Korean Job Discussion Forums

williamcho · Joined: 22 Apr 2003

Has anyone tried tours provided by any Korean companies to Gyung Ju or other tourist spots?
Looking to see who might be good or worth looking up.
Thanks!

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:22 am Post subject:

I don't mean to be flippant, but... why not get your adult students to take you?

I teach mostly elementary school age kids at a hagwon but I feel fortunate to have two adult classes three times a week: they are a source of tons of great information and all I have to do is hint at wanting to do stuff and someone invariably offers. It helps that I regularly encourage them to ask me to go out to dinner or whatever if they want.

But I live in a smaller community. Maybe big city folk here in Korea are like big city folk elsewhere: too busy and bit impersonal compared to country folk.

williamcho · Joined: 22 Apr 2003

I should've explained. Its for my cousin family from Ohio. They would prefer to pay for the tour than to burden someone to take on the task of moving and coming back from Seoul to there.
Couple with 2 children and their mom too.
Thanks for the reply.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

My old flatmate did one of the bus tours of Gyeongju..

She said it is very hectic(like any Asian bus tour) and you will be in and out of every place in an hour at the most...enough to get off the bus, get the talk, rush around, get the obligatory photos and get back on the bus...

While she said she saw a lot she wished she didn't do it as she couldn't just relax...it was all balli balli balli..

However if you want to see a lot in a short space of time then it might be good

williamcho · Joined: 22 Apr 2003

Thanks for the reply.
Do you know the name or phone # to the tour place?
Thanks.

Lion Brown · Joined: 06 Sep 2005

It is a small city, i don't feel you need to do an organised tour to see all of the sights.
I've been there numerous times and have done it easily using taxis, buses, and even a rented bicycle.

Take a late night bus. Go up the mountain near Sokurum (sp?), watch the sunrise, go to Sockurum before the crowds, walk down the track to Bulkuksa.At this stage it will still be early in enought in the morning to plan your trip to the rest of the city. Loads of buses go from the temple to major landmarks in the city.

oops, missed you post about it being for the family.
Oh well, my post may be helpful for someone else then.

peppermint · Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 2:05 am Post subject:

I did the bus tour thing because I was a little pressed for time and it was..okay. I can't remember the name, but I know it left from the bus terminal and was an all day thing. Try calling the KNTO for the province and asking, is the best suggestion I can make.

This might help a little too: KNTO suggested Gyeongju tour

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

Gyeonju is touristy enough that it would be pretty easy to manage on your own I think with a Lonely Planet or something. Rent a bike and ride around at your own pace, much more enjoyable than a bus I would think.

skinhead · Joined: 11 Jun 2004

I've done the same thing every time I've been to Gyeongju. Train in. Walk to the minbak. Local bus, walk and taxi everywhere. Bike's a good idea for the nearby trips. Gyeongju is in my top three of places to kick back outside the capital, and the touristy thing doesn't bother me coz I always head in after chuseok madness has ended. I can't give you package tour info coz stringent itineraries just don't sit well with me, speshly in Korea. A tip, if your group goes up to Sokkuram grotto, make sure you hike down the mountain back to Pulguksa. The walk is beautiful this time of year. What the hell, hike up to Sokkuram as well.