Author: Robert Koehler
Publisher: Seoul Selection
760 pages

Important! Please read before you order!

>>>This book is written in English.

About This Book


With 5,000 years of history and culture packed into one very tight package, Korea is a fascinating travel destination that both compares and contrasts favorably with its larger neighbors. From the pulsating streets of Seoul to the peaceful temples and gardens of the Korean countryside, Korea is a study in contrasts---one foot in the future, with the other firmly rooted in one of the world's riches cultural heritages.



• Comprehensive and detailed descriptions of one of Asia¡¯s most fascinated countries

• Beautiful photos bring alive Korea¡¯s scenic charms

• Helpful tips ensure you make the most of your visit

• Detailed maps and transportation information help you get where you want to go

• Culture and history notes provide background information and stories to enrich your traveling experience

• Information on "Off the Beaten Track" destinations for the adventurous traveler



Table of Contents



Introduction 8

Map of Korea 10

Korea in Statistics 11

KOrea¡¯s Best 8 12

Itineraries 26

History of Korea 32



Part I

Seoul 43

• Seoul¡¯s Royal Palaces 50 • Samcheong-dong 64 • Bukchon 68

• Insa-dong 71 • Jeong-dong 76 • City Hall Area 79

• Myeong-dong 82 • Mt. Namsan 88 • Namdaemun Area 90 • Seongbuk-dong 94

• Buam-dong 99 • Bukhansan National Park 102 • Dongdaemun Market 104

• Daehangno 109 • Sinchon 111 • Hongik University Area 114

• Seodaemun Independence Park 119 • Itaewon 121

• More Yongsan Sites 126 • River Cruises 131

• Yeouido 132 • Yanghwajin 136 • Riverside Parks 140

• Seoul Forest 143 • Apgujeong-dong & Cheongdam-dong 145

• COEX Mall (Samseong-dong) 150

• Performing Arts in Gangnam 153 • Lotte World (Jamsil) 154

• Getting Around Seoul 156 • Accommodation List 160



Incheon & Gyeonggi-do 167

• Incheon 171 • Ganghwa Island 186 • The DMZ 192 • Hyeri Art Valley 199

• Suwon Hwaseong 202 • Yongin 206 • Namhansanseong Fortress 210

• Icheon 212 • Silleuksa Temple & Mok-A Museum 214 • Yangsu-ri 216

• Joseon Royal Tombs 220



Gangwon-do 223

• Chuncheon 227 • Sokcho 233 • Seoraksan National Park 239

• Naksan Provincial Park 246 • Odaesan National Park 249

• Gangneung 255 • Jeongdongjin 264 • Unification Park 265

• Donghae 266 • Samcheok 270 • Shingle-roofed Homes of Sin-ri 273 • Taebaek 275

• Jeongseon Rail Bike 280 • Gwinemi Village 281 • Donggang River 282

• Pyeongchang 285 • Wonju 288 • Cheorwon 291 • Hwacheon 295



Chungcheongbuk-do 301

• Cheongju 305 • Nogeun-ri Incident Site 309 • Sewang Brewery 310

• Songnisan National Park 311 • Chungju 316

• Woraksan National Park 324 • Suanbo 328 • Danyang 330



Daejeon & Chungcheongnam-do 339

• Daejeon 343 • Gyeryongsan National Park 353 • Geumsan 357

• Gongju 359 • Magoksa Temple 366 • Buyeo 369 • Gwanchoksa Temple 378

• Nabawi Catholic Church 378 • Boryeong & Daecheon Beach 379

• Taean National Park 382 • Seosan 386

• Rock-carved Buddhist Triad of Yonghyeon-ri 388 • Gaesimsa Temple 388

• Ganworam Hermitage 389 • Hongseong 390 • Cheonan 393



Jeollabuk-do 399

• Jeonju 403 • Geumsansa Temple & Moaksan Provincial Park 408

• Mireuksa Temple Site 410 • Daedunsan Provincial Park 411 • Gunsan 412

• Byeonsan Bando 418 • Gochang 422

• Naejangsan National Park 427 • Maisan Provincial Park 430

• Deogyusan National Park 432 • Namwon 434



Gwangju & Jeollanam-do 439

• Gwangju 443 • Damyang 454 • Unjusa & Ssangbongsa Temple 458

• Gangjin 461 • Wolchulsan National Park 469 • Mokpo 473

• Haenam & Jindo 479 • Dadohae Maritime National Park 484

• Boseong 491 • Beolgyo—Remains of a Tortured Past 495

• Suncheon 496 • Yeosu 503



Daegu & Gyeongsangbuk-do 509

• Daegu 513 • Inheung Village 524 • Palgongsan Provincial Park 525 • Gyeongju 531

