Donghae's lavender festival to kick off Sunday for two-week run

Donghae, a popular summer getaway spot and seaside city in Gangwon Province, is scheduled to hold its annual lavender flower festival at Mureung Byeolyucheonji starting this Saturday to June 23. Mureung Byeolyucheonji, a large natural area on the site of an abandoned mine, has turned into a popular local tourist destination, beckoning travelers with the country’s first-ever sky glider, alpine coaster and walking trail along the artificial Blue Lake, among others. The 21,000-square-meter ou

June 7, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Garden show along Han River The Seoul International Garden Show 2024 is running through Oct. 8 at Ttukseom Hangang Park in Gwangjin-gu. The park, illustrating the theme “Seoul, Green Vibe,” is divided into different gardens arranged by participants ranging from citizens to companies to artists. The park is open from noon to 7:00 p.m. until August, and from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from September to October. Find more details at festival.seoul.go.kr. Blooms on Jara Island A f

June 7, 2024

More chances to watch Haman Nakhwa Festival

The Korea Tourism Organization announced it is turning Haman’s firework event -- the Haman Nakhwa Festival -- into a monthly festival held from June to November this year. The Nakhwa Festival, or “Nakhwanori” in Korean, is a firework festival where oak charcoal powder wrapped in “hanji” (Korean mulberry paper) is set on fire, creating balls of fire falling into the small pond at Mujinjeong Pavilion in Haman, South Gyeongsang Province. After the county came under h

June 5, 2024

KTO holds photography contest

The Korea Tourism Organization announced that it is accepting applications for a photo contest aimed at discovering the charms of South Korea. Under the theme of “Discover Amazing Moments in Korea,” this year’s contest, which started on Tuesday, offers the applicants an opportunity to present their photos of South Korea from three different sections: digital camera, smartphone and drone. The submitted works will be evaluated in four categories -- photography, tourism, promotion

June 4, 2024

Korail offers sneak peek trip on East-West Trail of Korea

Korail Tourism Development, a subsidiary of the Korea Railroad Corp., is offering a sneak peek of East-West Trail of Korea, a backpacking-friendly walking trail -- scheduled to be completed in 2026 -- on June 22. The East-West Trail of Korea is an 849-kilometer trail course connecting Anmyeondo in Taean, South Chungcheong Province to Mangyangjeong Pavilion in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province. Collaborating with Korea Forest Service, Korail Tourism Development has prepared a day trip to Yeongju,

June 2, 2024

Heal your mind, body in Jeju forest

SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island -- From palm trees to black basalt stone walls, South Korea’s southern island of Jeju mesmerizes both local and overseas holidaymakers with beautiful nature that differs from that found on the rest of the Korean Peninsula. However, changes in Korean travel trends have led many Jeju visitors to opt for tours of unique cafes and restaurants offering the island’s specialties, as well as Instagrammable attractions like The Snoopy Garden or Osulloc Tea Museum, over i

June 1, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong launches summer package ‘Au Soleil’ Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong, Marriott International’s premium brand in central Seoul, offers the relaxing staycation experience “Au Soleil Package” for the summer season. This promotion includes a one-night stay either in a deluxe king or deluxe double room, free breakfast buffet at La Palette Paris -- the hotel’s restaurant -- and gelatos at Lumiere -- the lobby lounge and bar -- for two guests

May 31, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Blooms, evergreens at Vicheollin Vicheollin is a theme park in Jeju where go-karting comes with flower beds of hydrangea, vervain and trumpet vine -- all available through July 20. The park boasts “gotjawal,” literally meaning a forest bush, as well as a smaller park of evergreens for those seeking a secluded escape from the stress of city life. Admission for adults is 17,000 won, with the price for minors at 16,000 or 15,000 won, and seniors 15,000 won. The park is open from 8:4

May 31, 2024

KTO, T1 mark Visit Korea Year campaign with LoL match

Marking the Visit Korea Year 2023-24 campaign, the Korea Tourism Organization and South Korean esports powerhouse team T1, are hosting the first-ever home and away match of League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) on June 29. LCK, the most popular esports competition in South Korea, had not adopted any hometown team since its launch in 2012. While the regular season is held in LoL Park, the stadium for LCK in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, some of the friendly matches, special events and the LCK final

May 30, 2024

Shindang-dong, Yeouido, Jeju top tourist destinations for foreigners

Shindang-dong and Yeouido in Seoul were the most popular tourist destinations for foreign visitors, along with Jeju Island, in 2023 and the first half of this year, according to a big data analysis by the Korea Tourism Organization unveiled Tuesday. Lee Mi-sook, head of the KTO's tourism data strategy team, presented the findings during a seminar in Seoul co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the KTO. "Fueled by a surge in visitors from China, Japan, and Taiwan,

