Korea Travel News

  The new Seoul Tourist Souvenir Shop opened February 4 in Insa-dong, Seoul's street of culture and tradition.

The shop is snug little affair selling popular tourist souvenirs from the Seoul Cultural Touristm Product Competition and items crafted by respected artisans, at prices 20 to 50% below retail.

Other offerings are the official souvenir products from Seoul's official brand, "Hi-Seoul".

  Located together with the shop is the Jongno Tourist Information Center, which provides tourist information services, currency exchange, Seoul City Tour and airline tickets, and free internet access.

Insa-dong is where to discover some deeper aspects of Korean culture. The Korea Changgeuk Institute has a new program to introduce visitors to Insa-dong, its many artisan shops and the tourist attractions nearby.

The tour begins at 10 AM with orientation by a Changgeuk lecturer and continues with a visit to Unhyeongung, to art galleries with a piece explanation from the artist, and a tour of the alleyways of Insa-dong, and nearby tourist attractions. Last but not least is lively and easy-to-understand lecture on Korean national music and instruments by members of the Korea Changgeuk Institute, after which a performance will take place on stage. The tour wraps up around 1PM.

The Insa-dong Cultural Outing takes place in groups of ten or more, and interpreters are available in English, Japanese, and Chinese.

Tour and 50,000 won per person and reservation are necessary. Reserve a tour via phone, fax, or e-mail at jj583@hanmail.net.

Seoul City is printing and distributing discount coupon books for passengers on the Seoul City Tour Bus.

The coupon books are printed in Korean, Japanese, and English and offer discounts on entrance fees for 43 popular tourist attractions at which the Seoul City Tour Bus stop, as well as discounts up to 40% on performances, restaurants, shopping centers, and beauty services.

A city official says that "with full use of the coupon book, you can save up to 60,000 won on entrance fees alone".

Coupon books are available from the bus driver.

With the coming of spring, a cultural event very popular with foreign tourists has started up once again. The Army Band kicks off the event with animated music, showcasing sword play, Women's Army Corps parade, and the Honor Guard Deminstration. It takes place every Friday at 2 PM for about an hour at Peace Plaza of the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul.

The Honor Guard Demonstration began in 1997 and has attracted over 300,000 visitors from in and out of Korea. It is paricularly popular with tourists from abroad, garnering press from AP, UPI, AFP, and Reuters as well various TV stations around the world.

Capturing the eyes and ears of visitors in the vast plaza are a reenactment of sword training of the Joseon Dynasty Army, sword twirling display, Women's Army Corps parade with colorful banners, and cheerful music by the Army Band. After the ceremony, souvenir pictures can be taken with uniformed service members.

The War Memorial of Korea is a special museum of eight special exhibits including War History Room, Korean War Room, and Expeditionary Force Room. They are closed Mondays. Entrance fee is 3,000 won for adults.

A new hotel with a unique concept has emerged in Myeong-dong, one of Seoul's centrals for shopping and business. Hotel Free M is exclusively for women. The premium hotel provides total service with a variety of beauty and health facilities.

Aside from standard karaoke bar, restaurant, and coffee shop, women can pamper themselves with professional skin care, body care, hair care, and nail art. Amethyst pools, mud baths, and herb saunas offer blissful relaxation and health benefits to the weary lady. Taking the idea even further, the hotel has a resident plastic surgeon and an optometrist.

Overnight stays are 123,000 won for a single and 151,000 won for a double. Package programs include overnight stays and day-trip beauty or health programs.

This coming June 21 and 22 for a period of 2 days, the festival for Korean Live Clubs will take place at Jamsil Sports Complex's auxiliary stadium in Seoul. Forty of the nation's most talented and popular bands will come together with invitees from outside the country to demonstrate the heated passion of Korea's premier pop music gathering.

Festivities begin at 2 PM and continue until midnight. Tickets can be purchased at the fesitval website of at various online ticketing services.

Tickets for admittance to the six regional concerts taking place before the actual event are 30,000 won, ad tickets sold the day of the festival are 20,000 won.

The Global Village Folk Museum located in the Seoul Tower has conducted this special festival and display since last December, showcasing a collection of 1,120 industrial and home-use lighting fixtures and tracing the development of its functionality and design.

Included in the items showcased are an 18th century crystal candleholder from England, a Chinese Jin Dynasty bronze/gold figure, and a 15th century Peruvian light shaped like a bird.

Lighting fixtures have not only been used as sources of light, but served as a beacon of home for the hearts of individuals and groups. The exhibit will be open until the end of this year.

Visitors may try their skills at setting a fire using flint and other hands-on learning experience fun.