South Korea: Are Asia-Bound Tourists Visiting There?

Hi,

Hi again,

I hope I did not phrase my question wrong. Simply put, although South Korea is literally right between China and Japan, it seems like most tourists fly right over it and don’t bother to make the stop. If I have the right understanding, then why is it like this? Does South Korea not have the vibrancy of Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai or the visual history of Beijing or the edo-looking and pretty towns of Kurashiki? Something with the nature?

Well, Korea is not exactly a budget destination. So I think that's why a lot of backpackers skip it. Money is better spent in SE Asia or China. There are a lot of foreign teachers that live in South Korea though.

The few people I've talked to who have visited Korea didn't really talk it up much to me. They told me it's perhaps worth visiting for a week. I live in China, and I guess I rather just visit more places in China or SE Asia then drop $1000 to visit Korea for a week.

I think Japan, China, and SE Asia all offer a large variety of places to visit. South Korea is a small country, which could be part of the problem. It doesn't offer as much in terms of regional varieties in architecture, food, scenary, etc. Of course, I could be wrong about that, considering I've never been there myself. I can only go off of what I've heard!

Greekness,

FYI Rough Guides finally published a guidebook on Korea--it was released in July 2008. It covers both Koreas.

Actually I am in Korea right now travelling with my husband. I've done some travelling in South-East Asia before, and I agree with the previous poster's comments--your dollars do go a long way there-- but when compared to a country like Japan or Canada, it is relatively inexpensive.

I'm enjoying my time here immensely. We made a short detour to Beijing (we went to go see my husband's nephew compete in the Paralympics) and I had to admit that while the sights were wonderful, I wasn't all that impressed with the city. Prices at the markets were ridiculous (it took a lot of haggling to get even realistic prices for goods) and there were lots of pushy sellers/touts/merchants abound. Maybe it's because the Olympics are on, but still, I found people there are not as friendly when compared to Korea.

I enjoy the fact that everyone here on Korea is so friendly and that the violent crime rate is low. The focus of our trip is hiking (I love the fact that one can easily access with public transit, and the hikes themselves are very rewarding, although crowded) and scuba diving. Along the way we've also been checking out the other attractions like temples, folk villages--stuff that might be interesting to tourists.

Finally, Korea does not have to be a stand alone trip because it is isolated from mainland Asia--there are ferries that run to/from Russia, China and Japan on a regular basis. They are reasonably priced, so there is no reason why Korea shouldn't be excluded from one's itinerary.

That's my two cents on the subject, I hope you decide to come check it out.

Hi,

I have been an English teacher in Seoul for over 4 years now. After backpacking for 2 years the money had run dry, and a friend recommended Korea for teaching. Well, i'm still here (but leaving for 6 months in South America very soon!).

Korea still seems to be a country which doesn't get many travellers. Partly I guess because of it's geography - being a peninsular and cut off from main land Asia by its impassable northern neighbour.

Other reasons are because of price and a lack of tourist infrastructure. This is slowly changing, but in my time here it is has been rare to meet backpackers or travellers. Also, many people simply don't know much about this country, it kind of slips under the radar. Before I got here the only thing I knew was the 88 Olympics, and the 2002 World Cup.

I'd say that 90 percent of English teachers here in Seoul would be in Tokyo if they could save as much money over there as they do here. Don't get me wrong I like Seoul, but it just doesn't have the same buzz or sparkle as Tokyo. Seoul, however, has cleaned up it's act over recent years.

They are starting to cater for tourists, it's just taken them time to get their arses into gear. But when Koreans put their mind to something, they often succeed with flying colours. I expect to see more travellers come to these parts over the coming years. Seoul right now has a major advertising campaign on the BBC web site. Its festivals are getting bigger and better (The Hi-Seoul Festival, The Boryeong Mud Festival, Buddha’s Birthday Lantern Parade), and the percentage of people of speak English is constantly increasing.

With some more back packing hostels especially around the beaches (right now you either pay an arm and a leg or have to sleep on the floor), greater promotion of its culture, cuisine, and sights (beautiful Jeju Island, historic Gyeong Ju, the incredible hiking opportunities) and cheaper flights to and from the country..... Korea will do just fine.

There are a few reason I can think of.

I think if there was a more practical overland route than Incheon ferries from China, Korean tourism would boom. I suspect you've got a lot of Trans-Siberian tourists who would happily take a detour overland into Korea. While you may point at Japan and say they get plenty of foreign tourists despite a similarly isolated geographical position, I suspect this is because there is a higher foreign awareness of Japanese culture than Korean culture.

Further, there are no budget airlines flying into Korea from international destinations due to government regulation. There is indication that this will change in the future with the government removing barriers on new domestic operators. It will be interesting to see what sort of impact this has. At the moment, though, I am deterred by high fares for short flights within Asia to integrate it into a larger itinerary.

South Korea is actually my first travel experience, but I cannot imagine a better place to start. I have been living in Seoul for three weeks now it is amazes me. I don't know what area you are from but where I live may not be a big city but I would never walk alone at night, Seoul is very safe though I have never felt scared at all and the people are all very friendly and more then willing to help you with anything. Prices in the markets may not be the best but I also know I am not very good at bargaining, something that Koreans have down to an art. The city is always busy and things don't close down around where I am until 4 or 5 am on weeknights and even later on weekends. There are also a lot of historical places you can see inside the city and even more outside of the city. And if you don't have a problem trying new things as far as food goes you can get very good meals for a good price...I usually pay around 4-8 usd for a meal in a decent restaurant and if you eat at the street stalls it is even cheaper. The crazy part is that is all in Seoul, and I haven't even seen much of it. Seoul is huge.

