Most Popular
-
1
Hyundai Motor eyes 80,000 jobs, W68tr investment at home by 2026
-
2
Seoul bus drivers go on general strike, cause morning rush hour delays
-
3
Official campaigning kicks off for April 10 elections
-
4
Dialogue hopes fade as doctors pick hard-liner as new head
-
5
Korea enters full election mode
-
6
Coupang pledges W3tr to expand Rocket Delivery nationwide by 2027
-
7
[Election Battlefield] Political novice to face off star politician in ‘swing district’
-
8
[Kim Seong-kon] The April 2024 election will decide our future
-
9
Seoul’s bus union prepares for strike
-
10
[Herald Interview] Son Suk-ku chooses to be swayed by others in navigating life
-
Train package trips to star gazing, cultural heritage spots in Gangwon Province
For travelers seeking weekend getaways, Korail and Gangwon Tourism Organization are jointly offering a set of tour packages. The Gangwon Province Byeolcheonji package consists of four main themes -- visits to areas hit by forest fires, stargazing spots, cultural heritage locations and nighttime walks. The nighttime walk package ends Oct. 31 while the others run through November. All packages depart Fridays and Saturdays, but schedule details are subject to change, according to Korail. The pa
May 21, 2022
-
[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea
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 Instagram photos. Tickets cost 32,000 won for adults, teenagers and 26,000 won those under 13. More inf
May 20, 2022
-
Nine forest paths at royal tombs open to public
Nine major forest trails near Joseon royal tombs opened to the public Tuesday, and will stay open through June 30. In northern Seoul, there is a 1.8-kilometer path from Gangneung, the royal tombs of Joseon King Myeongjong and his Queen Consort Insun, that leads to Taereung. A 970-meter forest path from Uireung, the royal tomb of Joseon King Gyeongjong, starts at the foot of Cheonjangsan. In the eastern part of Gyeonggi Province, trails of Donggureung in Guri, Gwangneung and Sareung in Namya
May 17, 2022
-
Hanok reborn as space for digital nomads
A newly renovated hanok, Binkwan, in central Seoul's Bukchon Hanok Village is the latest traditional Korean house to be turned into an accommodation by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The space is designed by Rakkojae, a major hanok stay brand. Upon entering, guests will appreciate the calm background music playing in the serene atmosphere of Binkwan which affords a panoramic view of Seoul, including Namsan Tower. Only a few minutes from the bustling tourist area of Bukchon, Binkwan
May 14, 2022
-
[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea
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 railbike or take part in a hands-on activity. Various programs have been prepared to entertain the visi
May 13, 2022
-
Wanju beckons with beautiful nature, traditions
WANJU, North Jeolla Province -- With the lifting of the outdoor mask mandate, festivals and cultural events around the country are starting to liven up again. Wanju, some three hours’ drive south of Seoul, is a small county in North Jeolla Province almost entirely surrounded by the famous hanok city Jeonju. It is a quiet serene county which recently became popular as a “BTS’ healing spot” and “BTS pilgrimage” site. In late April, the air in Wanju was warm a
May 7, 2022
-
[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea
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 artists’ performance and other cultural exhibitions. The Hampyeong Expo Park is open from 9 a.m
May 6, 2022
-
Theme parks jam-packed with families on Children’s day
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 seem to have failed on making the right decision, as postings on social networking sites compl
May 5, 2022
-
[Weekender] Bugaksan opened to the public after 54 years
As the trees start to dress in green and the warm breeze brings a spring-like atmosphere, mountain lovers are in search of mountains to scale. These passionate trekkers will be surprised by the new mountain trail which opened to the public for the first time in 54 years. When North Korean military infiltrators slipped into Seoul through the mountain route of Bugaksan to attack Cheong Wa Dae on Jan. 21, 1968, South Korean forces faced a fierce firefight. The hilly path of Bugaksan was used as
April 30, 2022
-
[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea
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 children are 8,000 won. For teenagers and adults, it is 10,000 won and 12,000 won, respe
April 29, 2022
-
Seek health and well-being at wellness tourism destinations
Although the pandemic brought the tourism industry worldwide to a virtual standstill starting in 2020, the years 2015 to 2017 saw the global wellness industry’s average growth rate reach 6.4 percent, according to the Global Wellness Institute in 2018. That was almost double the global economic growth rate during the same period. In 2020, the global wellness tourism market was estimated at 908 trillion won ($735.8 billion), according to the GWI’s Wellness Tourism-Global Market Trajec
