Culture Ministry, KTO unveil Hallyu-themed tours

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization are looking to woo Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern tourists with new Hallyu-themed tour packages. “Despite the rising popularity of Korean content, some travel destinations have not been promoted properly due to their low accessibility and intellectual property rights. We have been discussing such issues and have assisted local travel agencies and content creators to sign a memorandum of understanding for gre

April 21, 2024

[Drama Tour] Cheongju as seen through the lens of 'The Glory'

CHEONGJU, NORTH CHUNGCHEONG PROVINCE -- While Netflix’s mega-hit revenge drama “The Glory” (2022-23) was mostly shot in the capital city of Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area, Cheongju -- located in the southwestern part of North Chungcheong Province -- made its presence strongly felt as the stage for two of the most iconic scenes in the show. In the series, Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo), a victim of school violence, spends a lot of time sitting on a wooden chair under

April 20, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Deoksugung musical tour A “mini-musical” and a violin-cello duo performance, along with refreshments like coffee and madeleines, will be the highlight of nighttime tours of Deoksugung, set to run from May 1-3 -- exclusively for foreign nationals. Performances will take place at the palace’s Seokjo Hall, the first Western-style stone building in Seoul built in 1910. Tours, each limited to 18 people, will take place three times a day. Reservations for the 90-minute tour are r

April 19, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

The Plaza celebrates ‘Family Month’ with kids program Hanwha Resorts' The Plaza, located in Jung-gu, central Seoul, will offer a new program for children, “Happy Kid’s Moment,” from April 30 to June 9. The upcoming promotion includes a one-night stay in either a deluxe room or premier suite, a coloring book and colored pencil set, paper toys and desserts from Boulangerie, the hotel's bakery and cafe. Priced from 360,000 won, the package can be reserved

April 19, 2024

Seoul says Fu Bao loan 'not going to happen'

The Seoul Metropolitan Government recently turned down a citizen petition to fund a loan from China of Fu Bao, the beloved giant panda who is the first of its kind to be born in South Korea. The petition was posted on April 8, urging the city to re-loan Fu Bao so that she may be housed at the Seoul Grand Park, in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. The park is funded and operated by Seoul. However, the city said it would be better for Fu Bao to stay in China, where she was sent earlier this month. &quo

April 17, 2024

[Drama Tour] ‘Hometown Cha Cha Cha’ spotlights remote villages of Pohang

POHANG, North Gyeongsang Province -- Pohang, a coastal city in the southeast of North Gyeongsang Province, is a popular New Year’s celebration spot, drawing hundreds of people to Homigot, the main venue for the annual sunrise festival at the easternmost point of the Korean Peninsula. While Homigot is a beloved tourist destination, its sunrises alone have never managed to attract hoards of visitors. Understandably, Pohang's popularity as a travel destination has been rather muted compa

April 13, 2024

Pohang to hold Marine Corps Culture Festival in two weeks

Pohang, a coastal city located in the southeast of North Gyeongsang Province, announced Wednesday that its annual Marine Corps Culture Festival will be held on April 27 and 28. With the Republic of Korea Marine Corps Education & Training Group located in the coastal city, Pohang is the home of the ROK Marine Corps, where all Korean marines undergo training. According to the city, the upcoming military festival is scheduled to be held at two separate venues -- the military base of the 1st Mar

April 12, 2024

[Photo News] Pohang’s fields of canola flowers

Homigot Sunrise Square, South Korea’s renowned spot for watching the sunrise, in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, beckons travelers with fields of canola flowers. This year’s Homigot Canola Flower Festival, which was held just across the street from Homigot Sunrise Square, came to an end in late March. However, many tourists still visited the festival venue to enjoy the last of the spring flowers on Wednesday. Flower lovers can explore 49,580 square meters of flower fields along a

April 12, 2024

'Panda grandpa' says not to worry about Fu Bao's health

The zookeeper who took care of Fu Bao since her birth told the giant panda's fans in South Korea not to worry about the recent unusual behavior she has been displaying after leaving her birthplace to depart for China earlier this month. Kang Cheol-won, known as "panda grandpa" or "Kang Bao," said the bear's recent behaviors, such as rolling around the cage, are not likely to be symptoms of health issues. He addressed Fu Bao's fans in a video interview conducted

April 12, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

  ‘Dosirak’ palace tours at night   Check out nighttime tours of Gyeongbokgung, the Joseon-era (1392-1910) palace that’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Seoul. Tours featuring a “dosirak,” or a lunchbox-style meal, of royal-inspired dishes will take place twice daily at 6:40 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. until April 21 -- except Monday and Tuesday. Tickets, 60,000 won apiece, are sold at ticketlink.co.kr. The same tour will be made exclusive for forei

