[Best Brand] ‘Urban retreat’ at Hilton Busan

For those torn between the convenience of a city and picturesque nature, the seaside city of Busan offers a perfect balance -- just like Hilton Hotel.Hilton boasts a unique concept of “urban destination retreat,” offering a place where nearly all things leisure or business-related are possible. Its spacious guestrooms have private balconies, along with ocean or mountain views.Its eateries are among its most notable features. Da MOIM World Kitchen offers live cooking stations that demonstrate the

June 26, 2018

‘L’Escape’ to 19th century France in Seoul

When stepping inside L’Escape hotel, guests will feel the illusion of being in 19th century Paris. Shinsegae Chosun Hotel is set to launch its first urban French-style boutique hotel brand L’Escape in mid-July, in central Seoul near Hoehyeon Station.L’Escape was designed by French architect Jacques Garcia, known for his work at Hotel Costes in Paris, one of the most renowned boutique hotels around the globe. The new hotel was inspired by the concept of the 19th century Paris aristocracy, aiming

June 26, 2018

Direct flight to link Incheon and Philippines' Palawan

A direct flight between Korea’s Incheon Airport and Puerto Princesa Airport of Philippines’ Palawan launched on Saturday. Philippine Airlines will operate a 199-seater jet airliner Airbus A321 once a day. Incheon International Airport Corporation expects the new route to attract a yearly passenger of 120,000 traveling from Incheon to Palawan. This is the first regular flight route to open in Korea to Palawan, an archipelagic province of the Philippines known for its pristine nature. El Nido Lago

June 24, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Donggang International Photo Fest The annual DongGang International Photo Festival features events such as the DongGang Photography Award Exhibition, International Open Call, Photojournalists Exhibition and Gangwon Province Photographers Exhibition.Visitors can enjoy 10 exhibitions and workshops during the festival, which runs till Sept. 21. Admission is 3,000 won for adults, 1,500 won for teenagers and 1,000 won for children. The event is open to visitors of all ages.For more information, call

June 22, 2018

Hyatt’s Andaz to launch in Seoul

Andaz, a luxury boutique hotel brand under Hyatt, is set for its first launch in Korea. The brand under the global hotel chain Hyatt plans to open its first hotel in Seoul by 2019, Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced Wednesday. A Hyatt affiliate has entered into agreements with Kt estate Inc. and Hotel HDC Co., Ltd. for the development of Andaz Gangnam. An architectural rendering of Andaz Gangnam (Baum Architects)The new boutique hotel will be situated near Apgujeong Station.Andaz Gangnam is expected t

June 22, 2018

[Photo] Welcome to Black Pink’s ‘Square Up’ house

If you’ve ever wondered how Lisa of Black Pink was showered by money with a bill-shooting gun in the “DDU-DU DDU-DU” music video, check out Black Pink’s “Square Up” pop up house.Located in the busy street of Hongdae area in Mapo-gu in Seoul, the house, renovated from the previous “Black Pink House,” is full of hands-on experiences related to the band’s recent “Square Up” EP. The pink-and-black set features four different squares, and The Korea Herald took a look to give readers a sneak peak of w

June 19, 2018

Trails via rails: Sites to visit on Subway Line No. 3

From historic palaces to chic stores and art galleries, Seoul subway offers plenty of fun places to drop byA weekend getaway to a remote place is a dream, and a dream it remains most of the time; an endless parade of traffic, finding lodging and the cost forces many Seoullites from packing up and venturing somewhere else.But Seoul is a vibrant city with a rich history and interesting people. It is also one of the most well-connected metropolises in the world, with nine subway lines -- not includ

June 15, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Gangneung Danoje FestivalThe Gangneung Danoje Festival was designated a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005 and important Intangible Cultural Property No. 13 in Korea in 1967. It includes rituals such as the Daegwallyeong Guksa Seonghwangje -- a tribute to Monk Beomil, believed to protect Gangneung -- and Yeongsinje -- a deity greeting ritual). Folk performances, ssireum wrestling, swing rides and tug-of-war competitions follow these rituals. The festiva

June 15, 2018

[Eye Plus] Tigers find new home at Baekdudaegan National Arboretum

At the center of the mountain range Baekdudaegan, southeast of the North Gyeongsang province, lies the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum in an area of 5,179 hectares. (Photographed by Park Hyun-koo)The arboretum that has facilities for scientific research, such as Seed Vault and gardens for tourists, has long been dedicated to preserving and researching the forest ecology, home to about 33 percent of endemic and rare plants in South Korea in the largest and longest mountain range. (Photographed by

June 15, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Gangneung Danoje FestivalCentum Beer FestivalGoseong Lavender FestivalWelcome to Joseon The cultural theme park of the Korean Folk Village hosts the “Welcome to Joseon” Variety Festival each spring. Programs include parades and performances as well as hands-on activities and cast members wandering freely throughout the park to interact with visitors. Travel in time back to the Joseon era with the characters putting up an interesting comedy act.The event is open to visitors of all ages, and the d

