[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Nighttime view of Gongsanseong A nighttime stroll around the storied Gongsanseong is perfect for those wanting a leisurely walk that is also enlightening. The fortress in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, will be lit up between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. through Oct. 10. Installations will also give a glimpse into the Baekje Kingdom (18 BC to 660 AD). Visit ggm-art.kr. Wild chrysanthemums Check out a wide variety of chrysanthemums in full bloom at the Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong, G

Oct. 4, 2024

[Herald Interview] Social media era creates more challenges for pastry chefs

Julien Perrinet, Hyatt’s executive pastry chef for the Asia Pacific region based at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, aims to offer a stunning gastronomic experience to those with a sweet tooth at an upcoming chefs’ collaboration between Park Hyatt Seoul and Park Hyatt Tokyo. The French-born Perrinet, 42, has honed his pastry skills across multiple countries -- France, Canada, Qatar, China, Singapore, India and more -- and did not hesitate to share some of his concerns before showcasing desserts

Oct. 3, 2024

Digital tour card has Yeongdong energized with young travelers

YEONGDONG, North Chungcheong Province -- Travelers choosing to explore Korea outside the Greater Seoul area -- consisting of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province -- often head to well-known tourist destinations such as Busan, Daegu, Gyeongju and Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. Small counties and towns, like Yeongdong, a county located in the southern part of North Chungcheong Province, do not typically make it to the list of must-visits. However, the introduction of the Digital Tour ID Card -- a

Sept. 28, 2024

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Grand Hyatt Seoul entertains guests with moon photo zone Grand Hyatt Seoul, located in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, presents a full moon-themed photo zone for guests to capture an autumn moment with family and friends. The light installation, available since Sept. 13, continues to be a great photo spot for the guests at the hotel’s Waterfall Garden until Oct. 20. While the Waterfall Garden is open exclusively for hotel members and guests from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. until Sept. 23, it will be av

Sept. 27, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Festival of fall flowers in Wonju At Yonsugol Village in Wonju, Gangwon Province, a festival kicked off last week for flower lovers, especially of those coming to full bloom in the fall. The Gangwon Fall Flower Festival shows everything from zinnias to cockscombs, fireweeds and petunias -- in addition to cosmos. The village is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 6. Admission costs 3,000 won, and grade school students and younger enter for free. For more information, visit poppystore.modo

Sept. 27, 2024

Hanwha Hotels and Resorts offers discounts of up to 80%

Hanwha Hotels and Resorts, the country’s leading premium leisure services company, launched a large-scale discount program Monday, offering discounts of up to 80 percent. The Hanwha Resort Sale Festa promotion, offered from Monday to Oct. 20, features a total of four different packages. Vacationers can choose to book a two-night stay for the price of a one-night stay -- with prices starting at 159,000 won ($118.99) for a standard room. The Signature Package offers a choice between discount

Sept. 23, 2024

Arrival of fall calls for more outdoor festivals

Festival goers can finally enjoy the diverse cultural programs offered at Seoul's outdoor festivals without worrying about the heat, after the latest autumn rain cooled nationwide high temperatures that lasted well into the Chuseok holidays, a major mid-autumn harvest festival. Seoul Children’s Grand Park, a popular theme park located in Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul, is scheduled to hold outdoor screenings of family movies at its Four Seasons Garden. “The Sound of Music” (19

Sept. 22, 2024

Jeju's solo traveler-friendly spots offer solitude as well as camaraderie

The Jeju Tourism Organization has unveiled five destinations that are a perfect fit for holidaymakers who travel solo to South Korea’s southern Jeju Island. The tourism organization's recent data shows one out of 10 South Koreans traveling to Jeju Island to be a solo traveler and services that cater to the needs of those traveling alone are on the rise on the island. The destinations introduced by the Jeju Tourism Organization allow vacationers not only to escape the scorching summe

Sept. 21, 2024

Jeongseon beckons holidaymakers with latest attractions

Untangodo Cable Car and High1 Gureumarae Animal Farm are poised to become Jeongseon’s hit tourist attractions, beckoning holidaymakers to a small county in the southern part of Gangwon Province. At the end of July, Jeongseon-based casino and resort company Gangwon Land opened Gureumarae Animal Farm for visitors to get close to livestock and spend time with animals. Visitors can also experience the cool breeze of Gowon Forest Trail, which is located 1,340 meters above sea level. The opening

Sept. 20, 2024

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Glad Yeouido unveils new menu starring fall ingredients Glad Yeouido, a Glad Hotels and Resorts property located in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul, offers a new gastronomic journey with fall ingredients until Nov. 30. Guests can enjoy dishes featuring freshwater eel, wild ginseng, abalone and lamb chops cooked with caviar, truffle and foie gras. The food promotion is available at lunch and dinner, which is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., respectively, at the

