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Steam meets frost: Spas and hot springs to warm up a long winter
As subzero temperatures linger, few winter pleasures rival sinking into steaming mineral water while frost hangs in the air. Across Korea, several spa and hot spring destinations combine therapeutic bathing with dramatic natural settings, turning the coldest months into the best season to travel. From forest-framed infinity pools to carbonated springs beneath volcanic peaks, these four spots offer restorative warmth and a reason to embrace winter. Forest Resom Have9 Spa In the mountains of North
Jan. 31, 2026 -
From brunch to brushstrokes: a weekend for the stomach and the eyes
From a cozy all-day brunch spot in Yeonhui-dong to a sprawling illustration fair in Gangnam, this weekend’s picks offer a simple pleasure: good food for the body, and good visuals for the soul. Tucked into Yeonhui-dong — a western Seoul neighborhood known for its quiet streets lined with independent cafés, restaurants and small concept stores — Grain Seoul offers an all-day brunch built around a simple premise: food that is both flavorful and nourishing. The cafe is perfect for those who don’t l
Jan. 30, 2026 -
Festivals, sights across Korea
Vivaldi Park in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, is rolling out a winter promotion that links its ski slopes, snowy wonderland and water park into a single, daylong experience. The resort said visitors who book Snowy Land in advance will receive free same-day entry to Ocean World after 3 p.m., while Ocean World customers will be offered late-afternoon access to Snowy Land through the end of the snow park's season. Snowy Land admission is priced at 43,000 won on weekdays and 48,000 won on weekends fo
Jan. 30, 2026 -
Packages and promotions
Sweet escape for two at Glad Hotels Glad Hotels is offering a limited-time Valentine's and White Day package that pairs a one-night stay with a curated gift set and late checkout. The Red Holiday Stay includes a 375-milliliter bottle of Hwayo 19 soju with two glasses, a heart-shaped box of Lindt Lindor chocolates and a message card. The package is available through March 15 at Glad Yeouido, Glad Mapo, Glad Gangnam Coex Center and Maison Glad Jeju. Rates start from 114,000 won, positioning the st
Jan. 30, 2026 -
Packages and promotions
Sheraton Grand Incheon launches Seollal To-Go and festive gift sets Sheraton Grand Incheon offers a festive way to celebrate Seollal at home with its “Seollal To-Go” feast designed for five to six people and priced at 290,000 won. The spread includes Korean holiday classics such as braised short ribs, beef bulgogi, japchae, assorted jeon, abalone jang, grilled croaker and seasonal banchan, with an optional LA galbi add-on (700 grams) for an extra 50,000 won. Pick-up is available Feb. 9-18, with
Jan. 23, 2026 -
Festivals, sights across Korea
Set against snow-covered mountains in Danyang, North Chungcheong Province, the Danyang Winter Play Festival runs through Monday along Jungnyeongcheon near Daegang Auto Camping Site. The festival offers traditional Korean winter activities such as ice sledding, folk games and tug-of-war matches on frozen ponds, as well as nakhwanori, a night performance in which burning charcoal is swung through the air to create sparkling trails against the dark sky. Visitors can also sample winter snacks, brows
Jan. 23, 2026 -
Nearly 350,000 people enjoy overnight 'temple stays' in 2025
Nearly 350,000 people took part in "temple stays," or an overnight cultural program held at Buddhist temples, last year, marking the highest figure since the program was first launched in 2002, according to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism on Sunday. A record 349,219 people, comprising 293,704 South Koreans and 55,515 foreign tourists, participated in the program at 158 temples nationwide in 2025, up 5.1 percent from the previous year, according to the Jogye Order. The program, which allows vi
Jan. 18, 2026 -
Lotte Hotel to develop humanoid robots for hotel services
Lotte Hotels & Resorts has joined a government-backed effort to develop humanoid robots tailored for hotel operations, marking the first time a Korean hotel group has participated in a national program focused on next-generation service robotics. The company said it was selected as the lead operator in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources’ “core robot technology development” project and will take part in the so-called K-Humanoid Alliance, a consortium of government agencies, universitie
Jan. 18, 2026 -
From head to toe, this is what a glow-up trip to Korea looks like
Type “glow up” into social media and thousands of short videos appear: dramatic before-and-after clips of travelers who flew to South Korea and returned with clearer skin, healthier hair and a noticeably polished look. What once centered on shopping and food has evolved into something more comprehensive — a full-scale, head-to-toe beauty reset that many now build their entire itinerary around. Head and hair spas have become a must-try wellness stop for foreign visitors. Treatments typically begi
Jan. 17, 2026 -
Festivals, sights across Korea
The Hamyang Dried Persimmon Festival will be held through Sunday at the Hamyang-eup Festival Grounds in South Gyeongsang Province, at the foothills of Jirisan. The annual winter event celebrates Hamyang’s famed gotgam, or dried persimmon, prized for their natural sweetness and tender texture, with tastings, cultural performances and hands-on programs introducing traditional drying methods. Visitors can sample and purchase premium dried persimmons directly from local farmers, watch folk music and
Jan. 16, 2026 -
Packages and promotions
Pullman Ambassador Seoul Eastpole offers staycation package for families Pullman Ambassador Seoul Eastpole is courting urban families with a staycation package that bundles space, play and convenience into a single night away. The Pullman Family Stay includes a one-bedroom deluxe king residence with a complimentary extra bed, breakfast for two adults and one child at the 24th-floor Embers restaurant and admission for one adult and one child to Champion The Black Belt, an indoor activity park at
Jan. 16, 2026 -
Packages and promotions
Strawberry Reverie afternoon tea at Grand Hyatt Seoul Grand Hyatt Seoul is reframing its afternoon tea experience this winter by relocating it from the lobby lounge to the darker, more intimate Paris Bar. The seasonal “Strawberry Reverie” afternoon tea centers on fresh strawberries. The buffet-style format allows guests to move at their own pace, set against the bar’s subdued lighting and live cello and piano performances. Alongside tea and coffee, strawberry-inspired nonalcoholic drinks are off
Jan. 9, 2026 -
Festivals, sights across Korea
The Baekun Valley Dong Jang Gun Festival offers a family-friendly winter escape just over an hour from Seoul, transforming Pocheon’s Baekun Valley into a seasonal playground through Feb. 22. Now in its 21st edition, the festival runs across the valley area in Idong-myeon, Pocheon. Set against snow-covered mountain scenery, the festival features activities for all ages, including snow sledding, ice sledding, ice fishing, indoor fishing, zip lines, amusement park rides and multiple children’s play
Jan. 9, 2026 -
Six hot springs to warm up this winter
Looking for a warm escape from winter’s chill? South Korea’s Interior Ministry has unveiled its picks for the season’s must-visit hot springs. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said Tuesday it has selected six hot springs across the country that stand out as winter destinations, spotlighting outdoor baths where visitors can soak in steaming water while surrounded by snowy scenery. According to the ministry, this year’s winter picks focus on sites that offer open-air experiences paired with
Jan. 6, 2026 -
Yeoncheon invites visitors to sustainable tourism
Situated north of Seoul and tucked beside the North Korean border, Yeoncheon-gun is transforming years of restricted access into an advantage, promoting its preserved volcanic terrain and ecosystems as a tourism draw. Shaped by decades of limited access linked to nearby military zones, the county has retained a largely untouched landscape that now sets it apart from more developed regions. At the center of the effort is Yeoncheon’s UNESCO-listed volcanic terrain and biosphere. The county is expa
Jan. 6, 2026