Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jonw8uk]

So, I'm planning to get on the KTX next friday and shoot up to Seoul for 2 nights.

I've never been there, so would like to ask you guys for recommendations.

Best area to stay? (hotel budget, ummmm up to 200 000 I guess, but less would be better). When I say best, I dont necessarily mean the posh area; Where is the good nightlife at, decent shopping and sommat to walk around and look at/do during the day.

Doesn't need to be a hotel, motel/love motel in a good spot is fine also.

Anything else you wanna add, feel free

[eat_yeot]

And please let us know how your trip goes. I've never been so far as Seoul, and don't reckon I know anyone who has. I've tried searching the internets for information about this place, but haven't found a darn thing yet. Good luck on your quest.

[bekinseki]

So you don't know anything about Seoul?

How many nights are you staying? Probably 200 000 won would buy you one night in some of the fanciest hotels, with money left over.

Gangnam is the rich area, but Itaewon and Hongdae are more fun, with Itaewon being a bit more foreigner-centered.

As far as shopping goes, it depends somewhat on your needs. Myungdong if you're a posh girl, Ehwa Womans University if you're clothes shopping and/or hunting for bad English, Namdaemoon for tourism, Insadong for more folk-traditional tourism, and Dongdaemoon for pretty much everything else.

[Modernist]

[sojusucks]

See the National Museum of Korea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Korea

and Gwanghwamun Plaza

http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&art_id=3450&lang=en&m=0003001004009&p=04

which is next to palaces, Insadong, and Cheonggyecheon Stream

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheonggyecheon

If you take the Seoul City Bus Tour you can travel all around Seoul and get on, and off, the bus all day.

http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&art_id=40600&lang=en&m=0003001004007&p=04

[matthews_world]

Plan A (Seoul Station) - City Hall plaza, Namdaemoon Market, Myeong-dong shopping area, Chungyecheon Stream, Gwanggwamoon Palace and Plaza (Lee Sung Shin statue, American Embassy, etc.), Chungbeok Palace, Dongdaemoon Palace and market area. A few Christmas lights in the downtown Jeongno area where the better motels are.

Try the tourist hotel in Jeongno just opposite the stream.

B - Yongsan Electronics Market (Yongsan Station), Korean War Museum, National Museum nearby, Itaewon Shopping & Restaurants.


All must-sees for newbs. Take the tour bus if you have time and aren't too tired. All the above are central. Locations in each separate plan are easily accessible on foot.

Should be a bit of anti-FTA activity there this weekend as well.

[SeoulNate]

[Joe Boxer]

[eat_yeot]

[jonw8uk]

[Sister Ray]

Agoda.com is good. Try the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon. It's pretty nice and right in the centre of the action. About US$100 per night through Agoda. Just over maybe?

[jc1257]

You can easily do a whole weekend for under 200,000. Most of the stuff to see in the city is either free or inexpensive, and you can get food and lodging for pretty cheap too. You might want to check out this post about how to spend a day in Seoul for under $30 US.

http://tripologist.com/asia/seoul-south-korea-a-30-day/

[magni]

Ok here I go:

I had the opportunity to spend close to a month in Seoul as a tourist between jobs, etc. staying at hotels, minbaks, guest houses, jimjilbangs and hostels. By far my go-to sleeping accomidation in Seoul is Mr. Kim's Guest House. It's in a great location (Hongdae, Hongik University Station, green line no. 2) which is the giant bar/club/party/youth district. The staff (Mr Kim, Jinyeong, etc.) are excellent and speak english. If you are heading alone I would suggest staying here because it is a) cheap, b) great location, c) lots of people to do things with/meet friends/go out with.

See here: http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Mr-Kim-s-Friends-Guest-House-Mr-kim-s-Branch/Seoul/41922

My next option would be to stay in a funky boutique love motel in Gangnam. There are lots of great, cool places you can stay for 50/night however I'd rather stay in a jimjilbang or guest house and use my money n food and stuff. If you google boutique motel Seoul, or go to Agogo you can find tons of good places.

There are also lots of great minbak guest houses in insadong, and a quick google search will show you them. Additionally there is a decent jimjilbang in Hongdae if you want to go the 10k route.

Sleeping aside, some cool things I'd suggest doing, in no specific order.

1. Hongdae- this place is just crazy on weekends (if you like drinking/partying)
2. Gangnam/agpujeong- expensive, chic, cool.
3. Coex and the Coex aquarium- great way to escape the cold.
4. Namsan tower- the restaurant isn't bad either.
5. Meyong-dong for shopping/lunch. Lots of decent restaurants here.
6. Dragon Hill jimjilbang. Epic. Huge.
7. Garusogil. Really neat street, lots of boutique shops and restaurants. Near Gangnam.
8. Hiking up to the top of Insubong, or Bhukansan, Bugansan. Northern Seoul. Lots of good temples as well. (I can tell you lots of paths if you want, I have hiked northern Seoul extensively)
9. Insadong and the traditional Hanok village- highly recommended.
10. Itaewon is always good or a taste of home. Good food, ok shopping, craft brewery (craft works) for a good beer.
11. Seoul city bus tour! Also great.
12. Museums museums museums.

There is a whole lot of other great things to do too.

[ajosshi]