Yongsan, located in downtown Seoul, means Dragon Hill. Yongsan or Yongsan-gu is also the site of Yongsan Garrison, a large United States military base. In the futuer, Yongsan will has the tallest building in Korean, and second tallest in the world, while now will be developed into an international business district.
On the 1.46 million-square-meter site around Yongsan subway station, a 620 meter-high landmark building, a hotel, business & residential facilities and large parks will be built.
The site is available for financial, telecom and entertainment companies. Its metropolitan transportation infrastructure and sufficient green space will make for an outstanding business environment.
If the plan is accepted, the proposed building will have 130-140 stories and become a new landmark for the city. The building is expected to promote growth in the area with the proposed construction of additional shopping malls and entertainment establishments in the Yongsan area where the U.S. military’s main base is located.
“If the building does not obstruct views of Mount Namsan from the Han River, it should have no problem being approved,’’ a city official said. “Korail also asked us to designate residential areas adjacent to the new building, but it could affect transportation in the region. We will review the matter carefully,’’ he said.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has said that the city needs new skyscrapers to strengthen its international competitiveness and draw more foreign tourists.
Buildings over 600 meters are very rare _ currently, the 508 meter-high Taipei Financial Center in Taiwan is the tallest building in the world with 101 stories while Dubai is constructing the 830 meter-high Burj Dubai Tower with 160 stories for completion before the end of next year.
Currently, the 234 meter-high Tower Palace apartment building in Togok-dong, southern Seoul, is the tallest building in Korea. However, construction projects for the 580 meter-high international business center in Sangam-dong, northern Seoul, and the 610 meter-high Inchon Tower in Songdo in the Inchon Free Economic Zone are being pushed.
“In Seoul, the planned 151-story Yongsan Landmark Building, at 2,046 feet, will tower over all the city’s existing structures, and even some nearby mountain peaks. “Seoul is the capital, so it must have the tallest building,” said Han Bong-seok, an executive at Korea Railroad, the national railway company, who heads the project to build the tower on the site of an old train yard. “This is for the pride of Seoul.
Yongsan Electronic Market
Seoul has the biggest Electronic shopping place. Like Akihabara Electronics District in Tokyo and Den Den Town in Osaka, Yongsan Electronic Market is the place to find several Korea branded electronic, stereos, computers and peripherals, office equipment, telephones, lighting equipment, electronic games and software, videos and CDs.
Located near the Yongsan train station, the Electronics Market is made up of over 20 buildings housing 5,000 stores that sell appliances, stereos, computers and peripherals, office equipment, telephones, lighting equipment, electronic games and software, and videos and CDs. Korean-made products generally cost 20% less here than other retail outlets, while imported items can be as much as 50% cheaper. Transformers of varying sizes can be found at many shops.
Yongsan Urban Development
Biggest South Korean Urban Development in history… This is 30 billion dollars mega urban developmental project on the Yong-San district of Seoul. On the 1.46 million-square-meter site around Yongsan subway station, a 665 meter-high landmark building, a hotel, business & residential facilities and large parks will be built. The Landmark tower which is the tallest building in this project will be 665m supertall structure that will become new landmark of Seoul. The site is available for financial, telecom and entertainment companies. Its metropolitan transportation infrastructure and sufficient green space will make for an outstanding business environment.
Yongsan Landmark Building Design Photos:
Watch Yongsan Urban Development 용산국제업무지구(Yongsan dream hub) video
Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา – usually referred to simply as Korat or Khorat) is the provincial capital of Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Nakhon Ratchasima is a city (thesaban nakhon) in the north-east (Isan) of Thailand and gateway to Isan.
The province is located on the western end of the Khorat Plateau, separated from the Chao Phraya river valley by the Phetchabun and Dong Phaya Yen mountain ranges. Two national parks are in the province – the Khao Yai in the west and the Thab Lan in the south. The area around Korat was an important center already in the times of the Khmer empire in the 11th century, as can be seen by the temple ruins in the Phimai historical park.
Nakhon Ratchasima Named from the city of various Khmer ruins and the famous statue of Khun Ying Mo. The city is situated on a plateau, about 260 kilometres northeast of Bangkok. The city itself serves as the Gateway to the Northeastern Region.