June 8, 2018

[Weekender] Kolon camping park proves popular with outdoor purists

When you have never pitched a tent or roughed it for a night, glamping -- a combination of glamor and camping -- might seem like the only way to give it a shot. But it does not always have to be a “glamorous” version of camping with resort-like services for beginners to best enjoy pristine natural surroundings, argues Hwang Woo-jong, general manager of Kolon Sport Camping Park.Kolon Sport Camping Park is located in Goesan County, North Chungcheong Province. Photo: Kolon Sport“The first thing kid

June 1, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘Bushcraft, the real charm of outdoor camping’

The camping season is here and many are packing their bags with tents and fancy gear to enjoy outdoor barbecues. But Han Ho-jun, a 45-year veteran of camping, says the true charm of the outdoor life lies in bush craft.“You can truly feel the freedom of thriving in the wild, and obtain a sense of accomplishment by building your own shelter and tools with the materials you find in nature,” Han, 45, told The Korea Herald.  (Han Ho-jun)Bush craft is a term referring to wilderness survival skills, an

June 1, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Seoul Grand Park Rose FestivalThe Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival is being held at Gwacheon Seoul Grand Park from May 26 to June 10. The festival’s programs include the Rose Beauty Class, Rose & Love concert, Rose Magic Show, Rose Photo Exhibition and carpentry activities. The festival is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Fridays to Sundays, and on Memorial Day.Admission to the theme garden costs 2,000 won for adults, 1,500 won for teenagers and 1,000

June 1, 2018

[Photo News] Summer safety

With the full-fledged summer season just around the corner, South Korea’s water parks are preparing their staff for emergency handling.On Tuesday, theme park Everland’s Carribean Bay water amusement establishment carried out training sessions for their lifeguards at its artificial wave pool. The lifeguards, dressed in bright red-and-white uniforms for immediate recognition for visitors, demonstrated physical training, CPR and other rescue routines.Indoor water parks have increasingly become a co

May 29, 2018

Foreigners’ tour photos eligible for W600,000 prize money

The Korea Tourism Organization’s “46th Korea Tourism Photo Contest” will award a cash prize of 600,000 won ($560) to a winning international entrant.The contest, open to all who are interested, accepts up to five submissions per person. The submitted photos have to be in JPG format with dimension of at least 2,200 by 3,200 RGB pixels. Only the photos taken after January 2015 that have not been published or released elsewhere are eligible.Photos that feature tourists at popular attraction sites w

May 28, 2018

Traveling to Korean islands available at 50% discount rate for those 28 and under

Koreans and foreigners aged 28 and under can travel to the nation’s islands at a discount rate starting June, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Sunday.In an effort to boost youths’ sea trips the ministry is opening up 77 ocean routes encompassing 51 relevant firms’ 121 ships for 20 percent discount rate during weekends and 50 percent discount rate during weekdays between June and September. Under this scheme, for example, the original ferry from Gangneung to Ulleungdo Island on

May 27, 2018

Out of South Africa, reminiscing the indelible Eden

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Promenading on a pier in front of Port Elizabeth at sunset, Michael Makeleni ran into friends of all sorts, young, old, white, black and Asian, who hugged him and exchanged pleasantries. It struck me, a reporter from South Korea, how serendipitous, frequent and unassuming the encounters were. “Thank you for giving us hope, respect and love,” said the 50-year-old Xhosa man, as the sunlight cast its golden glow over the beach and the city. “People like me have been given

May 25, 2018

[Eye Plus] Chinese tourists back in Myeong-dong

The streets of Myeong-dong are once again bustling with Chinese tourists, thanks to a thaw in relations between Seoul and Beijing.Myeong-dong, a shopping district in central Seoul, is one of the most popular tourist spots in Korea. Just walking down the streets is enough to see that it is a foreigner-friendly zone, as you will be stopped by sales staff calling out in different languages. (Photographed by Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)The number of Chinese tourists had been falling due to icy re

May 25, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival The Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival is being held at Gwacheon Seoul Grand Park from May 26 to June 10. The festival’s programs include the Rose Beauty Class, Rose & Love concert, Rose Magic Show, Rose Photo Exhibition and carpentry activities. The festival is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Fridays to Sundays, and on Memorial Day.Admission to the theme garden costs 2,000 won for adults, 1,500 won for teenagers and 1,00

May 25, 2018

[Eye Plus] Jeonju Hanok Village, a touchpoint of Korea’s past and present

Always bristling with tourists -- local and foreign, many dressed in modernized hanbok -- Jeonju Hanok Village is a top priority tourist spot in the North Jeolla Province city.The antique traditional residential district, however, is not just a photogenic theme park. It is living proof of Korea’s modern history in the early 20th century. It is also a symbol of balance which the ancient city has achieved between its traditional cultural assets and development.The hanok village originates from the

May 18, 2018