Fall festivals to take place across Seoul

With autumn now here, Seoul's district offices will be hosting a variety of festivals open to everyone and free of charge. The festivities will take place Oct. 3-9 and include dance performances, a city run, K-pop performance, a competitive parade, a street sports beer party and fashion shows. The following is a list of the district festivals set to take place celebrating the return of fall. World Folk Dance Festival in Seongdong After a four-year hiatus, Seongdong-gu in eastern Seoul wil

Oct. 1, 2023

Music festivals and concerts for the fall season

A diverse lineup of music festivals and concerts are set to welcome the fall season. The Jarasum Jazz Festival, the country’s biggest jazz festival which marks its 20th anniversary this year, kicks off on Oct. 6 and runs for four days on Jara Island, Gyeonggi Province. The event invites 19 foreign artists and 22 Korean artists including Birell Lagrene and Ulf Wakenlus, Julian Lage, Shai Maestro Quartet, Youn Sun-nah, Ju Hyun-mi Jazz Project and the Pasquale Grasso Trio. The venue for the f

Sept. 30, 2023

Chuseok’s celestial journey: Best spots for full moon gazing in Seoul

In traditional Korean culture, the full moon is a symbol of life's essence and the passage of time, embodying abundance and fortune in its luminous splendor. Chuseok, or Hangawi, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, captures this heritage through traditions like crafting songpyeon -- half-moon shaped rice cakes symbolizing unity -- and, of course, making wishes under the harvest moon. For those planning to immerse themselves in this celestial treat, here are some of the top

Sept. 28, 2023

[Photo News] Mudeungsan fully opens door to public after 57 years

Mudeungsan Mountain located in Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, fully opened its door to the public for the first time in 57 years on Saturday. Civilian access to the top of the mountain had been restricted since 1966 as air force units were stationed in the respective location. Many visitors gathered on the day of the opening to enjoy a round-trip hike of approximately 390 meters that goes from Seoseokdae columnar joints to Inwangbong Observatory.

Sept. 23, 2023

[Photo News] Pink muhly grass at Cheongsan Arboretum

Enjoy the autumn atmosphere at Cheongsan Arboretum, where pink muhly and pampas grass create a picturesque scene in Taean, South Chungcheong Province. Both the pink muhly and pampas grass gardens run through the end of November. Cheongsan Arboretum attracts nearly 200,000 visitors annually, featuring over 3,500 plant species, a forest maze, a lily garden, a Metasequoia road and more. The combination of pink muhly and pampas grass has made the arboretum a popular spot for capturing the perfect pi

Sept. 23, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Wonju Dancing Carnival The Wonju Dancing Carnival will be held at the Wonju Sports Complex in Gangwon Province, Sept. 22-24. The event will feature various programs, including art performances, a dance competition, a fringe festival, a free dancing festa and more. K-pop girl group fromis_9 and singers Insooni and Kim Bum-soo are scheduled to perform onstage. Admission is 10,000 won, with a special discounted rate of 5,000 won for Wonju residents. More information can be found at ddcwj.com. Gim

Sept. 22, 2023

Sejong National Arboretum shines bright at day and night

SEJONG -- After being prominently featured in hit Korean drama series like “The Glory” and “Big Mouth” last year, Sejong National Arboretum in Sejong shot to fame. Fascinating displays of plants and flowers here are not easily found elsewhere. Yet, one does not need to be a plant lover to travel to the country's first urban arboretum. About 120 kilometers south of Seoul, the 65-hectare arboretum in Sejong -- South Korea’s third national arboretum after those in

Sept. 16, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Iksan World Heritage Media Art Festa The 2023 Iksan World Heritage Media Art Festa, which started on Sept. 9, runs through Oct. 9 at the stone pagoda Mireuksaji, in Iksan, North Jeolla Province. The cultural event features stories of Buddhism in the forms of media facade and drone shows. Various programs, including lighting exhibitions, a flea market and busking by local artists, are set to entertain visitors as well. Admission is free, and visitors of all ages are welcome to enjoy the show. M

Sept. 15, 2023

Queensland promotes tourism to bounce back above pre-pandemic levels

Tourism and Events Queensland, a statutory body of Australia's Queensland government, announced on Tuesday the ambitious goal of promoting state’s tourism with beautiful nature-themed programs and unique cultural experiences. “Travelers can experience nature-based tourism, adventure and discovery. Queensland will offer an exciting opportunity for the visitors to come across indigenous culture programs as well,” Katie Mills, international director of TEQ, said during a pres

Sept. 9, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Yulbom Botanical Garden Impatiens Flower Season, Gwangju The Impatiens Flower Festival, which kicked off on July 31, will run through Sept. 10 at Yulbom Botanical Garden in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. Flower lovers can enjoy both impatiens and sunpatiens flowers spread around the 66,000 square meter areas. As there are plenty of benches and bedsteads, visitors can relax and enjoy their break to the fullest. Visitors can dye their fingernails orange using impatiens flowers as well. Other hands-on

