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lhasa
Joined: 26 Jan 2008
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 Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:50 am Post subject: Seoul this weekend |
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I'm thinking of hopping on a bus and heading to Seoul this weekend but not sure if it's a great idea.
I imagine it won't be much of a party and many things will be closed....am i right??....anyone know if What the Book will be open on Fri or Sat ?? |
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Cohiba
Joined: 01 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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Yep, that's about right. Everything will be closed up tight. Seoul will be
like a ghost town for the next few days. |
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eIn07912
Joined: 06 Dec 2008
Location: seoul
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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Yep, that's about right. Everything will be closed up tight. Seoul will be
like a ghost town for the next few days. |
That's not totally true. The last two Chuseok's I've seen, you couldn't really tell a difference between that and normal days. Things don't close down as much as you might think. Sure, offices will be closed. Probably banks too. But many other things stay open, because not everyone leaves Seoul for the holiday. Many restaurants and stores will be open. I'm sure the mall stays open. Grocery stores and marts stay open. So don't think it's going to be empty here. It's a city of 25 million people, it'd be impossible to close it all down. Taxis will still run. So will busses and trains.
Places like Itaewon and Hongdae do some of their best business this time of year. So many of the foreigners have the week off and don't really have the traditional celebration plans, so they end up drinking every night and staying out late. So if you're near those places, it will probably seem more crowded than usual, not less.
A safe bet to have is to just think about who the business usually caters to. If it's a business that's centered around families or older people, probably closed. Like dry cleaners, realtors office, car repair, stuff like that. If it's focused on university aged crowds and 20 somethings, chances are it's still open. Last year I went out a few nights, had Mr. Pizza ordered to my place, went and bought some dvd's, picked up some shoes, and got caught up on things that fall throught he cracks on work weeks. It just felt like a long weekend.  |
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nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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| But if you're planning on seeing any sights, probably no dice. Palaces, museums, etc, will all be shut. Also, I highly doubt you'll be able to GET a bus. Tickets for all transportation are more than likely sold out, as everyone is moving about to visit family. |
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Jane
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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| nathanrutledge wrote: |
| But if you're planning on seeing any sights, probably no dice. Palaces, museums, etc, will all be shut. Also, I highly doubt you'll be able to GET a bus. Tickets for all transportation are more than likely sold out, as everyone is moving about to visit family. |
That is incorrect information. Most tourists sites are open. The following is a rundown of what's going on for this weekend, but it's subject to change.
Some Cancelled Events over Chuseok
1. Andong Mask Festival is cancelled but regularly scheduled shows and performances in the village will still be on if you choose to visit (Sept.25-Oct.4)
2. Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival (Oct.1-Oct.12)
Closures (mainly on Saturday, the 3rd)
Dongdaemun Market and Yongsan Electronics Market
Chuseok in Korea
*What�s it usually like over Chuseok in Korea? Seoul residents usually visit their families out of Seoul, and Seoul is very quiet as a result.
*Not all businesses are open over Chuseok, all though there are a select few that remain open, particular in more foreigner frequented areas.
*Banks are not always open either so it�s good to get enough funds to last throughout the weekend.
*Major highways will be clogged, so it is recommended that trains and planes be used. Most trains from Seoul are sold out.
Chuseok Events in Korea
*National Folk Museum
*October 2-4: 70�s Memorabilia Exhibit
*October 1 (for students) and 3rd (Sat, for workers), 10-2pm, special foreigner events including learning how to do a deep bow and making rice cakes.
Korean Folk Village
*Oct.2-4 Caution! Chuseok is the busiest time of the year for the Korean Folk Village, so expect large crowds. Located south of Seoul near Suwon, and it�s possible to take public transport there.
*Will have traditional performances and activities including: agricultural shows, tightrope walking, traditional wedding, horseback riding, a shamanistic show to usher in the new year.
*Performances and shows from 11am to 5pm. Information is only in Korea on the website.
*Gyeongbukgung Palace in Seoul
*Free entrance over Chuseok.
*Oct.3, 3pm: tea ceremony. Get there early as there is a max of 200 participants
*Oct.3, 2pm: traditional royal court performance and ceremony
Places that will remain open over Chuseok
All of the following be open from Friday Oct. 2 to Oct.4
Namsangol Hanok Village
War Memorial of Korea
63 Building (Shops, restaurants and Sea world)
Namsan Cable Car
Hangang River Cruise
COEX Aquarium
Seoul�s Palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung)
Jongmyo Shrine
Lotte World
Seoul Land
Everland
Seodaemun Prison
Most shops in Insadong
Theaters like the Nanta Theater, The National Theater of Korea, Korea House, Chongdong Theater (Miso), Seoul Arts Center will be open
The only day really that you will see shops and restaurants shut will be on the actually holiday, Saturday the 3rd. Otherwise, there will be more things open on the other days. Make sure to withdraw funds for the whole weekend before Friday, as in the past, the ATMs have been out of service for the whole holiday. |
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tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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| WTB will likely be open from 12-7 on Friday. Possibly close on Saturday. |
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Old Gil
Joined: 26 Sep 2009
Location: Got out! olleh!
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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| If you really cared about Korean culture you'd find somebody's tomb to go bow at. Do you know Bak Ji Seon? |
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Clockout
Joined: 23 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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Good post, Jane.
My father is arriving today and I'm glad the big tourist stuff will be open. |
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nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Yup. I'm an idiot and you caught me! I was at Deoksogung yesterday and their hours said they were closed on holidays. Since the palaces are all part of the same group, I went with the assumption they'd all be closed. |
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Ukon
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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| How's busan? I was thinking of visiting...... |
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JBomb
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Busan has cool shit but not sure what will be open. You can always try to get a Lotte Giants ticket from a scalper. That shit is going to be crazy there on Fri and Sat. |
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kiknkorea
Joined: 16 May 2008
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Ukon wrote: |
| How's busan? I was thinking of visiting...... |
That's not a bad idea if you're not far from Busan (I'll guess you are). Busan's a great city.
If it would usually take you more than an hour by bus, I wouldn't bother. The traffic will be horrific. |
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Ukon
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:18 pm Post subject: |
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I'm seoul...my overseas travel plans got canceled...
I can drive there since I think the trains will be packed. |
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kiknkorea
Joined: 16 May 2008
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Ukon wrote: |
I'm seoul...my overseas travel plans got canceled...
I can drive there since I think the trains will be packed. |
I was speaking of the highway traffic. If you haven't left Seoul already, it would take until Saturday to get to Busan.
OK, slight exaggeration, but horrific nonetheless. |
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Jane
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:30 pm Post subject: |
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Horrific it is.
Took me 17 1/2 hours to drive from Gwangju, Jeollanamdo last Chuseok. It should only take 3 1/2. |
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