South Korea
Vacation 2007
Pictures from a trip to South Korea
including Seoul, Pusan (Busan), Cheju Island, Mt. Sorak, and Shilla.
 Cliff Overlooking Ocean |
 Ancient Korean Stone Wall |
 Novotel Beach Pusan |
| These pictures
are from some friends' recent trip to South Korea in May of 2007.
They arrived in this Asian nation at the Seoul Kimpo International Airport and stayed at the Shilla Hotel. The Shilla Hotel has 23 acres of park land, 500+ rooms, and is named after the ancient Korean dynasty. Then they flew from Seoul to the Pusan / Kimhae International Airport. Pusan (also known as "Busan") was the Korean city that hosted the 2002 Asian Games and the FIFA World Soccer Cup. It is the 2nd largest city in South Korea and the largest port city. They chose the Novotel Ambassador Busan Hotel which has 360+ rooms in 16 stories, is located on Haeundae Beach and only about 30 miles to the Kimhae Int. Airport. |
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 Beach Near Shilla |
 Cheju Island Boat Ride |
 Busan Fish Market |
| Above is a photo of the scenic beach located behind the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, a ride to Cheju Island (aka "Jeju") and a traditional Busan fish market. Some of the most popular tourist sights on Cheju or "Jeju" island include Mount Sanbang, the Cheonjiyeon (or Chonjiyon) Waterfall, the Chungbang Waterfall & Cave, Mt. Halla, and the breathtaking Sungsan`s Sunrise Peak. Another interesting aspect of Cheju Island are the grey stone Dolharubang or "Tol Harubang" statues that represent the Korean god of protection and fertility. Chejudo or Jeju Island is known as the Island of the Gods of South Korea which is why the statues are prevalent. | ||
 Dried Fish Products In Boxes |
 Crab City Kyeongju & Soraksan |
 Giant Crab Statue |
| I love the pictures of the "Crab City" place they stopped at in between Kyeongju and Soraksan. They were on the way to the beautiful Soraksan Nature Reserve and National Park to go hiking up Mt. Sorak. They stayed at the Mount Sorak Tourist Hotel which is the only accomodations located within the national park and each room has a view of the picturesque T'aebaek-sanmaek or Taebaek mountain range. The Soraksan park could possibly be a UNESCO World Heritage Site sometime in the future. | ||
 Korean Garden Behind Factory |
 Korean Kisaeng (Geisha) |
 Farmer's Dance Exhibit |
| Above in the middle is a Korean Kisaeng which is similar to the Japanese Geisha girls and far right is a traditional Korean farmer's dance or "nongak". It is one of the oldest forms of dance in Korea and was meant to give the farmers an uplifting beat to speed their working. | ||
 Funeral Grass Mounds |
 Giant Bunjae (Bonsai Tree) |
 Factory Guard Dogs |
| The traditional Korean funeral includes creating a large half moon mound as seen above in the picture on the left. In the middle is a giant Korean Bunjae tree which is equivalent to the Japanese Bonsai tree art or Chinese Penjing trees. | ||
 Haeundae Beach In Pusan |
 Haeundae Rock Formations |
 Mount Sorak Tourist Hotel |
| Haeundae Beach is South Korea's most popular beach and has rapidly become an affluent beachfront community perhaps similar to Santa Barbara in California. | ||
 Mt. Sorak Bunjae Garden |
 Novotel Ambassador Hotel Beds |
 Kimpo Fish Market |
 Kyeongju Stone Bell |
 Kyeongju Hilton Hotel Lobby |
 Korean Open Air Market |
| Above are pictures from the historical Kyeongju city that was the capital of the Shilla Dynasty and is considered an open air museum of Korean culture. In the middle you'll see the luxurious Hilton hotel lobby and a traditional market to the right. | ||
 Paekdudaegan Ridge Mountain |
 Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (Jeju Island) |
 Korean Nok Cha Green Tea |
 North Korea Submarine Sighting? |
 Novotel Pusan Hotel Lobby |
 Ojingo Stand (Octopus) |
 Dolharubang Stone Statues |
 Bags of Dried Fish To USA |
 Pusan City Park |
 Pusan Market Hot Peppers |
 Traditional Korean Picnic |
 Scenic View of Pusan City |
 Herbs & Spices Pusan Market |
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 Rice Paddies |
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 River Near Mt. Sorak |
 Seoul Skyline & Buildings |
 Korean Pet Snail |
 Historical Shilla Dynasty Gardens |
 Shilla Hotel Lobby, Seoul |
 Seoul Rocky Shore |
 View of Mount Sorak From Hotel |
 Traditional Korean Home |
 Historic Kitchen |
 Antique Korean Loom |
 Traditional Water Well |
 Soraksan National Park |
 View From Novotel Ambassador Hotel |
 Busan Commercial Retail Area |