So here I am again trying to catch up with my backlogs since there are several travels that I need to put here.
Also, included on your ticket is a free passes to the Folk Museum of Korea.
Insa-dong is famous for selling traditional Korean souvenirs from antiques to paintings etc. I just bought t-shirts here for my nephews and after that I checked Starbucks (which is written in Hangeul) to dose myself a coffee since I'm a little bit sleepy.
It was a bit long walk from Insa-dong to Changdeokgung Palace but it was just exact since I was able to catch up free English tour.
Changdeokgung was the most favored palace of many Joseon princes and retained many elements dating from the Three Kingdoms of Korea period that were not incorporated in the more contemporary Gyeongbokgung. One such element is the fact that the buildings of Changdeokgung blend with the natural topography of the site instead of imposing themselves upon it. It, like the other Five Grand Palaces in Seoul, was heavily damaged during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945). Currently, only about 30% of the pre-Japanese structures survive.
Along the tour, I met another Filipina girl travelling alone as well so I asked if we could join together and she's fine with that. She's been travelling around Korea for about 2 weeks , she went to Jeju and Busan. She told me that Jeju is a must visit because the view are breathtaking according to her and I said maybe in the future since it very difficult to access Jeju from Manila unless you will fly from Seoul or Busan.
It was a very long walk around Changdeokgung grounds and we also visited Biwon Garden which for me the highlight of this tour. Changdeokgung is also one of Korea's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some parts of famous Korean drama Dae Jang Geum was filmed in some parts of the area.
I tried to catch up Jongmyo Shrine to complete the Palace tour in Seoul but it was already late, the tour in Changdeokgung ended around 4PM and the palaces will close at that time. Nowhere to go, out of curiosity I went to Itaewon since its a popular shopping district in Seoul. There are some counterfeited goods and clothing, you just need to do some haggling. I heard that this is the red-light district of Seoul and there is an underground gay area but I didn't go there since I'm all alone so safety is my priority.
I went back to the guest house and upon changing clothes, I noticed that my left finger nail in toe was broken due to extensive walk. I didn't bring a nail cutter so I checked in a nearest convenience store and glad they have one so I bought it and went back to Myeong-dong to check comfortable shoes that I can use for tomorrow's tour, so it was a lesson learned for future travels.
References:
www.wikipedia.org
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/
This time I woke up early around 8AM to cover my 2nd day itinerary.
So my 2nd day itinerary is mostly walking since most of them are near to each other. Also, I planned to visit some of the historic palaces in Seoul..
Deoksugung Palace
Seoul City Hall
Seoul Plaza
Chyeonggyechon Stream
Gwanghamun Square
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Insadong
Changdeokgung Palace
Itaewon
I started with Deoksugung Palce to get there you just need to make your way to Seoul City Hall station and from there you can just walk towards Deoksu Palace. Since I arrived early and I havent taken my breakfast yet, I walked in Dunkin Donuts which is in front of Deoksu Palace. I find it very different from what we have here in the Philippines since most of them here are booths and only few stores that has coffee shop.
First stop is Deoksugung Palace. I was able to watched the opening of Royal Palace gates here.
Comprised of several buildings, all varying in construction, the premises of Deoksugung Palace were once occupied by various Korean royalty until the Japanese took control toward the turn of the 20th century. From beyond the looming entrance of Daehanmun, architectural highlights include Junghwajeon, the throne and audience hall, and Seokjojeon, the building bearing the markings of Western design. Also marking the premises is an art museum that plays host to several commercial exhibitions, a nicely secluded forested garden, a statue of King Sejong the Great, andJeonggwanheon, the attractive structure replete with European framework and home to where King Gojong held parties and entertained guests.
Second stop is Seoul City Hall. I was very impressed with their City Hall here I just cannot compare
what we have here and what they've got in Seoul. Upon enetring the building, my jaw dropped.
Everything in this building is amazing from design, construction etc. everything is so modern. I like the design they keep it modern yet environment friendly. They have free tours around Seoul City Hall and Seoul Library which I didnt not take as I have limited time but I think that was enough. If you're going there during Winter Season, their plaza turns out to be a big skating rink.
Chonggyecheon Stream os my third stop. I was so lucky that I met Filipino couple based in the US travelling in Seoul, we just sat there for minutes and talked while we are walking the stream. My astonishment with Korean people continues. I read in the historical books that this stream was so dirty before and it was already a main road after Japanese war but after 2005 their mayor decided to bring back the stream and they did not fail, it is one of the most visited places in Seoul.
Gwanghamun Square is just across the Chyeonggyecheon Stream and I bid my goodbyes to the lovely Filipino couple I met. Sometimes my selective amnesia occurs, I forgot again to get their contacts GRRRR 2nd time in a row. I guess I'm not good at it.
Standing in the middle of the square is the statue of Yi Sun-sin, greatest admiral during Joeson Dynasty and King Sejong the creator or Hanguel, the Korean language. Also, there is a big sun dial in front of him as this is one of the greatest korean inventions aside from Samsung and Kia.
