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Travel South Korea V6, Seoul & Everything Korean

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TSmunkeyflo
post Sep 24 2016, 07:08 PM, updated 9y ago

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Continue from V1 : https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/369047
V2 : https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1780940
V3: https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2230726
V4: https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2750531
V5: https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3081345

Link to Korea Tourist Website:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto

More info & even learning Korean from:

Korea Plaza
Ground Flr, Menara Hap Seng (Formerly MUI Plaza)
Jalan P Ramlee KL
Tel: 03-20722515
24hr info: Dial 1330
email: klkoreanplaza@gmail.com
Business Hours: 9Am -6PM

Learning Korean/ Hangul: http://language.snu.ac.kr/site/kr/klec/cli...orean/index.jsp or http://korean.sogang.ac.kr/

Getting to Seoul from Airport

http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/GK/GK_EN_2_2_2_3.jsp

More options & Combi AREX/MRT: http://english.arex.or.kr/jsp/eng/index.jsp
user posted image


Metro maps:

user posted image
MRT route planning (Very usefull tool. http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/station/eng/linemap.action

English Reference maps of South korea (better than Googlemaps) : http://emap.visitkorea.or.kr/Scripts/EngMap.aspx

T-Money - Seoul Touch & Go card
QUOTE
T-money Card
The T-money Card can be used for local buses and subways in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi-do area. By using T-money, you can get a 100-won discount off the basic cash fare. It provides you with even more of a discount when making transfers. Perhaps the biggest benefit of this particular card is that it allows you to avoid the hassle of buying tickets, and the balance on the card minus 500 won can be refunded at any time during its use. T-money is a pre-paid card and the card price is 2,500 won. Users of the T-money card can get mileage points, which can be converted into T-money.

Card price : 2,500 won.
Vendors : Nearly all convenience stores, including GS25, and subway ticket booths.
Use : To pay fares for buses and subways in the Seoul and Gyeonggi area and build mileage points based on the total of fares paid. The mileage can be used to pay fares later on. To do so, the 16-digit number printed on the back of the card needs to be registered at www.t-money.co.kr.
Recharging locations : Vendor locations Refund locations : GS25 convenience store

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TR/TR_EN_5_4.jsp
Discounted limousine bus from airport

QUOTE(Adeline0413 @ Sep 2 2011, 07:04 PM)
Discount .... Discount .... Discount !!!

Who likes to travel within Seoul with FREE local transportation (i.e. free subway, free bus, sorry, tourist bus is not consider under transportation cool2.gif )

Ok, blessed are those traveling within the month of Aug & Sept 2011, for KTO is willing to offer FREE transportation money!
‘Korea Pass’ Event

☞ Description: Buy a Korea Pass card at one of the 11 sales locations, and automatically receive 10,000 won that can be used for transportation fees
※ Each person may purchase up to 2 Korea Pass cards.
※ Money can be added to the Korea Pass card balance at recharge machines located in subway stations.

☞ Period: August 1-September 30, 2011

☞ Sales Locations
 - INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: Hana Bank Currency Exchange Counter (B1-1F),
                                                            Airport Railroad Station Information Desk (B1-1F)
 - GIMPO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: Hana Bank Currency Exchange Counter (2F),
                                                        Airport Railroad Station Information Desk (B1)
 - SEOUL STATION: Airport Railroad Station Information Desk (B3)

☞ 1300 tt call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Korea Pass homepage: www.koreapass.or.kr/en
☞ Additional information on Korea Pass (English)

For strange reason, this is not show in koreapass website, but on KTO website, and this is widely discussed and got people excited at other travel forums too

Well, this is a special promotion for new sales counter, so you can ONLY get your free transportation fee reloaded into your card at the Incheon airport, Gimpo airport and Seoul station only.

If you get your KR pass in other outlets, there will be NO FREE transportation KRW 10,000 (this is almost RM30, and I worked out, if you are on backpack, this will easily means you get 4~5 days FREE subway tour)  rclxm9.gif

By the way KR pass is similar to a debit card, you can use at various shops, food outlets, tourist entrance fee, lodging, and don't forget, for those who is going to SHOP at Lotte, every KRW 50,000 you get KRW 5,000 discount.  rclxub.gif  Just remember to insist on the discount booklets that comes together.

