In Gyeonggi-do: Hallyu hotspots and an affordable winter wonderland

Ask someone to name a place in South Korea and they will probably say Seoul, Jeju, or Busan. But the country is more than those three tourist stops. Last month at the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Travel Seminar in Makati, a new must-see destination on the outskirts of the country’s capital was presented: Gyeonggi province (Gyeonggi-do.)

'The past, present, and future of Korea'

At an open forum, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (GTO) assistant manager Oh Chung Jul told GMA News that what sets Gyeonggi-do apart from other tourist destinations in Korea is that “it is the past, present, and future of the country.”

The past

There are several heritage sites to explore in Gyeonggi-do. For starters, the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress will wow any tourist with its massive fortification, measuring six meters high and stretching for 5.7 kilometers, with several annexes built beyond the walls. This fortress was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.

From a grandiose structure down to small abodes: visitors can explore how Koreans lived in earlier times in the Bucheon Hanok village (a hanok is a traditional Korean house).

These heritage houses are not only intricately constructed but also quite energy-efficient, circulating the heat from the cooking kilns to the flooring, warming the home during the cold winter months.

There is also something here for Hallyuwave fans: the Korean Folk Village is one of the major filming locations of famous dramas such as “Jewel in the Palace,” “The Moon Embracing the Sun,” “My Love from the Stars,” and “Queen Seondeok.”

It has been called Korea's “mecca of historical drama and movies,” since most period dramas and movies are filmed here.

For the more recent past, Imjingak Park hosts holidays and events for homesick North Korean refugees. Some of the remnants of the Korean War are on exhibit here, such as the steam locomotives and infiltration tunnels. Gyeonggi-do’s acquisition of the old train serves as a reminder for younger generations of its history. Because in order to move forward, one must learn from the past.

The present and the future

The Garden of Morning Calm in Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun is a picturesque spot for photographers, artists, and tourists who want to take it slow and enjoy nature.

The 33-hectare garden is home to 5,000 species of flowers and plants. During the day, the colors of the flora will enthrall your senses. And during the winter nights of December to March, the spectacular light show illuminates the gardens.

Another must-see theme park in Gyeonggi-do is Petite France, just a 20-minute trip from the famous “Winter Sonata” location Nami Island. This cute French-themed park is also one of the major locations in the famous dramas “My love from the stars” and “Secret Garden.”

Korea is also a country of technological advances, and the Samsung Innovation Museum in Suwon is a showcase of technologies that helped shaped the world we live in now.

An affordable winter destination

Gyeonggi-do also offers low- to mid-range ski-resorts for those who want to experience a winter wonderland.The four major ski-resorts here are Yangji Pine Resort, Jisan, Bears Town Resort Pocheon, and Konjiam.

The Gyeonggi-Do Tourism Organization is currently proposing a Super-Ski package in cooperation with local travel agencies to encourage Filipinos to spend their first winter experience in the province.

Gyeonggi-Do is located just outside of Seoul and it may take 1 to 2 hours to get there in any mode of transportation from the capital city. — BM, GMA News

The 2014 Korean Travel Expo in August was led by the Korea Tourism Organization Manila.