Around Seoul

Every now and then, a friend or an acquaintance would ask me which places they should visit when they come to Korea, specifically Seoul. Well, I can't say that I know Seoul that well but I prepared this list of places, including the address and directions (from Visit Korea's website), for my mom's visit last April. Some of the places included here are places I visited with my travel buddies, Tabita and Freda. 

The directions are mostly with the use of the subway because I think it is the easiest and cheapest way to travel around the Metro. It, however, requires a lot of walking, especially when transferring from one subway line to another.

There are a lot more tourist attractions in Seoul, but I only included those where I've been to.

I hope it would be of help to those who would like to visit Seoul.

Namiseom

Namiseom is a filming location for a number of Korean drama and movies, but for us who are not from Korea, it is well known because of the drama "Winter Sonata". I wasn't able to watch the said drama when it was shown on Philippine television. I bought a DVD but before I could watch it, a friend borrowed it. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the DVD back.

It was spring when we went to Namiseom. There were cherry blossoms but the other flowers haven't started to bloom yet, the dominant color then during that time was green. Based on the pictures of the place displayed at the Information Center, it is best to visit the island during the autumn season when the leave's color had changed, especially when the leaves of the large Gingko trees lining up a path on both sides had turned golden yellow.

But I guess when one would want to really have a "Winter Sonata" experience, then visit the island on winter.

since it wasn't the snow season yet...

1024, Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do

(Naminara Republic Immigration Control Office)

경기도 가평군 가평읍 북한강변로 1024 (출입국관리사무소)
+82-31-580-8114,
+82-31-582-2186

Ferry Schedule

07:30-09:00 (30min intervals)
09:00-18:00 (10-20min intervals)
18:00-21:40 (30min intervals)

Mama with Freda

Directions
From Gapyeong Bus Terminal or Gapyeong Station, take a taxi to Namiseom parking lot. 
(Travel time: 10-15 min)

Take the ferry from Namiseom Dock to Namiseom Island. 
(Travel time: 5-6 min)

Admission Fees
General (Adults) - 10,000 won
Discount – 8,000 won – Foreigners

Petite France

Even before knowing the name of the place, I already liked it when I saw it in an episode of the drama "You Who Came from the Stars". It is as if you're not in Korea. The buildings are so colorful. I looked better in the drama though, not only because the main scene was taken in the evening but also because aside from the two main actors, the place was devoid of people. 

For those who love Antoine de Saint-Exupery's 'The Little Prince', they would really like this place.


1063, Hoban-ro, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do 

경기도 가평군 청평면 호반로 1063

Admission Fees

Adults: 8,000 won / Group: 6,000 won

Gyeongbokgung (and Gwanghwamun Square)

Gyeongbukgong means "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven". The construction of the main palace was said to have been completed in 1395, three years after the capital of the Joseon Dynasty was move to Seoul (formerly known as Hanyang). The palace was destroyed and restored for a number of times. The latest restoration efforts has been ongoing since 1990.

The Gwanghwamun Gate is the main and largest gate of the Gyeongbokgung Palace. Just like the palace itself the Gwanghwamun underwent numerous reconstructions and restorations. The latest restoration was finished in 2010.

Four Palaces
Changdeokgung Palace including Huwon, Secret Garden
Changgyeonggung Palace
Deoksugung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace

161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Sejongno) 

서울특별시 종로구 사직로 161 (세종로)

Admission Fees
Adults (ages 19-64): 3,000 won

Directions

* Gyeongbokgung Palace Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 5
* Gwanghwamun Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 2



The Gwanghwamun Square, a 20,000 sq.m. area, connects the Gwanghwamun Gate and Cheonggye Square. The statues of King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-Shin are located in the square. 

King Sejong is best known as the inventor of the Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. A celestial globe, a rain gauge, and a sundial - things he invented - are found in front of his statue.

Admiral Yi Sun-Shin was a naval commander known for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin war during the Joseon Dynasty. 

There's a fountain in the square which becomes a playground of kids especially during the hot summer season.

Insadong

Insadong is the place you should visit when you would like to buy traditional Korean souvenirs or gifts. A whole street is lined up with stores selling various souvenirs like Hahoe masks, shirts, fans, traditional clothes, etc. There are also restaurants along the main street and in the smaller streets that serve Korean dishes.


