| [ GoodPlaces ] in KIDS 글 쓴 이(By): hanaro ((((1 로))),P) 날 짜 (Date): 1994년03월19일(토) 22시41분30초 KST 제 목(Title): $OLD IN $EOUL Forget Hong Kong. Forget Singapore. Forget Bangkok. Seoul is the new shopping centre of Asia. - According to Mr. John Wright :) What can one make of a country that takes its emerging reputation as a great travel destination so seriously that it has a permanently staffed tourist complaint centre? Does that mean it gets so many tourist whinges it needes a special taskforce to deal with them, or does it suggest a thoughtful, nip-in-the-bud approach to travel problem solving? In South Korea's case, the right answer has to be the latter, and it is this country's open and honest desire to please foreign visitors that is winning it lots of friends. Another reason, not to beat about the bush, is the reputation that its capital, Seoul, is fast acquiring as the new Asian bargain-shopping mecca. If you still think Hong King has the best and cheapest shopping in the region, think again. Silk shirt for silk shirt, Honkers can't hold a candle to Seoul these days. Dollar for dollar, Seoul is now outgunning the British colony in virtually every tourist shopping department - in everything from tailor-made clothes, leather, sports wear, shoes and costume jewellery to antiques, ceramics, porcelain... the list goes on. In a word, Hong Kong has become too expensive, and an increasing number of colony residents visiting South Korea, can virtually pay for the holiday in terms of money saved if you have serious shopping in mind. For example, it is posible to have an entire seasonal wardrobe handmade caeaply and expertly in Seoul in a long weekend. Silk is the speciality, as is leather and cashmere, and the city's countless tailors and leather workers are totally geared for the tourist trade. Speed and value for money are the key words, and if any one quote seems too high, the competition is so intense that most tailors are quite ready to talk serious discounts. The same goes for other shopping, and wise travellers with the nerve to try bargaining should remember it. The popular buys, apart from tailored clothing, are jogging shoes and other sportswear, eel skin products, furs at incredibly low prices, white jade, amethyst and smoky topaz, genuine and reproduction antiques, brassware, embroidery and ginseng. Inquisitive foreign tourists to Seoul tend to congregate in a few popular shopping districts. The main ones include the famed Itaewon district with its wall-to-wall tailors and leather, porcelain and antique shops, Tongdaemun(silks, sporting goods), Namdaemun(cheap shoes and clothing), Changandong(antiques) and Myongdong(high quality fashion). There are many more in a city which, despite its 20th century appearance, has the underlying feel, smell and excitement of an ancient trading centre. Take away Seoul's ubiquitous delivery trucks and motorcycles, its solid stream of Hyundai Sonatas and Daewoo Princes, and you've got a city that must have changed little in centuries, at least in a cultural sense. It must be said that despite Seoul's proud celebration of its 600th anniversary as the South Korean capital this year, there are few signs of a heritage built beyond its restored city gates, bits of the old wall and a few palaces, shrines and gardens. Still, what Seoul might lack in that department, it more than makes up for in its other cultural attractions, including its wonderful food and night-life. And, of course, the city is a jumping off point for a country that few Australians have taken the trouble to explore. Short-term visitors ought to try the national Korena dish, kimch'i - a highly-spiced, fermented cabbage - at least once, perhaps as part of a full course traditional meal(kyojassang). Steamed beef ribs and ambrosia casserole are two other popular dishes worth a try. Seoul goes in for exotic night-time entertainment, of which the champagne cabaret floor shows at the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel are an eye-opening and celebrated example. Shopping, eating, playing. That's the name of the game in Seoul, and this year, which ahs been designated Visit Korea Year, is probably the ideal time to indulge. Hundreds of special cultural events have been organised across the country, and a range of discounts and deals are available to foreign visitors. Not much work for the tourist complaint centre there. :) _--_|\ than@edna.vut.edu.au (in English) / \ \_.--.,/ 좋은 하루 보내시길..... v |