Korean Job Discussion Forums

Gwangjuboy · Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Location: England

As is the case for most of you my summer vacation is approaching. I have been thinking about where to go. I have been in Korea for about 2 years now but I have not explored Gangwondo province as yet. Can anyone let me know if it is worth a visit, and if so where are the best places to go? I would ideally like to go where it won't be too crowded as Koreans (and English) people tend to converge on one place which hinders my aim of having a relaxing time away from it all.

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

I *love* Gangwando - Kangnung is the best city. I'd love to live there actually. I don't think I'd want to go near Soraksan this time of year- you're so right about converging on one place, and that's the place - but Kangnung and the beaches south of it are spectacular.

I haven't been there in five years, but I really want to go back.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

gomurr · Joined: 04 Feb 2003

I lived in Kangnung for 3 years and there is not much of real interest there. I mean if you like the beach be prepared for hordes of people, leaving their trash half buried in the sand and life guards who love to show how manly they are by blowing their whistles when you go too far out (50 m from shore). The mountains are okay but no different then anywhere else. if your a serious hiker then odaesan and Soraksan are good. For the 1st 1/3rd of the way it's packed with people but the higher up you go the less people you see and most of those are older fanatical hikers. At the top of Soraksan is packed because of the cable car up. But Sogumgang in Odaesan is a good hike and no cable car at the top. Kangnung city itself has nothing but Ojukan but that only takes 40 minutes to tour and the same with the audio musuem. Tonghae is boring but does have Murong valley (again lots of people). Cheongdongjin station is a waste of time (tourist trap). The best unexploited beaches are around smaller villages such as Samchok. Basically it's the same sh*t different pile that you find almost anywhere else in Korea.

My advise go to Kyung-ju and rent a bike. i've been there 4 times and still haven't seen everything.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

chuncheon is a nice city as well. Its the city of lakes, or so it calls itself. Its surrounded by mountains, some of which you can hike up. The area north of Chuncheon is about as empty as Korea gets. If you were to go there to Sokcho, I think you wouldn't have to worry about crowds too much.

Dr. Buck · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: Land of the Morning Clam

This summer:
Soraksan National Park and the Sockcho/Tonghae seaside will be brimming with obnoxious tourists. You will be tripping over them and kicking them out from under your feet as they squat on every available patch of land and stuff their mouth with ramyun cooked on a camp stove. Most likely litter wil be stuck to you shoes--just ignore it.

It is all of the horrors of living in Korea multiplied by ten, and yet you are there to have fun so you try to put a positive spin on it in your own head.

It doesn't work. The crowds are heinous and unrelenting.

The entire country ups and moves to the nearest beach or mountainside scenic area.

This goes for every part of the country.

Buy a plane ticket out while you can. Summer in Korea sucks.