South Korea Trip 2013: Day 6 in Busan (KTX, Busan City Night View Tour Bus)

View of Seoul city from Seoul Station

It's time to head back to Busan after spending 4 nights in Seoul. But before I head back, nothing beats a round of last minute shopping at Namdaemun Market since it's nearby Chungmuro Residence.

After checking out the hotel at 12 noon, my travel partners and I headed towards Seoul Station for lunch before boarding the 2.30pm train bound for Busan.

Spicy grilled bulgogi set for lunch at Seoul Station's food court

I chose to have spicy grilled bulgogi set for lunch at the food court in Seoul Station. It's actually my second time eating lunch here (the first was when I arrived from Busan) but yet there were lots of food that piqued my interest. My bulgogi set cost me 7000 won (approximately RM21), which was pricey but looking at the huge portion and the side dishes, it was worth it. It was super yummy too for food court standards!

Lotte Mart is just next to Seoul Station

If you have time to spare before your journey, there are plenty of shops for you to pass some time. Lotte Department Stores is in Seoul Station, while Lotte Mart is adjacent to the building. Just don't get too engrossed in shopping till you miss the train...

KTX train

It's a 2 and half hour's journey from Seoul to Busan, so I tried to sleep on the train to conserve some energy for the night's activities. Since coming to Seoul, everyday is pretty hectic since there are many places to see and go to explore.

At Ulsan station en route to Busan via KTX

There were a few stops along the way from Seoul to Busan, and I managed to capture a picture at the Ulsan station. I noticed that there were many men in military uniforms taking the KTX on my first trip and also on the return trip. I guess taking the KTX is a way of life for Korean soldiers since they have to travel back home or vice versa to their camps.

After landing in Busan at around 5pm, I headed straight back to Busan Tower Hill Hotel, where part of my luggage was stored. I only took a light carry on to Seoul since it was easier to travel via train with it. Thank goodness I did not decide to bring my 30'' luggage bag to Seoul as it would have been difficult to walk up and down stairs with it.

Since I booked a night view tour bus with the tourism staff at Gimhae International Airport upon my arrival, I quickly headed towards Busan Station before the appointed meeting time at 6pm. 

To book a seat on the night view tour bus in Busan, you have to make a call. For more information, click on the link to learn more about Busan City Night View Tour Bus.

Kimchi fried rice for dinner nearby Busan Station

I had a quick dinner at a small little shop just right outside Busan Station. The ahjumma was friendly and although the set-up was small (only 2 tables), business was brisk. I guess she relied on take-outs as the phone was ringing every few minutes although I was there for less than half an hour.

I had a simple kimchi fried rice set for dinner which only cost me 4500 won (approximately RM13.50), and probably will be the cheapest meal I had so far in Korea. It was very filling although it was simple, and the home-cooked stamp was written all over it when it was served. Somehow I feel like at home although I'm away from home...

The Busan City tour bus

After confirming my reservation, I paid the 10,000 won fee (approximately RM30) to the bus tour staff. The night view course was conducted in Korean since the majority of the visitors on the bus were Koreans (except me and my 2 travel partners). Do Koreans love the night view tour too?

Aboard the Busan City Night View tour bus

The bus was almost full and thank goodness the conductor was good enough to provide earphones and helped us to switch on the screen where information in English will be disseminated throughout the tour.

Screens where information on the night tour is provided

Our first stop was to be Gwangalli Beach, but along the way it was pitch black so I couldn't see much. It was only 6pm yet the night seems to be like 9pm back in KL.

Gwangan Bridge from afar

Our conductor (and bus driver... and also photographer) stopped for us to have a quick 5 minute photo session of the famous Gwangan Bridge, also known as 'Diamond Bridge'. It was so pretty, the way it illuminated the night sky with LED lights.

To make up for the lack of English commentary on board the bus, our conductor tried to explain the sights to us everytime we had a stop. I really appreciate the effort on his part, otherwise I'll be absolutely clueless. 

Busan Aquarium at Haeundae Beach

We had another short stop at Haeundae Beach, and there were many things to see here. I went to the Busan Aquarium but of course did not enter, saw the pretty Gwangan Bridge again, and also took in the long rows of shops (cafes, cafes and more cafes) facing the ocean. A great place to stay in the summer, for sure!

Brightly lit buildings along Haeundae Beach at night

Because it gets dark very early, the night seems long here in Korea. I guess everyone takes dinner then chills at places such as the beach, go shopping or even sit back and relax while sipping hot coffee in cool cafes.

Another form of Korean humour; a stingray as Superman

I find Korean advertisements lacking in terms of huge billboards as opposed to the plenty billboards lining the streets in KL. Advertising in South Korea is more below-the-line on streets, but TV ads are aplenty. Maybe Koreans are TV addicts? But I love their sense of humour. They have the knack of turning a normal thing into something memorable, take for example the picture above. When I think of stingrays, I'll think of Superman from now on. Don't you think they look alike?

Gwangan Bridge view from Geumryonsan

Our last stop was Geumryonsan, a hilltop where we could see Busan city from above. The city was illuminated with lights, but the main attraction was of course, Gwangan Bridge.

That ends my night view tour and after I landed back in Busan Station at 9pm, I went to BIFF Square for supper. Plenty of great food here!

My next adventure to Jagalchi Market awaits in the next post!

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!

South Korea Trip 2013: Day 2 in Seoul (Chungmuro, Namdaemun & Myeongdong)

Seoul Station, my first stop after arriving from Busan via KTX

My second day in South Korea started by taking a taxi to Busan Station from the hotel. As I had previously booked my KTX ticket online before arriving in South Korea, all I needed to do was present the printed voucher to exchange for the actual train ticket. 

