Korea Tour Tips : Seoul hotels offer family packages for May

Korea Tour Tips : Seoul hotels offer family packages for May

Early May this year has many national holidays ― Labor Day on May 1, Children's Day on May 5 and the presidential election on May 9 ― making it a perfect time for a short vacation.

 

Thus, hotels in Seoul are offering a variety of family packages for those who are looking to spend time with beloved ones in the city.

Seoul Plaza Hotel

 

Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel

 

Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel's "All for My Kids" package is for families with babies. The package includes a one-night stay in a Deluxe Room, Disney baby bath products, such as Mickey Mouse slippers and a Disney character bucket and basket, as well as a bath ball and the Sheraton signature D-bear. It also comes with free access to the gym and swimming pool, and three muffins. The package costs 265,000 won, excluding tax and is available in the entire month of May. 

For more information and reservations, call 82-2- 2211-2100.

 

Grand Hilton Seoul

 

Grand Hilton Seoul is presenting a family package that includes a night stay in a hotel room, breakfast for three, a bucket of fried chicken and potato wedges and free access to the gym and indoor swimming pool.

 

The hotel is located near Mount Ahn and Mount Baegryeon both of which are famous for their spring flowers. The package costs 240,000 won, excluding taxes and service fees, plus extra for additional guests. 

For more information and reservations, call 82-2- 2287-8400.

 

Imperial Palace Seoul Hotel

 

Imperial Palace Seoul Hotel is offering the "Kids Forest" package in the month of May.

 

The package includes a one-night stay in a hotel room, a gift set of a Soopsori DIY wooden toy and LUSH fun bubble bar and a late-night snack for room service. Guests also have complimentary access to the fitness club and indoor swimming pool, and female guests can enjoy free valet parking service. The package starts at 219,000 won, excluding tax and service fees. 

For more information and reservations, call 82-2- 3440-8000 or 

visit : www.imperialpalace.co.kr.

 

THE PLAZA

 

THE PLAZA is offering the "Hello Jadoo! Hello" package between April 29 and May 7, featuring Jadoo, a beloved animated TV character.

 

The package includes a one-night stay in a hotel room, breakfast for three at the hotel's buffet restaurant, three tickets to either the dance performance shows "Scarecrow" and "Wow Classic Ensemble" at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts or to a fun kids' workshop with Jadoo. Guests can also enjoy complimentary access to the gym and tickets to Deoksu Palace. The package starts at 230,000 won, excluding tax and service fees. 

For more information and reservations, call : 82-2-310-7710.

 

 

 

New DMZ tour program to be launched in June "quote"

New DMZ tour program to be launched in June

 

The DMZ Peace Tour will give tourists a more intimate portrait of Korea's division, starting in June.

 DMZ tour

According to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Monday, the program will guide tourists through key spots in South Korean cities close to the North.

 

Tourists will begin their journey at Chuncheon Station. Once they reach the Seven Star Observatory in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, a bus will take them around other spots, including Paro Lake that runs through Hwacheon and Yanggu.

 

Much of the area used to be part of North Korea before the Korean War (1950-53). The program may be interesting to those who want to learn about the violent confrontation between the South and North.

 

The KTO expects the program to promote the value of peace and draw more tourists to the area in the coming years.

 

The KTO plans to promote the program by inviting journalists, tour agents and international students to take the tour between May 3 and 13.

By Jung Min-ho, Korea Times

 

 

Jeju's women divers 'Haenyeo' to be possibly listed as UNESCO Cultural Heritage.

Jeju's women divers 'Haenyeo' to be possibly listed as UNESCO Cultural Heritage.

Women divers on Korea's resort island of Jeju, or "Haenyeo," are likely to be registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO, the Cultural Heritage Administration said.

Jeju's women divers 'Haenyeo' 

 

The Korean government agency disclosed that the Evaluation Body of UNESCO, which evaluates the nominations to the lists, suggested the Korean culture be "inscribed," raising the possibility that it can become the country's 19th cultural heritage registered by the global organization. The Evaluation Body's suggestions are hardly ever rejected.

 

UNESCO said the culture shows the true colors of cultural diversity of the local community and has high value as intangible cultural heritage considering its generations-old ceremony wishing for safety and good harvest, the handing down of diving know-how through the generations and various activities based on proceeds they make together to promote social cohesion.

