Relaxing greenery in cities

Looking at greenery helps relieve stress, several studies have found. If you are tired of spending your days looking at grey, concrete buildings, here are some places to visit for instant relaxation with plants. The Seoul Botanic Park Located in Magok, in western Seoul's Gangseo-gu, the Seoul Botanic Park boasts some 4,500 species of trees, flowers and bushes. Since its opening in 2019, the park has been a magnet for travelers and locals alike. One essential stop all year round is the park&

Oct. 22, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Masan Chrysanthemum Festival The Masan Chrysanthemum Festival is scheduled to be held from Oct. 29 to Nov. 9 at Masan Marine New City in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. Formerly known as Masan, Changwon accounts for 13 percent of all chrysanthemum farming in Korea. The festival is held to promote the excellence of Changwon’s chrysanthemums. Colorful autumn flowers aside, the visitors can enjoy various programs, including the drone light show, bubble magic show, local musicians’

Oct. 21, 2022

[Photo News] Colorful autumn seen across the Korean Peninsula

Autumn has arrived across Korea in the middle of October, showing various views full of colors. From the southern resort island of Jeju to Chilbosan mountain in northeastern North Korea, autumn scenery of ripened fruits, autumn flowers, fall foliage, early frost and silver grasses are found in each part of the peninsula. Here are some photos of the mid-October scenes taken in mountains and parks across Korea.

Oct. 18, 2022

[Well-curated] Hanok bakery, sound art and old photos take you back in time, space

  If you are either a hanok lover or a dessert maniac, the hanok-themed Hyegyeonggung Bakery is the place to visit as a chill creeps into the air. From fascinating desserts to a large garden where you can go for a light stroll, Hyegyeonggung Bakery has it all to make for a quality weekend. Located in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, some 40 kilometers south of Seoul, the three-story bakery offers unique pastries, muffins, cakes, croissants and more. Taste sweet apple jam and cream cheese in the

Oct. 14, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Sheraton Grand Incheon launches 'Sheraton Pocha' promotion Sheraton Grand Incheon is launching a special promotion with Korean alcoholic beverages at Bb, the hotel's lobby dining bar. Starting Friday, different drink options will be served with various Korean late-night eats, such as savory seafood pancakes and gochujang octopus. Some 28 drink options are available, including traditional Korean cocktails, makgeolli, soju, wine and beer. The promotion runs through Dec. 31 from 6 p.

Oct. 14, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Pocheon Silver Grass Festival The 25th edition of the Pocheon Silver Grass Festival started on Oct. 9 and runs through Oct. 31 at Sanjung Lake and Myeongsungsan in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. The silver grass-filled fields at Myeongsungsan is considered one of the five best silver grass colonies in South Korea. Visitors can take photos that can be printed out on-site, write a letter to be mailed to the recipient after a year or write a message to hang at the fields of silver grass. A flea market

Oct. 14, 2022

Spot Hangeul signboards in downtown Seoul

With its 600 years of history as Korea’s capital, the center of Seoul embraces the essence of Korean culture. Especially near Gyeongbokgung, the main palace of the Joseon dynasty (1391-1910), neighborhoods have been making efforts to show their identity as the historic center of Korea. One of the efforts has been increasing the number of signboards in Hangeul. As most major brands in South Korea write their names in English, visitors to Seoul's boulevards might find more Romanized sig

Oct. 9, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Sancheong Herbal Medicinal Festival The 20th Sancheong Medicinal Herb Festival, which started on Sept. 30, will run through Oct. 10 at the areas near Sancheong IC Entrance and Donguibogam Village in Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province. The festival, which began in 2001, includes exhibitions and events where one can learn about and experience Korea's medicinal herbs, for which the county of Sancheong is well-known. Sancheong is considered the home of Jirisan, a mountain where over 1,000 med

Oct. 7, 2022

Mungyeong promises a memorable time travel to the past

MUNGYEONG, North Gyeongsang Province -- The vast, sweeping road lined with ginkgo trees lend a magical quality to the walk through Mungyeongsaejae Pass, the historical road connecting the capital Hanyang (today’s Seoul) with the southeast corner of the peninsula. Once Joseon Dynasty's most popular trail, it was the road taken by Confucian scholars from the southeastern part of the country on their way to the capital to take state exams. These days, visitors come to enjoy the beautiful

Oct. 6, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Incheon Soraepogu Port Festival The three-day Incheon Soraepogu Port Festival will kick off Oct. 1 at Soraepogu Port and Soraepogu Traditional Market in Incheon. To promote its rich cultural history as an old fishing village, the event features a traditional market selling fresh fish caught off Sorae and an exhibition of traditional fishing tools. A special stamp tour, fireworks and music performances by local artists are scheduled to entertain visitors of all ages. Admission is free. Updated in

Oct. 1, 2022

When is peak fall foliage date across South Korea?

