[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Ansan Star Village

Marking its 10th anniversary this year, a light festival that runs year-round in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, is perfect for those seeking a break from the noise of city life.

An 8,000 won entrance fee is all it takes to make a tranquil escape to Ansan Star Village. The park, which includes a garden and animal installations, opens from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., with the lights turned on every day at 5 p.m. from November through February.

Admission is priced at 5,000 won for grade schoolers and those younger, as well as seniors and people with disabilities. Children less than 2 years old will not be charged any entrance fee. Guests must present ID to claim the discounts.

Bumper car racing is available too, for 3,000 won. Check out the latest details at ansanstar.net.

Go-karting & virtual games on Jeju

Who doesn’t like gifts? Try the go-to place for indoor and outdoor go-karting, Jeju Island’s 981 Park, which offers four outdoor tracks with levels of increasing difficulty, and maybe get a little something extra.

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 Friday to Monday, during the Lunar New Year holiday.

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 options include arcade shooting 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 daily, but outdoor activities are subject to weather conditions. More details are available at 981park.com.

Zoo at Nature Park

Another Lunar New Year special is a zoo for those curious about how animals survive winter in Daegu’s Nature Park.

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

But tickets cost just 11,000 won per person through February if visitors can show they are a couple, come wearing hanbok or are carrying items related to Lunar New Year.

The zoo is opens daily except Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with final admissions at 5 p.m. More details are available at spavalley.co.kr/naturepark.

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 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 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 pay 39,000 won. Starting from 5 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.

Strawberries, tomatoes at Yulbom

Come to Yulbom, a botanical garden in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, to pick your own 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 of jelly or 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, is 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 animal feed to treat the nearby farm animals.

By Choi Si-young(siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)