Sept. 20, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Lantern festival in Namyangju Sandulsori Botanical Garden in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, is holding a lantern festival through the end of April next year. The botanical garden, open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., will give visitors lanterns to hold as they stroll around the compound that has a restaurant, bakery and cafe. Admission is 8,000 won for all ages except children two years old and younger. Outside food and pets are not allowed. Parking is free. For more information, visit sandulsori.co.k

Sept. 20, 2024

Popular tourist destinations beckon Chuseok holidaymakers

Chuseok, the Korean fall harvest celebration, is a time for families to gather together and remember their ancestors. For many people, the three-day holiday period is also a time to take a well-deserved break after all the familial duties have been performed and many well-known destinations remain open throughout the holiday period. Everland -- South Korea’s largest theme park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province -- is presenting various programs to entertain visitors during Chuseok holiday period

Sept. 15, 2024

Top Gyeonggi Province spots for gazing at full moon on Chuseok

Ranging from hanbok to food and games, the traditions of Chuseok are what make this major Korean holiday more special. Another distinctive Chuseok tradition is celebrating the mid-autumn full moon, during which people come together and pray for a plentiful year. Just in time for Chuseok, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization has unveiled the province’s top spots for gazing at the moon. Gapyeong Starlight Garden, formerly known as Hwaak Tunnel Ssamji Park, is Gyeonggi Province's highest place

Sept. 14, 2024

Long Chuseok holiday perfect for exploring hometown attractions

Whether you are heading home to reunite with family or plan on traveling domestically, Chuseok -- celebrated on Aug. 15 of the lunar calendar, and falling on Tuesday Sept. 17 this year, with the holiday break running Monday through Wednesday -- is a great time to explore different cities and counties in South Korea. Avoid the last day of Chuseok holiday, however, when millions of South Koreans travel back to cities, especially the capital of Seoul. For those who will be staying in the southweste

Sept. 14, 2024

Pledis Entertainment partners with Jeju Island to produce ‘K-Pop Jeju Content’

Pledis Entertainment and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province on Friday announced a partnership to produce K-pop content featuring the island’s unique features. Pledis, a subsidiary of entertainment giant Hybe, and Jeju Island held a signing ceremony for the memorandum of understanding at Hybe’s Yongsan headquarters to promote K-pop content related to Jeju. Pledis CEO Lee Da-hye, Jeju Gov. Oh Young-hun, and other representatives from both sides attended the ceremony. Pledis Entertain

Sept. 13, 2024

Seoul’s western districts to entertain book lovers

Guro-gu, a district in western Seoul, will beckon reading enthusiasts with a book festival at Anyangcheon Stream’s water park from Sept. 28 to 29. The 12th edition of Guro Book Festival, titled “Humanism 2.0,” will offer hands-on activities and an exhibition, hosted by the district-based libraries and Guro Cultural Center. Starting with a quiz at 11 a.m. on the opening day, the book lovers of all ages can enjoy live-drawing performance, mime show, poetry recitation and more. Ki

Sept. 13, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Flea market, busking in Jayang Through Sept. 29, a flea market will be open with booths set up by companies promoting upcycling at Jayang Station Exit Nos. 2 and 3 in Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu. At “Zero+Festa,” a free-admission event, interactive programs teaching how to reuse products as well as street music performances are prepared. The event will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, check out the website at zeroplus.or.kr. Daegu con

Sept. 13, 2024

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Grand Hyatt Seoul unveils promotion for Hannam-dong experience Grand Hyatt Seoul, located in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, presents a new promotion, “Seoul Style Getaway,” offering guests an opportunity to enjoy some of the trending spots in the upscale neighborhood of Hannam-dong. Guests are presented with a set of coupons that offer discounts and special gifts in Hannam-dong-based fashion and beauty brands, including Depound, Le Mont St Michel, Supra and more. The hotel offers a guide

Sept. 13, 2024

Flower festivals around the country welcome fall

With the days getting shorter, a crisp breeze in the morning and late at night, one can feel fall is just around the corner. Fall flower events around the country are a sure sign of the arrival of autumn. Starting Friday, Hadong -- a small county in South Gyeongsang Province -- will begin its 17-day cosmos flower festival, attracting tourists with cosmos, buckwheat and other hands-on agricultural programs. This annual fall festival is the earliest fall event featuring a fall flower in South Kore

Sept. 9, 2024

[Reporter’s Notebook] Why are so many districts in Seoul hopped up on beer fests?

With the growing trend of beer festivals across Seoul, many districts are joining the movement, with Seorim Happiness Beer Festival in Gwanak-gu and Baekmaek Festival in Gangbuk-gu having concluded their two-day events on Saturday. By the end of this year, over half of Seoul’s 25 districts will have hosted or sponsored beer festivals, reflecting a wider city initiative to boost nightlife and promote local food culture. While beer festivals have long been popular in regions with cultural ti

Sept. 8, 2024