[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Seaside getaway at Hilton Namhae Golf Spa ResortHilton Namhae Golf and Spa Resort is offering a seasonal package of accommodation, food, spa and coffee through Nov. 30. The Colorful Autumn Package features a one-night stay in a suite room, breakfast at the restaurant Breeze and access to the spa, as well as take-out coffee. The Namhae area in the southern coast of Korea is ideal for travel in fall, with its seaside walking trails and close proximity to scenic mountains. The resort has rooms offe

Oct. 20, 2017

[Neighborhood Trails] Green trail of Ansan embracing Seoulites seeking quick getaway

Seoul is a city dotted with many mountains. Following is a series that explores some of the easy trails in Seoul’s neighborhood mountains. --Ed.Ancient wisdom of Korea suggests that an area facing the waters with a mountain on its back is the perfect place to reside. As such, Seoul is surrounded by mountains and has the Han River running in front of its centuries-old capital region. Mount Ansan’s Jarak-gil, located in the western part of the metropolis, provides easy-access to mother nature for

Oct. 19, 2017

No. of visitors to local tourist attractions soars 60% during holiday

The number of visitors to local tourist destinations soared nearly 60 percent during the recent Chuseok holiday season, government data showed Tuesday.According to data compiled by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 8.87 million people visited 108 major tourist attractions in South Korea during the 10-day Chuseok break, the country's autumn harvest celebration, up 59.6 percent from 5.56 million tallied last year.  Tourists visit Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province (Yonhap)This year,

Oct. 17, 2017

[Photo News] Han River covered with buckwheat flowers

Buckwheat and canola flowers cover Banpo Seoraeseom Island in Seoul on Tuesday. With temperatures falling to 9 degrees Celsius in the mornings and nights in the capital city, Korea has fully entered the fall season. By Park Hyun-koo (phko@heraldcorp.com)

Oct. 17, 2017

Must-see attractions in Busan alongside film fest

An open view of the azure sea, with glitters of sunlight, drifting clouds and forested shorelines, delighted passengers inside a Song-do marine cable car in Busan. “It was thrilling and impressive, a rare scenery in Korea,” Kim So-young, a Busan-native who now lives in Seoul, told The Korea Herald about her experience in early October. “There were many families, couples and children enjoying the spectacular view. Some cable cars also come with a transparent glass floor, which makes the ride all

Oct. 13, 2017

[Travel bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Mindung Mountain Eulalia Festival The Mindungsan Eulalia Festival is taking place in Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon Province. Events being held include mountain climbing, talent contests, Arirang singing contests, eulalia music concerts, a Mindungsan Gate ball competition and a photo exhibition. Other programs involve local food, sending post cards, mountain horseback riding and more.The event will be held until Oct. 29. Visit jeongseon.go.kr for more information in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese

Oct. 13, 2017

[Photo News] Tourists enjoy chrysanthemums at Jogyesa temple

Tourists enjoy the multicolored chrysanthemums at the Jogyesa temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Tuesday. Chrysanthemums are one of the representative flowers for fall in Korea.(phko@heraldcorp.com)

Oct. 10, 2017

[Photo News] Koreans return home as 10-day holiday comes to a close

Putting behind the 10-day holiday, South Koreans are flocking back to the capital city of Seoul on Monday from their respite at provincial hometowns and overseas vacation spots. The extended holiday, which started on Sept. 30, is set to end on Monday. Workers and students return to workplaces and schools on Tuesday.Seoul Station and Yongsan Station, the main train stations linking the capital city with local areas, are busy with foot traffic of people returning to Seoul, Monday.A record number o

Oct. 9, 2017

Seoul palaces fall short of translators

Historic palaces in Seoul, one of the core tourism sites in the capital city, are seriously lacking in the number of staff in charge of interpretation. Only 12 staff were able to offer foreign language services at Gyeongbokgung, where more than 2.8 million tourists visited in 2016, Cultural Heritage Administration data released Monday indicated.  Gyeongbokgung (Yonhap)Changdeokgung, where 532,000 people stopped by in the same year, had 16 staff. Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung, with roughly 278,0

Oct. 2, 2017

[Eye Plus] Pansori, palace and autumn breeze under moonlight

In contrast to the city skyline that lights up the heart of Seoul, the beauty of Joseon-era architecture is revealed at royal palaces, offering magical night views of the centuries-old landscape. And Pansori, traditional Korean music, flows through the crisp autumn night, the best season to enjoy the picturesque royal palaces of the Joseon dynasty. Four royal palaces in Seoul, from Gyeongbokgung to Changgyeonggung, are open to the public also at night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with various cultura

