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South Korea Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see i_5 South Korea is located in Northeast Asia. Its only border is with North Korea . After the dramatic split-up in the fifties(The Korean War was 1950-1953), the South has fared very well. It has become one of the richest countries in Asia and even in the world. And it has managed to keep up a rather frenetic pace of economic development. It is currently ranked 10th in the world in terms of GDP. This certainly does not mean Korea has lost touch with its roots. Like Japan, it manages to combine the ultra modern with the very traditional. The first Korean ancient dynasty was 'Gojosun(Old Chosun)' which was built in northern part of Han-bando(Korean Peninsular) and eastern Manchuria 10 century B.C.. Following that ancient kingdom, Goguryo-Baikje-Shinra(Shilla) 3 kindoms existed(the Three Nations Era) in 4-6 centuries. After that era, Korean Peninsular was unified and 'Unified Shinra'(AD 668-936), Koryo(918-1392 the root of present name 'Korea'), Chosun(1392-1910) followed. From 1910 to 1945, Korea was under Japanese rule and got independence in 1945. Three years later, the cruel war began and this old country but newborn state had to struggle to reconstruct everything from the ruins of the war. It is called a 'miracle of Han River'-- Korean dominant dictator Park Junghee(assassinated by his close aide in 1979) was a strong and decisive person. He was undoubtedly a notorious dictator, but he made the base of reconstruction and development. He left a rapid developed country to his people. The capital city of Seoul is a good example of his success. It is a big, dynamic city, but sometimes makes tourists confused. Seoul keeps the traditions of the ancestors alive. Old temples are still well visited, and the many palaces of former rulers remind the visitor of the past. But the general impression of this city is a big, complex, busy megalopolis with heavy traffic and air polution. There are some good points for tourists in Seoul(all the cities in Korea are similar). First, Seoul is very safe. Even though sometimes there are drastic demonstrations, Seoul is one of the safest city in the world. Korean government prohibits people own guns(even policemen seldom shoot guns). South Korea is full of life even after the working hours with many restaurants and bars full of people. Seoul is basically split in two - Kang Buk (North of the Han River) and Kang Nam (South of Han River). Kang Buk has many traditional landmarks and shopping districts and Kang Nam offers the upmost cosmopolitan life Seoul has to offer with world class shopping districts, and pricey restaurants. You can experience the young and trendy life at Apgujoung-dong. If you want to go shopping, you should not miss Dongdaemun(East Gate) Market. There are several big shopping centers such as Doota, Pyunghwa Sijang etc. They sell so many good and trendy clothes at good prices all night. If you'd like to buy korean traditional goods for souvenirs, visit Insadong. It's famous for narrow street full of small beatiful shops. Gyunbok-gung(gung means palace) is the most popular place for foreigners. It was the main palace of Chosun dynasty. It has many beautiful building with traditional small gardens. They show performances of Changing Guards of Chosun everyday at 12, 2, 4 o'clock. Another famous places are Duksu-goong, Biwon(Secret Garden), Jongmyo, Changduk-gung. They are located in the center of Kang Buk old downtown. As in many countries there is a great range of cultures, history and sites outside the capital city. Pusan and Gyeongju are two cities that are a must for any tourist. Dedicate at least 3-4 days for each. Other towns worth a visit, if time permits, includes Daegue, Gwangu and Mokpo. Public transport is excellent, both around towns and across the country. High speed trains and an extensive bus network assist any traveller to see the sights quickly and affordably. Pusan, in the south, is a large harbor city. It is a nice city and offers good possibilities for excursions. It also offers some of the freshest seafood in the world. Manono Island and Apolima Island are very popular places to visit on a short trip. Ulsan, an hour north-east of Busan, is considered the industrial capital of the country and another city of note. Daegue is half way between Seoul and Pusan. The educational centre of South Korea there is a large population of english speaking citizens. An hour to the east is Gyeongju, the heart of historical Korea. Temples, graves, carvings and even an amusement park on the the beautiful Bomun Lake are part of the attractions and require 3-4 days to encompass. _______History Edit This The naming dispute over the sea are located between the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Archipelago has been the object of increasing attention in the