wife booked one extra night on 13.11.2016, as our flight was 12.35am on 14.11.2016. this very important as we wanted to have a room to return to, to bathe etc before leaving for the airport around 9pm. the extra night just S$90/night, & with cleaning & admin charges total about S$495 for 4 nights.
after N Seoul Tower N서울타워, we were quite tired but decided to go for our last Korean bbq meal before returning to our airbnb apartment to pack up & leave for Incheon airport.
we had thought of trying another restaurant opposite newmaul sikdang 새마을식당, but it was full this evening.
this very important as we want to have a room to return to, to bathe etc before leaving for the airport around 9pm. the extra night just S$90/night, & with cleaning & admin charges total about S$495 for 4 nights.
namsan tower
so after Sam Cheong Dong 삼청동 & Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을), we took the subway to myeongdong station, visited lotte world department store, and walked around myeongdong a bit.
we forgot to factor in the crowd & queue & also that it took a while (15mins) to walk to the cable car station.
namsan tower & cable car
anyhow we were at the cable car station almost 5pm and the queue took about 1.5hrs. and the cable car ride was just 3mins! haha!
namsan tower
so we started with some evening scene, but basically by the time we entered the cable car ride, it was dark already.
namsan tower
it was peace & tranquillity…
the N Seoul Tower N서울타워 was like a lit beacon, luminous in the dark…
love locks
we took a short stroll around the tope of namsan…
and walked over to look at the love locks…
love locks
a Korean invention??
put up a lock & throw away the key….saw these in many Korean tv dramas of yesteryears…
I supposed it can be a meaningful personal chapter….
seoul night view
we hang around to stare into the night..
seoul night view
not such clear evening..
seoul night view
a nice feel to it like any aerial night scene & from a higher vantage point…
namsan tower
& a slightly mysterious N Seoul Tower N서울타워….
namsan tower
seeing it through the swaying tree branches…
we were tired after being out the whole day, so we did not stay long & was quite happy to take the cable car down & looking forward to a nice dinner before packing up to leave for the airport.
c.h.e.f andy
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Namsan Tower or N Seoul Tower N서울타워
Address:
105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan 2(i)ga-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
& strolled further up the streets, looking at the yellow ginkyo trees in autumn splendour, carpeting the streets with lots of fallen leaves…
many restaurants & shops…
long queue at this restaurant
long queue at this restaurant
there was this long queue across the road…
so after reaching the end we turned around…I talked to couple foreigners in the queue..they came with their Korean friends, had no clue what it was about, basically a good Korean restaurant, maybe good price too..
we bought a churros (I think it was cinnamon) & a coffee & sat at a bench & relaxed & munched…
& that’s the prime minister’s residence
& that’s the prime minister’s residence!
we walked up the slope to the Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을)…
these are the old Korean traditional houses…
there are several streets with these old houses…
we entered one of them…
along the lanes there were many small groups of Chinese ladies dressed in hanbok, or traditional Korean dresses, and taking photos…they didn’t appear to be Taiwanese, though I could not really tell…
many people adults & children were taking this ice cream…
having done with Sam Cheong Dong 삼청동, we returned to the anguk station.
we were thinking of visiting namsan in the evening just before leaving for our flight.
before that we wanted to have a walk in myeongdong, so we stopped at myeong dong station, & wife go to do some window shopping at lotte town.
after a short walk from anguk station, we came to a bingsu café, latteya café.
latteya bingsu cafe
nice ambience, & it was not crowded.
cakes & pastries @ latteya café
there were cakes & pastries..we were not particularly interested.
so we just ordered a green tea bingsu (top photo).
it came with almond flakes, red beans, green tea ice cream, green tea bingsu shavings, and some mocha.
bill – latteya bingsu cafe
cost was KRW13,000, so not much different from Singapore which cost like S$16+
bingsu @ latteya café
we enjoyed the bingsu. the green tea flavour, the very tasty red beans, mocha & the overall concoction.