Sept. 29, 2017

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Discount for foreign visitors at Coex Aquarium Coex Aquarium is offering ticket discount for foreigners in celebration of the upcoming Chuseok holiday.Foreign visitors who present the promotional image of the special discount event posted on the aquarium’s website (www.coexaqua.com/index_eng.asp) or SNS pages can receive a 20 percent discount. The discounted prices are 22,500 won for 19 and above, 20,000 for those aged 13-18, and 17,500 for children. The event is held Sept. 29 to Oct. 9. Passpor

Sept. 29, 2017

[Photo News] Traditional markets busy ahead of Chuseok

Gyeongdong Market, a traditional market, in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, saw brisk foot traffic on Monday, with people shopping for their Chuseok offerings and food for the upcoming 10-day-long holiday. This year’s holiday is a record stretch of 10 days that begin Saturday, linking National Foundation Day on Oct. 3 with the Chuseok holiday from Oct. 4-6 and Hangeul Proclamation Day on Oct. 9.People purchased food such as dried fish, fruits and vegetables at Gyeongdong Market. Traditional markets offer

Sept. 26, 2017

Fireworks to color Seoul sky this weekend

The annual Seoul International Fireworks Festival, more commonly known as the Yeouido fireworks festival, will take place Saturday from 7 p.m. at Yeouido Hangang Park. The event organizers promised the festival will showcase “the most exuberant and magnificent” fireworks to brighten up the night sky of Seoul.  (Hanwha Corporation)This year’s theme will be multimedia fireworks. Each firework will be based on cutting-edge technology. Following the show, there will be an after-party featuring a DJ

Sept. 26, 2017

Sea-to-sky cable car begins operation along Samcheok coastline

A marine Cable Car over the coastline of Samcheok in Gangwon Province began operations on Tuesday.The cable car will run 874 meters between Yonghwa-ri and Jangho Port which is known for its charming coastal scenery.Equipped with a glass bottom, the cable car offers an unobstructed bird’s-eye view of the sea to passengers on board.The standard adult fare for a cable car ride is 8,000 won for a round-trip and 5,000 won one-way. Samcheok Marine Cable Car (Samcheok City)(mjk625@heraldcorp.com)

Sept. 26, 2017

[Weekender] Rest stops become tourist attractions in South Korea

Rest stops are an essential part of a highway system, offering drivers chances to gas up, use the restroom or just stretch their legs on long trips. But increasingly in South Korea, these roadside establishments offer something a little extra, becoming tourist attractions in their own right. South Korea’s 4,000-kilometer highway system boasts 189 rest areas, which last year generated a combined 1.3 trillion won ($1.1 billion) in revenue, up 13 percent from 2014. From local delicacies, traditiona

Sept. 22, 2017

An urban underwater adventure

 From streams to the deepest oceans, water, covering more than two-thirds of the planet’s surface, is the home to a myriad of creatures.As many as 1 million different species are thought to inhabit Earth’s oceans, the majority of which have yet to be fully described. Aquariums are windows into this vast, mostly unexplored world. At the Lotte World Aquarium in southern Seoul, visitors can see organism from diverse aquatic habitats including sturgeons, sharks, and pirarucu, one of the largest fres

Sept. 8, 2017

[Travel bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju, a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition, offers visitors the chance to walk through hundreds of traditional Korean homes at the Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Highlights include a moonlight photography competition, traditional music, Jeonju traditional opera, a shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is being held until Sept. 13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-night.kr

Sept. 8, 2017

Seychelles to build on decadelong ties with Korea

Floating atop the Indian Ocean, the island nation of Seychelles has been a travel destination that boasts both scenery and culture, but has stayed under the radar in Korea for the most part due to accessibility and relative obscurity.“Ten years ago, when there was the idea to promote Seychelles in South Korea, no one had heard of it,” said Sherin Francis, CEO of Seychelles Tourism Board.Commemorating the 10th anniversary of its Korea office, the tourism board is looking to build on the budding r

Sept. 8, 2017

[Photo News] Signs of fall in the sky in Seoul

Cool breeze and a clear sky signaled the arrival of fall in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday. Daytime temperature dropped to an average of 18 degrees Celsius nationwide, creating an optimal weather for outdoor activities. A dry spell is anticipated in the following weeks. Photographed by Park Hyun-koo (phko@heraldcorp.com)

Aug. 29, 2017

East and West coexist in steep Old Town Central of Hong Kong

Stephen Cheung is a 27-year-old man with a British father and native Hongkonger mother. Working as a tour guide, which facilitates his major in history, Cheung himself may be a living example of Hong Kong, a city of coexistence of Eastern and Western cultures, tradition and modernity, after 156 years of British colonial rule. The Old Police Station is under renovation to be an art gallery. (Hong Kong Touism Board)“The Old Central Town is my favorite place to introduce to tourists, because it is

Aug. 25, 2017