Nakhon Tourism
Some of the main attractions in Khorat are Khmer ruins. Scattered around the province, these products of ancient wisdom shines through time. One of the Thailand’s finest Khmer ruins can be seen here next to Mon and Lao sites. In addition, Khorat has an abundance of natural attractions in its forests, hills, wildlife and waterfalls that are easily accessible in locations such as Khao Yai National Park .
Apart from the famous statue of Khun Ying Mo or Thao Suranari , Khorat is most well known for silk weaving (in Pak Thong Chai) and a variety of top-notch quality handicrafts such as clay pottery products of Dan Kwian .
Some of Tourist attractions in Nakhon Ratchasima are listed here :
1. Wat Phra Narai Maharat image of Narayana made of sand stone
2. Wat Sala Loi Chapel shape of Chinese Junk. Wat Sala Loi is located on the bank of Lam Takhong River, about 400 meters off the Northeast of the town. The main chapel, which received many awards from various architectural associations as a modern leading design of religious monument, is constructed in the shape of a Chinese Junk.
3. Maha Weerwong National Museum. Maha Weerawong National Museum opposite to the City Hall, exhibits various arts objects and artifacts donated to Somdet Maha Weerawong, e.g. sand stone Buddha images of Khmer and Ayutthaya period, Bronze Buddha images, different sizes ceramics and wood carvings from ancient monasteries.
4. Prasat Hin Phanom Wan Stupa built of sandstone. Prasat Hin Phimai is the largest sandstone sanctuary in Thailand almost situated in the center of Phimai Ancient city which carries a rectangular shape of 665 meters wide and 1,030 meters long.
5. Khao Yai National Park Thailand first national park. The Park comprises various mountains, two important rivers of Lam Takhong and Nakhon Nayok, with many rare species of fauna and flora and over 20 waterfalls. Camping sites in the park are available.
6. Phimai Historical Park Opens daily from 7:30 and costs 100 baht for foreigners. Parts of the park are older than Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Includes Khmer buildings, sculptures leading to the shrine, restaurant, and gift shop.
7. Dan Kwain Nakhon Ratchasima’s main ceramics centre. Famous for its rough texture and rust-like colour pottery.
8. Lam Takhong Dam surrounded by shady trees. The Dam is located 62 kilometers before reaching the town on Highway No. 2. The construction had started in 1964 and finished 4 years later. The lake – like reservoir can contain up to 300 million cubic meters of water and irrigates 238,000 rais of paddy field.
9. Sai NgamLocated on the bank of the Moon River. Includes some of the largest banyan trees.
10. Prasat Nang Ram originally meant to be a nursing place during the 12th century in Khmer style.
11. Khao Chan Ngam Cave famous for pre-historic color paintings.
12. Archaeological Site At Ban Prasat Ancient bronze age artifacts in burial site that dates back 3000 years.
13. Muang Sema Buddhist Temple
14. Wat Ban Rai famous monastery of a well known monk, Luang Pho Khun Porisutho.
Nakhon Ratchasima Festivals and Events :
1. Thao Suranari Commamoration.
The annual event is held from March 23 to April 2 to commemorate the victory of Thao Suranari, the heroine who saved Nakhon Ratchasima from in evaders in the Reign of King Rama III. Cultural displays, exhibitions and fireworks are the highlight.
2. Phimai Boat Races
These popular races take place on the Moon River near the old Khmer city of Phimai during the second week of November. Besides the regatta there will be competitions of boats decorated to resemble the famous Royal Barges, entertainments, and stalls selling local products.
3. Phimai Festival
This colorful event is held at the same time as the Phimai boat Races in Phimai historical Park. Among the important activities are; the light and sound presentation; Buddhist, historical and cultural exhibitions.
Nakhon Ratchasima Nightlife
Nightlife in Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) may be not as crowded as Bangkok or Pattaya, but still nice and varied. We can see many bars with Thai live bands and discos playing Thai dance chart hits. Other foreigners are not a common sight in those Thai discos, but are normally welcome.
Like another Big Cities in Thailand, Nightlife in Nakhon Ratchasima can not be seperated with Massage Parlors and Thai Girl. For those who want to see a crowded market, try Korat Night Bazar. Korat Night Bazaar, heavily frequented by the Thais in the late evening, is located close to the city center on Manat Road, which is between Chomphon and Mahatthai roads. It is open everyday from 6 to 10 p.m.
