INTERNATIONAL GARDEN EXPO 2013 IN SUNCHEON BAY KOREA

So close to Japan - Korea . 

GARDEN LOVERS INVITED TO VISIT THE INTERNATIONAL GARDEN EXPO 2013 IN SUNCHEON BAY KOREA

by Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office 

Garden lovers from around the world are being invited to visit the Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo 2013 in Korea which begins on April 20 and runs until October20, 2013.  The International Garden Expo has been held around the world for 150 years and it will be Korea’s first time to host the event.

Under the theme ‘Garden of the Earth’ the Expo will be divided into three sections.  The main Expo site (564,000 sq. mtrs.) will feature ten country gardens and sixty themed gardens.  The International Wetland Centre (100,500 sq. mtrs.) will feature an animal/plant exhibition hall, a theatre, an ecology education hall and a wetland experience hall.  The site also includes an arboretum (253,000 sq. mtrs.)

There will be various garden zones including a World Zone, Wetlands Zone, Family Zone, Future Zone, Tree Zone and Flower Road Zone.  Connecting the main expo site and the wetland centre will be a bridge constructed using freight containers decorated with 160,000 artworks created by children from all over the world. 

Suncheon Bay is known as one of the world’s top five coastal wetlands and the huge benefit for Korea and the world is that it will be conserved forever as a result of the preparations and hosting of the International Garden Expo 2013. 

For visitors wishing to attend the Expo there will be four different types of admission tickets including a day pass (16,000 KRW approx. A$15) a night pass (8,000 KRW approx. A$7) , 2day pass (24,000 KRW approx. A$21) and group passes/children tickets are available at discount rates. 

Ticket holders will  also receive the benefits of visiting many local tourist attractions free of charge such as Suncheon Bay Ecological Park, Suncheon Forest Lodge, the historic village Naganeupseong and the Suncheon Bay Drama film village.

Full details of ticketing information and all the events taking place at the Suncheon Bay Intl. Garden Expo 2013 can be found on the official Expo 2013 website:  http://eng.2013expo.or.kr/

Dated:  12 March, 2013

Further information/photos:  Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office

Email:  jenny@knto.org.au   Phone:  02)92452-4147/8

EXPLORE JEONJU ON A FREE SHUTTLE BUS FROM SEOUL

Korea is just a short ferry or plane trip from Japan  

EXPLORE JEONJU ON A FREE SHUTTLE BUS FROM SEOUL

  By  Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office

Most people would agree there’s nothing better than discovering a freebie on your travels.  In Korea you can find many free experiences like free walking tours etc but the latest offer allows tourists to travel to one of Korea’s most popular tourist cities absolutely free.

An exclusive free shuttle bus for foreign passport holders is operating between Seoul and Jeonju from this March until the 25^th August, 2013.  The Seoul-Jeonju shuttle bus that operated last year to promote ‘Visit Jeonbuk Year’ contributed significantly to an increase of visitors to the region so authorities have decided to offer the free shuttle bus service again to encourage more foreign visitors to visit Jeonju city and the surrounding region.

The free shuttle bus service runs both ways three times a week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The shuttle bus is entirely free of charge and reservations can only be made online, One person can reserve a maximum of two seats only.  Bookings can be made via the following website: 

http://jeonju.chesstours.co.kr/en/index.php

Of all the cultural gems of Jeonju, perhaps the most celebrated is the Jeonju Hanok Village. Designated as one of the top places to visit in 2011, the Jeonju Hanok Village encompasses about 700 homes and represents the largest cluster of hanok (Korean traditional houses) in Korea.

Jeonju also has several important cultural assets and facilities like the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Omokdae Pavilion, and Hyanggyo (Confucian school). Jeonju is one of Korea’s ‘slow cities’ and is a great place for tourists to immerse themselves in the history and traditions of Korea.

Jeonju city is well known for the best quality food in the country and even Koreans travel there for the high standard of its cuisine.  It’s a great place to try the Jeonju Bibimbap (mixed rice & vegetable dish) or perhaps enjoy a feast with Jeonju Hanjeongsik, the thirty or more dish special banquet.

Besides food Jeonju offers a wealth of small museums including the Hanji (Korean traditional paper) Museum, Traditional Wine Museum, Calligraphy Museum and more.  It also hosts the annual Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, the Hanji Culture Festival and an International Sori (music) festival annually.

So, if you are planning a visit to Korea this year, make sure you take advantage of the free shuttle bus to Jeonju city.  After a few days in Seoul, Jeonju will offer a peaceful respite from the busy capital city and give you the opportunity to learn more about Korea’s history and culture in the Jeonju Hanok Village.

Further details of the Jeonju Hanok Village: http://tour-eng.jeonju.go.kr/index.sko

Dated: 7 March, 2013

Further information:  Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office

Email:  jenny@knto.org.au   Ph:  02)9252-4147/8