South Korea Trip 2013: Day 5 in Seoul (Gyeongbukgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheongdong, Changdeokgung, Insadong)

Gwanghwamun amidst the hustle and bustle of morning traffic

On the last day of my stay in Seoul I headed out for a sightseeing tour of the Grand Palaces. It was a bright and sunny day, perfect for a day out strolling amongst Korean folks.

My first stop was at Gwanghwamun Square, the entrance to Gyeongbukgung. To get here, take the subway and stop at Gwanghwamun Station, then take Exit 2. It's a 3 minutes walk straight after you get out of the station.

Admiral Yi Shun Shin

Before I head into Gyeongbukgung, I walked around the square to take some pictures of Admiral Yi Shun Shin's and King Sejong's statue.

King Sejong, creator of Hangul, the Korean alphabet

If you have some time to spare, take a short detour to King Sejong's Story, an exhibition hall which is dedicated to the life of Joseon's fourth king. To enter, go behind King Sejong's statue as pictured above and there will be a door which leads to the exhibition hall underground.

Admission is free, so don't miss out if you are curious to learn more about the great King Sejong. The most memorable line for me from King Sejong in the exhibition was "My people cannot write characters even though they have hands, and can't read characters even though they have eyes. Joseon needs new characters that are suitable for the people." And that's how Hangul, the Korean alphabet, came into creation.

Palace guards at Gwanghwamun

I missed out on the guard-changing ceremony at Gwanghwamun, but the crowd was too thick surrounding the place, and that was why I detoured into King Sejong's Story Exhibition. Still, I managed to get some pictures of the palace guards which were still standing in attention there for photo-taking purposes. Their stares were scary though... as if they were going to eat me up!

Gyeongbukgung's main gate in all it's splendour

Gyeongbukgung is the most beautiful and grandest among all palaces, so if you are short on time and can't visit all the palaces, just visit this one.

Admission is 3000 won (approximately RM9), but I bought the Integrated Ticket of Palaces since I planned on going to a few. It costs 10,000 won (approximately RM30) and admits you to the Four Palaces and Jongmyo Shrine.

For more information, click on the link to Korea Tourism Organization's page on Gyeongbukgung.

I couldn't stop but marvel at the colourful roofs of the many gates of Gyeongbukgung. There were countless gates, each one bringing you into a deeper part of the palace.

The king's throne in the chambers where he receives his ministers

Most parts of the interior are cordoned off, but you can lean in for photo-taking purposes. I got a good spot and managed to take a picture of the king's throne amid the huge crowd of tourists. Autumn seems to be the peak season of travel here.

The prettiest shot of the palace roofs with the sun's shining rays

I got lost after walking a while and could only regain my balance after seeing a map. I managed to capture a picture of the stunning palace roofs with the sun shining in the background. I couldn't have chosen a better day for palace sightseeing!

Palace corridors

Walking along the palace corridors brings back memories of scenes of historical dramas such as Jewel in the Palace, Rooftop Prince and Jang Ok Jung. I can picture myself in hanbok walking along these corridors...

Autumn colours in the palace gardens

I reached the palace gardens and the autumn colours were so pretty. I guess even royalty need some sort of space for them to relax and enjoy even though it's within the palace grounds. This place seems great for a stress reliever even for a mere tourist like myself. All the worries and pains (legs and knees) just fly away for a moment.

Samcheongdong

From Gyeongbukgung I walked to Samcheongdong for lunch. It's a pretty upscale place, sort of like Bangsar is to KL. The houses here are sandwiched among shops, cafes and whatnots. Everything seems classy somehow. There's even a Cath Kidston store in the neighbourhood!

Traditional Korean food at its best

It was in Samcheongdong that I had the best ever traditional Korean lunch. I just happened to walk into an alley and my travel partners wanted to try some traditional Korean food. We happened to walk into this restaurant where the staff were pleasant and tried to converse in English with us.

