Korean Job Discussion Forums

[soul glo]

im going to be traveling around asia for a little while

33 days in japan
8 days in thailand (bangkok)
6 days in hong kong ( day trip to macau or guangzhou)

is south korea worth a 3-4 day side trip from japan? does it have anything to offer that japan doesnt? i would be taking a ferry there


what cities are good day trips from thailand? im into temples, ruins waterfalls whatever

thanks

[Keepongoing]

NO! Go to Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia.

Korea is not really known as a big tourist mecca

[HamuHamu]

I would have said no, and part of me believes that.

But, a few years ago I had friends who had been teaching in Japan for two years come to visit me. They had taken holidays in Thailand, Singapore, and HK already, and they told me that coming to Korea was the best trip they had. Part of it may have been the company of friends, yes, and sure they loved the beaches in Thailand, but they were really impressed with Seoul, as a place to shop (leather in Itaewon, porcelan/pottery, abundance of busy, crowded, pushy markets), food to eat (they freaked out over galbi and samgyupsal because they eat only small amounts of meat in Japan due to the expense), cool mountains to hike, a temple to see,etc. They also liked being able to go to a bar/pub and pay a slightly-more-reasonable price for drinks, and both jumped for joy at getting drunk for much less than $100.

I think a lot of it may have been that they expected Korea to be very much like Japan, and they were pleasantly surprised to see the differences.

So....although I always would have thought the answer to be "NO WAY," I have never been on that side of it...and can only offer what someone else experienced.

[Harpeau]

Bulguk-sa (temple) in Gyongju is nice. Seoul is alright. Pusan is a very large fishing village. The DMZ tour is cool (via USO ~ big waiting list at the moment though, I hear). There are some nice waterfalls on Jeju Island over around Seogwipo (south). I think Korea is worth a trip over, but Thailand is the bomb!!

[seoulsista]

I think it depends on how much money you want to spend. If you do come, you can take the ferry to Busan. There's a UNESCO World Heritage site, a ferry to see outer islands, beaches (?), all the resturants you would find elsewhere, and a short bus trip to Kyungju. Of course Seoul is a better city but might be more expensive.

Knowing what I know now would I spend the money to come to Korea, probably not but that's just my opinion.

[dulouz]

One of the most important acheological sites in Asia is Kyongju. I'd sincerely recommend a visit.

[sheba]

If you have the time and money, go for it! Why miss out on seeing another exotic country? Id travel em all if I could!

[VanIslander]

It's a cheap ferry ride from Fukuoka if you'll be thereabouts.

And in Korea you can travel cheaply and try many of the foods, better made and way cheaper here than abroad.

And there's definitely three-days worth of sightseeing in the southeast (skip Seoul).

[Tiger Beer]

if u are in japan.. i'd just take a ferry over to busan for a few days. at least you can checkmark Korea as a place you've more or less stepped foot in anyways.

[soul glo]

whats a good side trip from bangkok? i have 8 days in thailand


what are the most highly recommended cities in SK seoul and busan?remember only 3 days i have here



and yes i would be taking the beetle over

[Tiger Beer]

[pskull]

Go to Gyeongju, the "museum without walls". Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, skip Cheomseongdae Observatory, Tumuli Park warrants a walk-through, and perhaps check out Andong Hahoe Village and Anapji.

For tour ideas, Tour2Korea is a useful site. And for somewhere to stay on the cheap, I'd recommend 사랑채 (Sa Rang Chae), a guesthouse.

[justagirl]

The beaches in Busan are nothing special, especially if you're coming from Thailand.

I second Gyeongju/Kyung-Ju, however it's spelled these days. A couple of other good spots are the DMZ tour, and the Suwon Folk Village.

If I had just 3 days, I'd start in Seoul and go to Insadong, a culture street with lots of arts/crafts/pottery/paper/tea houses, or I'd go to Namdaemoon, one of the markets, in the morning. Then I'd go to Suwon (less than 40 min away) and do the Folk Village. I'd crash for the night in Suwon. Next, I'd take an early morning train to Gyeong-Ju and explore the temples, parks, etc. Then I'd spend the night there, or take a late train back to Seoul and try to hit up a DMZ tour. That might really be pushing it, but there are plenty of good options.

[bucheon bum]

[Wrench]

Knowing what I know I think Korea is not worth. Take the other 3-4 days spend it in a tropical paradise lise Thailand.