Travel: Korea - General

[Ichigokun]

I’ve been to South Korea twice before. Once in autumn once in winter.


I like snow and cold alot so… The winter trip was much more enjoyable though the temperature plunged to negative ten degrees Celsius.

Here are some places I think are suited for tourist attractions.

Of course, there is Seoul (서울) and Chejudo (체주도).

There is also Insadong (인사동), Panmunjeom (판문점)

If you like nature and mountains, Gangwondo (강원도) is a good place to visit.

80% of land there is mountainous, lush and full of green. The capital of Gangwondo Province is Chuncheon (춘천)

Panmunjeom is better known as the Demilitarized Military Zone, the separating line for North and South Korea. There you can catch a glimpse of North Korean soldiers and North Korea.

From what I know, there is a North Korean shop there that will be selling North Korean goods.

You will be guided throughout the Panmunjeom by US or South Korean soldiers to ensure safety.

Generally they don’t like people buying North Korean goods in Panmunjeom as you are helping their enemy economy-wise.

[jiangnan]

I want to go Korea! Is April & May good time to go? Possible to get some snow ski activities during these time period? Will go with my hubby & my 6 yrs and 2 yrs kids…


Thanks in advance!

[Ichigokun]

jiangnan:

I want to go Korea! Is April & May good time to go? Possible to get some snow ski activities during these time period? Will go with my hubby & my 6 yrs and 2 yrs kids...


Thanks in advance!

I've went to Korea once during the September holidays and once during the December holidays.

The trip to Korea during winter is very cold. -7 degrees celsius the entire day. But it's really enjoyable. Snow was falling.

I'm a very snow-loving kind of person so I loved that trip.

The trip to Korea in autumn is very different although the season is not far from winter.

During the day, temperatures can hit about 28 degrees celsius. Then at night, the temperature will drop to around 15 degrees celsius.

The sceneries during autumn are not as beautiful as the sceneries during winter. And there is no snow.

During autumn, all you see is brown trees either with no leaves at all or have brown leaves. Not a really pretty sight. Very dull.

April & May would be very hot, but the scenery would at least be a bit more beautiful compared to Autumn

[happydl]

I intend to go during Christmas this year. Any advise on how to book a ski resort? which resort is cheap? I have emailed to various but none has replied.


Thanks.

[vicki]

Hi all,


Im thinking of going Korea for a holiday during the Jun hols.
Anyone can advise which agency/ holiday package to book?

I’ve looked through Hong Thai/ Chan Bros/ SA Tours website.
Hong Thai itineraries looks most ‘worth the money’
SA Tours intineraries looks ‘slow and easy’.

Anyone has experience and can share?

Txs.

Btw, the family members going would be me, dh, 3 kids and senior citizens.

[cherrygal]

I loved my Korea trip with CTC. A bit more expensive but worth it. The hotels were quite good. Another agency that we like is Giamso.

[vicki]

Txs Cherrygal.


I don't mind paying abit more for the overall experience. Haha.. Too many dependents so 1 less worry is always good. Will chk them out later also.

Did u go to Seoul n Jeju? Any idea if I choose to extend 1 or 2 more days in Seoul - would it be difficult to get ard cos of language handicap?

[cherrygal]

We went twice but never did the Jeju part coz always cannot spare the extra 2 days. Keep the trip short if you have very young children. My fren said Jeju nothing much unless you like scenery. She told me skiing is more fun.


They dun call this a vacation... it's a hardship tour with so many dependents around.

[Ichigokun]

cherrygal:

We went twice but never did the Jeju part coz always cannot spare the extra 2 days. Keep the trip short if you have very young children. My fren said Jeju nothing much unless you like scenery. She told me skiing is more fun.


They dun call this a vacation... it's a hardship tour with so many dependents around.

There's not just sceneries in Jeju. Chejudo (체주도) has many Korean tangerine products. The last time I went there they were selling Tangerine chocolates (they tasted very good!), fresh tangerines etc.

There are shopping streets and shopping centers in Jeju too. I highly recommend you stay there at least 2 days.

The name of the streets are Ildoil-dong (일도일동), and Cheonjidong (천지동)

[Ichigokun]

Vicki, I don’t think there will be any language handicap.


Modern Koreans know both English and Korean.

Koreans also used to use Chinese language (aka Hanja in Korean) until the late 19th century by the high class nobles.

Maybe the older generation will understand Chinese if you write it to them?

Modern Koreans might know a bit of Chinese too. Koreans sometimes use Hanja on media if they can’t express something in Korean.

So, language handicap won’t be much of a problem.