We had (a huge pot) spicy bean paste stew, pajeon and mandu. All the portions were huge and when every one dish came we would burst into giggles since there were only 3 of us and we bet the kitchen staff were wondering how we could finish it all!

Well, in the end we polished it all except for the pajeon which we asked to takeaway. The kind staff neatly wrapped it up in foil for us (which we later reheated back in the hotel room over the stove) and even offered to take a group photo for us! If I am ever back in Samcheongdong, I'll try to find my way back here again!

Bukchon Hanok Village

After lunch, I headed towards Bukchon Hanok Village, where people still lived in Korean traditional houses built during the Joseon era. If you ever get lost, look out for those volunteer tour guides in red, they are plenty of them in this area, and ever ready to help.

A typical street in Bukchon Hanok Village

The houses in Bukchon Hanok Village were well maintained and the roads were free of cars. We were required to keep quiet in this area as there were signage prompting us to bear in mind of the residents' peace of mind.

Ripe persimmons on a tree!

I could hear sounds from the homes; chopping of meat, programmes on TV, chatter of people in the residences. These are the sounds of everyday lives of these people who are still living in their ancestors' homes although it's in the modern times.

A sea of rooftops

Yet they have managed to adapt and a sign of times is you'll see many modern gadgets installed outside the homes such as modems for internet and phone lines.

Changdeokgung grounds

I wanted to visit the Secret Garden in Changdeokgung, so I just followed the road signs that lead here. This palace is smaller in scale compared to Gyeongbukgung, but there is a vast difference among the two. 

While Gyeongbukgung is filled with living quarters, the grounds except for the garden area is devoid of plants. In Changdeokgung, where autumn has come, the trees offer a pretty backdrop for photographs.

Restored palace beams

They closed the Secret Garden pretty early, so I didn't manage to get in. It was only 4pm by the way... :(

Next to the Secret Garden entrance was the entrance to Changyeonggung, so my travel partners took a leisurely stroll amongst the autumn foliage there. Many local folks also seemed to came to enjoy the great weather and beautiful scenery.

Ssamziegil complex in Insadong

Later I went to Insadong for some cultural gift shopping to bring back home. Insadong is a traditional artsy place, and to me it had a similar feel to Hongdae, albeit with a more traditional Korean feel.

Ssamziegil is a complex in Insadong where the more upmarket cultural souvenirs are sold. The prices here are quite pricey, so buy only if you really like the product.

Caricature merchandise on sale in Ssamziegil

There are some quirky and artsy stuff only found here, like the caricature merchandise pictured above. After the artist had drawn a caricature of yourself, you can choose the product where you want it printed on, such as a T-shirt, mugs, and even pillowcase!

Sweet cafe atop Ssamziegil complex

There's also a sweet couple cafe atop the Ssamziegil complex where you can spend some time relaxing with your loved one while enjoying the rooftop sights in Insadong.

Miss Lee Cafe at the entrance of Insadong main street

I went over to Miss Lee Cafe for dinner that night. Since I read about it on blogs and also because it was featured on We Got Married during Yonghwa and Seohyun's visit, I thought that I shouldn't miss out on this quirky and unique cafe since I'm in the neighbourhood.

Lots of notes from previous diners in Miss Lee Cafe

The cafe itself was very small but packed. There were so many things going on at once, notes from previous diners and also pretty decorations everywhere. Definitely the perfect place to go on a date or just a simple hangout with close friends!

Miss Lee Cafe's handwritten menu

Even the menu here is super quirky! It's handwritten and it actually pretty much about the 2 main dishes served in the cafe, dosirak (lunchbox) and patbingsu (Korean ais kacang). What I really loved is the illustration in the menu which shows that you should shake your dosirak before enjoying it fully... :)

Dosirak in Miss Lee Cafe

The dosirak was simple but really tasty and enjoyable. It comes with a complimentary seaweed soup for only 6000 won (approximately RM18). It's probably the cheapest meal I had by far in Seoul, but having it really made my day!

Notice something different?

