South Korea > South Korea Experience

Advantages: Fine public transportation, safety place for travelers
Disadvantages: Language problem

...a Writer-in-Residence, my life in Seoul was joyful. I've received a monthly-grant USD 1,700. In 2006, the living cost in Seoul was the highest in the world. The second was Tokyo, and the third was New York. But again, my life in Seoul at the time was wonderful. *Dormitory* For six months I stayed in Crimson House, a dormitory near Korea University. You must pay around USD 300 a month to stay in this dormitory for standard room. Crimson House's ...
...who stay in Seoul for any reasons (study, research, etc.). About safety, do not worry; Seoul is one of very safe places in the world. Crimson House is full wired with the fast internet access available in every room. The neighborhood is good. Even we usually very hard to find the ordinary Korean people who speak English, commonly they have a kind of East-hospitality, like in other Asian countries. They say "anyonghaseo" to us (that would be meant ... Read review

Advantages: breathtaking scenery, cable car, temple site, easy access
Disadvantages: misty, cost, very busy

Soraksan is in the north of South Korea. It's about 4 hours from Seoul by bus. It's easiest to get to if you first go to Gangneung Bus Station and then get another bus to Sokcho. It's about 45 minutes from Gangneung and costs about 5000W. From Sokcho bus terminal you need to get a local bus to the national park. (no. 5-7) Entrance to the national park is about 3200W and includes access to the temple sites. The cable car costs 7000W and takes ...
...you to a peak. From the cable car station there's a short (optional) walk to viewpoints and the peak. It's well worth the ride becuase the views from the cable car station of the park, peaks and east coast are incredible. You can see across the mountainous region to one side, and out to the port town and see to the other. You can also look down on to the temple site with it's large seated buddha statue. There are plenty of rest stops along the ... Read review

Advantages: Fanastic views, temple, waterfalls, easy to get to
Disadvantages: Long walk from bus stop to temple, very steep walk to the peak

Songnisan has a lot to offer. The entrance fee to the park is about 3000W and includes the temple. To get to Sognisan head to Boeun terminal and take the direct bus. It takes about 20 minutes. There's a great temple site just inside the national park with a very large standing buddha statue. There is information available in English and you are free to walk around the temple site and examine all the different artefacts. Underneath the statue ...
...you will need to allow several hours depending on your route. There is no cable car and there are a lot of steps so it can be tiring. Maps are available in English with beauty spots labelled. If you want to take an alternative route back down the mountain be careful! There are other ways down signposted and you will get down safely - but you may find that there's no public transport in the village you arrive at. The views from the peak are absolutely ... Read review

Advantages: Unique, Cheap, Food, Money
Disadvantages: Smelly, Little Space, Pushing and Shoving

I have lived and worked in South Korea for just over three years. It is extremely easy to get around Seoul. The public transport system is fantastic. Buses and the subway are colour coded so it makes it much easier to see where you are and where you need to get to. The subways, like the buses, have a set price no matter how short or long your journey is. Prices start at 800 won which is the equivalent of 40 pence, 80 cents. If you are a tourist in ...
...cheaper to use the public transport system. Even taxis are cheap compared to back home. They start at 1,900 won which is the equivalent of 90 pence, nearly 2 dollars. A 30 minute taxi ride would cost about 30,000 won, 15 pounds sterling, 30 dollars. Food is very cheap if you stick to eating Korean food. Western food costs the same as back home because they often have to pay tax on it. Better to stick to Korean food if you are on a budget. One of ... Read review

Advantages: Living museum, shows, lots to see, well laid out
Disadvantages: Long way from Seoul, outdoor so not good in bad weather

The Korean Folk Village is near Suwon and Yonging, on the outskirts of Seoul. The easiest way to get there from Seoul (and other cities) is to go to Suwon Station. From Seoul you can go by subway from Seoul Station or City Hall, Line 1 cost: 1200W (about 60p) time: 60 minutes Just outside Suwon Station is a tourist information booth who can point you across the street to the ticket office for the folk village. From here you can buy your entrance ...
...It takes about 30 minutes from Suwon. The entrance to just the folk museum is about 11 000W (adult) (about £6), you can pay extra for the small theme park and folk museum. Once inside the folk village be sure to pick up a map - it's very helpful and offers suggested routes around the folk village. It also gives you information about the times of the different shows such as the farmer's dance, see-saw acrobatics, traditional wedding re-enactment. ... Read review