[Eye Plus] Strolling along the walkway of Namyangju Water Garden

The monsoon season is just around the corner, but the cool summer breeze awaits at the waterfront of Namyangju Water Garden.  Located near Ungilsan Station in front of Bukhan River, the nature-friendly garden can be seen at the southern part of Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. Daisy fleabanes that bloom from June, also known as “fried egg flowers” due to their shape and color, wave at passersby, announcing the arrival of summer.  Namyangju Water Garden was created as an ec

July 10, 2021

Rediscovering Joseon’s Neo-Confucian academies

“Seowon,” or Korean Neo-Confucian academies, were established in the mid- to late Joseon period as private institutions for the aristocratic upper class. Each seowon had a unique educational system and philosophy. Eventually the seowon established traditions that wielded much influence in the regions where they were located. Of the 600 or so seowon that exist today, either restored or in their original state, nine were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2019. All nine

July 10, 2021

How to use Ddareungi, Seoul’s rental bike

Ddareungi is Seoul city’s public rental bike service, which you can use across the city. You can download the Seoul Bike app on your phone then register or log in with Naver, Facebook or a Kakao account. The app is available in both Korean and English. You can select “Buy Pass” and select the plan that fits you -- one-time, weekly, monthly and annual pass. There are one or two-hour rentals for each time you check out a bike. A one-time pass for one hour costs 1,000 won ($0.88)

July 10, 2021

[Travel bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Gimje Horizon Festival The Gimje Horizon Festival takes place in front of the Byeokgoljae Reservoir in Gimje, North Jeolla Province. Themed “sky and land meeting at the horizon,” the festival aims to showcase the uniqueness of South Korea’s farming culture. A variety of programs are available for festivalgoers, including dragon games, rice harvesting, a Black Eagle air show and a parade. This year’s festival will be held online from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. More information

July 9, 2021

[Photo news] Beaches officially open on Jeju Island

The deep blue sea stretching beyond the horizon combined with the sight of palm trees makes a splendid summer view.  Beaches on Jeju Island officially opened on July 1. Summer vacationers enjoy swimming at Hamdeok Beach in Jocheon-eup.  A huge banner requests visitors to comply with the safety rules at Woljeong Beach in Gujwa-eup. (Photos: Yonhap)

July 3, 2021

[Travel bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Geumsan Insam Festival Geumsan Insam Festival is held annually since 1981 in Geumsan-gun, South Chungcheong Province, and is the largest ginseng-producing region in South Korea. Growing both in content and in size, the festival was selected as a cultural tourism festival by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Sports in 1996, and became established as a national festival. This year’s festival will run from Oct. 1-10. Visitors can try their hand at digging up ginseng, and tour around int

July 2, 2021

Culture ministry’s ‘Korea International Travel Expo’ prepares global leap

With international routes slowly opening again to travelers, and nearly one-third of the country’s population having received their first shots of a COVID-19 vaccine, South Korea is no exception in preparations to resume its once-halted tourism industry. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with the Korea Tourism Organization on Monday jointly announced this year’s Korea International Travel Expo, set to kick off Tuesday at Paradise Hotel Incheon and via the expo‘s offi

June 28, 2021

[Travel bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Gangwon Romantic Night Train Stargaze A summer stargazing tour to Gangwon Province package from Korail has kicked off, and promises a safe and convenient trip for passengers. The daily tour from KTX begins every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a minimum of eight people required to register for departure. Prices vary from 66,000 won to 99,000 won per person until Aug. 31. Travel insurance, meals, and other personal allowances are not covered in the package. For information visit www.korailtr

June 25, 2021

Demand for overseas travel soars after more than a year of staying put

Demand for travel is back in Korea. Fueled by the government’s recent announcements that travel bubble partnerships with other countries could be in the cards, grounded travel-hungry individuals are anticipating a return of quarantine-free holidays. So are businesses in the tourism industry that have been hit hard by a bruising pandemic since early 2020. A leading Korean travel agency which offered a Europe vacation package on a TV shopping channel on June 16 saw some 52,000 people bo

June 19, 2021

[Photo News] Lavender flowers paint Korea purple

Lavender flowers in full bloom form violet clouds at Herb Village in Geochang, South Gyeongsang Province, Thursday. Tourists take pictures in a field of lavender flowers at Herb Village in Geochang, South Gyeongsang Province, Thursday. Visitors enjoy blooming lavender flowers at Herb One, the largest lavender farm in the country, in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province. Lavender flowers fill a field measuring 330,000 square meters at Herb One, a lavender farm in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province.

