I am stationed in Korea for the first time (Yongsan). What advice do you have for navigating around the city?

2018-05-25T20:17:27-04:00

I haven’t met anyone from my unit yet, and it’s a four day so I’d really like to explore. But I’m afraid of getting lost while doing so.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2018 9:48 PM

2018-05-25T21:48:33-04:00

Get a T-Money card, load it with 20k won and learn the immediate surroundings. Know which gates go to which train entry ways and find landmarks that's hard to forget like a restaurant or public restroom. Took a few weeks for me but it's doable to travel to Casey or Humphreys by train. If you're not adventurous, at least learn what the main gates lead to and go to them via post bus. Best of luck out there!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2018 9:55 PM

2018-05-25T21:55:22-04:00

Check out iPark Mall west of Yongsan Garrison and it has a theater that shows 4DX movies in English

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2018 9:58 PM

2018-05-25T21:58:53-04:00

Check out Iteawon outside of base and they have an Outback Steakhouse, South of the Border and other restaurants and bars. You can find YouTube videos about Itaewon

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made May 25 at 2018 9:59 PM

2018-05-25T21:59:51-04:00

You will love Yongsan, which was my first Korean tour in 1962, I was billeted at Camp Coiner and worked the Yongsan Eighth Army Communications Center. I had asked my houseboy to take me on a tour in Seoul. I bought guitars for both of us. (He probably sold his.)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2018 10:05 PM

2018-05-25T22:05:29-04:00

I was stationed there from March 2013 to July 2014. You’ll be shopping your brains out buying purses and clothes, etc. but make that they are not knockoffs.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made May 26 at 2018 12:15 AM

2018-05-26T00:15:19-04:00

It’s very easy to navigate throughout the city by taking the subway trains.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 26 at 2018 12:40 AM

2018-05-26T00:40:14-04:00

https://www.yongsanaikido.com/

I found this...I didn't know if this was something you'd be partial to, however, I've always loved aikido and iaido, this is aikido, however, it's specifically in Yong San, I gather...I never went overseas, so I obviously quite greatly envy you, certainly...if you have an interest in his sort of thing, you might find it quite to your taste, I've always found the moves quite complex, I realize you might have other interests, incl other martial arts, however, I just thought I'd send this, aikido is rather a familial group in that way...also, if you're in school at all, I'm well aware South Korea has some extremely good colleges and/or universities, also, I'd think, apart from any intellectual interest, a quite good way to get exposed to their society, on an academic level...I didn't know if others there used the schools in the area, where you are probably has on installation schools, I'd exoectz I !erely mention it as a possibility...my next younger brother was Merchant Marine, he'd gone to Pusan, you might also on leave, see if you could hop flights to Japan, incl Okinawa, or see if you could be allowed to see Thailand at all, maybe Taiwan, he allied nations, I'd always wanted to do such things, I never did, which always rather gnawed at me, I'd suppose you could also possibly hop flights, maybe, to Guam, the Northern Marianas, and maybe Hawaii, I merely off hose as thoughts, of coursex...I have no idea how or if such space A travel is done now, I'd just known of many who'd done such things when I was in, my nest friend in USAF hopped flights back and forth to the UK when a brother of his got married there when we'd both been in, I didn't go, however, he'd told me of it...are you in school at all? If so, for what major, what level? Assoc? Bach? I'd just wondered, not that any of that has anything to do with exploring he city there, of course....

yongsanaikido

The Yongsan Aikikai is a group of martial arts enthusiatists practicing the Japanese art of Aikido. The term "Yongsan" is actually a Korean phrase which means "Dragon Mountain". The origination of this name for our Dojo springs from our instructor's previous dojo which was originally started in the Yongsan area in Seoul, South Korea under the Korea Aikido Federation. We have elected to continue with this name in order to keep the spirit of the...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 26 at 2018 12:42 AM

2018-05-26T00:42:00-04:00

https://www.goarmyed.com/public/facility_pages/Yongsan_Education_Center/default.asp

I also found this just now....

GoArmyEd : Yongsan Education Center

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made May 26 at 2018 12:42 AM

2018-05-26T00:42:49-04:00

There are many places to visit and things to do in Seoul and the surrounding cities in South Korea.
1. Places to party or clubbing: Most troops go to Itaewon because its the closest to Yongsan Garrison but there is also Kangnam or Gangnam. However the very best place for clubbing is Hongdae, with so many choices to party, you will be there every weekend you could get to enjoy.
2. Park attractions: In Seoul there are Lotte World and Seoul Land but in Yongin they have Everland and Caribbean Bay which is a water park.
3. Near the American Embassy, you can find many places that show the history of South Korea, including a place that you will enjoy called Insadong.
4. Seoul Tower ... nuff said.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 26 at 2018 12:47 AM

2018-05-26T00:47:14-04:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_colleges_and_universities_in_Seoul

I'd read tat Yong San is only about 3 km from Seoul, I figured you might find this list of schools there useful....

List of colleges and universities in Seoul - Wikipedia

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2018 12:51 AM

2018-05-26T00:51:24-04:00

Cherish this time, Yongsan was one of my best duty stations. If you’re into hiking take the subway to Bukhansan

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2018 2:25 PM

2018-05-27T14:25:07-04:00

Step 1, download the waze app. Step 2, link up with someone whose been there a while. Step 3, don't miss curfew.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2018 1:24 AM

2018-05-30T01:24:13-04:00

Make friends with some of the ex-pats there teaching English, find out when the half price menues are in Itaewon and go say hi/give respect to Mama Kim at Grand Ole Opry...the only not-black listed bar on Hooker Hill.

Have fun, make friends with KATUSAs and never forget to visit historic sites of ancient Korea (Joreon).

Response by SP5 Lori Pong made May 30 at 2018 3:44 PM

2018-05-30T15:44:14-04:00

I had the advantage of having a childhood friend stationed there when I arrived and he showed me around. But if you don't want to wait. I would go out slowly. Today, take a short walk away from the gates, look around a little. Tomorrow go a little further and then the next day further still. If all else fails have $$ with you and hail a cab to take you back to Yongsan.