Your busy round of meetings with your Korean counterparts is over. Perhaps the business part of your trip finished ahead of time, and your airline's schedule doesn't allow you to leave for home as soon as you would like, leaving you with some free time on your hands in the nation's capital. Why not reward yourself by getting acqainted with the culture, history and life of this fascinating country which you have known so far as a business partner? The one-, two-, and three-day trips organized from Seoul offer a memorable way to round off any business trip. A sure way to quickly immerse yourself traditional Korean culture is to visit the Korean Folk Village near Suwon to the southeast of Seoul, a living museum where potters, weavers, blacksmiths, and other craftspeople practice their trade in a traditional fashion. Visitors will see a genuine artifact of a by-gone era: the five kilometer-long fortifications of Suwon City Castle. Those wanting to see modern Korean craftsmanship at work should visit Ich'on Pottery Village, home to the workshops and kilns of 70 artisans. Also located southeast of Seoul, Ich'on has become a tourist attraction where visitors can watch pottery being fashioned and purchase bargains directly from craftspeople. While in Ich'on, take in the Hae-Gang Pottery Museum which portrays the history of porcelain and celadon development. A variety of day trips
within Seoul bring home how Korea is a land of contrasts, typically taking the visitor to one of the royal palaces, a speciality street market, and other places of interest. The Noryangjin Fish Market, the Yongsan Electronics Market, and the mile-long It'aewon Street Market bring home the intensity of life in Korea. The royal palaces, by contrast, are oases of calm. Ch'angdokkung Palace is famous for its Secret Garden, once the sole reserve of the Chosun royal family. Kyongbokkung Palace is distinguished by the Kunjongjon, an impressive building which served as the throne room and audience hall. Within the palace grounds is the Two-day trips take the visitor further afield. Those who miss countryside after being confined to the city will wonder at the breathtaking granite peaks and stunning colors of Mount Soraksan National Park on Korea's east coast. A five-hour drive from Seoul, the area is the perfect escape for hikers and nature-lovers.
The wealth and grandeur of the Shilla Dynasty comes home forcefully at Kyongju, an ancient Korean capital located slightly more than four hours by road or rail to the southeast of Seoul, and designated by UNESCO as one of the world's ten most historical sites. The city encompasses Tumli Park, a grouping of 20 tombs whose excavated treasures are on display at the Kyongju National Museum. Other attractions include the Ch'omsongdae Observatory, and the Anapachi Pond, set in a pleasure garden built specifically for the entertainment of the Shilla royal families.
Three-day tours allow visitors to sample the attractions of some of Korea's top vacation resorts. Some tours combine a trip to Kyongju with a visit to the southeastern port city of Pusan and its famous beaches. Haeundae Beach, is known as the "Riviera of Korea" and features several de luxe class hotels.
Three days allow the visitor to visit one of the most exotic locations in Korea-the semi-tropical holiday resort of Cheju Island, a paradise for those who love outdoor pursuits including horseback riding, scuba diving, hiking in the mountains, or just lying on the beach. Whatever free time your schedule permits, the opportunities to see and learn something of the country are sure to allow the business traveller insights into the rich and eternal culture that is Korea today. And who knows? Maybe your experiences as a day-tripper may tempt you back for more.
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