[Eye Plus] Walking through early 1900s at Seoul Station

Crowds of daily commuters and tourists hopping on and off KTX bullet trains make it easy to overlook the old Seoul Station, which was restored to its former glory almost half a decade ago. The red-brick Western-style building, which opened in 1925 during the Japanese colonial rule of Korea, no longer serves as a train station. In 2012, it was revamped into Culture Station Seoul 284, an exhibition space. Its turquoise Byzantine-style central dome is a stark contrast to its modern surroundings, in

Feb. 14, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Little Prince Lighting Festival of Petite France The Little Prince Lighting Festival of Petite France is being held at the Petite France Park in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. Buildings and streets as well as Christmas trees have been decorated with sparkling lights. There are also events such as performances featuring marionettes and magic as well as the opportunity to experience plaster art. The festival is being held until Feb. 28 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.Admission fees are 10,000 for child

Feb. 14, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Cheongpyeong Snowflake FestivalThe Cheongpyeong Snowflake Festival in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province includes fun activities such as catching trout with bare hands, ice fishing, riding traditional sleds and many other hands-on activities. Visitors who pay admission to the fishing reservoir are invited to watch the free circus performance as well.The hours are between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and admission fees are 15,000 won for adults and 12,000 won for children. It is open to visitors of all ages.For m

Feb. 7, 2019

[Graphic News] Asian tourists favor Myeong-dong, but Americans and Europeans prefer Seoul’s palaces

　Foreign tourists in Seoul prefer different sightseeing spots depending on nationality, a research paper showed.　Visitors from Asia prefer Myeong-dong, one of the capital’s main shopping districts, while European and American tourists are most impressed by royal palaces, according to the paper jointly published by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Kyung Hee University.　Chinese and Americans gave high marks to Seoul for safety, while Japanese said they were satisfied with the food and Europea

Feb. 6, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

New Year event at Coex Aquarium (1)Coex Aquarium is holding a Lunar New Year Holiday event from Feb. 1-6.Foreign visitors can get a 20 percent discount on admission fees, after presenting an image of the promotional material for the event that can be downloaded or printed out at the homepage.Other events include a “Royal Walk” event reenacting a walk of a king and queen at the Garden of Korea special themed zone. Those who finds “Mr. Fortune” randomly distributed in the aquarium will get gifts l

Jan. 31, 2019

Korea Grand Sale to hold ‘welcoming week’ for foreigners

The annual shopping festival Korean Grand Sale will hold a “special welcoming week” from Friday to Feb. 8 to provide events and benefits for foreign visitors, the Visit Korea Committee said Monday. During the period, welcome centers will be installed at Incheon and Gimpo airports to inform visitors of the benefits, as well as to provide interpretations and information on tourism, along with special lotteries and other events with handouts.At the main welcome center, located at Cheonggye Plaza in

Jan. 28, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice FestivalHwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival takes place at Hwacheon County in Gangwon Province. Since 2003, the event has been attended by more than a million people. Available activities include ice fishing, ice and snow sledding, bobsledding, bare-hand fishing, trout ice fishing and ice soccer. The event continues through Sunday and is open to visitors of all ages.Visit the homepage at www.narafestival.com for more information in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese.Chilgaps

Jan. 26, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Ulsan Grand Park Light FestivalThis year’s Ulsan Grand Park Light Festival features five different themes under “Draw the Light Dream” until Jan. 27.The highlight of the festival is the 11-meter star structure in front of the Rose Garden Fountain, where a multimedia light show is displayed. Admission fees are 2,000 won for adults, 1,000 won for teenagers and 500 won for children. Senior citizens 65 years old and above can enter for free, upon presentation of an ID. It is open to visitors of all

Jan. 17, 2019

Korea Grand Sale gears up for kick off

Korean tourism authorities were set Monday for the official opening of the Korea Grand Sale, an annual event for foreign shoppers with events, promotions and sales across the country. This year’s event, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Visit Korea Committee, will be held from Thursday until Feb. 28. The theme of this year is “Travel, Taste, Touch,” and will offer benefits of varying degrees from 51,497 businesses. According to the ministry, around 850 enterpr

Jan. 14, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Ulsan Grand Park Light FestivalThis year’s Ulsan Grand Park Light Festival features five different themes under “Draw the Light Dream” until Jan. 27.The highlight of the festival is the 11-meter star structure in front of the Rose Garden Fountain, where a multimedia light show is displayed. Admission fees are 2,000 won for adults, 1,000 won for teenagers and 500 won for children. Senior citizens 65 years old and above can enter for free, upon presentation of an ID. It is open to visitors of all