Oh, and there's something I noticed about the different vibes the shops are channeling whilst walking around in Insadong. Do you notice anything different in the picture above?

Even Etude House's signboard is in Hangul

Well, the secret it out! Only in Insadong, all the shops are required to have their signboards in Hangul, Korean alphabets. Apparently the move is done to retain the traditional atmosphere in the area. Well, I'm glad I managed to see the one and only Starbucks outlet without an English signboard!

Seoul Lantern Festival (Nov 1 to 17, 2013)

After spending a whole day around the palaces and its surrounding areas, it's time to head towards Cheonggyecheon since the Seoul Lantern Festival is on. I'm lucky enough to be in Seoul at the right timing for this event!! :D

Awesome LED display

Although the event was some sort of tourist attraction, there were many locals when I arrived at Cheonggyecheon. Because the annual event is held only around 2 weeks, many people from all walks of life came to see the pretty lanterns at night. There were to many people till they had to do crowd control!

Massive crowds at Cheonggyecheon

Although there were many pretty lanterns, I had difficulty taking pictures because of the huge crowd and lighting since it was dark. I chose to appreciate the lanterns only as I was jostled on by the crowd.

Prettiest lanterns of the night

I managed to capture some pictures of the prettiest lanterns (by far) located under a bridge along Cheonggyecheon. Hope you'll appreciate it!

That ends my last night in Seoul. Tomorrow I'm taking the KTX train down south to Busan!

Read about my experience in Nampodong, BIFF Square and Gwangbok Street (Busan) here!

Read about my experience in Chungmuro, Namdaemun and Myeongdong here!

Read about my experience in Edae, Hongdae, D-Cube City and Dongdaemun here!

Read about my experience in N Seoul Tower, Namsangol Hanok Village, Garosugil and Go-To Mall here!

Read about my experience in Busan (KTX and Busan City Night View Tour Bus) here!

The author is reliving the memories of Korea with every post that she churns out...


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South Korea Trip 2013: Day 4 in Seoul (N Seoul Tower, Namsangol Hanok Village, Garosugil & Go-To Mall)

N Seoul Tower

My fourth day in South Korea was a mixture of sightseeing during morning and shopping during the later part of the day.

Seeing as we're in Seoul, my travel partners and I couldn't miss out on going to N Seoul Tower. We took the subway to Myeongdong Station and from there, we took a walk up a steep little hill to reach the Namsan Cable Car station.

Finally reached Namsan Cable Car station... and more stairs!

We paid 8500 won (approximately RM25.50) for a round trip per person up the cable car to N Seoul Tower. For those faint-hearted, do prepare yourself for a ride up the mountain. Try not to stay close to the windows if you're afraid of heights though! 

After the cable car stops, we enlightened at a small platform where some pictures of Seoul city can be taken. Alas, the day was foggy and I could not see much.

The pretty pavilion that greets visitors atop the hill after the climb

A little climb up another few flights of stairs (no wonder Koreans are so fit!) and a pretty pavilion comes into view. Once you see it, N Seoul Tower is just another 5 minutes walk away! 

Young children on a field trip

While I was there, I spotted a group of young elementary school children out for a field trip posing for a group photo. They were too cute and I could not resist taking a photo of these happy children!

Trees full with locks of love

If you are here with your special loved one, don't miss out on leaving a lock of love as a symbol of your never ending love!

Artsy chairs for photo-taking sessions

There are also plenty of artsy chairs for you to take photos with. Each one has different graphics, so there's many for you to experiment with!

Spotted a huge poster for TvN's Reply 1994 drama

I also spotted a huge poster for TvN's Reply 1994 drama, and I couldn't help grinning because I'm a huge fan of the series. Reply 1997 too!

Sculpture atop the observation deck

Go up the observation deck for a better view of Seoul city. It was foggy, so my pictures didn't turn out good. I forgo the trip the N Seoul Tower because of the weather. I didn't want to waste my money anyway. But then there's another reason for me to return to Seoul again another time....

