Korean travel Archives < South of Seoul https://blog.southofseoul.net/tag/korean-travel/ Localized Guides for Your Life in Korea Thu, 02 Jan 2025 06:58:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://blog.southofseoul.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/South-of-Seoul-logo-for-header.png Korean travel Archives < South of Seoul https://blog.southofseoul.net/tag/korean-travel/ 32 32 Best Korean Craft Beer Spots for Fall https://blog.southofseoul.net/korean-craft-beer-fall/ Tue, 13 Sep 2022 03:29:19 +0000 https://blog.southofseoul.net/?p=12108 Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer Club

Enjoy the fall locations for Korean craft beer. In this post, we share the best places for fall colors and cool brews. Autumn in South Korea Autumn is the best season in Korea. The season is marked by pleasant weather with high clouds and low pollution. The rice fields and other crops will be harvested, and families will celebrate Chuseok. Then the trees will begin to change color. Gingko trees will drop their pungent fruit and then turn a bright yellow. Maples will follow with colors ranging from orange to red. Oaks and chestnuts will also drop their nuts and leaves. Before we know it, only the pine trees will remain in color, which means winter and snow are right around the corner. Korean Fall Craft Beers Spots What is a beer lover supposed to do in autumn in Korea? Where should one go to enjoy the season and some tasty brews? Osan Craft Beer Club (OCBC) and Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society (PCBS) have compiled a few suggestions. Please add any of your own suggestions to this post and be sure to check out both of our groups on Facebook and Instagram. Links are provided later. Let’s start in the north since fall colors will begin to appear north of Seoul and in Gangwon-do in mid-September. After that, we will work our way South. That’s right, this blog includes locations across South Korea and not only Seoul or Busan. Please note leaf color dates are estimates…we are all patiently waiting for the leaf people to release this year’s fall color schedule. Each year a new fall foliage map gets released and you will want to cross-reference the dates in this post with the estimated dates based on current weather. In addition to sharing what craft beer locations to visit in the fall, we will also mention nearby attractions so that you can mix and match your travel plans with your craft beer plans. Sokcho, Gangwon-do This is the premier spot for autumn hiking and color exploration, but it is also the first area to change colors and is extremely busy, especially on weekends. Follow the Craftroot Instagram Follow the Mont Beer Instagram Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do The White Crow brewery is, in my opinion, one of the best breweries in the country and is situated in a beautiful valley, surrounded by trees and farmland. It is quiet and has wide open spaces for kids, adults, and pets to frolic. And the beer is outstanding. Be sure to try the fall version of Freebird and the new Chillhops collab. Follow the White Crow Brewing Instagram Gapyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do This location is the closest to Seoul and is home to several small attractions and one large brewery. Follow the Kraemer Lee Instagram Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do This destination will scratch your history itch for fall colors, history, and amazing craft beer. Gyeongju is home to many historic structures, tombs, and museums. It is also nestled between some mountains and has excellent, open views. Follow the Whasoo Brewery Instagram Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do This southernmost destination will start its colors later but will have the most gingko trees. Be sure to explore the Hanok Village. Do it while wearing rented hanbok for a fun day. Food and snacks in the village are tasty and the Nomadic beers are handcrafted, hard to find anywhere else in Korea, and very good. Follow the Nomadic Brewing Instagram Follow the Nomadic Beer Garden in Hanok Village on Instagram Kimchi Rednecks Interview with Nomadic Brewing Who are we? We are craft beer lovers who live and work in South Korea. You can learn more about craft beer in Korea by joining or following us on Facebook or Instagram. Learn more below! Osan Craft Beer Club A social group at and near Osan AB. OCBC tries to meet weekly and loves exploring local and distant beer destinations. Follow the OSBC Instagram Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society A social group in Pyeongtaek and near USAG Humphreys. PCBS loves to sample local and import beers and post descriptive descriptions of these beers. Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer ClubMike Brown retired from the Air Force, holds a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a co-founder of the Osan Craft Beer Club. Mr. Brown worked as a Korean language analyst and translator and currently lives with his family in South Korea. As a leader of the Osan Craft Beer Club, Mike Brown brings together casual beer lovers and advanced craft connoisseurs to share knowledge of the craft beer industry in South Korea. Additionally, he works with breweries, distributors, and the community to support and promote the growing craft beer scene across South Korea. www.facebook.com/groups/545864773526672/

