LOCAL FESTIVAL [Korea Tourism]

 Each region of Korea has a distinct identity. This is because each region has different traditions, special products, and natural environments. In order to further strengthen and promote this regional content, regional festivals are active in Korea. Therefore, when you participate in a festival in Korea, you can enjoy both culture and tourism.

Due to the climate characteristics of the four distinct seasons, festivals are held throughout the four seasons in Korea. The most famous spring festival is the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, which is held in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do every April to coincide with the cherry blossom season. The summer festival is the Boryeong Mud Festival in Chungcheongnam-do. It is the festival with the most foreign participants among Korean festivals. In the fall, the Andong International Mask Dance Festival is famous. It is an exciting dance festival themed on various masks from around the world, and is held in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do every September. The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, held in January every year, is famous for its winter festival.

In addition, you can experience traditional Korean culture at festivals such as the Jeonju Hanji Culture Festival, the Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, and the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival. Recently, various festivals that incorporate modern culture such as the Jaraseom International Jazz Festival, the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival, and the Chuncheon Mime Festival have been gaining popularity.

Andong International Mask Dance Festival
is a festival where you can enjoy the culture related to masks, a universal culture around the world, including Hahoe Byeolsingut Mask Dance, which is a traditional mask dance and has established itself as a world-class mask dance.

The Boryeong Mud Festival
is a representative experiential summer festival themed around mud held in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province.

HOT PLACES (POPULAR ATTRACTIONS) [korea Tourism]

 Ikseon-dong Hanok Street

Recently, alleyways have been gaining attention as hot places preferred by young Koreans. Most of them are narrow alleyways where it is difficult to park or only two people can walk, but these spaces that were once living or living spaces have been reconstructed with a young sensibility to provide a unique enjoyment as a new cultural consumption space.

Ikseon-dong Hanok Street, located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is the oldest hanok village in Seoul and the last hanok district in Seoul. In recent years, restaurants, cafes, and baby goods shops that have been renovated from hanoks have opened in this alleyway, and it has become a famous tourist attraction after becoming known through SNS.

Ikseon-dong in Seoul is full of unique cafes and restaurants that have been renovated from traditional Korean houses.

Seongsu-dong Street

Seongsu-dong, located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, has been a handmade shoe alley since the 1970s, where handmade shoe shops have set up shop. Since the 2010s, cafes with unique sensibilities and trendy fashion shops have opened one after another, and it has become a hot place as a workspace and dating spot for digital nomads.

Recently, famous fashion shows, cultural exhibitions, and pop-up stores have been flocking to Seongsu-dong, and Seongsu-dong Street is quickly emerging as a mecca for fashion and culture.

Seongsu-dong in Seoul, which used to be a district of handmade shoe factories, has transformed into a popular cultural space with the influx of young artists.

Euljiro Street

Euljiro Street, located in Jung-gu, Seoul, was considered a bleak neighborhood until a few years ago. This is because it is a place where shabby shops such as printing shops and hardware stores, which are symbols of old industries, are densely located. However, this place has recently emerged as a new cultural space. In particular, with the recent 'newtro' craze, the bleakness of Euljiro, where time seems to have stopped, is becoming a driving force for stimulating analog emotions and memories, transforming it into a new cultural product. Cafes, pubs, and complex cultural spaces targeting the tastes of young people are combined with old printing shops and hardware stores, creating a heterogeneous yet unique aura.

Euljiro and Jongno in Seoul, where there are many old stores, are attracting young office workers and students with their retro sensibility.

TRAVEL ACTIVITIES [Korea Tourism]

 

Hangang bike path adjacent to Hangang Park

Bicycle Riding

Korea has well-maintained bicycle roads all over the country. Each city also has public bicycles, so you can enjoy riding without a bicycle. It varies slightly by region, but most public bicycles are easy and convenient to use for an affordable price of about 1,000 won per hour. Seoul operates public bicycles under the name of 'Ttareungi', Gyeonggi Goyang under the name of 'Fifteen', Daejeon under the name of 'Tashu', and Sejong under the name of 'Ouling'. The

'Hangang Bicycle Road', which is centered around the Hangang River in Seoul, is a representative riding course. It is a road that starts from the Nanji District of the Hangang River and connects Mapo Bridge, Banpo Bridge, Seoul Forest, and Gwangjin Bridge, and is the longest riding course in Korea. It is loved by many Seoul citizens and tourists because it connects Seoul to satellite cities and is adjacent to Hangang Park.

