Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Hiking China: Yellow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge

By Suzanne Ma HUANGSHAN, China (AP) ― For first-time visitors to China, Beijing and Shanghai are the default destinations. For tourists who like to mix city travel with outdoor experiences, however, two natural landmarks in China stand out: Yellow Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge. Both are among the country's most popular and significant attractions, akin to the Grand Canyon in the United States. Yellow Mountain ― Huangshan ― has been an icon in Chinese culture for centuries. Tiger Leaping Gorge, about 240 miles (385 kilometers) from the Tibetan border, ranks among the deepest gorges in the world. Here are details on visiting each. Yellow Mountain High atop China's Yellow Mountain, standing amid billowing clouds, you will want to reach out and grasp the silvery wisps in front of you. Then the clouds part to reveal a stunning mountain range of yellow granite spanning as far as the eye can see. A moment later, the scene changes once again as clouds drift on to reveal a canyon filled with a sea of peaks. The peculiar crests jut out amid smooth boulders, and tall Chinese

Jan 13, 2011

Hotel Lobby

Novotel Ambassador Gangnam The Bistro, Novotel Ambassador Gangnam’s European restaurant, is presenting “French Harmony,” a French-style menu for a limited time. The menu includes appetizers, comprised of foie gras terrine, cold cream soup and white tuna tartar, scallops in layers of sauce, a main dish of black pork belly, and a dessert. The delightful French tour for the palate is priced at 80,000 won excluding tax. For more information, call 02-531-6604. Grand Hilton Seoul The Grand Hilton Seoul’s quality management was recognized by it winning three international certifications on Dec. 30 _ the ISO 9001 for quality management, the ISO 14001 for environmental management, and the OHSAS 18001 for health and safety. It became the first Korean hotel to achieve the three major global standards. The hotel expects the new standards will further improve its productivity in providing enhanced services to its guests. For customers, the certifications indicate an assurance of quality, safety and reliability, as the ISO 9001 addresses quality management, the ISO 14001, en

Jan 13, 2011

Alaska holds largest winter festival in N. America

By Lee Hyo-sik Thousands of visitors from North America and around the world will flock to Anchorage, Alaska, to be part of the largest winter festival on the continent, the “Fur Rendezvous Festival,” on Feb. 25 to March 6. During the festival, known to locals as “Fur Rondy,” the streets of downtown Anchorage become a winter spectacle for all to enjoy. There are a number of activities and events such as ice sculpture exhibitions, sled dog weight pulling, Eskimo blanket toss, snowshoe softball, carnival rides and the world championship sled dog race. Participants can play softball wearing snowshoes, bowl on an ice-covered river and be chased by reindeers if they choose to. Additionally, Anchorage’s only winter festivity provides an opportunity for trappers and buyers to meet every year and create a frenzy among pin collectors. Fur Rondy Pins are extremely popular with pin collectors, and many of them are listed on, E-Bay on any given day, with some pins listed at over $1000. Since beginning in 1935, the festival has become Alaska’s premier winter celebration and added

Jan 13, 2011By Lee Hyo-sik

Having holiday getaways at hotels

By Kim Rahn Many people plan to have their Lunar New Year holiday overseas, with international flights almost fully booked already. Many others, however, can’t do so for various reasons — they have to go to their hometowns, they are short of money for overseas trips, or their kids are too young to go overseas. But for those who still want some sort of getaway, one or two nights at hotels here may offer a special treat. The Sheraton Grande Walkerhill presents its “Welcome 2011” package from Jan. 28 to Feb. 6. A one night stay at the Douglas House and buffet breakfast at “The View” will be offered for 158,000 won. Guests can also stay at the hotel’s main building and have breakfast as well as a welcome gift for 178,000 won. Special events are also featured. On Feb. 2, the hotel’s chef will hold a dumpling cooking class for families. Guests can enjoy ice skating for an additional 30,000 won. A 10 percent discount on all restaurants and bars and 20 percent at the gourmet pastry shop “Deli” is also available. For more information or reservations, call 02-

Jan 13, 2011By Kim Rahn

Eating snow crab: a New Years tradition

Yeongdeok Daegae is an all natural healthy food By Roger Dix It’s the New Year and many Korean people, like many people around the world, turn to conventions of tradition and participate in certain culinary customs that claim to bring good health and good fortune to anyone who partakes in those customs. One Korean New Year custom that I particularly enjoy partaking in is the custom of eating “daegae” around the first of the New Year. Daegae is the Korean term for the large indigenous snow crab that inhabits the cold waters of the northern parts of the East Sea. It is said to bring to those who eat its succulent meat around this time of year good health, a bounty of physical stamina and a good dose of excellent health throughout the remainder of the year. It is believed by many Korean people that the chemical compounds Taurine (Taurocholic Acid Nc26H45O7S0 and Chitisan (ChitinC8H13NO5) found abundantly in snow crabs breaks down cholesterol, absorbs heavy metals, cleans the liver, thus ‘purifying’ the body, helping to give it a fresh start for the New Year. If travelers driv

