Shopping

Samsandong, home of the Lotte and Hyundai department stores, can be considered the up-market district. Western fashion brands are available along with a number of western chain restaurants. The neon lit back streets yield a vibrant bar and restaurant culture. The Lotte Ferris wheel is also in this area next to the Lotte Cinema.

Old down-town, Seongnamdong, is good for shopping at low, local prices (there are brand goods shops too however). It is the location of a small number of foreigner friendly/foreigner run bars.

Mugeodong, the home of Ulsan University, is the best place for the young, twenty-something’s wishing to eat, drink and party.

Sightseeing

Ilsan beach offers the most accessible sand and sea in the area but is somewhat polluted and run down. Nearby Ilsan beach is Daewangam (Great King Rock) and Ulgi Lighthouse.

Jinha beach, south of the city, offers good swimming, an annual wind surfing competition, and a historic Japanese fortress.

Jujeon and Jeongja beaches, north of the city are covered in Black Pebbles. It’s a great place to enjoy raw fish and steamed crab. Two popular local delicacies.

Gangelgot, a lighthouse south of the city, is known for being the first place the sun rises in Korea, drawing large crowds on New Years Morning.

Ulsan Grand Park, located near Gonguptap rotary, was built in two stages for the people of Ulsan by SK corporation. It is a huge park with many recreation activities, including bicycle and rollerblade rentals. It’s a great place to go for a stroll.

Transportation

Ulsan has rail links with the rest of the country and it is possible to get to the city without too much trouble or waiting.

Coming south from Seoul it is best to take the KTX to Dongdaegu and transfer to a regular train service from there.

Alternatively ride the KTX all the way to Busan and then come north on a train or bus.

Taking the slower and cheaper trains are also an option. From Seoul Station, the Saemaeul service departs twice a day taking five hours thirty minutes costing 36,900won. The Mugunghwa service leaves once a day and takes six hours for 24,900won.

Bus Info

The Zone number represents either the first or the last digit of the bus number, and a bus with a repeating number will do a circle route (ex Bus 404)

More Info

Go to http://ulsanonline.com/home.html which is a great resource in English for information on the city of Ulsan, as well as bus routes, transit schedule, and social events.

Also, http://english.ulsan.go.kr/ is the city of Ulsan’s homepage in English, which contains useful knowledge about the city, as well as recreational and sightseeing opportunities around the city.

Pohang International Fireworks Festival

Late July, at the Northern beach

Homigot Sunrise

Hamigot is located in the easternmost area of the Korean Peninsula, and corresponds to the tail of a tiger in the geographical features of the Korean Peninsula. Also located here is the largest lighthouse in Korea. To reach Homigot, take Seat Bus No. 200 or 200-1 from downtown. Get off the bus at Guryongpo, the last stop, and take a bus to Daebo. The buses run six times a day. Since it is the easternmost spot in Korea, it is very popular on New Years Day, as it is the first place that the sun “touches” the Korean land. Also very popular for its’ beautiful sunsets.

TOURIST MAP OF POHANG AND SURROUNDING AREAS. The is an interactive Pohang map.

Websites and More Information

Transportation

Pohang has many city buses which can provide transport throughout the city, as well as to many areas of interest nearby. Pohang also has an inter-city express bus terminal, and train station, both providing affordable options for getting out of Pohang and visiting other areas in Korea.

For more information on bus schedules and bus numbers in Pohang, check out this page.

For more information on bus schedules for inter-city express buses, check out this site.

For more information on train routes and schedules, check out the korail page.
Shopping

There are many supermarkets and large grocery stores in Pohang. Here is a list of some of them:

Lotte Department Store Pohang Branch (Lotte Mart)127-9 Haksan-dong, Bukgu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (a large deparment store)
E-mart Buk Pohang 305 Deungnyang-dong, Buk-gu, Pohang-si
E-mart Pohang 161-176 Indeok-dong , Nam -gu, Pohang-si
(E-mart carries a wide array of Korean and western foods)
Value Plus (Homever) 582 Sangdo-dong, Nam -gu, Pohang-si
GS Supermarket Pohang Jukdo 607-1 Jukdo-dong, Buk-gu, Pohang-si
GS Supermarket Pohang Duho 1087 Duho-dong, Buk-gu, Pohang-si
Donga Mart Saengji, Saengji-ri, Yeonil-eup , Nam -gu, Pohang-si
Top-Mart Uhyeon 115-2 Uhyeon-dong, Buk-gu, Pohang-si

There are also many outdoor/indoor traditional Korean markets in Pohang, which operate on various days of the month. For a complete listing and map/directions for each, please visit this page.

