6 churches with English services for foreigners in Seoul

Religion in Korea is characterized by a rise of Christianity, a revival of Buddhism, and despite decades of suppression, the survival of shamanism. Regardless of their differences, it is safe to say that each of these religions, as well as their respective places of worship, are beautiful in their own way.

However, are you foreigner and wondering that they have any churches with English services there? Do not worry, here is a list of churches with English-services to help you keep connecting with God while being in Korea.

Seoul Sung Rak Church

Seoul Sung Rak Church is a Baptist church that provides services on Sundays in Korean, English, French, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and Russian. The church also organizes international chapel and Bible study at 2 pm. The church is located in Guro-gu, near Sindorim Station, Guro Station, or Dorimcheon Station.

Seoul International Catholic Church

Seoul International Catholic Church, also called St. Francis Catholic International Parish is located in Hannam-dong, next to the Italian embassy and near Hangangjin Station. The masses are officiated in several languages like English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Korean.

Seoul Anglican Cathedral

The Seoul Anglican Cathedral is a beautiful cathedral, like one could see in Europe. It is located next to the British Embassy, near City Hall Station. Sunday Service with Holy Communion is held every Sunday in the Seoul Anglican Cathedral Crypt. The church can also be visited from Monday to Saturday.

Yeoksam Catholic Church

Photo: VisitSeoul

Yeoksam Catholic Church is located near Yeoksam Station in Gangnam.  Most services are offered in Korean, but they have a special mass on Sunday mornings for English speakers. The church also offers an English Bible study and confessions before and after the mass.

Onnuri Church

Onnuri Church is located near Seobinggo Station (Gyeongui Jungang line) in Yonsang-gu, Seoul. There is a second church in Yangjae, Seocho-gu, Seoul. The church offers worship services on Sundays in different languages, such as English, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Mongol, Russian, Nepali, Arabian, Filipino, Khmer,  and Sinhala. Onnuri Church also has different services for adults, infants, children, and youth.

SaRang Church (New Harvest Ministry)

SaRang Church is a non-denominational church just near Seocho Station. The New Harvest Ministry is the English ministry of SaRang Church. The ministry offers several services, for adults as well as youth and children, such as mass, bible reading plan, discipleship training, and more. The services are held in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese.

Read more: 7 best summer desserts in Seoul, Korea

Source 10 Magazine

Visit Myanmar's most famous destinations, Bagan and Mandalay

It’s a tough tossup: whether to go to Bagan or Mandalay first in Myanmar? Or maybe it's a little of both.

Visiting Bagan

Culture vultures flock to Bagan, previously known as Pagan. The ancient city is home to more Buddhist pagodas, temples, and stupas than any other city in the world. The majority of Myanmar’s population practice Theravada Buddhism, and most tourist attractions are religious structures reflecting this tradition.

Most of Bagan’s temples were built during the 11th and 12th centuries. There was once around 10,000 temples on the plains of Bagan, before many were destroyed by war and natural disasters. Today, it is estimated that over 2,000 remain in the Bagan Archaeological Zone.

The city charges an entrance fee of 25,000 kyat (US$18). Visitors who are on a strict budget may want to head to Mandalay instead.

The main form of transportation around Bagan’s temples is electric bicycle. Hiring a taxi would be much too expensive, and part of the fun of exploring this city in the first place is doing so by bike. The roads are often bumpy, and visitors who aren’t keen to explore by bike may prefer to head to Mandalay instead.

Other things visitors should consider is that the party scene in Bagan is essentially nonexistent, and that the structures of Bagan are considered sacred by the locals, and they should be respected as such. While short shorts and tank tops might fly in Mandalay, this is not the case in Bagan.

Visiting Mandalay

Mandalay certainly has a more urban vibe than Bagan. This riverside city is the second largest in Myanmar, and has more of a variety of things to see and do than its ancient neighbor. Mandalay is great destination for active travelers. You can explore on foot or by regular bicycle.

