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I leave for Korea in a few days, so I figured it was time to come up with a basic travel plan. I spent about an hour with Lonely Planet Korea and developed a tentative itinerary, but I was hoping to solicit feedback from the knowledgeable people on Team Liquid. I'm sure there are some great destinations I'm missing. I'll be in Korea for three weeks, so keep that in mind.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/dPoGp.png)
My Current Plan:
- Daegu - Six days of work.
- Gyeongju - Many temples and other historical sights.
- Pohang - Mostly to get to Ulleung.
- Ulleung - Very scenic.
- Pusan - I honestly have no interest in Pusan, but it's on the way to other places. How's everyone feel about Pusan? Worth staying for a day or two?
- Jinju - Worthwhile historical sites and a fun atmosphere.
- Gwangju - University town with good art, museums, and the Kimchi Festival.
- Mokpo - Mostly to get to Jeju.
- Jeju - Sounds very touristy, but sometimes that's fun. Does anyone actually recommend Jeju?
- Seoul + the DMZ
Main Concerns:
- Is Pusan worth visiting?
- I am considering flying from Jeju to Seoul, but I'll happily take a bus or train if there's anything worth visiting between Mokpo and Seoul (or even slightly out of the way). Is there anything? Lonely Planet basically said no.
- Any must-see destinations that I'm missing? Anything I'm planning to visit that's not worthwhile?
Thanks for the feedback. I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks!
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Calgary25991 Posts
1. I would say Busan is worth it if you like major cities. If you want to see historical things, you probably won't find anything in Busan that isn't better in Seoul. I did have a really good time at the fish market, the tower, and taking a boat tour. There is an area kind of downtown with malls around it that always had stuff going on in the streets. When I was there, there was a rap battle going on and then later in the afternoon a free fashion shown. I enjoyed both a lot. I also had fun at spaland, which was the only Korean spa I ended up trying. Outside of that, I found the museums and aquarium lackluster, but I was by myself. If you go, try Milmyeon (밀면) as you can only get it in Busan and it's way better than Naengmyeon imo.
I know you're balling out of control, but I stayed in a hostel there 2 years ago which was essentially just a guys apartment and it was the best hostel I've ever stayed at. Super clean and the guy was eager to help you out. I don't know if it's still open, but here's the site: http://www.zenbackpackers.com/zenbackpackers.htm
2. No. Fly.
3. Your list is pretty ambitious but that seems to be how you travel. It's a good list and it depends what you want to do. You could spend a year in Seoul and still not really know it, but you won't get the same feeling as traveling the countryside, obviously. Personally, I would cut some of your stops. After seeing half a dozen temples, they are all the same. Personally I would even cut Gyeongju and stick to Seoul, Busan, countryside, but that's just me.
I liked Seoraksan but that's pretty far out of the way. If you can take a day in a mountain town and hike a mountain I'd recommend it, but I'm not familiar with a lot of the smaller cities on your list. Just know that outside of Busan, Seoul and Gyeongju, English almost immediately stops working. I was speaking Korean only in Masan. Even in Busan I was mostly speaking Korean.
Rekrul says DMZ sucks but I really enjoyed it.
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Pusan (I think "the spelling committee" fixed it as Busan, which is how it actually sounds like) is worth visiting if you want fresh sashimi. Lots of local port-side small restaurants each serving amazing fresh sashimi. Amazingly fresh. Well, this goes for quite a few port-cities around Korea but I think Busan is the #1 go-to place for real good raw fish. Otherwise, the city is also famous for having a massive beach but that's for summer.
Jeju (in Jeju Island, or Jejudo) is definitely worth visiting if you have the time. 3-week schedule seems like ample time if your focus is strictly sight-seeing. Personally I'd spend at least two weeks in Seoul because I know where to go and stuff... anyways, Jeju is worth visiting. There's the magnificant Halla Mountain (한라산, or Hallasan) which is a dormant (or extinct, I forgot... more likely dormant) volcanic mountain. There should be several traditional villages and tourist attractions as well. It's a real popular place for honeymoon!
*edit: oh and yeah. Regarding what Chill said: the temples and stuff do get pretty boring after the first couple. I wouldn't gimp out on GyeongJu(경주) though, two real historically significant and famous temples there (or was it one temple and two towers? man my elementary school history is fading from my memory xD). If you're a student of history, can't miss out on this city.