From other forum, some of the vendor is really insisting to have the coupons AND the card before giving you the discounts, some not so fussy but there are people who are .... so let's just get it, and have fun at Seoul ^^
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «


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Useful Travelogues/tips from this thread:

ycl90: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=34152729

Huiyin_hsu: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=34223631

Fazdrock: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=34333642

zstan Seoul trip: http://zhishan90.blogspot.com/2010/11/seou...to-incheon.html

aeiou228 - Nami island: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=38009685

Korea Tour Agents/Guides mentioned in this thread:

http://www.seoulcitytour.net/English/eng_menu_02_02.html
http://www.tiktourservice.com/tour/?c_id=8
http://english.triptokorea.com/english/viewforum.php?f=441



Locations of famous attractions (Wikimapia images):

Gyeongbokgung - Palace http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5790044&lon=1...=b&search=seoul
Changdeokgung - Palace http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5800247&lon=1...=b&search=seoul
Changgyeonggung - Palace http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5789874&lon=1...=b&search=seoul
Deoksugung - Palace http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5656879&lon=1...04&z=16&l=0&m=b
Gyeonghuigung - Palace http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5709774&lon=1...02&z=16&l=0&m=b
Dongdaemun gate - http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.57119&lon=127...=b&search=seoul
Namdaemun Gate - http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5600026&lon=1...earch=namdaemun
Insa-Dong art market (Area) http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5738005&lon=1...rch=insa%20dong
Myeong-Dong Shopping area: http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5628644&lon=1...99&z=16&l=0&m=b
Cheonggyecheon Stream (Rehabilitated stream) http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5688557&lon=1...=Cheonggyecheon
Rodeo Street & Garak Wholesale market - http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.4942689&lon=1...yangin%20market
Naryangin Market: http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5150703&lon=1...39&z=14&l=0&m=b
Jongmyo Shrine http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5734264&lon=1...96&z=16&l=0&m=b
King Seongjong royal tomb park http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5089918&lon=1...ch=royal%20tomb
Donggureung Royal Tomb (The largest & 2009 Unesco list) - http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.6206222&lon=1...m=b&search=guri
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (1997 Unseco list) http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.2777067&lon=1...eong%20fortress
Suwon Haenggung palace (Inside Hwaseong Fortress) http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.2594694&lon=1...=folk%20village
Korean Folk Village (Suwon) http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.2594694&lon=1...=folk%20village
Namiseom (Winter Sonata) - http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.79154&lon=127...search=namiseom
DMZ -JSA Pamunjom (North Korea) - http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.9563801&lon=1...&m=b&search=DMZ
COEX Mall - http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.512296&lon=12...m=b&search=coex
Lotte World: http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.5110535&lon=1...=b&search=lotte
Everland: http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.289822&lon=12...search=everland
Mt Sorak (area only. Not sure where is teh ski resort)- http://wikimapia.org/#lat=38.1615561&lon=1...=b&search=sorak
Yongpyong Ski Resort http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.643937&lon=12...ch=ski%20resort
Muju Ski Resort: http://wikimapia.org/#lat=35.892666&lon=12...ch=ski%20resort
Elysian Ganchon Ski resort (Near Nami Island): http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.8210396&lon=1...75&z=14&l=0&m=b
Jisan Ski Resort (Near to Seoul) - http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.2150188&lon=1...forest%20resort
Konjiam Ski Resort (Near to Seoul) http://wikimapia.org/#lat=37.3324945&lon=1...m=b&search=muju


Additional readings/blogs about Korea travelogues

http://chrisinsouthkorea.blogspot.com/2010...-seoul-and.html
http://bredainkorea.blogspot.com/2010/07/a...-itinerary.html


Seoul Weather chart
user posted image

Money Changers Exchange Rate in Korea Vs Malaysia:

http://www.visitseoul.net/en/info/exchange...4007002007&p=07

http://www.moneymaster.com.my/

The rate offered by Shinhan Bank is marked to the market compare to the inflated rate in Malaysia as above. However changing at Incheon airport is not really cheap and thus, it is recommended to either change abit of won in M'sia & thereafter decide to withdraw via ATM there (Citibank card no proble. Maybank - Having problem there) or change from US$ to Won at those money changers downtown (nandaemun Myeongdong or Dongdaemun)

Budget Hotels/Hostel:

http://innostel.visitseoul.net/en/

http://www.agoda.com/asia/south_korea/seoul.html - Warning for those using slower Internet -This site is very heavy

