Anybody who has been stationed in South Korea in the last 5 years, can you recommend a location for a Day trip??

2016-05-10T11:11:07-04:00

I'm looking to put together a unit function to introduce soldiers in my unit to the public transportation system in South Korea, both as a practical skill and a morale-boosting event. So far I have a loose CONOP for a day trip to Seoul from Humpreys to see the Seoul Tower. Does anybody else have suggestions for interesting / culturally significant destinations for a day trip?

Response by PFC James Franklin made May 10 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-05-10T11:14:41-04:00

My company chaplain took us on a day trip to Everland. It's essentially the Korean Disneyland, and the lines were stupid long but it was still a ton of fun.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 11:24 AM

2016-05-10T11:24:18-04:00

Check out the palaces around Seoul as well as the Seoul Station. Contact Dragon Hill Lodge and request transfer to the Discover Seoul desk for trips and events around Seoul.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 11:26 AM

2016-05-10T11:26:07-04:00

Also tour the Seoul fortress walls and Dungdaemun Gate and Namsan Park

Response by SFC Gary Edwards made May 10 at 2016 11:26 AM

2016-05-10T11:26:16-04:00

The Inchon landing site and memorial museum are an excellent location to visit and perfect for one day. Meets all the requirements you specified.

Response by Claudia Silva made May 10 at 2016 11:48 AM

2016-05-10T11:48:08-04:00

Thank you for doing this for your unit

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 10 at 2016 2:07 PM

2016-05-10T14:07:57-04:00

Depends on how much time you have. Seoul Tower is a fun 1-2 hour experience, but I don't see you guys spending more than that there. The War Memorial/Museum is just across the street north of Yongsan and the National Museum is just outside gate 13 (and the Icheon subways top on line 4) by the hospital. There are 3 palace complexes just north of Seoul Tower (downtown) that are very interesting to see. It's a bit of a walk so bus or subway is the best option. Also the shopping areas of Insadong, Meyongdong and Namdaemun are close by. The Cheonggyechong river walk downtown is cool to see. And if you go during Buddha's birthday coming up, it will be filled with paper laterns.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 10 at 2016 2:45 PM

2016-05-10T14:45:38-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member "Nam Sung", aka Mother Mountain is one site I recall in Seoul. Sorry, but I forget how to get there, I think we were on a 2 1/2 ton truck in1955.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 4:41 PM

2016-05-10T16:41:51-04:00

Will you have any Korean speakers, or the ability to bring one? Obviously this will open up your options. Some good suggestions in here already from other users. Namsan Tower is very famous and has a great view of Seoul. Couples go there to do love locks and they often hold cultural and martial arts exhibits during the day. Meongdong is a big shopping area where locals and tourists can buy all kinds of things and eat at many of the varied restaurants there. The temples and museums around Insadong are nice. Its modeled after historical Korean cities to see some of that aspect of Korea without traveling far from Seoul. Multiple water parks and theme parks throughout Seoul. I can go on for days. I love Korea and visit every year with my wife.

Response by SPC Alejandro Martinez made May 10 at 2016 9:17 PM

2016-05-10T21:17:43-04:00

When I was in Korea back in 2002-2003, our chapel/chaplain took us skiing. You might look into that.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2016 10:50 AM

2016-05-16T10:50:50-04:00

Wow .Seoul. or Yongson. It might have changed since I was there..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 6:14 PM

2016-05-26T18:14:29-04:00

See MWR they can point you to some:

Anjung-ri is a nice shopping arts area
Namdaemun Market
Dongdaemun Market
Any of the Palaces in Seoul
Trains go to them all
Eat Street food..I miss Hottock

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotteok

Hotteok - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hotteok (호떡, pronounced 'ho-tok') is a variety of filled Korean pancake, and is a popular street food of Korea. It is usually eaten during the winter season.[1]

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2016 9:12 AM

2016-05-31T09:12:19-04:00

My info is slightly longer than 5 years, but Namdaemun Market is a neat place. http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SHP/SH_EN_7_2.jsp?cid=273760

Another possibility: Yongsan Electronics Market. http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SHP/SH_EN_7_2.jsp?cid=273805

Enjoy your trip!

Namdaemun Market (남대문시장) | Official Korea Tourism Organization

Namdaemun Market (남대문시장)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 10:53 AM

2016-06-21T10:53:57-04:00

There is a Korean history Museum not far from the Yongsan Garrison, you can literally walk to it by going out the Dragon Hill Lodge gate. It is huge, and chronicles Korea from the earliest times to today. Naturally there is a large section on the Korean War, and it is all fascinating. It is free to get into, and is large enough for everyone in your group. The outside displays of airplanes and helicopters is fascinating by itself. It would probably be a day trip in its own right, you may not have time to do both the Seoul Tower and the Museum in the same day.

Response by SMSgt Timothy Cathers made Feb 9 at 2017 4:47 PM

2017-02-09T16:47:15-05:00

The Suwon Wall. Asan Mon (Asan Bay). I could give you hundreds of day trips. We used to throw a dart at the map. Then that weekend we would try to get their by any means, walk, bus, train, taxi. There are many great day trips in Korea. Each little twon is different. Suwon is awesome too.