Recently, riding the newtro craze, the riding course within the Gyeongchun Line Forest Road has been gaining attention among the younger generation. The Gyeongchun Line Forest Road is a forest road that was renovated from an abandoned railroad, and there is a well-paved bicycle path next to the railroad.

The Bukhangang Bicycle Path, which connects Seoul and Chuncheon, passes beautiful lakes and mountains such as Cheongpyeong Lake and Uiam Lake. You can ride comfortably while enjoying the beautiful natural scenery. The

Gyeongin Ara Waterway is Korea's first canal that connects the Incheon coast and the Han River. There are bicycle paths on both sides of the Ara Waterway, and since it is connected to the Han River Bicycle Path, you can ride a bicycle from Seoul to the West Sea.

Auto Camping

The number of campers in Korea has increased by 33.9% in the past two years. As demand has increased exponentially, the number of camping sites has also increased, and the ways to enjoy camping have also diversified. In Korea, you can enjoy camping in various ways depending on your preference, such as auto camping, glamping, caravanning, car camping, and backpacking.

There are approximately 2,300 auto camping sites in Korea. Among them, campsites located in national natural recreation forests are preferred by many campers because they offer good value for money. You can reserve campsites on the National Park Service website on the 1st and 15th of every month, and they are so popular that they are usually full within half a day of opening.

Campsites located in the city are also fiercely competitive for reservations. Nanji Campsite and Noeul Campsite in Seoul, and Jaraseom Auto Campsite in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi are representative examples. Campsites located in beaches are also popular during the summer vacation season because they are adjacent to the ocean. Recently, the number of campsites that operate activity zones such as water parks and water sports is increasing.

Camping sites located within Hangang Park, such as Hangang Park Campground and
Nanji Campground, are always popular.

Water Activities

Since the surfing boom began in earnest in Korea in 2015, the number of tourist destinations where you can enjoy water activities has also increased. In particular, the number of surfing people in Korea has increased as surfing has been highlighted as a way to enjoy the beauty of the ocean while also enjoying the thrill and sense of freedom. The

three major surfing spots in Korea are Yangyang in Gangwon-do, Busan, and Jeju Island. Since the surfing environment is well-equipped, many surfers from beginners to experts visit. Jukdo Beach in Yangyang is known as a mecca for surfing due to its shallow waters and waves suitable for surfing. Songjeong Beach in Busan, Jungmun Saekdal Beach in Jeju Island, and Manripo Beach in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do are also famous.

Canoeing and kayaking are activities that allow you to enjoy nature at a more leisurely pace. Recently, the number of people looking for transparent kayaks has increased. It is an experience where you float on the water in a transparent kayak that allows you to see the bottom clearly. Most of Jeju Island's beaches offer kayaking experiences. Representative beaches include Pyoseon Beach, Handam Beach, Woljeong-ri Beach, and Soesogak, located at the point where the sea and the river meet.

Jangho Port in Samcheok, Gangwon-do is called the “Naples of Korea” because of its beautiful scenery, including unusual rock formations and emerald sea. The water is clean and shallow, so marine activities such as transparent kayaking and snorkeling have developed. You can also enjoy canoeing and kayaking at Cheongpung Lake in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do.

Activities that involve exploring the ocean, such as snorkeling and scuba diving, are consistently popular. Panpo Port in Jeju-do, Bongpo Beach in Goseong, Gangwon-do, and Nam-ae Beach in Yangyang, Gangwon-do are representative snorkeling spots.

Yangyang, Gangwon-
do Many surfers flock to Yangyang to enjoy surfing.