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Detailed Information Regarding the Korean Expressway and HiPass System https://blog.southofseoul.net/korean-expressway-and-hipass-system/ https://blog.southofseoul.net/korean-expressway-and-hipass-system/#comments Fri, 07 Jan 2022 04:32:43 +0000 https://blog.southofseoul.net/?p=7675 South of Seoul

Unfamiliar with the Korean expressway and HiPass system? We’ve got your covered. Making the most of your stay in Korea means taking advantage of every opportunity to travel.  For most trips that are over 2 hours away, OR when driving into Seoul, you may encounter at least one toll along the way. Setting up a HiPass system can make such trips less stressful and save you money. Here is what you need to know. About Korean Expressways Korean expressways are toll roads that crisscross South Korea. Korean Expressway Corporation manages the expressways in South Korea. The program began in 1968 and now manages over 4,000km of roadways. Using Korean expressways can save you hours of drive time. Taking the expressway from Pyeongtaek to Sokcho can take as little as 3.5 hours while a non-express way trip could take 8-12 hours. Learning about the Korean Expressways before jumping on the road can greatly reduce your stress and improve your travel experience. We recommend reading this blog and then watching the following video to help put the content into context. Korean Expressway Toll Gates A driver passes through two toll gates on a Korean expressway. The first gate marks the beginning of the toll fee and the second gate marks the end of the toll fee. Drivers usually pay Korean expressway tolls upon exiting the expressway. However, there are some unique areas that do charge upon entering a small stretch of expressway. Such unique situations tend to occur in areas surrounding Seoul. About Korean Expressway Tolls Korean expressway toll fees are calculated according to the following criteria: Korean expressway toll fees should be paid using either a Korean debit card with a transportation function (you need to set up the transportation function at your bank), cash, or a Hi-Pass card. Some (but maybe not all) expressway toll booths accept cash. To keep life simple, South of Seoul encourages drivers to get HiPass. The Hi-Pass system allows drivers to pay tolls without having to stop at toll booths. As of 2020, over 50% of Korean drivers use a HiPass card. Kakao Maps and Naver Maps tell you your estimated toll fee when they route your journey. If you use either of these apps to route your trip you should not be surprised by toll fees. Make sure the expressway toll fees reflected in your Naver Map or Kakao Map apps are correct by customizing your app to reflect your information. Below you can see that the user has a small car using an alternate fuel and has HiPass installed. Such detail will ensure that their estimated tolls reflect their individual situation. Pro-Tip: If you drive a 경차 (lightweight vehicle) you get a 50% discount on expressway toll fees. Such vehicles include cars such as the Matiz, Morning, Spark, and Ray. Pro-Tip: HiPass users may get a discount for using a HiPass depending on the time of day and highway. Hi-Pass discounts vary between 5% to 50% depending on the situation. About HiPass Lanes for HiPass Holders A driver must choose between HiPass and Non-HiPass lanes at both the entrance and exit of their journey. As previously mentioned in this blog post, a driver passes through two toll gates on a Korean expressway and their lane choices need to match their payment options. If you have your information added to Kakao or Naver map apps, these apps may help guide you to the correct lane at each toll gate. About HiPass On-Board Units To use such HiPass lanes the driver must have both an On-Board Unit (OBU) which is installed at the front of the vehicle, and a Hi-Pass card that is inserted into the OBU. If a person only has a HiPass card they can not use the HiPass lanes as the lane needs an OBU to read the card from a distance. The OBU, sometimes marketed as a “Hi-Pass device” or ETC unit (Electronic Toll Collection), is produced by a variety of manufacturers.  You can find OBUs in a variety of locations such as: The OBU devices come in many different shapes, sizes, styles, and price ranges. Some need to be wired into the vehicle while others run off of solar power. Special Announcement for US Military: Purchasing a HiPass on Camp Humphreys At Camp Humphreys, you may purchase an OBU and Hi-Pass in the Main PX Exchange BLDG 5700.  