Hospitals

Here is a listing of all the major hospitals in Pohang, along with phone numbers.
Remember that the Korean word for hospital is “byeong-won”.

Namgu Public Health Center 82-54-270-4068
Pohang Christian Hospital 82-54-275-0005
Bukgu Public Health Center 82-54-270-4168
Pohang St. Mary’s Hospital 82-54-282-3220
Pohang Medical Center 82-54-247-0551
Dongguk University Pohang Hospital 82-54-288-2000

Gumi is very important for South Korea’s economy. It contains more than 725 companies with over 80,000 workers. More than 10% of national export is generated in Gumi.

Although Gumi city is an industrial city, the surrounding areas have a number of cultural and recreational tourist destinations. Geumo-san Provincial Park and the Nakdong River provide several touristic opportunities. There are many historical and cultural sites as well.

Transportation

Gumi is connected to large cities by the Gyeongbu railways and expressways. Airlines also fly between Seoul and Daegu.

• Car or bus: 3.5 hours from Seoul to Gumi or 50 minutes from Daegu to Gumi.

• Gyeongbu railway (KTX): 2 hours from Seoul to Gumi or 30 minutes from Daegu to Gumi on the slower train.

For all the Gumi city information you need, check out the Gumi city government website

The three lines of the Busan Subway Red (1), Green (2) and Brown (3)– connect with the bus terminals and nearly all sights of interest together. Rides are ₩1100 or ₩1300 depending on distance (hang onto your ticket until you exit), and both signage and announcements are in English so finding your way is easy.Also, you can purchase an electronic card, which is cheaper to use than a one use ticket. Cards can be purchased and recharged at all subway stops.

Hospitals

Busan is a very large city, and as such, there are many hospitals from which you can choose. For a complete list of hospitals in Busan, please visit this link:  http://english.busan.go.kr/06_residents/04_01_03.jsp

Websites

A complete listing of Busan festivals for the year can be found here (located under “Enjoy Busan”)
http://dynamic.busan.go.kr/sub/news_view.jsp

A list of popular shopping malls and department stores in Busan (located under “Enjoy Busan”)
http://dynamic.busan.go.kr/sub/news_view.jsp

Sightseeing

Beomao Temple

Beomeo-sa Temple, Beomeosa. One of Korea’s Great 5 Temples, this large temple complex is located up in the mountains, seemingly much further away from the big city than the few kilometers it is. Founded in 678, the buildings have been destroyed and rebuilt many times, but they’re still atmospheric.

Watch out though, as the temple gets packed with worshippers, hikers and tourists on weekends. To get there, take exit 5 from the station, make a U-turn, turn left and take bus 90 from the station a few hundred meters up (₩900, 20 min, every 15 min). Entry ₩1000.

Yonggungsa

This Buddhist temple complex is situated on top of a large rock along the ocean. To get there, take bus 181.

40 Steps (40 Gyedan), subway Jungang-dong.

A few streets of a grubby district have been ‘restored’ to their condition in the post-Korean War 1960s, with wooden lamppost and bronze figures illustrating scenes of hardscrabble street life.

Yongdusan Park, subway Nampodong (take the hillside escalator up).

This pleasant little park is home to Busan’s one true tourist trap, the creaky 118 m Busan Tower (₩3000). There are some decent views even without going up the tower, and you can buy some corn to feed the resident population of ravenous pigeons.

Busan Museum of Modern Art (aka Busan Municipal Art Museum)

(Line 2, Art Museum stn) has 2 full floors (one exhibit on the basement level) of modern art. You can probably feel pretty good about spending 2-3 hours here and feel like you’ve seen it all. A few minutes walk from Busan Youth Hostel Arpina. ₩7000. Closes at 8PM.

Chungryeolsa (Shrine) (Line 1, Myeongnyun-dong Stn)

Take a bus no. 29/29-1/89/129 and walk 5 min. ₩200 adults, ₩100 children.

UN Memorial Cemetery (Line 2, Kyungsung Univ. & Fukyong Nat’l Univ. Stn).

Take bus from in front of Memorial Park after subway exit.

Busan Aquarium, Heaundae Beach (Line 1-Haeundae station)

+82 051-740-1700. The largest aquarium in Korea. Great facility with excellent displays. There is also a 3D ride that is worth checking out. Foreigners get at 20% off discount also. ₩16000.

Haeundae Beach (해운대), near subway/KNR Haeundae.

One of the most popular summer destinations in South Korea. Haeundae attracts tourists from all around the country, and gets overcrowded in late July and early August. There are numerous hotels nearby. The Busan Aquarium–South Korea’s largest at 13,000 sq m–is beside the beach (₩16000 for adults).