international community. Japan insists that only one name, the “Sea of Japan”, be used for this sea area since the designation is widely used. The Republic of Korea, however, proposes that both names, “East Sea” and “Sea of Japan”, be used concurrently until the two countries agree on a common designation. Korea’s argument is based on two facts: first, Korea and Japan are using two different names for this sea at present, “East Sea” and “Sea of Japan”, and second, the concurrent use of these two designations is increasingly apparent. The relevant international organizations and many governments recommend that this naming dispute be resolved through the reaching of mutual agreement between the governments of Korea and Japan. Source: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and The Northeast Asian History Foundation ________Practical Information Edit This Currency The local currency is the South Korean Won (KRW) [Add Practical address] 1330 Edit This The Korea-wide tourist information line is 1330. It operates 24 hours, and has people to help you in English, Japanese, or Korean. They are very knowledgable about train and bus routes, as well as things like opening hours of sites. Dialing from a mobile phone, you have to dial the area code. For example, in Seoul you dial 02-1330. type: Tourist information World66 rating: [rate it] _________Getting Around Edit This About Romaization An important thing to remember when reading maps and street signs in Korea is that there is often more than one correct way to spell a place in Roman letters. This happens because the sounds of Korean don't match the sounds of English exactly, so some "give" has worked it way into changing from one alphabet to another. For example, Taegu and Daegu are the same place, as well as Kangnam and Gangnam and Pusan and Busan. Apgujeong can be Apkugeong, and Chamshil is usually Jamsil on maps. Both spellings are correct. To be totally fair, both spellings are equally "off" the real Korean pronunciation. A little mental flexibility and figuring it out becomes pretty easy. If you're planning to spend any real time in South Korea, your best bet is to learn the hangeul alphabet. Its a simple straightforeward phonetic alphabet and with a little practice you can know the "real" spellings. Commonly exchangable letters include... g~k s~sh j~ch b~v f~p r~l b~p _______Getting There Edit This photo It's not hard to get to South Korea. There are a great number of flights going into the country. [Add Global transport mode] Contributed by the Korea.net Team Edit This Domestic flights: Korean Air and Asiana Airlines provide domestic air transport service, connecting Seoul with other major cities, involving one-hour flights at most. They also connect Jejudo Island with major cities in Korea. Gimpo Airport is mainly used for domestic flights, while Incheon International Airport had replaced it as the gateway for international flights. Railway services: The Korean National Railroad operates the Korea Express Train or KTX, Saemaeul, and Mugunghwa trains, covering almost every corner of the country. KTX more.. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] zipcode: 110-050 email: rowenadr@korea.net address: 82-1 Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul url: www.korea.net tel: (82-2) 398-1990 _________Economy Edit This Economy—overview: As one of the Four Dragons of East Asia South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth. Three decades ago its GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. Today its GDP per capita is eight times India's 15 times North Korea's and already up with the lesser economies of the European Union. This success through the late 1980s was achieved by a system of close government business ties including directed credit import restrictions sponsorship of specific industries and a strong labor effort. The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997/98 exposed certain longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development model including high debt/equity ratios massive foreign borrowing and an undisciplined financial sector. Also a number of private sector conglomerates are near bankruptcy. At yearend 1997 an international effort spearheaded by the IMF was underway to shore up reserves and stabilize the economy. Growth in 1998 will be sharply cut. Long-term growth will depend on how successfully South Korea implements planned economic reforms that would bolster the financial sector improve corporate management and open the economy further to foreign participation. GDP: purchasing power parity $1.206 trillion (2007 est.) GDP—real growth rate: 4.9% (2007 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity $24,600 (2007 est.) GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 3.2% industry: 39.6% services: 57.2% (2007 est.) Inflation rate ?consumer price index: 2.5% (2007) Labor