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-gb...order=class_asc

Tips/Warning

- ALL of the restaurants, GST refund & duty free shops @ Incheon airport SATELLITE building close at 9:30pm. However there are 24 hours KFC & MC Donald at Ctr court Arrival Hall (Level 1) Therefore please do not enter the departure hall to early..Go for the last dinner at McD & KFC st - the pricing is exactly like Seoul downturn! thumbup.gif
- https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1651834
- Phone rental:

QUOTE(aeiou228 @ Nov 23 2010, 08:21 AM)
I rented 2 phones from KT SHOW (2000w /day) and it comes with a FREE T-money chip each phone. Just top up at the convenient store and you are good to go. The Iphone is FREE rental if you answer some questionnaires upon returning the phone. Iphone doesn't come with T-Money but the plus point is it has GPS with Google map.
I recommend to rent 2 phones because you can split the group to two in shopping complexes and save a lot of time.
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Halal Food & Mosque ~ Seoul

QUOTE(Listiani)
I list down several halal makan place for our Muslims friends which mostly in Itaewon area:

Ssalam - Turkish dish
Mister Kebab - Turkish dish
Salam Bakery - Turkish bread/pastries
Dubai - Arab dish
Wazwan - Indian dish
Marrakech Night - Moroccon dish
Petra - Arab dish
Ali Baba - Egyptian dish
Alsaba - Pakistan dish
Muslim Mart - Supermarket selling groceries

Myeongdeong area
Myeongdong Andong Jjimdak & Bulgogi
Location: Myeongdong Station Exit 6 -2nd lane opposite Binsbean Cafe

Mr Pizza
Myeongdong Station Exit 6 - 2nd lane (selling seafood and vegan pizza)

Yukaney
Myeongdong Station Exit 7 - From Myeongdong main road straight to the junction until u see Nature Republic on the left. Turn right and then straight until you reach left junction. You can see Yukaney's signboard

Kebab at Namdaemun
Hoehyeon Station Exit 6 - u can see the shop from the main road

Dongdaemun
Jeonju Sikdang or Ikan Bakar
Dongdamun Station Exit 8 - walk straight until u see Daemyong building. Turn right and then turn left to the 2nd alley

Nami Island
Cafe Yeonga Jiga (Cafe Drama). This cafe located between Nami Historium and Winter Sonata Gallery.


Mosque
Seoul Central Mosque, Hannam dong, 732-21, Yongsan gu Seoul
www.koreaislam.org

Gyeonggi Gwangju Mosque
Yeogni,48-9, Gwangjus eup,Gwangju gun, Gyeongi Do

Daegu Mosque
Jamia Masjid Uthman Islam Centre Jukjeon dong,202-6,  Dalseo gu Daegu

Busan Mosque
Namsan dong, 30-1, Geumjeong gu Busan

Jeju Mosque
Daelim Apartment, 104-201,  Yeong dong, Jeju
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Phone Renting
QUOTE(aeiou228 @ Oct 4 2010, 07:49 PM)
If you rent a local Korea phone, the rates are:

-Rental Fee: VisitKorea member special rate - 1,700won/day
-Domestic call rates:90 won (0.07 USD)/10sec
-Charged by the airtime used
USA - 720 won (0.59 USD)/min
China - 960 won (0.78 USD)/min
Japan - 864 won (0.70 USD)/min
Calling Malaysia number should be <1000 won/min

The most cost efficient way for 4 person is

Rent 2 sets of call forwarding DID and 2 sets of Korea number. ie
Two person share one set each.

With this arrangement, you can split to two groups during shopping in complex without fear of missing. Korea to Korea domestic call is 90won/10sec.
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Nice Smartphone App for Travel to S Korea:

QUOTE(anechoic @ Nov 23 2011, 03:08 PM)
I used these 2 Android Apps which I believe available for Iphone as well. Really help me during my trip.

Jihachul.

Korea subway on your phone, good for checking subway routes, distance and time taken. Not only Seoul, but Busan and other Korea cities as well.
I Tour Seoul

Basically an informative app which contains lots of info about Seoul, shows you how which subway station to reach a particular place.
Another app called Trip It, basically a travel app that allows you key in your itenary so you can easily refer on the phone. Sync with your flight itenaries as well. No need to carry so many papers to refer for flight info. biggrin.gif

Trip It
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Info of Jeju Island by yvonnsoo thumbup.gif

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

TSmunkeyflo
post Sep 24 2016, 07:09 PM

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From: On the beach


QUOTE(IVL @ Sep 19 2016, 11:03 PM)
Thanks luvjim for sharing your experience.

