Korea Seoul

- November 01, 2014

Korea is another popular travel destination recently. I guess this is the effect of famous Korea drama and artist. They spread out the Korea culture and places to the world and attract thousand of tourists each year. I am very lucky to have traveled to Seoul for the first time in April last year when attending a course at Gangnam. The weather is cold (5-12 degree) and dry in Seoul (I get nose bleed due to dry weather).

Flight from Singapore to Seoul usually during mid night and reached at Icheon Airport early in the morning and we can have a longer time in Korea. It is only 5 hours flight by Korean Air from Singapore.

Seoul has a very well developed and easy access public transportation especially its Seoul Metropolitan and Subway. However, I found out its very complicated also. To travel yourself in Seoul, M-Pass is a must buy to access to its public transport. We bought M-Pass at Icheon airport terminal 1F, exit 5& 10 at Seoul Travel Info Center because return of the card must at its sale location so that we can have a refund of 4500 won deposit. This M-pass can be used on bus, taxi, convenient store, T-money, Seoul Metropolitan, Subway line 1 to 9, airport metro commuter except airport railroad express.

It charges 25500 won for 3 days or 42500 won for 5 days unlimited ride with deposit 5000 won.

We stayed at Coatel Hotel at Gangnam district. We took airport bus line 6009 at station 5A, 11B and alight at Gangnam station after around 60 min ride (15000 won per ride). The hotel is not easy to find because it is not located at the main road but is at the alley.

Day 1:

Gwanghwamun

This Seoul landmark is our first place of visit. Right next to Gwanghwamun, there is a uber cool statues of King Sejong, the Great and the super badass Yi Sun-sin. After taking a tour at the museum, nothing much here, we walk further and we can see Gyeongbokgung from far. It is about few minutes walk from Gwanghwamun Square.

How to go: Gwanghwamun Station - Line 5, exit 2

Museum Entrance Fees: Free

Gyeongbokgung Palace

When crossing a big road in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace, we can see that a tombs of soldier was changing duty and it attracted some crowd there. The 5 largest palace in Seoul like Gyeonghuigung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace was the first royal palace built by the Joseon Dynasty. At last we only visited Gyeongbokgung.

How to go: Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3, exit 5 or Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5, exit 2

Operation Hours: 09.00- 18.30, closed on Tuesday

Bukchon Hanok Village

After Gyeongbokgung, we walked another 20 min further to reach Buchok Hanok Village. (turn left at Gyeongbokgung Palace, turn left again when see Anguk station Exit 2). Personally I think it is a must visit place beacuse it’s last neighborhood with a high concentration of traditional homes, called hanoks. Hanok are typically single-story structures made of clay, wood and stone with ondol heated floors topped by curved tile roofs called giwa. It was built between Gyeongbukgung and Changdeokgung palaces, and was historically home to high ranking palace officials. Here also we can see a very beautiful town view.

How to go: Anguk Station - Line 3, exit 2

Insadong

Insadong is at the opposite road after come out to main road from Bukchon Hanok Village. Here is also a happening place where can find many restaurant and shops. It is a one stop shop for cool Korean stuff from long ago like tea houses, Korean antiques, art, crafts and souvenir from Korea at a cheaper price. We have our dinner here, Gingseng soup chicken. We walked till another end of the Insadong and take the train at Jonggak Station. Some will recommend to visit Jonggak, a centuries year old bell that is set in the middle of Seoul's modern office buildings.

How to go: Anguk Station Line 3, exit 6 or Jonggak Station Line 5 exit 3

Day 2:

Gangnam Station

Gangnam Station has tons of places to hang out and eat, restaurant, bar, cafe and also stalls along the road. There are less people during the day time but the crowd started when the night come. We din't spent much time at this area, but just went for a early dinner at a Korean BBQ restaurant.

How to go: Gangnam Station- Line 2, exit 10, 11 or Sinnonhyon Station - Line 9, exit 5, 6

Coex Mall

After dinner, we went somewhere nearer. In the mall can find some not so familiar Korean brands and an aquarium to see little fishes. There are also a Lotte Duty Free shop. This duty free shop contains boutique brand, quality cosmetic, perfume and etc. The price selling here is at tax free, passport and flight No are requested during payment. I bought a Korean Ginseng and a few boxes of Laneige Slepping Pack at a very cheap price compare to Malaysia. :)

How to go: Samseong Station- Line 2, Exit 5

Open: 1000 - 2100

Day 3:

Dongdaemun Market

This market sell tons of Korean fashion goods on the cheap by local Korean independent retailers. It's open till super late.

How to go: Dongdaemun Station- Line 1, Line 4, Exit 8 or 9

Namdaemun Market

It's another popular places and has tons of random goodies including ginseng, mountain climbing gear, camera parts, cheap eyes wear and clothes.

How to go: Hoehyeon Station - Line 4 , Exit 5

Hongdae

Hongdae is clubs, bars , cafe, art and everything in between. Some street performace, street food, clubbing, bars, restaurant and shopping can be found here.

How to go: Hongik University Station- Line 2, Exit 9 or Sangsu Station- Line 6, Exit 1

Myeongdong

We went to Myeongdong at evening. Here is the busiest shopping district and a shopping heaven for girls. Girls will turn into very excited when see plenty of Skincare Beauty shops like The Face Shop, Etude House, Skin Food, It's Skin ant etc are everywhere and next to each other. Sale promoters are out there to give free sample too. Here has whole lot of Korean Make up Stores, brands shop, Gingseng shop and side street food.

After coming back from N Seoul Tower, it was a heavy rain and many side street vendors has closed. So we planned to continue at the shopping mall, but we were shock because the mall is closed at 8pm. Nothing much left, so we went back disappointingly together with all sale promoters/assistants who are rushing back home at 8pm. :(

How to go: Myeongdong Station Line 4, Exit 6 or Euljiro 1-ga Station Line 2, Exit 5 then keep walking until you see the entrance to Myeongdong on your left

N Seoul Tower

We get a best Seoul city night view at N Seoul Tower. On top, there is a Teddy Bear Museum, observation tower and restaurant, but we din't go. We took cable car to go to the top. To go to the boarding place, we walked about 15 minutes follow street of right side of Pacific Hotel after come out from Exit 3, Myeongdong Station Line 4.

How to go: Chungmuro Station Line 3, Line 4, Exit 2, transfer to Bus 2 or Bus 5 (bound for N Seoul Tower) or Itaewon Station Line 6, Exit 4, transfer to Bus 3 (bound for N Seoul Tower) or walk about 15 minutes follow street of right side of Pacific Hotel after come out from Exit 3, Myeongdong Station Line 4.

Operation: 1000 to 2300

Cable Car: 6000 won (one way) or 8000 won (return)

Observation tower: 9000 won Teddy Bear Museum entrance: 8000 won

Observation + Teddy Bear Musuem entrance: 14000 won

Day 4:

Lotte World Mall

Before we back to airport, we went this giant mall which has a very huge shopping mall and amusement park in 1 place. We can see the indoor amusement park from outside, I think it's fun but not for the non-adventurous one. Again, we has not enough time to go in for rides, games or ice skating. :(

How to go: Jamsil Station- Line 2, Line 8, Exit 4