Ride down on the cable car

On the ride down in the cable car, this time I managed to get a window corner. When going up I was stuck in the centre and since the cable car was full, I couldn't take any photos. On the way down, I finally managed to get a few of the city skyline amidst the fog.

Old men weaving at Namsangol Hanok Village

Next up I went to Namsangol Hanok Village. To get here, take the subway and stop at Chungmuro Station, take Exit 3. Behind the petrol kiosk is the entrance to Namsangol Hanok Village. Admission is free, so do make this one of your stops if you want to experience Korean traditional folk culture.

Another pretty pavilion at Namsangol Hanok Village

This place is as traditional as it gets, even the houses here are actual houses of aristocrats from the Joseon era which had been moved from various places all over the country to its current place in Namsangol Hanok Village. There is also plenty of pretty spots here for photo taking sessions during fall as the fall foliage is quite pretty here!

Outside H&M outlet in Garosugil

Time's up for sightseeing for the day and I wanted to go to Garosugil in Gangnam to see the pretty gingko tree-lined street in autumn, so I took the subway to Sinsa Station. After exiting, I couldn't find any signs leading to Garosugil so I had to ask some locals for directions. Thank goodness they were helpful and kind and I finally find myself among international brands such as Forever 21, H&M and Zara.

French-inspired Eight Seconds store in Garosugil

From walking the streets of Garosugil, I could tell that this where the hip and trendy crowd shop and hang out. As well as do their plastic surgery appointments, since there a few with masks and even white tapes all over their faces shopping away in international brand outlets.

The famous Deux Cremes Tart store in Garosugil

I also passed by the famous Deux Cremes Tart store which I read about in a few blogs. It's in the same row with H&M, so you can't really miss it, especially with the huge grassy lawn in the middle of buildings.

As my travel partners are still full after having our lunch (Korean portions are huge) we decided to skip this one. Now I'm regretting not having gone in since they are touted to serve the best tarts in Seoul.... :(

Go-To Mall in Express Bus Terminal Station (pic credit: budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com)

Later I headed to Express Bus Terminal Station via subway for the next shopping destination. To get here, take the subway and stop at Express Bus Terminal Station and take Exit 8.

There are 3 shopping malls at Express Bus Terminal Station, first is Central City Underground Mall, secondly Shinsegae Departmental Store, and lastly Go-To Mall. All three are interconnected, so just walk around and you'll find it. While Central City and Shinsegae are closer to each other, the walk to Go-To Mall from the subway exit is further. Do walk further past Central City after coming out from the subway exit and continue walking till you see the Go-To Mall sign like the picture above.

Go-To Mall in Express Bus Terminal Station (pic credit: budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com)

Trust me, the choices here in Go-To Mall is way better than most underground shopping centres I've been to. It's even better for younger ladies like myself compared to Dongdaemun since the prices here are quite competitive (5000 won tights and sweaters are abundant) and the quality of most clothes here are better too.

Come here with plenty of cash to spare because you'll never know what catches your fancy. I bought a 10,000 won dress (approximately RM30) which will probably cost me double in KL. I am thankful I found this place while doing my research for my trip. Thank you Budget Travel Guide South Korea! Click on the link to read more about the mall!

And that ends my fourth day spent in Seoul. Stay updated for more on my trip to South Korea!

Read about my experience in Nampodong, BIFF Square and Gwangbok Street (Busan) here!

Read about my experience in Chungmuro, Namdaemun and Myeongdong here!

Read about my experience in Edae, Hongdae, D-Cube City and Dongdaemun here!

Read about my experience in Gyeongbukgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheongdong, Changdeokgung and Insadong here!

Read about my experience in Busan (KTX and Busan City Night View Tour Bus) here! 

The author is swamped with too many clothes after shopping at Go-To Mall. Make sure you have sufficient luggage space if you intend to go shopping in Seoul!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

South Korea Trip 2013: Day 3 in Seoul (Edae, Hongdae, D-Cube City & Dongdaemun)

Beautiful autumn colours greet me in Edae

My third day in South Korea was spent in Seoul, exploring the beautiful autumn colours. It's my first time travelling during autumn and the coldest so far I've experienced, so before heading out every day, I check the weather forecast for rain or drastic drop in temperatures.