At Soesogak, Jeju
Island, you can enjoy Jeju Island’s nature and transparent kayaks together.

Luge

Luge is an activity where you race down a downhill track on a non-motorized cart. It was first introduced in Korea in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do in 2017. Tongyeong Luge has become a hot topic on SNS and has become a must-see course for travel along the southern coast. Ganghwado Island in Incheon is also attracting tourists as the longest luge site in the East.

Tongyeong is emerging as a new mecca for activity tourism as luges gain popularity.

NATURE AND HEALING [Korea Tourism]

 

Spring scenery of Jirisan National Park

National Parks

Korea designates and operates national parks to preserve natural ecosystems and natural and cultural landscapes. Since the designation requirements are strict, national parks can be said to be a healing gift set where you can enjoy natural ecosystems, natural landscapes, and cultural landscapes all at once. In addition, they are a treasure trove of natural ecosystems where 45% of Korea's species and 65% of endangered species live, and they are also tourist destinations where 733 designated cultural properties, including famous places of interest and temples representing Korea, are located.

Currently, there are 22 national parks across the country, including Naejangsan National Park, Odaesan National Park, Jirisan National Park, and Hallasan National Park, which are loved as places of rest for Koreans.

A famous mountain natural recreation forest with beautiful forests and clear streams

Namhae Cypress Natural Recreation Forest with dense cypress trees

Natural Recreation Forests

Natural recreation forests, where you can heal your body and mind in clean nature, are the best healing places. Korea has about 170 natural recreation forests across the country. Many of them are located in valleys, so they are popular places for summer vacationers. They are well-equipped with facilities such as forest bathing areas, hiking trails, walking trails, auto camping sites, and water parks, so they are perfect for overnight stays.

'Yumyeongsan Natural Recreation Forest' located in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do is the first natural recreation forest in Korea with 30 years of history. It is easily accessible from the metropolitan area and has well-equipped facilities, so it is the most visited of all natural recreation forests in the country. They also provide free forest commentary to visitors to learn about forests and the natural environment and to learn how to experience the forest correctly. '

Jungmisan Natural Recreation Forest' located in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do is also easily accessible from the metropolitan area and has well-developed walking trails. There is a Jungmisan Observatory nearby, so you can enjoy the stars at night.

'Cheongtaesan Natural Recreation Forest' located in Hoengseong, Gangwon-do is a forest bathing area densely covered with beautiful coniferous trees such as pine trees. You can breathe in phytoncide to your heart's content, and if you visit in the winter, you can enjoy the beautiful

snowy scenery. 'Namhae Pine Natural Recreation Forest' located in Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do is a forest dense with pine trees. It is located at a point overlooking the sea in front of Namhae, so the surrounding scenery is beautiful and you can observe rare flora and fauna.

'Gyemyeongsan Natural Recreation Forest' located in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do is located at the northern foot of Gyemyeongsan Mountain and Chungju Lake. It is also popular as a tourist destination because Wolaksan National Park is nearby.

Namsan Park

At the top of Namsan Park is Namsan Seoul Tower, a landmark of Seoul.

Namsan Park, located in Jung-gu, Seoul, is considered a must-see attraction for Seoul tourists along with Myeongdong, but it is more like everyday life for Seoul citizens and nearby office workers. It is a place of relaxation where you can find peace of mind and train your body by walking along the walking course during free time such as weekends or lunchtime. Recently, it has been designated as an urban nature park, and its value as a green space and relaxation space is being emphasized even more.

Namsan Park is lush with pine trees and blooming flowers all year round, giving visitors a sense of the preciousness of nature and the joy of walking. Namsan is 265m above sea level, and you can reach the top of the mountain in about an hour by walking along the hiking trail from the entrance of Namsan Park. At the top of Namsan are Namsan Seoul Tower, a landmark of Seoul, and Palgakjeong. At the foot of Namsan are the National Theater, Seoul City Library, and Namsangol Hanok Village, so you can take a break during your walk. You can get to the top more easily and quickly by using the eco-friendly circular bus or cable car.

