[Graphic News] Japanese top inbound travelers to S. Korea in January-May period

Japanese topped the list of inbound travelers to South Korea in the first five months of this year, data showed. A total of 662,579 Japanese nationals visited Korea between January and May, accounting for 19.2 percent of total inbound travelers to the country, according to data compiled by the Korea Tourism Organization. It marked a dramatic hike from 11,425 during the same period of 2022, when Japanese tourists accounted for only 2 percent of the inbound travelers to South Korea. By gender, 34.

July 13, 2023

KTO's revamped tourism service platform supports 8 languages

The Korea Tourism Organization has announced the launch of a revamped VisitKorea, KTO's tourism information service platform, as an integrated marketing platform for Korean tourism in eight languages. The available languages are English, Japanese, simplified and traditional Chinese, Spanish, German, French and Russian. Launched in 2008, VisitKorea showcases new and appealing travel-related content incorporating digital technologies to effectively promote tourism industries' latest pr

July 12, 2023

[Weekender] Chilling tales and haunted trails: unlocking thrilling summer adventure

As summer sweeps across the country, the allure of sandy beachfront getaways and outdoor adventures beckons. Paradoxically, it is precisely during these sizzling months that haunted mansions and ghost houses reclaim their attraction to thrill-seekers and the curious. Brace yourself as you step into the haunted corridors of these popular attractions, for what awaits is a bone-chilling immersive encounter that will send shivers down your spine. A twist on the traditional concept of a haunted house

July 8, 2023

Cool off at scenic valleys

For those looking to escape the scorching heat, valleys offering cool shade and a chance to splash about in cold water from the mountains is a popular choice. For the month of July, Korea Tourism Organization recommends scenic valley destinations that offer quiet, cool respite. In certain valleys, visitors can follow in the footsteps of ancestors by seeking solace from the sweltering temperatures and enjoying the gentle breeze. Alternatively, lesser-known valleys offer a tranquil and awe-inspiri

July 8, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Haman Sunflower Festival, Haman The Haman’s Sunflower Festival started its 15-day journey on Wednesday at Gangju Sunflower Village in Haman, South Gyeongsang Province. The event presents a 37,000-square-meter field of yellow, filled with sunflowers of various kinds, including those from the French Provence region and Japanese Tohoku region. The festival also has a special venue to promote Haman’s specialties. Visitors of all ages are welcome and the tickets cost 2,000 won. Preschoo

July 7, 2023

[One with Nature] Escape blistering heat at Goseong's pristine beaches

GOSEONG, Gangwon Province -- The steep rise in temperature signals it's prime time to hit the beach. While the seaside along the West Sea draw people in with its fascinating tidal flats, East Sea beaches have always been known for their fine powdery sand and clear waters. Hwajinpo Beach, a sandy getaway some 240 kilometers east of Seoul, one of the 86 beaches on the east coast of Gangwon Province, is widely known for its tranquil atmosphere and unique type of sand. The 1.7-kilometer stretch

July 1, 2023

Japan tops list of tourists to Korea in May: report

Visitors from Japan accounted for the largest portion of international visitors to Korea in May, according to statistics released by the Korea Tourism Organization on Thursday. In May, the number of foreign tourists visiting Korea soared to 867,130, a 398.6 percent rise compared to the same period last year, when the figure stood at 173,902. Japan emerged as the top country in terms of tourist arrivals to Korea, with 183,691 visitors to the country, an increase of 4863.3 percent from the previou

June 30, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Semiwon Lotus Cultural Festival The Semiwon Lotus Cultural Festival will begin Saturday and run through Aug. 15 at Semiwon Garden in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. The festival presents beautiful lotus flowers, which flourish in the summer season. Visitors can enjoy the white- and red-colored lotus, various water flowers and a special type of water lily, which is only raised in Semiwon Garden. The festival will be open everyday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets cost 5,000 won for adults and 3,000 wo

June 30, 2023

[Graphic News] Palgongsan designated as 23rd national park

Palgongsan, a 1,193 meter-high mountain straddling the border between the southeastern city of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, was granted national park status, becoming Korea’s 23rd national park on May 23. The Ministry of Environment approved the designation in a meeting of its national park committee, two years after the city of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province made the recommendation. It marks the first designation of a national park in seven years after Taebaeksan, spanning th

June 30, 2023

[One with Nature] Escape summer heat deep in the valley at Mureunggyegok

DONGHAE, Gangwon Province -- Before “hocance” -- a one- or two-night luxury hotel stay -- took hold, many Koreans made their summer getaways at valleys. Air-conditioning and megasize swimming pools are no match for the cool wind blowing through the valley and soothing sounds of the bubbling stream. Mureunggyegok, or Mureung Valley, is known as a paradise -- lying between Dutasan and Cheongoksan -- where the gods used to live in Korean folklore. A light stroll from the entrance leads

