Andong
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This has traditionally been the town of the aristocrats and the old
culture is valued here. Andong Folk Village and Folk Museum showcases the
relics of Korean culture. Restaurants here serve traditional food. To the
north of Andong is Dosan Seowon, the famous Confucian institute. To the west
is the Hahoe Maeul Folk Village. The Mask Dance Festival is held here every
autumn and if you are around do not miss it for any thing in the world.
Busan
Waterways have been the lifeline of civilization and Busan, the port city
and the second largest metropolis is absolutely indispensable to the
Koreans. A bird.s eye view of the city can be had from the Busan Tower in
Yongdusan Park. The U.N. Cemetery is one place that attracts a lot of
tourists. It is here that the fallen U.N. soldiers of the Korean War are
buried, some thousands of miles away from their homeland. Geumgand Park is
also a tourist attraction. The city is also a departure point for another
tourist hot spot, the Jeju Island.
 Crown
Hotel Busan 
The Crown Hotel is located in central Seomyeon, the symbolic place for
shopping and entertainment in Busan city. It is within easy reach of the
main railway station, other public transport and all major attractions. Also
it offers the best equipment and services for business and many tour
attractions in a relaxed and convenient space. The hotel is equipped with
105 rooms with modern facilities. All the rooms are decorated in Korean
style and provide the services for a successful trip in Busan, whether for
business or pleasure. |
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more hotels in Busan
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Jeju Island
Jeju, though only 100km off the mainland, seems to be a completely
different world altogether. It has got fantastic infrastructure in terms of
accommodation and other tourist facilities. It is a honeymooner.s delight.
Beautiful yellow flowers brighten the landscape and golden beaches are
alluring indeed. Coastal waterfalls plunging straight into the sea, hot
spring, fishing and scuba diving have become synonymous with Jeju. Folkcraft
and National Museum as well as Jeju Folk Village Museum are worth a visit.
The island also has the tallest mountain of the country, Mt. Hallasan. Do
not miss the impressive Crater Lake here.
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Hotels on Jeju
Island |
Last Minute Hotels Jeju |
 Pacific
Hotel Jeju
The Pacific's structure of the building is triangular, and
this modern hotel is set against the backdrop of nature's
beauty. Hotel provides one with spectacular views of Mt. Halla
and the blue ocean amidst the city. For the utmost comfort of
the guests, the staff strives to provide the best to its
visitors. The guestrooms at the hotel are all of a unique
variety. All the rooms lets one enjoy the splendour of Mt.
Halla, the magnificence of the sea, and the beauty of Jeju's
night scenes from the large windows in the comfort of ones
cosy room. |
Haeinsa
A ninth century Buddhist temple considered to be the holiest Korean
shrine lies amidst the eerie Gayasan National Park. The entire Buddhist
scriptures are printed on 81000 wooden blocks but this is out of reach of
the visitors who can only have a glimpse of it through the slatted window.
It has also a good hiking trail.
The capital city of South Korea is the political and economic nerve
center of Korea. This is a wonderful city where modern architecture is
harmoniously blended with ancient architecture. Modern skyscrapers of steel
and glass stand side by side painstakingly restored monument and palaces of
intricately designed stones making Seoul a sight to behold. The Summer
Palace is undoubtedly a remarkable piece of art and architecture.
Seoul is an intriguing city transforming itself from the Yi Dynasty
capital of the Hermit Kingdom to a major mover and shaker on the
international scene, especially in the field of commerce and sports. Nowhere
else is the Korean drive to come to terms with a turbulent and fractured
past so evident.
Despite its tall buildings and neon lights, Seoul offers the visitor a
wealth of cultural sights. The central city area is ringed with royal
palaces, and around the old city gates are enormous bustling markets.
Skyscrapers jostle with a maze of traditional-style Korean houses and inns.
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more hotels in Seoul >>
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Last Minute Hotels Seoul
| Hotels with Special Hot Deals
in Seoul |
 JW
Marriott Hotel Seoul
The super deluxe 34 story JW Marriott Hotel Seoul is ideally situated at
Central City, Korea's largest and most popular shopping, dining and
entertainment complex. The hotel is located in Kangnam, on Seoul's south
side, where major national and international corporations are headquartered
and just 30 minutes from the COEX Convention Centre. The JW Marriott boasts
the largest guest rooms in Seoul and the most comprehensive health club in
Asia, with a genuine European-style spa. A variety of restaurants and bars,
as well as a grand ballroom, meeting rooms, executive floors and business
centre make the hotel the logical choice for visitors to Seoul. |
Panmunjiom
Come here to visit the Demilitarized Zone. Walk into the Third Tunnel of
Aggression and stand on the Freedom Pavilion. From here the North Korean
soldiers can be seen peering back through binoculars. A meal in the
soldiers. mess hall or a drink in the officers. club can really be an
experience that you will not forget in a hurry. Troops here are always on
high alert and confrontations here are both common and lethal.
