Traveling to Seoul? . . . .you’ll love it!!  . . .but you might hate it at first.

 

Some helpful tips

  • Don’t drink the tap water and carry around a pocket of napkins with you since most toilets don’t carry toilet paper.  Every man for himself. . .he he
  • You also might find Koreans to be a little rude and pushy at times, . . .especially old ladies on the subway during rush hour.  Walk with confidence and don’t let anyone push you around, because they will take full advantage.
  • Cell phone:  you might want to consider getting a temporary cell phone, just in case.  It’s far too easy to get lost in the city.  You can only get these at the airport.  The rates aren’t bad but you have to put down a deposit. . .around 200US . .definitely worth it though.
  • Korean will try to rip you off. . .it’s a fact, especially if you look like a foreigner or don’t speak perfect Korean.  The last time I went there, I picked up a jewelry box for a friend of mine and paid 5 bucks.  My friend Mike bought the same one a week before and paid 50.  If you see something you like. .. never take the first offer . .or just walk away.  You’ll see. . .the shop keeper will come after you.
  • Poverty – you might be a little shocked when you see the amount of homeless in Korea.  Many have no problem approaching you. . in the subway. . on the street.  It quite erks the soul to see a man with no legs. . .wheeling his way around with a radio around his neck begging for money. . . you will see much of this. . .so be strong.    
  • To make things simple. . .since Korean money comes in such large denominations, I would suggest that you think of it like this: 1 US dollar = 1000 won . .. and you shouldn’t expect to spend very much in Korea, unless you really want to.  Korea can either be very very cheap (ie. 10,000 won (10 bucks) can get you a good meal, drinks and an over night stay at a sauna bath) or you can go to a posh restaurant/ bar and pay over 100,000 won.  It’s really up to you and where you go.
  • A handy number to call is : 1330 or 02-1330.  It’s the number to the Korean tourist office and they speak English too.  I used to call them all the time, whenever I was lost in the city or even to check out movie listings.  They know everything and if they don’t. . .they do a really great job of finding out for you.
  • Keep your subway ticket.  You need your ticket to both enter and exit the subway. . .don’t forget.

 

What to Skip

  • Itaewon – It is dirty. . .dodgy (at night) . . people will likely rip you off and it’s a big hang out for obnoxious American soldiers and English teachers with too much money to spend.  People might recommend shopping and night life here, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
  • DMZ – People say that this is the closest you will ever get to North Korea.  Basically, the DMZ tour leads you to a tunnel for about 30min and then you stop halfway. . .where the North Korean tunnel starts. . .it’s just a tunnel!  Also, from the top of a tower, they let see North Korea through binoculars, but to be honest, you don’t get to see much. . . just dirt land and a couple of roads.  The cost of the tour is over 50 bucks and really does take a lot of your time.
  • Seoul Tower.  The view is alright but you’ll find that the Seoul Tower isn’t too spectacular. . nothing compared to our CN tower.  It’s not very nice inside and it’s a little out of the way to get there.

 

O.k. . . now for the good stuff.  I attached a subway map of Seoul, so you might want to use that as a reference.

 

Accommodations:

 

My brother tells me that you will be staying in Incheon, so you might be interested in finding a place in the city, especially if you’re planning to go out at night.  Most subways stop around midnight, however taxis are very cheap, so that is an alternative.

 

My recommendation: try a Jimjilbang!  It’s an over night Sauna place which also has a public bath area.  They range in price from ($3-$10).  I would splurge on a nice one.  There is an excellent one near Seoul station .. . about 5 floors of Sauna (also includes, restaurant, arcade, movies, message, and the bath) . .but I have forgotten the name. . .sorry.  Perhaps. . you can ask around the area. . .sounds like – ‘Soul Yok’

 

If you are looking for another cheap place to stay, you can try a hostel .. . Kim’s guest house is alright.  My friend’s stayed there last time and we met some really cool travelers. . .. two from Iceland.  http://www.kimsguesthouse.com/

 

I’ve never done this, but some friends of mine did a temple stay. Here’s a link to some info about it:

 

http://english.tour2korea.com/04bookings/accommodations/templestay.asp?konum=subm1_2&kosm=m6

 

 

Shopping!!

