Korean Job Discussion Forums

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Hi, all-

Between August 26 and Sept 20 (possibly a few days earlier going back to the U.S.) I want to travel from Seoul to see as much of the Korean countryside and smaller cities as possible. Aside from Boryong where the mud festival is and Gangneung in Gangwon, I haven`t anywhere other than Seoul and Pusan. I plan to meet a friend in Pusan after Sept. 10, but aside from that have no solid plans. I have two goals during this almost-a-month of traveling: 1) I am doing preliminary research on Korean domestic tourism, and want to go the places where Koreans want to go and see how they travel and view their own country and 2) because I would go crazy following around Korean tour groups for a month, I also want to get way off the beaten track and go to beautiful and peaceful areas that are less popular, islands other than Jeju-do, for example, or mountain villages.

I also thought about North Korea, but it`s too expensive what with the guided tours, and I also have limited time. So because I`m also interested in North Korean issues and speak some Chinese, I`m contemplating going to China (I heard there`s a boat from Incheon to Qingdao?).

So, can you let me know your favorite places and past itineraries to help me plan my trip? My only guidelines are that I try to spend less than $2000 US (less would be better, but I would like to have an interesting and varied trip so don`t need to be too stingy).

Thanks for your advice!!!

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I recommend a couple of days at Kyoung-ju, the Shilla capital. Bulguksa, the museum, the big ancient tombs and that buddha on the mountain are all worth your time.

I also think an over night stay in a temple is a good, different experience. The tourism bureau can give you info on that. There are several temples that offer the experience and they're in different parts of the country, so should work into any itinerary.

The railroad offers a ticket discount for the kind of travelling you want to do. You might check that out--and there is an English speaker there.

Free World · Joined: 01 Apr 2005 Location: Drake Hotel

You might like a tour of the DMZ. I haven't been yet but it sounds interesting and costs around 10 000 I think.

I just got back from Geoje island. Beautiful shore all around and also has interesting places to visit. I saw the POW camp and that was really cool. I think there is also a nature art park that would be worth seeing.
It is a quick ferry ride from Busan too.

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

The DMZ tour is much more than 10,000.

Free World · Joined: 01 Apr 2005 Location: Drake Hotel

white_shadow · Joined: 28 Mar 2005

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

it depends alot on what your interests are. Museums? Hiking? Swimming? Beaches? Shopping?

uberscheisse · Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Location: japan is better than korea.

andong area:

bukseoksa temple
hahoaemaeul
sosu suwon
andong folk village

just a few interesting/historical ones.

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Thanks for the replies so far...just bumping this so people will see it on Monday.

To clarify, I have already been in Seoul for several months, so don't need to include Seoul in my sightseeing list. Like I said, I want to see famous places and not so famous places- since I have the time I want to see as much of the "real" Korea (not Seoul) as possible. Want to meet people, see sights, and hike around beautiful places.

Anyone who can recommend cheap ways to get to Yanbian in China and things to do there? Any other ideas of what to do with a month free for travel?

Thanks again!

taobenli

VanIslander

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Trips to Gaesong and Mt. Baekdusan in the North might be possible as early as mid-August. It's not a sure thing yet, if it's possible by the time you want to take your trip it would be an amazing opportunity. Keep an eye on the news and the KNTO website for info on this.

Sokcho on the east coast is great. Beautiful beaches plus easy access to Soraksan.

Chejudo is a must. While you're there, be sure to see the folk village, Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), Mt. Hallasan, and Udo (Cow Island, a gorgeous island 10 mins. off the east coast of Cheju with 3 different colored beaches and a community of haenyeo/diving women).

The islands off the West coast are also a nice change of pace. My favorites are Deokjeokdo and Jawoldo.

Baengnyeongdo is way off the beaten path, but is unique. It's a 4-1/2 hour ship ride from Incheon. Highlights include the natural airport beach which doubles as a street and can even be used as an airstrip, a community of haenyeo/women divers, a beach covered with beautifully colored smooth pebbles (Koreans say walking on it provides a natural foot massage), and a view of the North Korean coast. This is an interesting place to go if you're interested in the North because most of the people who live on the island are people who escaped from the North or their descendants. One word of advice if you go there, though. Be sure to bring a car, motorbike, or even a bicycle with you to the island. It's fairly big and there aren't many taxis or buses. I ended up paying our minbak owner for a tour because it was so hard to get around.

I also recommend Jindo, and be sure to see the parting of the ocean also known as the Moses Miracle. Here's a schedule for when the tidal phenomenon happens: http://tour.jindo.go.kr/siaio/siTour/view_tour_CultureTable_english.php?GPM_str_cultureID=334

PolyChronic Time Girl · Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Location: Korea Exited

I also recommend Ulleung-do, which is an island between Korea and Japan. You go to Pohang and catch a three hour ferry from there. It's not a beachy type of island, but mostly real rocky. But it's very, very beautiful and so different looking. Not touristy at all and I dig the small port town where the ferry docks. Even most Koreans have not travelled to this reclusive island. Good for a day or two ( I stood there three days and did get a little bored).

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Thanks, Van Islander and Son Dureo! Very good suggestions....That would be very cool to get to go to Paektu-san, too...

Anyone have ideas about what a good budget would be per day or per week while traveling around Korea? I just want to eat regular food and stay in regular motels/yogwans (no dumps but no palaces). I will traveling mostly by train, maybe by boat to Yanbian (might fly a bit if I need to save time).

Thanks again!

taobenli

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

I lived down in Ulsan for a year and a bit and went up the East coastside highway to Pohang a few times. There's a big, off the boats, fresh fish market there. Massive, live octopi. Got a cool picture of a fishmonging ajumma in rubber apron holding one as it lashed its tentacles languidly (tired after all). Red, but they can change colour. Maybe red means 'pissed off I'm about to die, dammit'.

And checked out the tourist info center at Pohang near where the boat goes to Ulleung-do. This was early spring and there was a boat at ten am(took three hours) and a daily one coming back at 4pm. It was 100,000 round trip. I'd like to go out there some time. Last visa run, on Asiana, there was an Asiana magazine series of nature articles (natural Korea) and one was to be about the forest of Ulleong-do which are totally untouched. Compared to the rest of Korea. I'd like to see that.

Kochang, along the east coast south of Kunsan, is a World Heritage Organization site for dolmen. I know, you can't get enough of dolmen! Me too. I used to live around there and one place has tons of them around the base of a mountain; it's dolmen central. They are all different in their ways. One of my favourites was by the sea on a hillside with tilling done around it, perched on the edge of time there. Kind of Celtic, don't ya think?

Kwangju is a big city but one of the interesting things is its museum in which are ceramics found from a sunken ship trading Korean ceramics over to China. So green celadon.

Mokpo's got a lot of character, fish port city. There are ferry rides going to little islands. There are little islands dotting the south coast in general.

Chindo's a quiet little place. It's got ancient forts and it's cool to see the home of the Chindo dog. There they are, the real thing, looking totally casual about their fame.

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

bumpity bump...

Great advice, so far, anyone have any more? I know some of you have been here a while and have traveled a fair bit, so keep the ideas coming!

Also, what do think is a reasonable amount to budget for about 20 days of traveling (or a per day budget)? Some of that time might also be in China. I don't want to travel extravagantly but don't want to sleep in any train stations, either. I don't know whether to trust Lonely Planet budget quotes or things like that...

Thanks!

taobenli