Gyeongbuk
formally known as Gyeongsanbuk-do, is one of Korea’s most intriguing
provinces by the East Sea, rich in culture and tradition, it was the old
homeland of the Silla Kingdom, from which it still retains much of its
heritage.
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Whilst
Daegu is the capital of the Gyeongbuk province nowadays, and the fourth
most visited city in Korea, it is Gyeongju in the far southeast that was the
old kingdom’s capital city.
The entire city is preserved as a historic site, so you can see old tombs
and things. The entire city is the historic site. It’s just like Rome!
Also 70% of the Gyeongbuk province is mountains, so it doesn’t have much in
the way of natural resources, but there is a lot of history.
Gyeongju National Park is also home of the first two UNESCO World Heritage
locations listed from Korea, the temple of Bulguksa and the grotto of
Seokguram. Aside from these sights, many other national treasures are found
in and around the area, like the old ruins of the old Hwangnyongsa temple
and the Mt Namsan vicinity.
Backed by the mountains and with the ocean in front, Gyeongbuk is truly rich
in natural and cultural wonders, and for those willing to get a little off
the beaten track, there are plenty of hideaways to discover in these
mountains.
Gyeongu
Once the capital of the Silla kingdom, the city has about 20 huge burial
tombs. The beautiful temple of Bulguksa is just outside the town. Seokguram
Grotto has exquisite stone image of Buddha. Hiring a boat to see the
underwater tomb of King Munmu, who wanted to become a dragon to protect his
subjects from invasions.
For 1000 years, up until the 10th century, Gyeongju was the capital of
the Silla dynasty. Nearly 1000 years later, Gyeongju is an open-air museum
masquerading as a small, provincial town littered with ancient rubble. Those
keen on Silla culture or archaeology will be in heaven, fossicking through
the remains of temples, tombs, shrines, palaces, pleasure gardens and
castles, but more ordinary folk will probably find Gyeongju only has a
day's-worth of entertainment.
In the centre of town, Tumuli Park is a huge walled area with 20 royal
tombs, one opened in cross section. Across the road from the park, the Noseo-dong
Tombs offer a chance to see more Silla burial sites, excavated in the 20th
century. A few hundred metres away, Cheomseongdae looks like a pile of rocks
but is actually one of the oldest observatories in East Asia. The pile of
rocks is a mathematical allegory for the days and months of the year.
The crowning glory of Silla temple architecture is Bulguksa, a
magnificent temple built on a series of stone terraces about 16km (10mi)
from the town. The eaves and internal painting of this gorgeous temple are
one of the artistic highlights of Asia. Stand on the highest level of the
temple and you'll look down over a rolling sea of tiles. High above the
temple, a seated Buddha (usually crawling with tourists) gazes over Gyeongju
from Seokguram Grotto. There are plenty of places to stay in Gyeongju, from
backpacker-friendly hostels to super-deluxe casino hotels, and a similarly
large range of places to eat. |
Seoraksan National Park
Top of the charts in the Korean national park scene, Seoraksan is
spectacular. Near the DMZ on the east coast, this is a land of high craggy
peaks, lush forests, tremendous waterfalls, boulder-strewn white water
rivers, beaches and ancient temples. Autumn is the best time to visit, when
the changing leaves make the mountains a riot of colour.
Being so gorgeous, the park is, of course, outrageously popular - don't
expect a solitary wilderness experience. The best way to escape the crush is
to carry a tent and hike for a few days into Inner Seorak, in the west of
the park. For those who prefer a quick fix of nature with a dash of luxury,
try the Osaek Hot Springs in South Seorak. Those with oversized lungs and
stretchy hamstrings will doubtless enjoy a hike up Daecheonbong, the park's
highest mountain, while the more sedentary can catch a cable car to the top
of Gwongeumseong: all the views, none of the pain.
Most of the park's accommodation, including camping, is at Osaek Springs
and Seorak-dong (in Outer Seorak), and this is where the crowds accumulate.
If you want to stay in quieter Inner Seorak you'll probably need to carry a
tent, but if you don't have one you can rough it in the park's few shelters.
Direct buses run between Seoul and Seorak-dong. |
