Bear Town Resort, a fun getway for family and friends! | 2015 Wow Korea Supporter

Bears Town Resort is a large-scale leisure town in suburban Seoul.

 

It is a city suburban style ski resort equipped with International Ski Federation approved slopes, including the 88 Challenge Line.

Also, there are lessons and slopes for beginners too!!!!

The resort has a total of 11 ski slopes and 9 lifts with a capacity to accept 15,200 skiers per hour.

Slope and Lift / Gondola > 11 Slopes (Beginner 2, Intermediate 5, Advanced 4), 8 Lifts > Lift Usage

(won)

Type	Full Day	Half Day	Night
Fees	46,000	35,000	38,000
Operating Hours	09:30-16:45	09:00-12:30 / 13:00-16:45	18:20-22:30

Skiing/Snowboarding Lessons

(won)

Type	Hours	Ski[1:15]	Ski[1:1]	Snowboard [1:5]	Snowboard [1:1]
Full Day	10:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00	60,000	260,000	60,000	260,000
Half Day	10:00-12:00 / 14:00-16:00	42,000	180,000	42,000	180,000
Night	19:00-21:00	42,000	180,000	-	-

* English lessons are available.

There are also several facilities available for visitor such as the sledding hill, indoor swimming pool, golf range, tennis court, sauna, survival game room, seminar facilities, Korean/Western restaurants, snack bar, cafe, singing room, game room, supermarket, ski shop, medical room, tourist’s lift and camp site.

And if you ever have extra time, you can go to the National Arboretum and Forest Museum and the Pocheon Ildong Hot Springs, which are only 30 minutes away!

The best part is, it is sooo easy to get there!

Directions

From Gangbyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, Exit 4) - From exit 4, cross the street and walk to the right. Cross the street again to find the bus stop. - Take Bus 11 (강변역A) and get off at Bears Town (베어스타운) Bus Stop (approx. 1hr 38min). - First bus 6:05 / Last bus: 00:20 / Interval: 15-20min

For more information are reservations, go to www.bearstown.com (Korean, English).

Temples in South Korea | Temple Life & Temple Stay

This video was made for the "I Love Seoul, I Like Temple" video competition.  

And we won 1st place!!!!

This video was filmed at Bongeunsa Temple and Jogyesa Temple.


We hope that we were able to portray just a little glimpse of how immense an impact was made upon us through the history and culture of Korea.

Temple Life
Held on every Thursday from 2 to 4 pm, the temple life program is available for foreign visitors. The program includes a temple tour, lotus lantern making, tea drinking ceremonies, and a chance to talk with a monk. All activities are conducted in English and visitors can take part in this program without reservations. The fee is 10,000won and all participants receive a souvenir.

Temple Stay
You can experience the calm and serene everyday life in a temple and this stay includes traditional Buddhist culture and practices such as daily dawn services, Korean Zen meditation, tea drinking ceremonies and a Buddhist meal with traditional bowls. There are two programs available: an overnight program and a short program that lasts 2 to 5 hours.

For more information, you can contact (+82)02-3218-4895.

For more videos, CLICK HERE to check out our channel! 

To go to Bongeunsa Temple:
[Subway]
Bongeunsa Temple Station (Seoul Subway Line 9), Exit 1.
- Walk straight for 150 m.

3 ways to go to Jogyesa Temple:

1. Jonggak Subway Station Jonggak Station (Subway Line 1), Exit 2. Go 70m forward, then cross the street. Go 100m more to arrive at a path to Jogyesa Temple. 2. Anguk Subway Station Anguk Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 6. Go 50m forward, then cross the street in front of Dongduk Gallery. Go 50m more to arrive at a path to Jogyesa Temple. 3. Gwanghwamun Subway Station Gwanghwamun Station (Subway Line 5), Exit 2. Go 150m forward to arrive at a path to Jogyesa Temple between YTN Parking Tower and Hana Bank.

Things to do in Gojaedo, Somaemuldo | 2015 Wow Korea Supporters ( Day 2)

So we started the day in Gojae Island. From there, we took a boat ride to Oedo, which is a private island owned by a Korean couple.

