Jangma can be both a lovely and dangerous time in South Korea. Make sure you understand monsoon season and prepare for the rains.

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Lakes have a special charm in the summer sun. Here are five spots for some summer fun. Layer up with sunscreen and go visit these beautiful lakes. What is lake life like in South Korea? Lake life in Korea is about taking walks, enjoying a cafe, riding in a swan boat, fishing, and enjoying the view. Folks living in Korea do not do a ton of lake sports or swimming (although there is some). It is also important to remember that the sun will be very hot and sun protection like hats, sunscreen, umbrellas, or sleeves are important for enjoying the day. Also, consider taking water if you will be exercising. What kinds of services are at lakes? Lakes may offer things such as water skiing, walking paths, picnic areas, water features, benches, boat rides, swan or duck boat rentals, and fishing platforms. The lakes also usually have cafes and restaurants which make them the perfect spot for a date night. Should I pack my swimsuit when going to the lake? Nope, not usually. Lakes in Korea usually are not for swimming. If you do go for water sports, you will usually wear shorts and a t-shirt with swimwear under. Instead, most folks dress pretty nice when they go to the lake. It can be a bit of a fancy thing to do in some places. Why would I go to the lake if I’m not swimming? The lakes have wonderful recreation areas to enjoy the day. Plus the water is peaceful and helps to brighten your day. Spending the day by the water will help relax your mind and body so that the next week of work isn’t so stressful. 5 Lakes I love to Visit Every Summer You can find these listings and more in the South of Seoul app. Download the app to leave your reviews of all the places you visited! Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventure across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Public Pyeongtaek splash pads usually open in July and August. Keep reading to learn more about splash pads including locations and rules! Updated: July 2022 Splash Pads in South Korea Many cities and private malls across South Korea have invested in splash pads to help families beat the summer heat. Splash pads are often free to use and very popular with community families. Splash Pad Seasonal Operation Hours The splash park schedules may vary depending on if they are city or privately owned: City-run splash pads often run on a schedule with limited times each day during July and August. Cities often post the splash pad hours on signs near the splash parks. Privately owned malls may operate their splash pads in June, July, and August. Finding Splash Pads in South Korea However, many splash pads are not clearly noted in Naver Maps. You may find some by searching 물놀이, 물놀이장, or 물장구. This means we need to rely on our local communities to find access to splash pads in our region. That said, some city governments document the publicly managed splash pads (물놀이) on their websites. Using the Naver Search portal may help you find splash pads via such city websites or community bloggers. Korean Splash Pad Culture Notes and Rules Also, and this is a big one, we have included Cultural Notes in each splash pad listing so you can better understand the social rules associated with splash pads and don’t get caught off guard. Knowing what’s expected ahead of time will help you feel more comfortable and have a stress-free playtime: Public Pyeongtaek Splash Pads Open July & August In Pyeongtaek-si, South of Seoul volunteers tracked down a variety of splash pads and added them to the South of Seoul app. We continue to add more splash pads as they are found around the community. Now that we have you oriented to how the place pad listings work, let’s take a quick look at our five picks and what neighborhoods they are in: Anjung-eup, Pyeongtaek-si Bijeon-dong, Pyeongtaek-si Parking can be hectic but this is one of the best splash pads in town. Dogok-ri, Pyeongtaek-si Gwongwon-ri, Pyeongtaek-si This splash pad is located on the walk up toward the pyramid-shaped art gallery. Ichung-dong, Pyeongtaek-si Huge splash pad near a beautiful hike. Hapjeong-dong, Pyeongtaek-si Jukbaek-dong, Pyeongtaek-si Located inside the Dome shopping mall. Segyo-dong, Pyeongtaek-si Sin-ri, Pyeongtaek-si Beautiful rural garden and kids play zone. Yongi-dong, Pyeongtaek-si You can find the listings in the South of Seoul app which can be downloaded from Google Play or the Apple App Store. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Do you love the beach? Then grab your best summer or winter beach wear and visit the 20 Top Swimming Beaches in South Korea! About Beaches in South Korea Since Korea exists on a peninsula, we are surrounded by stunning beaches on three sides. On the west coast, Korea is known for long, shallow beaches which may have low or no waves. On the east coast, Korean beaches may have bigger waves, quick drop-off, and stunning turquoise waters. Whereas, in the south, Korean beaches may be rockier and offer pleasant swimming late into the year. Perfect for fall travel. Korean beaches don’t pretend to be tropical and anyone who compares Korean beaches to Hawaii or California set Korea up to fail expectations. However, Korean beaches have their own look and vibe. The vibe involves beach combing, camping, Korean seafood