I can take this again! but I am actually not a bingsu fan, mainly because of the price. just very happy with ice kachang & chendol, but this was different, & I enjoyed it much also.
I don’t like blood sausage myself. head cheese & what looked like birth intestines (fallopian tubes) were too much for my wife, but she was game for some jogbal (trotters).
they did it with soy sauce, and served like air dried, not swimming in a sauce.
Korean thick tanhoon @ gwangjang market 광장시장 stall
we also ordered a plate of Korean thick tanhoon.
fish cake @ gwangjang market 광장시장 stall
they sell a huge assortment of food, fish cakes & the likes. some stalls sell oden also.
we had a 8000won jogbal @ gwangjang market 광장시장 stall
we ordered jogbal, 8000won.
we had a 8000won jogbal @ gwangjang market 광장시장 stall
this the trotters, lower front legs, NOT the hocks, the large thighs which should cost 20,000won & people were eating those in the streets with beer etc at pojangmacha포장마차 (their streets stalls – snack carts)…
this method of cooking gives a firmer texture. I like it. it is not as gelatinous as our usual braised ter kar (pig trotters). I like both preparation actually.
Korean thick tanhoon @ gwangjang market 광장시장 stall
the Korean tanhoon nice as usual..
we had a 8000won jogbal @ gwangjang market 광장시장 stall
these things not my wife’s favourite, but she was game for it, though she wouldn’t take too much of it.
seafood pancake stall at gwangjang market 광장시장
another of many seafood pancake stall at gwangjang market 광장시장…
seafood pancake stall at gwangjang market 광장시장
generally not my kind of food…just putting a lot of carbs & fried stuff into the stomach…
88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88 (예지동)
Type / Products
Traditional Markets / Silk, dress material, fashion apparel, agricultural and marine products, bedding, handicrafts, lacquerwares inlaid with mother-of-pearls, and more
Inquiries
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-2-2267-0291~5
after a really tiring day climbing bukhansan (7hrs of hiking & some scares), we took the bus then subway back to our airbnb apartment at hongdae on 12.11.2016.
journey alone took 1.5hrs, and we stopped to get a drink & buy some fruits from a convenience store.
제주도야씨 jeju island meat house
we decided to try a new place, 제주도야씨 Jeju Island Meat House. 🙂
jeju blackpig bbq dinner menu
prices like 50% more than normal pork, seems ok.
ready servings
some displays.
jeju blackpig bbq
we ended up ordering a platter, i think 600g or something for 37,000won.
being super greedy, to reward ourselves after our great “achievement” climbing bukhansan, we added another like 180g maybe ribeye for 17,000won (server said best selling here).
banchan 반찬 side dishes
not really banchan but for the cabbage wraps with the bbq meat.
banchan 반찬 side dishes
anyway we ate a bit, the lady server did a refill later.
water & beer
wife ordered the usual 소주soju. water for me. 🙂
jeju blackpig bbq skin
the server did the skin for us. hmmmm. very good!
jeju blackpig bbq
the blackpig (or kurobuta) very good! marbled, fragrant, very tasty. 🙂
jeju blackpig bbq
nice eaten on its own but quite nice wrap in lettuce as well.
jeju blackpig bbq
the 3 different meats on the platter were all good.
jeju blackpig bbq
somehow they seem to give us a lot more belly. it’s hard to tell when they mix everything together.
better to order just the platter first, then add any special order afterwards.
jeju blackpig bbq
anyway overall dinner very enjoyable…we were satisfied la..& of course if we were to c/w aburiyah here in singapore it’s maybe 1/3 to 50% cheaper still, but i am very happy with aburiyah overall.
