Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fidel]

I'm a bit of a driving fiend and like nothing better than to pack the car with a picnic lunch, load the family and cruise out of Seoul usually without a destination in mind, I tend to just follow my nose.

One of my favourite haunts is North Kyonggi Do, up around the Paju area. Driving through the back roads you come upon royal tombs, museums, parks, rivers, small villages, without the presence of villas or apartments, rather the traditional houses.

Anyway, yesterday I happened on a ferryboat that plies the Imjin River. According to the promotion this river has been closed for civilian traffic for the past 54 years and only now has allowed a couple of boats to travel up a section. The boats are re-constructions of the types of vessels that used to ply the world for 2000 years up until the 1920's. .

It was a fairly interesting trip and the Captain of one of the boats speaks excellent English, and seems to have many interesting tales to tell. He lived in NZ for five years in the 70's and worked for a fishing company. He remembers fondly the great All Black Fraser, and Fraser's 'corner' whatever that was. It's called the Imjin Hwangpo Ferryboat Tour on highway 37. Recommended as part of a day trip to the Paju are, NOT as the sole reason for going there

Do you have any day trips you would recommend?

[Grotto]

Youngin Min sok chon

The folk village in youngin is a great place to go for a day. very close to Suwon

Gangnueng is about a 3+ hour drive from Seoul on the other coast with some great beaches and seafood restuarants.

[FUBAR]

Songni mountain is good this time of year. Good for hiking and they also have a big temple and a 50 foot Gold plated Budha statute. (Bopjusa) if that is your sort of thing.

[fidel]

[FUBAR]

Songnisan to the Southeast of Daejon. From Seoul, I am not sure how long it would take. (Just b/c i never went there from Seoul) My best guess is about a 2 hour drive.

http://www.npa.or.kr/songni/eng/main.htm

http://www.asia-planet.net/korea/chungcheongbuk-do.htm

[fidel]

Thanks for the info seems like well worth a look, hope to cruise down and go for a hike before Xmas.

[travelinbri]

So many recommendation, and in a bout a month I may even b e begging for a ride. Try out the cabins at Youngyoungsan, get some friends together, lovely countryside, nice cabins, great grilling possibilities.

Danyang is not out of reach, and the caves around it are fun to explore.

Gongju and Buyeo are fun, Gyeryongsan is one of my favorite little visited National Parks, Woraksan is another easy ride from Seoul.

[fidel]

Try out the cabins at Youngyoungsan, get some friends together, lovely countryside, nice cabins, great grilling possibilities.

Sounds like my kind of thing.

Where is it, how do I get there and how long does it take by car?

[rapier]

There are some great areas...although always plenty of people crowding them if the weathers good.. i'm familiar with gangwha, paju area around han-imjin rivers, and the mountains/lakes around Chuncheon...never go south of seoul..
And, I usually go by train unfortunately.

[itaewonguy]

[fidel]

Cheers Itaewonguy,
How long did it take for you to drive down?

I prefer the back roads to highway driving depending of course on available time. How long by highway 1 compared to 100