[Markets & Merchants] Where art mingles with dried fish

Although Dongdaemun and Namdaemun tend to dominate many lists of “must-see markets” in Seoul, small-scale markets that are equally full of history and character are scattered across the city. This is the fourth installment of a series introducing traditional local markets. ― Ed.At first glance, one would probably never guess what lies below the hustle and bustle of persistent food vendors of Seoul Jungang Market. Nestled in Hwanghak-dong near the city’s signature Cheonggyecheon Stream, the marke

April 6, 2015

Travel Bits

Seoul city tour bus goes classicTour Seoul on the classic trolleybus: The trolleybus, long beloved in global cities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Singapore, became available in Seoul starting Thursday. The buses are designed to look like classic vintage trolleybuses and aim to provide a fun way to tour Seoul. Encompassing key tourist sites, the “Panorama Course” will depart from Gwanghwamun and run through Cheonggye Plaza, Myeong-dong, Mount Namsan, the 63 Building, Hongdae, Sinchon

April 3, 2015

Travel bits

Lotte Hotel Moscow awarded ‘Best City Hotel in Russia’ Lotte Hotel Moscow has been awarded for “Best City Hotel in Russia” for three consecutive years by the luxury travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler. Opened in 2011, the hotel is the first overseas chain of the Korean hotel group Lotte Hotel. Located near the Red Square, Kremlin Palace and Bolshoi Theater, it has emerged as a luxury spot in Moscow. “We have committed to providing service of the highest standards to our guests. This award is exc

March 27, 2015

[Markets & Merchants] Bindaetteok and beyond at Gwangjang Market

Although Dongdaemun and Namdaemun tend to dominate many lists of “must-see markets” in Seoul, small-scale markets that are equally full of history and character are scattered across the city. This is the third installment of a series introducing traditional local markets. ― Ed.Hordes of people trying to elbow their way through crowds and ceaseless rows of assertive, dynamic vendors selling anything from pig’s feet to shaving cream to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: If you’re looking to get a slice o

March 23, 2015

Accor bets on Korea’s tourism growth

South Korea may soon join the ranks of the world’s top tourism destinations such as Thailand, if it continues to achieve double-digit growth in the number of inbound travelers over the next five years, said the Asia-Pacific chief operating officer of French hotel operator Accor. The country attracted some 14 million foreign visitors in 2014 and has seen an average 12 percent growth in foreign arrivals for the past three years.“That’s heavy growth,” said Patrick Basset, who oversees Accor’s busin

March 12, 2015

[Markets & Merchants] A taste of the sea at Noryangjin fish market

Although Dongdaemun and Namdaemun tend to dominate many lists of “must-see markets” in Seoul, small-scale markets that are equally full of history and character are scattered across the city. This is the second installment of a series introducing traditional local markets. ― Ed.The sheer chaos, yet utterly delectable sights and sounds of catcalling, haggling, crowds and occasional Dungeness crab or live octopus attempting its escape is merely a fleeting descriptive taste of Seoul’s largest tradi

March 9, 2015

Pristine and powerful, Antarctica is alive ― and enlivening

BROWN BLUFF, Antarctica ― Go ahead. Tell people you’re traveling to Antarctica and wait for the responses: “Wait, what? Did you say Antarctica?” “Be sure to get a selfie with a polar bear, OK?” “You’re gonna freeze your (you-know-what) off!” And, perhaps most frequently, “Why?”I did say Antarctica. It was penguins, not polar bears, we would see aplenty. We didn’t freeze our you-know-whats off; it was chilly, but I’ve felt colder skiing in Mammoth.That left only the question of why, and before th

Feb. 27, 2015

[Markets & Merchants] Tongin Market reinvents itself with old-fashioned street food

Although the Dongdaemun and Namdaemun markets tend to dominate many lists of “must-see markets” in Seoul, small-scale markets that are equally full of history and character are scattered across the city. This is the first installment of a series introducing traditional local markets. ― Ed.Tongin Market in downtown Seoul was originally established in 1941 during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea, after food vendors began springing up in the then-growing neighborhood of Tongin-dong.Over the decades a

Feb. 23, 2015

[Graphic News] Chinese toruists strong buying force in Korea

With Lunar New Year just around the corner, Korea is preparing for another influx of Chinese travelers over the holiday. The Korea Tourism Organization projects the number of Chinese arrivals in 2015 to reach a new record of 7.2 million, up from 6.1 million last year.Chinese tourists are also boosting the Korean economy. With an average Chinese spending 3 million won ($2800) per visit, the combined impact on the local economy was estimated at 18.6 trillion won last year, which equals the export

Feb. 16, 2015

Hotels woo locals with lavish weddings and parties

Under dazzling chandeliers, models in wedding gowns walked down the aisle decorated with spring-inspired flower arrangements, as Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas marked the reopening of its grand ballroom last month with an extravagant wedding show. Inviting guests with hotel memberships and would-be newlyweds, the hotel unveiled the redesigned banquet hall and promotion deals. “Weddings are considered the epitome of hotel services,” said Grace Kang, banquet sales manager at Grand InterContin

