As I told my friend that I will go solo traveling to South Korea, few of them told me about unpleasant stories. I also watch the unpleasant experience shared in youtube channel. But, I want to keep my mind open, and just avoid the unnecessary interaction. Turns out, locals are lovely and helpful. Now, I'm going to tell you about tourist spot that I visited during my trip. So many tourists came by, so I think "why not?". Let's begin my story as a tourist in Daehan Minguk...
Statue of King Sejong.
Lee Min Ho is one of my favorite actor and on his "City Hunter" K-Drama, one of the scene took place at King Sejong Statue. It was very magnificent, so I decided not to miss the landmark. The statue was so big and there's Gwanghwamun Gate at the back, with picturesque hill too! I went there using MRT, and the exit stairs was soo long and steep. Not far from there, there is also statue of Admiral Yi Sun Shin.
MRT route: Myeongdong - Dongdaemun Stadium, move to line 5, Dongdaemun Stadium - Gwanghwamun. (1,250 KRW)
I don't know why, but I admire the plaza. It's located in between skyscrapper with lovely hill at the background. Feels like history and modern world is combined. When I stand in the middle, it feels surreal to finally arrives in Seoul, South Korea. Cheers, to more capital city in the world! 🍺
Important words to know:
- u-hwe-jeon means right
- uen-jog means left
Han Gang Park
I always wanted to visit the Yeouido Park on Sunday morning, and here I come! Just use exit 4, it's an escalator instead of stairs, but you need to wait for the traffic light to cross the road. But if you prefer stairs, use exit 3.
MRT route: Gwanghwamun - Yeouinaru, take exit 4
Once I get there, there is a convenience store that is crowded with local. They boil their ramyeon! So, I enter that shop, so many ramyeon choices. I don't know what to choose, so I just choose anything randomly. The cashier woman, was a lovely ahjumma. She asked me something in korean, but since I don't know what she said, she ask her fellow staff to help me boil the ramyeon. The ahjumma is lovely, but the younger staff is rather convenient. She help me without having a little chat or smile, just do her job. I can't find the seat at the convenience store dining area, so I just bring my ramyeon, my hot ramyeon to some bench near the river. My lovely sunday not-so-morning picnic, by han gang.
So many local do their morning exercise here like jogging, dog-walking, cycling, or just walking by their children. Maybe, next time I should consider to jogging here? Hahahaha, I wish.
I wanted to go on the river cruise ride, but I came a bit late. They had their second ride on the afternoon, but I won't wait till then. Just staying on the bench, feels the autumn breeze is very relaxing. Many couple has their picnic mat by the park. So...let's just move on to the next itinerary 😊.
Bukchon Hanok Village
If you happened to use the MRT and get off at Anguk Station Exit 2, just walk. Actually, there's a public bus. But it was very crowded, just like Transjakarta T11... I was waited for the bus arrival, but then the bus came in very crowded, but the people who waited with me, still try their best to fit in. If you take a walk, it's just as lovely. The neighborhood is lovely, and the morning air was very refreshing.
I came to Bukchon for my sweet escape session.
Why sweet escape? I just want to have a proper photograph for my solo trip this time. I might not have second chance to visit Daehan Minguk, so let's take it. For referral, you can use the link here. Since I'm a first timer, and no one in my inner circle has used their service, I don't know what to expect. So, they have two duration type, 1 hour and 2 hours session. Since I'm alone, I'm okay with 1 hour. It's cheaper anyway. You can wait for a discount on several holiday, or just scroll through Traveloka points page.
Let's begin with "Seoul" and "1 hour session". Then, they will ask for time slot and place. As long as I can remember, I can't choose the photographer so the app will select the photographer automatically. Not long after, the photographer will reach you out via their in-app message room. Here, you can communicate with the photographer all the expectation you had.
Last time, I got Nathan. He is a local. I told him that I want to go either Bukchon or Gyeongbokgung. Then he told me, that Gyeongbokgung might be crowded due to a ceremony that day. He also told me the best hour to visit Bukchon. I was contemplating whether I should use hanbok or not, but since the hour he suggested is very early around 9AM, the hanbok rental shop is not opened yet (most open by 10AM). But, I prefer less tourist to hanbok, so he help me to reschedule our session to 9AM. He also share the naver map link for our meeting point.
On D-Day, he was very helpful. He played a music from his mobile phone so I can get better mood for the session. Since we finished our session early (only around 30mins -- if I'm not mistaken), he said that we could go to Gyeongbokgung as my initial request. He asked if it's okay if we're going there by taxi to save time. I agreed.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Then we got in Gyeongbokgung in no time, only 5 mins taxi ride (but costs around 3,500-5,000 KRW, at that time I thought it was cheap, but when I re-think it is expensive). For entrance fee, if you wear a hanbok, that would be free. But since we don't wear any, it costs us around 2,000 KRW.
Gyeongbokgung is very magnificent. It's crowded too. Nathan moves very fast, I'm getting tired. LOL. I keep thinking when our session will end. I just want to sit down. I was in no mood to smile anymore. He realized that my step become slower than before, then he told me that our session will end in 5 mins, but it's okay he will still take my photograph there but we need to move fast. He is sooo kind. At that time, I actually considering "no it's okay, we should end our session here", but my greedy side said it out loud "okay, thank you". He said that he never went to 2 spots for 1 hour session. So, my case is special.
He lead the path, to the big yellow tree. That's where we parted. I didn't escort him back to the exit gate, I just sat there on the bench, continue my breakfast (re: onigiri from Bukchon convenient store). He told me that the photos will be available soon on the app, so I will download the photos directly. Once our session ended, I realized never ever once I ask him to show the photos on the site...so it's kind of gambling whether the photos will came out nice or not, LOL.