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Sorry I have no advice for you. I'm going to be planning a trip like this for Fall 2012 for about 1 month (maybe longer). Do you mind telling me your budget? or atleast what you expect to pay. Cheers.
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On September 21 2011 02:53 Radioman wrote:
Sorry I have no advice for you. I'm going to be planning a trip like this for Fall 2012 for about 1 month (maybe longer). Do you mind telling me your budget? or atleast what you expect to pay. Cheers.
I don't really have a budget, but I'll happily let you know how much I spent when all's said and done. The first six days are on my company's dime, so I'm staying in a very nice hotel, but after that I'm aiming for more reasonable accommodations. My understanding is that food is very inexpensive. I don't have any idea what train/bus/ferry/airfare are going to cost.
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On September 21 2011 03:09 DJEtterStyle wrote:Show nested quote +On September 21 2011 02:53 Radioman wrote:
Sorry I have no advice for you. I'm going to be planning a trip like this for Fall 2012 for about 1 month (maybe longer). Do you mind telling me your budget? or atleast what you expect to pay. Cheers. I don't really have a budget, but I'll happily let you know how much I spent when all's said and done. The first six days are on my company's dime, so I'm staying in a very nice hotel, but after that I'm aiming for more reasonable accommodations. My understanding is that food is very inexpensive. I don't have any idea what train/bus/ferry/airfare are going to cost.
Alright sounds great! Make sure you take a lot of pictures and post blogs when you have some downtime!
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On September 21 2011 02:43 Chill wrote:1. I would say Busan is worth it if you like major cities. If you want to see historical things, you probably won't find anything in Busan that isn't better in Seoul. I did have a really good time at the fish market, the tower, and taking a boat tour. There is an area kind of downtown with malls around it that always had stuff going on in the streets. When I was there, there was a rap battle going on and then later in the afternoon a free fashion shown. I enjoyed both a lot. I also had fun at spaland, which was the only Korean spa I ended up trying. Outside of that, I found the museums and aquarium lackluster, but I was by myself. If you go, try Milmyeon (밀면) as you can only get it in Busan and it's way better than Naengmyeon imo. I know you're balling out of control, but I stayed in a hostel there 2 years ago which was essentially just a guys apartment and it was the best hostel I've ever stayed at. Super clean and the guy was eager to help you out. I don't know if it's still open, but here's the site: http://www.zenbackpackers.com/zenbackpackers.htm2. No. Fly. 3. Your list is pretty ambitious but that seems to be how you travel. It's a good list and it depends what you want to do. You could spend a year in Seoul and still not really know it, but you won't get the same feeling as traveling the countryside, obviously. Personally, I would cut some of your stops. After seeing half a dozen temples, they are all the same. Personally I would even cut Gyeongju and stick to Seoul, Busan, countryside, but that's just me. I liked Seoraksan but that's pretty far out of the way. If you can take a day in a mountain town and hike a mountain I'd recommend it, but I'm not familiar with a lot of the smaller cities on your list. Just know that outside of Busan, Seoul and Gyeongju, English almost immediately stops working. I was speaking Korean only in Masan. Even in Busan I was mostly speaking Korean. Rekrul says DMZ sucks but I really enjoyed it.
Great feedback, Chill. I appreciate it. I may cut out one of the islands, depending on time, but when I travel, I try not to stay too long in the major cities. When I was in France, for instance, I never went to Paris. I figure I can always make it back to a major city like Seoul, but when am I going to be able to hit up Ulleung again?
So I'm only budgeting 3-4 days for Seoul, just long enough to hit up the major sights, get a taste of the nightlife, and spoon with Min (again). Lonely Planet wasn't too big on Pusan, nor were my coworkers. If I'm passing through there, though, I figure I might as well stay one night and see what it has to offer. We'll see.
On September 21 2011 02:50 OpticalShot wrote:
Pusan (I think "the spelling committee" fixed it as Busan, which is how it actually sounds like) is worth visiting if you want fresh sashimi. Lots of local port-side small restaurants each serving amazing fresh sashimi. Amazingly fresh. Well, this goes for quite a few port-cities around Korea but I think Busan is the #1 go-to place for real good raw fish. Otherwise, the city is also famous for having a massive beach but that's for summer.
