Perfect Places to Visit in Korea During Chuseok

One of the major holidays in South Korea is Chuseok, the Korean version of Thanksgiving. During this whole period of holiday, most establishments are closed. Most locals visit their hometown to spend the Chuseok holiday with families. Traditionally, they pay respect to their ancestors and eat food afterwards. It's a time of the year when families meet and enjoy each others presence while remembering the ancestors.

If you find yourself visiting Korea, or in korea during the Chuseok holidays, chances are, most of the shops, restaurants and tourist attractions are closed during this season. However, Korea is a big country, there are hundreds of shops and restaurants and places to visit, so there's also a chance that you can find some places opened during Chuseok.

What better way to appreciate the Chuseok holiday is to find and go to places that commemorate this day. Through this, you can be able to learn more about Korean culture and what do people usually do. Here are some of the places in Korea that you can visit during Chuseok.

1. Deoksugung Palace

Another must visit place during Chuseok is the Deoksugung Palace. It's one of ancient palaces in Seoul. It's good to visit this place because they always show various performances to showcase the culture and tradition that transpire in the palace in ancient days.

Direction:
Get off at City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 2), go to Exit 1, 2 or 3.

Photo Credit: Arman Carinan

2. Namsangol Hanok Village

I think the most popular Chuseok holiday destination is the Namsangol hanok Village. It is located near Chungmuro Station. There are various activities related to Chuseok like hands-on activities and folk music performances.

Direction:
Take Orange Subway Line and get off at Chungmuro Station. Go to Exit 4 and walk few meters ahead.

Photo Credit: Divine Grace Orillo

3. Korean Folk Village

The Korean Folk Village is open every Chuseok. There are traditional games and performances during the Chuseok period. I must say that if you want to learn about ancient Korea, this is the perfect place to visit.

Direction:
Get off at Suwon Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 5. Take Bus No.10-5 or 37 to Korean Folk Village or Nagok Village.

4. Gyeongbokgung Palace

If there's one major attraction in Seoul that is opened during Chuseok, it's the Gyeongbokgung Palace. It's fitting for the occassion because this Palace is one of the grandest palaces during the Joseon Dynasty. Since Chuseok is all about cultural thing, then this place is perfect to visit.

Direction:
Take the subway and get off at Gyeongbokgung Station (Subway Line 3), go to exit 5.

5. Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

If you feel like walking and hiking, then Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is the place to be. Aside from the historical attraction, the Fortress offers a good view of the city as you walk along the wall. Make sure though that walking and hiking are your thing, or else, you may not enjoy this activity.

Direction:
Take Subway Line No. 1 and get off at Suwon Station, go to Exit 4 and take a Bus (Bus No.: 11, 13 or 13-4) and get off at 'Hwaseong Haenggung' Bus Stop.

Today, my wandering feet brought me to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, one of Korea's pride because it was designated as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. It's an amazing place, but I also learned the dark story behind this fortress. I will share about it plus a virtual tour on my blog soon. See ya. #hwaseongfortress #suwonhwaseongfortress #unescoworldheritage

A post shared by Shirgie Scf (@malditongserjz) on May 7, 2017 at 4:45am PDT

Philippine EPS Center Hosted Networking and Job Fair for EPS Returnee Workers

Last September 16, 2017, more than hundred of EPS Returnee Workers gathered at the Mandaluyong City Hall to attend the event called Networking and Job Fair hosted by the Philippine EPS Center.

The event was conducted to open opportunities of local jobs for both Korean and Global companies in the Philippines like SBS Philippines, Asialink, Keyland, GoodMorning International, Industrial Bank of Korea, Kotra, and a lot more.

The EPS returnee workers, mostly from Luzon area, submitted their resume for the job position they wanted to apply to the respective companies. Some of the jobs require a little bit of Korean and English language skills. There are different kinds of jobs available for the interested applicants. Some companies are looking for Interpreters, IT support, programmers, accounting staff and even call center agents for Korean customers.

Some of the jobs promised a good amount of salary to the qualified applicants. For example, the Korean company JK Network Services offer salary range from 60,000 pesos up to 100,000 pesos every month for positions like Korean Casino Dealer, Korean Data Analysts, Korean Consumer Good Support and a lot more.

