London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Hotels in Pyongyang

Shard vs. Ryugyong – Spot the differences, Spot the similarities…True or False? From Koryo Tours. http://bit.ly/o0qOPe #. Also, via @fcaidan: TripAdvisor reviews hotels in Pyongyang! No entries for the Ryugyong, so far; surprise surprise. http://bit.ly/qrPWz0 # [Read More]

Book review: Walking the Baekdu-Daegan trail

Roger Shepherd & Andrew Douch, with David A Mason: Baekdu Daegan Trail Seoul Selection, 2010, 446pp Korea is a mountainous country. If you google that phrase you will learn that 70% of South Korea’s land mass is designated as upland or mountains. And everyone knows that a lot of Koreans love hiking in the hills. … [Read More]

A better than average trip to the DPRK

I’m always doubtful about going on a trip to the DPRK. Yes, I’d love to see the Mass Games and maybe some other tourist attractions such as Mount Baekdu. But I always think these trips are very expensive and I never know how much of the cash ends up subsidising Kim Jong-il’s collection of expensive … [Read More]

Chris Backe’s top 3 travel tips

Check out @chrisinseoulsk‘s top 3 Travel Secrets: Travel light Try staying in love motels The 1330 hotline I know a retired SOAS lecturer who also stayed in a love motel while researching Buddhist temples. I don’t think he used that particular travel agent again. http://bit.ly/aB0cXF # [Read More]

Korean gardens and other top travel ideas

Check out Korean Gardens on the KTO website – this is how I’m going to persuade my wife to come to Korea # And Nanoomi has a great feature on the top 10 vacation spots in Korea – some suggestions you might not have come across before (http://bit.ly/ciIKL9 #) including the Hwansun Caves in Samcheok, … [Read More]

Korea’s gardening pedigree

For those, such as me, who have hitherto doubted Korea's gardening pedigree, this article in the Korea JoongAng Daily is well worth a read. Nice pics too. http://bit.ly/9jFO2f # The article covers: Seoul Iris Garden Chollipo Arboretum in Taean, South Chungcheong Hantaek Botanical Garden in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Yoo Botanic Garden in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do Korea Botanic … [Read More]