Oedo-Botania is a marine botanical garden located in Hallyeo Maritime National Park, which has a beautiful view of the crystal blue South Sea and surrounding landscape. It is 4 kilometers away from Geojedo Island. About 20 minutes by ship from Gujora Port, past Naedo Island lies the European-like Oedo Island.

 

We took a lot of pictures in the European-like botanic garden with the beautiful sea landscape. There are also a lot of sculptures and basically its a really nice place for tea!

However, there is an admission fee to enter the botanical garden, but for those who loves plants and enjoy nature, its definitely worth it to go there!!

Admission Fees

Adults 11,000 won / Military & Students (middle-high school students) 8,000 won / Children (25 months and up) 5,000 won ※ Group fare is not applicable for adults ※ Group of 30 or more middle-high school students: 6,000 won (20% discount) ※ Group of 30 or more children (25 months and up): 4,000 won (20% discount)

Here are some directions on how to get there!

Directions

From Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Geoje via Jangseungpo. Get off at Jangseungpo Terminal. Take a taxi or a local bus to the ferry dock. * Ferry Dock Information Jangseungpo: + 82-55-681-6565 Wahyeon: +82-55-681-2211   Gujora: +82-55-681-1188 Hakdong: +82-55-636-7755 Dojangpo: +82-55-632-8787 Haegeumgang: +82-55-633-1352

Next we went to the Windy hill which is a place where Koreans come and enjoy the breeze and take beautiful pictures with the wind mill. This place is extremely famous among Korean tourist worth to visit!

 

This place is also a filming site for 'Eve's Garden', 'Merry-Go-Round', '1 Night 2 Days'

Directions

From Express Bus Termina in Seoul, take an express bus bound for Gohyeon Bus Terminal. Take a taxi to the venue (25.4 km/ around 45 min)

For more information, visit their website! http://tour.geoje.go.kr

And right after that, we went to Somaumuldo Island.

 

It is basically a really small island. However, if you climb up to the peak of the island, the scenery is definitely breath-taking! There's even a lighthouse there that makes the view even more amazing!

 

Right after reaching the island, we hike around the island and after that, we had an awesome BBQ party!!!

 

Here are some directions to get to this island for a quiet getaway!

Directions

From Express Bus Terminal, take an express bus bound for Gohyeon Bus Terminal. Walk toward Geoje Children Hospital, take Bus 53-1 and get off at Maemuldo Passenger Terminal Bus Stop (54 bus stops). Take a ferry to the Island (60 minutes).

  
This trip was really awesome as we had to take lots of boat rides (beware for those who get seasick like me!), I had a lot of fun during this trip and being a part of the 2015 Wow Korea Supporters definitely gave me an opportunity to open my eyes and learn so much more about Korea and its culture.

Things to do in Tongyong | 2015 Wow Korea Supporters (Day 1)

So for the final trip, we went to Tongyong, which is a small city located in the very south of the Korean Peninsula.

We first started the trip at the Hallyeo Cable Car. We were taken to the peak of Mireuk mountain. Unfortunately for us, the weather was really foggy so we couldn't see anything from the top of the mountain.

However, if the weather is nice, I strongly recommend you to visit there! Here's a blog post I wrote with all the details!

After that, we went to the Dongpirang village where we get to see lots of beautiful and cute mural paintings.

Its one of the must go places in Tongyong!

 

Here's how to get there!

Directions

From Seoul Express Bus Terminal, take an express bus bound for Tongyeong Bus Terminal. Transfer to Bus 101 in front of the Bus Terminal and get off at Toseonggogae Pass Bus Stop. Continue walking toward the four-way intersection and take a left to reach the venue. Dongpirang Village will be on your left.

After that, we went to the Nammang Sculpture Park to look at the night view! The view was really breathtaking!

 

 

Hallyeosudo Viewing Ropeway | A view that will take your breath away | 2015 Wow Korea Supporters

If you happened to be at Tong-Yeong, which is located at the very south of South Korea, Hallyeosudo Viewing Ropeway is definitely the place to be!

Located on Mireuksan Mountain, one of Korea's top 100 mountains, Hallyeosudo Viewing Ropeway is the only dual-cable automatic circulating gondola system in Korea. At 1,975 meters long, it is the longest tourist ropeway in the nation. The ropeway is made up of 47 gondolas and one freight unit. Traveling at an average of 4m/sec, it takes approximately 9 minutes to reach the summit station from the ground station.