force: total: 20 million by occupation: services and other 52% mining and manufacturing 27% agriculture fishing forestry 21% (1991) Unemployment rate: 2% (1996) Budget: revenues: $101 billion expenditures: $101 billion including capital expenditures of $20 billion (1996 est.) Industries: electronics automobile production chemicals shipbuilding steel textiles clothing footwear food processing Industrial production growth rate: 8.2% (1996) Electricity—capacity: 31.665 million kW (1995) Electricity—production: 174.52 billion kWh (1995) Electricity—consumption per capita: 3 831 kWh (1995) Agriculture—products: rice root crops barley vegetables fruit; cattle pigs chickens milk eggs; fish catch of 2.9 million metric tons seventh largest in world Exports: total value: $129.8 billion (f.o.b. 1996) commodities: electronic and electrical equipment machinery steel automobiles ships; textiles clothing footwear; fish partners: US 17% EU 13% Japan 12% (1995) Imports: total value: $150.2 billion (c.i.f. 1996) commodities: machinery electronics and electronic equipment oil steel transport equipment textiles organic chemicals grains partners: US 22% Japan 21% EU 13% (1995) Debt—external: $154 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 South Korean won (W) = 100 chun (theoretical) Exchange rates: South Korean won (W) per US$1—1 706.80 (January 1998) 951.29 (1997) 804.45 (1996) 771.27 (1995) 803.45 (1994) 802.67 (1993) Fiscal year: calendar year _________People Edit This Population: 48,846,823 (July 2006 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.9% (male 4,844,083/female 4,368,139) 15-64 years: 71.9% (male 17,886,148/female 17,250,862) 65 years and over: 9.2% (male 1,818,677/female 2,678,914) (2006 est.) Median age: total: 35.2 years male: 34.2 years female: 36.3 years (2006 est.) Population growth rate: 0.42% (2006 est.) Birth rate: 10 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) Death rate: 5.85 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.04 years male: 73.61 years female: 80.75 years (2006 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.27 children born/woman (2006 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,300 (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 200 (2003 est.) Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Ethnic groups: homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese) Religions: no affiliation 46%, Christian 26%, Buddhist 26%, Confucianist 1%, other 1% Languages: Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 99.2% female: 96.6% (2002) Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: CIA Worldfact Book 2006 :::::::::Beopjusa Temple Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Like to see some content about this temple :::::::Cheju island Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Sunset from Seongsan-ri, Jeju-do Sunset from Seongsan-ri, Jeju-do Matt Haswell If you are in Korea for your honeymoon, Cheju is where you should be heading for. Cheju island (Chejudo) known as a place of fantasy or mystery is the largest island in Korea and is located in the southwest sea of the Korean peninsula and is highlighted for its uniqueness. This large island 60 mi/100 km off the coast of the mainland has a unique history dress architecture language and tradition. Millions of dollars have been pumped into the island to build deluxe hotels and modernize the island’s infrastructure. Nevertheless the island has not lost its charm. Chenju seems a world away from the mainland even though it’s relatively easy to reach—it’s an hour’s flight south of Seoul or an overnight ferry ride from Pusan, Mokpo or Wando. The island itself has a good traffic infrastructure thanks to the many roads. The population of the island is about 535,000. A major highlight is Halla mountain, which was a volcano once rising 1,950 metres above the sea level. :::::::::Cheongju City Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see A view of Cheongju from the local mountain fortress, Sangdangsanseong. A view of Cheongju from the local mountain fortress, Sangdangsanseong. Ryan Paulsen Cheongju is a city of roughly 600,000 people, and a number of quite interesting things to see and do. Every second year, there is the Cheongju International Craft Biennal, which features amazing folk crafts from countries all over the world (this year featured Russia, China, Japan, Vietnam, Great Britain, The Phillipines and others), most of which are for sale. The most amazing thing on display this year was a queen size bed made entirely out of jade, and ornately carved, for sale for the low low price of 30,000,000 won (roughly $30,000 USD). The city also features an intriguing traditional covered market downtown selling all manner of wares, from de-boned pig faces to plastic toy swords to live eels, and a maze of walking streets lines with shops of all description. There is an iron