Jeju (in Jeju Island, or Jejudo) is definitely worth visiting if you have the time. 3-week schedule seems like ample time if your focus is strictly sight-seeing. Personally I'd spend at least two weeks in Seoul because I know where to go and stuff... anyways, Jeju is worth visiting. There's the magnificant Halla Mountain (한라산, or Hallasan) which is a dormant (or extinct, I forgot... more likely dormant) volcanic mountain. There should be several traditional villages and tourist attractions as well. It's a real popular place for honeymoon!
*edit: oh and yeah. Regarding what Chill said: the temples and stuff do get pretty boring after the first couple. I wouldn't gimp out on GyeongJu(경주) though, two real historically significant and famous temples there (or was it one temple and two towers? man my elementary school history is fading from my memory xD). If you're a student of history, can't miss out on this city.
Thanks for the information! I became (and remain) rather concerned about Jeju having so many golf courses and being a honeymoon spot. I'm travelling alone, and I tend to avoid touristy things. But hiking up a mountain is my idea of a good time, as is taking a ferry to get there.
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Calgary25991 Posts
Jeju is touristy. I wouldn't go there alone - I can't imagine it being that fun alone, unless you're good at meeting people on the fly and grouping up. It's a popular place for honeymoons so there's tons of couples stuff. My memories of Jeju are nice views, two small cities, the only place I drove a car in Korea, and tons and tons of tourist traps. Mazes, optical illusion places, bumper cars, loveland, etc.
I believe you can't go to the mountain this late in the year. I went in November and it was closed. You should research that. I did go to one much smaller mountain that had a lake at the top of it. That was pretty cool. But that alone isn't worth the trip.
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On September 21 2011 05:21 Chill wrote:
Jeju is touristy. I wouldn't go there alone - I can't imagine it being that fun alone, unless you're good at meeting people on the fly and grouping up. It's a popular place for honeymoons so there's tons of couples stuff. My memories of Jeju are nice views, two small cities, the only place I drove a car in Korea, and tons and tons of tourist traps. Mazes, optical illusion places, bumper cars, loveland, etc.
I believe you can't go to the mountain this late in the year. I went in November and it was closed. You should research that. I did go to one much smaller mountain that had a lake at the top of it. That was pretty cool. But that alone isn't worth the trip.
Third-wheeling it with couples would be rough. Perhaps I'll find another detour or spend a bit of time in Pusan.
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Osaka27156 Posts
If you do spend time in Busan and the weather is nice then going to Haeundae Beach is pretty good.
Food was super cheap and hotels can be if you aren't picky where you stay. I didn't do much tourist stuff on my last trip, so I can't help you with the sights.
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On September 21 2011 10:53 Manifesto7 wrote:
If you do spend time in Busan and the weather is nice then going to Haeundae Beach is pretty good.
Food was super cheap and hotels can be if you aren't picky where you stay. I didn't do much tourist stuff on my last trip, so I can't help you with the sights.
Scale of 11-14, how drunk did Rek get you?
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Osaka27156 Posts
I didn't meet rek last time actually. You can read my Seoul to Korea blog for details, but basically I was on my bike after the first night. We did lots of riding, lots of eating, and lots of sleeping. In the middle of Korea all these middle aged women at restaurants just want to take care of you, so things were super easy there.
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On September 22 2011 00:11 Manifesto7 wrote:
I didn't meet rek last time actually. You can read my Seoul to Korea blog for details, but basically I was on my bike after the first night. We did lots of riding, lots of eating, and lots of sleeping. In the middle of Korea all these middle aged women at restaurants just want to take care of you, so things were super easy there.
Yeah, I remember you telling me about the bike ride and self-inflicted pain in training for it. I must have missed the blog.
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CA10828 Posts
jeju is ok but only if you really like touristy stuff, like museums and some cool natural things like caves, giant rocks, and whatnot.
the only 2 place i would go for sure are seoul and gyeongju
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How long are you planning on staying in Seoul?
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On September 22 2011 00:26 mizU wrote:
How long are you planning on staying in Seoul?
Probably 3-4 days, but things change on the road. I might make it a bit longer.
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On September 22 2011 00:30 DJEtterStyle wrote:Show nested quote +On September 22 2011 00:26 mizU wrote:
How long are you planning on staying in Seoul? Probably 3-4 days, but things change on the road. I might make it a bit longer.
You should reconsider this, Seoul is pretty awesome from what I remember. Are you going alone? I don't think I've ever been alone (or in charge of what to do) in Seoul..
