New Foreign English Instructors/Teachers in Korea: Kyobo Bookstore in Ganghwamun Station (near Gyungbuk Palace)

Kyobo bookstore is the closest thing to a university bookstore that you'll find in Korea. Starting at the base of Joggno Tower (Jonggak Station), with the tower behind you cross the street.

Remember, with the tower BEHIND you . . . for some reason I'd always screw up the direction I'd start walking when I first started coming to Seoul and wanting to go to Kyobo.

Make sure that the traditional Korean building across from the tower is on the other side of the street. Otherwise you'll end up going the wrong way.

Crossing over to the other side of the street you'll see a big statue to your right . . .

Go to the left of this statue and walk down the street . . .

This is what what you should see as you bear to the left and begin walking towards Kyobo . . .

And if you're coming out of Jonggak Station you should walk out of Exit 1. With the tower behind you start walking . . .

On your right you should pass a Tous Les Jours bakery . . .

. . . and Sultan Kebab . . .

. . . and Dunkin' Donuts . . .

. . . and a McDonalds . . .

You'll then see a fountain statue on your right . . . keep going and cross the intersection.

About 20 feet past the intersection you'll see the entrance to Kyobo bookstore (the stone archway in the background) on your right.

Kyobo bookstore entrance . . .

Go in and down the stairs . . .

The main part of the bookstore is MASSIVE. Keep walking straight across the entire main floor towards the opposite side. The "Foreign Books" section is on the far side.

Keep going . . .

. . . and going . . .

Yay! You're there . . .

The size of the foreign books section is pretty good. They even have a really good travel section with Lonely Planet books and maps, etc.

When you walk in the entrance look to the right and you'll find the "Teaching English" section.

They also have a children's story book section, and everything else you'd expect in a university style bookstore/mainstream large bookstore.

A lot of people when they first arrive in Korea REALY REALLY like to see this many English books . . . it's reassuring that there are resources to help you with teaching AND with reading for leisure, escaping stress, and studying for projects or grad work if you're doing that too.

If you come into Ganghwamun Station on your way to Kyobo bookstore there are signs that will lead you to Exit #3.

After entering and exiting the swiveling doors you only have to walk about 20 feet into the store and you'll find the Foreign Books section on your left.

Or if you find yourself walking around Gyeongbuk Palace and want to get out of the sun and into the air conditioning all you have to do is walk down the extremely wide street with the palace's main gate and mountain directly behind you down to Exit #3 of Ganghwamun Station.

This street has a rather notorious reputation now as it was the site of massive rioting and protests over the Mad Cow issue last year . . . but I won't get into that here, lol.

Don't miss taking some pics of . . . dang, I didn't write down the name . . . I'll have to do some research about what this is--oops.

And on that note . . . enjoy.

J