Korean Job Discussion Forums

[crazylemongirl]

After a very nice time in Busan I feel that I'm spending too much time and won in Hongdae/Itaewon/local hofs. I know there are the 'official' tourist websites, but I would rather here from the horse's mouth if there is stuff that is worth doing if I'm going to spend a few hours getting to a place (also I thought it would make a good thread for newbies).

So the criteria is: if you have a day/weekend to show an out of towner around your patch of the ROK what would you do?

In the spirit of co-operation I get things started with Incheon (note other more knowledgeable Incheonites than CLG are more than welcome to add stuff).

Incheon

What's there:
The airport (well duh!), a big port, some islands, chinatown, tons of apartment complexes, lots of underground malls, an immigration office, Jayu park.

Is it worth travelling over 3 hours for?
Unless your getting off the ROK, no.

Incheon is a good place to go for a day trip out of Seoul. Aviod the shopping areas, since chances are you've seen similar stuff a bit closer to home. Probably of most interest to out of towners is the area around the Port. Head out to the end of the Incheon line (conviently named Incheon station) from there you can take a look around jayu park which has some nice pieces of art, and a nice view of the harbour, and get a bit of exercise (as it's on a hill). Then head down to china town for a bit of look around, as it's the only chinatown in korea you're getting a unique experience here in the rok. Then head out to wolimdo for a look at the ocean up close, and if you like raw fish you can eat that there too.

If you insist on staying.
You could head to one of the islands of the coast of incheon. Yeongjong Island has an okay beach, however the airport diminishes the pleasure of going to the beach. There are also a couple of other islands worth going to, Ganghwado probably the best of the lot as it has a mountain to hike, and has a number of historical sites as well.

So get writing people.
CLG

[peppermint]

For now, I live in Seoul and I'm still seeking out new and interesting ( off the beaten path) places here

In Cheong ju ( home last year):
Sangdangsanseong ( a mountain fortress, just outside the city) Really beautiful up there. Great spot for a picnic or a day hike. I seem to remember some paragliding there also. Cheong Ju National Museum is near there, as is a zoo. Can't speak for the museum but skip the zoo, even the animals look bored.

Munei folk village, another one just outside town ( take bus 300 from downtown to the end of the line. Then get off the bus and walk in the same direction the bus was going. When you get to the drive in movie theatre you're there

Incredible scenery, another good spot for a picnic. Good to learn a bit about the history of the area, and I've heard they make great dongdongju there sometimes.

The Early printing museum. Take the bridge across from the art hall and follow the path. It's a little hidden from the road. Site of the first moveable metal type ( pre Gutenberg). Most of the info is only available in Korean, so it can be a little dull. The mannequins in the exhibit about creating the metal type faces move and speak (again in Korean)
can lead to candid camera moments.

Uam mountain, I've heard there's some nice hikes up there.

Overview, If you know someone there, there's plenty to do, but maybe not worth visiting for the strength of it's tourist sites

[Son Deureo!]

CLG - If you're in the Seoul area, I agree that the Yellow (West) Sea Islands are very much worth going to. I did not try the mountain hike on Ganghwado, thanks for the tip! I only saw the fortress remains and the dolmen (prehistoric tomb structure, one of the oldest manmade structures in the world). You can reach Ganghwado by express bus from Gyesan Station in Incheon.

You are right that EulWangNi Beach on Yeongjong Island is not the greatest as it's a bit crowded and dirty. I actually liked the nearby mudflats better than the beach. Try Muido island for much prettier and less crowded beach, and it's still only about a 1/2 hour trip from the airport. Click here for my directions to and description of Muido: http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=4975&highlight=incheon+beach+muido.

There are dozens of islands off the coast of Incheon, and I have only begun to scratch the surface. The weather has not been very cooperative for island getaways so far this summer.

On most of the islands you can spend the night by renting a minbak (homestay) or a tent very cheaply.

[Zyzyfer]

No Cheonanas for you.

[justagirl]

Wait ZZz!

The big sitting buddah is pretty cool. Kwa-Gak-Sa. It's this HUGE green buddah up on top of a hill with all the mountains surrounding it. Quite lovely in the fall when all the trees are turning colors. Plus it has a nice complex/temple and it is very peaceful.

It's about a 10 minute taxi ride from the bus terminal.

Also, Cheonan has Independance Hall...with lots of information about Japan's rule in Korea. It was okay--definitely not as interesting as the war memorial in Seoul. However, there was this open grassy area, all surrounded by trees, and we took a blanket and stretched out...I swear, it was the closest to home I've ever been here. Couldn't see any high-rises, couldn't hear any pop music or vegetable truck men shouting their wares. We couldn't see ANYONE. It was great. I'd go back for that spot, rather than the museum itself.

20-30 min bus ride from Ssangyong-dong

One more. There is this little park that has a buddist temple right close by and it's the "home of the cave buddah" You have to crawl up and around in this very small entrance, up stone stairs until you get to the top of this little candle-lit cave. Definitely neat, and MUCH cooler than outside.

