Taiwanese flock to Japan and Korea: Minions fun vs. picnics & camping

Go camping in Korea now！With zero gear, directly check into a premium CARAVAN camper van at the camping mecca of Cheongpyeong Lake and enjoy a lakeside BBQ dinner under the stars. (Photo / Lion Travel)

Japan and Korea travel are booming. This year’s newly opened Minions theme park in Japan has drawn global attention, becoming a key destination for family trips to Japan during the summer break. Meanwhile, Korea tourism continues to thrive thanks to the Hallyu wave, attracting numerous drama fans to pilgrimage filming locations. Taiwanese travel to Korea has increased by nearly 20% compared to the same period last year, also driving a new wave of unique travel experiences such as picnics and camping in Korea.

● Obsessed with Korean dramas — New picnic and camping experiences in Korea

The power of Hallyu continues to soar, with buzzworthy TV dramas and K-stars sweeping across Asia every year, fueling the trend of traveling to Korea. According to statistics from the Tourism Bureau, as of April this year, nearly 290,000 Taiwanese visited Korea, a 20% increase compared to the same period last year. Additionally, travel agency Lion Travel saw a nearly 40% growth in performance compared to last year and has signed a memorandum of understanding with Incheon International Airport in Korea, offering Taiwanese travelers seamless transit services via Incheon Airport to destinations like Europe and Russia, along with enhanced airport services.

In response to the summer family travel boom, travel agencies have also tapped into the picnic and camping trend by launching distinctive Korea travel packages. For example, they arrange for travelers to have a picnic at Suwon West Lake Park, first visiting the local Badaemun Traditional Market to shop for their own meals and drinks, then enjoying a relaxing lunch. Or, with zero gear, directly experience a camping trip at Korea’s camping mecca, Cheongpyeong Lake, staying in a premium camper van, enjoying a lakeside BBQ dinner under the stars, while watching the floating lanterns rise.

Or, you can also enjoy the “three meals a day” farm life just like Korean stars, visiting the rural village of Suseong Village to experience early Korean farming life with activities such as riding an iron ox cart, DIY Korean pancakes, and handmade red bean buns among other in-depth travel programs. Early registrants can even enjoy a discount of NT$2,000 off for summer pre-orders.

Universal Studios Japan in Kansai has launched new attractions to draw visitors, featuring the largest Harry Potter light show at night since its opening, plus the newly debuted Minions Park, expected to be the hottest theme park of 2017. (Photo / CNA file photo)

● New highlight in Japan — Fun at Universal Studios Minions Park

Japan, a popular travel destination for Taiwanese, has the newly opened Minions Park at Universal Studios Japan as a major highlight for family travel this summer. Chan Star Travel is offering a relaxing 5-day Kansai tour at the upcoming 2017 ATTA Taichung International Travel Fair, visiting Universal Studios, the World Heritage Site Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama Tsutenkyo stroll, and the Senbon Torii gates, allowing families and couples to have fun with the Minions during the summer break.

The operator is offering several discounted summer departure packages. It’s also the perfect time to visit Hokkaido for its flower fields. The package includes DIY at Furano Flower Fields, penguin parade, shopping at Mitsui Outlet Park + Tanukikoji, and an all-you-can-eat sukiyaki + melon + three types of crab feast for 5 days, with a special discount of NT$3,000.