Although Dongdaemun and Namdaemun tend to dominate many lists of “must-see markets” in Seoul, small-scale markets that are equally full of history and character are scattered across the city. This is the second installment of a series introducing traditional local markets. ― Ed.The sheer chaos, yet utterly delectable sights and sounds of catcalling, haggling, crowds and occasional Dungeness crab or live octopus attempting its escape is merely a fleeting descriptive taste of Seoul’s largest tradi

BROWN BLUFF, Antarctica ― Go ahead. Tell people you’re traveling to Antarctica and wait for the responses: “Wait, what? Did you say Antarctica?” “Be sure to get a selfie with a polar bear, OK?” “You’re gonna freeze your (you-know-what) off!” And, perhaps most frequently, “Why?”I did say Antarctica. It was penguins, not polar bears, we would see aplenty. We didn’t freeze our you-know-whats off; it was chilly, but I’ve felt colder skiing in Mammoth.That left only the question of why, and before th

Although the Dongdaemun and Namdaemun markets tend to dominate many lists of “must-see markets” in Seoul, small-scale markets that are equally full of history and character are scattered across the city. This is the first installment of a series introducing traditional local markets. ― Ed.Tongin Market in downtown Seoul was originally established in 1941 during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea, after food vendors began springing up in the then-growing neighborhood of Tongin-dong.Over the decades a

With Lunar New Year just around the corner, Korea is preparing for another influx of Chinese travelers over the holiday. The Korea Tourism Organization projects the number of Chinese arrivals in 2015 to reach a new record of 7.2 million, up from 6.1 million last year.Chinese tourists are also boosting the Korean economy. With an average Chinese spending 3 million won ($2800) per visit, the combined impact on the local economy was estimated at 18.6 trillion won last year, which equals the export

Weddings and first birthday parties emerge as lucrative business for luxury hotels

As Koreans empty the usually bustling streets of Seoul, spending the Lunar New Year holiday with parents and relatives, their travel-loving neighbors from China will surge in.This year, an unprecedented number of Chinese tourists are expected to arrive. The country hopes to greet some 126,000 Chinese visitors for the Lunar New Year holiday starting next week, up by 30 percent from the previous year, according to the state-run Korea Tourism Organization. A Lotte duty-free shop in Seoul is crowded

Rooftop tours of new government complex to start next month, offering views of monumental work in progress

Global, local brands dive into mid-market in race to cater to single and Chinese tourists

Witness tranquility in the simplicity and emptiness of snow-filled Lapland

Around the HotelsLunar New Year packageat JW Marriott Hotel SeoulJW Marriott Hotel Seoul will be presenting the JW Signature Mix n Match Package from Feb. 13 to 22. The package includes a one-night stay in the Superior Room and a choice of four options, each for an additional fee of 50,000 won. Options include access to the Executive Lounge; breakfast at The Cafe at JW; in-room burgers, chicken wings and beer; and 50,000 won in credit for use at one of the hotel’s restaurants. Prices start from

 This is the first in a series of articles on Korea’s hospitality industry. The second will appear next week. ― Ed. Korean tourism is booming, with Chinese visitors flooding the streets of Seoul, lavish department stores and sightseeing spots. But whether the Chinese influx has been a boon to the hotel business depends on who you ask. While mid- and low-rated hotels rejoice at the surging demand, luxury hotels in Seoul are struggling to fill their rooms. “Four- to five-star hotels have been suff

SEOGWIPO, Jeju Province ― Nighttime on Jejudo Island can be quite boring for tourists. After the beautiful sunset, the breathtaking views of the pristine landscapes are shrouded in darkness. At Kensington Jeju Hotel, which opened last year in Seogwipo, there’s a lively night scene with DJ music at the rooftop bar and swimming pool. The strong music beat signals the start of the poolside party at 8:30 p.m. The mix of dance and hip-hop music is played by a professional DJ until 10 p.m. Hotel guest

BEIJING ― Thousands of Beijingers wake up every day in Yosemite in Northern California. Hordes more have moved to Palm Springs, not to mention Orange County and Silver Lake. They shop at UCLA and go to Hollywood for a bite to eat.All without leaving the Chinese capital.When I first moved to China about a year ago, I fretted a tad about missing the Golden State and living in a country where everything had unfamiliar names. Instead, I’ve found it hard to escape California’s good vibrations: There

HWACHEON, Gangwon Province ― Every morning in January, a pilgrimage of cars and tourist buses traces the winding routes through the snowy mountains of Gangwon Province. An early morning start is the only way to secure a good spot at what is quickly becoming one of Korea’s premiere wintertime events ― Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival. A 2 1/2 hour coach ride from Seoul, Hwacheon has the appearance of a sleepy town inexplicably inundated with people. The faint hum of music is the only hint