Destination: Dongtan (Hwaseong city, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea)

Who would’ve thought a staircase could look so fancy? Take the subway well south of Seoul. When you’re not quite sure where you are relative to the capital city, get off. Once you’ve arrived, go past the huge bus stop where precisely two small buses...

Destination: Yongmunsa – a Buddhist temple with a 1,100 year-old tree (Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea)

Not to be confused with the surrounding Yongmunsan Resort (용문산관광지), Yongmunsa offers a thousand-year-old tree just outside of a temple founded as the Silla dynasty was ending. It seems a bit disingenuous to put an amusement park right next to a Buddhist temple, but...

Destination: Yungneung and Geolleung – two Joseon Dynasty tombs worth exploring (Suwon area, Gyeonggi-do)

He spent several days forcibly locked in a rice box before finally dying. Born Crown Prince Jangheon, his father allowed him to manage the affairs of the state because of his smarts. Although he was never actually king, he was the victim of a political conspiracy from...

Destination: Yongjusa – a colorful Buddhist temple (Hwaseong city, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea)

This deva carries the pagoda in one hand and a deadly weapon in the other — bow to all four, including 다문천왕 (deo-mun-cheon-wang) before passing through. Yongjusa (용주사, 龍珠寺) is unique among Korean temples for having a 홍살문 (hong-sal-mun), or a gate typically found at...

Destination: Siloam sauna (Seoul, South Korea)

After a recent post about jimjilbang, I was informed of another excellent place worth checking out. Two trips later, I’m happy to say this is a place I’ll be headed back to a third time. Located within walking distance of Seoul Station, it’s a great place to crash if...

Destination: Guryongsa / Chiaksan National Park (Wonju city, Gangwon-do, South Korea)

Called ‘the weekend gateway for residents of the Seoul Metropolitan Area’, Chiaksan National Park covers 181 square kilometers just east of Wonju. The focus here is on Guryongsa, the temple inside the park. Literally ‘Nine Dragon Temple’,...

Destination: Gossi cave (Gangwon-do, South Korea)

Just a few of the beautiful fall colors along the way. My friend Rob from fellow K-blog Roboseyo was kind enough to include me on his recent Gangwon-do trip. After our excursion to Jangneung and nearby Bodeoksa, we found our way to Gossi cave (고씨 동굴, or Go-sshi...

Destination: Seoul Lantern Festival (2010)

UPDATED 14 Nov 2010 – the festival has been extended until November 21st. CORRECTED x2 9 Nov 2010 – thanks to Andrew in the comments for additional information. CORRECTED 8 Nov 2010 – thanks to Sara Sonsaengnim in the comments for additional...

Destination: Jangneung and Bodeoksa – some offbeat travels in Gangwon-do, South Korea

Above — built in 1973, this pavilion celebrates Park Chung-won — the magistrate of Yeongwol county in 1541 who had a vision to rebuild the tomb and hold memorial services. Just like the other Joseon Dynasty tombs in Korea, this site is a UNESCO World Heritage. My...

Destination: Seoul Zombie Walk / Halloween in Hongdae (2010)

Hongdae may well be the perfect place for Halloween in Korea. The scene is already set – clubs and bars are open until 6am, and the locals come dressed and prepared to stay out late. The Lady in Red and I did not start in Hongdae, however. Instead, we met up at...