dishes, fishing, surfing, and more. What to Wear on South Korean Beaches Over the years, Korean beach wear has become more diverse. However, as a rule of thumb, the local population (international residents and Koreans) often prefer to stay covered and protected from the sun. Skin damage and skin cancer aren’t as sexy as they once were. Of course, if you choose to wear a swimsuit that’s completely your choice and certainly does not offend most people. In short, don’t stress too much about what you wear at the beach. Therefore, go forth and enjoy the sand and beaches! Korean Swimming Season Although many Koreans swim throughout the year at different beaches (except those in Busan and other highly controlled urban areas), Korea has an official swimming season. The official ‘Swimming Season’ in South Korea is from about mid-July to sometime in August. Swimming Season is when beaches are at their height of popularity. Therefore, popular and rural Korean beaches are filled with visitors, lifeguards, public showers, activities, and all the businesses are open and supporting visitors. It’s beach party time. During ‘Swimming Season’ your activities will be restricted to certain marked swimming areas that are strictly patrolled by lifeguards on jet skies. You may find this strange if you come from parts of the world where swimming in the sea and ocean is an unrestricted activity. However, you can quickly adjust and find tons of joy within the limited area. During the off-season, you can still visit the beaches and be allowed to swim at most of them, except in areas like Busan and other extremely popular beaches that have begun enforcing beach closures during different times of the year. Basically, during the off-season, you can pretty much do what you want in the sea but most support services like lifeguards and public showers will be closed. However, public restrooms are often -but not always – still open. Common Korean Swimming Beach Amenities Korean swimming beaches, especially during “swimming season” offer many amenities which may include such things as: Swimming Beaches Adventure Map Want to make it easier to stay on top of your beach trip planning? Celebrate your beach adventures with a South of Seoul Adventure Map. South of Seoul prints each Swimming Beach Adventure Map on A3 canvas for durability. Also, they can be shipped to your location in South Korea or within the United States. This makes the perfect celebration of your beach travels! 20 Beaches Across South Korea You can find each of these beaches at the following addresses! Also, we have organized them in the same order as found on the Swimming Beaches Adventure Map! Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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If you love the beach life even when it’s not Hawaii, you will LOVE Korea. Taean-gun is filled with fun beaches for exploring. You don’t want to miss out on a day eating out and exploring this area. About the west coast beaches in South Korea The west coast of Korea is known for shallow waters, minimal to no waves, expansive sand, digging for shellfish, and a relaxed atmosphere. This isn’t Hawaii or Mexico and they aren’t trying to be. Korea has a beach vibe all its own. A few recommendations when packing for the beach in Korea When you go to the beach we recommend taking a tent to pitch on the beach or a camping platform. This is what all the cool kids do. The tent gives you a place to hide from the sun and keep your things gathered while you wander around. You can get a cheap one at Homeplus or Emart for about 30,000 that will last you for years. If you don’t being a tent you can often rent an umbrella spot for the day for around 30,000 won all day. We also make sure to take a cooler for drinks and snacks. Of course, they are usually drinks and snacks at beaches but the cooler means we don’t have to leave the beach to get things. At the beach, folks usually wear long-sleeved shirts, swimming shorts, a hat, and lots of sunblock. We highly recommend following their example. The beach is so much more fun when you don’t burn and can play in the water all day with no stress. Swimming season in South Korea In Korea, there is a swimming season. That means they have lifeguards and systems there to protect you from downing. This is usually from late July-August. During that time there are also far more services open at the beach. However, people swim year-round here. We just don’t do it at the famous beaches like in Busan where they will call the cops. We go to smaller spots like Taean and wear wetsuits when it’s cold. We LOVE going year-round even if we only sit still and watch the sea. West coast beach restaurant scene The beaches often don’t have tons of western restaurants, but that’s slowly changing. If you hate seafood or Korean food, you might want to pack a lunch just in case. We LOVE seafood so we look forward to every trip to the seaside where we stuff our faces with sashimi, shellfish, noodles, and more. The Taean beaches we like to visit Here are some beaches we love to visit in Taen. The drive time from Pyeongtaek varies based on where you live. It can take anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours to drive there. Remember that traffic is likely to be bad coming back at 6 pm so return around 5 pm or after 8 pm to avoid the killer traffic home. Please note that Taean beaches are not easily accessible by public transit. It’s possible (we have done it many times) but takes forever. These beaches are best accessed by car or motorbike. Check out these 5 Taean beaches this summer! You can add your own favorite beaches and share them with others! These are not all the beaches in Taean. When you find another beach you love and it is not in the app, be sure to add it! Sharing cool spots makes life more enjoyable for all of the English-speaking residents that come along next. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventure across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Visiting these 5 beaches in Gangwon-do will cause you to develop an East Sea addiction. Go as soon as you can. Pack up the car, or buy those tickets, and head for some summer fun on the east coast of Korea. Gangwon-do is where I go to feel at home. Coming from Alaska and Washington State, I love mountains, rivers, and the sea. When I can get these things all in one place I’m at peace and remarkably happy. Since Gangwon-do has copious amounts of all these things, the province quickly became the place I love to visit most in Korea. Especially since I lived in Sokcho for a while when I first arrived. The beaches of Gangwon-do draw us year-round. There is never a bad time of year to be by the East Sea. Why should I go to the Gangwon-do, Korean beaches? There are a variety of reasons to check out the beaches by the East Sea. Here are my top five: 1) the waves are bigger, 2) the color of the water can be breathtaking, 3) the waves and rocks create beautiful areas, 4) there are expansive beaches (many of which have far fewer people than, say, Busan), and 5) the food and cafes are fantastic. What is Gangwon-do, Korea like? Gangwon-do is a unique place all of its own. It tends to be more laid back, with lots of commercial fishing, plenty of tourism, tons of great international and Korean food, fantastic coffee shops, amazing friendliness, spectacular nature, and tons of places to rest and relax. Sometimes folks refer to people from Gangwon-do as the hippies of Korea, which explains why I love it so much. You go to Gangwon-do to find peace and the outdoors. It’s like the opposite of Seoul. Where should I stay on the east sea of Gangwon-do? The choice of where to stay will depend on if you are looking for a rural experience, a city experience, want to drive, or want to go by rail or bus. The two big cities the most options of where to stay are Sokcho and Gangneung. There more rural area of YangYang is centrally located and has a huge number of surfing shops and beaches. We address specific Gangwon-do beach hotel recommendations in other blogs so be sure to check those out! How do I get to the east coast of Gangwon-do? Taking a car will provide the most access to the area, but public transportation is a great option if you hate dealing with traffic. It’s just a personal choice based on where you live and what kind of experience you want to have. If you want to stay in Yangyang and only have a short time, we highly recommend going by car. However, Sokcho has express busses that come and go all weekend so it’s easy to visit for a fun weekend away on public transit. Gangneung is the easiest place to visit since it has an expressway, trains, busses, and KTX service. Traffic and Driving to the East Coast Traffic is a real issue when traveling to Gangwondo so here is my advice: 1) It’s VERY important to leave your area VERY EARLY when traveling across Korea from the west to the east on the weekends. That means you want to be out of the house by 7 am (or leave Friday night and drive late). If you don’t do this you can spend all day in traffic.2) It is also recommended that you don’t start the drive back on Sunday until after 6 pm and maybe even after 8 pm. The traffic may be so bad if you leave earlier that you could end up spending 8-12 hours in traffic. This happens more often than not. However, very few people drive at night so leaving late means you often have a straight shot home.3) Plan for traffic and make sure that you have things to do in the car. Stop and enjoy the rest stops if you need to and if traffic is great, stop for NOTHING!!! Don’t risk the traffic catching up with you. Here are 5 of the Best Starter Beaches to Get You Hooked on Gangwon-do The South of Seoul app has many recommendations from the South of Seoul community for Gangwon-do. It’s a great tool to take with you on any adventure. Obviously, you also want to check out Instagram by searching tags like #속초카페 for cafes or #속초맛집 for restaurants. You can also use Naver and Kakao maps which both have English language interfaces! Remember! Don’t take our word for it! Do lots of research before you go. Every blogger, including me, brings their own experiences to the table. Our past experiences color how we see the world, how we solve the problems around us, and what we see as important to put in our content. Reading many perspectives creates a more balanced picture of what to expect. No one blog mentions all you need to know to live your best life. Happy Exploring!!! South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Looking to spend some time exploring River/Lake Water Parks Across South Korea? We have the perfect list of these hard-to-find locations. What is a river/lake water park like in South Korea? South Korea loves to put up seasonal, summer play areas in the wide, deep-flowing rivers. Such