May 28, 2024

HiKR Ground to turn into Faker Temple

HiKR Ground, a promotional hall for Korean tourism located in Jung-gu, central Seoul, is to turn into a shrine to the living esports legend Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok from May 29 to June 16. Faker was crowned the first ever inductee to the Hall of Legends with his mastery of League of Legends, numerous contributions to the sport and by inspiring millions of esports fans across the globe. Hall of Legends is the League of Legends hall of fame that was introduced by Riot Games, the company

May 27, 2024

[Drama Tour] Bucheon Lake Botanic Park, perfect weekend getaway for families

BUCHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- Star director Yeon Sang-ho is cementing his legacy as the country’s leading genre content creator with a string of hits such as the zombie films “Train to Busan” (2016), “Peninsula” (2020) and the fantasy horror series “Hellbound” (2021). As the director heavily focuses on presenting monsters causing havoc in our world, many of the filming locations in Yeon’s projects have a gloomy atmosphere, traces of destruction and

May 25, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Jeju Folk Village A glimpse of what it was like living on Jeju Island in the 19th century is available at Jeju Folk Village. Visitors can check out an exhibition of “suseok,” or rocks of artistic value that are often collected, and spaces dedicated to wood and ceramic craftworks alongside paintings. Interactive experiences are available. Visitors can participate in activities like grinding grains with a millstone and play traditional games such as the board game “yutnori,&r

May 24, 2024

Discover your inner Indiana Jones in Palawan

PALAWAN, Philippines -- An expansive archipelago located at the western edge of the Philippines, Palawan is a popular travel destination for those looking to immerse themselves in the area's serene atmosphere and magnificent nature. One of the highlights of the main island is Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its underground river tour. If exploring this natural wonder is on your bucket list, Four Points by Sheraton, with its easy access to

May 18, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

WE Hotel presents summer package WE Hotel, a premium health resort located in Seogwipo, southern Jeju Island, is offering an early summer package from May 20 to July 25. The package includes a one-night stay in the hotel’s superior room, a free bagel-coffee set menu, an Italian combo -- a food promotion including a pizza, spaghetti, salad and two drinks -- and a wellness program for two guests. Guests can enjoy the resort’s outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi and fitness center for free

May 17, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Wonju Sogeumsan Grand Valley Prepare yourself before looking down. The Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge in Wonju, Gangwon Province is the longest pedestrian bridge in Korea, running 200 meters suspended across a canyon. The Night of Light Show will take place at Sogeumsan, with a fountain show and installations dotting the mountain with a kaleidoscope of colors. The show runs through Oct. 27 on Saturdays, Sundays and the Chuseok holiday. The Wonju Sogeumsan Grand Valley is open from 9:00 a.m. to

May 17, 2024

Philippines to woo holidaymakers with new tourism portfolios

The Philippine Tourism Department has set an ambitious goal of becoming a tourism powerhouse in Asia with new travel promotions and unique cultural experiences. “Our country is not just a destination. The Philippines is more about experience. Overseas holidaymakers, especially Koreans who (account for) over a quarter of international tourist arrivals in the Philippines, can witness not only our natural wonders but also a wide range of tourism offerings,” Philippine Tourism Department

May 16, 2024

Paradise City showcases annual Paradise Super Week

Integrated resort complex Paradise City is offering a blow-out discount and sales promotion period called Paradise Super Week until May 22. 2024 Paradise Super Week, which started Monday, is the resort’s iconic annual promotion allowing its guests to enhance their hotel experience with various benefits and rewards. This year’s package includes a discount of up to 68 percent for Paradise City resort rooms. Guests can schedule their stays at Paradise City Hotel, located in Jung-gu, Inc

May 16, 2024

KTO collaborates with K-pop artist for new tourism product

The Korea Tourism Organization hopes to enlist the ever-expanding presence and influence of K-pop in boosting the country’s international arrivals. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and KTO launched their first tourism product, which connects K-pop stars' fan meetings with ESG (environment, social and governance) campaigns. A total of 250 Japanese Super Junior-D&E fans who visited Jeju Island on May 12 were on a new tourism program that combined the K-pop stars' tal

May 16, 2024

[Drama Tour] Romantic trip to ‘Queen of Tears’ filming spots

GOESAN, North Chungcheong Province -- For those who are not yet ready to say goodbye to South Korea’s latest hit romance drama “Queen of Tears” and its leading couple, played by Kim Ji-won and Kim Su-hyun, paying a visit to the series's beautiful filming locations might be a way to recapture some of the show’s iconic moments. “Queen of Tears” was shot in various cities in South Korea and Germany. For those looking for quieter destinations that are not pac

May 11, 2024