제주도야씨 jeju island meat house
some records for myself in case i look for the place in future. cannot really read the address.
not a bad decision, but it also mean we now go to bukhansan on a Saturday/weekend on 12.11.2016.
we took line 2 from hongdae where our airbnb apartment is, to hapjeong, changed to line 6 to bulgwang, then to line 3 to gupabal.
kind of early, should be in bed leh…
Took bus no 720 from gupabal station to bukhasan fortress station
we took bus no 720 from gupabal station to bukhansan fortress station.
walking to the bukhansan trailhead
on the way, wife stopped by to buy 2 rolls of gimbap 김밥, and those turned out to be our nectar, our fuel, our substenance!
walking to the bukhansan trailhead
walking to the bukhansan trailhead
everyone walking to the bukhansan trailhead
everyone walking to the bukhansan trailhead
you see everyone walking there (to the bukhansan trailhead), you kow you are in the right direction la…
crowd at the bukhansan trailhead
wa, you guys need to flag off ah?
which direction neh?
both ways going baegunpae. we took the one that says 4km
both ways going baegunpae. which one neh?
trail map
we took the one that says 4km….
start of trail
took a few snaps….
going up
going up.
& up we go….
going up
go….
trail map
pile of stones by bored hikers?
looking down at the information centre – the trail head
looking down at the information centre, at the trailhead…
we hiking up there? you kidding me?
you kidding me?
going up
going up
going up
going up
up….
going up
going up
go….
directions
going up
the peaks
we are going to baegundae 白云台 백운대 836m!
the peaks
the peaks
wife bought 2 rolls of gimbap 김밥
luckily we had 2 rolls of gimbap 김밥
never knew gimbap 김밥 taste so good la!
super delicious!!!
lip smacking good!!!
Still 2.6km…we were just 1/3 of the way up…
temple
remember the landmarks..so you know you are staying on the right track…
still the easy parts
going up
going up
going up
still the easy parts
din know these were so easy by comparison
going up
Still 1.3km
another 1.3km…
going up
it’s always, going up!
going up
going up
keep going
going up
going up
going up
going up
what else? going up….
coming up
rest stop…
going up
fresh air
fresh air – in abundance….
difficult parts when the ropes start
going up
rest stop…I think we took the remaining 1/2 of the first gimbap
we took the remaining 1/2 of the first gimbap…
not there yet la…0.5km + 0.3km the hardest parts
not there…not there…0.5km + 0.3km the hardest parts…
going up
harder it went
going up…steep, rocky
going up
nice mountain view
rest stop..take as many as you need…
nice mountain view
another rest point…
nice mountain view
now we are nearing…
almost there = Done 3.7km Another 400m to go
almost there…
done 3.7km another 400m to go
the ranger box
only a short climb now..
map
300m to go…lots of tired feet
another 300m to go…lots of tired feet….
nice mountain view
nice mountain view
the peak
the peak
that’s the peak!
it’s a bit overcast…not a totally clear day…
view from near the peak
view from near the peak
view all around…
this the last part to the peak & the hardest 50m
well, almost there…
almost but not yet…
& obviously when they have ropes it means it is difficult…& today is a weekend/a Saturday, and a huge crowd..everyone wants the rope, going up & coming down..
the hardest 50m
moral of story = don’t come during the weekend…
if you do, NO gentlemen, cling on to the rope & don’t give way, whether you are going up or down…it is really quite dangerous, you can fall…
it is not always possible of course..there are children…but it means you basicall try to stand still, stay put & once the person you give way passed, cling on to the ropes…
view from near the peak
view from near the peak
the view all round…
looking down on the flat area for resting before the last 50m
looking down..
looking down from the rope waiting for peak hikers to descend after taking photos=the flat area for resting before the last 50m
coming up to the flat area for resting before the last 50m
the flat area for resting before the last 50m
top of the world ya…
a zen moment
one more zen moment
baegundae 白云台 백운대 836m…
finally the peak = baegundae 白云台 백운대 836m…
it was really crowded, so cannot really stay but had to rush through a few photo moments…so really must come on a less crowded weekday..
