Index
See also separate indexes for Eating p 194 , Entertainment p 194 , Sh p 2 95 . Sea World Aquarium 5 Sejong Gallery 52 Sejong University Seonnongdan 62-3 Seoul Arts Centre 65, 1 Museum 65 Seoul Fringe Festival 9 Seoul Grand Park 65-6 Seoul International Cartoon amp Animatioi festival 9 Seoul Land Amusemen History 52 Seoul Net amp Film Festiv Seoul Olympic Art Museum 60 Seoul Racecourse 113, Seoul Science Park 80 Seoul Tower 56, 81, 80 shamanism 12-13, 79 ceremonies 79, 80 festivals 9 shrines 79...
Muuido
Muuido is a hilly green island with little development up to now. The Jamjindo ferry drops you off at Keunmuri wharf on Muuido where you can catch the local bus to Hanagae beach, the best on the island. It has plenty of golden sand, a handful of seafood restaurants and a hundred very basic beach huts under the pine trees or on the beach. The chalet-style house on the beach is a film set built for the Korean TV drama Stairway to Heaven. Just beyond it is the start of a 2.5km hike through dense...
Noraebang
Seoul has thousands of noraebang, where friends and work colleagues sing along to well-known songs, including ones in English. Every Seoulite seems to sing well, and many can sing in English better than they speak it. Most noraebang open from 2pm to 2am and prices start at around W 15,000 an hour, although luxury ones cost more. No alcohol is served, but a few have hostesses to help patrons have a good time by holding their hand and singing a duet with them, and applauding enthusiastically...
Myeongdong Guesthouse
755 5437 bravoinn yahoo.co.kr r W30,000-50,000 subway Line 4 to Myeong-dong, Exit 2 Q Retired English-speaking bank manager Mr Park will take care of you in his clean and tidy budget guesthouse that is tucked away on a quiet road. The 19 rooms in this converted motel vary and, though small, have all the usual facilities plus free Internet and laundry. It can fill up with young Asian tourists who love the nearby Myeong-dong shopping.
World Cup Stadium Mall
SS 2128 2002 subway Line 6 to World Cup Stadium, Exit 1 Costing US 151 million, the spectacular 64,000-seat World Cup Stadium was built to stage the opening ceremony and some of the matches of the 2002 World Cup soccer finals, which Korea cohosted with Japan. Under the stadium is CGV 1544 1122 , a five-screen cinema multiplex that shows films from 10am to after midnight. Also in the mall are lots of small shops, a food court meals W3000-9000 , Starbucks drinks W4000 and Carrefour S...
I Dobongsan Hike
This is the most popular hike and is easy to reach as it is within walking distance of the subway station. The hike is cool and shady but moderate fitness is required. Take subway Line 1 or 7 north to Dobongsan station don't get off at the previous station, Dobong . Follow the nattily dressed Korean hikers across the main road and up through the long lines of hiking-equipment shops and food stalls. The best restaurants are near the ticket office under the trees and overlooking a stream, and...
Changing Money
You can use US dollars on American military bases, including the United Service Organizations USO , at Panmunjeom on the Demilitarized Zone DMZ tour, at duty-free shops, and in some tourist shops in Itaewon, but otherwise you will need Korean won. Duty-free shops also accept Japanese yen and some other foreign currencies. Many banks in Seoul offer a foreign-exchange service and there are licensed moneychangers, particularly in Itaewon, that keep longer hours than the banks and provide a faster...
HOTEL SUNSHINE Map pHotel
5411818 www.hotelsunshine.co.kr cnr Dosandaero amp Nonhyeonno rW115,000 subway Line 3 to Hak-dong, Exit 8 Q Rooms, decked out in white and neutral tones, are on the small side but are pleasant enough. This friendly, unpretentious hotel on the fringe of upscale Apgujeong has a relaxing restaurant and coffee shop, and the corridors are light and even smell nice. Ask for a 30 discount. VILLE Map p211 Long-term Apartments 549 4999 no English Hakdongno per month W1.7m minimum 2 months subway Line 7...
Examination Hell
It's not just recently that Korean students have had to study 12 hours or more every day to squeeze themselves into a high-status job. In the past yangban aristocratic sons had to torture their brains learning Chinese characters and memorising Confucian classics in order to pass through the very narrow gwageo gate, the examination that gave them access to the all-important government jobs. From over 10,000 hopefuls, only the top 30 or so were offered high-ranking posts. The kings took a...