If you want to leave the city there are a lot of beautiful mountains around and some very good trails. We spent a weekend outside the city and it is a completely different lifestyle, very relaxing. I never really heard much about Korea before I came either but now that I have come I think the rest of the world is missing out.

I may not know much but if you have any questions I can try to help you out with them.

Thank you guys. I decided to post on last thread on South Korea titled, "Seoul & Busan: On Par with Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Beijing?" Jump in there if you'd like! Thank you.

See for yourself:

http://www.trekearth.com/members/ChrisJ/photos/Asia/South_Korea/

http://www.treklens.com/members/chrisJ/photos/Asia/South_Korea/

I've been to many places in Korea. There is nothing special here I've seen that compares to other Asian countries I've visited but saying that, there is still a lot on offer here.

The first part is the feeling of doing something different. You don't see backpackers, so 95% of the time you are just surrounded by locals and not everything is put on a platter for you. There aren't touts and guides hassling you when you get off trains and buses, and you have to use your brain a bit to get around due to the lack of English. In short, travelling here leaves you with a slight sense of satisfaction that you are off the beaten path a bit, even though it is a safe country so it's hard to get yourself in a real fix, also there is always some helpful Korean to help you out.

As far as scenery goes, autumn is quite magnificent when the mountains are ablaze with colour, there are some sleepy and interesting islands to visit, the spectacular Jeju Island, a buzzing capital in Seoul, colourful temples, an interesting and sometimes fun to eat cuisine, and an excitable bunch of local inhabitants. Hiking is especially rewarding as there are always some great restaurants to dine in after a day in the hills at the end or start of the hike.

Shoestring (ala miserable tightarse) backpackers don't come I guess as it's too expensive, doesn't have the glamour of its eastern neighbour, nor the great value for money or mindblowing landscapes of SE Asia.

I guess I'd only recommend SK to people who have a little bit of money, and are mature enough to want to see something different, rather then flocking to SE Asia and wanting to brag about seeing Angkor Wat or getting drunk in Hanoi's Old Quarter on 20 cent beer.

In short, I'd give this place the thumbs up to people who have already travelled a bit and want something different.

MonkeyPuzzle,

That was some cool feedback. I like writers like you who can really express themselves elaboratively. The others too I appreciate. I keep reading these posts. They are helpful. Thank you everyone. Monkey, what did you think specifically about Busan and Seoul in terms of how they compare to popular destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong?

I found his/her reply a bit harsh. China, Japan, and SE Asia are wonderful places to visit, I've been to all of them. For some people, it's either traveling on a shoestring budget or staying home and doing nothing at all. I've chosen to be a "miserable tightarse" myself, because I rather spend 6 weeks in China or SE Asia over a week in South Korea. If I want to save up money for a "different" trip, I personally would put S. Korea towards the bottom of my list of places to go.

As someone who has actually lived & travelled in Korea these past 2 years, I think 'monkeypuzzle' is on the money.

Let me respond.

Thanks greekness2007 for your slap on the back. I have not been to the cities you have mentioned but I seriously doubt you can mention Busan in the same breath as those cities you mentioned. I think also Seoul would fail to live up as well due to its lack of architecture, for the most part it's a concrete nightmare like the rest of the cities here. It is a fun and vibrant city though but maybe not world class, but not far off.

rmdavis82, maybe my comments seemed harsh but the reality is, there are some real tightarse travellers out there who are more interested in value for money than seeing something new. SK is not that expensive, I'm not sure where you pulled that $1000 a week number from. After some of the costs I've read on Thorntree about eastern China, it seems cheaper here. I just don't like people who won't go to a country because it's little expensive. I fail to see the logic in going to certain countries only because they are cheap, I do see the logic in going to a country because you have an interest in that countries culture.

Korea has some real gems check out my picture page link OP.

Seoraksan (mountain)
Hwanseongul (cave)
Hwaseong (fortress)
Gyeongbokgung (palace)
Daedunsan (mountain)
Dogusan (mountain)
Guinsa (temples)
Gosudonggul (cave)
Boseong green tea plantation
Suwon folk village
Sognisan and Beopjusa (mountain and temple)
Jejudo (all of it)

Its rubbish when people say there isn't a lot to do in Korea. Relative to its size, there is loads to do. As for Seoul:

Namhansanseong
Namsan Tower
Bukhansan
Gyeongbokgung
Changdokgun
Bongeunsa
Han river cruise
Suwon day trips

...are all excellent.

And countless temples...

Every country is different and there is loads to do in Korea.

And by the way Busan is fantastic and is worth at least a week. Once again:

Beomeosa
Seokbulsa
Gumjeongsanseong
Taejeongdae
Beaches
Jagalchi fish market
Other Gyeongsanbukdo day trips

I am in china now and I challenge anyone who says it is not expensive. Everything has an entry fee and a lot of the stuff here isnt all its cracked to be.

And I disagree with Monkey...

Edited by: stevieg4ever

Edited by: stevieg4ever

I really enjoyed Ulleungdo. I stayed in Dodong for 4 nights. Don't miss the Dodong to Jeodong coastal walk. About 3 km. I caught the local bus back. The local busses also go from Dodong to Jeonbu & back. The cablecar to the summit overlooking Dodong was great, too. It's also possible to to a round the island boat trip past Elephant Trunk Island, or even a daycruise to Dokdo.