Gyeongju, an iconic tourist destination in the southeast of Korea, clinched the prize for best world heritage city and festival at the 2024 Pinnacle Awards and Asia Festival City Conference held in Thailand on Thursday. The Pinnacle Awards is a tourism industry event that celebrates different cities’ tourism excellence across the globe. The Asia Festival City Conference is an annual meeting dedicated to creating quality Asian festivals to beckon overseas travelers from different regions. G

Grand Hyatt Seoul unveils 'Spring Citrus Afternoon Tea' Grand Hyatt Seoul, located in Yongsan, central Seoul, runs its spring food promotion at The Gallery, from Friday to May 31. The promotion includes a variety of mini cakes featuring seasonal fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruits, as well as The Gallery’s charcuterie and savories. Strawberry mojitos and rosemary sparkling drinks will be offered as well. “Spring Citrus Afternoon Tea” will be available from

Learn Hangeul with Pinkfong If you have young children, nephews or nieces who are Pinkfong fans, head to Pinkfong Hangeul Playground at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul with them this weekend. The Pinkfong Hangeul Playground, which opened Monday, is an offline experience area, with photo zone, media zone and study zone teaching visitors Hangeul, the Korean writing system. Children can take selfies with Pinkfong characters at the photo zone and enjoy a special animation at the

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Korea Tourism Organization on Wednesday launched a new public-private consultative group Aalam Arabi Korea with the aim of creating a more enjoyable tourism environment for holidaymakers from the Middle East. Aalam Arabi Korea, meaning “world of Arab in Korea” in Arabic, has been formed to create tourism products for travelers from the Middle East travelers, analyze Arab holidaymakers’ travel trends, identify major customers, and

Incheon Metropolitan City and Incheon Tourism Organization on Sunday announced changes to its city tour bus routes and upcoming promotions in March. The double-decker bus Ocean Line, one of the two circular route services covering Incheon’s newly-developed Songdo district and Yeongjongdo Island, will add a new bus stop at Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort. Inspire Resort is Incheon’s latest landmark, scheduled to make its official opening on March 5. Incheon Retro Line, a 90-minut

GIMPO, Gyeonggi Province -- Aegibong Peace Ecopark, celebrated the country’s annual Jeongwol Daeboreum festival on Saturday with a lighting show, media performance, magic show and concert. Jeongwol Daeboreum is a traditional holiday marking the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, when people share nuts and other traditional food and drinks among families and neighbors, send their wishes for a healthy and fruitful new year to the first full moon. “We are celebrating Jeongwol Daebor

DANYANG, North Chungcheong Province -- Danyang, a county some 170 kilometers southeast of Seoul, is perhaps a lesser-known tourist destination, even for many Koreans. While historical sites, like Guinsa and Dodamsambong Peaks -- three stone peaks rising out of the Namhan River -- are popular spots, the county has much more to offer, from unique dishes and restaurants to exciting outdoor activities. To enjoy Danyang to the fullest, one would have to stay more than just a single night. Those looki

Haevichi Hotel and Resorts Jeju presents unique package Haevichi Hotel and Resorts Jeju is offering a new staycation “Spring Riding” package, available through May 31. The package provides an opportunity to feed carrots to their horses and experience horse riding at Gotjawal Forest in Samdal-ri. The package also includes a one-night stay, buffet breakfast for two, swimming in both the indoor and outdoor pool of the hotel, and a choice between a bottle of hallabong orange juice an

Creatrip, South Korean inbound tourism service platform, on Wednesday announced the Korean food trends among foreign holidaymakers in 2023. Based on the online transaction data collected throughout 2023, Korean-style fried chicken was selected as the most popular Korean food for overseas tourists. The platform explained that many foreigners enjoyed fried chicken via online delivery services and reservations. In addition, an increasing number of tourists were looking for more unique ways to tas

With South Korea hosting the annual global esports event League of Legends World Championship for the third time in the event's 13-year history, the year 2023 was truly a feast for esports, or League of Legends, fans in Korea. Celebrating one of the most popular competitive multiplayer video gaming events around the world, Seoul was filled with events, activities and attractions aiming to capture the hearts of esports enthusiasts. Though unique esports stamp tours, pop-up stores, live conce

Busan on Friday announced that it updated the annual food-themed guidebook "2024 Taste of Busan." The food guide map, created by 10 food-related experts, including a city official in the hygiene department, a university professor, a columnist, a food influencer and more, recommends Busan's 144 must-visit restaurants. "2024 Taste of Busan" not only offers the restaurant's location, menu and prices, but also presents some of their recipes and renowned Busan-based chef

The Gwangyang Plum Blossom Festival, one of South Korea’s most favored spring flower events, will not be offered for free this year, opting instead to charge admission for the first time since its launch in 1997, the Gwangyang City Government, which organizes the event, said Thursday. According to the city in South Jeolla Province, admission for the upcoming festival now in its 23rd edition, will be 5,000 won for adults and 4,000 won for teenagers under 19 years old. The decision was made

A cup of coffee and music If you find yourself walking the Namsan trail to enjoy the last few weeks of winter, you may come across a small, serene cafe full of music and the aroma of coffee. With the motto "All you need is music and more coffee," Illuso Coffee has a selection of LP albums, turntables and music-related props. The cafe is located in a narrow building, so the space is not large, but if you climb the narrow stairs, there is seating space available up to the third floor. T

WE Hotel offers special discounts for wellness programs WE Hotel, a premium health resort located in Seogwipo, southern Jeju Island, began offering wellness programs with special discounts at its wellness center in February. A therapy session is offered at 100,000 won ($75) with a 67 percent discount. The hotel’s hydro program -- a signature wellness program using the natural volcanic bedrock water -- costs 100,000 won with a 44 percent discount as well. Meanwhile, WE hotel’s beauty

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Thursday announced plans to attract both local and overseas tourists for the Visit Korea Year 2023-24 campaign, hoping to turn Korea into an Asian tourism powerhouse. The tourism campaign will not only be an opportunity to enjoy Korean culture, including food, K-pop, cosmetics and esports, but it will also be a chance to experience the lesser-known sides of the country in provincial areas and towns. One of the campaign's most notable programs