Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tiger Beer]

GANGWAN-DO?

[deetah]

Yes, there is life in Gangwon-do Province. I estimate there is about 10 foreign teachers living in a small city called Donghae on the East Coast.

[Grotto]

I did a year in Taebaek Gangwon do
Donghae has a substantial foreigner population as does Samchuk.

[JongnoGuru]

No Tiger, there isn't a single living soul in all of Kangwon Province. Not anymore. The place has been entirely depopulated for... well, I guess you were studying in Europe when the pestilence swept through the region.

[weatherman]

I know these two guys are out in Gangwon-do.

http://gangwon.blogspot.com/

and

http://roryrunsamok.blogspot.com/

I am sure there are other bloggers living in Gangwon-do also.

Nice blogs.

[coolsage]

Actually, there are some survivors. Since Camp Page was disbanded, the quality of the inebriates has gone up. Gangwon is the largest and least populated province in Korea. It encompasses an area from the DMZ in the north to Kangnung in the south, with some interesting inland areas (i.e. Chuncheon), and some forgettable areas as well (i.e. Wonju). There is worthwhile scenery to absorb. The air is clean, the water is actually drinkable. But it's still bush country in terms of the cable services offered. No problem with internet, but no good TV. Still, it's a decent place to be, all things considered.

[Tiger Beer]

I've been interested in the area..

Just curious.. when buses go to Sokcho.. do they go through Chuncheon? That area is gorgeous.. been to Sokcho twice.. and would love to just hop off that bus along the way because of the scenery.

Also anyone been to Jeongseon? Its described pretty nicely in the latest edition of the Lonely Planet..

Coolsage - yeah thats what I heard about Wonju.. good to know.. as I might stay clear of making any special trips to that particular city.. focusing on Chuncheon or elsewhere.

Grotto - how was Taebaek? Beautiful place?

Deetah - Also how are those coastal cities? Donghae, Samchuk, and Gangneung? Whats better of the 3? Why?

Also, just outside the province.. Danyang.. how is that town? Seems like it could be like Chuncheon and worth a trip.

[schwa]

Express bus (Gangnam terminal) route to Sokcho isnt so interesting -- all modern expressway. Busrides from Dongseoul terminal are more scenic, also quicker & cheaper.

They bypass Chuncheon though. It'd be simple to take a bus first to Chuncheon (or train) & then carry on from there. Buses to Sokcho are frequent.

You have 2 options from there. Direct buses take about 2.5 hours through some nice countryside & over Mishiryong (Pass), awesome on a clear day. Just one 20-minute rest station stop along the way though.

You might prefer the other buses that take a winding, more leisurely route further north through Yanggu with stops in a number of small towns. Adds about an hour to the journey but I go that way deliberately sometimes, for the scenery.

No reason you couldnt stop off at any small town along the way that caught your fancy. Be warned though, the next bus through might be 3 hours later.

I love Gangwondo.

[bucheon bum]

[steroidmaximus]

Wonju ---- for 5 years.

[Neil]

Taebaek is the most depressing and dull place I've ever visited. Although there is a large casino nearby.

The rest of the province is quite nice. Gangneung is probably the best of the costal cities in terms of size and things to do.

[Chillin' Villain]

I flirt with the idea of Gangneun once in a while, if I would be able to find a uni gig over there....

They actually have an ice rink there for hockey, it's semi-close to Yong-pyeong for snowboarding(take what I can get), and the beach there is actually pretty fun in the summer.

Oh yeah, close to Sogeum-Gang (Salt River?) too, which is a pretty nice place for camping, etc.

Still don't know if I could live without the perpetual buzz of the greater-Seoul area though...

[riverboy]

Ah. And I can play the blue line and you would still be able to face sixty or so shots a night.