Besides the beach, there are some excellent restaurants, both Korean and non, in the area, and a wide variety of shops, although many are hidden away. Explore the streets behind the beachfront boulevard. Many showings and events for the Pusan International Film Festival (Pusan, not Busan) are in this area which typically runs the first 10 days in Oct.

Haeundae Tourist Info. Center is a good place to get a lot of info. about the area. If you’re interested in sailing, Haeundae has the biggest leisure marina in Korea located about 10 min from the beach walking in the direction of Chosun Beach Hotel.

Hur Shim Chung Spa (허심청 Heosimcheong), subway Oncheonjang (exit 1, cross the street and make a beeline for Hotel Nong Shim; it’s connected by a walkway)

This massive hot spring complex claims to be the largest in Asia; it certainly is huge, with hot, tepid, cold and strawberry milk-filled baths, saunas, pools, and an outdoor section. On the 3rd floor is a large jjimjilbang resting area, containing (among other things) a restaurant, a beauty salon, an oxygen room, and three ‘igloos’ heated to 81°C, 51°C and 0°C.

You’ll get a key when you come in, use it to open your shoe and clothes lockers and pay for any purchases inside. Men’s and women’s spas are segregated but the resting area is shared, so pick up a robe before you head downstairs. There’s also some signage in English to guide you around. Entry to the spa is ₩8000, plus ₩1000 for the jjimjilbang on Sunday/holidays only. You can stay as long as you want, but it gets quite crowded and noisy on weekends.
Gwangalli Beach (광안리 Gwangalli), near subway Geumnyeonsan (exit 1)

Best experienced at night when the massive Gwangan Grand Bridge behind it is illuminated. Overall, similar to Haeundae but smaller and less upscale. Nevertheless, some interesting restaurants, bars and shops in the area. Also, you should try visiting one of the the tall, newly built hotels on the beach. They have really nice Sauna and Jjim Jil Bangs overlooking the bridge. ₩8000.
Ja-galchi Fish Market (Line 2, Jagalchi stn)

If you’re in Busan, then you must visit Jagalchi Fish Market, which the city is famous for. This market displays freshly caught fish and various other sea creatures that are still alive. Better yet you can visit restaurants on the 2nd floor of the main multi-storied fishing complex and eat fish you’ve picked out from the first floor.
Choryang Foreigner Shopping Area, opposite Busan station.

This is a strange duck indeed, namely a combined China-and-Russiatown with ornate Chinese gates and Russian shops selling pickles and vodka. The overall feeling is distinctly downmarket, and if you want to take the name literally there are ladies of many nationalities enticing sailors and other customers in the doorways; you may get more than you bargained for though, as the area is notorious for ripoffs and even the occasional robbery at night.

Busan City Tour All-day ticket available for double-decker tour buses. Popular pick-up from Busan Station. Kids ₩5000, adults ₩10000.
Taejongdae (Busan Monument #28)

The park was named for King Taejong Muyul (654-661) of the Silla Dynasty who practiced archery here after unifying the Three Kingdoms. Many people enjoy eating fresh raw fish on the rocky shore, taking a boat around the Olyuk (‘five or six’) Islands, and seeing the famous ‘Suicide Rock.’ When the weather is nice, Daema Island can be seen in the distance, 56 km away.
Yongdusan Park – Busan Tower

This is a park located at the heart of Busan. If you go up the Busan Tower, you will get to see an awesome, if not, the best panorama of the entire city.

Hiking

The mountains around Busan have some good hiking trails. Probably the most popular route is from the South Gate (Nammun) of Geumjeong Fortress, reachable by cable car from Oncheongjang, through the North Gate (Bukmun) and down to Beomeosa Temple, a distance of 8.8 km (3-4 hr).

Sailing

Yes, Busan, being on the ocean, does have a sailing club. Welcomes newcomers, and those more experienced. For more information, go to this site:  busan sailing

Transportation

The Bundang Subway Line stops in all the major areas of Bundang, and is very convenient.

Many buses run between all the different areas of Bundang. As well, several busses, known for their distinctive red and white color, have rapid transport between Bundang and several areas of Seoul.

If you are planning on living in Bundang, a T-Money Card is a necessity. An electronic pass card for subways, busses, and even taxis, it can be purchased as a card or cell phone fob, at most convenience stores, and recharged at subways stations.

Tourist Attractions

Bundang Park is 500 m from the Seohyeon Subway Station, located between Seohyeon and Sunae Stations. It is a large park, with a small mountain (88 m), pond, walking paths, badminton courts, and a traditional Korean house located in the park.

