Korea trip

Hallim Park

2007-04-08T03:16:00.000-07:00

Hallim Park is strongly scented with exotic sentiment. The plants are divided into 16 sectors including the Tropical Botanical Garden, Washingtonia Palm Garden, Foliage Plant Garden, Palm Tree Garden, and Kiwi Fruit Garden. The most famous tourist sites in Hallim Park are Hyeopjae Cave and Ssangyong Cave. In addition, a folk village, children's amusement park, and outdoor resort facilities make it a place enjoyable for both children and adults.

This unusual formation resulted from the roots of two nettle trees comingling. It was discovered and mended by Kim Choon Hong while working on road construction in 1992. Made by the roots of two trees naturally united as one, it has come to symbolize a married couple's hundred years of happy life together. Lovers and married couples flock here in droves to have their pictures taken next to it.

Hyeopjae Cave and Ssangyong Caves
Hyeopjae Cave (designated Natural Monument #236) is one of several caves located in Hallim Park. Unlike most lava tubes, this cave contains a number of stalagtites and stalagmites. Additionally, Ssangyong Cave is the only two-dimensional cave in the world (a cave that has another cave inside). Ssangyong means "double dragon."

Information: (064) 796-0001
Location: 2487 Hyopjae-ri, Hallim-eup

Hours: Summer - 08:30 ~ 18:00 / Winter - 09:00 ~ 17:00

Admission:
Adults: 5,000 won (Groups: 4,000 won)
Youths and Soldiers: 4,000 won (Groups: 3,000 won)
Children and Seniors: 3,000 won (Groups: 2,500 won)
Group: 30 people or more

Jeju Island

2007-04-08T03:15:00.000-07:00

Jeju Island, also known as the "Island of the Gods," is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and many Japanese. It remains one of the top honeymoon destinations for Korean newlyweds. The island's mixture of volcanic rock, frequent rains, and temperate climate, make it very similar to the Hawaiian Islands in the U.S. The island offers visitors a wide range of activities: hiking on Halla-san (South Korea's highest peak), catching sunrises and sunsets over the ocean, viewing majestic waterfalls, riding horses, or just lying around on the sandy beaches.

Although tourism is one of the main industries on the island, many of the hotels and other tourist areas are run by mainland companies, so much of the income never gets put back into the local economy. Also, since the attractions are geared towards tourists, many of the entrance fees can be hefty (although the locally owned and operated ones tend to be cheaper). Similar to Gyeongju and some other areas, local residents can enter most places for free or for a steeply discounted price.

Lodging
Jeju Island has 13 lodging facilities listed with Life in Korea. See the full list for this area.

Transportation
Bicycle: Given Jeju's wide expanses, bicycling here is much safer than in most of Korea. Many of the roads have sufficient room to ride along the edge, and some even have special bike lanes- not just a painted line between you and traffic, but a separate road with curbs between you and the drivers. Unfortunately, many of the local residents are convinced that the bikes lanes were actually built especially for them to dry their seeds and herbs, so in some places you may have to take short detours onto the road.
Boat: The ferry terminals in Jeju City has daily boats to Busan, Yeosu, Mokp'o, Wando, Noktong, and Incheon on the mainland, as well as several boats to Japan (see the Jeju Port section for schedules). Several other smaller ports have boats to the outlying islands of Kapa-do, Mara-do, Piyang-do, and U-do.
Bus: The bus terminal in Jeju City has buses to numerous destinations around the island. Most do circuits between here and Seogwip'o or Jungmun Resort on the south coast, stopping at various points of interest along the way. Several Jeju City buses criss-cross the city. The main bus is #100, running between the airport and the port, passing the bus terminal and most major hotels. Major hotels and tourist agencies run 1- and 2-day tours around the island.
Car: Several rental car agencies have various models for hire, starting from around W35,000 per half day.
Plane: Jeju International Airport has several flights daily via Korean Air and Asiana to Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Jinju, Kunsan, Gwangju, Mokp'o, P'ohang, Ulsan, Yecheon, and Yeosu. Domestic flights have an airport tax of W3,000. It also has international flights to Japan: Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo. International flights have an airport tax of W9,000.