About HiPass Cards for HiPass On-Board Units There are three types of HiPass cards. Depending on your Korean visa type and bank account situation, you can choose between: About Re-fillable HiPass Cards Re-fillable HiPass cards do not require a Korean bank account or Korea FRC. You can purchase re-fillable HiPass cards at the following locations: Once you have a card and device, it may need to be registered and the form looks something like the following as of 2021: To register for the Hi-Pass you will need your Korean vehicle registration, driver’s license, and possibly a registration fee depending on the situation. Re-fillable Hi-Pass Plus cards can be re-filled/re-charged at a variety of locations including About Auto Loading (자동충전) HiPass Cards In order to use an auto-loading HiPass card, you will need to have a Korean FRC, a Korean smartphone under your name, and a Korean Bank account linked to your FRC and smartphone. Once the auto charging card has been activated and linked to a Korean bank account, a pre-determined amount is automatically added to the card each month. You can set up your auto-loading HiPass card on the HiPass website. You can purchase an Auto Charge HiPass card at the following locations: Pro-Tip: Not every bank may allow international residents to use an auto-loading card. About Auto-Charging HiPass Cards Auto-charging HiPass cards are connected to Korean credit cards. HiPass automatically charges for the fees used each month. The cards do not need to be loaded since you pay as you go. It may be more complicated for international residents in Korea to obtain. Credit cards are only available for certain visas, with certain job types, etc. However, a number of South of Seoul volunteers on different visa types have credit cards through Hana Bank that offer an auto-charging HiPass card option. Pro-Tip: Banks may confuse a request to set up an auto-loading card with a request for an auto-charging card. Recognizing HiPass Lanes Many entry and exit gates will clearly label the Hi-Pass lane in bright blue. These lanes are designated for cars with a Hi-Pass OBU (onboard unit) and Hi-Pass card. Not all HiPass lanes have the same speed limit. Notice, the speed limit for going through the HiPass gate has been painted on the road over the blue line. All other vehicles are expected to use the other lanes.  Some entry and exit gates will have additional lanes for large work vehicles. These lanes often have large yellow frames but this may not be the case. Common HiPass Errors Experienced by Foreigners It’s common to experience one or all of the following challenges as a new user of the Korean expressway systems. Don’t panic, the system was not designed to be a burden. You will be ok and it is unlikely you will experience untenable financial consequences. Error 1: Passing Through A HiPass Gate Without HiPass If you accidentally run a HiPass lane and the siren goes off, don’t panic. Remember the place you entered and tell the attendant when you exit the tollway. Here are the options that you have. As of 2020, the Korean Expressway Corporation does not charge a ticket for making mistakes on toll roads, they simply charge you the price of the toll (so don’t panic). Solution A: Pay at the toll when you leave In our experience, we took note of the name of my entry gate and briefly explained our mistake to the toll agent, who made a quick phone call, then told me the amount I had to pay. It was a hassle-free exchange that took less than a minute. The price I was charged was also the same as the price listed on Naver. Another great reason for using Naver, it lists toll fees for your route. If you need help communicating with the toll booth attendant use 1330. Solution B: Wait for the HiPass Bill in the Mail If you accidentally go through a Hi-Pass lane without an OBU, then you will likely be mailed a traffic ticket. If you go through the entry gate and forget to grab a ticket or if the ticket doesn’t print, don’t fret. The toll agent at the exit gate will calculate your toll at the next booth.  How to Pay Your HiPass Bill If you get a HiPass bill in the mail you can pay the bill 1) at your Korean bank or 2) at a HiPass office, or 3) Korean bank transfer via ATM or smartphone. We always recommend having a Korean bank account to help make such situations as stress-free as possible. If you accidentally forget to pay your expressway toll fee bill, they do not charge excessive penalties. In fact, there are often no late fee penalties. Just get it paid as soon as you can. Error 2: Passing Through a Non-HiPass Gate with a HiPass Card If you have a HiPass reader and accidentally pass through a cash gate, do not worry. Simply remove your HiPass card from your HiPass Reader and give it to the cashier. You do not need to pay with a card or cash, just hand them your Hi-Pass card Error 3: Hi-Pass Card Has No Money If you have a re-fillable or auto-loading card you may accidentally take a trip without enough money on your card, don’t panic. Solution A: Pay as you exit If you realize your mistake upon entering the expressway you can simply pay at the toll gate with your Korean debit card with a transportation function (you need to set up the transportation function at your bank) or cash. Solution B: Wait for the bill If you realize your mistake up exciting the expressway just wait for the bill in the mail and go get your card filled. Avoiding Korean Expressways and HiPass System If you are not fond of using the Korean Expressway and HiPass system, both Naver Map and Kakao Map apps allow users to set trip preferences including routes that don’t use tollways. 