Korean Job Discussion Forums

newintown · Joined: 01 Jan 2007

As many people have already noted flights out of SK are expensive. Given that I only get 10 days paid vaccation, but would like to fit in a few sightseeing ventures I'm considering going on one of the organised tours to Shanghai or Beijing advertised in the KH. They include hotel cost, sometimes tours and seem resonable prices.
Anyone had any experiences?

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

Any of these tours are not going to be a rest...

It is going to be very rushed...a typical on the tour bus, get off...take a photo and get back on again. All this packed in with eating korean food while any option of eating the native food(other than breakfast) won't be available to you....

If this is what you want, to cram as much stuff in as possible in the shortest amount of time to say you have been there and done that which does appeal to some people then i would say go...

If you want to actually have a vacation and take your time and enjoy the experience of going to a country and meeting new people and trying new things I would say skip it...

These tours are cheap for what you get though, i will give them that but i went on one once, never again is all i can say...

thats just my 10 won....

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

The other thing to consider is the tour will be full of Koreans, who will be with 24 hours a day. Idon't know about you, but I go on vacation to get away from Korea, not take a bit of it with me...

rothkowitz · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

I can't even sit on the bus for a few hours without going seriously nuts if I'm hemmed in with Koreans.

Squid snacks/kimchi breath on the bus,line-pushing,loud gassy old people...

Have sense man,travel on your own.It can't be that much more.

catycat · Joined: 05 Dec 2006

I went on one of these tours (almost 3 years ago now!!) to Beijing. And it was great cause we had such little time to see all the sights. Luckily, there were enough foreigners that we had our own bus, and they got us an English interpreter. Dont think Id have enjoyed it as much if I was on a bus full of Koreans!

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

i took a 3 night package tour to beijing a few years ago. i'm usually not the tour type but for a short trip it can be convenient -- as they shuttle you around to all the sights, meals are included, etc. if you get tired of the bus, break away from the tour for a while and get in a taxi/ do your own thing .... english speaking tours are available from seoul. we had a small group of about 8 people and all of them were teachers or american military. i brought my korean gf with me .... we all got along fine.

krats1976 · Joined: 14 May 2003

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

newintown · Joined: 01 Jan 2007

thanks for the feedback, i think i'll go for it. like you say, i can always break away from the tour for a while if needs be.