Backpack Korea

Hallasan Hike to summit: Ascend and descend the mountain via different routes, as you will see two different sceneries of Hallasan. ( I ascended via Seongpanak track/course and descended via Gwaneumsa track/course. However,the disappointing thing is that one of the routes doesn't have any bus service. Hence, you have to take a taxi/cab from the foot to the nearest bus stop (if you are on a budget trip). If you really have a tight purse string, then you should back track the path back to the starting point when you descend, so that you can catch a bus at the bus stop right at the foot of the mountain.

Seongpanak track/course has bus service. Gwaneumsa track/course doesn't have any bus service.

The Hwanseongul (limestone cave) is beautiful. However, the frequency of bus from Samcheok intercity bus terminal to the cave is very low. Taking a bus to this destination isn't a problem but it is best to confirm with the driver that there will be a bus at the scheduled time that will pick you up at the cave to return to the intercity bus terminal.

My experience: read my journal.
My advice: Visit the cave early in the morning, as there is a period of time in the late morning (around 10.20am) that doesn't have any bus service to the cave until around 2pm.

Folk Villages:
If you are going both Jeju and Seoul, I think you can just visit one of the Folk villages coz they are pretty similar.
(1) Talking about accessiblity, the Korean Folk village at Suwon (vicinity of Seoul) is a better of the 2 choices. For the Jeju Folk village, you still have to walk along a stretch of road before you can reach it.
(2) If you want to catch the performances, then Korean Folk village is the choice coz at Jeju's there isn't many tourist there and thus they might skip the performances.
(3) You don't need to rent an English audio guide at Jeju's, coz it's not good at all and in the end you might find yourself confused.

Nevertheless, it is still worth visiting the Jeju Folk village. Also, if you have the time you should go both villages and see for yourself the beautiful villages.

Recommended stay in Busan!

You gotta try this Zen backpackers. Its really a nice cosy place to stay. (P.S. You can post me an advice to ask me for the directions...) (Highly recommended by me..Alice)

I visited Hwanseon Gul 20 years ago. Things have sure changed. When I was there the cave was in a totally natural state. It was a beautiful wild valley. I lack the writing ability to adequately describe it. By an amazing stoke of luck I also managed a visit to Kwaneum Gul, which is a short distance from Hwanseon. One of the top experiences of my life.

I smiled when I read about your difficulty and concern in catching a bus back to town. I ran into the same issue when visiting Kossi Cave and No Dong caves. In each case, I took a taxi to the cave, having no idea how I was going to get back to town. At No Dong cave, I was practically drug onto a chartered tour bus and given food and excellent hospitality back to Tanyang. At Kossi cave, I started walking back to Yongwol. Just a short way down the road, a vehicle stopped and the occupants motioned for me to get aboard!

is their anyone out there familiar with trying to break into this countries workforce,,im a vet who wants to spend a couple of years around and about to enjoy life a lil and travel

omo..what a beautiful country..
i wanna visit there one day...