Visit of South Korea

Visit of South Korea
2024 South Korea

Parks, Temples and City tours in Seoul and Busan
from May 2nd to 24, 2024

'An-nyeong-ha-se-yo' from South Korea where I spent 3 weeks. Contrasting country, highly urbanized due to its population density. Perfect for urban tourism, a little less for the nature side but great potential for discoveries / surprises in Seoul

Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th May - Arrival in Seoul and first discoveries

A day of sightseeing in Seoul (2 nights) before going by rental car to Seroaksan National Park

The Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace and its Main Audience Hall (Geunjeongjeon)

Gyeongbokgung Palace (Geunjeongjeon)

Interior view of Jibokjae Royal Library (Gyeongbokgung Palace)

The throne room in Gyeongbokgung Palace

Injeongjeon Hall of Changdeokgung Palace

Daytime view of Seoul city center from the Vert Hotel (Central Myeongdong District)

Nighttime view of Seoul city center from the Vert Hotel (Central Myeongdong District)

Sunday 5th to Tuesday 7th May - Arrival in the 'seaside' city of Sokcho and walks in Seroaksan National Park.

After 2 days in Seoul, head to the seaside city of Sokcho by car in the North-East of the country with a series of tunnels and bridges. Visit to Seroaksan National Park.

Partial view of Sokcho and not the most urban part! (the beach is on the right)

Sunday late afternoon: view of the beach and the seafront in the distance

Monday, May 6 - First steps on the trails of Seroaksan National Park. Visit disrupted by the forecast rain.

River in Seroaksan National Park

View of Seroaksan National Park after having already climbed to the summit

Many stairs to climb the peaks of Seroaksan National Park

Vue du parc national Seroaksan

Les pics rocheux d'Ulsan Bawi dans le parc national Seroaksan

Les fameux pics rocheux d'Ulsan Bawi (parc national Seroaksan)

Descent from the rocky peaks of Ulsan Bawi (lots of stone, wood or metal stairs)

Monday: view of the beach and the seafront in the distance with a little sun

View of the apartment blocks facing the sea

Tuesday morning: short hike in the south of Seroaksan National Park

Wednesday 8, Thursday 9 May - North-South crossing via the center of the country

Walk along Gangneung beach then visit Guinsa temple

Walk along the pine-sheltered beach in Gangneung with rough sea waves

Another view of the waterfront in Gangneung

Guinsa Temple

Guinsa Temple Statues

View of the Guinsa Temple nestled in its valley floor

Thursday 9th and Friday 10th May - Songnisan National Park

After a night in a bivouac on a winding mountain road, destination the southern entrance of Songnisan National Park

Start of the 6-hour walk to the summit of Cheonwongbong peak (1058 meters) then the rock Munjangdae Peak (1052 meters)

Viewpoint of the summit of Cheonwongbong peak (1058 meters) more than 6 hours of walking with beautiful sunny spring weather, 19.5 km, 1129 m d+

Viewpoint from the summit of Cheonwongbong peak (1058 meters)

Viewpoint from the rock Munjangdae Peak (1052 meters)

Friday, May 10 - Beopjusa temple before accessing the Jikjisa monastery

Visit to the Beopjusa temple around 10am (UNESCO site)

Entrance gate of Beopjusa Temple

Interior of Beopjusa Temple with a ceremony sung by a monk to be completely in the atmosphere

Golden statue in Beopjusa Temple

Arrival at Jikjisa Monastery around 2:20 pm (1h15 journey) for a Temple Stay experience. 24-hour stay for a Buddhist experience. Personally, not convinced by the experience, especially for foreign tourists (very partial translations)

Entrance gate of Jikjisa Monastery

Guardians of the entrance to Jikjisa Monastery

Decorations in front of one of the temples of Jikjisa Monastery

Interior of one of the temples of Jikjisa Monastery

Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May - End of the Jikjisa temple stay then road towards Jirisan National Park (about 2 hours).

Camping at the entrance to Jirisan Park: Naewon campsite but it is not the right valley for the next day's walk (15 km further!). After a very rainy evening and night, departure from the campsite before noon, time to dry the tent in the sun.

