[Drama Tour] Try ‘Thirty-Nine’ cafe tour in Seoul

For visitors from overseas, it would be impossible to not note the proliferation of coffeehouses here; there seems to be more than just one around every corner in any Seoul neighborhood. This abundance of coffee shops has led Koreans to be discerning when it comes to choosing a cafe. Among the many different coffeehouses that beckon with unique concepts -- think animal cafes, vinyl record coffee shops and even a “chimmuk cafe” where patrons must remain quiet and conversation is prohi

May 5, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Green Barley Festival, Gochang The annual Green Barley Festival will run through May 12 at Hagwon Farm in Gochang County, North Jeolla Province. “Nongak,” a traditional Korean performance art, as well as classical music and jazz will be performed on the main stage set up in the middle of the vast farmland, which sits next to fields of canola flowers. Children can take part in activities like treasure hunts. Admission, including parking, is free. For more information, visit tour.g

May 3, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

Grand Hyatt Seoul unveils driving program for kids Grand Hyatt Seoul, located in Yongsan, central Seoul, is offering a new kids program “Hi Little Hyatt” to celebrate the upcoming Children’s Day. Children’s Day, which falls on May 5, is usually celebrated by parents taking their kids to enjoy a special treat. From May 5 to 7, “Hi Little Hyatt” allows children under six to ride the electric vehicles along the driving experience zone and head to the hotel&rsq

May 3, 2024

Media art introduces Korean culture at Incheon Airport

Travelers arriving at Incheon Airport's Terminal 1 can look forward to an introduction to traditional Korean culture through new media art as they make their way toward immigration. The National Palace Museum of Korea and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation have displayed the Traditional Culture Media Wall at the airport since 2021 with the aim of promoting Korea's traditional culture to international and domestic passengers. Videos entitled "K-Heritage," "K-Nature,&q

May 1, 2024

Namhae to extend beer festival period

The Namhae German Village Oktoberfest, which takes place in Namhae, South Gyeongsang Province, has decided to extend its festival period to four days for the first time since its launch in 2010. The village, long known for its distinctly foreign ambience in South Korea, has garnered local travelers' attention with its annual beer festival based on Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. The decision to extend the festival period, previously held for two to three days, was made in response to its ri

April 30, 2024

'Moon of Seoul' balloon ride prepares to take flight in June

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday that it has commenced preparations for installing the "Moon of Seoul" tethered helium balloon ride at Yeouido Hangang Park, with operation set to start in June. Basic landscaping will precede the installation of the moon-shaped balloon, which is currently under construction in France. The balloon will then be brought to Seoul to undergo safety inspections following the Aviation Safety Act. "Safety is our priority in installing (Moon of

April 29, 2024

Refresh, unwind away from the tropical heat

MANILA, Philippines -- Traveling overseas brings unusual excitement for holidaymakers, driving them to explore new things, even if it means spending a lot of energy and effort. After days jam-packed with activities and new experiences in a foreign land, taking a much-needed break is just as important. For those who have spent several days discovering Manila's bustling city life and tourist attractions, spending your last night at the Marriott Hotel Manila is perfect for a refresh before h

April 27, 2024

Legoland Korea Resort to open until 9 p.m.

Legoland Korea Resort, a theme park in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, announced that it will extend its operating hours so as to allow guests to enjoy its rides and attractions at night. The theme park will stay open until 9 p.m. on Saturdays in May. It will also stay open until 9 p.m. on May 5, Children's Day. Visitors will be treated to a stunning nighttime view of Chuncheon at the theme park’s 43-meter observatory for the first time, according to the theme park official. A Dance perf

April 26, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Guided Han River tours Free tours making stops at historic sites near and around the Han River will run through November. The tours will start at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily, with each tour lasting about two hours. Reservations need to be made five days in advance for individuals and a month in advance for groups, at visit-hangang.seoul.kr. Text messages will be sent when reservations are made or if a tour is canceled. Each tour requires at least three participants, as well as good weather with

April 26, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul unveils new summer delicacy The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, located in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, will serve three types of South Korea’s favorite iced dessert “bingsu” featuring Jeju apple mango, red bean and green tea. Bingsu is a national summer delicacy made with shaved ice, milk and condensed milk, and is often topped with sweetened red beans or fruits. The dessert will be available every day from May 1 to Sept. 30 at the lobby lounge. While the apple