From the top of Mireuksan Mountain, one can see the historical venue for the Great Battle of Hansan below and even see as far Hallyeohaesang National Park (from Hansando Island to Yeosu), Japan's Daemado Island, Jirisan National Park's Cheonwangbong Peak, and Dolsando Island.

Here are the details if you are just dying to know how to get there!

Individual
- Adults: round-trip 10,000 won / one-way 6,500 won
- Children: round-trip 6,000 won / one-way 4,000 won
- Seniors: round-trip 8,000 won / one-way 5,000 won

Group
- Adults: round-trip 9,000 won / one-way 6,000 won
- Children: round-trip 5,500 won / one-way 3,500 won

Directions

[Bus] From Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Seoul Nambu Terminal, take a bus bound for Tongyeong Intercity Bus Terminal. Take Bus 141 in front of Tongyeong Intercity Bus Terminal. Get off at Tongyeong Cable Car of Ground Station Bus Stop. (29 bus stops / approx 40 min) From the bus stop, the venue is located within 140m on foot (approx. 2 min). OR Take a taxi to the venue from the bus terminal. (Taxi fare: about 11,000 to 13,000 won / Travel time: 20 min

 
For more info, check out their website!
http://cablecar.ttdc.kr (available in Korean only)

Namdaemun, the largest traditional market in Korea | 2015 Wow Korea Supporters

Namdaemun Market, the largest traditional market in Korea is very well known for its wholesale markets. Opened since 1964, the products sold here range from baby products, to imported goods, food, kitchenware and ladies’ wear. On top of that, the entire market offers a lot of optical shops, not to mention ginseng and other herbal products that are good for the body. Unlike the nearby modern-like places like Dongdaemun and Myeongdong, Namdaemun offers a very traditional spin with many street shops under umbrellas, and it’s an excellent place to go shopping for goods on the cheaper end.

Namdaemun also has a few food shops that are famous off the radar with the locals. You can see the enormous queues of ahjummas and ahjusshis waiting for the pork mandus, or the vegetable heotteok. The entire central street is filled with many street shops selling socks, baby clothes and female clothings. The place also offers a street for electrical goods such as cameras where it is said it is one of the cheapest areas in the whole of Seoul.

Namdaemun deserves more attention than it is currently getting for the amount of things it has to offer. Sure, it doesn’t have air conditioning like the new modern malls and high-end shopping streets, however if you are looking for a traditional touch with a little bit of Korean history, this is the place to be.

21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

서울특별시 중구 남대문시장4길 21

Operating Hours: ~17:00

Taking the bus is a little bit confusing since there are many bus stops around Namdaemun and you might get lost. The easiest way is to take the Subway and get off at Hoehyeon Station on Subway Line 4, Exit 5. Once out, you should be able to see Namdaemun Market, or at least, you would be able to follow the crowd into Namdaemun. 

Things to do in Gyeonggi-do | 2015 Wow Korea Supporters | Day 2

On the second day, we went to the Labor Party Office in Cheolwon. This place was used as The House of Labor Party until the break of the Korean War on June 25, it is now one of the tourist attractions that keep the vestiges of the Korean War.

 Directions

* Take an intercity bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (Seoul subway line 2, Gangbyeon station) to Dongsong-eup or Sincheorwon. (Bus schedule: 06:30-21:00, 20-30min intervals / Estimated travel time: 2hrs 20min)
1. Across from Dongsong Intercity Bus Terminal, take Sintan-ri bound city bus (1 hour interval / 20 min ride).
2. From Sincheorwon Intercity Bus Terminal, walk 3 min toward Cheorwon County Office and there is a post office. Take Dongsong bound city bus there and get off at Dongsong Intercity Bus Terminal (20-30 min ride). Then, move as above. Totally takes 50-60 min.
3. Taxi takes 15-20 min from Dongsong Intercity Bus Terminal, and 30 min from Sincheorwon Intercity Bus Terminal.