I never anticipated that they have this cold weather during Spring so I have no choice but to buy hand gloves cause I really cant take it. It was my mistake not to buy the four palace ticket which is cheaper if you will sum up the normal ticket price per palace.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is a royal palace located in northern Seoul, South Korea. First constructed in 1395, later burned and abandoned for almost three centuries, and then reconstructed in 1867, it was the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty. The name means "Palace" Gung "Greatly Blessed by Heaven" Gyeongbok
Itaewon
I started with Deoksugung Palce to get there you just need to make your way to Seoul City Hall station and from there you can just walk towards Deoksu Palace. Since I arrived early and I havent taken my breakfast yet, I walked in Dunkin Donuts which is in front of Deoksu Palace. I find it very different from what we have here in the Philippines since most of them here are booths and only few stores that has coffee shop.
First stop is Deoksugung Palace. I was able to watched the opening of Royal Palace gates here.
Comprised of several buildings, all varying in construction, the premises of Deoksugung Palace were once occupied by various Korean royalty until the Japanese took control toward the turn of the 20th century. From beyond the looming entrance of Daehanmun, architectural highlights include Junghwajeon, the throne and audience hall, and Seokjojeon, the building bearing the markings of Western design. Also marking the premises is an art museum that plays host to several commercial exhibitions, a nicely secluded forested garden, a statue of King Sejong the Great, andJeonggwanheon, the attractive structure replete with European framework and home to where King Gojong held parties and entertained guests.
Second stop is Seoul City Hall. I was very impressed with their City Hall here I just cannot compare
what we have here and what they've got in Seoul. Upon enetring the building, my jaw dropped.
Everything in this building is amazing from design, construction etc. everything is so modern. I like the design they keep it modern yet environment friendly. They have free tours around Seoul City Hall and Seoul Library which I didnt not take as I have limited time but I think that was enough. If you're going there during Winter Season, their plaza turns out to be a big skating rink.
Chonggyecheon Stream os my third stop. I was so lucky that I met Filipino couple based in the US travelling in Seoul, we just sat there for minutes and talked while we are walking the stream. My astonishment with Korean people continues. I read in the historical books that this stream was so dirty before and it was already a main road after Japanese war but after 2005 their mayor decided to bring back the stream and they did not fail, it is one of the most visited places in Seoul.
Gwanghamun Square is just across the Chyeonggyecheon Stream and I bid my goodbyes to the lovely Filipino couple I met. Sometimes my selective amnesia occurs, I forgot again to get their contacts GRRRR 2nd time in a row. I guess I'm not good at it.
Standing in the middle of the square is the statue of Yi Sun-sin, greatest admiral during Joeson Dynasty and King Sejong the creator or Hanguel, the Korean language. Also, there is a big sun dial in front of him as this is one of the greatest korean inventions aside from Samsung and Kia.
I never anticipated that they have this cold weather during Spring so I have no choice but to buy hand gloves cause I really cant take it. It was my mistake not to buy the four palace ticket which is cheaper if you will sum up the normal ticket price per palace.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is a royal palace located in northern Seoul, South Korea. First constructed in 1395, later burned and abandoned for almost three centuries, and then reconstructed in 1867, it was the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty. The name means "Palace" Gung "Greatly Blessed by Heaven" Gyeongbok
Also, included on your ticket is a free passes to the Folk Museum of Korea.
Insa-dong is famous for selling traditional Korean souvenirs from antiques to paintings etc. I just bought t-shirts here for my nephews and after that I checked Starbucks (which is written in Hangeul) to dose myself a coffee since I'm a little bit sleepy.
It was a bit long walk from Insa-dong to Changdeokgung Palace but it was just exact since I was able to catch up free English tour.
Changdeokgung was the most favored palace of many Joseon princes and retained many elements dating from the Three Kingdoms of Korea period that were not incorporated in the more contemporary Gyeongbokgung. One such element is the fact that the buildings of Changdeokgung blend with the natural topography of the site instead of imposing themselves upon it. It, like the other Five Grand Palaces in Seoul, was heavily damaged during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945). Currently, only about 30% of the pre-Japanese structures survive.
Along the tour, I met another Filipina girl travelling alone as well so I asked if we could join together and she's fine with that. She's been travelling around Korea for about 2 weeks , she went to Jeju and Busan. She told me that Jeju is a must visit because the view are breathtaking according to her and I said maybe in the future since it very difficult to access Jeju from Manila unless you will fly from Seoul or Busan.
It was a very long walk around Changdeokgung grounds and we also visited Biwon Garden which for me the highlight of this tour. Changdeokgung is also one of Korea's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some parts of famous Korean drama Dae Jang Geum was filmed in some parts of the area.
I tried to catch up Jongmyo Shrine to complete the Palace tour in Seoul but it was already late, the tour in Changdeokgung ended around 4PM and the palaces will close at that time. Nowhere to go, out of curiosity I went to Itaewon since its a popular shopping district in Seoul. There are some counterfeited goods and clothing, you just need to do some haggling. I heard that this is the red-light district of Seoul and there is an underground gay area but I didn't go there since I'm all alone so safety is my priority.
I went back to the guest house and upon changing clothes, I noticed that my left finger nail in toe was broken due to extensive walk. I didn't bring a nail cutter so I checked in a nearest convenience store and glad they have one so I bought it and went back to Myeong-dong to check comfortable shoes that I can use for tomorrow's tour, so it was a lesson learned for future travels.
References:
www.wikipedia.org
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/
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