130-4, Insadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si

서울 종로구 인사동 130-4 일대

Directions

*Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6. 
Go straight 300m, and turn left at the 4-way Intersection.
Go straight 100m, and take the left road towards Insadong-gil Road.

Cheonggyecheon

The Cheonggyecheon is a 5.8 km stream that is a good place for those who would like to relax and take a stroll at the heart of the metropolitan. It is a natural stream that became so polluted during the 1940s and 1950s due to temporary housings constructed along the stream. During the administration of President Chunghee Park, the stream was covered with concrete which was eventually led to the construction of a 12-lane highway over it. The result was traffic congestion and environmental pollution. The highway was removed and the stream was revived in 2005 (cost: 280 million US$). it is considered as one of the ten best urban projects in the world.

There are mini water falls which provides relaxing sound. There are benches where one could sit and rest. During warm weather some people would even sit on the boulders on the stream and dip their feet on the water.There are different kinds of artworks displayed on the walls on both sides of the stream. There are times when exhibitions or mini-shows are held there as well. 

It was growing dark when we got to the Cheonggyecheon stream. When we visited the area there were It was the week of a number of large paper lanterns in celebration of Buddha's birthday.


110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

서울특별시 중구 태평로1가 ~성동구 신답철

Directions
(subway)

* City Hall, Jonggak, Jongno 3-ga, Jongno 5-ga, Dongdaemun, Sinseol-dong (Seoul Subway Line 1)

* City Hall, Euljiro 1-ga, Euljiro 3-ga, Euljiro 4-ga, Sindang, Sangwangsimni (Seoul Subway Line 2)
* Jongno 3-ga (Seoul Subway Line 1, 3 and 5)
* Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (Seoul Subway Line 4)
* Gwanghwamun (Seoul Subway Line 5)

Yeouido

Yeouido Park is a large recreational area located in Yeouido Island. We went there hoping to see the flowers of the more than a thousand Cherry Blossom trees which line a road in the island but the flowers have all fallen. What we saw were the colorful azaleas that are found throughout the park.


Yeouido Park, Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul-si

서울특별시 영등포구 국회대로 (여의도동)

Directions 

* Yeouinaru Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 1.

Walk 10 minutes towards SBS TV Station.
* Yeouido Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 3.

Walk 5 minutes towards the National Assembly building.

Bukchon Hanok Village


37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 종로구 계동길 37 (계동)

Directions 
[Subway]
Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2.
- Go straight for about 300m to arrive at Bukchon Hanok Village.
[Bus]
Anguk Station Bus Stop
Red Bus: 9710

N Seoul Tower

105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

서울특별시 용산구 남산공원길 105 (용산동2가)

Admission Fees
[Observatory]
Adults 9,000 won

Directions 

Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus No. 02 
Take the bus from the closest subway station:
Chungmuro Station (Seoul Subway Line 3, 4), Exit 2 (in front of Daehan Cinema) or
Dongguk University Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6.
Interval: every 15 min.
Operating hours: 07:00 – 24:00

Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus No. 05
Take the bus from the closest subway station:
Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 3 or
Chungmuro Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2 (in front of Daehan Cinema).
Interval: every 15 min.
Operating hours: 07:30 – 23:30

Cable Car
Boarding point: Upon getting off from Myeongdong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit, walk for about 15 minutes to reach the street next to Pacific Hotel. The boarding place should be seen.
Operating hours: 10:00 - 23:00

Myeongdong Cathedral

74, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 

서울특별시 중구 명동길 74 (명동2가)

Sunday Masses
In the Cathedral
7:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00
16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 (Youth Mass), 21:00
English Mass 9:00 A.M.(In the Cathedral)

Directions
Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 8
Walk along Toegyero-gil st. for about 300m and turn right at the intersection.
Walk along Myeongdong-gil st. for 100m to the Catholic Center
Walk up along the center.

Euljiro Ipgu Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 2), Exit 5
Turn right and walk along Myeongdong3-gil st. for 400m
Turn left and walk along Myeongdong-gil st. for 400m to the Catholic Center
Walk up along the center.

Everland Theme Park
199, Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeongi-do  

경기도 용인시 처인구 포곡읍 에버랜드로 199

Admission Fees

Daytime ticket (1 day pass): Adults 40,000 won / Teenagers 34,000 won / Children 31,000 won 

Nighttime ticket (1 day pass): Adults 32,000 won / Teenagers 29,000 won / Children 27,000 won

* Extra charges for coin-operated rides, rentals, animal rides, and special exhibitions.