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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Everything You Need to Fall in Love with Namhae https://blog.southofseoul.net/namhae-gun-south-korea-travel/ Tue, 04 Jan 2022 04:18:36 +0000 https://blog.southofseoul.net/?p=6271 LeaDan Yee, M.Ed

Not enough information exists on the magic that is Namhae-gun. Hopefully, this blog puts Namhae-gun South Korea on your travel list this year. About Namhae-gun Namhae is a county in South Gyeongsang Province with a mostly aging community. The county is a great place to visit if you’re trying to “get off the grid” and/or learn more about Korean history and culture. The area offers a relaxed and gorgeous place to collect your thoughts and get inspired. If you’re planning a family trip, then this is a perfect opportunity to inspire or cultivate a love for the outdoors. You may not find many indoor children’s activities, but Namhae has many beaches and nature hikes. You’ll quickly realize, as we did, that one weekend is not enough time to truly enjoy Namhae. While I did try to organize this blog by the West and East side of Namhae, you can easily get from one side to the other within around 30 minutes. One really quick note before we continue. Namhae has many winding roads around the coast and mountains. If you experience motion sickness easily, as I do, then pack your ginger, Dramamine, and any other remedies. I avoided the motion sickness by driving for the entire time. Things to do on the Westside The perfect place to begin Namhae-gun, South Korea travel plan. * Sachon Beach – While you’ll find many coves with beaches as you drive along the Namhae coast, Sachon has fine sand, shallow and calm waters, and fewer people. * Daraengi Village – Designated National Scenic Spot No.15 because of its beautifully, tiered rice paddies, this village has lovely walks, educational experiences (such as crafts or archery workshops), pensions, Korean barbecue restaurants, seafood restaurants, and cafes with magnificent views of the 108-stories of rice paddies, steep cliffs overlooking the sea, and the mountains surrounding the village. Just the scenic drive here alone is worth the trip, but I would encourage at least taking a walk through the village. * Daeguksan Fortress – After 1.5 kilometers uphill drive, you’ll reach a trail that you probably should drive only with a 4-wheel drive and lots of top clearance. Walk or drive another 400 meters until the pavement stops. Then 200 meters straight uphill after the pavement ends to reach the fortress walls. Based on excavations, this Fortress was believed to have been built in the 6th or 7th century. It overlooks the bay and was used to defend against Japanese pirates. The view at the top of the hike is incredible. Things to do on the East side of Namhae If you have time, make sure to add the east coast to your Namhae-gun, South Korea travel * Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park – Easily a one or two-day adventure with so much to do, including hikes, ecological tours, Boriam Temple, and Sangju Beach, a very popular, beautiful, and sandy beach. * German Village – Much like Daerangi Village in the West, this Village has a rich history as well as pensions, cafes, German inspired restaurants, and photo opportunities. My husband and I spent 5 hours here just walking around and pub hopping. The architecture will leave you feeling as though you were in another country, but the view of the marina from the village is breathtaking. * Seolli Skywalk with a glass-bottom, a sky swing, and an observatory with another amazing view that Namhae is known for. * Dolchango Museum and Cafe – Church that was converted into an art space by two artists. Surrounded by fascinating art sculptures. Namhae Restaurants to Try If you do not want to try the local cuisine, you will find pizza, chicken, and burger places in Namhae. They have also been added to the South of Seoul app. However, if you would like to try some of the flavors of this area, here are a few recommendations, including fusion options. * Allo Hawai’i – Hawai’i-themed restaurant for shrimp lovers and pineapple lovers. * Sigol Halmae Makgeolli Restaurant – One of the many Korean restaurants at Daerangi Village. Try the fresh anchovies! * Damoim at Ananti Namhae Resort – Daily breakfast buffet that starts at 0600. Dinner Buffet