flagpole centuries old that marks the location of an old buddhist temple. The temple is long gone, but amazingly the iron flagpole remains. It is, contradictorally, located right behind the modern Cheongju Department Store, and apparently features the best place in Korea to get dokboki (rice cake things swimming in medium-spicy sauce) - at least, according to the locals! There is also the Cheongju Early Printing Museum. Cheongju is birthplace of the earliest known book printed using movable metal type. The book's short-form name is Jikji, and is a sort of mascot for the city. While the book itself currently resides in a French museum, the equipment and details of the moveable metal type printing process are available at the museum in Cheongju. Cheongju is also located conveniently in the central area of Korea. From here, you can take a bus to Seoul (90 minutes), Daejon (30 minutes), Pusan (4 hours) or a number of other important destinations. It is a clean and exceptionally safe city, and has a number of good bars where the foreigners like to hang out, in the university sector. Attic Bar and Pearl Jam are two of the most popular. _________Sights Edit This We can't forget the world famous awe inspiring pole. Situated in the main square in Cheongju, not too far from the old man park. A must see!! The Jikji Museum, the National History Museum, and two Confucianist schools for the history buff. Beaches Edit This There are no beaches. There is a shallow river that if you're really desperate you could attempt to frolick in. If you're so interested in beaches, you really ought to try looking at a coastal city like Pusan, Ulsan, Mokpo etc. _________Bars and Cafes Edit This Cheongju is the provincial capital for Chungcheongbuk-do, and is also home to a number of universities. As such, it is also home to a great many bars and cafes, clustered mainly in the downtown area and the area aroung Chungbuk National University. Contributors February 08, 2006 new by haddock-boy [Add Bar] Pearl Jam Edit This Pearl Jam is a great live rock bar with a Korean owner who speaks passable English. Most of the staff also have a fairly good level of English, and the bar itself caters to many of the foreigners in Cheongju. Along with its sister bar, The Attic, Pearl Jam offers all-you-can-drink specials on Friday and Saturday nights for 17,000 won for men and 9,000 won for women. They also have a selection of foreign bottled beers. Since Korea's a country with no time for addresses, if you're in Cheongju, ask a taxi to take you to Chungdae Joong Moon and get out at the HI24 more.. World66 rating: [rate it] accessibility: stairs only Attic Bar Edit This Sister bar to Pearl Jam, Attic is bar with more of a "tiny club" feel to it. There's a small dance floor and a pool table, and it has a balcony, making it a favourite summer hangout for the foreigner community in Cheongju. It offers the same all-you-can-drink deal on Fri/Sat as Pearl Jam (17,000 for men, 9,000 for women) and it also serves food. To get there, take a taxi to Chungdae Joong Moon and hop out at the HI24 convenience store (you'll know it from the huge patio). Walk past it, take your second right and Attic Bar will be on your right on the 3rd floor, about two more.. World66 rating: [rate it] accessibility: stairs only Hunter's Tavern Edit This Hunter's is a big bar on the 2nd floor right in the downtown core of Cheongju. It's got a pool table, a big screen TV with a playstation and loads of space to sit if you don't fancy a sit at the giant bar. They have all manner of cocktails, and their bar staff puts on a nightly cocktail show on the weekends. Be sure to order your drinks before the show starts, though. To get to Hunter's take a taxi to Shinae (downtown) YMCA and keep your eyes peeled. It's just up the street from the Y, and the two are separated by a large-ish park. World66 rating: [rate it] accessibility: stairs only Buzz Bar Edit This In the same place as everything else, Buzz Bar seems to be a new hangout for foreigners. Pool, Fooz ball, darts. World66 rating: [rate it] :::::::Chonju Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Chonju is interesting to travelers because of its 6th-century Kumsansa (Gold Mountain) Temple and 40 feet high Buddha. About an hour’s drive east of Chonju Mt. Maisan provides a beautiful setting for its many pagodas (especially in the spring and fall). Other attractions in the area include Tokyu-san National Park and the Miruk-sa stone pagoda. :::::::Dae Gu Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The third largest city in Korea, Dae Gu is located in the south east of the country. This city in a valley experiences some of the hottest summers, and mildest winters, of mainland Korea. One of the city's most popular attractions is Mount Palgong, located just outside the city. The mountain offers stunning views of the countryside, and is home to a number of Buddhist temples. Visitors will find numerous restaurants, coffee shops and jimjilbang (saunas) scattered throughout the region. The mountain is accessible by car, taxi and city bus. Dae Gu is linked to Seoul and Busan by the high speed KTX train. :::::::Gyeonggi Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Gyeonggi (also romanized as Kyongi) is the provinces of the Republic of Korea and surrounds the capital and metropolitan area of Seoul. