Celebrate the New Year Across Borders: Seoul Travel Adds Joy

In this moment full of joy and anticipation, the footsteps of the Spring Festival not only awaken the blooming flowers of the homeland but also dispel the chill of foreign lands. In this era of globalization, more and more people choose to blend the joy of the New Year with exotic charm, and Seoul, as a city that merges ancient traditions with modern trends, is becoming a popular destination for celebrating the New Year across borders.

Seoul, this vibrant city, not only boasts a deep historical heritage but also exudes the fashionable atmosphere of a modern metropolis. During the Spring Festival, the city celebrates the New Year in unique ways, bringing visitors a different kind of joy.

Seoul's Spring Festival celebrations often include traditional dragon and lion dances, temple fair activities, and a variety of colorful light shows. These events not only let people feel the depth of traditional culture but also incorporate modern creativity and trendy elements, making the whole city more vibrant in the festive New Year atmosphere.

On the streets and alleys of Seoul, you will find a wide variety of unique Spring Festival foods, from traditional rice cake soup to modern creative dishes, satisfying the tastes of different travelers. In the local shopping areas, various discount promotions also provide visitors with a rich shopping experience.

Celebrating the New Year in Seoul allows you not only to experience the profound traditional culture but also to appreciate the fashion and vitality of a modern city. This Spring Festival, let us step into Seoul together and feel the unique charm of an exotic journey with this city, adding a touch of different joy to the New Year.

Not all families celebrate in traditional ways; more and more people are now choosing to go to ski resorts or spas to enjoy a relaxing and peaceful time. During this special moment, Seoul also presents a quiet atmosphere that is completely different from usual, as the originally busy and fast-paced city seems to be immersed in tranquility.

Restaurants that usually operate 24 hours a day may close, so if you plan to travel to Seoul, you need to plan your itinerary in advance.

2024 Korea Shopping Season

If you plan to fly to Seoul between January and February, don't miss the exciting activities in Myeongdong! Here, you will have the opportunity to participate in various fun activities and create unforgettable memories.

First, by participating in a survey activity, you can experience the fun of a selfie printer! Use it to print the special moments of your trip to Korea. Secondly, if you shop at stores in the Jung District of Seoul, don't forget to keep your receipts, because you will have the chance to receive generous gifts! It's first come, first served, so those with shopping receipts should hurry to claim them.

If you are interested in winter sports, why not join the 'K-Winter Sports Challenge' activity? Successful challengers in mini curling or mini hockey have the opportunity to participate in a lucky draw. The draw times are from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM every day!

In addition, the 'Happy Day' event every Monday and the special 'Spring Festival' event during the Lunar New Year will add more excitement to your trip.

Date: January 11 to February 12, 2024

Time: 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM

Location: In front of Myeongdong Art Theater

Explore Lotte World and the Folk Museum

Lotte World, located in the heart of Seoul, is one of the largest indoor and outdoor theme parks in Korea. This amazing entertainment destination combines themed zones, thrilling rides, spectacular shows, and various cuisines. Whether you are enjoying a fun time with family or spending happy moments with friends, Lotte World caters to visitors of all ages. From exciting roller coasters to dreamy fantasy lands, it gathers a rich variety of entertainment elements that make visitors linger.

The Folk Museum is a treasure trove showcasing Korean traditional culture. The museum exhibits a wide range of artifacts, handicrafts, and everyday items, allowing visitors to gain a deep understanding of Korea's ancient traditional lifestyle through exquisite displays. The Folk Museum is a time tunnel that takes visitors through time to feel the profound heritage of Korean traditions.

Visit the Korean Folk Village

Stepping into the Korean Folk Village feels like walking through a time tunnel back to the Joseon Dynasty. This treasure-like village, located in Yongin near Seoul, presents visitors with a splendid picture of Korean traditional culture and history.

Strolling along the stone paths of the folk village, the traditional Joseon Dynasty buildings stand between the lake and mountains, each house carrying a long history. Here, you can personally experience the charm of ancient architecture and immerse yourself in the traditional culture.

The folk village not only features performances by traditional craftsmen but also various seasonal custom performances. The market village exudes the enticing aroma of Korean street food, offering a rich culinary experience. Here, you can taste authentic Korean dishes and enjoy unique local snacks. Afterward, you can also visit the Play Village theme park.

Enjoy Everland

This is not only a place for entertainment but also an ideal spot for family gatherings. The entire park radiates a lively atmosphere. In Everland, various exciting rides come together to form a joyous paradise, from thrilling roller coasters to leisurely carousels, satisfying visitors of all ages.

In addition to the diverse rides, Everland is also famous for its dreamy themed areas. Stepping inside, it feels like entering a fairy tale wonderland, getting up close with cartoon characters and feeling the joy of a childlike heart. The park's performances and entertainment shows are full of creativity, presenting visitors with a mesmerizing audio-visual feast.

Join a Day Trip to Nami Island, Petite France, and Italian Village

Escape the bustling city of Seoul and join a day trip to Nami Island, Petite France, and Italian Village to explore Korea's most beautiful and unique countryside attractions.

Nami Island sits in the North Han River and became famous as the filming location for the Korean drama 'Winter Sonata.' The island displays different beautiful scenes throughout the seasons. Cherry blossoms bloom in spring, riverside picnics or bike rides are perfect in summer, autumn leaves are like fire, and winter snow is pure white, making it a captivating destination.

