Facts about Hanbok that you may not know

Hanbok is Korea's traditional costume. The costume is not only elegant looking but also full of interesting facts. Follow this article to find out more about this piece of Korea's pride.

1. History of Hanbok

The common image of Hanbok that everyone sees today was created and fixed during the reign of the Joseon Dynasty, over 1600 years ago. Each class was also divided into a hierarchy of male and female. That’s why the Hanbok outfits that appeared during this period were very diverse so that it could express one’s social class.

2. Fabrics used in Hanbok

Fabrics used to sew Hanbok were quite diverse. In the past, Koreans used silk to sew the vestment lines. For everyday-wear, the Koreans used hemp or linen. Today we use many synthetic materials to tailor the modern form of Hanbok.

3. Colors in Hanbok

There is a variety of colors scheme used to make a Hanbok outfit. There is no restriction on the choice of colors used to make the Hanbok. They are usually made in a blend of colorful designs. Short jackets for women always include bright yellow, burgundy or turquoise with wide sleeved skirts in navy. Hanboks for men are usually made in white, black and blue.

4. Koreans wear different Hanbok for different occasions

The Hanbok varies according to different circumstances. For those who work or have a job that is an important or of formal nature, they have a specific outfit. For a wedding, there will be a special Hanbok. For a funeral, there will be one for mourning and when Koreans hold ancestor sacrifices, they wear a ceremonial Hanbok. It depends on the purpose of events that Koreans attend. 

Recently, a modern version of the Hanbok has received lots of attention from people, especially young people who love to use it as a street outfit.

5. The differences between male and female outfits

One thing that we can easily recognize about the male and female Hanbok is that for men, the traditional Hanbok has less complicated seams and decorative patterns in comparison to female Hanbok. In general, male outfits focus on simplicity and convenience. For women, there are many more of cloth, with 6 different types of seams including the inside pronged seams to make Hanbok socks.

See more: Discover traditional costumes in Asia

Source: vov

6 Filipino gestures you need to know

In Filipino culture, the use of body language and hand gestures are very common in daily communication. If you are going to travel to the Philippines, you would want to familiarize yourself with these common gestures to avoid any misunderstanding.

1, Beso-beso (Cheek to cheek)

This gesture was previously only common among members of high society. Eventually, show business in the Philippines picked up on it and it has now become a routine greeting among Filipino women. While some women are comfortable practising beso-beso with their male friends, it is not generally acceptable to do this gesture to someone you have met for the first time.

2, Pagmamano (Bless)

In the Philippines, showing respect for one’s elders is a tradition that has been preserved for generations. The ‘honouring-gesture’ called pagmamano involves a younger person asking for an elder’s hand and gently touching their own forehead with it while bowing. The practice is common whenever someone visits relatives or meets their godparents.

3, Nodding and raising eyebrows with a smile

This is one way of how Filipinos greet each other in a casual and quick way, acknowledging that you saw that person. This gesture is sometimes followed with a friendly tap in the shoulder if they are within reach.

4, Mouth open

Opening your mouth wide is not just a dentist’s order or an indication of a person being surprised. It can also mean that the person you are talking to didn’t understand or properly hear what you just said. A mouth wide open gesture is a nonverbal way of asking: “What did you say?”

5, Silent looks

Usually, when Filipino parents give this fiery-eyes-silent-look to their child, it automatically means that the child should stop whatever he is doing. This is one way of Filipino parents to warn or control their children in public without negatively catching many people’s attention.

6, Handshaking

As in most countries, handshaking is a default gesture among Filipinos when meeting someone for the first time. While both men and women greet each other through handshaking, it is usually the person being introduced who first offers their hand. In some cases, men have to wait for women to offer their hand first.

Source Internet

6 best ski resorts in Asia

Winter is coming, and it's time to bring out the inner skier in you! There are plenty of ski resorts in Asia, but we have decided that these 6 are the best ones. Do consider these resorts if you are planning to go skiing this winter.

1. Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan

Thanks to bouts of winter storms off Siberia, the Niseko resort area ranks among the snowiest resorts in the world. It's also one of the few ski resorts in Japan with boisterous nightlife, which perhaps explains why it's the most popular ski destination in Japan among Aussies.

Niseko has four ski resorts, each with separate, but interlinked, ski areas. The terrain adds up to 2,191 acres and can be accessed with one ski pass.

Niseko Hirafu is the largest resort of the four and has a small town at its base, with two fun parks, snowmobiling courses, onsens, and massage facilities.

See more: 7 places to visit during winter in Japan

2. Alpensia Resort, Pyeongchang, South Korea

Seoul has been building ski venues to qualify as a host for the Winter Olympics for years. The Alpensia Resort in Pyeongchang hosted the recent Winter Olympics in early 2018.

The Alpensia Resort was completed in 2009 and covers 4.9 square kilometers of terrain. Alpensia's sports park has cross country and biathlon ranges, as well as two international-standard jump slopes.

The 160-meter tall ski jump tower offers great views of Daegwallyeong at the top and can be reached by monorail for 2,000 won. The resort is close to the Odaesan National Park and the Samyang Ranch.

3. Yongpyong, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Yongpyong Ski Resort is the oldest ski resort in South Korea and remains one of its most popular -- not only because of the superb skiing, but also because Winter Sonata, arguably the most beloved TV drama of the soap-obsessed country, was filmed there.

Yongpyong has 1,620 hecatares of ski terrain with 31 groomed slopes adding up to 25 kilometers. The 5.6-kilometer Rainbow Paradise is the resort's longest run and can be accessed by a 3.7-kilometer gondola that takes visitors up from the base. Yongpyong is frequently chosen as the site for international tournaments, including the Asian Winter Olympics in 1999.

See more: Best winter activities in South Korea

4. Gulmarg, Kashmir, India

In the 19th century Gulmarg was a hill station for British colonials to escape the summer heat. These days, it's a world-class ski resort blanketed with fresh, light powder from the Himalayas, attracting ski bums tired of Alpine lift queues and fondues.

The resort's claim to fame is the Gulmarg Gondola, the highest ski lift in the world at a dizzying 3,979 meters. At the top station, skiers can take on challenging runs with Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth-highest peak, as a backdrop.

5. Yabuli Ski Resort, Heilongjiang, China

Yabuli Ski Resort is China's largest ski domain with ski slopes that add up to roughly 30 kilometers. And while it's the main training venue for the Chinese national skiing teams, it also has plenty to offer adrenalin seekers.

Yabuli has 18 runs of different levels of difficulty. The 3-kilometer A1 is the longest intermediate ski trail in China and is nicknamed the "Trail to Happiness." Experienced skiers may want to have a go at the 2.7-kilometer A5, known as the "Road for Brave."

6. Appi Kogen, Tohoku, Japan

Appi Kogen, or just Appi to regulars, has 282 hectares of ski area and 21 ski trails with an average run of two kilometers, Japan's longest average. Many of them are empty even during high season, and carpeted with fresh dry powder. Seasoned skiers can whiz down the ungroomed steep slopes on Mount Nishi Mori while the kids can stay on the gentle 5.5-kilometer Yamabato run.

Appi also offers plenty of off-piste options, including an on-site dairy farm that produces ice cream and cheeses, snowmobile and sledding courses, and onsens. Tots won't want to leave the Spongebob Kids Park, which has mini ski areas for first timers.

See more: The great places to experience snow in Asia

Source: cnn