Everland
There is two famous theme park, Lotte and Everland. But, running man is frequently visit Everland during their initial episodes, so I want to visit it too! Even tho, I don't really like adrenaline rides, I think I can visit their zoo. LOL. I went there for sight seeing only, what a waste of money. Really. But not really. It feels magical, to see that iconic big tree in the plaza.
I booked a voucher from Klook. I also buy the shuttle transfer round trip from Klook. All the information is given in detail in their app. I just need to wait around Myeongdong Station. Yes, so many tour has their meeting point in Hongdae, Myeongdong, and Dongdaemun.
I want to take nice pics here in Everland, but their four season garden is in maintenance, preparation for winter...so sad. But, don't worry, the autumn trees looks very beautiful.
I ate 2 snacks here, and I really love their honey chicken skewer. I also stand in queue for 30 mins, my feet is almost gave up, but I saw a couple of grandpa and grandma standing still without complaint.
Garden of Morning Calm
Actually, I never knew about this garden before. But, when I browse tour for nami island, I found that most of the full day tour consists of option of Garden Morning Calm and Gapyeong Rail Bike. I'm not interested in cycling, so I chose this Garden. I reserve a seat for the full day tour from Ktourstory via TripAdvisor. I found out that there's several major travel company, and Ktourstory is one of them.
Before the trip, they created a Whatsapp group. I chose pick up from Myeongdong, ofc. When I wait, a bunch of people is piling up by the pedestrian walk. They also wait for the tour, but with different route. So at least there were 3 routes, the tour leader will shout it out loud or call your phone number if no immediate response. My tour leader spoke in Korean, English, and Chinese. She also very kind, she gave me a menstrual pad (it was emergency...).
The first stop is Garden of Morning Calm, during the trip the leader said that we better took off our coat and jacket, to maintain our body temperature lower. She told us that it would be a bit freezing there. She also mentioned that this was a K-drama shooting spot for Love in the Moonlight. Ah~ I didn't see it coming.
Once we arrived, she told us (re: woman solo traveler) to make a group. One of them reach me out in Bahasa, LOL. She said "Yunita" is obviously an Indonesian name... Baiklah. Her name is Merry, she is a doctor. She flew to South Korea for work. So, during the trip dr. Merry will help to take photograph of me. Yeay!
I love garden of morning calm, it is very calming. I should have come alone, so I can take my time here. The flowers are really beautiful. It is very cold too! Unfortunately, I didn't wear something nice, so the photographs turns out not-so-aesthetic.
Nami Island
Next is Nami Island. My mom really want to visit this island since Winter Sonata aired. I went there based on her recommendation. Every my friends who visited South Korea for trip, they would likely to go here. To reach out the island, you can go by ferry or flying fox. I want to try flying fox, but it is freezing. So, here I go with ferry boat.
The tour leader mentioned that we have to be back in the bus by X PM (I forgot specifically) since we need to go to Petite France. But, we can go there by taxi if we want to take longer time in Nami Island.
Nami Island, again I want to visit this island by myself so I can take time much longer and explore all the spots. I saw a group of peacock there, so lovely. I also find the popular statue of Winter Sonata. I think I will be back to enjoy some picnic, not feeling rushed.
Actually, it is not really rushed, but since I can walk fast, it feels that I'm being rushed. Haha. I think I should have enjoy a relaxing afternoon cycle there, but it was raining.
Petite France
Again, I knew this from Running Man. Oh, I'm such a fans. It was a shame, that the rain is pouring down. the stairs is small and steep. I enjoy some snacks nearby, but the local cat was soooo hungry. They hunt down tourist snacks ☹️. But at least I'm happy that I can visit this place and see it by my own eye, feels surreal.
Namsan Tower
This is a must visit place since Boys Before Flower in 2009. Namsan always welcome me whenever I get back to the acommodation. Yes, if you use MRT, you will be directed to get off by Myeongdong Station exit 3. It's within walking distance from my accommodation. I always said that "Ah, namsan is very near, will go there tomorrow". Until my last night, I reluctant to go there. So, in the morning of my last day, I went there.
I get up early, around 8AM I'm ready to go. I left my luggage at the living room, so here I go to Namsan tower. It feels like going to the neighborhood park. Actually, I never went past the road, so it was kind of surprising that there is so much place to eat in the area (two nights earlier, I had dinner in McD...)
The maps shows that it will like 10 mins walking, but not for me. LOL. I need to exercise more... It is very exhausted, like walking in my maternal grandpa's hometown, Tretes. When I thought the struggle is come to an end, there is another stairs. Even tho, I already in the building, I followed a group of ahjusshi taking the stairs. They are so healthy. When I reach out the 3rd floor, I can hear the elevator bell...all this time, I can take the elevator...
Actually, it is only the building to use the cable car so you can have a choice to go for a morning hike to Namsan tower. When I came, it was very foggy. I regret, why I didn't came last night when the sky is clear so I can see the tower from far away...
I was only strolling around the love locks and the souvenir shop, then I remember that I have flight. My friends was so surprised that I still manage to go to Namsan tower right before my flight back home. LOL, I didn't want to go home yet!!!
I went to the airport by the shuttle bus again. Yes, it's very near, cheap, and comfortable. The bus schedule is always on time, or within 5 mins late.
For my trip, I download two navigation apps from Kakao and Naver. I prefer to use Kakao due to its UI (user interface). I can read hangul, so I don't have problem to use it. But if you can't, better use Naver.
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