Seoul is generally known as a high-tech city filled with tall buildings and high-rise apartments. But once a year, though not for long, the modern city transforms into a city of colors.  (Photo by Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)This week seems to be the peak of the nation’s favorite season -- fall.  (Photo by Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)From the top of Namsan to Jamsil in the southeastern part of the city, urban districts have turned into places to celebrate the harvest season. Streets are de

“Japanese businesses are more systematic, but do not bring as much emotional warmth to the service. But you feel it in Koreans’ every touch, smile and word.”

Ginkgo trees, beautiful in the fall season with their bright golden hues, are both loved and hated for the picturesque sight they provide and the rancid stench emitting from its rotting berries. A mistaken step on the ginkgo berries leaves the smell of stinky socks throughout the day. In Seoul, talks are being thrown around to switch the female trees to male trees. But as the smelly period of the fallen berries only goes on for about a month, some environmentalists argue it is unreasonable to ge

Some foreign tourists, influenced by the popular Korean drama series “Descendants of the Sun,” are visiting a former US military base used as a location for the series. According to the Donga Ilbo, a local newspaper, Camp Greaves, near the demilitarized zone, is attracting foreign tourists with its “Descendants of the Sun Program.” (Gyeonggi Tourism Organization)The US military was stationed at the camp until August 2004. After the relocation, Gyeonggi Province and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization

Starting from mid-December, travel time between Seoul and the port city of Gangneung in Gangwon Province will be shortened to 1 hour and 40 minutes from the previous six hours via regular trains and three hours via express buses. In June, Korea Rail Network Authority completed construction of the 277.9-kilometer railroad linking Incheon Airport and Gangneung. Trial trips began on Oct. 31. The new route allows for a maximum travel speed of 250 kilometers per hour and takes passengers straight fro

Seoul Lantern FestivalThe annual Seoul Lantern Festival is being held from Friday to Nov.19. Since its inception in 2009, it has hosted annually nearly 3 million visitors, who can expect to see lanterns along 1.2 kilometers of the Cheonggye Stream stretching from Cheonggye Plaza to Supyogyo Bridge.The lighting hours are from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and the event is free of charge. Visit www.seoullantern.visitseoul.net for more information in Korean, English, Japanese or Chinese or call the travel hot

Visit Korea Committee on Wednesday launched a three-week-long campaign inviting foreigners to create content to describe Korea to international audiences. It is part of the VSK’s effort to promote Korea, as the country counts down to hosting the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in February 2018. The online advertisement providing details about Visit Korea Committee’s promotional campaign. (Visit Korea Committee)The event, which runs until Nov. 22, encourages foreigners to cre

Seoul Lantern FestivalThe Seoul Lantern Festival will take place from Nov. 3-9 in Seoul‘s Cheonggyecheon area. 　Lanterns of various shapes will be showcased along 1.2 kilometers of the manmade stream, stretching from Cheonggye Plaza to Supyo Bridge. 　Many whimsically shaped lanterns have adorned the festival throughout the years, from animation characters to historical figures. 　This year’s festival will celebrate the upcoming 2018 PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, with various sp

Full-blown globe amaranth drew people to Nari Park in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Globe amaranth is originally from South America. Their meaning, in the language of flowers, is of unfading love.By Park Hyun-koo (phko@heraldcorp.com)

Mindung Mountain Eulalia FestivalThe Mindungsan Eulalia Festival takes place in Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do. Some of the events held include weekend mountain climbing, talent contests, Arirang singing contests, eulalia music concerts, a Mindungsan Gate ball competition and eulalia photo exhibition. Hands-on programs at the festival include a local food program, post card sending, mountain horseback riding and much more.The event is open to visitors of all ages and will be held until Oct. 29. Visit

Seaside getaway at Hilton Namhae Golf Spa ResortHilton Namhae Golf and Spa Resort is offering a seasonal package of accommodation, food, spa and coffee through Nov. 30. The Colorful Autumn Package features a one-night stay in a suite room, breakfast at the restaurant Breeze and access to the spa, as well as take-out coffee. The Namhae area in the southern coast of Korea is ideal for travel in fall, with its seaside walking trails and close proximity to scenic mountains. The resort has rooms offe

Seoul is a city dotted with many mountains. Following is a series that explores some of the easy trails in Seoul’s neighborhood mountains. --Ed.Ancient wisdom of Korea suggests that an area facing the waters with a mountain on its back is the perfect place to reside. As such, Seoul is surrounded by mountains and has the Han River running in front of its centuries-old capital region. Mount Ansan’s Jarak-gil, located in the western part of the metropolis, provides easy-access to mother nature for

The number of visitors to local tourist destinations soared nearly 60 percent during the recent Chuseok holiday season, government data showed Tuesday.According to data compiled by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 8.87 million people visited 108 major tourist attractions in South Korea during the 10-day Chuseok break, the country's autumn harvest celebration, up 59.6 percent from 5.56 million tallied last year.  Tourists visit Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province (Yonhap)This year,

Buckwheat and canola flowers cover Banpo Seoraeseom Island in Seoul on Tuesday. With temperatures falling to 9 degrees Celsius in the mornings and nights in the capital city, Korea has fully entered the fall season. By Park Hyun-koo (phko@heraldcorp.com)

An open view of the azure sea, with glitters of sunlight, drifting clouds and forested shorelines, delighted passengers inside a Song-do marine cable car in Busan. “It was thrilling and impressive, a rare scenery in Korea,” Kim So-young, a Busan-native who now lives in Seoul, told The Korea Herald about her experience in early October. “There were many families, couples and children enjoying the spectacular view. Some cable cars also come with a transparent glass floor, which makes the ride all