looking back at the peak on the way down
Very tough going up! so many rocks…many parks needed rope…
Going the last 300m to the peak baegundae 白云台 백운대 836m… very challenging
the 4km up took us 4hrs…
so basically we started about 10am at the trailhead & it was 2pm when we started on the way down..
it took long because of the rest stops, photos, but also because the last 300m (phots) & especially last 50m (ropes & long queue of people going up & coming down)..
but little we knew coming down & crossing bukhansan was really very difficult course…..
the oaks clinging to the cliffs
we decided to take the route to daedongmun instead of retracing..
looking back on the way to daedongmun = the oaks clinging to the cliffs
somehow we paid a lot of attention reading up on the route coming up to baegundae 白云台 백운대…and we just assumed going down would be direct & simple…
the oaks
the golden top
the oaks
we remembered the guide said to follow the fortress wall
1.5km to daedongmun
another 1.5km to daedongmun….
walking along the fortress wall..
walking along the fortress wall..
along the wall we went….
another 1.9km to academy info centre..
we came to daedongmun…
but that’s cheating!!!!
another 1.9km to academy info centre???? shucks!!!
we thought we reached…but it’s another 1.9km…
we thought we reached already leh…
looking back at daedongmun…photo time stamp=3.58pm still another 1.9km of treacherous downhill to go
looking back at daedongmun…photo time stamp=3.58pm still another 1.9km of treacherous downhill to go
this part really really hard….very steep & rocky going downhill…
it was 4pm… we had been walking 6hrs since 10am..& truly fearful of darkness by 5pm…had to travel faster…
at one stage we were considering stopping at the call stops with the map co-ordinates & just call for help/rescue…the problem being that when going up there were like signs every 200m or the like, but coming down we were in wilderness…we were not sure if we were on the right track..if we had missed any paths on the track or had strayed…there were like maybe 3 signs the whole 1.9km??? & even the call stops location were very sparse…
during one part, a man must be in his 60s overtook us going down…& he was the only soul we saw throughout the entire 1.9km!!! we wanted to keep up with him but it was too dangerous, he was travelling too fast & we could fall & injure ourselves if we kept pace with him, which was impossible in any case…but at least during that 5mins or so we knew we were going the right direction…
so happy to arrive & board no1 bus to suyu..made it! safe finally!
so happy to arrive & board no1 bus to suyu..made it! safe finally!
bus clock said 1703hrs…means we covered the last 1.9km in 1 hr 5mins! & coming down is so difficult & treacherous…..
no time or heart/mood to take photos
took us another 1hr 10mins on bus(25) & subway to get back to hongdae, happy & exhausted after a full day 7hrs hike!
from Suyu Station by bus 1218 or 153 to Uidongdoseonsaipgu bus stop(우이동도선사입구) then walk 2.29km to Bukansan National Park Visitor Center(북한산국립공원백운탐방지원센터)
these days a bit wary of raw shellfish & seafood & their preparation, so at first i was not too excited, but it is a special delicacy in korea, so decided to try it.
anyhow on the itx train back to seoul after nami island 남이선, we decided to go sinsadong, so took subway line 3 to sinsa station.
wife wanted to walk down garusogil a bit, so we walked there first before proceeding to sinsadong ganjang gejang alley. 🙂
Sinsa-dong’s Ganjang Gejang Alley
there were many ganjang gejang restaurants.
live crabs @ Sinsa-dong’s Ganjang Gejang Alley
and all the live crabs in the tanks.
Pro Ganjang Gejang (프로간장게장) raw sauce crab restaurant
wife brought me to Pro Ganjang Gejang (프로간장게장), the restaurant she came with daughter last time. 🙂
live crabs @ Pro Ganjang Gejang (프로간장게장)
all the live crabs.
Pro Ganjang Gejang (프로간장게장) raw sauce crab restaurant
chinese name for Pro Ganjang Gejang (프로간장게장) = 普乐酱蟹。
Pro Ganjang Gejang (프로간장게장) raw sauce crab restaurant
we were directed to level 2. the restaurant was quite full at 4.45pm.
