ADVENTURE

Places in Korea – Han River (한강)

한강 (The Han River) has become one of the iconic symbols of Seoul, and as the 4th longest river in Korea, it runs through a good portion of the country. The river is quite broad, and in Seoul, you can visit 12 recreational parks along its shorelines, participate in exciting 수상 스포츠 (water sports), take a bike ride along the 74km-long 자전거 도로 (bike lane), kick back and relax on the the 한강 유람선 (Han River Cruise Ship), enjoy a 콘서트 (concert) by the water, or just hang out with friends and loved ones along the shore.

여 름 날씨 (Summer weather) in Korea can be very hot and humid during the day, but at night, it cools off just enough to enjoy the night air. One of our favorite things to do in the summertime is to visit 한강 at sunset and hang out with 친구들 (friends). Not only can you take some AMAZING 사진 (pictures) of the river at this time, but you’re also not sweating your cojones off trying to experience an important portion of Korean 역사 (history).


Here are a couple more pictures of 한강 at dusk:


Thanks for checking out our first TTMIK blog post! We hope to be able to offer some insight on Korea while integrating a few vocabulary words for you to learn! Come on now, did you really think you were going to read a post from Talk To Me In Korean and NOT learn some new vocab? :D

Source : talktomeinkorean

NAMI ISLAND

A place where there are romances and different beauty of each season. Why don't you go there and make a great reminiscence. Nami Island located in Bangha-ri, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si was not an island originally. It is an island of the Bukhangang River, which was made as a result of the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam. Its circumference is about 6Km, and its area is 430,000. There are a grassplot of 260,000 in the center of the island, and chest-nut trees and poplars around it. This place is fit for a walkway.

Walking into the island along the straight way starting from the Nami Island wharf, you can find a grave of General Nami this island named after. He passed the military service examination at the age of 17 and suppressed a riot led by Lee Shi-Ae in the 13th year of King Sejo' reign of Joseon Dynasty, and then was promoted to 'Byeongjopanseo (Minister of National Defense)' at the age of 27. But he died young at 28, denounced as a traitor after King Yejong's enthronement. A phrase of his poem which is familiar with the Korean is handed down that 'Not subjugating the whole country as a man, who on earth will call him a hero?'.

This ialand has a wide grassplot, chest-nut trees, birches, ginko trees, and maples, etc. Besides, equipped with the facilities for recreation and accommodation, a zoo, a botanical garden and pleasure boats, it is well qualified as a all-round recreation center. People love this island as a rest place to provide young people with romance, lovers with reminiscences, families and workers with affection.

In particular, well-known through a TV drama, 'Winter love song' in 2002, it is a noted place to not only the natives but Southeast nations like Hongkong.

Hours: 08:00 ~ 21:00 (Open throughout the year)

Admission: Adults: 5,000 won, Youths: 3,500 won, Children: 2,500 won

Directions: Guri/Donong three-way junction -> Maseok -> Saeteo -> Daeseong-ri -> Cheongpyeong -> turn right according to Nami Island sign in Gapyeong

Location

Source : lifeinkorea 

 

JEJU ISLAND

Jeju Island: Volcanic Island full of Allure

Samdado Island

Located southwest of the Korean Peninsula, Jejudo Island (제주도) is a volcanic island in the shape of an oval that measures 73km from west to east, and 31km from north to south. As Korea’s most southern region, the weather on Jejudo Island remains significantly warmer than the mainland even during the cold winter months. Jejudo Island is sometimes referred to as “Samdado Island” (삼다도, meaning the “three many”) because of its abundance of rocks, women, and wind. Wind from the ocean blows steadily throughout the year and past volcanic activity has littered the island with an assortment of beautiful and unusually-shaped black rocks. The island’s reputation of having an abundance of women points back to the time when fishing was the primary means of income and many men were lost at sea.

Unique Costal Culture and Breathtaking Natural Beauty

Before the invention of modern means of transportation, travel to and from the mainland was often a difficult and dangerous journey that few attempted. Since the island was cut off from the mainland in this way, the people on the island developed their own unique culture and dialect. Out of this culture was born a set of unusual icons that demonstrate the uniqueness of the island: "Haenyeo,” "Dolhareubang," "Galot," and "Bangsatap." Back in the days when Jejudo Island was a land of fishing villages, the local women were responsible for a large part of the family’s income. "Haenyeo” (해녀, female divers) often went diving to collect shellfish and edible seaweed, filling the quiet sea air with whistles announcing their catch. Every visitor to Jeju is sure to see their fair share of Dolhareubang (돌하르방, literally "old grandfather stone statues”). Sometimes serious-looking, sometimes almost comical, these statues dot the landscape and have become one of the most widely-recognized symbols of the island. The word “Galot” (갈옷) refers to traditional Jeju clothing that is dyed with persimmon juice. Often associated with the area’s agricultural way of life, these orange-hued, lightweight pieces of clothing are a trademark of Jeju. Another special sight are the Bangsatap (방사탑) piled all around the island: at houses, beaches, and even tourist attractions. These small, round towers made of many stones were thought to ward off evil, protect the village, and bring prosperity to the people. It is because of this deep-seated belief that one can still see Bangsatap near the entranceways of many buildings. In addition to having its own unique culture, Jeju is full of breathtaking sights and unusual attractions: World Heritage Sites (such as Hallasan Mountain and Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak) and sandy beaches alongside turquoise waters. Small mountains ((called Oreum (오름) in Jeju dialect)) are found all across the island. There are said to be more than 365 oreums, more than one for each day of the year! The "Jeju Olle" paths offer a great opportunity to explore this unique landscape, leading visitors among quiet places off the beaten path. Jeju’s phenomenal natural beauty, historical legacies, quirky museums, and array of water sports make it one of the best vacation spots in Korea.

>> World Heritage Sites by UNESCO on Jejudo Island

Among all of Jeju’s natural wonders, three sites have been recognized as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO (2007): Hallasan Mountain, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, and the Geomunoreum Lava Tube System. Hallasan Mountain is perhaps Jeju’s most prominent geographical feature, rising out of the very center of the island. Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak has been recognized for its sedimentological characteristics and is one of the best places in the world to study Surtseyan-type volcanic eruptions. The third and final World Heritage Site is Geomunoreum Lava Tube System, one of the most extensive series of lava tube caves in the world. Source : henglish.visitkorea.or.kr