Exclusive Lighting Festivals near Seoul!

Exclusive Lighting Festivals near Seoul!

                   Photo: Lighting Festival at The Garden of Morning Calm (Credit: The Garden of Morning Calm)

This is the season where nights are longer than days. A diversity of lighting festivals is ongoing at tourist attractions in Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area. With LED lights, these lighting festivals create fantastically bright, romantic atmospheres in the evening. If you are looking for a special place to visit during your time in Korea, don’t miss out on the great opportunity of lighting displays!

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) LED Rose Garden

                                      Photo: LED Rose Garden display at DDP

At Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), an open space was transformed into a beautiful garden filled with a display of magnificent and technologically advanced LED roses. Known as the best attraction in Seoul to visit for couples, this is also a great place for nightscape photography. When night falls, a total of 25,550 LED roses light up in the dark, with impressive skyscrapers serving as the backdrop.

There is a reason behind such a specific number of roses. The display began on Korean Independence Day (Gwangbokjeol) in 2015 as a celebration of the nation’s 70th year of Independence. In Korean, Gwangbokjeol means “The day the light returned,” and the number of roses on display corresponds to the number of days of independence Korea has enjoyed: 365 days multiplied by 70 years is equivalent to 25,550 roses.
☞ Address: 281, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Lawn next to Yigansumun Exhibition Hall)
☞ Directions: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 4, 5), Exit 1. Walk approx. 5 min. / Dongdaemun Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 4), Exit 7. Walk approx. 6 min.
☞ Event period: Until December 31, 2016
☞ Operating hours: 17:30-24:00 (Note: Starting hour may change as lighting begins from sunset)
☞ Website: www.ddp.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Little Prince Lighting Festival

                                 Photo: Nighttime scene of Petite France (top)

Light tunnel recreating the Little Prince's Planet (bottom left) / Filming location of “My Love from the Star (2013)” (bottom right)
Petite France is designed as a small French Village in Korea, and it is also recognized as a top filming location for popular Korean dramas such as “My Love from the Star (2013)” and “Secret Garden (2011).” Many people come to appreciate the beauty of this beautifully lit garden, but knowing some interesting facts can enrich your trip. The LED lights used for the decorations were directly purchased from France, and the design was inspired from a small suburban city of Montpellier, located in southern France. The buildings painting in pastel tones harmonize with the lights strung throughout the village to create a fairytale atmosphere. Performances such as “Dominjun's Supernatural Powers,” “Marionette’s Dance Performances” and other exciting programs are lined up for all visitors to enjoy!
☞ Address: 1063, Hoban-ro, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
☞ Directions: From ITX Cheongpyeong Station/Gapyeong Station (Gyeongchun Line), take Gapyeong City Tour Bus. (Travel time approx. 25min from Cheongpyeong Station / Please see official website for operating schedule)
☞ Event period: December 1, 2016-February 28, 2017
☞ Operating hours: 09:00-20:00
※ Lights will be turned on throughout festival period
☞ Admission: Adults 8,000 won / Teenagers 6,000 won / Children (36 months-elementary school) 5,000 won
☞ Website: www.pfcamp.com (Korean, English, Chinese)

World Nightview Fantasy Lighting Festival at Bucheon Aiins World

                              Photo: Replica of Saint Basil's Cathedral (top)

Replica of Notre-Dame Cathedral (bottom left) / Replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa (bottom right) (Credit: Bucheon Aiins World)
Aiins World in Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do is a miniature theme park with miniature replicas of famous architectures from 25 different countries including China’s Forbidden City, France’s Eiffel Tower, America’s Statue of Liberty and more. Aiins World is even more beautiful at night, when the structures are beautifully lit, feeling like being on a world tour. Every angle of the exhibitions serves as a great photo zone for visitors to take souvenir pictures.
☞ Directions: Samsan Stadium Station (Seoul Subway Line 7), Exit 4. Walk approx. 10 min.
☞ Event period: All year round
☞ Operating hours: November–February 17:00-23:00 / March-October 18:00-23:00
☞ Admission: Adults 16,000 won / Children (ages 12 and below) 13,000 won
☞ Website: www.bucheonlightfest.com (Korean only)

Ansan Starlight Village Photo Land Light Festival

                          Photo: Panoramic views of Starlight Village Photo Land

The Ansan Starlight Village Photo Land holds a colorful light festival with dynamic themes, showcasing a variety of photo zone concepts with Van Gogh’s masterpieces for appreciation. The wedding photo zone and the beautiful forest of light that showcases the four seasons are the top representative courses that must not be missed! Installed at every other corner of the place are various sculptures and lightings with distinctive themes.