Pro Ganjang Gejang (프로간장게장) raw sauce crab dinner
we ordered 2 medium crabs. prices were all quite expensive here. i think 2 crabs about 65,000won (like S$78). quite steep leh!
Ganjang Gejang (간장게장) raw sauce crab
but the crab was simply fabulous!
Ganjang Gejang (간장게장) raw sauce crab
meat so sweet, very nice light soy sauce flavour, very tender, delicate.
the flesh came out easily, including the legs. just bite & the meat literally oozes out.
Ganjang Gejang (간장게장) raw sauce crab
& the roe simply amazing!
Ganjang Gejang (간장게장) raw sauce crab
this truly an excellent dish.
for me, the best food i had in korea this trip.
spicy monk fish hotpot
didn’t know what to order. everything was quite expensive.
anyhow we ordered a monkfish hotpot. i think small for 35,000won (S$42).
spicy monk fish hotpot
spicy soup was quite good like most korean hotpot.
the monkfish though so so. texture was quite firm, not so tender & flesh was not so sweet.
i guess hotpot was quite a good complementary dish to the ganjang gejang.
the whole dinner came to about 120,000 won (so about S$144). relatively quite steep price to pay in korea. still it is quite a unique dish, so i will probably still do it when i am in korea next time.
c.h.e.f andy
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Pro Ganjang Gejang (프로간장게장)
Address:
9 Gangnam-daero 97-gil, Jamwon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
after the awesome autumn colours at nami island 남이섬 南怡岛, we were back at the ferry point on Chuncheon 春川.
the next train from gapyeong was 1.30pm. so it was just good time for us to have a dakgalbi 닭갈비 chicken ribs lunch at one of the many dakgalbi restaurants here.
mr dakgalbi 닭갈비at chuncheon 春川 nami island ferry point
we picked mr dakgalbi.
they all felt the same to me.another we walked in earlier charged the same 11,000pax.
mr dakgalbi is next to the ‘Topland’ bungee jump tower in the huge carpark area at the ferry point to depart for nami island. while we were dining, we saw one jumper leaping off the bungee tower.
mr dakgalbi 닭갈비at chuncheon 春川 nami island ferry point
we walked in at 12pm. there were still a few tables. shortly, it got quite crowded.
dakgalbi 닭갈비
we didn’t expect much from a dakgalbi dish.
i think we can all cook chicken thighs or ribs better la…anytime really!
but it’s a famous dish in Chuncheon 春川, so since we were here might as well take it. not expensive anyway. 🙂
dakgalbi 닭갈비
some chicken pieces & cabbage.
did not look like a lot for 2pax but it was enough.
dakgalbi 닭갈비
not much effort or skill required also.
dakgalbi 닭갈비
& any meat, belly or pork steak or chicken, all come out nicely with gochujang.
and there were some korean spicy rice cake (ddeokbokki: 떡볶이). ordinary perhaps, but still a gratifying lunch.
c.h.e.f andy
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mr Dakgalbi 닭갈비
Address:
477-804 경기 가평군 가평읍 달전리 106-2
Daljeon-ri, Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (477-804)
it’s one of the many korean dramas my family watched (still watches). haha!
we went on a korea tour in 2003 & during winter! covering chuncheon 春川, soraksan, sokcho 束草, yongpyong ski resort, when the children were still quite young.
strangely though, i remembered clearly that our korean driver took us to (to be safe especially driving in treacherous winter roads, we had a personal paid english speaking korean driver & MPV to take us for the entire trip) –
enter yongsan & gapyeong in the “Departure/Arrival” boxes,
choose itx-cheongchun in the “Train” dropdown menu,
pick your date & hit “Inquiry” button (they meant Enquiry la…)
be at the ticket window of a korail station early to collect your tickets
be at the ticket window of a korail station early (with passport & reservation confirmation slip) to collect your tickets – like 1/2hr before.
