Sat-Sun Nov 24-25th: Inner Seorak and South Sorak Rhapsody Tour — A weekend spent enjoying the grand natural beauty of the less-visited northwestern area of South Korea’s greatest national park, Seorak-san. On Saturday we’ll walk up a long beautiful Inner Seorak valley to the legendary Baekdam-sa (Hundred Pools Temple) and admire the scenic forests, steams and ridges. Then on Sunday, we’ll visit the beautiful South Seorak area and hike to its best-known waterfall (one of Korea’s highest) and see former President Rhee’s retreat-home.
Sunday Nov 25th: Cheorwon County Tour – this is a trip to the northern border region of South Korea, where we can see some of the remains of the conflict that divided the peninsula and visit an observation tower to peer across the border to the closed North Korea. During this time, many different birds migrate from China, like cranes and some other wild species of birds.
Tuesday, Nov 27th, 7:30pm: Lecture by Dr. Jang Yeon-ok (PhD in Ethnomusicology from The University of London, teacher & scholar of traditional Korean music, and accomplished Gayageum player) on “Korean Folk Music: From P’ansori to Sinawi and Sanjo”. In the 2nd-floor Resident’s Lounge of the Somerset Palace, downtown Seoul – free for RAS members, w5000 donation requested from others.
Sat Dec 1st: Yeoju Treasures Tour – charming Shilleuk-sa Temple beside the South Han River, Mok-A Buddhist Art Museum and the spectacular Tomb of King Sejong (Korea’s best monarch).
Sun Dec 2nd: Daedun-san Crags Hiking Tour – this Provincial Park on the border of South Chungcheong and North Jeolla Provinces is quite famous for its steep craggy beauty, as a “Little Diamond Mountains”. You will have the option of hiking up or taking the cable-car most of the way. The views from the high cliffs (summit: 878 meters) and alpine suspension-bridge are stupendous and exhilarating, if you’re not afraid of heights!
More Info (including map to the Somerset): 763-9483 and http://www.raskb.com/