Bukchn Hanok Experience
Anguk Guesthouse Map pp202 3 736 8304 www.angukhouse.com off Byeolgunggil s d tw f W40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 subway Line 3 to Anguk, Exit 1 B Soak up the historical atmosphere in this hanok with gorgeous varnished wood that nevertheless has all mod cons-every room has its own toilet and shower as well as a computer. This excellent choice has a young owner who speaks English, and beds rather than yo mattresses are supplied. Guests can use the kitchen and washing machine, and the simple...
Euljiro Coop Residence
Map pp200-1 Serviced Apartments 2269 4600 http rent.co-op.co.kr studio ind tax amp service W84,700 subway Line 2,4 or 5 to Dongdaemun, Exit 12 Q These small but cute ultra-modern studio apartments have wafer-thin TVs and tiny shower rooms. All the studios are clean, bright and stylish - perfect if you don't need a lot of elbow room, especially when the price drops to W58,000. You can make your own breakfast or cook up a meal in the kitchen. A simple business centre, exercise room and...
NAKWON MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ARCADE Map pMusical Instruments
924 0604 S 9am-8pm Mon-Sat subway Line 1 amp 5to Jongno3-ga, Exit 5 On the 2nd floor are 200 small shops that sell all kinds of musical instruments and equipment. Local musicians may put on impromptu shows as they choose their instruments. Be careful about fakes. SSAMZIEGIL Map p205 Handicraft Complex Insadong-gil S lOam-IOpm subway Line 3 to Anguk, Exit 6 This stylish new three-floor complex is packed with small arty-crafty shops, has a mini vineyard on the roof and a cool restaurant in the...
Sinchon Yeouido 1
323 6385 S 7pm-3am subway Line 2 to Sinchon, Exit 2 An enviable record collection of over 10,000 LPs fills a wall in this basement log cabin 'old music bar' where beers cost W3500. The host is laid-back and the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing. 332 3831 S 6.30pm-2am subway Line 2 to Sinchon, Exit 2 Young couples are attracted to this bar, which has a romantic ambience with comfortable chairs around tables that are adorned with flickering candles, while soft jazz plays moodily in the...
Daehangno
Diners are spoilt for choice in this youthful entertainment district with lots of outdoor seating in summer. 3676 6981 meals W11,000 S 11am-midnight subway Line 4 to Hyehwa, Exit 1 or 2 A popular jjimdak restaurant with paper lanterns and Zen-style d cor that offers large platters of freshly cooked chicken pieces, potatoes, carrots and onions on top of noodles and a sauce with a kick. You need two people for this party food, no kimchi side dishes are served, and you have to wait while it's...
Im
French Embassy ItiCHA 16 B4 Cheongdaemun amp Cinemas o nr 9 E3 E3 Hotel Rainbow IS l JS 14 B6 French Embassy ItiCHA 16 B4 E2 G3 E3 Cheongwadae SSJCH 6 B1 C4 Heunghwamungsl 8 A6 G5 Ei Bi2DlfiHtSai 10 E3 B4 H5 Sejong Gallery A1IS JSa 1 14 B5 A6 A6 Chilgapsan SStl 19 C5 Hoejeonchobap si see 22 20 D2 JilsiruTteokCaf SAI 21 F4 B5 B6 sss aiHias 24 C2 Solmoemaeul IEIDIS 25 D2 Tony Roma's SLIlDt see 17 Witch's Table iia giOia 26 B6 27 Buck Mulligan's angaia-i 27 C6 Cine Cube Ml MISS see 17 Arts...
Cheap Sleeps 1
764 6353 r Mon-Fri W40,000, Sat amp Sun W50,000 subway Line 1 to Jongno 3-ga, Exit 1 Q Looking for a love nest If circular beds and starry skies painted on the ceiling turn you on then stay at this love motel, with its space-age exterior. It's near Tapgol Park, set amidst a medley of love motels that have plastic drapes screening their guests' cars and number plates. It has a lift to conserve your energy, and a room with a computer costs no extra. MOTEL SARANGBANG Map p205 Motel 733 3033 r...
Gwanghwa Motel
738 0751 r W38,000 subway Line 5 to Gwanghwamun, Exit 7 The helpful owner speaks a little English and takes great pride in her motel where rooms and bathrooms are immaculate and larger than most. The 31 rooms all vary so look around a few if you are choosy. A few, such as room 205, have a touch of class with ornate furniture similar to the luxury Lotte Hotel. A bagel breakfast awaits just over the road at Witch's Table and a supermarket is next door. JONGNOWON MOTEL Map p205 Motel 763 4249...