Discovering K-camping: how to experience
Meggie
3 days ago
If you're like me, you love camping and try to experience it everywhere you go, as often as you can. Every country has a different idea and parameters of what camping means, and it is a spectrum. Here are some tips to plan your camping adventures!
1) Where: find glamping and camping spots
Your best bet for finding spots to camp is to use Naver Maps app. This app will show you accurate geolocations- with contact info- for the spectrum of camping: day and overnight campsites, seasonal openings and closures, You can choose to book directly in the app, to avoid downloading other apps, confusion of translation across lanuages, and use payment process already approved for your foreign card.
2) What to bring: understanding K camp culture
This fall, I went to GOCAF's annual camping fair to learn about modern camping in South Korea! It was a rainy November day, a great time to duck into Incheon's convention center Convensia for the sprawling indoors event.
Registration was offered in advance, but as a foreigner, I had difficulty completing the process without a Korean certification number. Onsite, I went to one of the booths at the door, under the Press & Foreigners sign. There, the QR code led me to a separate booking site that allowed me to join- and without having to pay entrance fee.
They are hosting another winter camping expo, at the end of November! Look it up for details, I will also be there.
3) Tips and tricks: renting gear
Did you know you can rent gear?! No need to bring from your country or buy entire new kit for K camping. You can rent from the specific place you will be camping at, and this saves you the most time and energy, avoiding transporting loads of gear to the site on public transportation. Outfitters also rent directly from their stores.
4) Suggested gear: what I am using this fall and winter for K camping
Even a park picnic for foliage appreciating requires gear- here's what I suggest for a small camp picnic!
I was so pleased to eaaily find gear ready for current fall and upcoming winter weather conditions, like USB electric blankets (a first for me) and puffy insulated feet booties.
5) Skip glamping: try modern camping vehicles!
What a great excuse to rent a purpose-built camping van and ready to get inside. Electric vans with rooftop tents and plumbing- very cool to test out! Look on short term rental platforms, Naver Maps, Creatrip and Klook for rates and options.
6) Look local
If you want to blend into K winter fashion, a black puffy coat is your best bet. Even dogs wear puffers, and pet gear is so cute!
7) Budget buys: visit Daiso
While convenience stores carry single-use heating pads, you can get these and more at any Daiso. They also sell outerwear, thermal base layers, small blankets, and have a camping gear section!
Hopefully this intro to some K-camp gear helps prepare you for to buy, bring or rent while here!
