[Weekender] Explore the east

GANGNEUNG/SOKCHO, Gangwon Province -- Just a two-hour drive from the sleepless metropolis that is Seoul, South Korea’s eastern coast feels like a different world: white sandy beaches, laid-back shore towns and surfers paddling in the sea.No wonder beaches along the East Sea are popular holiday destinations for locals seeking to escape the city. Songjiho Beach, located in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, some 200 kilometers east of Seoul.“We often come to the beaches off the East Sea as the wate

July 21, 2017

[Weekender] Four beaches to check out on east coast

Beaches along the East Sea draw vacationers for their soft sand and clear water. Below are The Korea Herald’s top four picks to check out this summer. 　Gyeongpo Beach, the biggest on East SeaThe Gyeongpo Beach located between the East Sea and Gyongpo Lake in South KoreaWith a sand beach stretching some 6 kilometers, Gyeongpo Beach is a sand bank located between the East Sea and Gyeongpo Lake. It is the biggest beach along the east coast, attracting an average 6.5 million people each summer.　Loca

July 21, 2017

[Weekender] Olympics, vacation home boom revitalize coastal towns

GANGNEUNG/SOKCHO, Gangwon Province – Gangwon Province and its coastal towns used to be the less developed and less populated in South Korea. But that seems to be changing fast. With accessibility from the metropolitan area greatly enhanced and expected to improve yet more in the coming months, the once laid-back coastal towns and cities are seeing a property development boom, with a number of luxury hotels, resorts and apartment complexes being erected. The Seamarq Hotel in GangneungThe upcoming

July 21, 2017

Around the Hotels

Frozen cocktails at Grand Hyatt IncheonThe Grand Hyatt Incheon’s Swell Lounge is offering frozen cocktails through Aug. 31. The cocktails come in four varieties: Noah’s Kalamansi, Sweet Kelly, Overnight at Roppongi and Cherry Beam. The Noah’s Kalamansi is made of a premium vodka, kalamanshi, sprite and crushed ice on top. The Sweet Kelly is a mix of vodka, coconut milk and expresso blended with ice. The Overnight at Roppongi is a combination of pear and sake. The Cherry Beam is concocted from Ji

July 14, 2017

[Travel Bits] Sights, festivals around Korea

Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju“Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju,” a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition, offers visitors the chance to walk through hundreds of traditional Korean houses in Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Its highlights include a moonlight photography competition, a traditional music night, Jeonju traditional opera, a shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is being held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-

July 14, 2017

Basking in urban luxury close to home

Do you want to pamper yourself to an upscale summer vacation, but without the hassle of planning an overseas trip, arduous travel and jet lag? Do you dream of a respite not far from home, with all services catered meticulously to your needs? Hotels across Korea are offering just that, as more people opt to spend their holidays inside the country in the comfort of luxury accommodation, gastronomy and leisure. The newfangled trend, known as “staycation,” is a portmanteau of “stay” and “vacation.”

July 7, 2017

[Travel Bits] Sights, festivals around Korea

Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju“Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju,” a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition, offers visitors the chance to walk through hundreds of traditional Korean houses in Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Its highlights include a moonlight photography competition, a traditional music night, Jeonju traditional opera, a shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is being held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-

July 7, 2017

[Travel Bits] Sights, festivals around Korea

Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju“Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju,” a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition offers visitors the chance to walk through hundreds of hanok in the Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Programs include a moonlight photography competition, traditional music night, Jeonju traditional opera, shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-night.kr for information in Korea

June 30, 2017

[Travel Bits] Sights, festivals around Korea

Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju “Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju,” a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition offers visitors the chance to walk through hundreds of hanok in the Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Programs include a moonlight photography competition, traditional music night, Jeonju traditional opera, shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-night.kr for information in Kore

June 23, 2017

M. Eastern tourists spend most in Korea: data

Tourists from Middle Eastern countries spent the most during their visits to South Korea last year, government data showed Wednesday, amid growing demand for beauty and medical tourism. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Culture & Tourism Institute, tourists from the Middle East spent $2,593 per capita, more than triple the average amount spent by Japanese travelers who spent an average $819. A Seoul department store is bustling with foreign tourists on Aug. 1, 2016. (Yonhap)The survey

June 21, 2017

Jeju most searched tourist destination in May: data

The southern resort island of Jeju was the most searched tourist destination by South Koreans in May amid unseasonably hot weather, industry data showed Monday. According to world's leading hotel price comparison site HotelsCombined, the most frequently searched region via its Korean website in May was Jeju Island with 14.6 percent, followed by Seoul with 9.3 percent. Tourists walk on a beach on the southern resort island of Jeju on May 7, 2017, the final day of a "golden holiday week" in South

June 19, 2017

Boracay: Island of beauty and adventure

Under a cluster of pink and white coral reefs, a small orange fish emerged from among a group of sea anemones swinging their tentacles like a curtain designed to hide a magician preparing a spell for the spectators.“I’ve just seen Nemo,” said Lee Jong-hyun, 17-year-old high school student who finished scuba-diving with a group of seasoned Filipino divers. “See? It is exactly the same fish as I saw in the movie ‘Finding Nemo’.” Otherwise known as clownfish or anemonefish, Nemo is one of the most

June 16, 2017

[Herald Interview] South Africa a safe destination for Korean travelers: tourism minister

DURBAN, South Africa -- For most people around the world, Africa remains an exotic land of natural wonders that one hopes to visit one day. However, given the widespread perception that it can be a dangerous place for tourists, many tend to stay away.　South Africa has been no exception to this view, though to a lesser degree. While regarded as the safest and most favored country to visit in the continent, South Africa still bears the stigma of a high-crime nation with many travel risks.However,

June 13, 2017

South Africa: land of stunning natural wonders, unique cultural blend

DURBAN/CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- South Africa is a faraway land, especially for those on the other side of the world in East Asia. Once there, however, the breathtaking scenery of South Africa instills a newfound appreciation for Mother Nature.　Located at the tip of the African continent, South Africa often sits low down the list for Korean travelers -- a place to explore after having conquered other popular destinations around the world.However, the country boasts a vast array of stunning natu

June 9, 2017

[Eye] Shooting for the future

Next year’s PyeongChang Winter Olympics will have the South Korean men’s hockey national team pitted against the best teams in the world, including top-ranked Canada, Czech Republic and Switzerland. But coach Jim Paek says the team’s goal is not to just show up, but to compete with the best as equals.“We’d like to win every game. That’s what we’re preparing for: To beat Canada, to beat Czech, to beat Switzerland and move on to the next round,” he said in an interview with The Korea Herald. “You

June 9, 2017

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Seoul Grand Park Rose Fest Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival is held at Gwacheon Seoul Grand Park from May 27 to June 11. The programs include photo competition, magic show (Saturdays and Sundays), Rose and Love Concert (Saturdays and Sundays) couple mugs (fee varies) and plaster mine on Memorial Day. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but closes at 8 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays.Admission fees are 2,000 for adults, 1,500 won for teenagers and 1,000 won for children. The event is open to v

June 2, 2017

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Yangpyeong Strawberry Festival The Yangpyeong Strawberry Festival is being held through the end of May. Visitors can pick their own strawberries at the strawberry farms and participate in a variety of activities and programs in the village. Reservations are required.Exclusive events for bloggers are on offer at blog.naver.com/yp_nadri. Up to 50 teams can participate. The festival is open to visitors of all ages. Visit www.yp21.net for information provided in Korean, English, Japanese and Mandari

May 26, 2017