For those, such as me, who have hitherto doubted Korea's gardening pedigree, this article in the Korea JoongAng Daily is well worth a read. Nice pics too. http://bit.ly/9jFO2f # The article covers: Seoul Iris Garden Chollipo Arboretum in Taean, South Chungcheong Hantaek Botanical Garden in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Yoo Botanic Garden in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do Korea Botanic … [Read More]
Category: Travel ideas (page 3)
Yun Isang memorial hall opens in Tongyeong
Memorial park opens to honour one of Korea's most famous composers, Yun Isang, in his home town, at a cost of 8 billion won – JoongAng Daily http://bit.ly/9B2doC # “It feels like father’s spirit has returned here,” said his daughter Yun Yun-jeong at the opening ceremony, while shedding tears, according to the JoongAng Daily. [Read More]
Seoul is the place to go in 2010
According to the New York Times, Seoul is 3rd on the list of of 31 Places to Go in 2010. Design is the draw this year – World Design Capital 2010. http://nyti.ms/bR80vp # [Read More]
The April 3rd Massacre Tree
An alternative, historical, tourist destination in Jeju – the April 3rd Massacre Tree. Great article in Jeju Weekly highlighting the incident whose wounds are still felt today. http://bit.ly/4Lwr07. # [Read More]
Jeju’s destiny is set in stone
Darren Southcott, recently returned from a stint in Jeju-do, appreciates one of the island’s unique attractions: Jeju Stone Park In this age of globalisation, authentic Korea may seem elusive and challenging for the visitor to find, but there are many sites which seek to preserve the nation’s cultural spirit. Jeju Island, despite heavy tourist development, … [Read More]
An unforgettable Tea Tour
I really wish I didn’t have a day job. This trip, in May 2010, has got to be one of the most appealing prospects for a holiday that I can think of, particularly if you tack on a few days in Seoul first to take in Korean’s intangible cultural asset #1, the ancestral rites at … [Read More]
Meeting more Mr Kims: CoolstuffKorea on Cheju Island
Jennifer Barclay, LKL contributor and author of Meeting Mr Kim, has landed herself a dream assignment for the Korean Tourism Organisation: tweet about Korea, travel round Korea, write about Korea on Facebook, generally do things we’d all like to be doing, and maybe earn a little bit of pocket money as well. Nice one, Jen. … [Read More]
Six ways to see South Korea
If you are travelling by Finnair this month, you will see a striking image on the front page of their in-flight magazine, Blue Wings. A shamanistic dancer in a bright yellow costume looks you in the eye, advertising the lead article on the delights of Korea as a travel destination. Finnair flies non-stop to Seoul … [Read More]
Visit Korea, tour a shipyard
LKL ponders some of the out-of-the-ordinary things you might want to do on holiday in Korea In the Q&A which followed the Korean Tourism presentation and documentary screening at the Cultural Centre last week, some unusual holiday ideas were floated, all of which are achievable in Korea. Here are some of the suggestions, supplemented with … [Read More]
Visit Korea, experience the Cold War
Coming to the Travel Channel this autumn is a new travel documentary on Korea. At the Korea Tourism evening at the KCC last week we were given a preview. It was refreshing: a Korean tourism documentary, but from a Westerner’s perspective. Yes, we were told that the KTO assisted in the film’s production, but the … [Read More]
Visit Korea, escape to Thailand
LKL considers the flight schedules and concludes that a critical vacation problem might just be soluble. “Taekwondo, Technology and Kimchi” was the title of the talk given by the KTO at the KCC on Tuesday this week. The talk was billed as follows: Culture shock, modern, unique, dynamic, sparkling, friendly, technological, ancient! These are all … [Read More]
Han Style in a necktie
We’ve all seen modern reinventions of the hanbok, maybe worn by a western celebrity. We’ve seen t-shirts and other items of female clothing and accessories adorned with hangeul, Korea’s script. But, short of wearing hanbok – which maybe is not the thing to wear at chic cocktail parties in Primrose Hill – what is a … [Read More]
Jean Chung’s Seoul photos for Time magazine
Good Seoul photos, plus 10 things to do in 24 hours in Seoul, some recommendations for side trips, and more, on the TIME magazine website: http://bit.ly/Time-photos #. Photographer Jean Chung comes across the practice of couples fastening metal locks to a fence on Namsan Tower (above) as a symbol of their eternal love for each … [Read More]
The LKL Korea Trip 2009 pt 8: Galleries old and new
Wednesday 22 July 2009 A pleasant late start to the morning. Im Jeongae from London’s I-MYU gallery happens to be in town, looking after the show of British artists at the Total Museum. We cruise the Samcheong-dong galleries together as the heat of the day becomes slightly cooler, and the daylight light becomes milkier. People … [Read More]
The LKL Korea Trip 2009 pt 7: Korea House
Tuesday 21 July 2009 A slowish start to the day. Too much alcohol and food (and salt?) the previous evening, plus the heat and humidity of the Busan weather, meant that sleep did not come easily. A brief tube ride to Busan Station to the KTX for Seoul. On the Busan subway, a whim makes … [Read More]
The LKL Korea Trip 2009 pt 6: Haeinsa
Monday 20 July 2009 The trip to Haeinsa is via Daegu. A quick tube journey to the inappropriately named Busan Central Bus Terminal – at the northernmost extremity of the Busan public transport system (Nopodong), and then the express bus to East Daegu station takes nearly two hours. Another tube to the Seobu bus terminal … [Read More]