on Saturday. They specialize in Korean, Thai, and Chinese food. * Keuran Cheureo Cafe and Kunst Lounge have the two most magnificent views in the German Village. Whether you decide to just have a beer or enjoy some German-inspired food, the view is a “must-see”. * Haesarang Abalone Maeul – For those who love marine snails and dining with an ocean view. For 100,000 you can get everything on the menu and easily share with 2 to 4 people. If you do not like raw abalone, they will grill it for you, which I recommend because it’s so tender, even a toddler could eat it. Cafes Across Namae-gun * Cafe Grown – Opens at 1000 * Cafe Here and Now (Ocean view from the top of Daerangi Village) – Opens at 1000 * Eternal Jeoni (at Ananti Namhae Resort) – Opens at 0900 * Cafe 15 Gram (with a view of the marina) Opens at 1100 Places to stay on the East * German Village – I’ve added a few pensions on South of Seoul, in German Village, with family-style rooms. Such as the Goethe, Heidelberg, Gutenberg, and Mainjeu Pensions. The advantage to staying here is that you have many food options right outside of your doorstep. * Elim Marina and Resort – Resort-like pension overlooking the marina * Art in Byeolbit Bada Pension – Located on the Southeast coast of Namhae, near beautiful sandy beaches * Namhae Sea Hyanggi Pension – Resort-like pension with pool villas. Great for that romantic getaway or solo trip Places to Stay on the West * Pine Tree Pension – Great pension for couples since there is only one western-style bed in the room. But there’s a cafe, which is more like a self serve convenience store, swimming pool, spas, private barbecue area, and breakfast service. Though, if you do stay here, make sure you at least drive West along the coast. It is listed as one of the beautiful coastal drives in Korea. * USA Pension – For those who may be missing some of the comforts of home, more spacious rooms, two western-style beds, American-style grill. A couple of minutes from the beach. * Namhae Lounge 32 Resort Pension – Modern pension with a rooftop infinity pool, cafe with a great view, a private beach, and 7-11 convenience store makes this an easy getaway location. Rooms for up to 6 people with 2 western-style beds. If you want access to the private beach but don’t like their rates, the Melody Pension and Jaemideul Pensions next door can accommodate families at a lower rate. * Marinapia Resort Ocean Pension – Pension offers amenities that will save you from trying to plan every meal. With their year-round swimming pool, FREE spa service in rooms, cafe, GS convenience store, and outdoor terrace with a free barbecue. Oyster porridge breakfast service. Resources for Helping You Navigate Namhae These next posts may be the most important information you read regarding planning a trip to Namhae and making sure you can find every place you want to visit. Digging deeper into the struggles of Korean travel will help you make the best of your Namhae-gun, South Korea travel plan. Use Hangul Addresses Instead of Romanized Addresses Don’t get caught with the wrong type of address. Choosing a Navigation App Choosing the right Navigation app will also help with your time in South Korea. Read this article next to know which navigation apps work best and why! Using Phone Numbers Instead of Address We talked about this in the above post, learn more about how to use phone numbers instead of addresses in our post about the navigation app hack. Using Naver Maps for Navigation Want to know how to use Naver Maps, get started with Navigating Korea: Using Naver Maps post. Creating Custom Travel Plans with Naver Maps Want to take your Naver Maps skills to the next level? Check out our post on how to create a custom travel itinerary in Korea. 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 whom live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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Traditional South Korean Breakfast https://blog.southofseoul.net/traditional-south-korea-breakfast/ Wed, 03 Nov 2021 06:40:32 +0000 https://blog.southofseoul.net/?p=6680 Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAIT

Would you like to step out of your bacon and eggs breakfast routine and try something new? Join us in exploring Korea’s tradition of dinner for breakfast. It’s a delicious and filling way to start the day. Breakfast in South Korea Breakfast looks different around the world. In South Korea breakfast may consist of soup, side dishes, and rice. Favorite breakfast soups include galbitang, kongnamul bap, kimchijjigae, or manduguk. There is also a side dish meal called baekban which consists of a small bowl of soup with many side dishes. If people are in a hurry, they will often just grab a kimbap at the corner store and call it good. Budaejjigae = 부대찌개 Kimchijjigae = 김치찌개 Galbitang = 갈비탕 Gamjatang = 감자탕 BaekBan = 백반 What It Feels Like to Eat Korean Breakfast Although this might seem odd at first, Korean breakfast can quickly become a way of life