This kind of event is a perfect reminder to every returning EPS worker that there's life after Korea. Hopefully, the job fair had opened the new door and career path to the attendees. It was such a great opportunity so that every returning OFW from Korea will no longer need to leave Philippines and work abroad.

Tired of a Busy Life? Attend Slow Life International Festival At Namyangju for FREE!!!

Korea is a very workaholic country. In fact, it's ranked number 4 in the world among the most workaholic countries. Hardworking is good, but sometimes, you need to rest, you need to unwind and you need to keep yourself out of the so busy and fast paced world. It is for this reason that Slow Life Festival was created.

The city government of Namyangju has organized an event called Slow Life Festival with the aim to let people experience a slow planet. This is an opportunity to experience health, happiness and joy in a not so busy way.

The event will be held on September 22, 2017 and it will last for 5 days. There are a lot of activities in store for everybody who will attend the event. There's food tour where you can get to taste the food of the world, there's art fair market, children's exPerience hall, farmer's market and a lot more.

There's a fee to attend this event, but I have good news for you! If you will sign up via the link below, you can get a free ticket to join the event on September 22, 2017 at exactly 9 in the morning. If you wish to attend for free, click the LINK below and sign up with your details.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

The venue for this event will be at Sports and Cultural Center in Namyangju-si. To go there via public transportation, take the subway and get off at the Jamsil Station of Line Number 2 (Green Line). At Jamsil Station, take Bus Number 1000 and get off at the Namyangju Sports and Cultural Center.

What are you waiting for? If you are free on September 22, 2017 at 9 am, go and attend the Slow Life Festival and experience the gift of life by participatin on the different events created for you.

Meet the Cutie Bears at the Teseum Museum in Seoul

Good news Bear lovers, you don't need to go to Jeju Island just to meet the cute life sized bears because they already brought them in Seoul. Yes, you read it right. The cuties are in Seoul now and it is now easy to find them and play with them.

If you don't know about it yet, Teseum is a world-renown museum. It has hundreds of life-sized teddy bears and dolls ready to amuse every visitor of the museum. Unlike any other museums, Teseum allows visitors to interact with the bears, and by interaction I mean people can touch them, take photo with them and even play with them.

It's not difficult to find Teseum Museum because it is located just in front of Exit 6 of Dongmyo Station. You will never get lost because the moment you go out of the subway, you will see life-sized statue of the bears giving some funky, funny and wacky pose to attract attention. Then there's a cave like entrance decorated with bears statue as if inviting everyone to enter the mysterious cave.

I found it spooky, but I entered anyways, and I was surprised to be greeted with more bears. There are bear statues everywhere designed in different fashion with different concepts. I just thought that it's a very interesting world to enter.

Inside the museum, there are different rooms where they all display bears portraying different roles. Every room has a concept, there's a room for working bears, there's a room for kiddie bears, there's also a room for movie star bears, and a room for winter bears.

Aside from the bears (how many times I mentioned this word), there are also other kinds of animals in the museum. There's a Safari room where all animals you could imagine in the safari is present. There are elephants, snakes, zebras and whatnot.

There's also underwater world where you get to see underwater animals. Sharks, fishes, turtles and more. But of course, they're all in the form of statues and caricatures, so you could definitely see them doing nothing but just as good as display or whatever you call it.

So I guess if you want some indoor adventures and never mind mingling with hundred of lifeless but life-sized bears and other animals, Teseum Museum is perfect for you to visit. Teseum Museum is located at 03121 Season Building B1, 19 Jibong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. It is open all year long, including Holidays. Entrance Fee is only 13,000 KRW. Aside from the Teddy Bear exhibitions, there are also shop, cafes and convenience store inside the museum.

12 Places in Taiwan That Look Like Korea (Number 4 is Obvious!)

Ok Fine! I'm guilty. I know I should not compare one country to another country especially the tourism aspect, but I can't help but notice the similiarities of some places in Taiwan to South Korea.

