Spectacular Lotus Lantern Festival

I have seen a lot of spectacular events around the world. NYC Marathon, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, Tour de France and even the Rice Festival in little town of Arles. However, I've never witnessed an event so festive and at the same time, as lovely and tranquil as the Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul, South Korea.

The Lotus Lantern Festival celebrates the Birth of Buddha similar to the way Christians celebrate Christmas in observance of the birth of Jesus Christ. However, unlike Christmas, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated throughout a month (usually in April) in most part of Asia as a non-commercial event, which means, it's a holiday that can be enjoyed just for the sake of celebrating without the lunacy of gift giving. 

The month-long festival is packed with events, and all the Buddhist temples are decorated with magnificent display of colorful lanterns. However, the highlight definitely are the events that takes place on the last weekend before the Buddha's Birthday which falls on 8th April by Lunar Calendar.

Ever since I read about the Lotus Lantern Festival on an inflight magazine, I knew it was something I must see, and it was nothing less than spectacular!

The highlight of the festival was the evening Lantern Parade. As if the endless stream of floats carrying beautifully constructed and brightly illuminated lanterns weren't enough, on the contrast to the rowdy festivals in the U.S. and Europe, I was surprised how peaceful the parade was. There were even chairs for the spectators to rest and enjoy all along the parade route!

There were lantern carriers and floats with everything from traditional lotus flower lanterns and paper lanterns to lanterns in the shape of Hangul, the Korean alphabet, spelling out words. There are huge floats in the shapes of dragons, elephants and birds as well as Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. There are groups from temples, groups from schools and of course the most popular groups are the monks themselves.

It truly was one the most mesmerizing and memorable event I’ve seen with vibrant palate of colors of the lanterns and participants of the parade. I really loved the celebratory atmosphere, and it was great to see the comradery of the people and all the families with small children who were enjoying themselves into the wee hours of the night.

Lotus Lantern Festival is an event I would fly across the world to see again!

Breakdown of the events.

▣ City Hall Lighting Ceremony

Seoul City Hall Plaza will be decorated with a large light symbolizing the birth of Buddha on April 18 before the official lotus lamp lighting ceremony. With the lighting of the large lamp, the lotus lamp lighting ceremony will begin with various programs including praying around the pagoda stone.

The lights will come on every evening during sunset, until 1:00 am from April 18 to May 5. Anyone wishing to see the beautiful lotus lights can visit City Hall Plaza.

▣ Exhibition of Traditional Lanterns

People from all religions around the world will enjoy seeing the display of lanterns made with hannji. Approximately 40 designs of uniquely colored lanterns will be on display. Wishes are made according to the shape of the lantern.

This beautiful exhibition is free of charge and is open from April 29 to May 5 for 2 hours. The exhibition is held at Bongeunsa Temple, visitors can take subway line No.2 to Samseong Station. Go out exit No. 6 and walk for about 10 minutes to the temple.

▣ Festival’s Eve Celebration

The Eve Celebration will parade from Jogyesa Temple to Insa-dong, offering spectators a splendid sight. The larger than life lanterns along with amazing costumes make this event unforgettable.

The Eve Celebration will be held on April 29, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm, starting at the street in front of Jogyesa Temple.

▣ Buddhist Street Festival

Performances of Korean traditional percussion instruments and the Foreigners’ Traditional Dance Show offer much to see. Visitors can also take part in making lotus lanterns, experience of traditional straw utensils, and a variety of other Buddhist-related activities.

Additional activities include eating temple fare and sampling traditional tea. The Buddhist Street Festival is open on April 30, from noon to 8 pm and is held at the street in front of Jogyesa Temple.

▣ Opening Ceremony for the parade

The opening ceremony is full of rhythm and song. Roughly 30,000 Buddhists representing temples from around the country gather to celebrate the birth of Buddha.

The opening ceremony is held on April 30 from 4:30 to 6:30pm for 2 hours at Dongdaemun Sports Complex. To get there, take Subway lines No. 2, 4, or 5

▣ Lantern Parade

Approximately 100,000 lanterns will light the streets at the Lantern Parade. Unique lanterns in the shape of animals, flowers, mythical creatures, and more will travel the streets of Seoul, creating an atmosphere that is magical. Lanterns will range from small hand- held lanterns to larger than life lanterns.

The Lantern Parade is held on April 30 from 07:00pm to 09:30pm. The parade starts at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park and heads down the streets of Jongno, until reaching Jogyesa Temple.

▣ Being Together Celebration

The final celebration of the festival is the Dongdae Celebration of unity and hope in which flowers rain down from the heavens in front of Jogyesa Temple. The city becomes one at this event as visitors sing and dance in celebration. The final celebration will take place in front of Jogyesa Temple on April 30 from 9:30pm to 10:30pm. This final celebration for the festival will be packed with people, so caution is advised.

Mo’ Fun Things To Do With Children In Seoul

We always have a great time in Seoul! 

I can't think of a better place to spend Springbreak with children than in one of the most significant capital cities in Asia.  Seoul offers a wonderful mixture of culture, history and fun activities for children of all ages. 

