Here are some upcoming Royal Asiatic Society - Korea activities of potential interest to M-Holers:
Sat Sept 29th: BUKCHON neighborhood Walking Tour in Seoul — Strolling for a few hours through the neighborhood of traditional (old or remodeled) Korean houses (hanok) just north of downtown, guided by by my own funky self, so ya know its gonna be good. We will visit the new Bukchon Culture Center to learn about the preservation projects, the Gahoe Folk-Art Museum, a few great old hanoks and a traditional artisan who operates a display-workshop there.
SEPT 29-30 (Sat-Sun): JEOLLA Provinces Tour: Byeonsan-Bando National Park, Tamyang Bamboo Museum and the Unju-sa Pagoda Valley — We will spend the first day in Byeonsan Peninsula National Park with its spectacular scenery, fine views of the Yellow Sea and lovely Byeonsan Beach, and near here we will also be able to visit the famous Seonun-sa temple. The next day we will go to Tamyang for a visit to the bamboo museum before continuing our journey to mysterious Unju-sa in Pagoda Valley, with its dozens of unique-styled millennium-old stone Buddhist artworks.
SEPT 29-30 (Sat-Sun): Chungmu Port of Tong-yeong City and Geoje-do Island Tour — A chance to learn and explore some of Korea’s most outstanding scenery, with some interesting history behind it — the beautiful island and seas of Geoje-do and the Hallyo Waterway National Park.
Sat-Sun Oct 6-7th: ANDONG AREA Tour: the grand Buseok-sa Temple, Dosan-seowan and Hahoe Aristocratic Village — An RAS favorite, this tour takes us to the most famous sites in and around Andong, the primary city of the Yangban (old aristocracy) and its values. We will visit the spectacular “Floating Rock Temple” at Sobaek-san National Park, the famous Dosan Neo-Confucian Academy of Korea’s most famous scholar (see both sides of your w1000 bill), and the traditional Hahoe Village, a collection of upper-class mansions which is famous for its Mask-dance festival and little-changed by time. If you haven’t yet been to Andong, this is your chance!
Tuesday October 9th: the next RAS Lecture Meeting by Mr. David Richardson on ”Psychonomic Trends in Korea: Korean Psychological Lifestyles, From the Pre-386 Generation to Today’s Young Generation”. Somerset Palace, Seoul.
Contact: http://www.raskb.com/ 763-9483, or raskb@kornet.net And yet more Fall activities are listed in comment #1…
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Yet More to make plans around:
OCT 5-8 (Fri-Mon): HONSHU JAPAN TOUR — This trip to Japan’s main island focuses on the industrial and historical Kansai region. The tour begins in Osaka, moves on to Asuka and Nara, the eighth century Japanese capital, and continues to Kyoto, the capital up until 1868. Castles, shrines, temples and museums insure a varied experience of Japan.
Sat-Sun Oct 13-14: GYEONGJU CITY TOUR – Amazing Relics of the Shilla Kingdom — The entire city of Gyeongju is an outdoor museum, recognized by UNESCO as a prime display of Korean culture, including some of the world’s best Buddhist artworks. This weekend visit will cover the main historic sites and offer an interesting look at the Shilla Kingdom’s culture, as our guide recounts the many myths and legends associated with the sites. This tour will be led by Professor David Mason, an expert on Gyeongju’s history and treasures.
Sun Oct 14th: Walking-Tour of JOSEON Sites of Downtown Seoul — This tour is a walk through Seoul’s past, examining the cultural and historical background of Seoul’s palaces and Joseon (Chosôn) Dynasty landmarks, as well as some little-known but very important historic buildings monuments. Led by Peter Bartholomew, a renowned expert on traditional Korean architecture.
Sat-Sun Oct 20-21: SEORAK-SAN National Park Tour — This is Korea’s premier national park, containing some of the most superb natural scenery to be found on the peninsula. The colorful autumn leaves should be outstanding on this weekend! This is definitely a “must” during your stay in Korea and once you have experienced this park, you’ll want to return time and time again.
David Richardson’s company always does very interesting research into consumer/public preferences through their survey methods. He’s worth catching, despite the title.
Robert,
I can’t comment on the latest Dokdo thread, even though I’m logged in.
This sounds pretty interesting, Sanshinseon. Regarding the Bukchon tour, where and when does the tour begin?
There’s a full description on the site. Best to call the office and put your name on the list; a “maximum” may be enforced. We will meet at 9:30am at Exit 3 of the Anguk Metro Station (orange line). The cost of this tour is w12,000 for members, w15,000 for non-members…
richardson:s really got his hands full with that one…
There are still a few spaces open fpr the Bukchon tour — if you just show up by 9:30 at Exit 3 of Anguk-yeok you can register on the spot. Should be a good time, as the weather is expected to be excellent!
Speaking of excellence, i just received the October issue of _Seoul_ magazine, and note that by sheer coincidence it happens to have an article entitled “Living History in Bukchon” starting on page 18… nice. Sharp photos of some of the same places we will visit tomorrow.
Robert Marmot is the Chief Editor of this of course, and I would like to thank him for the chuckle (he must have planted) in the middle of this article — first paragraph of 21, where it says “The renovated ones [hanok houses]are stunning, especially those adorned with climbing pot plants.” I have indeed appreciated the decorative tendrils of the potted plants around there, but never noticed any of the fun stuff being available… will have to look closer