Fantastic View of N Seoul Tower, Korea

Seoul Tower opened to the public on October 15, 1980 and has since become a major tourist attraction. The 236.7 meter tower sits atop Namsan Mountain (243m). The observatory offers panoramic views of Seoul and the surrounding areas like no other.

The tower is located practically in the center of the city near the downtown which makes it easily accessible for those visiting the city.

The structure was renamed to ‘N Seoul Tower.’ not long ago.  Interestingly, the letter ‘N’ stands for 'New' as it has went through dramatic remodeling coasting over $120 million back in December 2005.

With a new high tech lighting system, the tower can be transformed and morph into different styles for various events and seasons.

There is a skydom restaurant situated near the top which rotates on full circle in every 48 minutes.  Even the restroom named 'Sky Restroom' is decorated beautifully by many artists.

The view from the top is really something else as you can see from the photo below.  You can actually see the famous Gangnam District and its colorful and bright nights on every day of the week.  The tower is open to public 365 days a year.

You can drive or hike up the mountain to get to the tower (the former highly recommend).  Even better option is the cable car which can take you from the base of the mountain all the way up to the tower 

The new cable cars, which have been in operation since December 6, 2008, have an increased capacity of 48 people per car (up from 38). Unlike the older cars, the new cable cars have glass on all four sides, giving riders a wider view of the mountainside.

Here is another look at the tower from a nearby location during a snowy winter season.

Operating Hours 

Sunday-Friday: 10:00-23:00

Saturday: 10:00-24:00

* Last admission 30 minutes before closing.

* Operating hours are subject to change depending on weather or business schedules.

Available Facilities 

Lobby: Entrance to observatory, information desk, N Gift, N Sweet Bar, cafe, nursing room, N Photo 

Plaza 1F - The Best Burger in Seoul, N Terrace, N Gift, ticket booth, Food O'clock 

Plaza 2F - The Place Dining (Italian restaurant), roof terrace 

Tower 1F - Hancook (Korean Restaurant) 

Tower 2F - The Wishing Pond, Sky Restroom, cafe, cosmetic shop 

Tower 3F - Observatory, The BA:NG (Gift shop), Weenybeeny, N Photo

Tower 5F - N Grill (French restaurant)

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Friday, January 13, 2017  No comment

Free Concert 365 Days a Year in Hongdae District

Hongdae started out as a college town surrounding Hongik University.  Today, it is undoubtedly the most hip city in Korea for its indie music, fashion, arts and clubs!

This is a place you shouldn't miss if you are vising Seoul.  It's a great place to be during the day, and it's fantastic throughout the night.

Many known in Korean bands like Jaurim, Crying Nut and Peppertones are from this street and started as indie bands. The area provides street art festivals and performances, as well as music concerts by independent artists and mainstream entertainers.

The neighborhood overflows with unique cafes, restaurants, shops and clubs along with artists' studios, cultural spaces and festivals year-round. Packed with people on weekends the district can be thumping well past dawn the next day. Revelers may abound but the real Hongdae people and those involved with Street H know it’s not just about clubbing or decadence.

Apart from indie art culture, Hongdae is also home to independent clothing stalls and vintage shops.

Directions:

Hongik University Station (Subway Line 2, Gyeongui-Jungang, AREX), Exit 9.
Go 150m straight, and cross the street.
Turn left, and go 500m straight towards Hongik University.
Turn right to arrive at Hongik Children's Park.

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Friday, January 13, 2017  No comment

Check Out this Romantic French Themed Festival in Korea

Little Prince Lighting Festival of Petite France is held throughout the Petite France Park with beautiful lighting landscapes at nighttime. Pretty buildings and night streets as well as Christmas trees are decorated with sparkling lights like a fairy tale. Adding a more romantic mood to winter nights, various event like orgel performance & explanation, marionette performance, puppet performance, magic performance, plaster art experience, and wish tree event will be available for visitors to enjoy the festival throughout Petite France.

Programs

- Light show: Splendid lighting show moving along to music
- Starlight Lighting: Light Tunnel, starlight illumination
- Street lighting: Lighting of France Street, Montpellier
- Marionette dance performance, orgel (music box) playing, street musician

Performance Times

09:00-20:00

Admission/Participation Fees

Culture experience fare: Adults 8,000 won / Teenagers (middle & high school students) 6,000 won / Children (ages 3 to elementary school students) 5,000 won

Additional Events

[Special performances and experience]
  - Marionette parade and Dance performances
  - Marionette puppet "Pinocchio", hand puppet - Ginyol
  - Coloring and special hands-on experiences
(Ginyol Puppet experience, marionette making experience, little prince plaster art, wooden art and deep-color pigment art experience)
- Exotic atmosphere of Petite France
(Music Box concerts, street musicians, France film screenings)

Discount Information

- Seniors (ages 65 or more) & People with disabilities 6,000 won (* Proof required)
- Etc.

Age Limit

Open to visitors of all ages

Transportation

[Bus]
From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal or Sangbong Bus Terminal.
Take an intercity bus to Cheongpyeong (청평).

From Cheongpyeong Terminal, take a local bus bound for Goseong-ri (고성리).
Or from the Cheongpyeong Terminal, take Gapyeong City Tour Bus to Petite France.

Homepage

www.pfcamp.com

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Tuesday, January 10, 2017  No comment

Pyeongchang Trout Festival 2017: Home of 2018 Winter Olympics

The City of Pyeongchang has been under the spotlight internationally since it has won the fiercely contested bid for 2018 Winter Games Olympics.  Prior to that, it used to be a top winter destination among the Korean tourists.

The city has been in a rapid development boom for last few years getting ready to showcase it's natural charms to the world.

One of the historical event that took place in the heart of the city, drawing recreational fishing fans and family who just love cold outdoor activities is "Pyeongchang Trout Festival".

The Pyeongchang Trout Festival takes place during winter in the town of Jinbu-myeon in Pyeongchang-gun district. Visitors to the festival can enjoy a variety of programs including ice and lure fishing for trout, snow programs, ice programs, folk programs, and more. There will also be traditional folk games including sledding and top spinning, and visitors can try out sports such as riding 4-wheel ATVs, snow rafting, sleigh trains. Any trout caught from ice fishing and lure fishing can be prepared right away at a nearby restaurant.

Trout farming first started in Pyeongchang due to its cold, clear waters. Trout offer plenty of nutrition, and their natural taste makes them delicious when eaten raw.

Freshly grilled trouts

Activities

• Trout ice fishing
• Bare-handed fishing
• Sledding
• Bobsleigh-riding
• Ice skating
• Winter outdoor games

Performances

9:00 am to 5:00 pm (may vary according to programs)

• Depending on weather conditions, admission to the ice fishing site may not be allowed. Please kindly make a phone inquiry before visiting to confirm. 
• Nighttime Operations: January 1-31, 2016 (weekends only) 18:00-20:00 / Sledding hill, Snow rafting, Disco Pangpang, Mini trains, etc.
• Performances (December 28, 2015-February 14, 2016 / 09:00-17:00) 
• The event and other programs may not be available for viewing depending on the weather condition, please check the up-to-date information from the official website or by calling.

Transportation

Bus: From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus to Jinbu (진부). every 30-40min

Odaecheon Stream is a 7-min walk from the Jinbu Bus Terminal.

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Tuesday, December 13, 2016  No comment

Chingay Parade - Celebration of New Year in Style

The Chingay Parade is an annual street parade held in Singapore in celebration with the birthdays of the Chinese deities or the procession of the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin) as part of the Chinese New Year festivities.

In fact, the Chingay Parade is ranked as the largest street performance and float festival in Asia! “Chingay” is a term that originated from two similar words in Chinese, which are “true art,” and “float.”

The Chingay Parade in Singapore occurred on February 4 of 1973, as a result of the ban of firecrackers in 1972. Recently, the event has become a unique multicultural performance, attracting many Malaysian and Indian participant groups. This single event captures the essence of the Singapore’s unique cultural diversity, featuring floats, dancing dragons, and stilt walkers.

Today, Chingay has become a uniquely Singaporean Lunar New Year tradition, held during the first weekend of the Lunar New Year. This yearly street parade is now a national festival, celebrated by Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians alike.

In 1987, Chingay featured its first foreign group when the city's main English newspaper, The Straits Times, sponsored four pop singers from Tokyo. Since then, this signature event had extended invitations to international artistes and troupes.

Indeed, for the scores of spectators, the Chingay Parade could well be a treasured glimpse into the different cultures of Singapore and the world. Here age, race, language and creed are no barriers. Here, we celebrate together as one.

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Wednesday, February 24, 2016  No comment