[HanCinema's Digest] Travel Bug Bites

Lonely Planet lists Korea as one of their top travel destinations for 2018, Korea Expose explores the history of hiking in The Land of the Morning Calm, check out this great guide to the best of Busan, and read a fascinating travelogue by a Portuguese-Korean traveler.

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"Top Countries you need to visit next year"

Guess which country made Lonely Planet's list of top countries to visit in the new year! "South Korea is a compact playground of Asian modernity", and with the Winter Games just months away now, the country is right up there as one of the best places to pay a visit to in 2018. "So don your hats and gloves to cheer on the best and brightest as they swoosh their way to glory. Or wait until it warms up and experience mountainous delights followed by steamy urban nightlife".

...READ ON LONELY PLANET

"'I Think of the Mountain': History of Hiking in S. Korea"

South Korea is, according to the CIA's World Factbook, "mostly hills and mountains". It's no surprise then that hiking is one of the most popular activities around. Interesting, however, the history of hiking in Korea is not that long; "Hiking really took off in the 1980s, as South Korea became more prosperous". In this interesting article on Korea Expose, Haeryun Kang takes us on a tour of hiking in Korea, its history and significance, as well as how alpinism has evolved over the years. You'll also find a short video about Seoul's mountainous surroundings, as well as an ode to mountains ("I Think of the Mountain", 1968) by poet Lee Byeong-ju.

...READ ON KOREA EXPOSE

"Busan Unveiled: Our guide to the best attractions in Busan, South Korea"

Gamcheon Cultural Villiage, the stunning Haeundae Beach and Yongdusan Park are a few of Sarah Khan's favourite places to visit in the coastal city of Busan. South Korea's second-largest city is home to the recently concluded Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), but there is so much more to this hub than cinema. "Once regarded as the more underrated destination within South Korea (relative to Seoul, at least), you can't deny that Busan is slowly gaining traction as a popular tourist destination". Have you been to Busan before? Let us know where you like to visit in the comment section below...

...READ ON MARIE FRANCE ASIA

"'Don't Speak in Korean': When Koreans Travel to North Korea"

This seems like strange advice, but Koreans are advised not to speak Korean while up North. Eddie Park was told exactly that after arriving in Dandong, China, before taking a boat ride along the Yalu River between the two nations. "I wondered how they would have reacted had they known my true identity", writes Eddie in this creative nonfiction piece on Korea Expose. "Regret filled my heart as it was only in my last morning that I had the courage to talk in Korean..."

...READ ON KOREA EXPOSE