April 26, 2024

7 new train trip programs coming in May

Korail Tourism Development will launch seven new railway travel programs discovering different parts of Korea to celebrate the month of May. May, known as “family month” here, is when many Koreans schedule trips to enjoy public holidays and occasions like Children’s Day, Parent’s Day and Couple’s Day. All seven different railway travel programs leave on May 3 and 4. Two of them are overnight trips in North Gyeongsang Province under the concept of "rest." T

April 25, 2024

Culture Ministry, KTO unveil Hallyu-themed tours

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization are looking to woo Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern tourists with new Hallyu-themed tour packages. “Despite the rising popularity of Korean content, some travel destinations have not been promoted properly due to their low accessibility and intellectual property rights. We have been discussing such issues and have assisted local travel agencies and content creators to sign a memorandum of understanding for gre

April 21, 2024

[Drama Tour] Cheongju as seen through the lens of 'The Glory'

CHEONGJU, NORTH CHUNGCHEONG PROVINCE -- While Netflix’s mega-hit revenge drama “The Glory” (2022-23) was mostly shot in the capital city of Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area, Cheongju -- located in the southwestern part of North Chungcheong Province -- made its presence strongly felt as the stage for two of the most iconic scenes in the show. In the series, Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo), a victim of school violence, spends a lot of time sitting on a wooden chair under

April 20, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Deoksugung musical tour A “mini-musical” and a violin-cello duo performance, along with refreshments like coffee and madeleines, will be the highlight of nighttime tours of Deoksugung, set to run from May 1-3 -- exclusively for foreign nationals. Performances will take place at the palace’s Seokjo Hall, the first Western-style stone building in Seoul built in 1910. Tours, each limited to 18 people, will take place three times a day. Reservations for the 90-minute tour are r

April 19, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

The Plaza celebrates ‘Family Month’ with kids program Hanwha Resorts' The Plaza, located in Jung-gu, central Seoul, will offer a new program for children, “Happy Kid’s Moment,” from April 30 to June 9. The upcoming promotion includes a one-night stay in either a deluxe room or premier suite, a coloring book and colored pencil set, paper toys and desserts from Boulangerie, the hotel's bakery and cafe. Priced from 360,000 won, the package can be reserved

April 19, 2024

Seoul says Fu Bao loan 'not going to happen'

The Seoul Metropolitan Government recently turned down a citizen petition to fund a loan from China of Fu Bao, the beloved giant panda who is the first of its kind to be born in South Korea. The petition was posted on April 8, urging the city to re-loan Fu Bao so that she may be housed at the Seoul Grand Park, in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. The park is funded and operated by Seoul. However, the city said it would be better for Fu Bao to stay in China, where she was sent earlier this month. &quo

April 17, 2024

[Drama Tour] ‘Hometown Cha Cha Cha’ spotlights remote villages of Pohang

POHANG, North Gyeongsang Province -- Pohang, a coastal city in the southeast of North Gyeongsang Province, is a popular New Year’s celebration spot, drawing hundreds of people to Homigot, the main venue for the annual sunrise festival at the easternmost point of the Korean Peninsula. While Homigot is a beloved tourist destination, its sunrises alone have never managed to attract hoards of visitors. Understandably, Pohang's popularity as a travel destination has been rather muted compa

April 13, 2024

Pohang to hold Marine Corps Culture Festival in two weeks

Pohang, a coastal city located in the southeast of North Gyeongsang Province, announced Wednesday that its annual Marine Corps Culture Festival will be held on April 27 and 28. With the Republic of Korea Marine Corps Education & Training Group located in the coastal city, Pohang is the home of the ROK Marine Corps, where all Korean marines undergo training. According to the city, the upcoming military festival is scheduled to be held at two separate venues -- the military base of the 1st Mar

April 12, 2024

[Photo News] Pohang’s fields of canola flowers

Homigot Sunrise Square, South Korea’s renowned spot for watching the sunrise, in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, beckons travelers with fields of canola flowers. This year’s Homigot Canola Flower Festival, which was held just across the street from Homigot Sunrise Square, came to an end in late March. However, many tourists still visited the festival venue to enjoy the last of the spring flowers on Wednesday. Flower lovers can explore 49,580 square meters of flower fields along a

April 12, 2024

'Panda grandpa' says not to worry about Fu Bao's health

The zookeeper who took care of Fu Bao since her birth told the giant panda's fans in South Korea not to worry about the recent unusual behavior she has been displaying after leaving her birthplace to depart for China earlier this month. Kang Cheol-won, known as "panda grandpa" or "Kang Bao," said the bear's recent behaviors, such as rolling around the cage, are not likely to be symptoms of health issues. He addressed Fu Bao's fans in a video interview conducted

April 12, 2024