Our friends over at Metro Wanderer travel agency sent me to Taiwan fresh from my sojourn in South Korea to have some fun and to discover the amazing places especially in the Taipei Area. It was such a memorable trip for me because it was my first out of the country trip to travel. South Korea was a different story because I went there to work. I stayed in Taiwan for 4 days and three nights and it was such a refreshing experience for me.

As I've said, I can't help but look at Taiwan in a Korea perspective, you can't blame mebecause I was still feeling the separation anxiety with Korea that time. For that reason, I want to share these places I discovered in Taiwan that generally, but not necessarily look like places in South Korea.

1. Taipei 101 versus Lotte Tower

I think the most obvious similarity for both Taiwan and South Korea is the presence of the supertall skyscrapers Taipei 101 and Lotte Tower. Both buildings are listed in the top 10 tallest building in the world where Lotte Tower ranked number 5 and Taipei 101 ranked number 8. Both buildings also have observatory where you can see the beautiful city of Taipei and Seoul in the highest possible spot in the country. There's also shopping malls and other amenities that you can find in both buildings.

2. Elephant Mountain versus Namsan

If ever you decide to put hiking in your travel itinerary, then the first thing that appears in the thought bubble would be the Elephant Mountain for Taiwan and Namsan for South Korea. However, unlike Elephant Mountain, Namsan has a cable car and accessible by bus or vehicle. Elephant Mountain on the other hand has no other options but to climb with your barefoot. Nevertheless, both of them are mountains situated in the middle of the city and you get the chance to see the cityscape when you reach the top.

3. Ximen versus Myeongdong/Hongik

Colorful, vibrant, youthful and street food and shopping and people. I think every aspect of the Ximen district in Taipei is the same as in Myeongdong and Hongik of Seoul. These are the places that you would like to visit to hang out and to connect with the young locals of the city.

4. Taipei Zoo versus Seoul Zoo

Do I need to say more about this? Obviously, both zoos houses different kinds of animals and both are also located in the capital city of the country.

5. Tamsui River Park versus Hangang River Park

Peaceful, fresh air, happy people, beautiful scenery and the view of a calm river. You can experience all off these in the Tamsui River park of Taiwan and the Hangang River park of Korea. You can bike, you can motorbike, you can play and you can relax. Both places are recommended for your itinerary.

6. National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall versus Gyeongbukgong Palace

Chiang kai shek is a national monument, landmark and tourist spot in Taiwan. Gyeongbokgung Palace is the biggest palace in Seoul, it is also a landmark and a tourist spot. Both played a vital role in the history of their respective cities.

7. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall versus The Independence Hall of Korea

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall is an homage to the Father of Republic of China which is Dr. Sun Yat Sen. He led the revolution against the Qing dynasty. The Independence Hall of Korea is also an homage to the heroes of the Korean revolution who fought against the opression of Japan. Both are symbols of patriotism and heroism.

8. Dahu Park Versus Ilsan Lake Park

These lake parks are good places to visit if you want to commune with nature. The serenity of the lake and the relaxing ambiance are the things in common between these two lake parks.

9. Dadaocheng Wharf versus Admiral Yi Square

Located in the coastal area, Dadaocheng Wharf and Admiral Yi Square were both the center of attractions in their respective era. The location played a vital role in the history of their respective countries. Today, people go to these places to get a glimpse of the past.

10. Yehliu Geopark versus Oryukdo

They're not the same in some level, but because of the unique rock formation and island formation, I must say that Yehliu and Oryukdo are the same. Both of them became attractive because everything is natural. These parks were designed by nature and all you can see are natural beauty.

11. Longshan Temple versus Jogyesa Temple

Festive, colorful and a place where the faithfuls come to pray to their respective Gods. If you want to observe the religious practices and aspect of Taiwan and Korea, then go visit Longshan temple and Jogyesa temple respectively.

12. Shifen Falls versus Odongdo

The foresty feel and the good vibe of nature are something that shifen falls and odongdo have in common.Just like Shifen Falls, Odongdo has all the element of nature that can inspire you to keep traveling and explore the world.

Did I miss something? Four days are not enough to discover more about Taiwan, it is not even enough to compare my four years stay in South Korea. Taiwan and Korea have different characteristics, culture and traditions, but I guess looking at them in the perspective of another country can help us understand better and appreciate more.