About the trip

What I know about South Korea before this trip is its tense political relation with the communist North, Zen Buddhism (a.k.a. Seon), the weird undecipherable Korean alphabets, the hip hop trend from K Pop and some vague impressions from drama shows. To prepare for the trip, I had to familiarize myself with the relative geographical locations of the 8 provinces and an outlying island, and anticipate the interesting treasures they contain.

Though I didn't expect to be educated on the history of Korea before the 1950 Korean War, I was given occasional lectures. The places of interests I visited further provided exact evidence on the presence of some lost Kingdoms and fallen Dynasties. Korea, like China today, has developed way beyond its painful past and trying not to further distance itself from its heritage.

Why Seoul-searching? Or sole-searching?

Seoul was the last city in the itinerary. Being the event host of the 1988 Olympic Games was the last glamorous thing about this capital before World Cup 2002. Else, I could only register images of riots and demonstrations on news TV, and well-dressed couples walking past modern shop fronts in drama serials.

The trip offered more than feeding information on the country and its long way since pre-historic times. If you wish to know why SARs did not bother this country, why Korean alphabets still exist, why Seoul has palaces like China and why this place is so sickeningly homogeneous, the answers will arise in less than 7 days. 

I must say Korea is an advanced metropolis, technologically and culturally. Even the clean walkways gain the respect of my SOLE.

Itinerary

The 7-day experience showed an abundance of Korea's heritage treasures, Buddhist remains, scenic sights, folk cultures and upbeat modern lifestyle. Throughout the short and hasty trip, I had practically set my eyes across the country's major axis either by air, bus or foot, and I call this a rare achievement.

Day 1 [13th Jul, Sun] sunny

• Singapore Changi Airport-> Seoul Incheon International Airport via KE642 at 2235hrs

 

Day 2 [14th Jul, Mon] sunny then overcast, cool

• Seoul Gimpo Airport-> Jeju-do via domestic flight KE1213 at 0835hrs
• Yongduam (Dragon Head Rock)
• Songsan Ilchulbaong (Sunrise Peak)
• Jeju Folk Village
• Jeongbang Falls
• Seowipo World Cup Stadium
• Mystery Road
• Tapdong Street
• Jeju Pacific Hotel

 

Day 3 [15th Jul, Tue] cloudy, cool

• Jeju Airport -> Gimhae Airport via KE1002 at 0830hrs
• Gwongan Bridge, Busan
• Haeundae Beach, Busan
• Busan-> Gyeongju,  by bus for 1.5 hrs
• Chomsongdae Observatory, Gyeongju
• Gyeongju National Museum, Gyeongju
• Bulgak-sa, Gyeongju
• Pumum Lake, Gyeongju
• Kolon Hotel

 

Day 4 [16th Jul, Wed] sunny then cloudy, cool

• Gyeongju -> Everland in Yongin by bus for 5 hrs in the morning
• Everland -> Yong Pyong Resort by bus for 2 hrs at night
• Yong Pyong Resort

 

Day 5 [17th Jul, Thu, Korea's Constitution Day] cloudy, cool

• Gondola ride to mountain peak at Yong Pyong Resort
• Myeongdong Street, Chuncheon
• Nami Island, Chuncheon
• Chuncheong -> Seoul by bus for 2 hrs in evening
• Koreana Hotel

 

Day 6 [18th Jul, Fri] rainy with winds, cool

• Cheong Wa Dae (The Blue House) and a small museum
• Mt Bugaksan
• National Folk Museum
• Gyeongbok Palace
• Dongdaemum
• Sheraton Walker Hill

 

Day 7 [19th Jul, Sat] cloudy, cool

• Sinchon Street
• Seoul Incheon International Airport -> Singapore Changi Airport via KE641 at 1540hrs

 

References

• Colorful pictures --- >Insight Guides: Korea
• Informative coverage ---> Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO) Official Site: http://english.tour2korea.com/
• Excellent supplements ---> Guide Maps and brochures available at any Korea's Tourist Information Counters