Published by the Gwangju International Center since 2001
From the south to the north, from east to west, I would like to visit all the beautiful spots in South Korea. In this photo essay, you can enjoy photos taken in Pohang, Tongyeong, and Dangjin.
While the big cities in Korea get all sorts of attention with their newfangled technology and shiny buildings, some of the most overlooked areas in the country are the southern coastal regions. There is a plethora of destinations along the coast, all within a two-hour drive from Gwangju, that offer unparalleled natural beauty, wide-open spaces, fantastic beaches, and plenty of good times. Shinan, Jindo, and Goheung (but not Yeosu, an area that has become much too congested for my liking) all have many hidden treasures, but if I had to pick one that offers the most bang for your buck (or “wow for your won”), it would have to be Namhae.
After a quick regroup and Google search over breakfast and a strong coffee, I discovered my hotel was only a short walk away from Spa Land, one of Busan’s largest premier spas. This massive spa complex, located in Shinsegae Department Store, has 23 different types of luxury baths, all using 100% hot spring water pumped from 1,000 meters underground, as well as steam rooms, an outdoor foot spa, barbers, nail salon, restaurant, game room, and pretty much anything else you could possibly want.
Imagine drinking fresh coconut water while lying down on the beach and watching the sunset to make your soul at peace. Their white, powder-like sand will make your feet not want to go anywhere else. But do not stop there, as you should explore what lies beneath them – their underwater life.
Before moving to Gwangju, I was a teacher in China. Naively, I figured that given the two countries were not that far apart geographically speaking, then there would be many similarities between the neighbours. I could not have been more wrong. In this article, I have written about some of the differences and similarities about my time in each country.
I came from the United States to South Korea with very few expectations. Unlike most of the students I’ve met here, I am not in love with K-dramas, I do not listen to K-pop, and had no inkling of the language. You are probably thinking, “Well why did you come to South Korea?” There honestly were not many factors that went into the decision, but being here has opened my eyes wider than I imagined.
Crossing the language barrier over to French-speaking Wallonia, we end up at the capital of Wallonia, a city called Namur.
Located in the northeastern part of Gangwon Province, Sokcho is so far north that it was briefly under the control of North Korea after World War II , before finally changing hands following the Korean Armistice Agreement. These days, it is a popular getaway for those wanting to swap the stifling, summer streets of Seoul for the cool sea breeze of the coast.
