[Travel Bits]

Visit Korea’s first lighthousePalmido Lighthouse on Palmido Island in Jung-gu, Incheon, is Korea’s first lighthouse built in April 1903. It officially lit up for commercial ships in June 1903. Korea built the lighthouse due to pressure from Japan to open trade to the country.It takes about 45 minutes by ferry to Palmido Island from Incheon Port International Passenger Terminal, and another 10 minutes to walk from the island’s dock to the top of the lighthouse.Behind the original lighthouse, whic

Aug. 30, 2015

Around the Hotels

The Korea Herald brings you the latest on what's going on around the hotels in Korea. Fruit dessert buffetat Sheraton Grande Walkerhill　Sheraton Grande Walkerhill’s lobby lounge cafe The Pavilion is offering a new seasonal dessert buffet promotion titled “Beautifruit,” featuring an array of dainty desserts mainly made with pomegranates and blueberry. Twenty-six kinds of desserts will be offered with a selection of light meals and beverages. Desserts include blueberry sandwiches, mini roll cakes

Aug. 30, 2015

Time travel to ancient kingdom of Baekje

IKSAN, North Jeolla Province -– A restoration project of the oldest stone pagoda in Korean history is underway at the site of Mireuksa Temple in Iksan, North Jeolla Province. A rhythmic, clear sound of carving stone echoes through the vast site. Inside a temporary tent, stonemasons crack and sculpt stones that will become the new columns for the six-story pagoda. The sound accompanies visitors everywhere in the new UNESCO’s World Heritage site, as no buildings block the sound’s spread. The east

Aug. 26, 2015

[Travel Bits]

Ride bikes in ChuncheonThe Korea Tourism Organization will be expanding its bicycle riding tour program in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, in an effort to boost tourism in the region in the aftermath of the Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak.It recently launched a pilot program enabling tourists to travel to Chuncheon from Yongsan Station via train and ride their bikes on a 30-kilometer course, and visit various attractions such as an animation museum.Some 70 people participated in the bikin

Aug. 21, 2015

Citadines Haeundae Busan introduces upscale, convenient living

Interior view of one of the Citadines Haeundae Busan‘s one-bedroom premier suites. (Ascott Limited Group)Citadines, a global brand of well-appointed serviced apartments, officially launched its first “apart’hotel” in Korea over the weekend, smack dab in the heart of Haeundae, the country’s most popular beachside hot spot.Now accepting reservations, the 468-room Citadines Haeundae offers safe and comfortable accommodations for both tourists and business travelers, whether it be for a short weeken

Aug. 17, 2015

Travel Bits

Musical festival to celebrate 70th Liberation DayThe Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will hold a musical festival in Seoul to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the country’s liberation from Japan’s imperial rule.The festival, to held Aug. 14 from 7:30-9 p.m. at Seoul Plaza, will stage musical performances from Korean stars including Lee Seung-cheol, Sistar and Insooni.Renowned art director Yoon Ki-churl will direct the live cultural festival, themed “Grand Journey and New Takeoff.”Yoon s

Aug. 7, 2015

Travel Bits

Korail launches city toursKorail, the state-run railway operator, has launched nationwide city tour programs.In partnership with regional administrative governments and the Korea Tourism Organization, the Rail City Tour program will enable tourists to take Korail’s trains to local provincial areas and then use regional tour buses for sightseeing and shopping.It will begin offering the tour in cities such as Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province and Jecheon

July 31, 2015

Around the Hotels

Beach-themed partyat W Hotel Seoul - WalkerhillW Hotel Seoul – Walkerhill is presenting the “Summer Escape Party,” a resort-themed summer party with music by local DJs, at the hotel’s stylish WooBar on Aug. 8. For the party, the bar will be filled with beach decorations including sunbeds, beach towels, parasols, surf boards, floating tubes and more. The dress code for the party is “beach attire.”A number of renowned local DJs will perform, including DJ Gio Vanhoutte, who is W Hotel Seoul’s music

July 31, 2015

Get the most out of ‘all-inclusive’ fun at Kensington Jeju Hotel

Exterior view of the Kensington Jeju Hotel in Seogwipo, Jejudo Island. (Kensington Jeju Hotel)Nestled right in the mix of Jejudo Island’s most luxurious resorts -- Lotte, Shilla and the Hyatt -- is the newly established Kensington Jeju Hotel on the picturesque coast of Seogwipo. The nautical themed resort meets all the standards and quality services of its neighboring brands, however, with the property being relatively smaller, Kensington guests can bask in all its 4-star bliss in a more intimat

July 29, 2015

[Weekender] Korea’s top beaches for a refreshing summer

There’s nothing quite like a sandy beach and open ocean in the summer to wash away the fatigue of everyday stress. With long, stretching coastlines, Korea offers a variety of beaches for midsummer vacations, each with its own unique personality. The Korea Herald suggests some of the nation’s best beaches for relaxation, for crowded fun and for fun experiences.　Quiet seaside paradises　For those seeking a quieter, more relaxing summer getaway, the following are some of the country’s hidden seaside

July 24, 2015

[Weekender] Backpack or bikini?