Olympic Park (올림픽공원)

In the midst of the megalopolis, Olympic Park offers 1.5 million square meters of extensive grassy fields, sculpture gardens, walking paths, and rest areas.

Also, the park preserves the spirit of the 1988 Seoul Olympics and provides a wonderful space to stroll and enjoy some of the most innovative artwork and outdoor installations.

It was an artistic feast as well as a calming experience, and more importantly, it was great place to hang out with my little boy and to have great conversations, which is always my favorite part of any trip!

Cheonggyecheon (청계천)

Oh, the serenity! A walk along this 3½-mile stream is a true oasis for adults and children alike.

While it's situated smack dab in the middle of the city, Cheonggyecheon is remarkably quiet because the stream is more than 15 ft. below street level.  It felt like we were in a park or in the midst of wilderness, and I was surprised its tranquility.

The National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

The National Museum of Korea is a great place for adults and children.

The grand, marble-lined, modernist building cleverly channels plenty of natural light to show off Korea’s ancient treasures. Among the must see exhibits in the ground floor galleries are the Baekje Incense Burner, an extraordinary example of the artistry of the 6th to 7th century Baekje Kingdom; and the Golden Treasures for the Great Tomb of Hwangham.

Also, there is a Children's Museum offering a snapshot of Korean culture with plenty of hands on features and play spaces. The only downside is that it can get crowded at times, especially during weekends.  However, there are plenty of fun activities for kids, and it provides a great opportunity to learn about Korean history.

The highlight of our visit was strolling around the outdoor area surrounding the reflecting pond.

Aquarium at the COEX Mall (코엑스 아쿠아리움)

Contrary to my initial skepticism, the Aquarium at the COEX Mall turned out to be a fantastic place to spend a rainy day!

This huge theme Aquarium with 3,000 tons of water and 40,000 marine wildlife of 650 species was designed to allow visitors to embark on an adventure that follows water on its way from the high Andean mountains, through the Amazon tropical rain forest to swamps, rivers, seashores, and finally to the depths of the ocean.

The walk starts with the exhibit of Korea’s Land and Fishes composed of very impressive replicas of fresh-water environment such as rice field, swamp, river and lake. Continue to the Fish Wonderland with the main theme of the fish infiltration into the world of human beings. This exhibit is particularly funny with a variety of devices of our every-day life modified into water tanks, for example, a refrigerator, washing machine, TV or phone booth invaded with fish.

Although it's a popular destination among tourists, I can't deny that COEX Aquarium is a FUN place for kids, especially on a rainy day. 

Seoul Grand Park (서울대공원)

One of the great surprises during this trip was Seoul Grand Park!

Set among forested hillsides in southern part of the city, Seoul Grand Park consists of themed areas for education, nature, and amusement. The park is known for its various amusement facilities and scenic beauty, including Seoul Grand Park Zoo, Children's Zoo, a rose garden, Seoul Land amusement park, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwancheon.

Although Seoul Grand Park is located just outside of Seoul, it feels like you're in the midst of wilderness. It was such a tranquil environment, and after spending a week in a city of 12 million people, it was a calming environment that we very much needed.

Worth noting

Without a doubt, the best part of our trip to South Korea was feasting on delicious food!  

Although barbecue meats and kimchi are commonly known outside the country, in Seoul, each popular dish has its own "town", a street filled with restaurants all serving their versions of that particular food.   

From street foods like rice cakes in spicy sauce (tteokbokki) to Korean set menu (Hanjeongsik), every dish has distinct flavor, texture and taste, and every meal was absolutely delightful!

Must see next time:

Children's Grand Park (서울 어린이대공원)

Seoul Land 

Seoul Children’s Museum

Gwacheon National Science Museum

My Top 10 Urban Oases

I am a quintessential city girl. I love big cities and preferred being in the midst of a concrete jungle than in the wilderness. But even a hard core city girl like me needs to chill and relax from time to time, and I retreat to a tranquil space that allows me to just that.

Botanical Garden (San Francisco) 

Smack dab in the middle of the Golden Gate Park is the Botanical Garden (at Strybing Arboretum), and it truly is a beautiful oasis in the heart of San Francisco. There are so many wonderful things to discover, and with more than 7,500 various species of plants, spouting fountains, wide open fields and a number of lovely little nooks, such as the Garden of Fragrance and the Children's Garden, you can sit quietly with your family and friends lazing together in the sunshine, reading books or exploring the various garden floras.  Also, it is one of the loveliest places for a picnic.

Shakespeare Garden (San Francisco)

Hidden away along a small path to the California Academy of Sciences, the enchanting Shakespeare Garden, with an arched iron-wrought gate, is the type of homely garden opening that one would to expect to stumble upon in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Even visitors who have strolled through Golden Gate Park dozens of times may have never wandered into Shakespeare Garden. It’s pretty easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.

The Shakespeare Garden contains numerous plants that are referenced in Shakespeare's actual writings, and on the back brick wall, quotations and passages from his plays are engraved on stone tablets for visitors to read.

