Andrea

We had not planned to go anywhere for the upcoming Chinese holiday, but now that it's just around the corner, are thinking about heading to Korea. <BR><BR>The official holiday is all I can take, so we will arrive late Monday night, have all day Tuesday, all day Wednesday, and half of Thursday.<BR><BR>Any advice on an itinerary? With a tight schedule like this, I'd probably pick 2 - 3 sights/activities for each full day (less if one is a half-day excursion, obviously), then we can cut back or add on once we're there & see how we feel. <BR><BR>Not too interested in markets, unless they're of the antique/craft variety. Also not too interested in hiking (well, my husband might be, but *I'm* not, and since I'm the one planning the trip . . . )<BR><BR>Here are thoughts so far: <BR><BR>We're very interested in visiting the DMZ - I think there is a half-day tour version.<BR><BR>I've checked out a couple of websites with pictures and reviews of the traditional village near Seoul, and it sounds & looks a bit Disneyesque. Is there any REAL small village we might be able to take a 1 or 1.5 day trip to (out of Seoul)?<BR><BR>We're not likely to go back to Korea anytime in the next couple of years - is Gyeong-Ju worth a day trip considering our limited time?<BR><BR>Any particular nightime river cruise we should take?<BR><BR>I also found some information about the Hyundai Seolbongho cruise to the "diamond" mountains - 2 days - might be interesting for something different (?). The foliage is supposed to be stunning in the Fall.<BR><BR>Advice, comments, suggestions? Thank you!

Andrea

Topping for daytime viewing - any Korea advice?

charlie

I think DMZ tour is not good idea since it couldn't give you any special feeling.<BR>However, you can go to Korean Folk Village - I bet you will enjoy this place, not far from Seoul.<BR><BR>Gyung Ju is a good place to visit, but it is too far to from and to that city.<BR><BR>Please visit Insadong - it's very worthy Korean antique market.<BR><BR>Also visit Korean traditional market - Namdaemun, if you have a time and money, please fly to Busan and you can enjoy good beach and atmosphere.<BR><BR>If you have more questions, pls feel free to email me at [email protected].<BR><BR>I will be in Shanghai from Oct. 12 - 16. If you live in there, can I ask you something?<BR><BR>Take care and good luck.<BR>Charlie<BR><BR>

orgy7

just a question are you taking into consieration that the airport is about 1 1/1 hours away... it may make things tighter.. <BR><BR><BR>check out one of the LOTTO fast food joints. its kind of strang eating a burger where the bun is made out of rice paties...

dko3tgk

I just went to Seoul in July. I thought the Korean folk village was boring. IT felt like going on a class field trip. I really appreciated the temples in Thailand and have been to real villages there too, but Min Suk Cheon, the Korean Folk Village felt like a boring tourist trap. I apologize if other people disagree. <BR>Insadong, was decent for cultural souvenir shopping. <BR>I went to this upscale hot spring spa in Ichon, not Incheon. It was nice, but it's gender segregated, so I'm not sure if you want to do that. Ginseng baths and clay baths were interesting. <BR>Do not go to Itaewon at night. It's where all the western bars and clubs are for the US soldiers. It felt seedier than BAngkok ever did. <BR>The rest of the things I did involved mall shopping and night clubs. Not sure if you are into that.

Edward Rowe

<BR> I went to Seoul in July....I recommend the underground tunnel tour including the DMZ....you get to visit some tunnels that N. Koreans were digging to invade the South...I usally don`t like sightseeing but this was interesting....you can also see a small fake North Korean village nearby...I also recommend the late night shopping area "Myndon." There is stores and shopping until around 6:00AM..<BR><BR>The food is great...especially the meat and seasonings...

Seoul

I've been to Korea 3 times and as recently as 4 months ago. I usually stay for 3 weeks each time. I'm not Korean. The DMZ Tour has always been the highlight on my trip.

Nomadic

Hi, I am travelling in Korea at the moment. <BR>Its really hard to ask people for suggestions because everyone has different interests.<BR>I was at The Folk Village in Gyeongju yesterday and found it amazingly interesting. I took many photos and marvelled in the old architecture.<BR>Today, I visited Anapji Pond and the Ancient Observatory, also in Gyeongju and thoroughly enjoyed and found value in that.<BR>Gyeongju has been great for me so far - I intended to stay here for 3 days and have now been here 8. Due also to the great Guesthouse that I found: The Rainbow Guesthouse (www.travelhall.com/rainbow)

RufusTFirefly

The DMZ tour is a very sobering and worthwhile experience. Be sure you get the one that takes you into the negotiation building.<BR><BR>The folk village is, of course, a set piece for tourists, but it is very well done. It does allow you to see the various styles of architecture, tools, farm implements, craftsmen, etc. from Korea's past.<BR><BR>I wouldn't dismiss the value of such an exhibition out of hand. It is not the same as going to a 17th century Korean village, but as time travel hasn't been invented yet, it is about as close as we can get. It is not at all Disneyesque--there are no people wearing plastic mouse heads, no roller coasters. They do have people in period costume engaged in various village activities.