Jan. 10, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Ulsan Grand Park Light Festival This year’s Ulsan Grand Park Light Festival features five different themes under “Draw the Light Dream” until Jan. 27.The highlight of the festival is the 11-meter star structure in front of the Rose Garden Fountain, where a multimedia light show will be displayed. Admission fees are 2,000 won for adults, 1,000 won for teenagers and 500 won for children. Senior citizens 65 years old and above can enter for free, though ID is required. It is open to visitors of all

Jan. 3, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Ulsan Grand Park Light Festival This year’s Ulsan Grand Park Light Festival features five different themes under “draw the light dream” until Jan. 27.The highlight of the festival is the 11-meter star structure in front of the Rose Garden Fountain, where a multimedia light show will be displayed. Admission fees are 2,000 won for adults, 1,000 won for teenagers and 500 won for children. Senior citizens 65 years old and above can enter for free, though ID is required. It is open to visitors of all

Dec. 27, 2018

[Eye Plus] Letting go

After hours of strenuous waiting, standing against the wicked winter winds, those who have flocked to scenic viewpoints stare in awe at the sea’s horizon.On South Korea’s west coast, the gleaming yellow sun in the ruddy sky inches closer to the horizon. Hues spread along the horizon get overwhelmingly richer, creating more dazzling reflections off the waters of the Yellow Sea. Soon, the blinding glare gives way to red-tinged dusk, as the sun goes out of sight, down the horizon.It was worth the h

Dec. 27, 2018

[Best Brand] Le Meridien Seoul leads luxury staycation market

Riding the staycation holiday wave, Le Meridien Seoul leads the luxury hospitality market here.For some 20 years the property housed the historic Ritz Carlton Seoul. After extensive renovations, the iconic Seoul landmark reopened in September 2017, rebranded as Le Meridien.(Le Meridien Seoul)Originally founded in Paris by the nation’s largest air carrier, Air France, Le Meridien is now part of global hotel chain Marriott International. As a luxury hotel brand, its motto is “Destination Unlocked.

Dec. 26, 2018

[Best Brand] Stay warm at Hotel Tops 10

Hotel Tops 10 invites guests to escape the cold this winter at its hot spring facility. Geumjin Hot Springs opened at the hotel in September. Even before the hotel’s opening last December, the region has long been known for hot springs with thermal water. (Hotel Tops 10)The thermal water, with a golden hue, flows from a 1,100-meter-deep coastal terrace. It contains various rare minerals, such as selenium, vanadium and zinc. Proven to be beneficial for various health conditions, Geumjin Hot Sprin

Dec. 26, 2018

[Weekender] Ski resorts turning attention to nonskiers

For those who don’t enjoy skiing, annual family ski trips can be quite dull. But in recent years, ski resorts in South Korea have found an ironic yet new target group -- nonskiers. Major resorts here are trying to come up with fresh ideas every winter, slowly transitioning into “theme parks,” where everyone can spend quality time. The Vivaldi Park resort, located about 60 kilometers east of Seoul in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, has been frequented by locals and tourists for over two decades. Wit

Dec. 20, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Mermaid performances at Coex AquariumCoex Aquarium is holding underwater mermaid-themed performances to mark the Christmas holiday season. Divers dressed in Santa and mermaid outfits perform with sea life, including 20,000 sardines. The shows are held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. There are no performances on Mondays.The Christmas-themed performances will be held until Dec. 25, after which a new version with a different theme will be

Dec. 20, 2018

[Weekender] Winter sports season is upon us

When snowflakes flutter down from the skies, out come the snowboards, the skis, the goggles and the overpriced parka you swore was worth it.The winter season is here, and it’s prime time for outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, sledding and ice skating. All over the country, both the young and the young at heart are seeking out traditional and nontraditional winter sports. Some are following newer trends like VR and indoor winter sports. (123rf)Two winters ago, Seoul Square in Jung-g

Dec. 20, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Mermaid performances at Coex AquariumCoex Aquarium is holding underwater mermaid-themed performances to mark the Christmas holiday season. Divers dressed in Santa and mermaid outfits perform with sea life, including 20,000 sardines. The shows are held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. There are no performances on Mondays.The Christmas-themed performances will be held until Dec. 25, after which a new version with a different theme will be

Dec. 16, 2018

'Cannabis Port’: Reddit user’s Seoul map shows districts in colorful English names

A map of the South Korean capital showing the districts’ names in English is garnering attenetion across online communities.The post was uploaded to social aggregator Reddit by user nanain_melons in November, and has since been shared on websites like Bestiz and MLB Park.The map gave Mapo the English name “Cannabis Port,” as the word “Ma” can mean “cannabis” and “Po” can refer to ports. (Reddit user nanain_melons)Yongsan was written as “Dragon Mountain,” which on par with the actual meaning, as

Dec. 14, 2018