itx train
train was quite comfortable.
on our way back though, we did not make reservation, so had to stand (sit on the floor) almost the entire journey! it was a friday! so look at the timetable & book your return as well.
gapyeong station
we arrived at gapyeong station in chuncheong about 9.30am.
commuter bus stop opposite side of road, gapyeong station
we crossed over the road to take the commuter bus. can’t remember the fare. paid with our T-money card.
tour bus stop outside gapyeong station
the tourist shuttle bus cost 5,000 won. we were taking just one stop to nami island so did not need that.
nami island ferry point shops
there are many dakgalbi (chicken rib) 닭갈비 restaurants at the ferry point carpark area.
we later had lunch at mr dakgalbi. ^^
nami island ferry point shops
but first to get to the ferry to go over to nami island 남이섬 南怡岛.
ferry to nami island 남이섬 南怡岛
on the ferry leaving for ferry to nami island 남이섬 南怡岛
the return adult ferry fare is 8,000won.
view from ferry
view from ferry
view from ferry
view from ferry
arriving at nami island 남이섬 南怡岛
arriving at nami island 남이섬 南怡岛
nami island 남이섬 南怡岛 ferry point
ferry leaving nami island 남이섬 南怡岛
arrived at nami island 남이섬 南怡岛 & took some photo at the ferry point.
rest stop for coffee & red bean pastry, nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
a great rest stop, for coffee & more…
queue for red bean fried pastry nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
red bean fried pastry nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
a nice treat, very tasty red beans, not too sweet, & hot & crispy dough….
red bean fried pastry stall nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
red bean fried pastry stall nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
red bean fried pastry nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
fast food factory, can ram up production quite a bit…
red bean fried pastry nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
we bought a second one…it was very nice.
red bean fried pastry stall, nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
see again the fallong leaves…in slow mo…
nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
happy mother nursing sculture, nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
happy mother nursing sculture, nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
like this happy mother nursing sculture…
nami island
nami island
nami island
nami island
another view of this awesome red maple…
sake bottles, nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
sake bottles, nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
sake bottles for the wall…
nami island
we walked to the quiter side of the island.
nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
& along the coastline back towards the ferry point.
nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
what about the ostrich? nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
rows of ostrich toys….
zip wire to nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
you can also take a zip wire to nami Island 남이선 南怡岛.
see the 2 black specks?
zip wire to nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
zip wire to nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
it’s a one directional journey from the tower, then by same ferry as we were taking back.
zip wire nami Island 남이선 南怡岛
back at the ferry point on the mainland.
we checked the itx train schedule…we were in good time for lunch then catch the bus to gapyeong station to take the itx train back to yongsan station in seoul.
basically i used very intense, tasty chicken soup & added a small chicken, so both my soup was tasty & chicken was very tender & not overboiled.
& this Tosokchon Samgyetang (토속촌 삼계탕) 土俗村 蔘鷄湯 was expensive. average of S$25pax for 1 pot of chicken soup each. well i guess it is just as expensive in singapore but other nice food in seoul a lot cheaper la…
so this tosokchon not quit our thing. i would say very average food for relatively expensive prices.
c.h.e.f andy
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tosokchon Samgyetang (토속촌 삼계탕) 土俗村 蔘鷄湯
Address:
5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Gwanghwamun was first constructed in 1395 as the main gate to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main and most important royal palace during the Joseon Dynasty. it was burnt down during the imjin wars in 1592 & later rebuilt.
the Geungjeong-jeon ( 근정전 ) 勤政殿，was the throne hall.
It was used on the most formal occasions such as royal audiences with all the officials, receptions for foreign envoys,kings etc.
and like changdeokgung, there was a court outside where palace officials stood in designated positions according to their ranks/appointments.
it was drizzling, & getting more than just light drizzle. we did not bring along the daiso S$2 raincoats. i had my parka hood, wife needed an umbrella. we managed to buy one at the souvenir shop for 10,000won, so problem solved.
