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[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

By Choi Si-young

Published : Feb. 2, 2024 - 09:01

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Strawberries, tomatoes at Yulbom

At Yulbom, a botanical garden in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, visitors can pick strawberries. Visitors have 30 minutes to pick up to 1 kilogram of strawberries at the daily market price, which is charged on top of the 5,000-won entrance fee.

Making strawberry jelly or jam costs 15,000 won for a 600-milliliter bottle and a 500-gram jar of jam. Tomato picking is priced at 15,000 won for 1.2 kilograms, and making tomato gochujang, a Korean fermented chili paste, costs 11,000 won for 500 grams.

Tomato harvesting is open all year round, while strawberry picking ends April 28. Picking reservations have to be made online in advance at yulbom1107.modoo.at.

Visits before April earn a complimentary Americano or food to feed the nearby farm animals.

All-in-one park in Paju

At First Garden Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, visitors can try everything from riding a train across the park to fishing for smelt, with street food also available, through the end of February.

All-inclusive tickets, covering up to six attractions and sledding without snow, are priced at 27,000 won for admissions starting at 11 a.m., and 23,000 won for visits after 1 p.m. Adults and children pay the same fee.

For those eyeing sledding only, prices go down to 15,000 won for weekday visits and are 18,000 won for weekend and holiday admissions. The 20-minute smelt fishing program costs 6,000.

The park opens at 11 a.m., with attractions closed on weekdays. For more information, visit firstgarden.co.kr/firstgarden/event/151.

Nature Park’s zoo

A zoo for those curious about how animals survive winter has opened in Daegu’s Nature Park. Visitors can feed the animals and enjoy the nearby flower garden and playground.

Admission is priced at 20,000 won for adults and 18,000 won for elementary school students and younger children.

Tickets cost 11,000 won for a single person through February if visitors can show they are a couple or come wearing hanbok or carrying items related to the Lunar New Year holiday.

The zoo is open every day except for Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last admission at 5 p.m. More details are available at spavalley.co.kr/naturepark.

Go-karting & virtual games on Jeju

The go-to place for indoor and outdoor go-karting, Jeju Island’s 981 Park, offers four outdoor tracks with levels of increasing difficulty.

Bumper car racing is an option for those who want to feel their hands on the wheel but are not keen on the chilly winds outside. Other indoor programs include shooting arcade games and 3-pointer contests.

Fees are 49,500 won for adults, or 79,500 won for one adult and one child. The park is open every day, but outdoor activities are subject to weather conditions.

Those born in the Year of the Dragon -- 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976 and 1964 -- are eligible to receive gifts if they visit the park from Feb. 9-12. More details are available at 981park.com.

Rides & farm at E-World

At E-World in Daegu, a one-day 49,000-won pass, the most expensive option, unlocks access to everything, from attractions and a cinema to a farm and a park.

Start with classics like go-karts, roller coasters, monorail tours and merry-go-rounds while also trying arcade games and a cinema -- as well as periodic parades. There is even a farm and a park for alpacas and birds.

All-day tickets for those aged 20 and older are 49,000 won. Those aged between 14 and 19 will be charged 44,000 won, while those younger need 39,000 won. Starting at 5:00 p.m., prices are reduced to 35,000 won for adults and 33,000 won for teenagers and children.

Attractions are subject to change, so check for the latest updates at eworld.kr.