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: None :::::::Kunsan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Approximately 150 miles south of Seoul. ::::::::Kyongju Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Cheomseongdae observatory at night, Gyeongju Cheomseongdae observatory at night, Gyeongju Matt Haswell Kyongju (often spelled Gyongju) contains a remarkable concentration of outstanding exapmples of Korean Buddiist art, in the form of sculptures, reliefs, pagodas, temples and palaces. Kyongju city and its surroundings inherited the glory that bloomed and withered in the ancient Silla Dynasty that lasted thousand years (57BC - 935AD). The city has been preserved through the designation of National Heritage and UNESCO World Heritage site. Gyongju is a big, open-air muesum. The center of town is easily walkable, with access to tombs, fortress walls, ruins and museums within a few minutes. Bikes are also available for rent. Mercifully, strict building codes have stopped those concrete high rise apartment blocks from taking over the center of town, and you see much more traditional construction in use. The tomb park is worth a stroll, keep an eye out for the tomb that has been excavated! Its amazing, though slightly creepy, to be able to walk through a tunnel into the middle of one of those huge mounds. It is possible to see the construction, and some of the art found in the tomb. Keep walking (or biking) and you'll come to and old tower which is supposedly the oldest still-standing observatory in east Asia. Keep walking and the path will pass an old forest where an old Korean legend is set. The signs tell the story in English, but the forest is nothing special. The fortress walls are up a hill, as usual, but they are mostly ruined. Nowadays locals and Korean tourists use the areas for activities. You'll probably want to bus or bike to the museum, but don't miss it. It has an excellent collection of outdoor stone sculpture and inside an extensive collection of Silla artifacts and crowns. The huge bell in the front has a macrabe legend. The artisans failed again and again to properly cast such a big bell. Then a fortune teller was consulted and they were told to throw the body of a young girl into the lead. This was done, and to this day when they ring the bell you can still hear the girl cry. I hope its just a legend! Take a look at the gift shop, it has a good selection of unique artistic items I've never seen elsewhere. Just across the road you'll see some reconstructed palace buildings and a nice, peaceful pond. It was built by an old king. Signs tell fun stories of royal drinking games played around the pond! Don't bother with Bomun Lake. Most of the hotels are out there, but its nothing but a modern convention center far from the historic sites. There is a bus to town, but it isn't very frequent and takes quite a while. The lake path tends to be crowded even by Korean standards, so if you don't like being run down by children on bikes you can skip it. Oddly, the restaurant facilities are consistently facing away from the lake, so if you want to sit outside with a beer, your best bet is Family Mart! There are extensive hiking trails all around. It would be impossible to choose one "best" trail, as there are varying difficulties and diverse sites on each trail. Just keep in mind that in Korea, "unimproved" REALLY means it, so wear good shoes and take plenty of water. Even the easy trails might have steep spots. :::::::::Nonsan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Nonsan is a city in Chungcheongnam-do. The city consists of villages that have grown together and some outlying towns. The character is a mix of rural mentality and city-neighborhood stores, with high-rise complexes scattered among and between, and a modicum of urban amenities. There are a few old houses in traditional style - mostly in disrepair. The population is about 140,000. There is a mid-sized university (Kongyang), but it only puts a stamp on the campus-town that has sprung up across from the main entrance. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: http://wiki.galbijim.com/Nonsan ::::::::Pusan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Club House, Pusan Country Club. Club House, Pusan Country Club. Pusan is the second-largest city in South Korea. It is a big industrial port with almost 4 million inhabitants. It is not a very attractive city, but there are a few nice beaches nearby. More importantly Pusan is also the departure point for Cheju island. Take in the view from Pusan Tower in Yongdusan Park and visit the Yi Sun-shin statue, the fish market (best seen 6-7 am) the U.N. Cemetery (where fallen U.N. soldiers from the Korean War are buried) and the Municipal Museum. Daytrips include Haeundae which has casinos and a spa); Kumgang Park (beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring); and Pomosa, a 7th-century temple area. Pusan is 340 km southeast of Seoul. ::::::::Samcheunpo Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Sauropod tracks filled with tidal waters. Sauropod tracks filled with tidal waters. Evanesca Samcheunpo is a lovely but very small city on the southern coast of South Korea. It is so small, in fact, that it's residents boast of being "the smallest city in Korea" - that is, the city with the minimum possible residents to be considered a city, and not a town. There are many small public beaches nestled between the high rock cliffs of the coast. The water is quite warm in the summer, although the inlets are very shallow, so you may have to wade out quite a bit to get in deeper than your waist. Most of the beaches feature banana boat or jetski rides and plenty of rentable amenities. Perhaps the most interesting jewel of this city for the traveller interested in rare finds is the Dinosaur Park Beach. Many families come to this attractive place to swim, picnic, and walk along the boardwalk that wraps around the beautiful cliffs. What makes this place so special, however, is that embedded in the rocks along the shore are several real dinosaur footprints! You can see both the clawed footprints of predators as well as the round, plodding steps of herbivores winding their way across the land. Wherever the land was when the prints were made, they are right at the water's edge now, and constantly lapped by the tides, so they may not be there for much longer. The rest of the city has many fine seafood restaurants and several inexpensive but comfortable hotels and bars. :::::Seoul Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The South Gate (Nam-Dae-Mun) The South Gate (Nam-Dae-Mun) The capital of South Korea is a modern city with a long history. This ancient city has been the capital of Korea since the 14th century. Some of the old city gates can still be seen - most notably the South Gate (or Nam-Dae-Mun), which used to be the main entrance to the city. There is no better picture of Seoul than The South Gate, which stands as an architectural feat and a reminder of Korea's heritage and history. Unfortunately in Feb. 11th 2008 a fire destroyed all the wooden part of the gate. Much like Paris' Champs-Elysees, it is situated right in the middle of a modern and bustling city, serving as a constant symbol of Korea's proud past intersecting with its bright future. While there are many modern sites to visit, perhaps the typical tourist would like to visit the old city first. In the old city there are many sights to see. Toksu Palace is set in a park and is a nice place. The Kyongbok Palace (built in 1395) houses the folklore museum and has beautiful pavilions. Other sights include the Tonggunung tombs Chonsugongbang , Changkyong Palace, Pomun-sa Temple and the Toksugung Palace. For a quiet afternoon head to one of the numerous gardens and parks. The Secret Garden in the Changdok Palace complex is probably the nicest of them all, unfortunately it's imposible to visit out of a group. In the evening, pay a visit to Deoksugung palace, open until 21h. Apart from exploring Korea's past, the contemporary visitor might also appreciate Seoul's modern attractions. Korea's economic boom has resulted in the development of a beautiful and extensive skyline. Office towers, apartment buildings, art galleries, shopping centers, and museums contribute to Korea being the most modern nation in Asia. Come to Korea and be at the center of global business, art, fashion, education, and politics. One sign of Korea's growing prosperity was its selection as the host of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. Seoul's transit system is widespread and efficient - it even has recorded English voices and LCD displays for visitors, all thanks to the Games - and Olympic Stadium is easy to spot on the map. You could also take taxis around the city, but the drivers are notorious for taking roundabout routes in order to earn more money. While taxis are expensive, pretty much every driver can speak a little bit of English - foreigners might want to hail the deep Gold-colored taxis, even though they are the most expensive (again, thanks to the Olympics, these special taxis were dispatched to handle the influx of tourists from all over the world, therefore, expect them to be pricey, but friendly and English-speaking). The Olympic Stadium (or Chamshil Stadium) would be a nice place to