Contents

Facts about Korea- Korea’s fight against COVID-19

- Hallyu (Korean Wave) - Korean Food: Hansik

- Tourism in Seoul - Traveling around the Pristine Jeju Island

- Busan City Tour - Festivals in Korea (1)

- Festivals in Korea (2) (New)

Festivals in Korea (2)

Temperature starts to drop in Korea as September rolls around, bringing gentle breeze and providing just the perfect

atmosphere to travel. Hence, festivals seem to pop-up almost everywhere between September and November. As autumn is

a season of harvest, festivals during this time of year offer plenty to eat. Don’t miss out on this opportunity fully embrace some of the most fascinating elements of Korean history, culture, arts,

and food at any one of the following festivals!

GUIDE TO AUTUMN FESTIVALS (September-November)

Featuring diverse floating lantern lighting displays on the stream, Jinju Namgang Yudeung (Lantern) Festival was selected as a global promotion festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Visitors can experience making their own wish lanterns and send it downstream. With traditional lanterns from all over the world on display, the beauty of thousands of lanterns lighting up the night will captivate your heart.

Andong Mask Dance Festival features traditional Korean mask dance performances, designated by Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration as Important Intangible Cultural Properties. The performances are a must-see for those hoping to understand more about Korean culture. Artists from home and abroad will not only treat you to a series of captivating performances, but will also encourage you to join in the free-spirited fun with var ious exper ience programs.

Andong Mask Dance Festival

Jinju Namgang Yudeung (Lantern) Festival

In celebration of the fortress’ incomparable beauty and important history, performers at the Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival present a series of historical reenactments and events that once again bring Hwaseong Fortress to life. Visitors can experience the magic of this treasured UNESCO World Cultural Heritage with main events, including a reenactment of the Royal Tomb Parade of King Jeongjo, lantern festival, and citizens’ parade.

The largest film festival in A s i a , t h e B u s a n International Film Festival (BIFF) is THE must-see event for movie buffs. Major theaters in Busan will screen domestic and international films, giving you a variety of options to choose from.

Busan International Film Festival, BIFF

Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival

Hanwha Seoul International Fireworks Festival takes place annually at the Hangang River. World-famous professional fireworks teams set the sky ablaze with spectacular fireworks, accompanied by lighting displays, laser shows, and a range of superb performances and events.

Hanwha Seoul International Fireworks Festival

Jeonju Bibimbap Festival

Jeonju Bibimbap Festival takes place in the city best known for delicious Korean cuisine - Jeonju! Known to be one of the most favorite Korean dishes worldwide, bibimbap is a staple in restaurants and homes all across the nation. Discover more about this signature dish by learning to cook traditional bibimbap, making a gigantic, life-size bibimbap, participating in cooking competitions, sampling local recipes, or joining in one of the other events at this culinary festival.

The largest book festival in Asia, Paju Booksori Festival will take place at the Korea’s major publishing district, Paju Book City in Gyeonggi-do. With the support of over 100 different publishers and cultural organizations, the festival will be filled with exquisite programs dedicated to books. This festival is a spectacular international event where publication professionals from all over the world gather to join in.

Lanterns will light up the 1.2-kilometer long water p a t h a l o n g t h e Cheonggyecheon Stream from Cheonggye Plaza to Supyogyo Bridge during the Seoul Lantern Festival. M a i n e x p e r i e n c e programs include making wish lanterns, traditional lanterns, LED lamp humidifier, and moon-shaped lamp.

Seoul Lantern Festival

Paju Booksori Festival

Winter in Korea means plenty of festive gatherings, from Christmas to New Year’s Eve parties. As December comes to

an end and the year draws to a close, people gather at sunrise festival locations across Korea to welcome in the first sunrise of the New Year. January and February are perfect for reveling in the chilly weather by visiting snow and ice

festivals. Each region has its own unique winter culture and specialty products as well as endless opportunities to enjoy

an active winter in Korea.

GUIDE TO WINTER FESTIVALS (December-February)

The magical allure of the Boseong Green Tea Plantation grows tenfold in winter as bright Christmas lights cast a cheery glow over the expansive fields. The themed spaces and exhibits bring “Christmas decorations” to a whole new level.

Held at the Garden of Morning Calm, the Lighting Festival is one of the biggest light festivals in Korea, covering an area of nearly 330,000 m2 with lights. With different themes every year, the gleaming lights add a festive glow to the natural beauty of the garden throughout the winter season.

Lighting Festival at The Garden of Morning Calm

Boseong Tea Plantation Light Festival

Homigot Cape, as well as its beach area where Homigot Sunrise Plaza is located, is definitely one of the most popular places for watching the New Year’s sunrise due to its brilliant yellow and golden sunrise scenery. Main programs at the Homigot Sunrise Festival include various performances and fireworks as well as a tteokguk event that can feed up to 10,000 people.

Join the countdown and welcome the New Year at Jeju’s premier sunrise attraction, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (also known as “Sunrise Peak”). In addition to the beautiful sunrise, the festival will also feature parades, performances, firework shows, the distribution of tteokguk (rice cake soup), and other events.

Seongsan Sunrise Festival

Homigot Sunrise Festival

Gapyeong Singsing Winter Festival is famous for ice fishing for trout, where your catch can be eaten right away, raw or grilled! Other activities include ice sledding, riding bumper cars on snow, traditional experiences, and more. It is easy to reach Gapyeong simply by taking the ITX Cheongchun train from Yongsan Station. There are also popular attractions nearby such as Namiseom Island, The Garden of Morning Calm, and Petite France.

Pyeongchang Trout Festival takes place annually in Pyeongchang-gun, the largest trout producer in Korea. Trout cultivated in the clear waters of Pyeongchang are popular for their rich and chewy texture. At the festival, visitors can enjoy ice fishing along with other fun activities such as barehanded fishing and sledding. The festival venue is also close to Alpensia Ski Resort and Yongpyong Ski Resort, where PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games took place.

Pyeongchang Trout Festival

Gapyeong Singsing Winter Festival

Taebaeksan Snow Festival offers guests an array of events and activities that are sure to amuse and entertain everyone. In addition to performances and exquisite snow sculptures, visitors can participate in snow sledding with the beautiful Taebaeksan Mountain covered with snow as their backdrop.

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is held in the pristine natural environment around Hwacheoncheon Stream, the natural habitat of mountain trout and otters. One of the most popular programs at the festival is ice fishing, where people cut a hole through thick ice and try their luck at catching trout. Visitors can also brave the icy water and try catching fish barehanded. Helpful staff are available to ensure that even first-timers get a catch. Freshly caught fish can be consumed either raw or grilled on-site.

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival