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

Hanji Lantern Festival - Seoul, Korea

The annual festival of "Hanji Lanterns" took place on Cheonggyecheon creek which flows right through the downtown of Seoul, Korea.

So what is "Hanji"?  Wikipedia definition is ".. is the name of traditional handmade paper from Korea.[1][2] Hanji is made from the inner bark of Paper Mulberry, a tree native to Korea that grows well on its rocky mountainsides, known in Korean as dak. The formation aid crucial to making hanji is the mucilage that oozes from the roots of Hibiscus manihot. This substance helps suspend the individual fibers in water."

A number of amazingly unique and beautiful Hanji lanterns are on display celebrating Korean cultural heritage. Various cities, artists and corporations are participating in the two-week festival, showing art exhibits and lanterns for the annual event that has been growing in its popularity.

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Saturday, November 22, 2014  No comment

The Best Beachfront Mud Festival in the World - Boryeong, Korea

The Boryeong Mud Festival in its 17th year is an annual festival will be held from July 18 to July 28, 2014 at Daecheon Beach.  The town of Boryeong is located approximately 200 km south of Seoul, South Korea.

Unlike most mud festivals around the world this one is hosted right on the beach.  How is that possible?
The mud is taken from the nearby Boryeong mud flats, and trucked to the Daecheon beach area, where it is used as the centrepiece of the festival. The mud is considered rich in minerals and used to manufacture cosmetics. The festival was originally conceived as a marketing vehicle for Boryeong mud cosmetics.

The event has grown significantly each year, and have been celebrated by several millions.  This year, the festival has something from the most faint of heart to those up challenging themselves. Marine style training and mud challenges stir up the excitement while those who would rather relax can relax and enjoy the beneficial qualities of a good mud massage.

The Boryeong Mud Festival is somewhat misleading with its title because it is a  festival that goes way beyond playing with mud.  If you hate mud, you will still find something that you love to do.  For 2014, about 60 main events are scheduled by the officials.

There are events for all ages groups from young kids to seniors and families, and a rock festival is planned with plenty of booze to around.  The daily admission fee is about $8.

The main stage is also being moved to right on the beach from where it used to be 300 feet away. Daecheon Beach has great sands and water, and Boryeong area offers up many unique travel and sightseeing destinations as well.

Food choices are abundant for locals and foreign travelers. Some area restaurants will be converted into pizza and hamburger joints during the festival to provide dining options beyond traditional Korean dishes.

Transportation Options:

From Seoul Central City Bus Terminal, take an express bus to Boryeong (보령).
From Boryeong Bus Terminal, take a bus bound for Daecheon Beach. (10min intervals)

From Yongsan Station or Yeongdeungpo Station, take a train to Daecheon Station.
From Daecheon Station, take a local bus bound for Daecheon Beach.

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Wednesday, April 30, 2014  No comment

The Biggest Water Festival in the World in Thailand - Songkran 2014

Are you ready to have a water fight against an elephant or with a huge crowds of strangers?  That's how people of Thailand celebrate during Songran Festival in April of each year.

Songkran (water festival) in Thailand is one of the largest festival in the country that lasts days with soaking fun you may not see in any other part of the world.  The festival takes places all over the country including most of major cities.

Songkran actually originated from Burma, and.there are also other countries practicing such festivity like Vietnam and Laos. For 2014 Songkran will be celebrated between the 13th and 15th of April.  In fact, Songkran 2014 is regarded as the longest holiday in Thailand.

The best way to celebrate the festival like the natives is to to carry a container of waters or the biggest soaker you can find then throw the water at anyone who's ready for it.  Many Thais carry a small bowls of beige colored talc sold cheaply and mixed with water which is then smeared on the faces and bodies of random passersby as a blessing for the new year.

April is the hottest month in Thailand, and it is just a perfect time to host such a festival.  Interestingly, the festival is to celebrate the new year. It used to be celebrated on dates based on lunar calendar, but it is now a fixed date which will surely help the festival to grow even bigger and joined by more travelers from outside of the country.

You can visit the official Songkran 2014 website for further details - Link

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Wednesday, April 09, 2014  No comment

Year-Around Festivals in Gangwon Province Korea

Gangwon Province is destined to become one of the largest tourist destination in Korea as region already full of four season resorts has been renovating itself for 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

The 2018 Winter Olympic games will be hosted in Pyeong Chang, some 120 miles from Seoul, and the government if building a express train going directly from Incheon International airport to the heart of the city.  The region is nicknamed as "the Alps of the East" by some, but what's also unique to the area is the beautiful beaches right alongside the  mountains.

Some of the well known annual festival in the area include Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, Inje Icefish Festival and Taebaeksan Mountain Festival, just to name a few.

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mount Trout) Ice Festival will be taking place in Hwacheon in Gangwon-do. This virtually untouched region is known as the first area in Korea that freezes over in winter, and the river is covered with a thick layer of ice.

Visitors can try out ice fishing, and those who are feeling brave can try to catch mountain trout with their bare hands. As well as fun activities and performances, there is also an exhibition of ice sculptures that took 20 weeks to prepare. Visitors can sample raw and grilled mountain trout, both of which are delicious.

In Inje, icy streams sweep down the snow-covered Seoraksan and Bangtaesan mountains to Soyangho Lake, the site of the Inje Icefish Festival. Visitors to this stunning frozen snowscape can enjoy activities like fishing and cooking icefish, bowling via innertube, playing ice soccer, sledding, and race-walking on ice.

While the express train is being constructed, the best way to get to the area is via buses available at several major terminals in Seoul such as Dong-Seoul and Gangnam Express Bus Terminal.  It is about two and a half hour ride, but can get much longer if affected by incremental weather conditions during winter season.

We will cover upcoming spring and summer festivals in more details so stay tuned.

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Sunday, February 23, 2014  No comment

Taiwan's Annual Lantern Festival in Pingxi

It's that time of the year again, sending away 100,000 to 200,000 candle-lit lantern into a full moolit-sky with a dreams and hopes written on them.

People of Taiwan celebrates Lunar New Year for 2 full weeks.  Every year thousands of locals and tourists join the festival at Pingxi, a small rural town in the eastern part of New Taipei City in northern Taiwan for one of the largest celebration of the year.

You can buy one fully prepped lantern between $3 - $7. They are made out of oiled rice paper, sheepskin, bamboo filaments, silk or satin with a large candle situated in the bottom center.  Once you buy one for yourself, write your wishes and goals before lighting it up and launch it into the sky.

It's a truly breathtaking view and experience to be there in person to see thousands of bright colored lanterns slowly ascending into the night sky backdrop.



For 2014, the event is taking a place on three separate days with the last one being the highlight of the festival.

Feb. 3 - Jing Ton Elementary School
Feb. 8 - Pingxi Junior High School
Feb. 14 - Shifen Sky Lantern Squre

Hotel Deals in Taiwan

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Thursday, February 06, 2014  No comment

Nha Trang, Vietnam - The Naples of the East

Nha Trang in Vietnam is a coastal city and capital of  Khánh Hòa Province located in the southern part of Vietnam.  It's has also earned a nickname, "The Naples of the East"

Nha Trang is well known for its beautiful emerald colored beaches and scuba diving.  It has been getting much more attention in recent years as the top destination for international tourists, attracting large numbers of backpackers, as well as more affluent travelers.

The clear water and fine sands are favoured by most beach goers as well as the welcoming mild temperature that stays year around.  Tran Phu Street along the seaside is also know as "the Pacific Coast Highway".  It is definitely the most beautiful street in the region.

The nightlife in Nha Trang is somewhat limited, which could be a good thing for families traveling with kids or or travelers who want to enjoy the natural setting at its finest.  You won't be seeing clubs and party-goers that tends to bring in more crimes.

Festivals

As the popularity of the city grows, the festivals are getting more crowds.  There are fantastic festivals hosted at the city through out the year, starting with "Tet Festival" in February.  It is to celebrate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and is one of the biggest event in town.

Po Nagar Festival is held in April when the locals pay tribute to the spirit of the Holy Mother of Nabar.  "Whale Festival" also occurs in April with variety of activities and ceremonies.

One of the most popular festival is Che Ngo Festival in November where you can enjoy the fireworks, boat races and street processions along with many other outdoor activities.

Lastly, Sea Festival in Nha Trang is probably the most anticipated events for the locals and travelers alike, but it is held biennially. It was a hugely successful event for 2013, and the next one is planned for 2015.  Ths city has also been approved to host the 2016 Asian Beach Games.  Comeback soon the read more about upcoming news and events in Vietnam!

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Tuesday, February 04, 2014  No comment

Sapporo Snow Festival 2014 - 65 Years of History

The Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri) is on of the Japan's largest winter event, celebrating it's 65th anniversary this year.

About two million visitors all around the world visit the event to the fantastic magic world of snow and ice in Sapporo.  The event features three sites (Odori, Susukino and Tsu Dome) each with its uniquely theme presentation, lasting 7 days.

Amazingly the even first started off when high school students built six snow statues in Odori Park back in 1950.  Now, it has developed into one of the most renowned  snow festival in the world.

Odori Park is situated in the middle of downtown Sapporo and is the the main festival site.  It attracts some of the worlds best snow and ice sculptors.

Tsu Dome site features large snow slides and a snow rafting area right outside the dome.  And inside dome welcomes families and children with a large number of attractions and fun games.

Lastly, Susukino Site is where you get to see amazing array of large scale ice sculptures and witness the ice queen.  An ice sculpture contest is held at the site as well.

For 2014, the event will be hosted from Feb. 5 - Feb. 11.

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Thursday, January 30, 2014  No comment