* Includes free admission to Ho-Am Art Museum for the day.

* Night tickets are not available for online purchase.

Directions
[Subway] 
* Jeondae-Everland Station (Yongin Ever Line), Exit 3.
Take the shuttle bus to Everland. (Operating hours 05:30-23:30)

[Bus]
* Sinnonhyeon Station, Gangnam Station, Yangjae Station: Bus 5002
* Pangyo, Segok-dong, Suseo Station, Songpa Station, Jamsil Station, Gangbyeon Station: Bus 5700
* Sadang Station, Nambu Terminal (Bundang and Gwangju via): Bus 1500-2
* Gangbyeon Station, Gangdong Station (via Gwangju): Bus 1113



Aiins World

1, Doyak-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 부천시 원미구 도약로 1 (사동)

Operating Hours
November-February: 10:00-17:00
March-October: 10:00-8:00
* Last admission: one hour before closing
* Hours subject to change depending on weather and outside conditions

Admission Fees
Adults 10,000 won
Children (Ages 3-12) 8,000 won

Directions
Samsan Stadium Station (Seoul subway Line 7), Exit 5.
Go 150 m and take Bus 558
Get off at Aiins World bus stop


I just wrote a short description about (and included a few pictures) the different places to 'introduce' them to those who are contemplating on visiting. Writing too much would spoil the fun of discovery and adventure. Also, I'm not a travel blogger. Yes, I love to travel if time and my finances permit. And yes, I have this blog, but then I am not a travel blogger. 

Anyway, should anyone like to know more, there are hundreds of websites or blogs or vlogs about these places in the net. Aside from VisitKorea other websites that I would recommend are that of seoulistic.com and sweet and tasty tv. 

That smile...

Participants from Korea
(the disadvantage of being the
photographer)

Last August 31, 교수님 (professor) and I went to Chiayi, Taiwan to attend the International Symposium on Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management (SFEM 2015). The symposium was attended to mostly by professors and students from Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Other delegates from Korea came from Seoul National University, Kangwon National University, Kongju National University and the Korea Forest Research Institute.

I thought other students from our laboratory will be joining us but then in the end it was just 교수님 and I who went. The symposium was held for three days. One day for the symposium itself where oral and poster presentations were conducted then the two days were for a tour of the cities of Chiayi and Tainan.

SFEM 2015 participants

I presented a paper during the first day. I was so nervous but I was so blessed that the students from the other universities were very supportive. I also believe that Daddy was there to guide me since I wasn't home yet (it was his death anniversary). 

I was the last student to present from Korea so I wasn't able to concentrate in listening to the other presentations. Some were too technical about growth models of various tree species, others were on carbon sequestration, REDD+, and even on the correlation study on greenness (of surroundings) and schizophrenia.

It was then a big surprise when announcements on best presenters were done during the dinner that day. We were not aware that there would be awards to be given. Anyway, I was selected to be the best presenter. I have no idea who the judges were and what were the criteria they used in judging. Hearing 교수님 say "수고했어" after my presentation was more than enough for me. I was so just so thankful that I didn't mess up.

The following day, 교수님 went back here in Korea while I joined the tour of Chiayi City then left for the Philippines at midnight for the commemoration of Daddy's death anniversary.

When I came back to Korea, a professor told me that 교수님 mentioned about the award I got during the symposium and that he was so proud about it. I thought that it's just his way of telling what transpired during the symposium, although deep within I hoped I really made him proud.

This came in the mail... 
(November 17, 2015)

As 교수님, followed by a visiting professor,  entered the laboratory last Wednesday, I noticed that he was holding some papers on his hand. When he came to where I was, it was then that I realized what they were - the certificates for the awards in Taiwan. They sent it through mail since it wasn't ready during the symposium. As he explained what it was to the other professor, I saw his face beam with a smile. It is a smile the I will surely treasure for a very long time. The smile was filled with pride and it was so heartwarming.

I've seen that smile before - on Daddy's face. It is the smile he had when I graduated from UPLB. The same smile he had during my brother's wedding. The same smile he had when we joined the graduation march when I finished my MS. And it is the same smile that I wished to see on his face, but will not be able to anymore, once I finish my studies here.

Certificate on display beside 교수님's door

I am so thankful for a lot of things to 교수님' and his wife, and so as long as I am still here, I wish to be able to bring that kind of smile to his face again...