The highlight of the starlight festival officially begins when night falls. At the entrance, a tunnel filled with stars, as well as twinkling lights against a white background can be found. The White Road is also a well-liked section for families or love birds to take memorable photos..
☞ Address: 1723, Suin-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do
☞ Directions: From Jungang Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), take a taxi for approx. 9 min.
☞ Event period: All year round
☞ Operating hours: 15:00-23:00 (Weekends & public holidays open until 24:00)
* Lighting begins from sunset
☞ Admission: Adults (Middle School & above) 6,000 won / Children (Ages 2 – elementary school) 4,000 won
※ Separate fees apply for Mirror Maze (4,000 won for all visitors)
☞ Website: www.star1723.co.kr (Korean only)

Herb Island Light Festival – Lighting & Illumination

               Photo: Lighting displays at Herb Island (Credit: Herb Island)

Pocheon Herb Island in Gyeonggi-do is famous among tourists thanks to its appearance as filming site in the drama “Producers (2015)” and variety programs such as “Running Man.” By day a beautiful arboretum, when the sun goes down, the garden transforms into a romantic space lit by colorful lights on every side. The attractions are endless, from the lovely pink wish tunnel to Santa’s Village, featuring Santa House and Santa Church. The photo spots throughout the park are perfect for couples to commemorate their love for one another.
☞ Address: 35, Cheongsin-ro 947beon-gil, Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
☞ Directions: Soyosan Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 1. Take Bus No. 57-1 and get off at Samjeong-ri Herb Island Bus Stop. Walk approx. 8min.
※ Shuttle bus is available from Seoul on weekends & public holidays with prior reservation (on-site boarding available in the case of open seats. Bus does not operate during Seollal (Lunar New Year) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) holiday periods).
* International visitors can make a reservation in English via email (dooretourkorea@gmail.com) or phone (+82-10-6240-8193).
☞ Event period: November 1, 2016-undecided
☞ Operating hours: Weekdays, Sundays 09:00-22:00 (November-April Friday & Saturday / May-October Saturday & public holidays, open until 23:00)
☞ Admission: Adults (Ages 17 and older) 6,000 won / Children (Ages 3-Middle school) 4,000 won
☞ Website: herbisland.co.kr (Korean, English, Chinese)

Lighting Festival at The Garden of Morning Calm

Photo: Scenes from the lighting festival (Credit: The Garden of Morning Calm)

The Garden of Morning Calm, nestled in Chungnyeongsan Mountain’s pristine nature, showcases the traditional beauty of a Korean garden. Every evening in winter, the arboretum glows with the multi-colored lights in various themes throughout the gardens, including Korean Theme Garden, Morning Plaza, Road to Heaven, and Moonlight Garden. Visitors can see giraffes, deer, bears and other forest animals, as well as a starlight tunnel in the Hometown Garden and the bright lights in varied colors decorating the grassy plaza will dazzle the eye.
☞ Address: 432, Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
☞ Directions: From ITX Cheongpyeong Station (Gyeongchun Line), take Gapyeong City Tour Bus. (Travel time approx. 20min / Please see official website for operating schedule)
☞ Event period: December 2, 2016 – March 26, 2017
☞ Operating hours: 11:00-21:00 (Saturdays open until 23:00) / Lighting begins from sunset
☞ Admission
Weekdays: Adults 8,000 won / Teenagers 6,000 won / Children (Age 3-elementary school) 5,000 won
Weekends & public holidays: Adults 9,000 won / Teenagers 6,500 won / Children 5,500 won
☞ Website: morningcalm.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)