This summer, every day seems to bring another headline of tourists around the world behaving badly.
30.08.2023 - 14:19 / cntraveler.com
“I'm having déjà vu,” said Chi, my wife. We were in a modest, slightly antiquated room whose contents included a few pieces of lacquered furniture, folded sleeping mats, a rotary phone, a CRT TV, and an old sewing machine. It was a facsimile of the kinds of multipurpose living quarters that many middle-class Seoulites occupied during the decades of postwar economic growth that turned South Korea into one of the world's most developed nations. But for Chi, it was a portal back to when she was six and living in her grandfather's Seoul apartment before her move to the States.
Our family was visiting Donuimun Museum Village, a full city block of traditional hanoks and more modern structures that is now a time capsule of Seoul history and culture from the 1890s to the 1990s. The free museum is named for the old western gate of the Seoul Fortress Wall, which stood nearby until the Japanese colonial government demolished it in 1915. As Meggie Yu, our seemingly omniscient guide from InsideAsia Tours, explained, these buildings were themselves slated for demolition to make way for a neighborhood park until the city, recognizing their historical value, changed course and established Donuimun in 2017. The museum continues to expand; its latest addition focuses on clothing, including traditional costumes that guests can rent.
The Music Dabang of Memories, a take on an old-school café
Murals like this one used to signal to shoppers that there was ice for sale
Meggie led us from one corner of the village to another, challenging the kids to come up with a question about Korea she couldn't answer. (Our son eventually struck gold with “How many buildings are there in Seoul?”) In an airy hanok, the artist Dobong taught us how to write our names using Hangul calligraphy. In the Village Yard, Meggie explained how to play jegichagi, a Hacky Sack–like outdoor game widely beloved in Korea. Several dads dazzled their children with their footwork. (I was not among them.)
For lunch, we ducked into Snack Bar for School, a cafeteria-style space like the ones students once tumbled into after finishing their classes to load up on kimbap and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). Nearby we found a mini-museum devoted to the history of makgeolli, the traditional Korean fermented rice wine that young Koreans are increasingly mixing with Sprite. (We tried it that way—pretty good!) One of the most entertaining parts of Donuimun is a cluster of humdrum buildings separated by steep, crooked alleys with exhibits that capture the postwar rise of South Korea's robust culture industry. Here you'll find a pocket-size cinema, a comic-book shop, a music lounge, and a video game arcade decorated with neon Pac-Man flourishes. There's also an old
This summer, every day seems to bring another headline of tourists around the world behaving badly.
Tripla, which provides a booking engine to hotels in Japan and Southeast Asia, has acquired a travel tech company in Indonesia.
The last airline to receive the iconic Boeing 747-8i passenger jet was Korean Air.
This isn’t your regular bowl of pho.
Thanks to Hyatt's newest Bonus Journeys promotion, World of Hyatt members can earn 3,000 bonus points for every three eligible nights on select stays at more than 1,250 Hyatt hotels and resorts from Oct. 6-Nov. 30.
Korean Air is one of the very few airlines in the world still flying the Boeing 747 jumbo jet, despite many other carriers ditching it during the pandemic.
Gunta and Greg Larsen were looking for an expedition cruise that colored outside the lines when they found a 15-day coastal Japan cruise offered through Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic. And that's exactly what they got.
Iconic is a word that gets thrown around a lot, including in describing the world’s best-known hotels – but in the case of the Park Hyatt Tokyo, that moniker is fitting. Built as Japan’s first western luxury hotel in 1994 at the top of a high-rise in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district, the Park Hyatt was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Dr. Kenzo Tange, considered to be the father of modern Japanese architecture.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rowena Shek. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Seoul is a megacity, with a population of nearly 10 million and a name pronounced like “soul.” There were times when I couldn’t stand its scale and pace of change, but I have managed to find a tranquil corner and continue to live in this city.
Staying in an Airbnb when visiting Kyoto is a great idea for anyone looking to experience the city like a local. An Airbnb rental gives travelers access to unique neighborhoods and accommodation options that can’t be found elsewhere. Furthermore, many Airbnb rentals are located close to popular tourist attractions, making them ideal for those who want easy access to the area’s must-see sights. These Kyoto Airbnbs showcase the best of the city.
Seoul is an incredibly vibrant city full of culture, history, and modernity. There are so many things to explore like the bustling streets of Myeongdong or the ancient palaces of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung. With its world-class museums, shopping centers, and parks, Seoul is a great place for tourists to get lost in its unique blend of culture and modernity. These Airbnbs showcase the city’s hippest areas.