Saryangdo
Jagged ridges, 400m-high peaks, ropes, ladders and awe-inspiring views await travellers looking for a challenging hike. Most travellers depart the ferry (return ₩10,000, 40 minutes, departs 7.30am, 9.30am, noon, 2pm and 4.10pm) on Saryandgo and catch a bus to the other side of the
Jeonju Hanok Maeul
This maeul (village) – in the middle of modern Jeonju – has more than 800 hanok, one of the largest such concentrations in the country. Most of them now contain guesthouses, galleries, restaurants, teahouses and boutiques (rather than homes). Yes, its touristy, but wandering the co
Gamcheon Culture Village
This historically rich, mountainside slum became a famous tourist destination after getting an arty makeover in 2009 when students decided to brighten up the neighbourhood with clever touches up the stairs, down the lanes and around the corners. Today its a colourful, quirky commun
Seongsan Ilchul
This majestic 182m-high tuff volcano, shaped like a giant punchbowl, is one of Jeju-dos most impressive sights. The forested crater is ringed by jagged rocks, though there’s no lake because the rock is porous. From the entrance, climbing the steep stairs to the crater rim only take
Seeking Seoul with Jonathan Hopfner
1. Where would you direct visitors looking to have a historical experience in Seoul?
Thankfully despite Seoul’s war-torn past and rapid development, there are still quite a few visible reminders it was once the seat of power of the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled the Korean peninsula from the 14
Understanding South Korean Customs and Etiquette
Photo © Stan Chow, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Korean etiquette is a thorny issue for many foreign residents, mainly because initially there seems to be a distinct lack of it. Behavior that would be seen as rude or inconsiderate in most Western countries—someone barging their way into a
Cost of Living in South Korea
Plenty of meals can be had for less than 10,000 won. Photo © Shao-Chun Wang/123rf.
“How much does it cost to live in South Korea?” is one of those questions like “How long is a piece of string?”—the answer is, it depends. Try to replicate the suburban North American or British life here, living in
Korean Superstitions
Behind South Korea’s modern veneer there are a number of beliefs handed down from antiquity that continue to hold sway. Here are some common superstitions to be aware of—and though they might seem irrational, so is discomfort with the number 13 or black cats.
Names in red: Avoid writing names (in
Moving to South Korea: Bringing or Buying a Pet
Rooftop antics in Seoul. Photo © Damon Garrett, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
It may sound callous, but it’s worth thinking carefully before deciding to bring a pet to South Korea. The procedures can be troublesome and stressful for pet and owner alike, and when your pet arrives, it is li
Foreigners in South Korea
Inside the Metropolitan Subway in Seoul. Photo © Sung Kuk Kim/123rf.
Unfortunately, much of South Korea’s contact with foreign nations has been of the negative variety. Most of the peninsula’s earliest exchanges were with neighboring China, which was alternately a rival and a “big brother” of sort
Air Quality and Other Environmental Factors in South Korea
At night, Seoul’s city lights shine through dust blown in from the Gobi desert. Photo © Abri le Roux, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Thanks to innovations such as natural-gas bus fleets, the designation of greenbelts, and tighter restrictions on factories, South Korea’s air quality h
Public Transportation and Taxis in Seoul, South Korea
Platform at Seoul Station. Photo © Luke Ma, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Seoul has developed one of the world’s most extensive and efficient public transportation networks, which makes bypassing the city’s hair-raising traffic a breeze. Consequently many expatriate residents never see th
Spend a Week in Seoul Before Moving to South Korea
In the heart of Bukchon Hanok Village, hanok, or traditional Korean homes, still exist in significant numbers. Photo © Gonil Moon/123rf.
South Korea is not a large country, and transportation is swift and efficient, making it easy to cover a lot of geographic ground in a very short period. To
The Geography and Weather of South Korea
South Korea’s mountains make for some inspiring scenery but also leave little land to cultivate or settle on. Photo © Maxim Tupikov/123rf.
South Korea consists of the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, which juts out from China’s northeast toward Japan’s southern islands. Flanked by
Festivals in South Korea: Cause for Celebration
Get muddy at the Boryeong Mud Festival! Photo © Jordi Sanchez Teruel, licensed Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike.
South Koreans never need much of an excuse for a party, and the country’s calendar is crammed with festivals celebrating historical events, esteemed local produce, and even
Learning to Speak Korean when Moving Abroad
Signs in Seoul’s Metropolitan Subway. Photo © Sung Kuk Kim/123rf.
We might as well get the bad news out of the way first: learning Korean is not easy. Experts rank the country’s national language right up there with head-scratchers like Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic in terms of the amou
Doing business & staying in touch while in South Korea
South Korea: Doing business & staying in touch
South Korea Weather, Climate and Geography
South Korea Weather, climate and geography
South Korea History, Language and Culture
South Korea History, Language and Culture
South Korea Travel Guide and Travel Information
South Korea Travel Guide
