As Korean culture gains popularity around the world, Airbnb has launched a new K-wave Trip section -- a chance for tourists to take part in K-pop or K-beauty activities.The global house-sharing platform held a press event Friday in the Itaewon area of central Seoul, inviting reporters to a class on how to make a vegan bath scrub, registered as a K-beauty trip under Airbnb. “On Airbnb, we have always seen the want for local, authentic experiences. As the K-wave has proved itself to be

Seoul Fringe Festival (1)Seoul Fringe Festival is held annually to support indie culture by introducing various genres of artists and artworks. Festival-goers can explore the charm of dances, plays, music and more at festival venues throughout the city. The hours are from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Thursday until Aug.24. Admission fees are 30,000 won per day.For more information in Korean, English, Japanese or Chinese, call the travel hotline at 1330. The homepage (www.seoulfringefestival.net) is on

Joseon era royal palaces and other cultural sites of the period will waive entry fees, timed with the 74th Independence Day and the 100th anniversary celebrating the March 1 Independence Movement this year, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration.In Seoul, four royal palaces, Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung, and Jongmyo Shrine will be free for public between Aug. 10-25. It is the first time in four years that the authorities are exempting admission fees for

Gamaek Festival The Gamaek Festival began 2015 with the aim of revitalizing the local economy, securing small business markets, promoting community and contributing to society. Like chimaek, the popular term for fried chicken and beer, gamaek is a portmanteau of two Korean words: “gagae (store)” and “maekju (beer).” It refers to chilling out in the evening with beer at the outdoor tables of small neighborhood pubs or supermarkets. Held in Jeonju, it is open to everyo

The Dokdo islets are drawing more attention as a summer getaway for South Koreans, while diplomatic and economic conflicts between Korea and Japan show no signs of abating. The number of visitors to Dokdo is on the rise, while the number of outbound travelers to Japan is plummeting since the Abe administration slapped retaliatory measures against Korea.  A total of 172,516 people have made the trip to Dokdo this year, up 29.7 percent from the same period last year, according to data from Ul

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo said Wednesday that the ministry is planning a special campaign to promote local tourism around the Liberation Day holiday Aug. 15, as more South Koreans boycott travel to Japan in response to Tokyo’s recent decision to impose retaliatory export restrictions.“If we could turn the falling demand for overseas travel into domestic travel, it would greatly help stimulate regional economies and boost domestic demand,” Park said d

Foot baths, rejuvenating tea and naps with ‘bamboo wife’ were effective

Vacation, staycation or no vacation? A snapshot of summer holiday scene in Korea

Everland Summer Water FunHeld annually since 2005, Everland’s summer festival is back with a variety of programs, such as water shows, light shows and other fun activities. It is open to visitors of all ages.For more information in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese, visit www.everland.com.Hangang Summer FestivalThe Hangang Summer Festival, also called the Hangang Mongttang Festival, is a large-scale riverside cultural event.It consists of about 80 programs, including water leisure spor

1. Everland Summer Water Fun Held annually since 2005, Everland’s summer festival is back with a variety of programs, such as water shows, light shows and other fun activities. It is open to visitors of all ages.For more information in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese, visit www.everland.com.2. Hangang Summer Festival The Hangang Summer Festival, also called the Hangang Mongttang Festival, is a large-scale riverside cultural event.It consists of about 80 programs, including water leis

The number of foreign visitors to South Korea rose sharply last month, helped by a large increase in visitors from China, Japan and Taiwan, data showed Tuesday.In June, the number of foreign visitors to the country came to more than 1.47 million, up 15.1 percent from around 1.28 million the same month last year, according to the data from the state-run Korea Tourism Organization.By country, the number of visitors from China spiked 25 percent on-year to a little over 475,000 last month, with visi

Seoul’s royal palaces are beautiful by day but they are even more stunning by night.  On top of the beauty of centuries-old architecture majestically illuminated in darkness, the serene atmosphere in contrast to the modern skyscrapers beyond the palace walls offers a surreal experience. Nighttime visits are only allowed on selected dates and for a limited number of people at some of Seoul’s five palaces from the Joseon era (1392-1910).Gyeongbokgung, the most popular of the five,

1. Everland Summer Water Fun Held annually since 2005, Everland’s summer festival is back with a variety of programs, such as water shows, light shows and other fun activities. It is open to visitors of all ages. For more information in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese, visit www.everland.com. 2. Hangang Summer Festival The Hangang Summer Festival, also called the Hangang Mongttang Festival, is a large-scale riverside cultural event. It consists of about 80 pr

GWANGJU, South Jeolla Province -- Geumnam-ro in Gwangju’s Dong-gu district is a street just like any other, bustling with cars and people going on with their lives and whatnot. Walk past Geumnam-ro Park, past the YMCA building, and you will find the Asia Culture Center. Right beside it stands an old battered building once used as the office of the provincial government. You have just traced the footsteps of the citizens who rallied against the paratroopers, armed with tanks and machine gun

South Korea’s biggest online community dedicated to travel in Japan declared a hiatus Wednesday in a show of support for widespread protests here that increasingly involve boycotts of Japanese goods and services. The protests are a response to the Japanese government’s recent decision to curb exports of high-tech materials to Korea. Founded in 2003, the community, Naver’s Japan Travel Friend, has more than 1.3 million members who share travel tips and information on things to d