Adventurous S(e)oul
life
& culture
Adventurous Seoul This month NEH Magazine explored a few activities which will surely get your adrenaline pumping and heart accelerating. You could join a local sports team, watch a baseball game at Jamsil Sports Complex, or go hiking. Cycling along the Han River or Cheonggye Stream is popular largely due to the modernized and long-stretching cycling paths. If you’re brave enough, you can try mountain biking the ubiquitous granite peaks surrounding Seoul. If Jeju Island is on your travel itinerary, then research scuba diving, especially if you have your diving license. words & photography by iga motylska
14
october 2011
NEH
If you miss driving your car but want to avoid the tightly-packed traffic; or if you experience the deep-seated urge to feel like a Formula One driver, or at least as close as you can get to it in Seoul, then you should try kart racing. The track is 320 meters in length and is located on the banks of the Han River. Just looking at these hairpin bends will get the racer in you revved up. A one-seater go-kart will cost you KRW 15,000 for 10 minutes and a two-seater KRW 20,000. If you come in a group of ten or more people you’ll receive extra racing time on the track. Otherwise the entire race track can be rented out for KRW 330,000 for thirty minutes. You can also try sprint kart racing: these go-karts have 1000cc gasoline engines and their top speed reaches 80km/h. However, you will have to pay extra if your need for speed is to be satisfied: KRW 40,000 for ten minutes. You need to have good control of the wheel, because there aren’t any rubber tire barricades to act as cushioning should you spin out of control. They’re open all week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except on Mondays and rainy or snowy days. Please make a reservation at 02-420-3886 for groups of ten or more. You can experience the thrill at Tancheon parking lot in Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu. Get off at Jamsil Sport complex, Line 2, Exit 5 or 6. Walk straight, past the baseball stadium on your right hand side, turn right at the traffic lights, keep left and walk straight into the parking lot. While there are numerous places to go bungee jumping in South Korea, NEH suggests the crane bungee jump over Yuldong Lake in Bundang-gu. Although the earliest known forms of bungee jumping were performed as a show of bravery and as a rite of passage into manhood, these days it’s the
feeling of free falling that becomes so addictive. Despite the fact that bungee jumping inevitably involves risks, it is reassuring to know that certain standards and guidelines need to be adhered to and that harness fittings are double-checked and secured in order to ensure safety. The bungee jump is located in Yuldong Park, the perfect place to walk-or run-out some pre-jump jitters. It’ll cost you KRW 25,000. It opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. and doesn’t run on windy or rainy days. Call this number for further information: 031704-6266. From Seoheyeon Station, Bundang Line, you can take the 15 or 15-1 bus to Yuldong Park. It will take approximately 10 minutes. Otherwise a taxi will cost less than KRW 4,000. There is also a 50-meter high bungee jump located in the natural environment of Cheongpyeong River Land in Gyeonggi-do. Contact them on: 031-585-5525. The water beneath the jump is 10 meters deep to ensure your safety, it’ll cost you KRW 30,000. They are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.. You can take a train or bus to Cheongpyeong. While you’re there you can also participate in water sports such as water skiing, jet skiing, and banana floats. If you enjoyed the water sports at Cheongpyeong then perhaps you should spend a weekend in Inje, in Gangwon province, east of Gyeonggi province. It is an energetic hub of sporting activities. If water rafting or kayaking is something you would like to experience or become better at then look no further. The numerous rivers and streams making their way through Gangwon province have rapids of varying length, speed, and depth. This way you can experience more bouts of breath-holding as you become more advanced. Dong and Naerincheon rivers are the favorites. As you’re rafting, the beautiful surroundings and valleys will keep you in awe. Have a look at the very helpful provincial website: en.gangwon.to or the Official Korea Tourism Organization website: english.visitkorea.or.kr both will suggest numerous outdoor adventure resorts. During peak season a few resorts offer a packaged deal which makes things that much easier. They collect and drop you off in Seoul and provide an entire day of rafting for as little as KRW 50,000. Paragliding off mountain tops will help you dry off. Inje can be reached by express bus. Be sure to go before winter advances in the beginning of November. If you’re set on staying in or close to Seoul for some adventure then consider windsurfing. For more details see the Windsurfing Hiwind Club: hiwind.kr. Meetup.com and Facebook are also great resources; use them to find out about upcoming sporting or hiking events. Feel free to create your own event and let the adventure begin. NEH
