Free Bus For Tourists From Seoul To Busan

Good news for foreigners who'd like a free ride to Busan. Click here for important update.

From March 2nd, you can hop on a free shuttle bus from Seoul to Busan, if you're a non-Korean .

The service in a 28-seater limousine bus operates each weekday except Mondays.
Wifi access is available on board, alongside DVD players and materials with useful tips on tourist attractions in Busan.

Starting point : outside Dongwha Duty Free Shop in Gwanghwamun
Stops at the Lotte Hotel and Paradise Hotel in Busan

Other info from the KTO website:

Make reservations for the shuttle service through the Visit Korea Year website www.visitkoreayear.com (Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese).
Two tickets are available per reservation. Reservation must be made 10 days in advance to guarantee seating. Remaining unreserved seats will be allotted on a space available basis.

Don't forget your passport!

Click here for info about similar services that ply the Seoul-Gyeongju and Seoul-Jeonju routes.


* For more information: 02-1577-2507, E-mail: visitkorea@chesstours.co.kr

* 1330 call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese)


sources:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FU/FU_EN_15.jsp?cid=1214472
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=609796

End of Autumn and Start of Early Winter?

Here are two heart-warming pics of people enjoying the outdoors on Sunday the 7th of October.

At the Ulsan Park

Visually-impaired walkers with their volunteer guides at Dobongsan, north Seoul.

(Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han)

Then, Mother Nature flips the switch and this is what Koreans got on Monday morning. I just hope tourists in Korea at present packed some thicker woollies.

Read on the KBS World website:

"First Snow Falls in Seoul, Cold Weather to Continue until Wednesday.

The first snow of the season fell in Seoul and the Gyeonggi, Gangwon and Chungcheong provinces late Monday and early Tuesday. Seoul’s first snow came around two weeks faster than in previous years. Temperatures have plunged below zero in most inland areas and coastal regions are seeing strong winds.

The mercury is expected to drop further on Wednesday. Morning lows are projected to stand at minus seven degrees Celsius at Daegwallyeong in Gangwon and minus one in Seoul. The Korea Meteorological Administration is forecasting that temperatures will rise starting Wednesday afternoon."

source:
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=77012
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/11/08/2010110800326.html

Free Rides From Seoul To Gyeongju and Jeonju

The Visit Korea Committee is certainly spoiling visitors - tourists can now enjoy free and comfy bus rides from Gwanghwamun area in downtown Seoul to Gyeongju and Jeonju.

1. Where?

• Gwanghwamun area in downtown Seoul (Donghwa Duty Free Shop),
• also free shuttle buses from Busan to Gyeongju ( from July 1)

2. When?

• Every day of the week except Monday

3. How long does this offer last?

• June 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010 ( so hurry! Make your weekend plans for day-tripping now!)

4. What times?

• Click here for details

5. How do I get it?

• Apply now at http://english.visitkoreayear.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• "Sign up in advance through the Visit Korea Committee official home page at www.visitkoreayear.com (two tickets per person). If more than 28 people make reservations for any given day, there will be a random drawing to decide the winners of the free tickets. Winners will be announced on the homepage or individually notified by phone."
• For more details on the free tickets, please email to qhyuni130@yahoo.com.
• Inquiries: +82-2-6272-7301 (English) 

6. What are the perks beside the free round-trip ride?

• The buses are comfortable 28-seaters, equipped with Internet connection, DVD systems with personal earphones, and various tourist guidebooks.
• You also get free guidebooks of Gyeongju and Jeonju, a booklet about Korean culture and tours, a welcome-kit and a souvenir of “Visit Korea Year"

7. What are the drawbacks?

• It seems to be only for day-trips and I can't imagine squeezing all the attractions of either city into a single day.
• It's only for non-Korean nationals so if you planned going with a Korean friend, that would be tricky.
• The drop-off and pick up point for Gyeongju doesn't seem very convenient as it is at the Bomun Lake Resort (Hyundai Hotel-Hilton Hotel-Concord Hotel) which is a distance away from the main attractions of Gyeongju. You'd have to get a bus or taxi to places like the tumulis, the museum, Seokguram Grotto or Bulguksa.

sources:
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/FU/FU_EN_15.jsp?cid=1037293
http://www.visitkoreayear.com/
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=996963
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=794336