Changing valleys in 1/2 hour to park my vehicle in the parking lot 1km below the entrance to Jirisan National Park

One of the entrance gates on the way to Jirisan National Park for my hike with a night in a mountain hut

About 3 hours of steep hiking to reach the Jangteomok refuge (5.4km + 2.2km approach, 1147m d+) and an arrival at 3:30 p.m.

Viewpoint from the Jangteomok refuge. Hot and humid at the bottom 23-24°C but cool wind at the top at the hut (12000 KRW at night, some very basic food)

Sunset from Jangteomok hut

and sleep in the men's dormitory of Jangteomok hut. Mountain refuge: a building to cook for yourself, an entrance followed by an airlock for shoes and then separate men's and women's dormitories. So, no common living area! About fifteen people on the men's side (Sunday evening). The floors of the bunks are heated but the temperatures outside will be barely positive tonight. Plenty of sockets to charge your phone Jangteomok

Getting up at 6am, I'm finally the last one to get up in the dorm. The alarms have been staggered since 2am! Probably 0°C at sunrise

Climb to the summit of Cheonwangbong 1915 m (1.7km) then descend 3h30

Viewpoint from the summit of Cheonwangbong 1915 m

Night at Gujora-ro Port on Geoje Island

Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 May - Busan, the second city of the country

End of car rental. May 15 is a public holiday, Buddha's Day

Walk along Gwangalli Beach facing the famous Gwangandaegyo cable-stayed bridge (northeast of Busan)

Gwangalli Beach and its towers

Visit of 'Gamcheon culture village', a very artistic and colorful district

Gamcheon culture village: very artistic district (painting)

Gamcheon culture village: very artistic district (mosaic)

View from the top of Gamcheon culture village

Visit the country's largest fish market 'Jagalchi Fish Market' and have dinner on the upper floor

Thursday 16, Friday 17, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May - Jeju Island

Flight transfer from Busan for 4 nights on Jeju Island. 2 nights in Jeju City and visit the northern and central regions

First hike: 20 km walk in the cedar forest 'Saryeoni Forest'. Start of the walk 9:50 am and end around 3:30 pm.

Walking in the cedar forest 'Saryeoni Forest'

Jeju Island, South Region - Transit by bus to the south of the island for 2 nights at the Mini Soul Hotel

Start of the hike on section n°8 of the Ollé Trail at 9:45 am. This 'Ollé trail' goes around the island completely

Olle Trail Section n°9 10:15 am then section 10 in its entirety. Loop around the Songaksan crater

Olle Trail Section #9, rural side

Olle Trail Section #9, sea side

Return to the port of free divers 'Haenyos'. I saw them working in the open sea 500m, with their buoy, from the cliff without any boat nearby

Monday 20, Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 May - Back to Seoul to end these 3 weeks in South Korea

Back to Seoul for 4 nights. Visit of the city mixing old districts and modern bars built on high ground

Dinner of a vegetarian barley-based bibimbap in the lively Gwangjang market

Walk back to the hotel following the Cheonggyecheon stream

Another viewpoint from the Cheonggyecheon developed stream

Tuesday, May 21: Walk on one of Seoul's hills with City walk Namsan 6 km

Viewpoint from the 'City walk Namsan' circuit

Communication tower at the top of the City walk Namsan

Viewpoint from the 'City walk Namsan' circuit

Lunch in a beautiful restaurant with Korean architecture (pagoda style) in Namsan Park: 'Korean Beef Tartare Bibimbap' (14000 KRW, Michelin table). Very good and spicy tartare

View of the Korean architecture restaurant (pagoda style) in Namsan Park

Wednesday, May 22: Hiking in Bukhansan National Park. Start of walk at 9:55 a.m. Beautiful climb of +620m d+ to climb the peak of Jaunbong at 726m (about 2 hours).

Viewpoint of Bukhansan National Park on the outskirts of Seoul

Beautiful sunny day although it started in the fog. Effort of +6 hours and well-deserved pastry break at Nakta!

The walker's rest... and noted the sign 'Born to voyage!'

Dinner at a micro brewery 'Seoul Brewery' (beer + pasta dish and grilled chicken 22500 KRW)

Thursday, May 23: visit to the DDP Dongdaemun Design Plaza museum in Seoul

View of DDP Dongdaemun Design Plaza Museum

Very good dinner in the Seongsu-dong district at Halmeoniui or Grandma's Recipes restaurant (marinated crab in soy sauce)