[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

Soyanggang Skywalk to be renovated until mid-April

Soyanggang Skywalk, located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, is scheduled to undergo partial renovation and maintenance starting on April 1. Hoping to improve visitors' travel experiences and provide clear glass views, new transparent films will cover the Skywalk's glass floor, which extends for 156 meters of the 174-meter walking trail, according to Chuncheon city on Thursday. Though travelers will be restricted from the area until April 10, Soyanggang Skywalk is set to reopen with e

March 29, 2024

Gyeongju's Daereungwon to become car-free on Fridays, Saturdays in April

The areas around Daereungwon, home to 23 ancient tombs of the Silla period in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and its nearby stone wall path, are scheduled to be car-free zones during the weekends of April, according to Gyeongju city on Thursday. The popular stone wall streets are the main stage for Gyeongju’s annual cherry blossom festival, beckoning nationwide flower lovers with a pink heaven of cherry blossoms. Starting from April 5 to 27, cars will be restricted in the 600-meter a

March 29, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Light festival at Cheongdo Provence Photoland A trip to Cheongdo County in North Gyeongsang Province is well worth it for the photos of a lifetime. Cheongdo Provence Photoland, dotted with installations and attractions, is running the Cheongdo Light Festival, which has been a fixture of the county since 2012. Open through November, the park charges 13,000 won for middle schoolers and older and 9,000 won for those younger. For more information, visit cheongdo-provence.co.kr. Canola Flower

March 29, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul offers wellness promotion Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, an urban oasis nestled on the slope of Seoul’s Namsan in central Seoul, presents “Season’s Moment,” a wellness program for those seeking an emotional refuge from a hectic life. The package includes hand cream featuring spring scents like lime, yuzu and lavender and a QR code-printed postcard, allowing guests to enjoy a spring-themed music playlist. Guests can relieve stress in the

March 29, 2024

Japanese the largest group of inbound travelers to Busan in 2023

While the number of overseas travelers to Busan rebounded to 67.7 percent of pre-pandemic levels last year, Japanese visitors topped the number of inbound travelers to Busan in 2023. A total of 344,537 Japanese tourists visited South Korea's second-largest city, accounting for almost 53 percent of total inbound travelers -- 1,820,057 -- to the city, according to data compiled by the city government and Busan Tourism Organization. On Sunday the city announced that Taiwanese and American trav

March 25, 2024

Late cold snap leaves blossom festivals without blooms

One of South Korea’s iconic cherry blossom festivals, opened Saturday in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, but the cherry blossoms were still days away from coming into full bloom. According to a Changwon City official, the city moved up the opening date for its cherry blossom festival, Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, believing the mild winter might cause flowers to bloom early. But, the lack of sunny days and a cold snap in early March deterred the cherry blossoms from flowering. The town&#

March 24, 2024

[Drama Tour] Relive scenes from ‘Guardian: The Lonely and Great God’ in streets of Jongno

Jongno-gu in Seoul is home to several major tourist attractions, including Insa-dong with its antique shops and traditional cafes, Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace of the Joseon era built in 1395, and Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. With traditional Korean architecture standing among modern, glass-clad skyscrapers, the Jongno district is an exciting destination where old meets new. The small, narrow alleys of Anguk-dong in particular preserve Korea's traditional c

March 23, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Cherry blossoms in Daegu The season of cherry blossoms is finally coming all across the country -- and more so in Daegu in the south. Those looking to not only see the trees bursting with white and pink petals, but sit back on amusement park rides while looking at them, need an “all-pass” to E-World -- priced at 35,900 won until April 7. Tickets, available online, grant access to the Blossom Road and attractions -- plus discounts on drinks at the observatory cafe on the 77th floo

March 22, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo offers K-pop class DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo, located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, is hosting the K-pop Dance Class for guests in March and April. Though the dance program is open to all DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo guests, just 20 participants are permitted on a first-come, first-served basis. The K-pop Dance Class is held at the hotel’s GX Room every Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Minors must be accompanied by a parent. For more inf

March 22, 2024

Popular Gyeongbokgung nighttime tours return in April

Tickets for nighttime tours of Gyeongbokgung, the main Joseon royal palace, go on sale online at 2 p.m. on Friday, with the first round of the highly popular tours starting April 3. Available through Ticket Link, the tickets cost 60,000 won ($45). The ticket covers a royal “dosirak,” or a boxed meal of dishes enjoyed by the Joseon (1392-1910) royals, followed by a guided tour of the palace’s northern side. The first round of tours will take place April 3 to April 21, twice dail

March 21, 2024

Registration opens for English temple stay

Registration opened Monday for an English temple stay program for foreign nationals seeking a time out from urban life. The first 1,000 applicants who book the overnight stay at eng.templestay.com will be able to participate in the program priced at 30,000 won ($22) from April 1 to July 31, according to the Culture Corps of Korean Buddhism -- an arm of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the largest local Buddhist sect. “This is the definitive content we can offer as Korean tradition, rega

March 21, 2024

Yeongdeungpo-gu to turn into cherry blossom heaven

Yeongdeungpo-gu, the district in western Seoul, is set to turn into a pink heaven with cherry blossoms, where all flower lovers can enjoy the arrival of spring from March 29 to April 2. The district’s Yunjung-ro in Yeouido, a 1.7-kilometer road filled with almost 1,900 cherry blossom trees, and the street’s nearby areas, are scheduled to become the main stage for this year’s spring flower festival, according to the local government of Yeongdeungpo-gu on Monday. Visitors can enj

March 19, 2024

10,000-won passes to five palaces in Seoul go on sale

Tickets went on sale Monday for Seoul’s late-April spring festival, which will include exhibitions and performances across the city’s five palaces. The tickets to the K-Royal Culture Festival cost 10,000 won ($7.5) and will be sold through April 26, according to the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation. Tickets will be available at the following websites: seoultravelpass.com; travelnote.net; trippose.com; klook.com and kkday.com. Tickets for the 9-day event starting April 27 allow unli

March 18, 2024