Official Website: http://www.cha.go.kr                                                            

   

We were only allowed to take pictures of the ruins and pictures of the gate to DMZ were prohibited. I learnt it the hard way because a soldier caught me taking pictures and chased me and then ordered me to delete the pictures due to security reasons. To my defense, I wasn’t aware about it after all, even tourists go in and out the DMZ all the time.

 

After that, we went to Jaein Falls where it has a beautiful waterfall scenery where Koreans would go there just to take pictures.

 

The name Jaein (clown) was attached to it due to a local folklore about a tightrope walker with a beautiful wife. One of the local administrators was secretly attracted to his wife. One day, the tightrope walker was engaging in an act on the rope tied to the ravine and the administrator had one of his men cut the rope. 

Yes. Sad story.

 

Next, we went to Cheongsan Makguksu where we had cho-gye-tang(초계탕), it is basically shredded chicken with vegetables and sour broth. It basically tasted like a chicken salad with vinegar dressing and I loved it!! This meal is usually shard by more than 2 people. 

 

Then we went to Hyeri Art Village where we visited the Game Museum. 

The game museum showcases many arcade and console games including the ones from the 90s. Visitors can even stay there for hours and just play video/arcade games.

 

Directions
[Subway + Bus]
Hapjeong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 2.
- Take Bus 2200
 (07:00-23:20, every 15 minutes; It takes 40-50 minutes)
- Get off at the Heyri stop.

Official website: www.heyri.net

Our final stop was the Paju Premium Outlet where various of International Brands of clothing items and accessories such are Nike and Adidas are sold for a cheap price. I managed to get a Levi’s bag there for only 30,000Won! 

 

Directions
From Hapjeong Station (Subway Line 2 or 6), Exit 2.
Go straight for 200m and take Bus 2200.
Get off at the back gate of Paju Premium Outlets.
The outlet is located 600m from the bus stop.
(Bus schedule: 05:30-22:10, 10min intervals/ Travel time: 1hr)

From Hapjeong Station (Exit 2) or Baekseok Station (Subway Line 3, Exit 4).
Take Bus 200 and get off at Paju Premium Outlets.

From Geumchon Station (Gyeongui Line), Exit 1.
Take Bus 033, 035, 036 or 900.
Get off at the back gate of Paju Premium Outlets. (Travel time: 20min)

 Official Website: www.premiumoutlets.co.kr 

This trip was really exciting since its has my two favourite things – water sports and shopping!

Stay tune for more travel blogs!!

Sansawon Gallery brewing Korean Traditional Liquor till today | 2015 Wow Korea Supporters

Alcohol. A part of Korean culture that is shown in dramas, music videos and etc. Yes, Koreans love to drink and the art of making alcohol is definitely something that everyone (who is a legal adult) has to experience.

 

Sansawon, located in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, is a traditional Korean liquor gallery that is dedicated to brewing Korean liquor in order to preserve the local traditional liquor culture.

 

In this three story gallery, visitors are able to learn the history of Korean Traditional liquor, see an exhibition on antique books on Traditional Korean Liquor, sample liquor and even brew liquor themselves.

Visitor Info

Fee: 2,000 won admission fee

* minors not allowed / Groups of over 20 people: 1,000 won / experience program excluded

Reservation: IIndividuals can visit without reservation. Groups are required to make Internet reservations, and must call to confirm reservation.

* groups: 15 persons or more

Business hours: 08:30-17:30

* Closed on Chuseok and Seollal holidays

Support: Wine cups presented as souvenirs

Language: Interpreter required

Experience programs:
- 120 minutes / 30,000 won
- Home brewing class: 120 minutes / 45,000 won
- Brewing Sesiju (plum wine): 120 minutes / 30,000 won
- Brewing healthy wine: 120 minutes / 35,000 won
- Seasonal brews: 60 minutes / 15,000 won
- Home brew sampling class: 19:00-20:20 / 20:30-22:00 / 160,000 won (4 classes)

Directions

[Bus]
From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, Sangbong Bus Terminal, or Uijeongbu Intercity Bus Terminal, take the bus to Ildong Bus Terminal. From Ildong Bus Terminal, take Bus #66, #5, or #7 and get off at Hwahyeon3-ri. (5 min walk)

For more info, check out their official website: http://www.sansawon.co.kr/eng/gallery.html