Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul
The Lotus Lantern Festival will take place from May 15-17 in celebration of Buddha’s Birthday in the Jogyesa Temple, Ujeongguk-ro and Gwanghwamun areas. A 1,300-year-old tradition with over 300,000 Korean and foreign participants each year, the festival features 100,000 lotus lanterns of various shapes and colors lighting up the Seoul night, alongside hands-on activities and family-oriented programs.
The exhibition of traditional lanterns will be held from May 15-26 at Bongeunsa Temple in Cheonggyechon, while a Buddhist cheer rally will take place at Dongguk University Stadium on May 16 at 3:30 p.m. The Lotus Lantern Parade will be held on May 16 at 6 p.m. on Jongno Street, stretching from Dongdaemun to Gwanghwamun Plaza. Traditional cultural events and performances will be held on May 17 from noon to 7 p.m. near Jogyesa Temple, while the final lantern celebration will take place there from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.llf.or.kr/eng.
Icheon Ceramic Festival
The city of Icheon in Gyeonggi Province is holding the 29th Ceramic Festival until May 17 with a variety of programs for visitors to learn about the art of ceramics.
The festival will have education programs and workshops by ceramic artists, who will teach kids and adults how to make simple ceramics or pottery.
Some 15 foreign ceramic artists will participate in seminars and workshops for visitors at the festival.
For more information, visit www.ceramic.or.kr.
Trave guide for Milan
The Korea Tourism Organization has issued a travel guidebook for Korean tourists planning to visit and attend the 2015 Milan Expo.
The travel book will include information on where and how to buy tickets, public transportation directions to the event and other tourist destinations, as well as some security tips.
It will provide notes of caution on pickpockets in one of Italy’s most populous cities.
The Milan Expo, which will run until Oct. 31, is expected to have some 20 million visitors from 140 countries, according to the KTO.
Korea will feature its best food at the event under the global expo’s theme of “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.”
For more information, visit www.smartoutbound.or.kr.
Cosplay at Deukryang Train Station
Korail has launched an event at Deukryang Train Station in Boseong County, South Jeolla Province, where travelers can travel back in time and dress in ’70s fashion.
Visitors will be able to dress up in old high school uniforms and military drill uniforms during the Cosplay Festival, which will run until the end of this month.
The state-run railway operator has remodeled the station and opened ’70s-themed coffee and barber shops, and will host favorite pastime games such as spinning hoops and jumping rubber bands.
The station’s plaza will also have a roller skating rink, with oldies playing in the background.
Presidents Cup travel packages
The organizing committee of the 2015 Presidents Cup will offer travel packages and gifts to those seeking to catch the international charity golf match in Songdo, Incheon, in October.
It will offer two types of tourist packages.
The first one will include tickets to the golf tournament, an opening event and a gala dinner party with souvenirs. This will be offered at a 50 percent discount to the first 100 people who sign up for this package by the end of this month.
The second package will provide a city tour of Seoul and Incheon with an access to a VVIP convenient facility near the 14th hole at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Songdo, in addition to enjoying the first tour package. The second one will offer lodging at a five-star hotel near the golf course.
