Jun 16, 2018

Trails via rails: Sites to visit on Subway Line No. 3

From historic palaces to chic stores and art galleries, Seoul subway offers plenty of fun places to drop byA weekend getaway to a remote place is a dream, and a dream it remains most of the time; an endless parade of traffic, finding lodging and the cost forces many Seoullites from packing up and venturing somewhere else.But Seoul is a vibrant city with a rich history and interesting people. It is also one of the most well-connected metropolises in the world, with nine subway lines -- not includ

Jun 16, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Gangneung Danoje FestivalThe Gangneung Danoje Festival was designated a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005 and important Intangible Cultural Property No. 13 in Korea in 1967. It includes rituals such as the Daegwallyeong Guksa Seonghwangje -- a tribute to Monk Beomil, believed to protect Gangneung -- and Yeongsinje -- a deity greeting ritual). Folk performances, ssireum wrestling, swing rides and tug-of-war competitions follow these rituals. The festiva

Jun 16, 2018

[Eye Plus] Tigers find new home at Baekdudaegan National Arboretum

At the center of the mountain range Baekdudaegan, southeast of the North Gyeongsang province, lies the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum in an area of 5,179 hectares. (Photographed by Park Hyun-koo)The arboretum that has facilities for scientific research, such as Seed Vault and gardens for tourists, has long been dedicated to preserving and researching the forest ecology, home to about 33 percent of endemic and rare plants in South Korea in the largest and longest mountain range. (Photographed by

Jun 8, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Gangneung Danoje FestivalCentum Beer FestivalGoseong Lavender FestivalWelcome to Joseon The cultural theme park of the Korean Folk Village hosts the “Welcome to Joseon” Variety Festival each spring. Programs include parades and performances as well as hands-on activities and cast members wandering freely throughout the park to interact with visitors. Travel in time back to the Joseon era with the characters putting up an interesting comedy act.The event is open to visitors of all ages, and the d

Jun 2, 2018

[Weekender] Kolon camping park proves popular with outdoor purists

Local campground does away with resort-like services, offers raw natural beauty

Jun 2, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘Bushcraft, the real charm of outdoor camping’

The camping season is here and many are packing their bags with tents and fancy gear to enjoy outdoor barbecues. But Han Ho-jun, a 45-year veteran of camping, says the true charm of the outdoor life lies in bush craft.“You can truly feel the freedom of thriving in the wild, and obtain a sense of accomplishment by building your own shelter and tools with the materials you find in nature,” Han, 45, told The Korea Herald.  (Han Ho-jun)Bush craft is a term referring to wilderness survival skills, an

Jun 2, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Seoul Grand Park Rose FestivalThe Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival is being held at Gwacheon Seoul Grand Park from May 26 to June 10. The festival’s programs include the Rose Beauty Class, Rose & Love concert, Rose Magic Show, Rose Photo Exhibition and carpentry activities. The festival is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Fridays to Sundays, and on Memorial Day.Admission to the theme garden costs 2,000 won for adults, 1,500 won for teenagers and 1,000

May 30, 2018

[Photo News] Summer safety

With the full-fledged summer season just around the corner, South Korea’s water parks are preparing their staff for emergency handling.On Tuesday, theme park Everland’s Carribean Bay water amusement establishment carried out training sessions for their lifeguards at its artificial wave pool. The lifeguards, dressed in bright red-and-white uniforms for immediate recognition for visitors, demonstrated physical training, CPR and other rescue routines.Indoor water parks have increasingly become a co

May 29, 2018

Foreigners’ tour photos eligible for W600,000 prize money

The Korea Tourism Organization’s “46th Korea Tourism Photo Contest” will award a cash prize of 600,000 won ($560) to a winning international entrant.The contest, open to all who are interested, accepts up to five submissions per person. The submitted photos have to be in JPG format with dimension of at least 2,200 by 3,200 RGB pixels. Only the photos taken after January 2015 that have not been published or released elsewhere are eligible.Photos that feature tourists at popular attraction sites w

May 28, 2018

Traveling to Korean islands available at 50% discount rate for those 28 and under

Koreans and foreigners aged 28 and under can travel to the nation’s islands at a discount rate starting June, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Sunday.In an effort to boost youths’ sea trips the ministry is opening up 77 ocean routes encompassing 51 relevant firms’ 121 ships for 20 percent discount rate during weekends and 50 percent discount rate during weekdays between June and September. Under this scheme, for example, the original ferry from Gangneung to Ulleungdo Island on

May 26, 2018

Out of South Africa, reminiscing the indelible Eden

South Africa is a “rainbow nation,” where diverse people, cultures, languages and religions exist in harmony. It is also a land of magnificent wildlife, landscapes and vegetation, also a hotbed of thriving urban culture, music, festivity, food and wine.

May 26, 2018

[Eye Plus] Chinese tourists back in Myeong-dong

The streets of Myeong-dong are once again bustling with Chinese tourists, thanks to a thaw in relations between Seoul and Beijing.Myeong-dong, a shopping district in central Seoul, is one of the most popular tourist spots in Korea. Just walking down the streets is enough to see that it is a foreigner-friendly zone, as you will be stopped by sales staff calling out in different languages. (Photographed by Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)The number of Chinese tourists had been falling due to icy re

May 26, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival The Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival is being held at Gwacheon Seoul Grand Park from May 26 to June 10. The festival’s programs include the Rose Beauty Class, Rose & Love concert, Rose Magic Show, Rose Photo Exhibition and carpentry activities. The festival is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Fridays to Sundays, and on Memorial Day.Admission to the theme garden costs 2,000 won for adults, 1,500 won for teenagers and 1,00

May 19, 2018

[Eye Plus] Jeonju Hanok Village, a touchpoint of Korea’s past and present

Always bristling with tourists -- local and foreign, many dressed in modernized hanbok -- Jeonju Hanok Village is a top priority tourist spot in the North Jeolla Province city.The antique traditional residential district, however, is not just a photogenic theme park. It is living proof of Korea’s modern history in the early 20th century. It is also a symbol of balance which the ancient city has achieved between its traditional cultural assets and development.The hanok village originates from the