If you love to shop, this is the place to be!  Generally speaking, many shops are open all the time. . except between 4-6am when they restock.  Again, remember to bargain and don’t be afraid to walk away.

 

·        Insadong Get off at Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line No.3). Insadong is a 5-minute walk away

-          Great for traditional Korean stuff and gifts.  You can bargain here, but not much, but here you’ll find everything you’re looking for. . paintings, antiques, pottery. . ect.   The streets of insadong themselves are very old school. . .like a street museum, so you should definitely check it out. 

 

·        Shinchon/Ewa Women’s University/ Ahyeon

-          This area is a great place to shop.. .it’s just rows and rows of out door shops and you can buy a huge 33cm high soft ice cream on a cone for a buck!  These 3 areas basically join but I would start from Ahyeon or Ewa Women’s University subway stop.

-          These stalls sell mostly – accessories, clothes, shoes, handbags . . I loved it, but I also love to shop!! 

 

 

·        Tech Mart Exit No. 1 and No. 2 of Gangbyeon Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 2) are connected to B1 Floor of Techno Mart.

-    If you want a deal on electronics . .go here!

 

 

·        Namdaemun and Dongdaemum  on the orange line connected to B1 Floor of Techno

-          Now this is a little too much, but you might like it here.  These shops are open 24hrs and they have whole floors dedicated to phone accessories or even shoe laces. . it’s crazy.

 

·        Myong-Dong Blue line #4

-          Very cool and hip trendy stuff.  You can name brand goods here too like Nike, Tommy. . .for a little less.  Here you will find a star bucks on every corner, so try not to get lost.  This place is also cool at night and there are lots of places to eat as well.  Try a pop-bean-su . . it’s a great little treat (red bean, ice cream, assorted fruits on a pile of crushed ice)

 

 

There are also places on the green line like Gang-nam and the appujong on the orange line, but these places are a bit more pricy and just not as fun.

 

 

 

Night Life

·        Hongdae Area Subway line 2 to Hongdae station, exit 6

-          If you only have a few days to spend in Seoul. . .you have to check out this area

-          There are 3 major universities located in this area, so it really does cater to the students.  There are pubs and clubs everywhere!   My favorite is called “NB” . ..ask anyone for directions. . .they'll know.

 

-          Again, Myong-dong is always happening and so is Jongno 3(sam)- ga.  There are always free concerts near Dongdaemun and performances– orange line

 

 

Culture

·        Insadong Get off at Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line No.3). Insadong is a 5-minute walk away

-          there are a few temples around here and art museum. . .a definite place to visit

 

·        Gyongbokgung Palace From Exit No.5 Gyeongbokgung Subway (no3)Get off at Anguk

 

·        Korea House Go out of Exit No. 3 of Chungmuro subway station (line no.3 and 4)
→ Walk 100 meters straight (a gas station on the left)

-          For traditional Korean performances, this place is pretty good, although the theaters are quite small and my not look the best inside.  The outside of the theater looks very traditional and the performers are excellent.

 

 

 

 

 

ALSO . . .

 

-          Try the street meat. . .its so cheap and so good.  I love the little desserts that they sell near the subway stations called ‘dok’ . ..very colourful.

-          The outdoor ‘ghetto’ looking BBQ’s are great. . . I’m sure you’ll run into some

-          I don’t drink much, but my friends are a fan of Soju and Dong-dong-ju . .they are both pretty cheap here.  Just remember. . . it’s rude to pour your own glass, so wait for someone to pour it for you.

-          There is a festival coming up . . first week October– Korean Thanksgiving . . .also known as “Ganghwa Dolmen” . . I would keep your eyes open for any cool events

-          Taxis are super cheap but so is the subway

-          Try a Norabang – Karaoke . . .it’s totally different there

-          Check out the 1000 won stores. . .they have lots of really cool cheap stuff. . .just like our dollar stores but way better.

-          Try a public bath . .. they feel great.  The more expensive ones are a bit nicer.

-          Great site for any additional info ~ http://english.tour2korea.com/index.asp 

 

Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

Best,

Debbie (aka. Tom’s lil’ sis)

 

 

Ghetto Korean BBQ . . .yummy!                          . . and this isn’t even during rush hour.