 

It added that the culture also reminds people of the importance of females being included in the workforce and encourages communication with other communities that have a similar culture.

 

The final decision is expected to be  made during the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage scheduled to be held from Nov. 26-Dec. 2 in Addis Abada, Ethiopia.

 

In 2016,  the body evaluated 37 lists, among which 18 cases were recommended to be inscribed.

 

Korea has been listed 18 times on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO, including the royal ancestral ritual in the Jongmyo shrine and its music, Pansori epic chant, the Gangneung Danoje festival, and the annual practice of making and sharing Kimchi for the winter, known as "Gimjang."

 

Korea to ease visa issuance for Southeast Asians to cope with THAAD fallout

Korea to ease visa issuance for Southeast Asians to cope with THAAD fallout

 

Korean government disclosed it will start allowing the issuance of an electronic visa to Southeast Asian tourists from early May as part of efforts to help the local tourism industry reeling from China's ban on group trip sales to South Korea.

Tourists in Jeju Island

 

Local tourism is taking the brunt of a string of trade restrictions by Beijing that came in as an apparent revenge against Seoul's stationing of a US anti-missile defense system, or the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense on its soil. China has strongly objected to it, saying that its powerful radar will be used to monitor its own military.

 

Since March 15, all group tour sales to Korea have been banned, with Chinese cruises no longer making stopovers at local ports in Korea. The tourism industry is on the brink of losing more than half of its Chinese visitors, who make up the bulk of foreigners' spending here.

 

In a bid to stave off the economic fallout from the THAAD row, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it will prompten the date for allowing electronic visas for tourist groups from Southeast Asia to May. It was initially planned to start in the latter half of this year.

 

The ministry said it will also allow a five-day no-visa entry for Jeju-bound Southeast Asian tourist groups who transfer at the Incheon or Gimhae airport, to provide them a chance to visit Seoul or cities in the country's southern areas.

 

It said efforts are underway to encourage local airlines to expand routes bound for Southeast Asia and Japan, while seeking to pave the way for the airlines to boost partnerships with their counterparts in the Philippines, Taiwan and Mongolia.

 

For those struggling from the Chinese trip ban, such as travel agencies and tour bus operators, the government will set aside a combined 225 billion won ($200.2 billion) in special loans and guarantees to help them deal with financial problems, the ministry said. 

Korea Tour : Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival

Hi?

I am Eddie Kwon, a Korea tour interpreter and guide.

Today, I would like to introduce cherry blossom festival sites.

If you visit the places in the Spring, you will never forget the experience there.

Located in the port city of Changwon on the southeast coast, the district of Jinhae is one of the most popular places to celebrate the blooming of spring in South Korea. The usually sleepy city comes alive with colour and festivities, drawing more than 2 million visitors every year. Street stalls offer special food inspired by the season while concerts and fireworks are put on to provide further entertainment over the course of 10 days. Although much of the city is awash with a delicate pink hue, the best place to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms is at the famous ‘Romance Bridge’ on the Yeojwacheon stream. Made popular by a hit Korean TV show titled Romance, the bridge is a particular draw for couples.

 

Another popular spot within easy reach of Jinhae is the now disused Gyeonghwa train station. It’s nicknamed ‘Cherry Blossom Road’ for the perfectly aligned cherry trees that run parallel along both sides of the train tracks. The train station has been closed since February 2015, which means visitors can amble along the 800-metre-long tracks while soaking up the beautiful colours of spring.

 

Due to Jinhae’s history as a naval base, the spring festival here originally started life as a small ceremony to commemorate the Korean Admiral Yi Sun-shin who was a key figure in defeating the Japanese during the 16th century Imjin War. This history is celebrated alongside the start of spring with a military parade complete with marching bands & honour guard shows.

Expected dates of bloom: First two weeks of April

Highlights: The rows of cherry blossom trees that line the famous Yeojwacheon Romance Bridge

 

 

Korea Tour : Hanok Villages in Seoul

 

Hanok is a tipical type of Korean traditional housing.

In Seoul, 2 Hanok villages are well known to foreign tourists : Namsangol Hanok Village and Bukchon Hanok Village.