One of the top attractions in Mandalay is the 760 foot high Mandalay Hill. Though it can be reached by taxi, many visitors take the scenic route, climbing for thirty minutes or so to the top on foot.

Located at the foot of the hill is the Mandalay Palace. The structure is lackluster at best, as the original structure was destroyed during World War II. Mandalay is also known for its many monasteries, the most famous being the Royal Monastery. More commonly known as Shwe Kyaung, meaning Golden Monastery, this is a great-stop off point for visitors wanting to escape the hustle of the city and simply meander the peaceful grounds. Monks are often willing to stop for a chat. This monastery is best for tourists who want to witness ancient craftsmanship at its best, as it’s beautifully constructed of teak, and remains almost exactly as it was when built in 1878. Just adjacent to this monastery is Atumashi, another impressive monastery.

Traffic is certainly not a problem in Mandalay, but there are more vehicles (and cows) on the road here than in Bagan, where the roads can be empty for long stretches.

While Mandalay certainly cannot compete with Bagan’s thousands of temples, it has its own noteworthy historic and religious attractions. Mingun is a town across the river from Mandalay, and is home to a number of gems. The three main attractions are the Mingun Pagoda, Hsinbyume Pagoda, and the Mingun Bell, one of the world’s largest and heaviest bells.

See more: Mandalay, a cultural and religious hub in Myanmar

Source: Internet

The boutique hotels in Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei is the the capital of Taiwan. It is a busy city yet it is not crowded. It is not cheap yet it is also not expensive. Taipei is the largest city in Taiwan which has one of the tallest buildings in the world, The Taipei Tower.  If you are going on a vacation to Taipei, here are the best boutique hotels you should consider.

Roumei Boutique Hotel

Marble floors, two-floor VIP suites, floor to ceiling windows, and incredible night views of the city, Roumei Boutique Hotel checks all the boxes in the boutique category. The décor throughout is uber stylish, featuring traditional soft tones fused with the contemporary lines of modern design.

Inhouse Boutique

A perfect hotel for travelers who like night markets and street food. Ximending Shopping Area is only a few minute walk from the hotel, and there are plenty of restaurants surrounding the area. Popular attractions near the hotel include the Qingshan Temple, Longshan Temple Station, and Huaxi Street Night Market.

Guests are provided with everything they need for a comfortable stay. Their wifi is also very stable. So if you happen to work online, inhouse Boutique hotel should be a top choice for you. The bedrooms feature modern interiors including the bathroom which is also really spacious. It is one of the features that guests love most.

Swiio Hotel

Where do hipsters stay when travelling in Taiwan? Swiio is a vintage and homely charm, this little hotel has quaint photo frames, wallpapers and even furniture which looks like it hails from our grandmothers’ era.

Complete with everything you need to make your stay enjoyable, free internet access, luggage storage, a safe, and laundry facilities, this hotel might even give you ideas for your dream home. Just minutes away from Ximending, feel free to grab a huge slab of chicken if you are hungry.

Read more: Things to do when traveling to Taipei, Taiwan

Lacle Hotel-Luzhou Taipei

The cozy and comfortable bedrooms at Lacle Hotel will surely delight you. They are carpeted and feature modern interiors and also include a wardrobe, cable TV and a desk. The hotel is perfect for travelers interested in having local experiences and sightseeing. It is only a 15-minute drive from downtown. Other great landmarks like Park City Banquet Plaza, Taipei Confucius Temple, and New Beitou Hot Spring are just nearby.

Most guests love the city views from their windows, the delicious breakfast, and extremely helpful staff. It is an immaculate and spacious hotel that will make every visitor happy.

Via Hotel

Located in several neighborhoods throughout the city center, Via Hotels are on the lower end of the price range but still manage to offer a truly boutique experience for those on a budget. The most stylish of their locations is the exclusive shopping district of Zhongxiao, where guests can browse the high-end stores before retiring to a classy hotel complete with modern décor and comfortable rooms.

Source Internet