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On September 23 2011 02:06 Xenocide_Knight wrote:Show nested quote +On September 22 2011 00:30 DJEtterStyle wrote:On September 22 2011 00:26 mizU wrote:
How long are you planning on staying in Seoul? Probably 3-4 days, but things change on the road. I might make it a bit longer. You should reconsider this, Seoul is pretty awesome from what I remember. Are you going alone? I don't think I've ever been alone (or in charge of what to do) in Seoul..
I'm alone, yeah. When I travel, I try not to spend too much time in major cities so I get more of a balanced view of a country. I "did" Rome in a single day, Florence in two, London in two, Tokyo in two, etc. I have no doubt that Seoul could entertain me for a week or more, but I'd rather move along by that point.
Edit: Well, alone for most of the trip. I'll be meeting up with Min and Rek in Seoul with a little luck.
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Korea (South)17174 Posts
On September 21 2011 02:43 Chill wrote:
3. Your list is pretty ambitious but that seems to be how you travel. It's a good list and it depends what you want to do. You could spend a year in Seoul and still not really know it, but you won't get the same feeling as traveling the countryside, obviously. Personally, I would cut some of your stops. After seeing half a dozen temples, they are all the same. Personally I would even cut Gyeongju and stick to Seoul, Busan, countryside, but that's just me.
All of Chill's advice was very good, but this is the best part. The question you have to ask yourself is do you want to spend a lot of your 3 weeks going to mostly countryside cities sightseeing taking pictures and being able to say 'i was there,' or do you want to get to know Korea a little actually.
I dunno though, Pusan is okay. They have good food and some beaches. I don't think it's worth it to stay there more than a few days. Jeju was miserable for me because of this girl I brought who I didn't realized smoked 8 cigs an hour before hand lol but its a pretty cool place IMO. Lots of good sightseeing and damn amazing food. Also shit to do like 4-wheeling and renting boats where u can drink and sing karaoke while u sail around. I dunno how you would do any of this alone though.
I hate sightseeing way more than anyone so my advice isn't really the best...(I've never been to the DMZ and have no desire to go lol)
but how the hell could you go to Pusan or Jeju etc. alone and actually enjoy yourself? Everything in Pusan is just more lulled and slow paced compared to Seoul(plus some beaches?) Even populated country-side areas like Gwangju are just dimmed down versions of Seoul and not worth going when you only have 3 weeks.
I guess you should just just go to 1 sightseeing place with the temples, go to Pusan and/or Jeju, then skip everything else and spend as much time in Seoul as possible. Seoul has so much to offer and 3-4 days really isn't enough.
What you really should do: After your work is complete in Daegu skip everything and just go straight to Seoul and spend your whole time there. Use craigslist/facebook/whatever to find meetups with foreigners/koreans groups and make some friends or just randomly do it on your own. Or have some TL veterans hang out with you. So many places in Seoul to go and things to do.
Fuck everywhere else. Seoul is the true motherland. + Show Spoiler +and has all the hot girls
Also if you have some $ to spend I'll give you connects/address at all my spots. Then you can experience true Korean culture ^_^
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On September 23 2011 02:52 Rekrul wrote:Show nested quote +On September 21 2011 02:43 Chill wrote:
3. Your list is pretty ambitious but that seems to be how you travel. It's a good list and it depends what you want to do. You could spend a year in Seoul and still not really know it, but you won't get the same feeling as traveling the countryside, obviously. Personally, I would cut some of your stops. After seeing half a dozen temples, they are all the same. Personally I would even cut Gyeongju and stick to Seoul, Busan, countryside, but that's just me.
What you really should do: After your work is complete in Daegu skip everything and just go straight to Seoul and spend your whole time there. Use craigslist/facebook/whatever to find meetups with foreigners/koreans groups and make some friends or just randomly do it on your own. Or have some TL veterans hang out with you. So many places in Seoul to go and things to do. Fuck everywhere else. Seoul is the true motherland. + Show Spoiler +and has all the hot girls Also if you have some $ to spend I'll give you connects/address at all my spots. Then you can experience true Korean culture ^_^
Haha, I always have fun when I travel alone. It's rarely hard to make friends. I'm down to meet up with anyone who a) is out of high school and b) can hold a non-StarCraft-related conversation. In this regard, BlizzCon was not encouraging. If you have bar/restaurant/people recommendations, let me know. It's looking like I'll arrive in Seoul on October 10. First four rounds of drinks are on me.
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EPT
