Korean Job Discussion Forums

m8888888 · Joined: 10 Sep 2006

What are some good places to get away from Seoul on the weekends? I don't want to spend too much time traveling, and, uh, I don't know what I'd want to do. Maybe go hiking? Or.... what else is there to do? I've heard good things about some islands that are close-ish- does anyone any info on those? Or sites where I can find out this sort of stuff if I don't speak Korean?
Thanks!

newintown · Joined: 01 Jan 2007

sokcho is lovely. the furtherest northern city in SK. its got a quaint little harbour, with plenty of cheap accomodation & fresh fish restaurants. there is also a beautiful beach, and i'm sure its not too busy just yet.
plus, its a 20mins bus journey from seroksan if you fancy hiking. if not, the whole seroksan park is beautiful just for a bit of exploring too - impressive buddhist statue & plenty of accomodation if you want to stay there.

padachee · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

Hi about how far is sockcho from Seoul, is it possible to go for just one day?? If so what is the best way to get there?

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

Sokcho / Soraksan are best visited in a long weekend. It's about 3 hours by bus from Seoul. Here are some pics I took in June & October last year:

http://www.trekearth.com/members/ChrisJ/photos/Asia/South_Korea/North/Gangwondo/

Chuncheon & the lake are a bit closer & also worth a look. (included above)

movybuf · Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Location: Mokdong

Namisam (I think that is about how you spell it in English) is a very nice spot for a weekend. Its about 2 hours away, maybe a little less. You can get there by train or bus. I'm sorry I don't know what the name of the stop is. Quite possibly it is Namisam, but I don't know.

The korean drama "Winter Sonata" was done there. So, there can be some groups of Japanese tourists there looking for things from the show.

m8888888 · Joined: 10 Sep 2006

Thanks for the suggestions! Those pictures are really beautiful, chris_J2. I'll definitely have to go there sometime.
Am I making up these alleged islands near Seoul?? Or does anyone know the name of any?

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

Incheon airport is built on an island, now connected to the mainland. I've been to Muido, but it wasn't especially scenic. There are several spectacular spots off-shore, but they are expensive & time consuming to get to.

I'll check my Lonely Planet Korea guide later, for highlights of islands in the West Sea.

m8888888 · Joined: 10 Sep 2006

Aha! I found some info on the islands around Incheon.
Some of them do look quite nice, and that site has pretty good instructions on how to get there. Baengnyeongdo looks especially nice, but a bit of a hassle to get to, like you said, chris_J2.

Here's a bit more info on Sokcho from the same site, in case anyone else is interested.

& more info on Namiseom, the island movybuf mentioned, which also looks cool.