Food and Drink:
Besides tourism, Cheju's main industries are fishing and agriculture. Fresh fish, squid, octopus, sea cucumber, and various other creatures can be easily bought in markets, restaurants, and even right on the beach. Cheju's tropical weather and high preciptation are perfect for growing pineapples and tangerines. The island is also famouse for its Shitake mushrooms and cactus plants. Honey made from local flowers has a special taste.

U.N. Memorial park

2007-04-08T03:11:00.000-07:00

The U.N. Cemetery is where the remains of war patriots from 16 nations and medical support groups from 6 nations are buried in commemoration for their service shown in the Korean War. U.N. Forces Headquarters exhumed the remains of the dead scattered across Gaeseong, Incheon, Daejon, and Masan, then buried them here on January 18, 1951.

It is the only cemetery designated as a 'U.N. Memorial Cemetery' by the U.N. General Assembly in 1955. The remians of 11,000 from the United States, Belgium, France, Columbia, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Philippines, Thailand, and other countries were buried at first. As most were repatriated, 2,300 remains from 11 countries are currently enshrined to include remains from Australia, Canada, France, Netherlands, New Zealand, Turkey, and England.

This place was originally named the U.N. Memorial Cemetery, but is now known as the U.N. Memorial Park. The change was made on March 30, 2001, after deliberation by the Control Committee.

Daejeon

2007-04-08T03:10:00.000-07:00

Daejeon is located in the heart of the Korean Peninsula and forms a major transportation crossroads, with the major north-south highways and rail lines splitting to follow the east or west sides of the country. With a long history of culture and tradition, it now also leads in science and technology. EXPO Park, site of the 1993 Taejon World Expo, showcases the area's research center in nearby Daedeok Science Town. Nearby mountains (Gyeryong-san National Park, Sogni-san National Park and Daedun-san Provincial Park), temples (Beopju-sa, Donghak-sa, and Gap-sa), hot springs (Yuseong), and lakes (Daecheong Lake) offer many recreation opportunities for travelers and local residents.
Lodging
Daejon City has 3 lodging facilities listed with Life in Korea. See the full list for this area.

Destinations:


Cities and Towns
	Daejeon City

Hot Springs
	Yuseong Hot Springs

Museums
	Currency Museum

Parks
	Expo Park

World Cup Venues
	Daejeon World Cup Stadium

(Also see North Chungcheong and South Chungcheong Provinces for other nearby destinations.)

Incheon Munhak Stadium

2007-04-08T03:08:00.000-07:00

Description: The architectural shape was inspired by a sail and mast, reflecting the maritime heritage of Incheon, the of Korea's West Coast.
Seating Capacity: 51,237
Scheduled Completion: September 2001
Information: (032) 440-2840

Hours:
Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays - 09:00 ~ 18:00
Winter(Nov. ~ Feb.) - 09:00 ~ 17:00

Admission: Free

Directions: Incheon Subway line 1, Incheon Munhak Stadium Station

Incheon

2007-04-08T03:07:00.000-07:00

Incheon (famous as the site for MacArthur's strategic landing during the Korean War) provides one of the few ports along the Yellow Sea to the west. It is also the home for Korea's new international airport built on Yeongjong Island, which is expected to become a major transportation hub in Northeast Asia. Off the coast are numerous islands, some still uninhabited. Many people who live in Incheon make the arduous trek to Seoul each day. Conversely, many Seoulites flock here on the weekends to enjoy fresh fish and visit the islands.

Lodging
Incheon City has 15 lodging facilities listed with Life in Korea. See the full list for this area.

Destinations:


Buddhist Temples
	Jeondeung-sa

Cities and Towns
	Incheon City

Historical Areas
	Site of Goryeo Palace

Landmarks
	China Town, Yeongjong Island

Palaces
	Yongheung Palace

Parks
	Jayu Park

Shopping Areas
	Ganghwa Market

Transportation Hubs
	Incheon International Airport, Yeonan Pier

World Cup Venues
	Incheon Munhak Stadium

(Also see Gyeonggi Province for other nearby destinations.)

Gyeonggi Province

2007-04-08T03:05:00.000-07:00

Gyeonggi Province completely surrounds Seoul. Its close proximity to the country's capital and largest city has helped it develop a thriving tourist industry with ski resorts, hot springs, and other natural resources that have been promoted to cater to the city dwellers who want to escape during the weekends. The province also has numerous historical sites. The village of Panmunjeom rests in the middles of the Demilitarized Zone that divides Korea.