Day 1 – Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion 庆会楼， Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
Day 1 – Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion 庆会楼， Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫， bugaksan in the distance
Day 1 – Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion 庆会楼， Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
Day 1 – we walked by Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion 庆会楼. bugaksan in the distance
Day 1 – we walked by Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion 庆会楼. bugaksan in the distance
we walked by Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion 庆会楼. bugaksan is in the distance.
Day 1 – Taewon-jeon, Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
we came to Taewon-jeon, a royal coffin hall where the bodies of a deceased king or queen would lie in state until the burial.
Day 1 – beautiful Hyangwon-jeong, Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
turning back, we came to beautiful Hyangwon-jeong & another pond.
Day 1 – beautiful Hyangwon-jeong, Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
Day 1 – beautiful Hyangwon-jeong, Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
Day 1 – beautiful Hyangwon-jeong, Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
Day 1 – beautiful Hyangwon-jeong, Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
Day 1 – beautiful Hyangwon-jeong, Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
Day 1 – beautiful Hyangwon-jeong, Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
beautiful place indeed. very peaceful.
Day 1 – Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
Day 1 – folk museum, Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
we walked by the folk museum.
Day 1 – donggung, Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
The crown prince, heir to the throne, was compared to the rising sun.His quarters was placed on the eastern side of the palace compound and referred to as the Eastern Hall (⑩ Dong-gung).
i just wanted to take the photo to show the raised heated floor & the 2 chimneys by the side.
Day 1 – Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
Day 1 – Gueongbokgung 경복궁 景福宫
after a very fulfilling 3 palaces & secret gardens guided tour in as many hours or more, we were ready for some good eats.
wife wanted to bring me to tosokchon for the ginseng chicken, so we adjourned for some good food. 🙂
Gyeongbokgung Station (Line3, Exit 5)
Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5, Exit 2)
Bus
Gyeongbokgung West:0212,1020,1711, 7016, 7022
Gyeongbokgung Southeast: 1020,109,171, 272, 602, 602-1 (airport bus),606, 7025, 708Gyeongbokgung
Southwest: 9708
* For details refer to the City of Seoul webpage (http://bus.seoul.go.kr).
* No smoking and no pets are allowed on the palace grounds.
Age 19~64: 3,000 won / 2.400 won ( group, 10 or more )
Age 7~18: 1,500 won / 1,200 won ( group, 10 or more )
* Free: Children(Ages 6 and under), Ages 65 and above
* With the purchase of a book of Combination Tickets (adults 10,000won, Youth 5,000won), one admission for each of the five different Palaces is available within three month. (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace – the Secret Garden included, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine).
opposite Juhamnu Pavilion 주합루 was another pavilion, where the columns supposed to look like a man sitting.
i did not take photo. the guide was talking about heaven, earth & man 天地人。
Day 1 – Yeonghwadang 영화당 – civil service examination hall
on the side atop a clearing area where candidates to become officials in the joseon dynasty assembled, was Yeonghwadang 영화당 – civil service examination hall.
Day 1 – biwon密苑secret gardens
we continued in the lovely garden.
Day 1 – red maple @ biwon秘苑ecret gardens
a maple in incredible vibrant red spread out before us.
Day 1 – biwon秘苑secret gardens
another nice pavilion.
Day 1 – biwon秘苑ecret gardens
Day 1 – biwon秘苑ecret gardens
Day 1 – aeryeonji pond, biwon秘苑secret gardens
Day 1 – aeryeonji pond, biwon秘苑secret gardens
the guide led us to a second pond,Aeryeonji Pond. where the pavilion was under restoration.
there is a stone gate Bullomun. the writing inscription (meant for the king) wishes those who pass through it a long and healthy life.
Day 1 – biwon秘苑secret gardens
Day 1 – biwon秘苑secret gardens
Day 1 – biwon秘苑secret gardens
Day 1 – biwon秘苑secret gardens
Day 1 – Gwanramjeong Pavilion 관람정 and Bandoji Pond 반도지
next we got to the Bandoji Pond 반도지.