Sept. 8, 2023

Explore depths of history during 'Byeongsan Seowon Stay' in Andong

ANDONG, North Gyeongsang Province – Andong is renowned not only for its hanok, but also for its neo-Confucian academies, called "seowon," which draw visitors year after year. As a special program open to the public during the World Heritage Festival period, the Cultural Heritage Administration and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation unveiled "Byeongsan Seowon Stay," an overnight program that will be offered from Friday to Sept. 17 by reservation. The unique program o

Sept. 7, 2023

Work and explore in Korea's scenic destinations

The Culture Ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization have unveiled a "workation" program, spanning 16 regions across the nation, away from the bustling city of Seoul. The pilot initiative is aimed to give people a chance to step away from conventional office settings and experience a change in their work environment, while also potentially stimulating local economies. The ongoing application process, launched Tuesday, will be carried out until Oct. 30., on a first-come, first-served

Sept. 2, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Wonju Dancing Carnival The Wonju Dancing Carnival will be held at the Wonju Sports Complex in Gangwon Province from Sept. 22 to 24. The event will feature various programs, including art performances, a dance competition, a fringe festival, a free dancing festa and more. K-pop girl group Fromis_9 and singers Insooni and Kim Bum-soo are scheduled to perform on stage. Admission for all seats costs 10,000 won. Wonju residents can buy tickets for 5,000 won. More information can be found at www.ddcwj

Sept. 1, 2023

Guam invites visitors for unforgettable Chuseok holiday

The Pacific island of Guam is just a four-hour flight away from Seoul, and the island is beckoning Korean visitors over the upcoming Chuseok holiday. The traditional holiday has been extended to a six-day break this year -- Sept. 28 to Oct. 3 -- with Oct. 2 being designated as a temporary holiday, connecting the Chuseok holiday to National Foundation Day on Oct. 3. Guam, although a small island of 549 square kilometers, is abound with resorts near Tumon Bay for all kinds of travelers: young and

Aug. 31, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Yangpyeong Catfish Barbels Festival The Yangpyeong Catfish Barbels Festival seeks to become another exciting summer event for festival lovers, offering a diverse array of water activities and hands-on programs. This year’s festival is taking place at Sumi Village in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. The festival started on June 6 and will run through Sept. 3. Tourists can also enjoy bear-handed fishing, ATV rides, bubble fights and barbecues. Tickets vary by program. Online reservations can b

Aug. 25, 2023

Korea tourism festival to be held in Frankfurt

Stories of Korean culture and tourism are set to captivate Germany at a major outdoor festival held in Frankfurt this weekend, in commemoration of the 140 years of diplomatic bond between the two nations, the Korea Tourism Organization announced Monday. Kicking off on Friday, the three-day festival will unfold at the Rossmarkt Square in Frankfurt. The festival is held in connection to the renowned Museum Embankment Festival, also known as Museumsufer Fest, an annual celebration of art and cultur

Aug. 21, 2023

Gwanaksan, a popular southern Seoul mountain in summer

Gwanaksan, the mountain stretching across parts of southern Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, always welcomes hikers of all ages with a total of 15 hiking trails that can be approached from multiple subway stations in Seoul, Anyang and Gwacheon. With its subway-accessible trails, Gwanaksan is one of Seoul's most popular mountains, especially among those in southern Seoul, in any season. This summer, an outdoor swimming pool opened on July 7 in Gwanaksan, but the seemingly endless monsoon rains,

Aug. 19, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

LCK Fan Festa, Daejeon The League of Legends Champions Korea’s Fan Festa is scheduled to be held at the Daejeon Convention Center Hall 1 in Daejeon from Friday to Sunday. The three-day esports festival is held to entertain fans prior to the upcoming LCK 2023 Summer final match, which takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Both final match ticket holders and visitors of all ages are welcome without any admission fees. The event features various programs, including Riot's games such as League

Aug. 18, 2023

[By the Highway] Expressway service areas: More than just stopovers

Rest stops are a place where one passes through on the way to going somewhere else. They are not a destination. At rest stops, drivers rush in to use the toilets, stretch themselves after long hours in a car and grab something to eat. However, some of these roadside establishments have gone beyond their traditional role, positioning themselves to become new cultural spaces. While a number of service areas have failed in their grand ambitions after installing entertainment facilities, including

Aug. 12, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Beer Fest Gwangju The 2023 Beer Fest Gwangju, which started on Thursday and runs through Saturday, is taking place at Kimdaejung Convention Center Exhibition Hall and its out door plaza in Gwangju. The festival offers HiteJinro’s all-new malt beer Kelly and Hite Zero, which cost 4,000 won. Snacks including sausages, chopped steak, grilled octopus and fried chicken are offered as well. Performances will take place throughout the festival from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring popular DJs. For mo

Aug. 11, 2023