June 19, 2021

[Travel bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival commemorates the Great Battle of Hansan of 1592, one of the most intense naval battles in Korean history. Held from Aug. 12 to 21, the festival is sponsored by the city of Tongyeong, and managed by the Great Battle of Hansan Memorial Foundation. Visitors will be able to see a reenactment of the battle followed by other performances. A variety of hands-on experience programs will be available for visitors at Yi Sun-sin Park. Perfo

June 18, 2021

[Eye Plus] Sejong-daero splashed in green

Sejongdaero, one of the best known streets in Seoul and a main thoroughfare of downtown Seoul, is ready to welcome pedestrians.  Named after King Sejong (1397-1450) of the Joseon era, who led the invention of Hanguel, the writing system for the Korean language, the broad avenue runs from the southern end of Gwanghwamun Plaza, passes the city gate Sungnyemun and continues to Seoul Station.  In May, the construction of Sejongdaero Forest Road was completed, ending months of constructio

June 12, 2021

Far from the madding crowd: 25 tucked-away summer vacation spots

  Although the COVID-19 vaccination is speeding up in Korea, for individuals balancing the need to continue observing social distancing precautions and the desire for a real summer vacation after more than 18 months of living through a pandemic is a difficult task. Providing some solutions to the complex question of how to enjoy the long-awaited summer break in a safe manner is a list of 25 domestic destinations compiled by the Korea Tourism Organization. Classified into four categories

June 12, 2021

[Travel bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Hansan Ramie Fabric Cultural Festival Taking place in Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province, the Hansan Ramie Fabric Cultural Festival continues the tradition of Hansan ramie fabric, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The three-day festival starts Friday and ends Sunday. Visitors can try weaving traditional Korean natural fabric and try on mosi clothing. Programs and events include a fashion show, designer competition and more. Further details of the festival can be found at

June 11, 2021

[Travel bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Busan Port Festival The festival has been held annually since 2008 to introduce Busan Port, one of the top five ports in the world. It offers a variety of programs that that showcase Busan Port-related industries, culture and education. Part of Ocean Day celebrations, this annual festival offers opportunities to learn about Busan Port’s rich history. Related businesses, organizations and universities take part in the festival to promote the port. For more information, visit www.bfo.or.

June 4, 2021

Korea Tourism Organization launches environment-focused travel challenge on social media

When planning a trip involves buying new products and creating waste, a major problem arises – travelers enjoying the outdoors while ignoring the impact their vacation may have on the environment. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization jointly launched the “Inconvenient Travel Tips“ campaign on Wednesday, to promote eco-friendly travel methods through October. The travel tips are conservation-minded measures that some may find inconveni

June 2, 2021

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Seoul Salon du Chocolat Since its inception in France in 1994, Salon du Chocolat has taken place in 32 cities in 11 countries. In Seoul this year, it will be a three-day event from Aug. 20 to Aug. 22 at Coex, where visitors can taste and purchase a wide range of chocolate products, dessert ingredients and paraphernalia related to chocolate and desserts. Unique events such as the Chocolate Fashion Show, Chocoland and Choco Art will entertain visitors. A variety of hands-on activities, inc

May 28, 2021

When travel meets wellness

The 19th-century American self-help author Napoleon Hill was referring to the deep connection between body and mind when he said, “The body achieves what the mind believes.” The mind plays an important role in wellness, but it is not easy to achieve wellness while living in a crowded city, venturing out each day and maintaining a hectic schedule. To help the pandemic weary, the Korea Tourism Organization has recommended seven “wellness travel” destinations. “We

May 27, 2021

Sobaeksan’s floral beauty in full bloom

The fragrant beauty of royal azaleas blooms around April each year. The azaleas, “cheoljjuk” in Korean, are ready to fill the gardens with a potpourri of pink and purple. The Sobaek Mountain National Park Northern Office said Thursday that royal azaleas near the Yeonhwa peak have begun to bloom. The azalea flowers are expected to be at their peak on May 29 and 30.  The Sobaek Mountain Royal Azalea Festival hosted by Danyang, North Chungcheong Province, has been canceled f

May 21, 2021

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Moonlight Tour at Changdeokgung Built in 1405 as a royal residence of the Joseon era, Changdeokgung, a UNESCO World Heritage site, welcomes the summer season with nighttime visitors. The nighttime tour offers a unique opportunity to witness and experience the beauty of the palace under Seoul’s moonlight. Each tour lasts approximately 100 minutes. The tour runs through June 20, and online reservations are required. Tickets are limited to two per reservation. Information on reservatio

May 21, 2021