• Pohang 539 • Cheongdo 543 • Haeinsa Temple 546 • Andong 551 • Yecheon 557

• Mungyeong 558 • Buseoksa Temple 561 • Uljin 564

• Juwangsan National Park 568 • Ulleungdo 572



Busan, Ulsan & Gyeongsangnam-do 579

• Busan 583 • Ulsan 598 • Jinhae 604 • Tongyeong 606 • Geoje-do 612

• Jinju 615 • Jirisan National Park 618 • Chilseon Gyegok Valley 625

• Hadong 626 • Upo Wetlands 631



Jeju-do 635

• Jeju City 639 • Northeastern Jeju 641 • Jeju¡¯s South Coast 649

• Itami Jun¡¯s Wind, Water & Stone 653

• Mt. Hallasan National Park 654 • Jeju Olle Trails 658





Part II

Essential Info 663

• Info Resources 664 • Immigration & Customs 665

• Basic Korean Culture 667 • Local Info 668 • Books on Korea 677



Transportation 679

• Getting To/From Korea 679 • Getting Around Korea 681



Accommodations 685



Korean Food 689



Shopping 703

• Things to Buy 704 • Shops & Market 705



Basic Korean 708

• Useful Expressions 710 • Language Programs 716



Performing Arts 717



Museums & Galleries 721

• History Museums 721 • Art Museums & Galleries 723



Festivals 726

• Seoul 726 • Outside Seoul 728



Activities 730

• Spas & Saunas 730 • Karaoke 731 • Internet Cafes 732

• Zen Practice 733 • Korean Traditional Medicine 734

• Cooking 736 • Volunteering 736



Index 738

Subway Maps 746

• Seoul 746 • Busan 748 • Daegu 749 • Daejeon 750 • Gwangju 751





History & Culture

• Empress Myeongseong 53 • Cutting the Spirit of the Kingdom 58

• A Cup of Coffee for the Emperor 61

• King Gojong and the Rise and Fall of the Daehan Empire 62

• Hanok 70 • March 1 Independence Movement 74

• Dangerous for Your Relationship? 78 • Dokkaebi? Dokkaebi Market? 93

• Gisaeng: Speaking Flowers 97 • Dongdaemun Gate 105

• Missionaries and Korean Christianity 113 • The Korean Flag 120

• US Army Garrison—Yongsan 129 • Tragedy of the Hangang Bridge 135

• Korean Christianity 138

• Chinese-Koreans: Hwagyo 174 • Incheon Landing 184

• King Jeongjo, Jeong Yak-yong & Silhak 203

• Surrender at Namhansanseong Fortress 211

• The Beauty of Joseon Ceramics 213

• Winter Sonata 228 • The Train to Chuncheon 231

• ¡®Yulgok¡¯ Yi I & Sin Saimdang 259 • The Grateful Pheasant 289

• Jeongipum Pine Tree 314 • Ureuk, the Gayageum and General Sin Rip 318

• Ondal the Fool & Princess Pyeonggang 336 • Battle of Daejeon 349

• ¡®Brother and Sister Pagodas¡¯ 356 • Tale of the She-Bear 361

• A New Capital? 363 • The Ballad of Seodong 374

• The Kingdom of Baekje 376

• Dapseong Nori & Gochang Moyang Fortress Festival 424

• Song of Chunhyang 436 • Gwangju Democratization Movement 446

• Goryeo Celadon 462 • Jeong Yak-yong & Green Tea 464

• Hendrick Hamel¡¯s Korean Adventure 466 • Hongeo 486

• Korean Buddhism 498 • Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea 506

• History of Silla 536 • Palman Daejanggyeong 550

• Korean Confucianism 556 • Jagalchi Ajimae 587

• Jinhae Gunhangje 605 • Yi Sun-sin & the Imjin War 611

• Nongae 617 • ¡®If You Want a Good Cup of Tea, Come to Hadong¡¯ 630

• Snakes, Virgins and Caves 644 • Haenyeo: Korea¡¯s Mermaids 648

• Valentine¡¯s Day, White Day, Black Day, Pepero Day 669

• Dog Meat and Boyangsik 702

• King Sejong the Great & the Hangeul Alphabet 709

• Korea¡¯s ¡°Bang¡± Culture 732


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