Shindang-dong, Yeouido, Jeju top tourist destinations for foreigners

Shindang-dong and Yeouido in Seoul were the most popular tourist destinations for foreign visitors, along with Jeju Island, in 2023 and the first half of this year, according to a big data analysis by the Korea Tourism Organization unveiled Tuesday. Lee Mi-sook, head of the KTO's tourism data strategy team, presented the findings during a seminar in Seoul co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the KTO. "Fueled by a surge in visitors from China, Japan, and Taiwan,

May 28, 2024

HiKR Ground to turn into Faker Temple

HiKR Ground, a promotional hall for Korean tourism located in Jung-gu, central Seoul, is to turn into a shrine to the living esports legend Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok from May 29 to June 16. Faker was crowned the first ever inductee to the Hall of Legends with his mastery of League of Legends, numerous contributions to the sport and by inspiring millions of esports fans across the globe. Hall of Legends is the League of Legends hall of fame that was introduced by Riot Games, the company

May 27, 2024

[Drama Tour] Bucheon Lake Botanic Park, perfect weekend getaway for families

BUCHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- Star director Yeon Sang-ho is cementing his legacy as the country’s leading genre content creator with a string of hits such as the zombie films “Train to Busan” (2016), “Peninsula” (2020) and the fantasy horror series “Hellbound” (2021). As the director heavily focuses on presenting monsters causing havoc in our world, many of the filming locations in Yeon’s projects have a gloomy atmosphere, traces of destruction and

May 25, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Jeju Folk Village A glimpse of what it was like living on Jeju Island in the 19th century is available at Jeju Folk Village. Visitors can check out an exhibition of “suseok,” or rocks of artistic value that are often collected, and spaces dedicated to wood and ceramic craftworks alongside paintings. Interactive experiences are available. Visitors can participate in activities like grinding grains with a millstone and play traditional games such as the board game “yutnori,&r

May 24, 2024

Discover your inner Indiana Jones in Palawan

PALAWAN, Philippines -- An expansive archipelago located at the western edge of the Philippines, Palawan is a popular travel destination for those looking to immerse themselves in the area's serene atmosphere and magnificent nature. One of the highlights of the main island is Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its underground river tour. If exploring this natural wonder is on your bucket list, Four Points by Sheraton, with its easy access to

May 18, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

WE Hotel presents summer package WE Hotel, a premium health resort located in Seogwipo, southern Jeju Island, is offering an early summer package from May 20 to July 25. The package includes a one-night stay in the hotel’s superior room, a free bagel-coffee set menu, an Italian combo -- a food promotion including a pizza, spaghetti, salad and two drinks -- and a wellness program for two guests. Guests can enjoy the resort’s outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi and fitness center for free

May 17, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Wonju Sogeumsan Grand Valley Prepare yourself before looking down. The Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge in Wonju, Gangwon Province is the longest pedestrian bridge in Korea, running 200 meters suspended across a canyon. The Night of Light Show will take place at Sogeumsan, with a fountain show and installations dotting the mountain with a kaleidoscope of colors. The show runs through Oct. 27 on Saturdays, Sundays and the Chuseok holiday. The Wonju Sogeumsan Grand Valley is open from 9:00 a.m. to

May 17, 2024

Philippines to woo holidaymakers with new tourism portfolios

The Philippine Tourism Department has set an ambitious goal of becoming a tourism powerhouse in Asia with new travel promotions and unique cultural experiences. “Our country is not just a destination. The Philippines is more about experience. Overseas holidaymakers, especially Koreans who (account for) over a quarter of international tourist arrivals in the Philippines, can witness not only our natural wonders but also a wide range of tourism offerings,” Philippine Tourism Department

May 16, 2024

Paradise City showcases annual Paradise Super Week

Integrated resort complex Paradise City is offering a blow-out discount and sales promotion period called Paradise Super Week until May 22. 2024 Paradise Super Week, which started Monday, is the resort’s iconic annual promotion allowing its guests to enhance their hotel experience with various benefits and rewards. This year’s package includes a discount of up to 68 percent for Paradise City resort rooms. Guests can schedule their stays at Paradise City Hotel, located in Jung-gu, Inc

May 16, 2024

KTO collaborates with K-pop artist for new tourism product

The Korea Tourism Organization hopes to enlist the ever-expanding presence and influence of K-pop in boosting the country’s international arrivals. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and KTO launched their first tourism product, which connects K-pop stars' fan meetings with ESG (environment, social and governance) campaigns. A total of 250 Japanese Super Junior-D&E fans who visited Jeju Island on May 12 were on a new tourism program that combined the K-pop stars' tal