 

 

Namsangol Hanok Village

 

Namsangol Hanok Village is located in Pil-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. It used to have a valley and Cheonugak Pavilion during the Joseon Dynasty, so it was used as a summer vacation site. The project for restoring Namsangol Hanok Village began in 1989, and the village was opened in 1998.

 

The traditional houses in this area offer various experience programs such as learning Korean traditional etiquettes and holding lectures on literature and traditional culture. Some operate traditional tea houses.

The Traditional Crafts Center exhibits artworks by artisans who have been designated as an intangible cultural heritage.

The village offers various programs through which visitors can personally experience Korean seasonal customs.

 

Location :28, Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Tel : +82-2-2264-4412

 

 

 

Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon is a residential area. Therefore, so as to prevent creating any disturbances for the ones who actually live here, please do not talk in loud voices or peer into people’s houses.

Buckchon Hanok Village was formed as the nobility of the Joseon Dynasty started to settle in the area between the Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces. Visitors can see old alleys, waterway remains, and many hanok (Korean traditional houses).

 

There are eight representative tour spots where visitors can appreciate the scenery of the village. These spots are called the Bukchon 8 viewpoint.

As the workshops and galleries of traditional heritage holders, artists, and architects started to move into the area, the area has become a new cultural arts area.

 

Location : 37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (105, Gye-dong)

Tel : +82-2-2133-1371

 

 

Korea Tour : Yeoksam Global Village Center offers Korean study group

 

The Yeoksam Global Village Center, located in Gangnam, Seoul, will hold its "News in Korean" study group in southern Seoul every Thursday in January, 2017.

 

The study group is an opportunity not only to learn and practice Korean, but also to catch up on current news in Korea and around the world.

 

Participants need to be able to read and discuss articles in Korean.

 

To enroll in the study group send your name, nationality and phone number to annykor@gangnam.go.kr or visit in person.

 

The group meetings are free of charge and begin at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday.

 

The center is on the 5th floor of the Yeoksam Global Village Center.

 

To get there, leave exit 1 or 4 of Gangnam Station of Subway line 2 or Shinbundang line.

 

Walk straight from the exit 1 or 4, turn right at the first traffic light, and walk straight for about 500 meters.

 

Yeoksam Global Village Center is next to the BMS Building.

 

Korea Tour : Hwaseong Fortress 

Hwaseong Fortress, located in Suwon city, Gyeonggi-do is a living remnant of the nation’s proud history, representing the Joseon Dynasty of the 18th century. Built by King Jeongjo (Joseon’s 22nd king) in 1796 in an effort to make Suwon the second capital city and as an act of filial devotion to his father, Crown Prince Jangheon, he ordered the relocation of his father’s tomb, as well as many of the nation’s resources.

Map of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress was built with an entirely new method, making it unlike any other fortress in Korea. The construction methods used encompass the strong points of both Asian and Western elements together. In addition, the fortress was built in good harmony with the surrounding nature, implementing its geological advantage wisely for strategic defense rather than destroying it. The fortress is a symbol of both the ingenuity and technological advancements of the period. Thanks to this, in addition to the beautiful layout and dynamic defense facilities, UNESCO enlisted Hwaseong Fortress on the World’s Cultural Heritage List in 1997.

Paldalmun Gate is the southern gate of Hwaseong Fortress's four main gates. Designated National Treasure No. 402, it has maintained its original structure since the time of its first constuction. This gate is unique in that it is detached from the rest of the fortress wall. Being located in the middle of the busy city, the gate was encircled by a crescent-shaped ongseong to prevent the enemy from attacking the gate directly. Among all of the cultural relics of Hwaseong Fortress, none is as famous as Paldalmun Gate, which boasts a mesmerizing scene after sunset.

 

Paldalmun Gate

Seobuk Gongsimdon Tower is another structure designated as a national treasure. Made with bricks, it served as a major guard point, defending against attacks from the Hwaseomun direction. The walls feature arrow-slots, something found nowhere else in Korea, to give soldiers a sort of built-in shield as they shot firearms and canons through the holes.

Hwaseomun Gate

Hwaseomun Gate is the western gate of Hwaseong, which previously served as the major route connecting the center of Suwon with Namyangman Bay and the western coast. Designated National Treasure No. 403, this gate is also surrounded by an ongseong wall, though slightly different from the one that circles Paldalmun, being open on one side.