April 23, 2022
-
Hangang Park named third most picturesque park in the world
South Korea’s Hangang Park, or Han River Park, has been named the world’s third most Instagram-worthy park. With the goal of helping to reduce metropolitan cities’ carbon emissions, green energy experts at the United Kingdom-based comparison website Uswitch analyzed Instagram data to find the most picturesque parks and gardens around the world in an article published earlier this month. Hangang Park, made up of 12 riverside parks along the Han River, is one of the beloved sp
April 22, 2022
-
[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea
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. Cheongnamdae is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed every Monday. Admission fees range from 3,000
April 22, 2022
-
[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea
Lotus Lantern Festival The Lotus Lantern Festival, known as Yeon Deung Hoe, is set to start on April 29 and run through May 1 at various places in Seoul, including the streets of Jongno, along the stream Cheonggyecheon and at temples Bongeunsa and Jogyesa. The lighting of the lanterns conveys wishes for peace and happiness. Various programs are offered during the three-day festival free of charge. The lantern parade, which starts at Dongdaemun Gate in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, and proceeds t
April 15, 2022
-
Walking Suwon, a journey that encompasses past and present
The season of buoyant spirits is here, and many are rushing to enjoy the brief window of when spring flowers are in full bloom. But along the trails of flowers and lush trees are remnants of Korea’s valuable history often too easily forgotten. Some 30 kilometers south from central Seoul, approximately an hourlong drive, lies Suwon, the most populous city of Gyeonggi Province. A major destination for spring picnics, Suwon is filled with crowds of families and couples on dates, especially
April 14, 2022
-
[EYE PLUS] A stroll through Oeam Folk Village
Oeam Village, listed as Important Folklore Cultural Heritage No. 236, is located on the southeast slopes of Seolhwasan, some 8 kilometers south of the rural city of Asan in South Chungcheong Province. The village was created when the Yean Yi clan settled down during the reign of King Seonjo (1567-1608) of the Joseon era. There were many talented descendants of the clan and among them was Yi Gan, a great Confucianism scholar whose pen name was Oeam, the origin of the village’s name.&n
April 9, 2022
-
[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea
Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival The Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival has returned after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival, which started on March 25, is scheduled to run through April 16 at various sites in Gyeongju, including Gyeongju Expo Grand Park, the park of royal tombs, or also known as Daereungwon, and more. Celebrating the return of in-person festivities, visitors can try their hands at various activities like “plogging” under cherry blossom tre
April 8, 2022
-
New theme parks, thrill rides debut in Korea
Just in time for spring and the downward slope of the omicron variant peak, two new theme parks opened in South Korea offering a bunch of new thrill rides and attractions. One in Busan is a Lotte World franchise and the other in Chuncheon, a city in the mountainous Gangwon Province, is part of the global Legoland chain. Here’s a quick look at the new amusement parks and their most anticipated attractions. 1. Lotte World Magic Forest (Busan) Lotte World Magic Forest opened to the publ
April 5, 2022
-
Palaces and royal tombs celebrate arrival of spring, flowers with special programs
As flowers herald the arrival of spring, palaces and royal tombs are hosting special events that highlight the beauty of the space and their history. At Changdeokgung, a Joseon palace that is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list, Nakseonjae is open to public viewing through Wednesday. A special tour will be held daily at 10:20 a.m., taking visitors through the royal quarters that was built by King Heonjong in 1847. Its last inhabitant was Lee Bang-ja, also known as Masako, the Japan
April 3, 2022
-
Sorae Marsh Ecological Park, beloved place for birds and tourists
INCHEON -- As the cold winter steps aside and the government eases social distancing rules, people are more interested than ever in traveling to enjoy the spring. But with the country experiencing the worst wave of the pandemic, surpassing 10 million cases last week, many people are trying to enjoy simple outdoor activities at open spaces with few crowds. The Sorae Marsh Ecological Park, about 40 kilometers from Seoul in Incheon’s Namdong-gu, was created in 2009, replacing the for
April 1, 2022