[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Sancheong Herbal Medicinal Festival

The 20th Sancheong Medicinal Herb Festival, which started on Sept. 30, will run through Oct. 10 at the areas near Sancheong IC Entrance and Donguibogam Village in Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province.

The festival, which began in 2001, includes exhibitions and events where one can learn about and experience Korea's medicinal herbs, for which the county of Sancheong is well-known.

Sancheong is considered the home of Jirisan, a mountain where over 1,000 medicinal herbs can be found.

Many on-hand experiences -- including traditional Korean games, pinwheels, dalgona, Oriental herb cocktail making experiences -- will be available. Medicinal herbs can also be bought at the agricultural specialty product market.

For more information in Korean, English, Japanese or Chinese, visit scherb.or.kr.

Seosan Haemieupseong Fortress Festival

The 19th-edition of Seosan Haemieupseong Fortress Festival is scheduled to be held from Oct. 7 to 9 at Haemieupsong Fortress areas in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province.

The annual event celebrates the renowned fortress with over 600 years of history with a media facade, parade, performances, fortress building event, special AR-experience booth and more.

A nighttime docent led-tour program along the rampart of the fortress is scheduled on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. as well.

A shuttle bus services are offered for the visitors every two hours from 10 a.m. at Seosan City Hall, Juksung-dong Samsung Apartment, Sechang Apartment, Koaroo Apartment and Iaan Apartment.

Updated information can be found at www.haemifest.com.

Untan 1330 1st Step Festa

The first Untan 1330 1st Step Festa is set to be held from Oct. 8-9 at the areas of Hwangji Pond, located at the center of Taebaek, Gangwon Province.

The two-day festival celebrates the opening of a new 173-kilometer trail Untan Godo 1330, a highland roads connecting the abandoned mine areas in four cities in Gangwon Province -- Yeongwol, Jeongseon, Taebaek and Samcheok.

The trail, which is divided into nine different courses, starts at Untan 1330 Information Center in Yeongwol and ends at the Saecheonnyeon Coastal Part’s Tower of Wishes in Samcheok.

Various K-pop artists, including a trot singer Hong Jin-young singer and songwriter Younha, rappers MC Sniper, Super Bee, Rhythm Power, rock band Monni, singer Bobby Kim and more, will star in the music festival.

More information can be found at tour.taebaek.go.kr/tour and www.untan1330.com/untan.

Incheon Soraepogu Port Festival

The three-day Incheon Soraepogu Port Festival will kick off Oct. 1 at Soraepogu Port and Soraepogu Traditional Market in Incheon.

To promote its rich cultural history as an old fishing village, the event features a traditional market selling fresh fish caught off Sorae and an exhibition of traditional fishing tools.

A special stamp tour, fireworks and music performances by local artists are scheduled to entertain visitors of all ages.

Admission is free.

Updated information can be found at www.namdong.go.kr.

Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival

The Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival is scheduled to take place Oct. 7-9 around Suwon Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

The city’s landmark festival is held at the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site built to commemorate King Jeongjo’s filial piety, dream of national prosperity and military power.

The event offers a docent-led film commentary program featuring “The Fatal Encounter” (2014) and “The Throne” (2015), two well-known projects on King Jeongjo.

Visitors can drop by the Jeongjo Bookstore and enjoy the music performances and an outdoor parade.

Online reservations are required at the official website of Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival.

Check out detailed information about the programs at www.swcf.or.kr.