Day 1 – Gwanramjeong Pavilion 관람정 and Bandoji Pond 반도지
& the Gwanramjeong Pavilion 관람정.
such a wonderfully serene & pretty sight. ^^
Day 1 – biwon秘苑secret gardens
the guided tour took nearly 1.5hrs. anyone can leave the group once the tour started & visit the gardens at one’s own pace till the closing time at 4.30pm.
we wanted to visit gyeongbokgung so did not stay longer.
Day 1 – entrance to secret gardens biwon 秘苑, and to Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮
finally arriving at the entrance to secret gardens biwon 秘苑, and to Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮, about 1pm.
Day 1 – Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮
Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮 is a much smaller palace.
our guides tour at secret gardens biwon 秘苑 starts at 1.30pm, we have the ticket booklet to enter Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮, & not going to be back here again, so we took a 1/2hr walk at Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮.
Day 1 – Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮
a pleasant walk. nice autumn colours.
Day 1 – Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮
pavilion.
Day 1 – Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮
Day 1 – Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮
Day 1 – Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮
Day 1 – Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮
Day 1 – Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮, looking over to biwon secret gardens 秘苑
a serene & beautiful place.
this was a great start. we were quite pleased that there was still good autumn colours, though we may have come past the peak.
we were unsure about making it at 11.30am so booked the next available english tour at 1.30pm.
Day 1 – chestnut vendor at anguk station exit 6
after putting down our bags at the airbnb apartment, we took the subway to anguk station, took the exit 6 as we were early so planned to take a walk + lunch at insadong 仁寺洞. 🙂
Day 1 – the brush at entrance to insadong 仁寺洞
the landmark brush at insadong.
i didn’t notice but when googling saw that there was a message inscribed on the brush-
大韩民国传统文化艺术中心仁寺洞
republic of korea traditional culture & arts centre insadong. 🙂
it is a youthful neighbourhood of live cafés and clubs, art markets, and gourmet eateries with indie bands street performancs & a popular hang-out for local youth, a fascinating place to walk around.
wife downloaded the lin apps & connected with zero, & he arranged to meet us at hongik station. so we messaged him when we were about to board the AREX commuter train for the 50mins journey. & he met us at hongik station & took us to the studio apartment.
jyp house Airbnb @ hongdae
there was no guest the previous night so we were able to have early checked in.
apartment was quite spacious. 2 queen beds, very comfortable. i estimate 280sq ft or more.
lots of pillows & blanket was warm.
jyp house Airbnb @ hongdae
room temp control was good, effective. room was warm
wifi was good, fast! very important la. ^^
there was the multi-socket extension cord, and one korean power adaptor (anyway i brought 2 adaptors myself)
kitchenette has electric kettle, and there was stick coffee. we did not use microwave & the single stove/hob.
& a huge fridge on the right side.
jyp house Airbnb @ hongdae
toilet/shower & hot water all working.
there was tooth paste, & all the hair & body shampoo.
there were lots of toilet rolls, many clean towels in the wardrobe.
& the room was accessed by security code. good & bad i guess but that’s the practice, very convenient for us i must say.
the entire building seem to be leased out for Airbnb…lol! we see hoards of travelers & their luggage every day at different time of the day la…
wife booked one extra night on 13.11.2016, as our flight was 12.35am. this very important as we want to have a room to return to, to bathe etc before leaving for the airport around 9pm. the extra night just S$90/night, & with cleaning & admin charges total about S$495 for 4 nights.
this was a very pleasant stay, everything very convenient, right at hongik station, right next to the walking streets & restaurants.
one set back which other travelers mentioned it can be noisy. so on saturday night, there was a street promotion with games & participants right outside the building, and they were on loud hailers till like 11pm. didn’t bother me much as i sleep after 11pm la…
3,000 won / 
c.h.e.f 