No cars on an early morning at Edae

On the day I was headed to Edae (short for the area surrounding Ehwa Womans University), it was a chilly morning. Bundled up in scarves and a thick coat to last me throughout the day, I was ready to go. Tip: Check out what the locals are wearing before you head out. Usually they'll bundle up enough to keep them warm till they go home at night.

To get to Ehwa Womans University using the subway, stop at Ehwa Womans University Station and take Exit 2 or 3. After a short 5 minutes walk you will come to the university campus.

Ehwa Womans University main entrance

Finally I'm at the main entrance of Ehwa Womans University. What a great place for scenic shots of autumn... How I wish I could be a student here!

The 3 colours of autumn at Ehwa Womans University campus

The great thing about this campus is that admission is free and there is no restriction on entering the campus grounds. Just follow the tourists though and don't attempt to enter lecture halls!

Maple leaf :)

It's also the first time I'm experiencing autumn leaves up close. The beautiful red maple leaves make a great photography prop, many tourists were taking photos among the fiery red trees that line the campus.

The magnificent church on Ehwa Womans University campus

There was also a church up a hill on the campus grounds which can be seen from the entrance. A couple was seen taking their wedding photos using the church as a backdrop. Together with the pretty autumn colours, it was a romantic place to be. I wonder if I can one day have this as my wedding photoshoot venue? ;)

Blacksmith endorsers: Spotted my fave idol! :)

After taking plenty of beautiful shots, I headed to Edae street for shopping. But after coming out of the campus, the first thing I noticed was a Blacksmith outlet, and I finally got the first glimpse of my idol Park Yoochun! I can imagine those girls coming out of classes everyday and walk past just to get a glimpse of him everyday...

Cheap deals on Edae street

If you are a female under 30 and want to shop on a budget, then Edae is the place to go. There are plenty of cheap deals around here, from 10,000 won bags (approximately RM30) which looks like something I would have paid 3 times for in KL. And the cheap clothes from 5,000 to 10,000 won (approximately RM15 to RM30) which are surprisingly of pretty good quality is abundant over here. 

My only grouse is that it's autumn clothes and most are either long sleeved or sweaters for tops, or long pants or tights for bottoms. For Malaysian weather, I could only buy back lots of bottoms and some too good to resist sweaters and hoodies.

Top Ten (bottom floor) and Kosney (first floor) in Edae

I was lucky to come across some great deals in Top Ten, which is the Korean equivalent to Uniqlo, as I bought a pair of legging tights which costs 19,900 won (approximately RM60) at only 9,900 (approximately RM30). It was so comfy yet warm in the cool weather, so I bought another one before heading back to Busan. Top Ten can be found on almost every major shopping street, so you don't need to specifically come to Edae.

The giant pink shoe outside Kosney

If you spot a giant pink shoe from afar, then you know that you have found Kosney. Kosney is a lifestyle store that sells cute and pretty stuff which targets the ladies, and they stock accessories, stationery and home decoration goods which make you want to cart everything home! Beware though, their prices can be a little high, so only buy if it's within your budget or you think that it is very unique.

Jammy Cake, where you can decorate your own cake

In Edae you'll also find shops where you can decorate your own cake. You don't have to bake the cake as they have ready cakes for you to start decorating right away. Definitely something I'd like to try the next time if I'm here again. 

Hongdae, the artsy and cool street

Next up I headed towards Hongdae using the subway since it's just a stop away from Edae. Hongdae is cool and artsy as opposed to the cutesy Edae.

Art displays on the streets of Hongdae

If Edae has more stores selling cosmetics, clothing and accessories, then Hongdae has more food shops and artsy shops. There are plenty of art displays along the streets, and the occasional graffiti, so if you're game for a photo of yourself with an artsy background, look out for these.