Jan 6, 2011

Hotels organize tailored party services for guests

By Kim Rahn If you are planning a small party, or want to just spend some special time with close friends, but don’t want to spend too much time arranging the venue, preparing food and devising entertainment, there are some options for you. Here’s a possible solution ㅡ choose one of the hotel packages or special programs and you can host a private in-room party overnight without any anxiety as the hotels prepare the decorations, food and other party entertainment. So, you just come and enjoy. Novotel Ambassador Gangnam’s “Party Mate Service” will help guests create special memories. Those who purchase winter packages ㅡ such as the Royals in Versailles (159,000 won-319,000 won with tickets to the exhibit of Versailles) or the Sweet Break Package (240,000 won with bubble bath and red wine) ㅡ can pay an additional 70,000 won to have various party props in their room, including balloon decorations, comic wigs and glasses, and a portable lie detector. An N-Amenity product, which includes shampoo, rinse, shower gel, body milk and body scrub, will be offered to guests staying

Jan 6, 2011By Kim Rahn

Airlines gear up for aggressive marketing

By Lee Hyo-sik Both domestic and foreign airlines operating flights linking Korea and cities across the globe are aggressively marketing now that the Year of the Rabbit has dawned, in a bid to capitalize on a record number of Koreans expected to travel overseas. Non-Korean airline companies are taking the lead by organizing a range of promotional events to entice outbound Korean travelers to fly with them, instead of onboard Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, the nation’s two flagship carriers. Among others, Cathay Pacific has introduced three winter airtel (airplane + hotel) packages ㅡ ``Visit Hong Kong,’’ ``Hong Kong Super City’’ and ``Hong Kong Premium Super City’’ ㅡ for Koreans traveling to Hong Kong during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday between Feb. 2 and 6. These packages provide round trip tickets, a hotel stay as well as fringe benefits, and are specially prepared for those who want to enjoy a romantic winter holiday through various events and festivals in the port city. Visit Hong Kong and Hong Kong Super City have been the most popular products from

Jan 6, 2011By Lee Hyo-sik

Hotel lobby

Millennium Seoul Hilton Millennium Seoul Hilton’s French restaurant, Seasons, offers a promotion during the month of January featuring oysters, presented by executive chef Park Hyo-nam. The dishes include fresh oysters on a half shell with lemon, oyster rockerfeller with spinach and fried oyster with tartar sauce. Each a la carte course is priced at 28,000 won. For more information, call 02-317-3060. Sheraton Incheon Sheraton Incheon Hotel, located in the Songdo International City, offers an Italian brunch on Sundays between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at BENE, the Italian restaurant in the hotel. The brunch includes a variety of choices for antipasti and salad, one among four main dishes of steak, lamb, sea bass or king prawn, and one among pasta, pizza or risottos, along with a sweet dessert bar. A complimentary glass of Italian sweet wine is also served. Priced at 55,000 won, and an additional 10,000 won for unlimited wine, this special brunch offer is a great way to spend a Sunday. For more information, call 032-835-1716. JW Marriott Chefs at JW M

Jan 6, 2011

Cocktail creations: tips for the party host

By Ines Min Whether you’re partial to the simplicity of a gin and tonic, or ready to be bowled over by a string of Long Island iced teas, the cocktail has found a place in the casually lounging hands of men and women everywhere. Though the New Year has officially begun and parties are winding down, these classic mixes of the smoothest liquor and punch of flavors are always the perfect accessories to any gathering — whether it’s at a neighborhood cafe or the luxurious setting of a sky-view bar. “You can tell a bit what people like after a while,” Cho Min-ji, a senior bartender at Pierre’s Bar in Lotte Hotel, Sogong-dong, downtown Seoul, recently told The Korea Times. “But in the case of cocktails, people will tell you what they want first.” And for those who know what they like, Pierre’s signature drink is a DIY cocktail, which allows the customer to mix and match their own flavors and proportions. Served on a rectangular dish, three glasses are provided: one for juice, one for alcohol and one for the ice. The distinguishing characteristic is in the last part, t

Jan 6, 2011

Germany to celebrate 200th anniversary of the birth of Franz Liszt in 2011

By Lee Hyo-sik The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) will hold a range of events next year to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the world-famous composer, pianist and conductor Franz Liszt. By commemorating 200 years since his birth, the board plans to promote its cultural heritage and draw tourists from around the world. Liszt is one of the musical greats of the 19th century. He spent many years touring Europe, during which he forged special relationships with many German towns and regions. He performed in Dresden on numerous occasions, wowing audiences with his virtuosity. In 2011, the Dresden State Orchestra of Saxony, the Dresden Philharmonic, the Dresden Music Festival and the Carl Maria von Weber University of Music in Dresden will be honoring Liszt with countless concerts at venues such as the Church of Our Lady and the Semper Opera House (www.dresden.de). Liszt was also immensely successful in Leipzig, Berlin and Hamburg as well as in Weimar. His years spent in Weimar were his most prolific. Besides composing, he worked as a conductor and taugh

Dec 30, 2010By Lee Hyo-sik

Travel & Food

Travel & Food

Hiking China: Yellow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge

Hotel Lobby

Alaska holds largest winter festival in N. America

Having holiday getaways at hotels

Eating snow crab: a New Years tradition

Hotels organize tailored party services for guests

Airlines gear up for aggressive marketing

Hotel lobby

Cocktail creations: tips for the party host

Germany to celebrate 200th anniversary of the birth of Franz Liszt in 2011

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