Lodging
Gyeonggi Province has 13 lodging facilities listed with Life in Korea. See the full list for this area.

Destinations:


Buddhist Temples
	Silleuk-sa

Historical Areas
	Haengju Mountain Fortress, Korean Folk Village, Panmunjeom

Landmarks
	Bukhan Sanseong, Hwaseong, Jebu-do, Sihwa-ho

Miscellaneous
	Namyang-ho

Museums
	Haegang Pottery Museum, Moga Buddhist Museum, Odusan Observatory

Parks
	Gwanak-san (Gwacheon), Yuldong Park

Shopping Areas
	Icheon Pottery Village, Moran Market, Sorae Market

Ski Resorts
	Bears Town Ski Resort, Cheonmasan Ski Resort, Jisan Ski Resort, Seoul Ski Resort, Yangji Ski Resort

World Cup Venues
	Suwon World Cup Stadium

Seoul

2007-04-08T03:01:00.000-07:00

Mountains circle Seoul on all sides with Namsan (South Mountain) springing up in the center. Although the Han River once marked the southern boundary, the city has sprawled across to the southern side with some 2 dozen bridges crossing it and one subway tunnel underneath. As Korea's capital and most populous city, Seoul represents the country's center for business, education, and modern culture. It offers many activities for everyone, including museums and palaces, parks and mountains, and amusement parks and night clubs.

Travel in Korea

2007-04-08T02:56:00.000-07:00

Traveling in Korea with Children
The following are a few tips on a variety of convenience facilities that will help make traveling with children a breeze. We have also included a number of recommended tourist sites and shopping centers as well as tips on transportation and hospitals.

• Transportation – Children Travel Free!

When traveling in Korea with children, trains are the best form of transportation, and children under 4 accompanied by an adult ride for free (Children ages 4-13 get a 50% discount). Major train stations in Seoul, Yongsan, and Busan provide nursing rooms, and you will also find a nursing room and baby-changing rooms on high-speed KTX trains.

Most subways in Korea are equipped with escalators or elevators, so maneuvering strollers is no problem. A child under the age of 7 who’s accompanied by an adult can ride buses and subways for free. Unfortunately for more than one child, you have to pay an additional fee.

→ For more information on the train, click here!
→ For more information on the subway, click here!

• Shopping

In mega discount stores like Lotte Mart or E-mart, you can rent a baby cart or shopping cart with a stroller. If you need to take a break, you can also find nursing rooms in these kinds of shopping centers. Department stores also provide free strollers at the customer service centers on the first floors as well as a play area. If you want to buy children's toys or clothes for less in Korea, go to the children's clothing area in Namdaemun Market. You can also buy goods at 30 to 50% less than the normal retail prices at storefront clothing shops at Dongdaemun Market.

The Korean peninsula

2007-04-08T02:39:00.000-07:00

The Korean peninsula’s location lies adjacent to China, and Japan.
To be exact, the shortest distance between Korean and Chinese coasts is 200 kilometers and from the southeastern tip of the peninsula, it is also 200 kilometers away to the nearest point on the Japanese coast.

The Korean peninsula is roughly 1,030 km (612 miles) long and 175 km (105 miles) wide at its narrowest point. The land area is 99,200 sq / km (38,301 square miles), and it has a population of 48.2 million people (2004).

Because of its unique geographical location, this makes Korea very viable piece of land and an international hub of Asia.

Geographical Make-up
Mountains cover 70% of Korea's land mass, making it one of the most mountainous regions in the world. The lifting and folding of Korea’s granite and limestone base creates breathtaking landscapes of scenic hills and valleys. Te mountain range that stretches the length of the east coast falls steeply into the East Sea, while along the southern and western coasts, the mountains descend gradually to the coastal plains that produce the bulk of Korea’s agricultural crops, especially rice.

[Related Link]
National and Provincial Parks and Mountains

Division of the 38th Parallel
The Korean peninsula is divided just slightly north of the 38th parallel. The democratic Republic of Korea in the south and the communist government of North Korea are separated by a demilitarized zone.

South Korea’s Provinces
Administratively, the Republic of Korea consists of nine provinces; the capital Seoul; and the six metropolitan cities of Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon and Ulsan. In total, there are 77 cities and 88 counties.

[Related Link]
Destinations by Region