I'm looking to book guesthouse via airbnb. I'm going to Jeju (3d2n), morning arriving 10am, night departing 920pm.

Intended to stay 1 night at Namwon-eup, Seogwipo & another night at Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo. Is it alright? Or it is advisable to stay a night at Jeju-Si and another night at Seongsan-eup?

Thankss!
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QUOTE(luvjim @ Sep 20 2016, 10:09 AM)
For my experience, I went to East and West from Jeju-Si. Ya, I stay at Jeju-Si only.
The travel time from here to East/West each about 1.5 hour or less.

Jeju-Si has more shops and stalls open during night time while Seogwipo is already silence around 8pm.
I didn't go to Namwon-eup, so can't comment it ya.

After all it still depends on which place you gonna visit. Mind to tell your itinerary at Jeju?

Even though below show from Jeju-Si to East/West so far away from each other...actually driving time is around 1.5hour only.
[attachmentid=7567252]
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QUOTE(yvonnesoo @ Sep 20 2016, 02:39 PM)
it comes with both korean and english navigation. both reservation also can use
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QUOTE(dinozilla @ Sep 24 2016, 07:05 AM)
When i book my flight from EastarJet....spotted car rental page offer associated with EastarJet at bottom...
price not bad also...so end up i book through there
http://www.rentalcars.com
price from ordinary link looks more pricy...
but if i click the link from eastar jet...rate looks more reasonable...
its actually a compilation of all the rental companies....
so i took AJ Rent A Car....lol
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Please continue your discussions here. Thanks.
TSmunkeyflo
post Sep 25 2016, 05:51 AM

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From: On the beach


QUOTE(lucifer93 @ Sep 24 2016, 07:22 PM)
Need some info. I'm going over next two weeks.
Would like to ask where should I obtain data connection when I'm at there. It will be used for GPS and normal surfing.
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Seoul?
Get a pocket wifi. During my trip there, my Airbnb host provided pocket wifi for us.
TSmunkeyflo
post Sep 27 2016, 06:19 AM

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From: On the beach


QUOTE(imran85 @ Sep 26 2016, 05:57 PM)
@lucifer93 if you want a simcard u need to get it online within a a certain number of days before you go. If not they wont allow you to purchase as you have to let them clear your name and register. They are very particular about this. Mine got blocked half way as they found my sim was registered on a passport of someone else who hasnt arrived yet (honest mistake I hope).  If possible follow like @munkeyflo and get pocket wifi from here and find air bnb that offers pocket wifi (though battery life.. errr).
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Yea carry extra portable charger sweat.gif
TSmunkeyflo
post Oct 11 2017, 12:36 PM

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QUOTE(darkhunter16 @ Oct 11 2017, 12:09 AM)
Can you suggest where are the good places to visit in Jeju island for 2 days trip?

Probably, i will rent a car but never experience driving on the left hand side. XD
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1. Please ask questions in dedicated destination thread. Search the subforum before asking anything. Do your own research first (search bar and google is your best friend) and don't open new thread unless there's a very good valid reason to do so.

2. Jeju 2 days not enough. I did 4d3n and I find it not enough too. I stayed at different place every night to save time on moving from one point to another, but it's definitely not enough. Want to hike up Hallasan mountain but no time.

3. You will need to rent a car to move around.

4. It's not that difficult to drive on the left side of the road, especially if you're generally a pretty good and attentive driver. You'll definitely need to be more alert and focus but it's not that difficult.
TSmunkeyflo
post Oct 12 2017, 11:54 AM

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QUOTE(darkhunter16 @ Oct 11 2017, 11:29 PM)
Please mind your words.

I am getting 2nd opinion here and it does not mean i have not done research. I think before you question someone it's better to gauge yourself.

Anyway, thanks for your feedbacks which are just common sense biggrin.gif
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This is the FIRST RULE of this subforum. SEARCH before you start a new thread.
Read other people previous posts on existing threads before you post anything.

If this was the previous Japan thread, you'd be so frustrated already lol.
Here's a link to the R&R just in case you didn't know how to use the search button: https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/272742

 

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