once you get used to it. That’s because galbitang with rice and a few side dishes makes you feel like you could take on the world. You are full but not weighed down. For me, I feel full but not groggy straight through to lunch. No snacks are needed. These days I will choose a Korean breakfast 9 times out of 10 because it gives me energy instead of making me want to crawl back in bed. How to Know If a Restaurant Serves Breakfast Interestingly, finding out which restaurants serve breakfast isn’t always easy. They will usually have the information posted on their door but rarely advertise it online. CLICK HERE to read more about how to know who serves breakfast. Below you will find five places I go for Korean breakfast regularly. Try a few of them and see what you think. Korean breakfast might be your thing or it might not. Either way, it’s worth a try just in order to experience how another culture experiences the start of their day. Korean ‘Lunch Counters’ You will notice that the following list has many ‘Korean ‘lunch counter’ options. These types of restaurants are all across Korean in almost every populated neighborhood. They are the perfect spots to grab a quick affordable breakfast such as kimbap. Such breakfast spots can also often be found near transportation hubs such as bus terminals and subway stations. 10 Spots for Korean Breakfast in Pyeongtaek Here are spots we grab breakfast across Pyeongtaek. We usually arrive 30 minutes after their “open” time to give them time to get organized and moving in the am. Most countryside spots arrive right when they say they open which means there might still be some things to do before they can get breakfast on the table. This is true about some places, but not all. We just arrive a little later to be safe. 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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Dive Deeper into South Korean Buddhist Culture with a Temple Stay https://blog.southofseoul.net/south-korean-buddhist-temple-stay/ Mon, 27 Sep 2021 08:45:50 +0000 https://blog.southofseoul.net/?p=6198 Molly Hayden

Roaming the open grounds of a sacred temple during an afternoon offers a short respite from the chaos of everyday life. But for a more grounding, immersive experience, consider a Korean temple stay. 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. Please note that the pronunciation of some Korean words may be inaccurate due to AI technology’s limitations. About temple stays in South Korea Many Buddhist temples in South Korea offer these cultural programs, where participants experience the life of Buddhist monks by engaging in daily monastic activities. This includes Temple Stays where you can spend one or more nights in a Korean Buddhist temple. All temple stay programs differ slightly, but typically run for a weekend or a quick overnight, (longer if requested). You can attend solo, with a small group of friends, and, at certain times of the year, with children during family stays.  The information below is an example of how programming may look, using a recent stay at Magoksa Temple as a guide. This 1000-year-old temple is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and is situated in the Taehwasan Mountain range in Gongju, a location believed to have powerful pungsu (feng shui). Before any temple visit, it’s important to read up on basic etiquette.  What to expect during your temple stay Upon arrival at a Korean temple stay, you will be given temple clothing to wear during the duration of your stay. It is expected to wear this uniform for all activities, including meals, ceremonies while hiking on temple grounds, and additional programming. This is followed by a brief orientation explaining what is expected during your stay and the proper cultural nuances of temple life. You will then be guided to your accommodations, a simple room within the temple buildings with two blankets – one for sleeping on and one for covering – and a small pillow.   Sample programming for a weekend temple stay The daily schedule for monks begins with a wake-up at 4:00 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m.  *Note all programming is optional. You are not required to participate, but it’s highly recommended for the full experience. All meals are vegetarian and included in the temple stay pricing.  Friday:  Saturday: Sunday:  What to bring to a temple stay   What NOT to bring to a Temple Stay   Where to find a temple stay A list of temples that allow foreign visitors exists here.  Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated a 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. Molly HaydenJournalist Molly Hayden has worked in the journalism field in Germany and the United States. In 2021 she relocated to South Korea. As a volunteer Cultural Liason and Content Creator, Ms. Hayden reports on a variety of life & style topics with a focus on families living in rural South Korea.

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