water parks (also known as water playgrounds) may have such things as bouncy obstacle courses sure to dump you into the cool waters, water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaks, stand-up paddle (SUP) boarding, and more! These are the ultimate outdoor play areas for water activity lovers. How much do the river-lake water parks cost? It’s going to vary from park to park depending on how they choose to price their activities. You will usually choose what types of activities you want to do and pay accordingly. It can range from 10,000 – 80,000 or more depending on how much fun you want to pack in. Are all the parks the same? Each river water park brings its own twist to the river water park experience. Some focus on the obstacle course, others focus on water skiing, and others are all about the boat rides. You may want to try a few different parks just to see which one has exactly what you are looking for and what you want to do. In addition, each river/lake water park across South Korea offers its own list of activities and unique social experiences. Just like you find when you are in your home country, different river water parks will offer their own social experience. Some of them might make you feel more welcome and included than others. Maybe you want to feel more like you are part of a club, or maybe you want to be left alone. Finding the park where you feel the most “at home” can greatly add to how much fun you have! For example, some of the South of Seoul volunteers like to go back to the same spots over and over to build friends and relationships. Will information at the river water park in South Korea be in English? Don’t expect things to be in English. This is South Korea and Korean is the national language. That means you will need to be flexible and willing to work through the language barrier that may exist. We say “may” because it’s surprising how many places we go in rural South Korea where staff can easily communicate in English. To put it in perspective, imagine going to play in the water in rural Georgia. Would you expect them to be able to speak Korean and have marketing in Korean? Not really. However, some might begin offering Korean information if enough Korean tourists visit. That said, if only 5 Korean tourists come each year the business would likely just keep winging it. It’s the same in South Korea with English. That means you may want to be flexible and in the moment when it comes to communication. Thankfully, in this modern age, we have smartphones with translation apps like Papago and Naver Translate which can translate photos and voice recordings. Such apps are not perfect but they get the job done. You will still need to emotionally navigate the stress of unclear communication. Such emotional labor can be tough if you have not had to deal with the ambiguity of language barriers before. There may be things you don’t understand about pricing, rules, etc. It can make you feel frustrated and angry. These struggle with communication may feel uncomfortable. That’s normal and that’s ok. You also may feel unsure during different interactions throughout your first river water park experience. That’s normal and you will be ok. Navigating a new culture in a different language makes us all feel a lot of stress. Don’t let such feelings of discomfort hold you back from great fun! Once you have pushed through those hard feelings you will likely feel like a superhero and fall in love with the river water park experience. What will everyone be wearing? Dress to play! Folks at the river parks will often be wearing long-sleeved rash guards, swimming leggings, wetsuits, shorts, long-sleeved shirts, hats, etc. Under this protective gear is often a western-style swimsuit. They are there to play hard and be comfy! We highly recommend that you take a hat/swim hat and goggles to ANY water activity in South Korea. They are often required for different activities. It’s better safe than sorry. You can contact 1330 to learn to ask about clothing rules for the park. What about food? Bring snacks and food if you want to just keep playing. Usually, there will be Korean restaurants nearby, but if this is your first time bring a cooler just to make sure that you have what you need to feel safe, happy, and full. You can scope out the surrounding areas for the next time you return to play in the river water park. Also, some of these facilities also have a little cafe or snack area attached if you get desperate. You can also call 1330 to ask if the river water park has any food or beverage restrictions. Are the river water parks family-friendly? We recommend checking with each part you plan on visiting to check their rules for kids. Each park is managed by different people so they may have some unique rules. You can call 1330 to ask about a river water park’s rules regarding children. What about transportation? The river water parks usually exist in more remote areas. That means having your own transportation will be ideal. However, some may exist close enough to a subway or train station to take a taxi. We recommend using Naver or Kakao Maps to find the best transportation route for you. You can also call 1330 to find out if they can refer a transportation route. Reservations recommended We highly recommend making reservations for weekends or holidays. Water activities are HUGELY popular in South Korea on the weekends. You can use a bi-lingual concierge service to make reservations. Try these river water parks in South Korea Discover more about South Korea with the Pyeongtaek Travelers Facebook group International residents living in Pyeongtaek, South Korea share their travel ideas every day in the Pyeongtaek Travelers Facebook group. We want to acknowledge this South of Seoul community group that provides an amazing support system to foreign residents traveling within South Korea and beyond! They share their time and information. Community turns wherever you are into a home. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Looking to beat the heat this summer? Try the 7 Best Gangwondo water parks that will bring delight to your summer. Great with families and friends. About Gangwon-do Water Parks Many Gangwon-do ski resorts offer large water parks that help make their resorts a year-round destination. Some ski resort-affiliated water parks may only be open in the summer and others may be open year-round. Additionally, Gangwon-do has a few lovely smaller water parks near the east sea which are attached to resorts. What Does ‘Best’ Mean for this List? South of Seoul does not auto-generate its ‘Best of’ lists. South of Seoul volunteers base the ‘Best of’ lists on the recommendations from Pyeongtaek Travelers and the personal experiences of South of Seoul Cultural Liaisons who live in South Korea and provide current information support. Buying Tickets Gangwon-do water parks do not often sell out. Therefore, you can often purchase tickets upon arrival. However, if the water parks were to reach their maximum capacity, it would be on a weekend during school summer vacation (July/August) or during national holidays. It’s always a good idea to arrive earlier rather than later. Especially if you plan to travel in the summer (July and August) when families are on holiday, you may want to arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds and get your tickets. Clothing You may see more western-style swimsuits at water parks than you do at the beach. We recommend wearing a one-piece suit since many slides require this. We also recommend rash guards as it’s better protection. Baseball cap/ water cap and goggles required. If you do not own these, you can often buy them at the water park store. Water shoes/booties may also be a great option to avoid slipping and falling. Water Park Culture Notes Each country has its own culture regarding water parks. This means that you may experience discomfort, frustration, or confusion when water park processes do not meet your hidden expectations. Accidently doing something incorrectly may be an experience that you have and that’s ok. Breathe deep and give yourself grace. One common area of confusion may be the locker system. You often need to leave your shoes in a small locker at the entrance of the dressing room and then put your belongings in a larger locker inside the dressing room. Another common area of confusion is the need to wear a cap or goggles. This procedure helps with pool maintenance and everyone will be required to do this together even if you are bald. Just roll with it. We recommend taking the time to read all posted signs using the Papago translation app. Go slowly and message 1330 with any questions you may have. Parking The Gangwon-do water parks have large parking lots. Parking is often free. 7 Water Parks to Visit in Gangwon-do Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Traveling across South Korea this summer? Here are 5 water parks to cut the heat this summer. Updated: July 2022 About Summer in Korea Summer is just around the corner and things are going to be seriously heating up. If you are like me you are going to be looking for some fun ways to cool off. This year my plan is to mix it up a bit.  July and August usually have the highest temperatures of the year in South Korea. Temps may rise to 43 degrees during the hardest of times. This means you need to take sun care seriously. About Water Parks in Korea Water parks are a popular summer activity in South Korea. The water parks tend to be filled to capacity in July and August and the wait for rides may be long. Additionally, during the weekdays some rides may be closed if the park attendance is low. Clothing You may see more western-style swimsuits at water parks than you do at the beach. We recommend wearing a one-piece suit since many slides require this. We also recommend rash guards as it’s better protection. Baseball cap/ water cap and goggles required. If you do not own these, you can often buy them at the water park store. Water shoes/booties may also be a great option to avoid slipping and falling. Water Park Culture Notes Each country has its own culture regarding water parks. This means that you may experience discomfort, frustration, or confusion when water park processes do not meet your hidden expectations. Accidently doing something incorrectly may be an experience that you have and that’s ok. Breathe deep and give yourself grace. One common area of confusion may be the locker system. You often need to leave your shoes in a small locker at the entrance of the dressing room and then put your belongings in a larger locker inside the dressing room. Another common area of confusion is the need to wear a cap or goggles. This procedure helps with pool maintenance and everyone will be required to do this together even if you are bald. Just