June 24, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Korean Folk Village Evening Festival, Yongin The Korean Folk Village Evening Festival is held on Fridays, weekends and public holidays to showcase the unique charm of hanok, a traditional Korean house, at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Featuring multimedia performances, a night parade, a haunted house walk-through experience and special photo zones, the festival will entertain visitors through a wide range of programs. The festival, which started April 7, will run through

June 23, 2023

[Graphic News] Over 6m enjoy ‘temple stay’ programs for past 2 decades

　Over 6 million have participated in temple-life experience programs over the past decades, with foreigners accounting for 11 percent of the total, data showed. 　According to data compiled by Rep. Song Eon-seok of the ruling People Power Party, a total of 6.44 million have visited temples across the country as of 2022 to experience temple life since the programs’ launch in 2002. Some 695,000 foreign tourists also enjoyed the temple stay programs. 　Temple stay gives visitors a fuller exp

June 23, 2023

HiKR Ground celebrates first anniversary with HiKR Festa

Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the HiKR Ground tourism center, the Korea Tourism Organization will hold HiKR Fest at the center located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, from June 30 to July 1. Actor Lee Jae-wook from the tvN drama series "Alchemy of Souls" will host a talk concert at the HiKR Ground on June 30. On July 1, an outdoor stage will feature performances by K-pop group Oh My Girl, rapper Woo Wonjae and dance crew HolyBang. Various events will be held at the center building, feat

June 20, 2023

[Subway Stories] Busan Station, where Korea's Eurasian dream lives on

Busan, South Korea’s second-biggest city renowned for its vibrant beaches and delectable cuisine, has its own subway network. Much like Seoul Station, which acts as the main entry point for visitors to the capital, Busan Station serves as the gateway for those arriving in the city, doubling as a stop for the bullet train and a subway station. The subway stop is part of Line No. 1 that connects passengers with major tourist spots in the northern and western part of the city, including the

June 18, 2023

Jeju Island's Geomunoreum opens hidden forest trail to public

South Korea’s southern island of Jeju beckons with trek on a hidden trail through Geomunoreum, a UNESCO world natural heritage site. Geomunoreum International Trekking, an event taking place Thursday through Monday, will be held around Geomunoreum, a volcanic cone northeast of Hallasan, South Korea’s tallest mountain. The five-day event offers a rare opportunity to explore Yongam-gil, a restricted zone. Yongam-gil, meaning “lava path” in Korean, is a 6-kilometer walking p

June 17, 2023

[One with Nature] Samcheok’s Hwanseongul offers cool summer getaway with epic cave tour

SAMCHEOK, Gangwon Province -- When temperatures across the country start to soar, people start taking summer refuge along nearby river banks or in department stores, where powerful air conditioning offers cool respite for heat exhaustion. Some people may joke that they wish they could sit inside their refrigerators at home. Samcheok, Gangwon Province, might just grant such a wish and offer a much bigger space than a mere refrigerator. Though often overshadowed by the region's famous mountai

June 17, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Pocheon Herb Island’s Lavender Festival The Lavender Festival, which started on April 22, will run through July 1 at Herb Island in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. Botanical garden Herb Island seeks to mesmerize its visitors not only with the purple-colored fields, but also with the aromatic scent of lavender. Aside from flowery photo zones, the festival offers various programs, including natural soap and cosmetics making, herb foot bath experience and more. Admission fees vary by age and prog

June 16, 2023

[One With Nature] Bask in Damyang’s nature with bamboo forest bathing

DAMYANG, South Jeolla Province -- Recognizing the importance of the natural world to health, many in Korea visit forests and mountain trails to enjoy "forest bathing" as an eco-antidote to tech-boom burnout. Such ecological sites offer a tranquil atmosphere for visitors to fully immerse themselves in nature, taking in the sounds of the forest, fresh air and sunlight shining through the leaves and trees -- and to clear their minds. Damyang’s Juknokwon -- “bamboo forest&rdquo

June 10, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Boryeong Mud Festival The 26th edition of the Boryeong Mud Festival will take place in various parts of Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. This year’s festival will start on July 21 and run through Aug. 6. Ranging from a mud train, body painting and a mud water park to beach parties and a K-pop concert featuring rapper San E, boy band Pentagon, girl group WJSN, Billlie and more, the festival promises a fun-filled time. Admission to the Boryeong Sea Mud Exhibition is 12

June 9, 2023

[Graphic News] Number of foreign travelers to South Korea up

The number of foreign travelers to South Korea surged by sevenfold in April from a year earlier on eased travel restrictions amid efforts to return to pre-pandemic normalcy, data showed. A total of 889,000 foreign travelers visited South Korea last month, up nearly 600 percent from the 128,000 tallied in the same month last year, according to the data compiled by the Korea Tourism Organization. The monthly figure also accounted for 54 percent of 1.6 million tallied in April 2019, before the outb

June 5, 2023