Chrysanthemums, Robots and Small Ships Are on View In Seoul's Parks

Bring your mom and dad, kids! Amusement parks around Seoul are offering fun, games and other entertainments.

Chrysanthemums, with their beautiful deep fragrance, are synonymous with autumn in Korea, and there are flower festivals at many parks. Other activities include a frog exhibition featuring rare species from home and abroad, a digital zoo with robot-pets and a an exhibition of more than 100 miniature ships.

Everland (031-320-5000) is holding a chrysanthemum contest through next weekend. More than 3,200 works of art made of chrysanthemums that are competing are on display.

Lotte World in southern Seoul, which is famous for its indoor and outdoor amusement facilities, has decorated its street with about 1 million chrysanthemums. Jazz concerts will be held every Saturday and a guitar concert every Sunday around a pool filled with chrysanthemum scent. Old movies are shown every Friday night. For information call 02-411-2102.

The miniature-ship exhibition is on the third floor of indoor Lotte World, where it will be on view until the end of this month. Models include the national turtle ship, Victoria, Santa Maria and Cutty Sark. The shopping mall near the chrysanthemum street is showcasing more than 40 sculptures crafted by art students from Hong-ik University.

Seoul Land has put together a digital zoo containing robotic toys such as Aibo, the robot puppy; a robot spider that avoids obstacles; a robot sumo fighter that charges its opponent, and a robot Medusa that responds to clapping. The zoo features 35 kinds of animals and insects. Animals include a puppy, a cat and a mouse. There is also a parrot. Visitors can also play with a soccer-playing robot on a miniature field. Call 02-504-0011.

For more fun away from Seoul, there is Woobang Tower Land at Taegu. There are also two bungee jumps, one from 25 meters and another from 35 meters. While the kids are playing, adults can join in the beer festivals under way. 053-620-0261.

by Kim Sae-joon