Central Park (New York City) 

What more can I say about Central Park that hasn’t been said. It’s FABULOUS! Immersed in lush and wild nature with a massive skyline as a backdrop, it’s truly an urban oasis that defies all logic.

For most New Yorkers, the park is a sanctuary. Especially for me, it was a place where I would retreated to whenever my life in the city got too much, and I needed to regroup and recuperate. Also, some of the best and most memorable experiences I’ve had were in the park, like serendipitously meeting my husband.

It’s a place where we always go back to reminisce about our wonderful past lives in the city as well as creating beautiful new ones with our son who absolutely adores every corner of the park.

Our favorites in the park: Heckscher Playground, Poets Row, Bethesda Terrace, Alice in Wonderland Statue, John Lennon Imagine Memorial, and the always entertaining and eclectic street performers.

The Highline (New York City) 

After all the places I’ve seen in NYC, I can honestly say that the Highline (from Gansevoort St to West 34th St, between 10th & 11th Avenue) is my favorite. It epitomizes the city that is constantly evolving and recreating itself. Not only the design and the atmosphere of the park unique and innovative, it has transformed a neighborhood which was formally known as the “Death Avenue” into a trendy, upscale, and more importantly, family friendly area.

As the park expands from lower Manhattan to 31th Street in Midtown, it provides some of the best views of the key monuments, the Empire State building, Chrysler Building, and on a clear day, the Statue of Liberty.

There's an eclectic mix of art installations as well as tasty food carts, art vendors and musicians, and the great thing about the Highline is that it enables you to have and enjoy an urban experience in the midst of (man-made) nature.

Riverside Park (New York City)

I loved living on the Upper West Side. Aside from it being one of the more residential and child-friendly neighborhoods in Manhattan, you're privy to two of the most beautiful urban oases in the world, Central Park and Riverside Park.

Although Riverside Park is by no means as well-known as Central Park, it is a vast expanse of green space and a home to beautiful gardens, landscaped paths, sports facilities, public art, and some of the most stunning river views.

Venice Canal (Los Angeles)

Secreted away from the hustle and bustle of the famous boardwalk, the picturesque canals of Venice, California, are one of the seaside community's hidden charms.

More than 100 years ago, developer Abbot Kinney conceived the mad idea of building a "Venice of America," a cultural Valhalla dedicated to the fine arts, complete with canals, gondolas and imported Italian gondoliers. The experiment failed, and the gondoliers went home, but the canals remain and are a splendid place to take a walk.

Begin this walk near the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Pacific Avenue, at the corner of Washington and Strongs Drive. There, under a small sign that says "Venice Canals Walkway," turn in and begin exploring. Within minutes, you'll lose the roar of Venice traffic and begin to experience the charm of canal life.

Jardin du Luxembourg (Paris, France) 

The Jardin du Luxembourg has always been one of my favorite places in Paris! I love the beauty and the elegance of it all. When I lived in Paris, it was a sanctuary where I could go to think and write.

Being back in the Luxembourg Gardens with our son, I discovered that it was a delightful place for kids as well, and there were many activities for children to enjoy, and each time I’m there, it’s as memorable as the first time I’d visited Paris.

Promenade Plantée (Paris, France) 

I absolutely love the High Line in NYC! So, when I heard that it was inspired by Promenade Plantée in Paris, I had to check it out and see it for myself.

Created in 1988 by Philippe Mathieux and Jacques Vergely on the former railway line, which linked Place de la Bastille to Varenne-Saint-Maur from 1859, the Promenade Plantée mixes areas of wild vegetation that has sprung up alongside the railway line with more modern landscaped areas.

It begins behind the Bastille opera house and runs above avenue Daumesnil to the Jardin de Reuilly: it is the famous Viaduc des Arts. The Allée Vivaldi then comprises the shopping part of the walkway. Then, it continues through tunnels and trenches and ends at Porte Dorée and the Bois de Vincennes.

About halfway to Bois de Vincennes, there is a large green park with a pelouse (lawn) that's not forbidden to walk on as most of the green lawns are in Paris, and there is also a small playground.

Promenade Plantée truly is a hidden gem, and although the ambiance is definitely different from the High Line, it’s a perfect place for children – also, you won’t see many tourists here.

Kollwitz Platz (Berlin, Germany) 

Named after the famous German painter, print maker and sculptor Käthe Kollwitz, it is one of the loveliest and liveliest squares in Berlin.

Farmer's Market at Kollwitz Square has a great selection of meats, cheeses and organic food, as well as wine – and oh, fresh oysters! Also, there are playgrounds nearby, which is perfect if you have a little one.

Cheonggyecheon (Seoul, South Korea) 

Neglected merely as an overpass since 1970, Cheonggyecheon was was a small stream that flowed through the downtown area along some of Seoul’s popular sights. Then, in 2003, the mayor of the city decided to restore the stream and give the city some much-needed natural space, and when the restoration was completed in 2005, Cheonggyecheon became a haven of natural beauty and oasis in the midst the cosmopolitan city.

Situated smack dab in the middle of the city, it is one of the nicest place to take a stroll. For children, it’s an absolutely perfect place to explore as you walk along the stream, there are many artistic and fun details that are sure to delight every child.