The sizzling heat and torrid humidity of summer is also synonymous with the season of rest, relaxation and the thrill of being in the great outdoors. 　And whether it’s taking the sweltering heat like a bull by the horns, enjoying the most of nature cooling off in the water or putting one’s calf muscles to work tackling the nation’s countless trekking trails, many Koreans choose to spend their summers either on the seaside or mountainside. 　With more than half of the peninsula made of mountain ra

July 24, 2015

[Weekender] Mountain valleys to check out this summer

With about 70 percent of land in South Korea covered by mountainous regions, hiking is a familiar and accessible pastime for many Koreans.During the summer, Koreans often visit the mountains and spend time in the valleys and riverside to ward off the heat and escape from the daily grind. Here are several popular valleys to visit for the summer.　Achimgari Achimgari (Yonhap)Achimgari, a valley located on Mount Bangtaesan in Inje, Gangwon province, is famous for its trekking course.It has earned it

July 24, 2015

[Weekender] Night hiking, a respite from summer heat

(123rf) As the summer sun takes its toll on the best of outdoorsman, some are turning to night hiking. Exploring the wilderness in the dark is a whole new experience that simulates all one’s senses, enthusiasts say, if one only follows key safety tips. Seoul’s Yangcheon-gu, the first district to launch an official nighttime trekking program in 2011, is holding a weekly group hiking program every Thursday evening until Aug. 27.Approximately 100 people sign up for the 2-hour excursion, said Kim Se

July 24, 2015

[Travel Bits] Incheon Airport to hold summer concert

 The Incheon International Airport will hold cultural performances to help travelers beat the heat during this summer vacation season. The “Fantastic Summer Concert” will be held from July 28 to Aug. 2 at the airport’s Millennium Hall on the first floor of its passenger terminal. The concert, which is open to all visitors for free, will be held for about 90 minutes on July 28 at 10 p.m., and at 4 p.m. on July 29 through Aug. 2. 　K-pop stars including Lena Park will hold a live-stage concert. Als

July 24, 2015

[Travel Bits] Korean Pavilion at Milan Expo attracts 1m visitors

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that the Korean Pavilion at the Milan Expo saw more than 1 million visitors since it opened to the public in May.The ministry in partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization and Korean Air awarded a round-trip ticket from Milan to Incheon to the 1 millionth visitor, who came from Rome. The Korean Pavilion at Milan Expo (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)The ministry said that some 12,000 tourists have been visiting the Korean Pavilion a d

July 24, 2015

[Travel Bits] Air Busan launches flights to Guam

Air Busan has started offering direct flight services to the tourist island of Guam from Busan, making it the airliner’s 15th international route.The budget airliner will be offering Busan-Guam flights four days a week on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.Air Busan flight No. BX612 will take off from Busan at 10:15 p.m. and land in Guam in the Western Pacific at 3:10 in the morning the following day. Flight No. BX611 will leave the island at 4:10 a.m. and arrive in Busan at 7:10 a.m. on t

July 24, 2015

[Weekender] Refreshing low-cost summer getaways

While South Korea’s Hangang River attracts millions of visitors to its cherry blossom festival in the spring and fireworks display in the fall every year, there are more festivities the river can offer in the summer.As this year’s Hangang River festival kicks off on July 17, the riverside will turn into a major playground for those seeking a respite from the scorching heat and a getaway from the day-to-day hustle.Hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government under the theme of “Hangang: A Midsumme

July 10, 2015

Travel bits

Free admission to royal palacesA number of royal palaces and historic sites in Seoul -- the Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung and Deoksugung palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty -- will offer free admission during the month of July, courtesy of the Cultural Heritage Administration.The Gyeongbokgung Palace, located in Jongno-gu was originally built in 1395 when Seoul was appointed the capital of Joseon. Acknowledged as the largest and arguably the most beautiful of Seoul’s fiv

July 10, 2015

Korea tourism industry strives to bounce back from MERS slump

Despite July customarily being one of Seoul’s busiest holiday months, on a bright sunny Monday afternoon the city’s largest palace and tourist hot spot, Gyeongbukgung Palace, was virtually devoid of international tourists.Myeong-dong -- Seoul’s shopping mecca that is typically teeming with tourists -- and the duty-free shops in Lotte Department Store’s main branch are experiencing rare quiet months in the height of the summer season.Following the start of the peninsula’s Middle East respiratory

July 7, 2015