Korean Job Discussion Forums

Enigma · Joined: 20 Mar 2008

I've got several maps of Korea and of most of the provinces, but I'd like to find a more detailed road atlas (for cycling), preferably in Korean and English but more likely only in Korean. Ideally I just need one for Gangwondo and maybe also Gyeongsangbukdo. Have any of you seen any decent ones, and if so, can you recommend any?
If I lived in Seoul I would just pop into one of the big bookstores, but I don't - I live in a small town and there are no big bookstores in my area. If I could buy one online that would be great, it's just that I find navigating Korean websites to be very time-consuming at my level of Korean.

nick70100 · Joined: 09 Sep 2005

Do you really need a paper atlas? It looks like they do still produce these, but it probably won't be too far into the future before they no longer exist. GPS Navigation systems are extremely popular for drivers in Korea. Beyond that people have smart phones as well, and internet map services.

How about Google Maps, Naver Maps, Daum maps? You can find the route you want to take and just print it out. A single piece of paper is a lot easier to carry with you than a several hundred page book with maps of every road in the country. Naver even has a bicyle direction function. Click two points on the map and it will tell you the best way to cycle between them including paths/trails where cars don't go.

If you really do want a paper road atlas this looks like the most recent and detailed...

http://www.yes24.com/24/goods/237414
published April 2011, 352 pages

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

Nick is right. Get a bicycle GPS system. You'll love it.

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

Go to the bookstore and ask for maps. They'll have a whole shelf full of atlas' for Korea. The one posted above is pretty thick and expensive. You can find less detailed ones that cover the whole country for about 10k with detailed insets for cities. I used it to cycle from Dongae to Gangneung and around Gangneung. If you want specific provinces, they offer atlas' for the provinces that are much more detailed for the same 10k. And they are all REAL maps - they have a scale, the top is always north. Quality stuff.

I've got a GPS unit, but still carry a map if it's somewhere I don't know. Last thing I need is to be lost with no signal/dead batteries/broken unit and no map.

Enigma · Joined: 20 Mar 2008

Thanks for the replies.
Although I realize the GPS offers many advantages, I just prefer having a paper map to look at.