Every wondered where to stay while visiting a city in Korea? Living in a more rural area, I find myself traveling to other cities for the weekend quite often.The key to perfect accommodation is to find a place that is clean, central and cheap. After a year of trial and error, here are my favorites for Seoul, Busan and Daegu.

1. SEOUL - Hongdae area

Kimchee Guesthouse - Hongdae area

• Located within 10 minutes walking distance of the Hongdae
  main shopping/clubbing areas
• The Hostel is clean and modern
• The staff are friendly
• The bathrooms are clean
• English friendly establishment
• Close to the subway line -  take green line to Hongik University-  exit 2
• Price:  ₩ 15 000  ($15/R150)

 How to get there:

A map from the subway to Kimchee Guesthouse, Hongdae, Seoul.

One of the main dormitories at Kimchee guesthouse, Hongdae.

Kimchee Guesthouse is also a franchise around Seoul with a number of similar hostels that can be found in popular suburbs such as Gangnam, Sinchon and Myeongdong.

Please visit their website for further information: http://www.kimcheeguesthouse.com/

2. BUSAN - Haeundae Beach

 Hello Guesthouse- Haeundae Beach

Looking for a weekend at the beach to tan and bar-hop on a budget? Then Happy Guesthouse is for you! In fact, after a previous stay in the area, friends who opted to rather stay at a Motel concluded that the Hello Guesthouse was much nicer.

• Located close to the famous Haeundae beach main strip
• Bathrooms are clean and have running hot water at all times
• Friendly staff
• English friendly establishment
• Can request bookings over Facebook
• Close to the subway line- green line exit 5
• Price ₩ 20 000 ($20/ R200)

 How to get there:

Map from the Subway to hello Guesthouse, Haeundae beach, Busan.

The common room, Hello Guesthouse, Busan.

A female dormitory at Hello Guesthouse Hostel, Haeundae Beach Busan.

For more information please visit the Hello Guesthouse Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/helloguesthousehello

3. DAEGU - Downtown Bangwoldang

Danim backpackers - Bangwoldang are

Looking forward to a day of shopping and a night of partying and eating? Danim backpackers in downtown Bangwoldang is just the place for you.

• Located close to night clubs and shopping areas, without being so close that you cant sleep (7 minute walk to the main shopping district)
• Bathrooms are clean and have running hot water at all times
• Friendly staff - Suki is the person I have dealt with on multiple occasions, both times she remembered my name.
• English friendly establishment
• Close to the subway line- Bangwaldang station (Where green and red intersect) - exit 9
• Price ₩ 20 000 ($20 / R200)

How to get there:

Map from Bangwoldang station to Danim Backpackers in Daegu.

mixed dorm room in Danim backpackers, Daegu.

 For more information please visit the Danim backpackers website: http://daeguhostel.com/room-rates-of-danim-backpackers.html

Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa temple outside of Gyeongju city. Bulguksa temple found on mount Toham, is considered an historical Buddhist national treasure built in the reign of the Shilla Kingdom. The temple as well as the Grotto, which lies 4kms east, were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1995. Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do province.

School life. My particular high school can be found on the outskirts of Yeongju city. It is an all boy’s high school. The majority of high schools in the city are found outside the city centre to accommodate for bigger campuses. Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do province.

 beach bums. A mild winter’s day view of the famous Haeundae beach in Busan.

“Oh-ree” duck. Duck is considered a relatively inexpensive cut of meat and is eaten frequently in Korea. This particular style of duck is slow rotated and cooked over hot coals. The meal is eaten with a number of seasonal side dishes such as kimchi and Oyster King Korean mushrooms.

Crops in odd places. According to Trading Economics research only 17% of the total land mass in Korea is classed as arable. Therefore, it is not unusual to see micro farming in the open spaces that are free for crops. These particular images are found in the neighborhoods of Yeongju in between houses and shops. Yeongju-si, Gyeonsangbuk-do province.

Insadong gil. A main road in the popular suburb of Insadong, Seoul. Found in the heart of the city, the culturally alive area is famous for its street food, souvenirs’ and traditional art.  Insadong- Seoul, Gyeonggi Province.

Cherry Blossoms. In Spring cherry blossoms (or Sakura trees) can be found in full bloom across the country. This particular image was taken across Seocheon river in Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do province.

 Dotorimuk. Otherwise known as ‘acorn powder’ is often used in Korean soups and side dishes. The dish originated in rural mountainous areas of Korea where there was an abundance of oak trees and acorns. The dish grew in popularity during the Korean war when many were left otherwise starving. Dangyang, North Chungcheong province.

Smoking, Soju, girls. When teaching ESL at an all boy’s high school, one cannot take life or teaching too seriously. Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do province.

  Humble dwellings and high-rises. Korea is a mesh of traditional and modern. Emerging out of the Korean war in the 1950’s in a state bordering on poverty, the country has managed to recover in a manner of decades to become the 4^th largest economy in Asia. Today, Korea is home to some of the biggest technological brand names in the world such as Samsung, LG and Kia motors. Therefore it is common to see traditional family homes intermingled with newly built high rise buildings. Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

 Bibimbap. This is a famous traditional dish from the Jeonju area. The dish is comprised of rice, julienned and sautéed seasonal vegetables, a raw or fried egg, sesame oil and red pepper paste. Jeonju, North Jeolla Province.

  Yeongju across the river. A view of the Seocheon River and the city of Yeongju on a cold autumn afternoon. Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

 Black garlic chicken. The preparation of black garlic requires the slow heating of a bulb of garlic over a series of weeks, resulting in its blackened colour. The bulb takes on a caramelized sweet flavor. This particular dish was made up of  black garlic bulbs, a half chicken stuffed with cooked rice and garnished with spring onion and spices. Yeongju-si. Gyeongsangbuk-do.

  Weather change. Korea is a weather of distinct changing seasons, being approximately 30 ºC (86 º F) in summer with high humidity, dropping down to below freezing at -15 ºC (5 º F) in winter. This image was taken at the school I teach at, in the middle of both summer and winter.

Tofu Soup. Although it is referred to as “Sundubu –jjigae” which roughly translates as soft tofu stew – the meal was mostly comprised of self fried spicy pork. The dish, although delicious is not vegetarian friendly. It is traditionally served with a number of seasonal side dishes. Gyeongji, Gyeongsangbuk-do province.

 Sunset on Namhan. A view across the Namhan River, more affectionately known by Seoulites as the ‘Han’ river during a beautiful sunset. Seoul, Gyeonggi province.

 A Picture of the countryside,. A view of the countryside outside of Andong taken on the train between Gumi and Andong. Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do province

  Fresh produce. It is common to find “adjummas” or older ladies selling fresh produce on the sides of walk ways or roads at a reduced price from what can be found in grocery stores. Punggi-ri, Gyeongsangbuk-do province.

Ilsan pub crawl. A view of the lights of downtown Ilsan on the eve of the annual charity pub crawl. Ilsan, Gyeonggi province.

Gyeongbokgung Palace. This is the traditional palace located in Northern Seoul at the foot of mount Bugak. It was originally built in 1395, but was later burnt and abandoned only to be reconstructed in 1867 to its former glory. Today it is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in Korea.