start your exploration of the city. There you'll find Lotte World, a shopping mall that contains an Olympic-sized skating rink and even a full amusement park on the upper floors. In addition, Chamshil Stadium is conveniently located to many of Seoul's major shopping centers - one of them being the famous Lotte Department Store, for those of discerning taste who are looking for the most expensive items Seoul has to offer. While Lotte is the most famous, it isn't the cheapest and there are plenty of other areas where one can go shopping - anywhere there are people flocking to doors greeted by uniformed female !???? ::::::::Songtan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Mall outside Osan AFB Mall outside Osan AFB Songtan is in Pyeongtaek, about an hours drive south of Seoul. Going there you will pass Suwon City, take the Osan Ciy exit, and continue south to Songtan City. Songtan you have the Shin-Jang shopping and entertainment district right outside of Osan AB's main gate. There is shopping for leather goods, silk goods, knock-off clothing and shoes, bootleg games / DVDs, and mink blankets. Songtan is most famous for the 107 bars and hostess clubs that it is home to. The girls that work at these clubs include Filipinas, Koreans, and Russians. _________Nightlife and Entertainment Edit This Songtan is home to 40 bars and hostess clubs. There is also two hip-hop dance clubs and a Techno dance club. The girls that work at these clubs include Filipinas, Koreans, and Russians. ::::::::Suwon Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see x A giant Miffy In Seoul Jenni Sohn Suwon has a rich history since it was founded during the Joseon Dynasty in the 18th century as a fortress city. It's city walls are a world heritage site and it offers a look back at South Korea's past. It's home to Hwaseong Fortress, Woncheon Amusement Park, Everland Amusement Park, The Korean Traditional Folk Village, and various temples and tombs. But Suwon is also tuned in to the future - it is recognised as South Korea's leading city in digital technology. ::::::::Ulsan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Selling and drying fish near Ulsan Korea Selling and drying fish near Ulsan Korea Dia Ulsan is a metropolitan city in the southeast of Korea on the Sea of Japan. It is 70 kilometres north of Busan. Those who come to Ulsan are predominantly here to work for the large conglomerates or heavy industries (Hyundai Motors being one of the most notable) and to teach English as a foreign language. It is considered the industrial centre of the country with some guidebooks likening the city to Pittsburgh or Detroit in the USA. There is much truth in this view. Yet recently re-elected Mayor, Park-Maeng-woo, plans to establish an ‘Eco-polis’ based on the restoration of the Taewha river. In 2010 it will host World Environmental Day which should crown Ulsan's rebirth as an environmentally-friendly ecological city. There are a small number of appealing districts. Samsandong, home of the Lotte and Hyundai department stores, can be considered the up-market district. Western fashion brands are available along with a number of western chain restaurants. The neon lit back streets yield a vibrant bar and restaurant culture. The Lotte Ferris wheel is also in this area next to the Lotte Cinema. Old down-town, Seongnamdong, is good for shopping at low, local prices (there are brand goods shops too however). It is the location of a small number of foreigner friendly/foreigner run bars. Mugeodong, the home of Ulsan University, is the best place for the young, twenty-something’s wishing to eat, drink and party. There are twelve touristic 'scenic sights' to see in and around city that range from the natural to man-made. However none are world class or notable sites within Korea itself. Ilsan beach offers the best sand and sea in the city but is somewhat polluted and run down thanks to heavy industries becoming located closeby. Although, there are several great beaches just outside of Ulsan including one that is reknowned for windsurfing. For a city of 1.2 million there is no metro system, but an extensive bus network. It takes time to negotiate the city streets on these buses. Ulsan today then, lives in a catch 22 situation – in some districts it is impossible to escape the industries and while these industrial sites are breathe-taking in scope, a testament to the achievement of man, they blight the landscape. On the other hand, the investment from these industries makes the city an undeniably better place to be. Though people living there don’t wish to admit it, there is something likable about Ulsan. Perhaps it’s the industrial grit and grime, though this is doubtful. It might be the constant surprises, of beauty and happiness that peak out between this grit and grime that make it not such a bad place to be after all. Ulsan was a World Cup 2002 host city.