Korean Job Discussion Forums

kraggy · Joined: 06 Mar 2011

Would have put this in the travel section but would like an answer pretty quick so put it here.

Was wondering where I should venture tonight. On a bus preferably. I live in Seoul and really enjoyed going to Seoraksan a couple of weeks ago. Was nice to get out of Seoul and see something different.

Is there anywhere else within 2 or 3 hours of Seoul that has REALLY nice scenery? Or even just something different?

Would love to hop on a bus tonight and feel like I'm out out of Seoul and seeing something different for a day or 2 again.

A beach would be great. Are there any nice beaches within 2 or 3 hours of Seoul? I would preferably like a place where there are motels and not just pensions.

Thanks for reading.

luckylady · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Location: u.s. of occupied territories

you do know that Pusan is 3 hrs away by train? i.e., Korea's not that big lol

anyway, you might try the east coast, Sokcho

Zyzyfer · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 5:20 pm Post subject:

Gangneung (specifically Gyeongpodae)
Sokcho
Anmyeon-do (think it's more pensions, though)
Ganghwa-do (buses leave from Shinchon)

kraggy · Joined: 06 Mar 2011

Hey LuckyLady,

Yeah I know Busan is only 3 hours away but I want to keep costs down so wanna go somewhere by bus instead of train.

Zyzfer and other posters, that Gyeongpodae, how close is that to Sokcho? Are there motels in Gyeongpodae or would I have to use Sokcho as my base?

Also, how would the beach there compare to the beach in Sokcho and the beach in Amneong-do, which I was at last year and only thought was average.

Finally, should I get a bus to Gyeongpodae from Seoul or to Sokcho?

Thanks again folks, really appreciate it.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 8:17 pm Post subject:

Gyeongpodae is much closer to Gangneung than Sokcho. Just go to Gangneung by bus and catch a taxi.

There are motels but the area is pretty popular so prices are a bit higher (and seasonal). If raw fish is your thing, it's an awesome place to go and get your feed on. Lots of uni students and young adults go there as a Korean version of Spring Break, more of a summer thing though.

I wouldn't recommend it if you're trying to do things on the cheap, though. The beach is average (typical for Korea), maybe slightly above average in Korean terms, but hotel prices and lack of good non-seafood options will do a budget in, and the scenery isn't the star attraction. And while Gangneung has some other nice stuff in the peripheral, I'm not sure how easy it is to bounce around without a vehicle.

The, in my opinion, nice places are generally along the central eastern coast. Small towns, quiet coastlines, good nature. Would probably take longer to get out that way, though.

fermentation · Joined: 22 Jun 2009

Ever been to Nami Island? I never been but I saw it on TV once and it looked really nice. It's only like 1 hour and a half by bus and you can get there by subway too (Gangchon station).

MMagidson · Joined: 14 Oct 2008

Lazio · Joined: 15 Dec 2010

You won�t get to Sokcho in 2 hours�

How about Chuncheon? It�s super cheap to get there with the subway train (maybe 5,000-6000 Krw round trip) It�s hard to beat that price and only takes a little over an hour. The train can be crowded with loud hikers so try to go early.
Chuncheon is a nice town with a good scenery, some nice hiking around and there is the best Dakgalbi you have ever had.
You can go island hopping: Nami or Jung-do. Nami is a bit far and super crowded with couples and all that madness it comes with. Jung-do is a few minutes boat ride away from the port and a great place to enjoy a picnic and the like.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

fermentation · Joined: 22 Jun 2009

kraggy · Joined: 06 Mar 2011

Hey again,

Thanks again for the replies. I'm now looking towards Chuncheon as it's closer and I've a feeling that I might feel disappointed by Gyeongpodae when I get there after having travelled for 3 hours. Or am I being pessimistic? It's forecast to be quite cold tomorrow so a beach may not be a great idea.

Also, besides the beach, what's the city (Gangneung) like? Is it any bigger than Sokcho? Is there a busy feel about it at all?

So, getting back to Chuncheon. Is the town itself nice to stay in? I believe Nami is nice but seeing as you can't really stay on the island, I would be looking to stay the night in a motel in Chuncheon. Is it a decent town?

And how much would a motel be? Any recommendations?

Thanks.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

You could try Daecheon Beach on the west coast. It's about a 2-1/2 hour trip by Mugunghwa train from Yongsan Station, and costs W11,700 each way. It's a lovely beach with a lot of love motels right by the beach. It's low season, so you should be able to get a decent room for under W40K. Lots of great seafood too, both sashimi and grilled clams.

You can always check out one of the Yellow Sea islands, like Deokjeokdo and Jawoldo by catching a ferry from the passenger terminal near Dong-Incheon Station. The islands are pretty rustic with nice beaches and small mountains to hike with gorgeous views of the sea and other islands. Ferry schedules can be found at www.seomticket.co.kr (no English page, sorry).