Don’t Skip: Gyeongju, South Korea
Intro to Gyeongju Once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdown, which ruled most of the Korean peninsula from the 7th to 9th century, Gyeongju maintains a concentration of temple and palace remains, Buddhist art, statues, pagodas and other historical sites is unparalleled elsewhere in the country. We spent our time in Gyeongju wandering among […]
Nanjing
Provincial capital Nanjing was an enjoyable stop, greener than most, with a definite university feel. Unfortunately most-known for the 1937 massacre and violence (Rape of Nanking) following the Japanese capture of the city, Nanjing was also twice the former capital, once in the Ming Dynasty, and again briefly at the beginning of the 20th Century. […]
Gyeongju
Gyeongju is less than a couple of hours from Busan, but its atmosphere feels much further removed. There is more of a small-town feel, not rural, but a laid-back sort of vibe. We had taken the slow train, and it wasn’t a long walk to the Nahbi Guest House. This hostel is very well-run, clean […]
New Friends, Ancient Roads
We had the pleasure of our first couchsurfing experience with the Higashi family in Sakurai, about an hour south of Nara. For those not familiar with couchsurfing, it’s a program where people open their homes to travelers who not only benefit from a free place to stay, also get to know local hosts (and vice […]