roll with it. We recommend taking the time to read all posted signs using the Papago translation app. Go slowly and message 1330 with any questions you may have. Parking Water parks near major cities may charge for parking. Most water parks have large enough parking lots for their facilities. However, at locations near Seoul it might be a bit of a walk if you show up later in the day. Water Park in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea The most famous water park in all of Korea and packed to bursting in the summer since it’s near Seoul. Water Park in Gangwon-do, South Korea Water Park in Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea Water Park in Daegu, South Korea Water Park in Gyeong-nam, South Korea A small water park in a big city. Expect it to fill up to capacity in the summer months. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Who loves being outdoors? Pack some sunscreen and snacks and head outside to play. Pyeongtaek-si parks make summer especially fun and your weekends complete. The parks remain open year-round but get used the most in the warm months. Listen to the BlogCast Don’t want to read? Listen to the South of Seoul BlogCast which provides accessible content through the use of AI technology. We don’t have time to read each article but we do our best to make more of our content accessible. If you would like to join our Accessibility Team apply to volunteer with South of Seoul. About Parks in Korea At the time of this blog’s inception, summer “park season” is upon us! Soon we will all be flocking to the plentiful beautiful parks around Pyeongtaek to enjoy the warm weather in these beautiful outdoor spaces. In South Korea, we LOVE to get outside whenever we can and enjoy every possible park. Therefore, expect many people in the parks if the weather and air feel perfect. Parks and Possible Culture Shock In every country, people and cultures experience parks differently. Such differences mean that the first time you visit a public park in South Korea things may feel different and uncomfortable since it feels different from home. Such discomfort might include such experiences as large crowds, difficulty locating parking, not understanding signs, or wondering what facilities are open to the public. In South Korea, parks are places for people to gather and enjoy time together. Public parks in South Korea are often free and might include such things as walking trails, workout equipment, Instagram spots, napping platforms, basketball courts, badminton courts, water features, and more. Medium and large public and private parks tend to have parking lots with free or affordable parking. However, such lots may not have enough parking for everyone. Therefore, leave time in your schedule for locating parking. About Parks in Pyeongtaek Pyeongtaek has both public and private parks. Some have entrance fees, some have parking lot fees, and some have no fees. Each park may have slightly different rules for pets, camping, or what hours you can be there. If you need help learning about a park’s rules ahead of time you can call 1330, the tourist information line in Korea, and see if they can help you with the information. Usually, they can. Tips for enjoying the parks in Pyeongtaek Spoiler alert, most of the tips relate to dealing with the sun and heat. Tip 1: Read the rules. Each park will post a sign with its rules. You can use the “photo” feature in the Papago or Google Translate apps to translate the signs if the icons confuse you. Tip 2: Use an umbrella for shade and to avoid the sun. We all do it. Umbrellas are a lifesaver in the summer heat and can make walks more enjoyable. It can be uncomfortable to hang out outside without your own shade source. Tip 3: Use all the sunscreen. Don’t play yourself. The sun is brutal and you need all the sunblock you can rub on your body. Carry extra with you just in case. Tip 4: Feel free to take a rest. Loitering is allowed. Usually, nobody will judge you for taking a nap in the park or sitting around with your friends doing nothing. We all love to waste our days laughing and chilling with friends in the outdoor spaces. It’s always possible to experience grumpy people but it’s not the standard unless you are egregiously breaking park rules. Tip 5: Find the trails with trees. The tree-filled parks are the best. They help keep you cool and protect you from the sun. 10 of the Best Parks in Pyeongtaek If you found this blog useful be sure to review the parks you visit in the South of Seoul app available for Android or iPhone. Should You Go to a Pyeongtaek Park Today? You will enjoy the parks the most if you go either on a day with good air quality or your preferred weather. However, you can also enjoy the parks if you go prepared for incidental weather and the current air conditions. Here is what is happening currently in Pyeongtaek so that you can determine what is right for you right now. Current Air Quality in Pyeongtaek Air quality and weather change throughout the day. However, having an idea of what the air quality is right now can help make decisions easier. You can download the Air Matters App for your phone to keep current on changing air quality conditions throughout the day. You can even set up alerts. Godeok, Pyeongtaek Air Quality Bijeondong, Pyeongtaek Air Quality Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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