Among central Seoul’s gray concrete buildings, lies a 450-meter road lined with walls plastered with pictures of eccentric comic characters from stories that mesmerized Koreans for decades. 　Painted in vibrant colors, the walls on Zaemiro, meaning fun street, bring life to Korean comic characters that later become inspirations to many K-dramas. 　In the first section, visitors are welcomed by the characters from “The Palace,” a popular teen romance cartoon-turned-drama

Yangyang Salmon Festival The Yangyang Salmon Festival is taking place at the Yangyang Namdae Stream in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31. The festival celebrates one of the city‘s famed specialties of the sea. The annual event is held in mid-October when the salmon return to spawn. The festival offers activities including salmon tasting, salmon rubbing and salmon ecology exhibitions. Visitors of all ages are welcome and admission is free. More information can be foun

Once serving as the first South Korean-made railway, the Gyeongchun Line delivered cargo, people and memories between Seoul and Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, for more than seven decades beginning 1939. The line terminated operations in 2010, but was reborn into a forest park a few years later.  Gyeongchun Line Forest Park is located in Nowon-gu, northern Seoul. The 6-kilometer-long park is divided into three sections. In the first section, visitors are welcomed with eye-catching murals, c

With the aim of boosting the presence of Ulleungdo as a global tourist destination for both local and global visitors in the next five years, the Korea Tourism Organization has joined hands with Ulleung County and Kolon Glotech, Inc., the KTO announced Friday. Ulleungdo, an island east of South Korea is 72.86 square kilometers in size, and has a population of about 10,153. The island is known for its well preserved natural environment along the coast and its geographic significance, overlookin

Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Festival The Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Festival is taking place at the Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Center in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, from Sept. 24-27. The festival celebrates Korea’s unique celadon, “buncheongsagi.” Programs promoting buncheongsagi, including cooking with buncheong ceramic pots and pottery making, will be available. 　　　 The event is free to visitors of all ages. More information can be found at festival.buncheong.net. Ro

Well known as the setting of the popular classical Korean love story “Chunhyangjeon,” Gwanghalluwon Garden is a home to beautiful architecture and natural landscape with lake, trees, and an iconic stone bridge. Located in Namwon, North Jeolla Province, the garden was built by Hwang Hui, a famous politician during the reign of King Sejong of Joseon Dynasty.  Hwang Hui first set up a pavilion, which was originally named as Gwangtongnu Pavilion in 1419. Later, in 1444, Gov. Jeong

The Brave Girls, a South Korean band that went on to make K-pop history after five years of anonymity, will be promoting Korea as a tourism destination as part of a campaign titled “Level Up Your Rhythm of Korea.” As honorary cultural ambassadors, the band members have made five new promotional videos to attract tourists with an interest in Hallyu, or the Korean wave, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization said Wednesday a press release. In

Finding a summer vacation destination amid the prolonged virus crisis and unrelenting heat is not easy. But Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, may provide an answer. Pyeongchang, a three-hour drive east of Seoul, is a highland county. More than 60 percent of its region is situated more than 700 meters above sea level. Though the sun still burns, the wind is cool and inviting. The Winter Olympic city becomes packed with skiers and snowboarders in the colder months, as multiple ski resorts are si

Some 31% of Jeju Island’s “gotjawal” destroyed by urban development

Under the beaming sunlight, the coast of Geumneung-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju Island seems to glow a turquoise blue. In the summer, colorful beach parasols dot the beaches of the island as visitors frolic in the cool, clear waters.  On cloudless days, the blue-green sea blends into the horizon, making for a scenic ocean view. (Photos: Yonhap)

Yeondong Grape Festival The Yeongdong Grape Fesitval will take place online, due to the extended COVID-19 pandemic, and is scheduled to run for 30 days starting Aug. 17. Originally offering various programs, including picking, eating and stepping on the grapes and making different products, including wine and chocolate, the festival this year will only hold live commerce events selling grapes. Sponsored by Yeongdong in North Chungcheong Province, the festival seeks to promote both Yeongdong g

Josun Palace Hotel in Seoul Gangnam offers Bentley rides Josun Palace Hotel in Seoul Gangnam has launched a “Summer in the Royal Palace” package for families and couples with a chance to ride a Bentely and enjoy a private vacation at one of the hotel’s luxury suites. The Bentley cars are randomly chosen from three different models -- Bentayaga, Flying Spur, and Continental GT -- and can be used for up to five hours during the two-night stay. Prices range from 1.6 million to 1

Vacationing at home with Hawaiian shirts, ice-cold beer, Olympics live on TV offers virus-free, low-cost summer break

Eumseong Pumba Festival The Eumseong Pumba Festival will take place in Eumseong-gun, North Chungcheong Province, running for four days starting Oct. 21 at Seolseong Park. The origin of the festival is connected to the songs of street singers when strolling around the marketplaces to look out for anything they could get. Performers here do not beg for food and money, but they will sing at the event. The event features various programs, including the Pumba street parade and National Pumba King

Though summer travel abroad has become more difficult with strict travel restrictions and quarantine measures implemented around the world amid the pandemic, Jeongokhang Marina Port, located in Seosin-myeon of Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, quenches the thirst of travel bugs, presenting an exotic sunset while white yachts are moored in the port.  The Jeongok port, the first marina in or around the capital area, opened in 2009, and has hosted various international marine sports events, includ