China becomes popular tourist destination for South Koreans

As South Korea has ushered in the holiday season, a recent survey shows a notable increase in group tour bookings to China thanks to its beautiful natural landscape, close proximity and reasonable airfare prices.

Thanks to the recent Labor Day holiday and the upcoming Children's Day in South Korea which falls on Sunday, citizens can enjoy up to six days of holiday.

According to the latest data from the country's Incheon International Airport, over the holiday season, the inbound and outbound passenger traffic at the airport is expected to surpass 1.12 million, averaging around 180,000 passengers daily.

This marks a 3.4 percent increase from last year's six-day Chuseok holiday, a traditional mid-autumn harvest festival in South Korea. Notably, China has continued to be a popular choice among travelers.

"In China, there are lots of foods unavailable in South Korea. So, during the holiday, I plan to enjoy them as much as I can," said a South Korean tourist.

"Because of cheap flights, I'm going to Qingdao with my college friends. I'm excited to try the spicy crayfish and hotpot there. Also, Tsingtao Beer is very famous, so I will drink plenty of it this time," said another traveler.

The latest statistics from South Korean travel agencies showed that bookings for group tours to China in May has surged by 608 percent year on year, with popular destinations including the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and the Furong Ancient Town in central China's Hunan Province.

To meet the surging demand for group tours to Zhangjiajie, South Korean travel agencies have recently offered easy tour packages from nearby airports straight to the Chinese destination.

Besides Zhangjiajie, South Korean group tour travelers also favor the Jiuzhaigou nature reserve in southwest China's Sichuan Province, while individual travelers prefer destinations such as Changbai Mountain in northeast China's Jilin Province.

China becomes popular tourist destination for South Koreans

China becomes popular tourist destination for South Koreans

Flash floods have trapped Indonesians in West Sumatra in living nightmare, and evacuees are relying on local authorities for food and shelter after cold lava and flash floods destroyed their homestead on the night of May 4.

At least 67 were killed in West Sumatra in this tragic string of events. Some remain missing.

An elementary school Bukik Batabuah, Agam Regency was revamped into evacuation center for 50 families.

Kamilia, mother of two, lost her parents in this tragic event.

"My parents were killed. They were swept away by the strong flood current as far as 2 kilometers. A nephew of mine was swept away by the flood as far as 5 kilometers - he passed away," said Kamilia.

"I was at home with my daughter. When I heard a roaring sound, I knew that's a flood. I grabbed my child, but as I was trying to open the door to leave my room, I was swept by the flood water. It broke through the walls, bringing with it rock and wood debris," said Eva, another victim.

After the disaster, the two mothers lost their source of income. Though sheltered at the school, they still worried about how to make a living in the future.

Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, visited the shelter and commented on a possible relocation of the shelter for safety reasons.

"This has the potential, as seen on the map, to be on the path of cold lava flow. We hope residents living nearby - at least the elderly and the children - are evacuated. These are high-panic situations. There are elderly people and children here," she said

Efforts are being made in response to the emergency situation with data continuously updated.

Flash floods trap Indonesians in West Sumatra in living nightmare