May 16, 2024

[Drama Tour] Romantic trip to ‘Queen of Tears’ filming spots

GOESAN, North Chungcheong Province -- For those who are not yet ready to say goodbye to South Korea’s latest hit romance drama “Queen of Tears” and its leading couple, played by Kim Ji-won and Kim Su-hyun, paying a visit to the series's beautiful filming locations might be a way to recapture some of the show’s iconic moments. “Queen of Tears” was shot in various cities in South Korea and Germany. For those looking for quieter destinations that are not pac

May 11, 2024

What's Seoul's No.1 landmark? Seoulites say Han River, foreigners pick Gwanghwamun Plaza

Seoul's Han River was picked by the city's residents as the capital's most iconic feature, according to the results of a survey by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday. Foreign nationals, on the other hand, chose Gwanghwamun Plaza as Seoul's top landmark in the same survey. A total of 35,881 South Koreans aged 15 or over, and 2,500 foreign nationals who stayed in the country for at least 91 days took part in the 2023 Seoul Survey. In the poll, in which multiple ans

May 11, 2024

Haeundae Beach to become sand art museum in late May

South Korea’s famous Haeundae Beach in Busan is set to bring wonder to tourists' eyes with stunning sand art, starting May 24 until May 27. The annual Haeundae Sand Festival, started in 2005, displays a wide range of sand art pieces at the country’s popular summer getaway spot and entertains visitors with sand art-related programs. This year, under the theme of “World’s Famous Museums Trip,” the upcoming sand festival will feature sand art versions of Michelang

May 10, 2024

[Photo News] Lotte World Adventure's 35th Anniversary Parade

Lotte World Adventure, one of the most popular theme parks in South Korea located in Songpa-gu, southern Seoul, celebrates its 35th anniversary with the new nighttime parade “World of Light.” The 30-minute parade, which started on April 26, is set to provide a feast for guests’ eyes with dazzling light fixtures and unique performances every day at 8 p.m. “World of Light” is scheduled to run through the end of this year.

May 10, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo unveils special cake DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo, located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, is offering a carnation-themed cake in May, in celebration of Parents’ Day. With carnation flowers decorating the top, the cakes are made with raspberry coulis, cream cheese and pink colored buttercream cake sheet. The cakes are offered in two sizes -- a whole cake and mini cake -- which are priced at 65,000 won and 15,000 won, respectively. Reservations are r

May 10, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Spring blooms at Morning Calm Spring blooms are at their peak at the Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. From plum blossoms and royal azaleas to tulips, daffodils and forsythias, enjoy the sprawling flower beds and shows, which are part of the festivities the garden is hosting through May 26. Flea markets will be held alongside magic shows to liven up the mood three days a week throughout the festival. Admission is priced at 11,000 won for adults with discounts available f

May 10, 2024

Will Daegu get its own panda? Construction of park starts with hopes of hosting the rare animal

Daegu on Wednesday commenced the construction of the Daegu Grand Park in its Suseong-gu district, slated for completion by 2027. The park is to house a range of facilities including a zoo, theme parks and venues for leisure activities and sports. The joint project by the city government and the Daegu Urban Development Corporation centers particularly on the plans for the new zoo, expected to replace the outdated facility currently located inside the Dalseong Park in Jung-gu. Daegu Mayor Hong J

May 9, 2024

Dog goes on incredible journey to make it back home, 41 days after going missing

A one-year-old Korean Jindo recently made headlines here, after the dog traveled a substantial distance to make it back home after going missing 41 days ago. A local YouTube channel on Tuesday posted the story of Jindo dog Hong-min, who lives in the city of Daejeon with his owner Yoon Jeong-sang. Yoon, an avid soccer fan and owner of 10 Jindos, named the dog after Son Heung-min, mistaking the soccer superstar's name for Son Hong-min. The one-year-old dog went missing on March 24, when Yoon

May 9, 2024

Korail unveils Buddhist temple-themed train trips

Korail Tourism Development, a subsidiary of the Korea Railroad Corp., is offering day trips to explore South Korea’s Buddhist temples on June 8. Collaborating with the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, Korail Tourism Development has prepared a total of eight train trip courses to different regions around the country and their well-known temples. Three trains will head to Banyasa and Yeongguksa in Yeongdong as well as Yonghwasa in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. While the Banyasa and

May 8, 2024

Korail Tourism Development recommends springtime rail bike trips

Korail Tourism Development, a subsidiary of the Korea Railroad Corp., has unveiled four iconic rail bike spots for domestic travelers. With green leaves dancing to the rhythm of the gentle breeze and spring now in full swing, hopping on a rail bike is one of the most popular ways to immerse yourself in the country’s beautiful nature and spring vibes. The highland county of Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, welcomes visitors with a splendid mountain range that can easily be spotted from practica

May 6, 2024