Planning for South Korea

From Japan I fly on to South Korea, getting into Seoul Gimpo at 10:40 am on 10 Oct, and flying out of Seoul Incheon at 9:30 am on 21 Oct.  Here’s what I’m thinking of doing in between:

Oct 10 – 11 Seoul – I’d better be over jet lag by now, so I should be able to get in some sightseeing the day I arrive. I’m mostly thinking palaces, museums and markets for Seoul.

Pavillion Buyong-jeon at Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul, by Johannes Barre: Creative Commons

Oct 12 – 14: Travel via Chuncheon and Lake Soyang (bus, boat, bus) to Sokcho/Seoraksan National Park

I’d like to visit both Outer and Southern Seorak. Since I’d have to head out of the park from Outer Seorak to get a bus back in to Southern Seorak I’m wondering about spending three nights in Sokcho instead of staying closer to the park. Maybe two nights at Outer Seorak and the last night at Sokcho – I don’t like one nighters, but I’d like to get a head start on the travel on the 15th.

Sinheungsa in Seoraksan National Park by Steve46814: Creative Commons

Oct 15 – 16: Taebaek (by bus and train) with day trip to Jeongseon

My first thought was two nights at Samcheok with a visit to Jeongseon on the way to Danyang, but the beaches round Samcheok don’t sound that great, and I can visit a cave at Danyang (the other reason to visit Samcheok). I’d prefer to visit Jeongseon during the week, as if I hit the autumn colors there are likely to be lots of people around, and competing for space on the twice-daily train, but something has to fall on the weekend.

Guinsa Temple by Steve46814: Creative commons

Oct 17 – 18: Danyang, with a day trip to Guinsa

Oct 19 -20: Back to Seoul

I’m thinking of visiting Suwon and the Korean Folk Village on the way back to Seoul. Or perhaps the pottery villages of Yeoju and Icheon. Then I could visit the coast west of Seoul on my last day. Or perhaps by then I’ll need to just take it easy in town.