As leaves start to change color, the Korea Forest Service released a map this week showing when fall foliage will peak across major mountains and arboretums in South Korea. If you are planning a trip to spot autumn leaves, late October will generally offer the most beautiful views of mountains, according to the forest authority, with the average peak date at Oct. 26. The average peak date is calculated when the leaves of more than fifty percent of three tree types -- Korean maple, ginkgo and Mon

Sept. 29, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Andong Maskdance Festival If you want to know more about Hahoe masks worn by the cast in Netflix’s crime thriller “Money Heist: Korea -- Joint Economic Area,” the upcoming Andong Mask Dance Festival may interest you. The Andong Mask Dance Festival is set to be held from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 in areas of downtown Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. The five-day festival features cultural performances, including Korea’s mask dance drama and mask dance performances from foreig

Sept. 23, 2022

Where nature beckons: Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- Experiencing a foreign country can turn out to be one that is quite different from one’s expectations. But that is the beauty of travel. As Lewis Carroll, the author of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," said, "In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take." Those who wish to leave the familiar to explore the unfamiliar away from the urban crowd, Sri Lanka merits consideration. Sri Lanka, which means “resplendent island,&

Sept. 17, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Siheung Gaetgol Festival The Siheung Gaetgol Festival is scheduled to be held from Sept. 23 to 25 at Siheung Gaetgol Eco Park in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. The three-day event offers ecological experiences at the park, which is considered to be the world’s largest ecology art playground. Various programs, including photo exhibitions, a drawing area, salt playground, trekking around the Gaetgol trail and more, are offered to visitors so they can enjoy both nature and art to their fullest

Sept. 16, 2022

[Photo] Paik Nam-june's masterpiece is back

Paik Nam-june’s masterpiece “The More the Better” restarted operations on Thursday, unveiling its prototype after completing its three-year restoration. The largest piece by Paik, the video tower consists of 1,003 monitors and had a test run for six months early this year. "The More the Better" was first unveiled to the public on Sept. 15, 1988. (MMCA)

Sept. 15, 2022

Vietnam, Japan surge in popularity as tourist destination for S. Koreans

As COVID-19 travel restrictions start to ease further across Asia, more S. Korean travelers are eyeing Vietnam and Japan. South Koreans topped foreign tourist arrivals in Vietnam in August, according to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam. Some 486,000 foreigners traveled to the Southeast Asian country, of which 173,000 were from South Korea, followed by the US and Cambodia. With nearly 1 in 3 visitors to Vietnam last month being South Koreans, the figure marks the country’s growing d

Sept. 11, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Yeosu Jinnam Turtle Ship Festival The Yeosu Jinnam Turtle Ship Festival will run from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at Jongpo Marine Park in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. Commemorating the achievement of Adm. Yi Sun-sin and his famous naval battles during the Imjin War, the annual three-day festival offers a chance to enjoy various exhibitions, parades and performances. With an attempt to promote local art and customs, the festival provides hands-on programs as well as traditional games. Opening as an on

Sept. 9, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Gyeryong World Military Culture Expo The Gyeryong World Military Culture Expo is scheduled to be held at Gyeryong Emergency Runway in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province, Oct. 7 to 23. Though the festival was initially held to celebrate Korea’s national military service members in 2007, the event has expanded to celebrate the military culture of countries across the globe. The expo seeks to promote peace and technical aspects of the military for future leaders. Visitors can enjoy vari

Sept. 2, 2022

[Herald Interview] New Andaz Seoul Gangnam General Manager Robert Hamer emphasizes 'back to basics' in hospitality

Regardless of which Hyatt hotel around the world he is at, Andaz Seoul Gangnam General Manager Robert Hamer does not change his weekly routine of conducting a hygiene inspection of all the kitchens -- which was completed just before his interview with The Korea Herald. The new general manager, who took the post last month, is passionate about providing a homelike comfort and luxurious atmosphere at Andaz Seoul Gangnam, without missing the “inspirational” aspect. "Working at th

Sept. 1, 2022

Seowon exhibition to take place in Andong

A special media exhibition on “seowon” -- Korean Neo-Confucian private academies established in the mid to late Joseon era for the aristocratic upper class -- will be held at Byeongsan Seowon in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, from Saturday to Tuesday, Andong City announced Friday. A newly released documentary on seowon will be released at the exhibition titled “Heading to Seowon,” jointly organized by the Cultural Heritage Administration and Andong City, and hosted

Aug. 26, 2022