[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Seoul Lantern Festival

The 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 sports-themed lanterns.

The festival is open and free to all passersby. 

Cheongsong Apple Festival

The Cheongsong Apple Festival will take place from Nov. 4-6 at the Cheongsong Apple Park located in Songsaeng-ri, North Gyeongsang Province.

The Cheongsong area, well regarded for its luscious apples, has hosted the festival annually to share the fruit with the local community and tourists alike.

The apples are grown in the mountainous area some 250 meter above sea level, with great diurnal temperature range and rich sunlight.

A cooking competition involving apples is to take place, along with a singing performance given by the community’s senior members.

Visitors are recommended to stay in the various hanok-style traditional Korean homes around the area.

For more information, call (054) 873-3686 or visit tour.cs.go.kr. 

Suncheon Bay Reeds Festival

The 19th Suncheon Bay Reeds Festival is taking place from Nov. 3-5 at the Suncheon Bay Ecological Park.

Visitors will be able to witness a scenery of golden reeds waving in the autumn wind.

Various events are set for the festival, including jogging amid the reed-laced tracks, concerts and star-gazing.

The Suncheon Bay area is rich in ecological treasures, serving as a home for migratory birds in the spring and a field of various grasses and reeds in the autumn.

Some 200 species of birds make a yearly stop to the area.

Tickets range from 4,000 won for children to 8,000 won for adults.

For more information, visit www.suncheonbay.go.kr. 

Herb Island Lighting & Illumination Festival

Herb Island -- located in Pocheon -- will be hosting the annual Lighting & Illumination Festival until Dec. 31.

With its 300-meter wish tunnel, lavender field lit up in various colors and more, Herb Island aims to get visitors in the holiday spirit.

Inspired by European Christmas markets, the festival offers various events, including the making of Christmas-themed soaps, trees and candles, a Christmas cookie market, turkey barbecue and more.

Admission to the Herb Island Lighting & Illumination Festival ranges from 4,000 won to 6,000 won. For more information, visit www.herbisland.co.kr.

Grand Chrysanthemum Festival

The Grand Chrysanthemum Festival, which began in the fall of 2004, continues this year with exhibitions of various chrysanthemum art pieces.

Programs include large-sized chrysanthemum replica works -- King Sejong statue, Gwanghwamun gate, Magical Castle, nine-story pagoda -- art piece exhibitions and photo zones.

Admission is 7,000 won for adults, 5,000 won for teenagers and 3,000 won for children and seniors. Infants aged 3 and less and people with level 1-3 disabilities are admitted free of charge.

Visit www.hampyeong.go.kr or call the travel hotline at 1330 for more information in Korean, English, Japanese or Chinese.