreaWith a sand beach stretching some 6 kilometers, Gyeongpo Beach is a sand bank located between the East Sea and Gyeongpo Lake. It is the biggest beach along the east coast, attracting an average 6.5 million people each summer.　Loca

July 21, 2017

[Weekender] Olympics, vacation home boom revitalize coastal towns

GANGNEUNG/SOKCHO, Gangwon Province – Gangwon Province and its coastal towns used to be the less developed and less populated in South Korea. But that seems to be changing fast. With accessibility from the metropolitan area greatly enhanced and expected to improve yet more in the coming months, the once laid-back coastal towns and cities are seeing a property development boom, with a number of luxury hotels, resorts and apartment complexes being erected. The Seamarq Hotel in GangneungThe upcoming

July 21, 2017

Around the Hotels

Frozen cocktails at Grand Hyatt IncheonThe Grand Hyatt Incheon’s Swell Lounge is offering frozen cocktails through Aug. 31. The cocktails come in four varieties: Noah’s Kalamansi, Sweet Kelly, Overnight at Roppongi and Cherry Beam. The Noah’s Kalamansi is made of a premium vodka, kalamanshi, sprite and crushed ice on top. The Sweet Kelly is a mix of vodka, coconut milk and expresso blended with ice. The Overnight at Roppongi is a combination of pear and sake. The Cherry Beam is concocted from Ji

July 14, 2017

[Travel Bits] Sights, festivals around Korea

Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju“Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju,” a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition, offers visitors the chance to walk through hundreds of traditional Korean houses in Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Its highlights include a moonlight photography competition, a traditional music night, Jeonju traditional opera, a shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is being held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-

July 14, 2017