Feb. 15, 2015

[Weekender] Record number of Chinese tourists to visit Korea

As Koreans empty the usually bustling streets of Seoul, spending the Lunar New Year holiday with parents and relatives, their travel-loving neighbors from China will surge in.This year, an unprecedented number of Chinese tourists are expected to arrive. The country hopes to greet some 126,000 Chinese visitors for the Lunar New Year holiday starting next week, up by 30 percent from the previous year, according to the state-run Korea Tourism Organization. A Lotte duty-free shop in Seoul is crowded

Feb. 13, 2015

Dragon of the future hatches in Sejong City

Parking was a nonissue at Administrative Complex Sejong, the heart of Korea’s newest city, with 17 mostly empty parking lots. The only sign of life was a pair of guards patrolling the fence of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Looking for tourist information, we approached the front gate of the ministry, where a security guard directed us to Sector 6 ― roughly in the middle of the huge complex. From the car window, the connected structures looked a bit like an airport terminal; from a

Feb. 13, 2015

Budget hotels spring up in Korea

Korea’s hotel scene is welcoming a new breed of players. Offering no-frills rooms and basic guest services at a relatively affordable price, budget hotels are springing up in Seoul’s tourist-heavy neighborhoods of Myeong-dong, Dongdaemun and Gangnam, aiming to cater to price conscious individual travelers and the surging Chinese tourists. With room rates ranging from $70 to $120 a night, this emerging group is fast filling a slack in the industry that has long been dominated by two extremes ― hi

Feb. 8, 2015

Basking under aurora-canvased winter skies of Finland

HELSINKI/LAPLAND, Finland ― It is a nearly indescribable feeling to head off on a winter holiday and, within a split second of stepping outside the airport, come to fully grasp the concept of the phrase “beyond cold.” As the shock of the frozen atmosphere hit me, the hairs in my nose turned to what felt like miniature icicles and the moisture from my eyes completely iced over my lashes. I could have easily been mistaken for someone auditioning for a role in Sean Penn’s “Into the Wild.” While thi

Feb. 6, 2015

Around the Hotels

Around the HotelsLunar New Year packageat JW Marriott Hotel SeoulJW Marriott Hotel Seoul will be presenting the JW Signature Mix n Match Package from Feb. 13 to 22. The package includes a one-night stay in the Superior Room and a choice of four options, each for an additional fee of 50,000 won. Options include access to the Executive Lounge; breakfast at The Cafe at JW; in-room burgers, chicken wings and beer; and 50,000 won in credit for use at one of the hotel’s restaurants. Prices start from

Feb. 6, 2015

Behind tourism boom, a growing mismatch

 This is the first in a series of articles on Korea’s hospitality industry. The second will appear next week. ― Ed. Korean tourism is booming, with Chinese visitors flooding the streets of Seoul, lavish department stores and sightseeing spots. But whether the Chinese influx has been a boon to the hotel business depends on who you ask. While mid- and low-rated hotels rejoice at the surging demand, luxury hotels in Seoul are struggling to fill their rooms. “Four- to five-star hotels have been suff

Feb. 1, 2015

Lively music and spa at night on Jeju

SEOGWIPO, Jeju Province ― Nighttime on Jejudo Island can be quite boring for tourists. After the beautiful sunset, the breathtaking views of the pristine landscapes are shrouded in darkness. At Kensington Jeju Hotel, which opened last year in Seogwipo, there’s a lively night scene with DJ music at the rooftop bar and swimming pool. The strong music beat signals the start of the poolside party at 8:30 p.m. The mix of dance and hip-hop music is played by a professional DJ until 10 p.m. Hotel guest

Jan. 30, 2015

In China, the California name and connection are golden

BEIJING ― Thousands of Beijingers wake up every day in Yosemite in Northern California. Hordes more have moved to Palm Springs, not to mention Orange County and Silver Lake. They shop at UCLA and go to Hollywood for a bite to eat.All without leaving the Chinese capital.When I first moved to China about a year ago, I fretted a tad about missing the Golden State and living in a country where everything had unfamiliar names. Instead, I’ve found it hard to escape California’s good vibrations: There

Jan. 30, 2015

Trout fishing reigns supreme at Hwacheon festival

HWACHEON, Gangwon Province ― Every morning in January, a pilgrimage of cars and tourist buses traces the winding routes through the snowy mountains of Gangwon Province. An early morning start is the only way to secure a good spot at what is quickly becoming one of Korea’s premiere wintertime events ― Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival. A 2 1/2 hour coach ride from Seoul, Hwacheon has the appearance of a sleepy town inexplicably inundated with people. The faint hum of music is the only hint

Jan. 28, 2015