Stylenanda, epitome of chic and cool

I happened to pass by Stylenanda, which seems to be one of the hottest brands in South Korea these days. Their store sells clothes and the make-up line 3 Concept Eyes, also another hot brand of cosmetics. The human traffic seems to be more focused on 3CE when I was here though.

Hello Kitty Cafe in Hongdae

Hongdae is also home to the famous Hello Kitty Cafe! As a huge Hello Kitty fan, I could not miss out on this cafe. Since it's tucked in an alley, if you have trouble locating it, try asking the volunteer tourist guides in red, and they will give you a map to guide you here. Another similar cafe can be found at Incheon International Airport, for those who could not make it here.

Hello Kitty merchandise for sale

Though I expected the desserts and drinks here to be on the pricey side since it's a specialty cafe, surprisingly it's not. The prices here are those of the average cafe prices, so it's a great stop for afternoon tea break. 

Their merchandise here is a bit pricey though, if you have time to shop around elsewhere for those, please do so. If not, be prepared to pay slightly more for a piece of Hello Kitty to bring home.

Hello Kitty waffle and drinks

My travel partners and I had some Hello Kitty waffles and latte drinks for our tea break. I had sweet potato latte while my travel partners had vanilla latte and black bean latte. While the waffle was just okay, the sweet potato latte was good. Creamy yet not too sweet. Apparently the vanilla latte was good too, but not the black bean latte. Actually it's black sesame, but unless you're a fan of it, try to stay away from this!

Pororo Theme Park at D-Cube City

Since I had some time on my hands, I headed to D-Cube City to get a glimpse of Pororo Theme Park. I was fairly disappointed when I found out it was closed for the day when I reached. I then went for dinner at the food court here.

Migliore and Hello aPM in Dongdaemun

Since I wanted to maximise my day, I went to Dongdaemun which is just a subway stop away from my hotel in Chungmuro. If you're taking the subway here, stop at Dongdaemun Station and take Exit 8 or 9.

First I walked around Migliore, but I felt that the stores here were unorganized and every little store is owned by a different proprietor. I missed KL's department stores where everything is under one roof and the cashier is centralized.

Somehow I felt that the clothes here in Dongdaemun is more backdated compared to those in Edae, but maybe because I'm the target age group of the stores in Edae. 

And there were also many small stores in Dongdaemun where they don't display prices, which made me having to ask the price if I like a certain piece. Most likely the prices quoted are very high, maybe since I'm not a local. Even when I start bargaining by slashing down the price to half, they don't want to give in, and eventually I walked away.

My tip for those shopping in Dongdaemun? Make sure you know the prices of clothes in other areas (such as Edae and underground shopping centres) before you go. If you see them displaying the price on a cardboard, most likely that's the cheapest end price and don't bargain further because they can't go lower. Do bargain though if there is no price displayed!

Lotte FitIn is one of the many Lotte branches in  Korea

My last stop of the day was Lotte FitIn in Dongdaemun, where the prices were quite high, like any other Lotte Departmental Store.

That ends my third day in South Korea and look out for my next day's adventure in Seoul!

Read about my experience in Nampodong, BIFF Square and Gwangbok Street (Busan) here!

Read about my experience in Chungmuro, Namdaemun and Myeongdong here!

Read about my experience in Edae, Hongdae, D-Cube City and Dongdaemun here!

Read about my experience in N Seoul Tower, Namsangol Hanok Village, Garosugil and Go-To Mall here!

Read about my experience in Gyeongbukgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheongdong, Changdeokgung and Insadong here! 

Read about my experience in Busan (KTX and Busan City Night View Tour Bus) here! 

Read about my experience in Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, Haeundae Beach and Seomyeon here!

Read about my experience in Pusan Int'l University Street, Oncheonjang and Busan Trick Eye Museum here!

Update: Check out my latest account of my trip to Japan in 2015 here. Stay tuned for more updates on this trip!

The author is thrilled to be Seoul and wished to be a foreign exchange student here.

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!