Korean Job Discussion Forums

[indytrucks]

Heading down to Namwon with the fam tomorrow ... wondering if anyone has any tips for places to stay and eat. Thanks.

[HapKi]

I believe it's famous for some type of Dol Sot BiBimBap, if it helps any.

[indytrucks]

Well, I've just returned and can see from the lack of responses that my suspicions about the place can be confirmed: not a lot of foreigners go there. Like zero. Nada. In the height of summer holidays, I didn't see one foreigner, which these days in Korea is rare. That, or some posters can't be arsed replying. Which is fine.

Because the place is wonderful. What an interesting little town, really old feel. It seemed like what Korea should be, with little labrynthine alleyways throughout the town with hanok houses littered everywhere. People there actually drive bicycles. I would say there are as many attractions/things to see and do as there are in Gyeongju. We had fun exploring the place on our own, with no Lonely Planet guide or much else to consult. It was liberating. What beautiful countryside. It almost didn't feel like I was in Korea.

I'll definitely be going back.

[I-am-me]

I just came back from gurye, south of namwon. Mt Jirisan was nice but no information whatsoever at train or bus station on how to get around. The information office was about 10 minute drive outside of town at base of Mt Jirisan and all they had was a small map in english. Beautiful place, but not tourist friendly.

[HapKi]

The Chunhyang Festival is held there, supposedly the oldest festival in Korea.
(Chunhyang was a fair maiden taken hostage by an evil governor. It's a popular Korean fairy tale a la Cinderella.)

[mysterious700]

If you arrive in Namwon from the express bus terminal, take a left and walk down the hill to the river and there are all kinds of bars, noraebangs, and restaurants. You can keep walking along the river. Take a right and two or three km is a large tourist site - Gwanghallu. There are a series of restaurants, an arts theater, and an amusement park across the river. Walk along the river after a couple of km and cross one of the bridges. There is nice scenery along the river. There are plenty of pizza places and chicken take outs. Lotteria is the only burger joint. There are hamburgers and a bakery at the Inner City BusTerminal which is more in the center of the city in Dochung Dong. There is also a decent love motel across the street behind a couple of businesses for 30,000 won a night. But, the main restauarnt and drinking district previously described is in Dotong-DOng. Tell any taxi driver "Dotong-Dong" and they will know what you mean. There are a lot of cheap motels near a 5 road intersection locals call "O-Goree." Taxi drivers will know where it is. You can see the motels nearby. It is a place to stay if you want to spend a weekend exploring small town life, viewing autumn colors, travelling to mt jirisan, or going for the chunhang festival in may of each year. there are things to do. (check some of the schools and see if there are any foriegners. i met one passing through there once on the street.)

[mysterious700]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namwon

[indytrucks]