Hadong Wild Tea Festival
Hadong County in South Gyeongsang Province will host the 19th Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival from May 22-25.
The festival will include programs to educate about Hadong’s unique tea history that dates back to the Unified Silla era.
It will also have programs where visitors can hand-pick wild tea leaves from the gardens, and make teas, with demonstrations on tea-drinking etiquette for the young.
Hadong officials said the festival will hold sideline events such as singing contest and orchestra performances.
Ride to historic Myeongnyang, Jejudo
Korail Tourism Development has launched a tour package enabling tourists to travel south via a train, ferry and airplane.
The tour unit of the state-run railway operator will offer a program allowing travelers to visit Usuyeong in South Jeolla Province, near the Myeongnyang Strait where Joseon Dynasty naval Adm. Yi Sun-sin battled the Japanese.
Tourists can visit the site by taking the KTX bullet train from Yongsan Station in Seoul to Mokpo Station, the last stop on the Honam line.
After visiting the historic battle site, they can travel to Chujado Island, part of Jejudo Island, via a high-speed ferry, and participate in a walking trail.
The three-day tour program will end with visitors flying back to Seoul after spending a day on Jejudo. For more information, check www.korailtravel.com.
Plane, train and ferry to Jejudo
Lotte Hotel Jeju will offer a travel package called “Flying to Jeju” at a special discount until June 4.
The program will include round-trip Asiana Airlines tickets between Gimpo International Airport and Jejudo Island, with up to a two-night stay at the hotel’s Superior Mountain View rooms.
Visitors to the hotel’s Jejudo chain will be able to enjoy its outdoor heated swimming pool, which includes a pool for children.
Adults can use the saunas and Jacuzzis, and enjoy live music concerts at the hotel next month.
Icheon Ceramic Festival
The city of Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, is holding the 29th Ceramic Festival until May 17 with a variety of programs for visitors to learn about the art of ceramics.
The festival will have education programs and workshops by ceramic artists, who will teach kids and adults how to make simple ceramics or pottery.
Some 15 foreign ceramic artists will participate in seminars and workshops for visitors at the festival.
For more information, visit www.ceramic.or.kr.
Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul
The Lotus Lantern Festival will take place from May 15-17 in celebration of Buddha’s Birthday at Jogyesa Temple, Ujeongguk-ro and Gwanghwamun. A 1,300-year-old tradition with over 300,000 Korean and foreign participants each year, the festival features 100,000 lotus lanterns of various shapes and colors lighting up the Seoul night, alongside hands-on activities and family-oriented programs.
The exhibition of traditional lanterns will be held from May 15-26 at Bongeunsa Temple in Cheonggyechon, while a Buddhist cheer rally will take place at Dongguk University Stadium on May 16 at 3:30 p.m. The Lotus Lantern Parade will be held on May 16 at 6 p.m. on Jongno Street, stretching from Dongdaemun to Gwanghwamun Plaza. Traditional cultural events and performances will be held on May 17 from noon to 7 p.m. near Jogyesa Temple, while the final lantern celebration will take place there from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.llf.or.kr/eng.