Seoul Forest

If New York has Central Park and London has Hyde Park, Seoul has Seoul Forest. Seoul Forest, which used to be an amusement park, was reborn as a huge citizens’ forest and theme park in 2005 through redevelopment. Thanks to this, Seoul citizens now have the green space they had been lacking, and can enjoy nature in the city without having to go far.

Various themed spaces such as Seoul Forest Plaza, Ttukseom Culture and Arts Park, Nature Experience Learning Center, Ttukseom Ecological Forest, and Water Playground are organized to match the huge scale of 430,000m2. There

are many families who visit because there are deer feeding experiences and amusement facilities, and the well-maintained walking trails are also popular as a date spot for couples. There are many cyclists in the spring and fall.

Baekbeom Square, located halfway up Namsan Park, has a wide lawn and walking path.

Seoul Forest is a large-scale urban park where you can breathe nature in the city.

Jeju Island

Jeju Island is Korea's most beloved travel destination and the largest island in Korea. Located about 90km south of the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula, you can enjoy natural scenery that is different from the mainland. Much of Jeju Island's charm comes from its natural elements, such as the clear and transparent emerald sea, Mt. Halla with its natural beauty, Oreum, a parasitic volcano formed by volcanic eruptions, strangely shaped rocks created by wind and waves, and tangerine farms. Thanks to these charms, it has recently become a popular international resort for foreign tourists from China and Japan.

Jeju Island, created by volcanic activity, boasts diverse and unique volcanic terrain, so much so that the entire island can be called a giant volcano museum. There are 368 Oreums of various sizes on the ground, and about 160 lava caves scattered throughout the island. In recognition of these geographical features and values, Jeju Island was designated as a biosphere reserve in 2002. In 2007, it was listed as a World Natural Heritage Site, and in 2010, it was certified as a World Geopark.

Mt. Halla is a representative tourist attraction of Jeju Island. It is the highest mountain in Korea and you can breathe in nature and heal your body and mind. It has various volcanic landforms such as Baeknokdam, a volcanic crater located at the top of the mountain, steep rock walls including Yeongsilgiam, and over 40 oreums, and the entire mountain is mostly made of basalt, a volcanic rock.

Mt. Halla also has a unique ecosystem and biodiversity. Depending on the altitude, various plants are distributed, from lowland subtropical plants to highland alpine plants.

Another natural tourist attraction representing Jeju Island is Seongsan Ilchulbong. Seongsan Ilchulbong, located on the east side of Jeju Island, is a volcanic crater with a height of 182m and was designated as a natural monument in 2000. When you climb to the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong, you can enjoy the wide crater and the magnificent ocean view that unfolds before your eyes. In the concave crater shaped like a bowl, there are about 200 different types of plants including reeds and various animals. The sunrise seen from the peak is spectacular, so it is famous as a sunrise spot, and the 'Seongsan Sunrise Festival' is held every December 31st.

Lava caves are one of Jeju Island's unique natural tourist attractions that are different from the mainland. There are over 160 lava caves formed under the surface of lava in Jeju Island. Many tourists visit Manjanggul Cave, Gimnyeonggul Cave, Bengdwigul Cave, etc. to experience the mysterious nature. Yongcheon Cave, which boasts a huge size of 2.5km, has the characteristics of both a limestone cave and a lava cave, and is considered a rare cave that is unprecedented in the world. Unfortunately, lava caves are not open to the public due to the possibility of damage to the interior.

Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak on Jeju Island
is a parasitic volcano formed by an underwater eruption.

Baeknokdam on Mt. Halla
Baeknokdam is a concave crater lake with a depth of 108 m and a circumference of 1,720 m.

Dokdo (Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
is an island with two islands, Dongdo and Seodo, facing each other about 150m apart, and is composed of 89 surrounding islands.

Gotjawal, nicknamed the 'Forest of Fantasy', is a unique and rugged terrain formed when lava erupted from a volcanic eruption split into large and small rock masses. It is rare in the world for tropical northern limit plants and arctic southern limit plants to coexist. It is called the lungs of Jeju Island because of its dense primeval forest and well-preserved ecosystem.