For tourist want to try Thai Massage, a lot of Khorat Massage Parlors can fe found. There are no beer gardens as known from Bangkok but Khorat has several fishbowl massage parlors (“Mandarin”, “New Palace”), some of them offering “extra services”. For example, the “Chaopraya Hotel” on Jomsurung has room service for THB 700.
Khorat freelancers and Thai girls are spreading anywhere in the city. Freelancers hang out in front of the Japanese restaurant around the corner of the “Chaopraya”. Their going rate is around THB 700.
Some of Nakhon Ratchasima Pub, Bars, and Nightlife Restaurants here :
Pub & Restaurant
Bule Saloon (บูเล่ ซาลูน) 264 Yommarat Road, Amphoe Maung, Tel: 0 4425 6538, (open: 06.00 p.m. – 01.00 a.m.)
Tawan Dang Sad sang deun (ตะวันแดงสาดแสงเดือน( มหาซน) ณ โคราช 88/9 Suebsiri Road (Tel. 0442611594
Tawan See Thong (ตะวันสีทอง) Chainarong Road five junction Tel. 0 44257257
Korat Ban- eng (โคราชบ้านเอง) 309 Sabpasit Road Tel. 0 44265988
Dok Mai Kafair (ดอกไม้กาแฟ) Mahatthai Road Tel. 0 44241307
Happy Land (แฮปปี้แลนด์) Mahatthai Road
Nam Jun (น้ำจัณฑ์) Suebsiri Road
The Party House (เดอะ ปาร์ตี้ เฮ้าส์) Suranaree Road, (open: 07.00 p.m. – 02.00 a.m.)
Lam Takhong Dam. Located on the edge of Friendship Highway (Mittraphap Road), forming a large reservoir with a capacity of 310 cubic meters of water, capable of helping a total of 238,000 rai of agricultural land, surrounded by and atmosphere of shady trees and beautiful views of nature, good to visit for recreation.
Night Bazaar Korat: Night Walking Street. The most popular place at night in Korat downtown, walking around, do some shopping, looking for something delicious for dinner. Good atmosphere there and it is a place you can see life of locals at night.
Phimai Festival. This colorful event is held at the same time as the Phimai boat Races in Phimai historical Park. Among the important activities are; the light and sound presentation; Buddhist, historical and cultural exhibitions.
Wat Sala Loi Is located on the bank of Lam Takhong River about 500 meters off the side-road to Northeast of the town. The main chapel, which received many awards from various architectural associations as a modern leading design of religious monument, is constructed in the shape of Chinese Junk.
Speed Disco and Ginza Plaza: Nightlife in Korat. Used to be called Speed disco, before that Scorpion..guess it have change name again now… Ginza is more of a massage parlour, beside another newly Disco. Both Disco are popular among local (anyway Korat is lack of tourists) where live bands with dancers perform. Pay 100B for a entry.. get into small chats with the local school girls, there may be chance some of the clubbers are also tourists from other province:)
Thao Suranari or Khun Ying Mo. Statue Of Khun Ying Mo. Apart from the famous statue of Khun Ying Mo or Thao Suranari , Khorat is most well known for silk weaving (in Pak Thong Chai) and a variety of top-notch quality handicrafts such as clay pottery products of Dan Kwian .
Dusit Princess Korat Hotel is located on Suranarai Road near Korat city centre. One of the most important cities of north-eastern Thailand, Korat has much to offer the visitor: from the ruins of the Nang Ram Sanctuary and Muang Sema Historical Site to the shopping at the Korat Night Bazaar. The Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course at Khao Yai is also not far from the Dusit Princess Korat is only 45 minutes’ flight from Bangkok.
Nakhon Ratchasima, generally known as ” Khorat “, is Thailand’s largest province situated on sprawling northeast plateau. Located approximately 260 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, the city itself serves as the gateway to the lower northeastern region.
The Phimai Historical Park Dotted about Thailand’s great northeastern plateau are numerous temples of varying sizes; most of these structures are believed to be about a thousand years old.
Watch Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) in Thailand Video. The night view of Korat in Thailand. Around Statue of Tao Suranaree. Sanook sanook!