April 12, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

  Rolling Hills Hotel presents Children’s Day package   Rolling Hills Hotel in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, is offering a Children's Day package in collaboration with fruit gummy brand Haribo. The promotion includes a one-night stay in the hotel’s standard room, Goldbears-themed stickers, a drawing kit with a coloring canvas, color pencils, a tumbler and more. Goldbears, or Goldbaren, are Haribo’s iconic mascots. The package includes a buffet breakfast and access to t

April 12, 2024

'We want Fu Bao back,' Seoulites petition for loan of beloved panda

A citizen's petition for Seoul to fund a loan from China of the giant panda Fu Bao was posted on the metropolitan government's website on Monday, days after thousands of South Korean fans said their tearful goodbyes to the beloved panda on April 3. On the Sangsangdaero Seoul website, an online platform for citizens to make suggestions to the Seoul metropolitan government, a person surnamed Kim suggested that Seoul should finance a loan of Fu Bao so that she can be housed at the Seoul G

April 10, 2024

Haman Nakhwa Festival online reservations open Wednesday

Online reservations for this year’s Haman Nakhwa Festival will be available from Wednesday on Yest24 Ticket's website. Haman County in South Gyeongsang Province, home to the Mujinjeong Pavilion and the annual Nakhwa Festival, had announced in early March that online reservations would be required to attend this year's festival. This is the first time online reservations are being taken since the festival was launched in 1985. Last year, the county came under heavy criticism fo

April 8, 2024

[Drama Tour] Dating spots from hit coming-of-age dramas shot in Suwon

SUWON, Gyeonggi Province -- For those who plan a day trip outside Seoul, Suwon is an attractive travel destination, easily reachable by public transportation and boasting an iconic UNESCO World Heritage site in the middle of the city. The 5.74-kilometer-long Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is certainly one of the must-visit sites in Suwon. But, if you want to immerse yourself in the daily lives of the locals, spending time at Haenggung-dong, a restful district in Paldal-gu, central Suwon, is a great opt

April 6, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

Legoland Korea Resort unveils rail bike-themed package Legoland Korea Resort in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, presents a springtime promotion for visitors to enjoy the hotel as well as a rail bike ride along the Bukhan River. The package, available since March 29, offers a one-night stay in a Legoland Korea Resort Lego-themed room, free access to the indoor swimming pool, the children’s activity program and breakfast for up to two adults and three children. At check-in, guests can receive v

April 5, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

  N Seoul Tower tours   Throughout April, N Seoul Tower is offering discounts on admission to its observatory and meals at its dining hall, allowing visitors to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the capital and the cherry blossoms. Tickets for the observatory start at 18,900 won for adults, and a package offering entry to the observatory plus dinner for two adults is priced at 230,000 won. Lunch specials are also available. The observatory is open year-round from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m

April 5, 2024

[Herald Interview] Thai chef brings savory flavors of her home to Seoul

Tipaporn Phianthong, the head chef of Saffron -- the modern Thai cuisine restaurant at Banyan Tree Phuket -- has ventured beyond her home turf Thailand to bring the gastronomic excellence of Thai cuisine to Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul and its guests. The 31-year-old Thai chef arrived in Seoul last week with excitement to connect with Korean diners via Thai dishes. “Many people might be familiar with Thai cuisine’s spicy flavor. But, what makes our food tasty is the aroma of Thai

April 4, 2024

[Herald Interview] Legoland Korea Resort determined to bring more happiness, spread more joy to families

A smile on their children's faces may be what all parents want most. Lee Soon-kyu, Legoland Korea Resort's divisional director and a father of two boys, wants to bring something more to young visitors at Legoland Korea Resort. “Regardless of their age, race, cultural background or whether they are disabled, all children who come to Legoland Korea Resort deserve to feel happy. This place is designed to be a cozy and comfortable place for everyone,” Lee told The Korea Heral

April 1, 2024

KTO marks Visit Korea Year campaign with pop-up event

Marking the Visit Korea Year 2023-24 campaign, the Korea Tourism Organization is hosting a new pop-up event “Korea Express Road” at HiKR Ground tourism center in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, from Tuesday to April 15. The exhibition looks at popular Korean pop culture like K-pop and Korean dramas and also presents a glimpse of traditional Korean culture as well. While the first floor presents 3-D video content on Korean tourism, the second floor of the five-story building features displa

April 1, 2024

[Drama Tour] Sewoon Shopping Center, home of Geumga Plaza in 'Vincenzo'

Seoul may be a shopper’s paradise with its numerous mega shopping complexes spread throughout the city -- the Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido, the beloved shopping district of Myeongdong in Jung-gu and Songpa-gu's Lotte World Tower & Mall, to name a few. These shopping complexes and districts attract visitors of all ages with luxury brands, trendy dining spots and eye-catching pop-up stores, not only enriching the shopping experience for shoppers but also transforming the surrounding are

March 30, 2024