Everland is not too far away, and can be reached by several different buses in the area.

Bungee jumping is available at Yuldong Park, which is in Yul-dong, Bundang-Gu. Prices are around 25,000 Won. The tower is 45 m (approx. 150 feet) tall.

A wide variety of drinking establishments can be found around every subway station. Seohyeon and Jeongja stations are good places to start, with the majority of “Western Bars” being at Seohyeon station in the shopping corridors directly outside of AK Plaza’s two main entrances. Popular western bars in this location include: Amuse, Monkey Beach, Dublin, and Lose Control.

Cinemas

• Yatap Station (야탑역): CGV This 8-theater cinema is by the Intercity Bus Terminal on the second underground floor of the Themopolis Building (테마폴리스). It is a one minute walk from exit four of the subway station.

• Seohyeon Station (서현역): Cinus (씨너스) C-nus is located behind Samsung Plaza and can be easily reached from exit four of the subway station. There are five theaters at C-nus, with the largest seating 452 people.

• Ori Station (오리역): CGV The other CGV in Bundang is best acessed from exit 3 of the subway station. It is on the fourth and fifth floors of the World Shopping Building (월드쇼핑빌딩), and has ten theaters.

Recreation

Bundang’s largest public recreation facility is Tancheon Stadium, on the other side of the Tancheon from Yatap Station. The Stadium itself provides seating for 16,000 people for the soccer games and track events held below. It is also the home of the Seongnam Ilwha Football Club. Other facilities at Tancheon Stadium include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, aerobics room, gymnasium, tennis court, baseball field, squash court, ice rink, and fitness room.

The Bundang Olympic Sports is another option and is located just a short walk from AK Plaza. It comes equipped with a swimming pool, skating rink, weight room, aerobics center, and driving range. The Seongnam YMCA has two sports centers in Bundang: one is on the ground floor of the KT corporate headquarters in Jeongja-dong; the other is just by Ori Station.

There are a large number of health clubs throughout the district. Every neighborhood will have standard facilities such as the New Core Seongnam Sports Club, found in the New Core Outlet building by Yatap Station. More upscale facilities such as Fitness in Canada and the iconic Parkview Fitness Club, both not far from Jeongja Station, are also available.

MoonKkang is on the 6th floor of this building

Directions Located in the Kyobo building near Jugnangno Subway Station. Best way to find it is by heading east in the underground shopping mall and look for the exit that opens up into Hot Tracks, which is the music retailer in the basement of Kyobo. By taking the escalator from that store, it’ll take you up to the bookstore.

Website: kyobo book in Korean

Phone 1544-1900

YoungPoon Bookstore

This store has a selection of English books, but is not as varied as the selection at Kyobo. To find this store, take Exit 14 from the Banwoldang underground. This exit has blue-colored stairwell. Halfway up to street level, you will the bookstore entrance. The English books are located at the back-right side of the store.

What the Book

This bookstore, while located in Itaewon district, Seoul, does have a helpful online bookstore website. You can use the website to order a wide selection of books at sometimes much better prices than the stores in Daegu. Shipping is very cheap, and free if you order over a certain amount. They can also order in books for you.

Website: what the book in English

Buy the Book

Buy the Book is the brilliant new cafe in downtown Daegu where you can buy and trade 2nd hand books, and enjoy them in beautiful surroundings, indulging yourself on wonderful food. The menu changes each week and includes organic and vegetarian options.

Buy the Book is open Friday from 3pm-9pm and Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 8pm. It’s not the easiest place to find, but it’s worth looking for. Head to Rodeo Street (near Billibowl and Starbucks) and find Mr. Pizza. Buy the Book is on the 4th floor of that building. Facebook search ‘buy the book’ for further information.

A non-denominational church located near Apsan Intersection. Sunday services at 11 A.M. and 3 P.M., with a fellowship lunch after the morning service. Communion held on the first Sunday of every month.

Dongshin Presbyterian Church

Located between Manchon and Damti subway stops on Subway Line 2. Sunday service is at 2 P.M.

Daebong English Fellowship

A part of the Daegu Presbyterian Church, but with evangelical elements. Near Debec Plaza. Bible studies and fellowship meetings are held on Tuesday and Friday evenings. Contact Minister Seney (010-5046-7673) or Pastor Hwang (053-561-6040) for more info and directions to the church.

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A non-denominational evangelical church is located a few minutes away from Anjirang subway stop on Line 1. Sunday services are held at 10:30 A.M. and 6 P.M.

Most foreigners attend the morning service. English language bible study meetings are on Sunday from 12:30-1:30 P.M. and Wednesday at 8:30 P.M.

www.mi.or.kr