[bucheon bum]

hmm, bucheon.. well i'd take them to seoul.

as for my former "patch", wonju, I'd take them to Chiaksan National Park. its easy to get to, just take a bus from the old bus terminal. You can also catch the bus downtown. I haven't been there since they built a new bus terminal, so not sure how to get there from the new terminal. Anyway, chiaksan is quite pleasant. Its a great place to relax during the summer because it is a bit cooler and the bottom section has a nice little stream. Quite a hike to the top of the mountain.

Other than Chiaksan, not much to do in Wonju. There are a couple little things that are cool, but nothing special, plus I cant give good directions to those spots unfortunately.

There are a couple foreigner bars: Post Doc's in downtown and Rock 'N Roll, which is near the new bus terminal I believe.

Hard for me to believe I spent a year there. Guess I understand why I went to seoul so often my last 6 months there.

[Zyzyfer]

[whatthefunk]

Well, if your interested in seeing the second largest steel mill in the world come on down to Pohang. Better yet, come to my village...Yak Jeon, maybe 30 minutes south-east of pohang. We boast a population of maybe 3,000 and have the special privlage of living right next to an airforce base so that helicopters and bombers fly 100 ft over our heads all day. I know it sounds horrid, but its actually very interesting living in rural korea and there is some nice stuff around here. Heres some stuff around Pohang...

In Andong there is a traditional folk village that i hear is nice.

On the tip of the cape is a place called Homigot sunrise park that sees the sunrise before anywhere else in korea. Theres a nice park, a small museum, and some ok beaches.

South of Pohang, there are alot of really nice beaches and resorts.

If you want to see rural Korea, there are tons of tiny fishing and farming villages around that have probably never seen foreigners before. You can easily take the bus to get to them and the locals will be telling stories about the crazy foreigners that visited for years to come.

Theres a few really nice temples around. Its only 30 minutes from Gyeongju, the ancient capital of Korea.

Theres some okay beaches in central Pohang, but they are a little dirty.

Juk do market...a huge open air market that beats anything else ive ever seen in korea. Half of its a fresh fish market complete with fish hawkers, piles of live octopus, and general chaos.

Is Pohang worth coming to....no, not unless your already close. But if your in the area, might stop by for a little bit to see how the other half live.

[crazylemongirl]

[ajuma]

The best BEST place, (if you have a few days) is Uulong-do. It's an island to the east of Korea. Get there by ferry from Po Hang and a couple of other place (sorry...can't remember where!)

It's clean!!! The air is wonderful. If you like seafood, this is the place. Small enough that you can see it all in a couple of days. Big enough that you're not bored.

Visited mostly by AJUMA'S!!!, it's the BEST!!

[helly]

For an in-city (Seoul) afternoon, I always head to Samchong-dong, near Kyungbuk-kung.

Just along the east wall is a row with some interesting art galleries. Never know what you're going to find, is it some standard fare or something a bit more intriguing? Poke around and see what you see.

Once you get to the Book Cafe, veer right and stroll up along the nice leefy street. Good walk, some great little restaurants (Korean, stay away from the newer western style places), and a few funky little cafes/artist studios.

Head up to Samchong Park for some relaxation. Not a big wide open grassy park but I like urban parks so this is pretty good. There is a walking path that takes you around or you can just kick back on a bench and have a drink (snack shop inside)

If you're so inclined, explore the residential parts of the neighborhood. One of the few places in Seoul that refuses to tear down the old hanok style houses so you'll see lots of great architecture. Some are old and run-down, some are remodeled but still hold on to history.

Two of my favorite Korean restaurants in Seoul are in this neighborhood so its a favorite destination. Plus, its close enough to Insa-dong or other in-city spots that you can head out for nightlife if you want. Dal, in the Artsonje Center, is great for Indian food, too.

Only problem is that this previously little known oasis is becoming more popular and that is bringing in lots more people on the weekend.

[whatthefunk]

[Stunted Wookie]

In Masan I went on a fishing trip.

A serviced (crapper) houseboat day trip. 150,000 for the day. they pick you up at the dock and take you out to the houseboat.

Its well anchored, clean and has a kitchen/ living area with a covered picnic table.

A Rail around the place and its a fair size. We went with 7 and there was plenty of room.

I mentioned it before, but I don't have the website to post right now, Korean buddy has the address,any interest in checking it out, PM me I will get it.

Its available for weekends too! Be the envy of the Masan casual fishers! haha...you should see the stares; haha me with my feet up on the rail, drinking beer, waving at the 9 person families squeezed into a dorey!

lmfao

[coralreefer_1]

2010!!!

Dragging up an old thread, but cant seem to find the post after an hour using the search function.

Perhaps it was last year, someone posted up about some place somewhere in the northern part of the country. Anyway the thread was similar to this one and one poster mentioned some kind of lake with private houseboats or some type of floating shelter that you could take out on the lake all night long. I got the assumption that you could take this thing out, spend the night, fish, drink..etc.

Anyone have any information on this? Id love to take a friend up there for a birthday weekend.