october 2011
15
& culture
Adventurous Seoul This month NEH Magazine explored a few activities which will surely get your adrenaline pumping and heart accelerating. You could join a local sports team, watch a baseball game at Jamsil Sports Complex, or go hiking. Cycling along the Han River or Cheonggye Stream is popular largely due to the modernized and long-stretching cycling paths. If you’re brave enough, you can try mountain biking the ubiquitous granite peaks surrounding Seoul. If Jeju Island is on your travel itinerary, then research scuba diving, especially if you have your diving license. words & photography by iga motylska
14
october 2011
NEH
If you miss driving your car but want to avoid the tightly-packed traffic; or if you experience the deep-seated urge to feel like a Formula One driver, or at least as close as you can get to it in Seoul, then you should try kart racing. The track is 320 meters in length and is located on the banks of the Han River. Just looking at these hairpin bends will get the racer in you revved up. A one-seater go-kart will cost you KRW 15,000 for 10 minutes and a two-seater KRW 20,000. If you come in a group of ten or more people you’ll receive extra racing time on the track. Otherwise the entire race track can be rented out for KRW 330,000 for thirty minutes. You can also try sprint kart racing: these go-karts have 1000cc gasoline engines and their top speed reaches 80km/h. However, you will have to pay extra if your need for speed is to be satisfied: KRW 40,000 for ten minutes. You need to have good control of the wheel, because there aren’t any rubber tire barricades to act as cushioning should you spin out of control. They’re open all week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except on Mondays and rainy or snowy days. Please make a reservation at 02-420-3886 for groups of ten or more. You can experience the thrill at Tancheon parking lot in Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu. Get off at Jamsil Sport complex, Line 2, Exit 5 or 6. Walk straight, past the baseball stadium on your right hand side, turn right at the traffic lights, keep left and walk straight into the parking lot. While there are numerous places to go bungee jumping in South Korea, NEH suggests the crane bungee jump over Yuldong Lake in Bundang-gu. Although the earliest known forms of bungee jumping were performed as a show of bravery and as a rite of passage into manhood, these days it’s the
feeling of free falling that becomes so addictive. Despite the fact that bungee jumping inevitably involves risks, it is reassuring to know that certain standards and guidelines need to be adhered to and that harness fittings are double-checked and secured in order to ensure safety. The bungee jump is located in Yuldong Park, the perfect place to walk-or run-out some pre-jump jitters. It’ll cost you KRW 25,000. It opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. and doesn’t run on windy or rainy days. Call this number for further information: 031704-6266. From Seoheyeon Station, Bundang Line, you can take the 15 or 15-1 bus to Yuldong Park. It will take approximately 10 minutes. Otherwise a taxi will cost less than KRW 4,000. There is also a 50-meter high bungee jump located in the natural environment of Cheongpyeong River Land in Gyeonggi-do. Contact them on: 031-585-5525. The water beneath the jump is 10 meters deep to ensure your safety, it’ll cost you KRW 30,000. They are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.. You can take a train or bus to Cheongpyeong. While you’re there you can also participate in water sports such as water skiing, jet skiing, and banana floats. If you enjoyed the water sports at Cheongpyeong then perhaps you should spend a weekend in Inje, in Gangwon province, east of Gyeonggi province. It is an energetic hub of sporting activities. If water rafting or kayaking is something you would like to experience or become better at then look no further. The numerous rivers and streams making their way through Gangwon province have rapids of varying length, speed, and depth. This way you can experience more bouts of breath-holding as you become more advanced. Dong and Naerincheon rivers are the favorites. As you’re rafting, the beautiful surroundings and valleys will keep you in awe. Have a look at the very helpful provincial website: en.gangwon.to or the Official Korea Tourism Organization website: english.visitkorea.or.kr both will suggest numerous outdoor adventure resorts. During peak season a few resorts offer a packaged deal which makes things that much easier. They collect and drop you off in Seoul and provide an entire day of rafting for as little as KRW 50,000. Paragliding off mountain tops will help you dry off. Inje can be reached by express bus. Be sure to go before winter advances in the beginning of November. If you’re set on staying in or close to Seoul for some adventure then consider windsurfing. For more details see the Windsurfing Hiwind Club: hiwind.kr. Meetup.com and Facebook are also great resources; use them to find out about upcoming sporting or hiking events. Feel free to create your own event and let the adventure begin. NEH
october 2011
15