To book your tickets online, here's the link to Korail's English website.

Taking the KTX set me back around RM350 for a return ticket, but the price will vary depending on whether you take up the KR Pass or when you stop at designated stops along the way to Seoul.

View of Seoul city from Seoul Station

After a 300km/h ride on the KTX which took 2 hour and 30 minutes, I arrived at Seoul Station. Since it was around noon, I stopped for lunch at the food court which is connected to the Lotte Outlets next door. Food court prices are about the same of that in Lotte Departmental Store in Busan.

Chungmuro subway station

Next from Seoul Station, I took the subway to Chungmuro Station. I previously purchased my T-money chain in Busan the night before from GS25, one of the local convenience stores. 

Hello Kitty T-money chain

I bought a Hello Kitty one, so I paid slightly more for it, 8000 won (approximately RM24). Normal cards are way cheaper, probably around 3000 won (RM9). Take note that T-money cards are accepted in Seoul and Busan subway stations, so if you're travelling to these 2 places it's best you get this card.

I also had the card charged with 10,000 won (approximately RM30). Everytime you enter a turnstile at a subway station and swipe your card, you'll be charged 1050 won (approximately RM3.15). If you purchase a ticket at every stop, it will cost you 1100 won (approximately RM3.30). So it is more savings in the long run!

Chungmuro Residence (it's a tall and thin building)

After exiting from Chungmuro Station, I got lost finding Chungmuro Residence and had to get help from the local policemen as well as 7-11 store staff. After much walking, I found the hotel and realised that I had gotten out from the other end of the subway station. For those who intend to stay at Chungmuro Residence in the future, please take Exit 8 when you get off at Chungmuro Station.

2 single beds in the room

I booked the room at around RM280 per night for triple sharing via Agoda. The beds were quite clean but I loved the loft bed more although it's actually for kids. I'm kid-sized by the way :)

The super cozy loft bed

The ceiling's pretty low and I had to crawl on my knees but I had my own space up there and it was fun!

Clean toilet

The toilets were clean but my only grouse was there were no toiletries provided. Make sure to bring your own shampoo and body wash, as well as toothbrush and toothpaste if you're planning on staying here. If you don't mind paying a little extra, there's a little convenience store down at the lobby where you can get these toiletries.

The little kitchenette near the entrance of the room

The little kitchenette is great for those planning to cook their own meals. There is also a huge fridge, so you can buy fresh ingredients and drinks without worrying about how to store everything in it. A huge plus is a washing machine, which I didn't get to use. The instruction is all in Korean though, so you'll need some help to operate it.

The only table in the room with monitor screen as TV

Since the room is half of that of the room I stayed in Busan, I naturally felt that it was a bit cramped since I was sharing it with 2 other travel partners. The TV was a miniscule monitor, but most likely you'll not use it much like I did. Sightseeing and shopping in Seoul will probably take up more time and the room is just a sleeping place, so it's still bearable.

Namdaemun Market

Next up I took the subway to Hoehyeon Station, since I am going to Namdaemun Market. Take Exit 5 and you'll reach at the entrance of the marketplace.

Korean braised pork knuckles on sale

As it's a traditional market, expect to see a lot of ahjummas browsing around for good deals here. Food is abundant here, as well as household wares, Korean ginseng, socks, K-pop goods, and children's clothing.

The Face Shop 50% Sale

Some of the great hauls from Namdaemun include 500 won (approximately RM1.50) spoons and chopsticks which I got from a man selling on a makeshift stall in the middle of the road, 2000 won (approximately RM6) Korean stainless steel rice bowls, and 5000 won (approximately RM15) for pack of ten The Face Shop masks.

I walked from Namdaemun Market to Myeongdong, since these two shopping districts were within 10 minutes walking distance from each other. If you're taking the subway, you can get there by taking Exit 6 at Eljiro 1-ga Station, or Exit 6 at Myeongdong Station.

Shinsegae Departmental Store, where the rich shop

While walking to Myeongdong from Namdaemun Market, I passed by Shinsegae Departmental Store, where the rich wives do their shopping. I saw through the windows that there was a VIP lounge where the ladies were chit chatting while waiting for their drivers to pick them up.

Myeongdong, where the youth shop

If Namdaemun is where the ahjumma shops, then Myeongdong is where the ahgassi shops. Cosmetic stores are along every alley you go. And the promoters here are more aggressive here. Make sure if you're planning to buy cosmetics, come to Myeongdong since they'll most probably give you a free gift to entice you to enter their shop, and more after you make a purchase.

Apart from cosmetic stores, you can get more of the clothing brands Korean youths wear. There is SPAO, one of the most celebrity endorsed brands I've encountered. Since SM artists endorse SPAO, it is fitting that you can take pictures with their posters in-store. Look out for designated photo zones. And best of all, Everysing is located at the top floor of the SPAO building! SMTown fans, don't miss this place out!

Dinner at Gimgane next to SISTAR

I had dinner at Gimgane, where the food was simple but delicious. It's really more to quick and simple food such as ramyun, odeng, tteokbukki and udon, food youths love. The prices here are quite reasonable, ranging from 5000 won to 8000 won per dish (approximately RM15 to RM24).

That sums up my first day in Seoul and I hope you had fun reading my post!

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

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 still infatuated over all things Korean and thinks she left part of her soul back in Seoul... time to plan for the next trip!

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