Jeju Olle is a walking trail that explores clean nature and cultural heritage. There are 26 courses totaling 425 km. You can freely choose a course according to your physical strength and preference, but it is usually recommended to walk one course per day. As you walk the Olle Trail, you will pass by beaches, oreums, waterfalls, ranches, salt fields, etc. Depending on the course, there are also wheelchair-accessible sections.

Ulleungdo & Dokdo

Ulleungdo is a volcanic island representing Korea along with Jeju Island. It consists of the main island of Ulleungdo, Dokdo, Jukdo, and Gwaneumdo, which is currently uninhabited.

Ulleungdo is located 130km east of the mainland, so its pristine nature is preserved intact. It is a place full of natural wonders that cannot be seen on land, such as the clean ocean, the outstanding coastal scenery created by steep cliffs, the Nari Basin, and Korea's only natural primeval forest. The unique village structure is also something to see. Ulleungdo has many valleys centered around Seonginbong. Because the terrain is rugged, there are few straight roads, and the villages are formed around the island.

Dokdo, located southeast of Ulleungdo, is the easternmost island in Korean territory. The island itself boasts spectacular scenery to the point that it has been designated as Natural Monument No. 336, and has unique natural landscapes such as columnar joints. Currently, Korean guards and residents live on Dokdo.

Demilitarized Zone

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a region that symbolizes the ceasefire on the Korean Peninsula. When the Korean War ended with the armistice agreement in 1953, a military demarcation line was drawn between North and South Korea, and a 4km demilitarized zone was established with a 2km gap between each side.

On the western front of the DMZ, there is a village called Freedom where civilians live. Normally, it is prohibited for the general public to enter, but you can enter with permission from the military authorities. Foreign tourists can also visit.

Since access was restricted for 60 years after the end of the war, the DMZ's natural environment is well preserved. It is drawing attention as the ecological axis of the Korean Peninsula and a treasure trove of animal diversity, and is evaluated as an important academic research subject worldwide.

In terms of nature and ecology, the DMZ is largely divided into three areas: a mountainous area with high mountains and dense forests, an inland area with plains and rivers, and a brackish area with large wetlands and tidal flats. These three types of nature unfold in a variety of ways, and the areas adjacent to the DMZ include areas with excellent vegetation and habitats for rare plants. 30% of the flora and fauna that inhabit and are distributed on the Korean Peninsula are located here, including 82 endangered species.

Dodong Port on Ulleungdo, a volcanic island in the East Sea

The DMZ has a well-preserved pristine natural environment.

Suncheon Bay Area

Suncheon Bay is a coastal wetland located on the southern coast. It includes tidal flats, salt marshes, natural embankments, floodplains, and backwaters. It is famous for its beautiful scenery of reed fields and S-shaped waterways spread across the tidal flats. The

vast reed fields, which cover 5.4 km2, are the largest and best-preserved reed fields in Korea. In the fall, many tourists flock to see the beautiful scenery of reed fields swaying in the wind.

Suncheon Bay National Garden is Korea's first national garden. It was created when the Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo was held in 2013. It consists of various themes such as an arboretum, a water garden, and a herbal medicine garden. In 2023, the Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo will be held in Suncheon Bay National Garden and the Suncheon city center.

Hwadam Forest

Hwadam Forest, located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, has recently emerged as a new natural and ecological tourist destination. Opened in 2013 with the goal of protecting the ecosystem, this place collects and exhibits over 4,000 species of endangered plants and animals.

Along the valley and the foot of the mountain, there is a forest of pine and maple trees, and a gently sloping walking path is built around it, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely walk. The largest pine tree garden in Korea and the only moss garden in Korea are the pride of Hwadam Forest. You can easily reach the top by riding the eco-friendly, electric monorail.

Suncheon Bay Reed Field, the largest reed colony in Korea

Hwadam Forest, which preserves the forest vegetation to the greatest extent possible