Petite France is located in the Gapyeong mountain area, with colorful houses dotting the squares and riverside. The museum commemorating Saint-Exupéry, author of 'The Little Prince,' displays paintings and sculptures of the Gallic rooster, France's national bird, showcasing charming French style.

Italian Village, themed around Pinocchio and Da Vinci, presents architecture and culture reminiscent of ancient Italian streets. Here, you can enjoy the sweetness of Italian gelato, the wonderful performances of Pinocchio puppet shows, and the opportunity to learn about Da Vinci's life and works.

Watch the 'Nanta' Musical Comedy Performance

'Nanta' is a highly acclaimed musical comedy performance that has gained international fame, having been performed at the Edinburgh International Festival Fringe and on Broadway.

The story focuses on three chefs preparing a wedding feast under extremely challenging circumstances, incorporating diverse performances including acrobatics, magic, knife tricks, and slapstick comedy. The performance uses traditional Korean Samul nori music, creating a unique rhythmic beat from kitchen utensils and everyday items, offering audiences a wonderful musical feast.

In 'Nanta,' laughter mingles with tears, and you can experience musical charm like never before. This is not only an audio-visual feast but also includes a unique interactive experience. Audience members have the chance to participate in cooking sessions, balance plates, stack dumplings, and even become the bride and groom in a traditional Korean wedding ceremony. 'Nanta' leads viewers into a creative and joyful world, making each audience member a part of the celebration.

Join a Korean Street Food Walking Tour

Follow a professional guide on a mouthwatering Seoul street food walking tour to deeply explore Korea's unique food culture. You will wander through Insadong and Jiseon-dong, finally arriving at the food paradise, Gwangjang Market.

First, you will visit the ancient and culturally rich Insadong Cultural Street. The shops here are full of Korean traditional artworks and handicrafts. Antique shops display eye-catching furniture, pottery, and other small treasures. Next, explore the nearby Jiseon-dong, an area that gathers many cafes, bistros, and old beautiful tea houses, making it a gathering place for trendy people. You can also take a walk along the scenic Cheonggyecheon Stream, a seven-mile-long ancient stream that flows through central Seoul.

Finally, come to Gwangjang Market, one of the largest and oldest markets in Korea. Its street food was featured on Netflix's 'Street Food: Asia.' Whether it's mung bean pancakes (bindae-tteok), spicy rice cakes (tteok-bokki), or bibimbap, every bite is an ultimate enjoyment.

Tteokguk (rice cake soup) is a traditional Korean Lunar New Year dish and an important food for celebrating the New Year. This soup usually contains soft sliced rice cakes, symbolizing the increase of age and a new beginning.

Koreans believe that dumplings (mandu) filled with rich stuffing symbolize abundant blessings. Eating dumplings stuffed with generous fillings is like tasting abundant happiness. In the past, people usually boiled dumplings to make dumpling soup, but now more and more families directly put dumplings into tteokguk, creating a delicious combination of dumpling rice cake soup.

In the agricultural era, Koreans relied on the seasonal changes of nature and farming activities. The cold winter might cause some discomfort in the body, so drinking New Year's wine (seju) was considered a way to cleanse and purify the body. The herbal ingredients used in seju are believed to help improve blood circulation, boost immunity, and combat physical discomfort caused by the cold season.

Drinking a glass of cool seju on the morning of the first day of the New Year symbolizes getting rid of the old and welcoming the new, helping the body regain vitality to welcome the coming year. It is also a traditional ritual, hoping to welcome good luck and health in the new year.

Jeon (pan-fried pancakes) is a type of fried Korean food, usually made with various ingredients such as seafood, vegetables, or meat. During the Spring Festival, people make various kinds of jeon to celebrate this important holiday.

Sikhye (sweet rice drink) is also a traditional Korean beverage essential for holidays, made by fermenting rice and malt and then adding sugar. In ancient times, after banquets, people usually drank sikhye to aid digestion, as it is said to help digest food. Today, during holidays or celebrations in Korea, people still enjoy a cup of sikhye to help digest the rich feast.

The Spring Festival is one of the most important traditional holidays in Korea, a time for family reunions, ancestor worship, and prayers. As the Spring Festival arrives, the city not only showcases its unique traditional culture but also exhibits a distinctive blend of modernity and antiquity. People immerse themselves in laughter and joy, passing down long-standing customs and welcoming the beginning of the new year.

Travel Diary Contents: 1. How do Koreans celebrate the Lunar New Year? 2. Things to do in Seoul during the Spring Festival 3. What do Koreans eat during the Spring Festival? Travel Information: Hotel Index | Tour Guide Index | Ticket Index | Website Navigation | Travel Index | Cruise Index | Corporate Travel Index | Franchise Cooperation | Affiliate Distribution | Friendship Links | Corporate Gift Card Procurement | Insurance Agency | Agency Cooperation | Hotel Franchise | Destination and Attraction Cooperation | More Cooperation | About Ctrip | About Ctrip | Ctrip Highlights | Contact Us | Careers | User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Business License | Safety Center | Ctrip Content Center | Intellectual Property | Trip.com Group Algorithm Disclosure