We were supposed to set off to Gyeonggi-do area and visit their tourist spots. At first we planned to go to the DMZ area, the Hwaseong fortress and its palace. If there’s enough time, we would go to the World Cup stadium which is also at Gyeonggi-do.

Back at Backpacker Mr. Sea, we were told that we won’t be able to get inside the DMZ area without a guide. We could go there (Dorasan station, Dora observatory) but there were lots of areas that were probably off limits without a guide. We decided to think about it and skip the Dora/DMZ tour to another day.

I don’t know why but we almost always leave our hotel before lunch. It was very unlikely as I was used in starting our tours very early (as much as possible). Outside, we were surprised to see bouquets of flowers being sold and carried everywhere. We thought that it might be a public holiday. To find out, we followed the locals and ended up in a university (can’t remember what University that was). It turned out that it was graduation day. And just like in any typical korean drama, we learned that flowers were given to the graduates, male or female alike.

Since we were already at that university. We decided to eat at a noodle house near the school. We all tried different noodles at the noodle place, since our first day of korean food experience was a bust. Verdict was Bulgogi was the best among our noodles.

 

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress — errrr Korean Folk Village
Suwon station, exit 1, then bus no. 35
After a sumptuous brunch, we proceeded to Suwon station. This was a very long MRT ride; it probably took 45 mins from Hyehwa of line4. It was so cold that we bought a coffee from a vending machine inside the station. After alighting, we follow what was said in a tourist map which told us that we could board several buses. At the bus stop, we boarded bus 35. We were confused since the information said that we should get off at the 4th stop. Actually, what’s written there was a list of major bus stops (we were assuming since there were few bus stops written). In short, we get off not at the 4th stop, and we’re unsure where the Fortress was. We hopped on to bus 37, hoping that we would somehow find the fortress. Unfortunately we rode the wrong bus and ended up at Korean Folk Village.

 

Korean Folk Village

Bus No.37 take off at the end
We got here without intending to. We had already visited Namsangol Hanok Village so we just took some pictures at the entrance. For those who would like to experience the Old Korean Village, I would recommend this. They have actors/costumes and shows as far as I know.

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress/Pandalmun Gate
Bus No.37 from Korean Folk village
Honestly, I included this to our itineray because the wall/fortress itself looks like the Great wall of China in the pictures. Pandalmun Gate is the southern gate of the Hwaseong fortress. Unknowing, we learned that it was one of the sets of the famous Dang Jae Geum korean drama. But since we lost a lot of time getting lost and it closed early during winter, we were unable to enter. Too bad… Since we have lots of time, we just took some pictures and have a great time doing our jump shots. Well, I was the loser here.hehe

Gwangwhamun square at night
Bus to Suwon station, then Suwon to City Hall station
We haven’t accomplished anything yet, so we decided to check out the sights near City hall. We hopped off at City Hall station and walk into Gwanghwamun Square. Gyeongbukgong palace is located at the end of the square. Later, we had a mini brisk-walking competition because of the extreme cold. Did I mention that this is the coldest day we had? If I remember correctly, it was the time when the temperature dropped to negative degree Celsius in some parts of South Korea.

King Sejong statue
This statue is located at Gwanghwamun square. From research, King Sejong established Hangul, the Korean alphabet.

Gyeongbukgung palace gate at night

What can I say, Gyeongbukgung palace at night is a sight to behold. If you’re in the area at night take a picture of it. This is actually Korea’s version of the forbidden City… But of course, China is way ahead.

 

Haechi character
Haechi is the official mascot of Seoul. We found his statue while walking to Cheongyeocheon stream.

 

Cheonggyecheon stream at night
When we arrive, there is an ongoing shooting. We’d never know, but we might have been caught on camera and was an extra in one of their films.hehe.

 

Cheongyecheon stream is another Korean marvel. At night, you’ll find it lighted. It has tons of lights. They have restored it in such a way that you’d never notice that it was once a slum area. If you have lots of free time, then walking from Dongdaemun to Gwangwhamun via Chongyecheon is probably worth it (6kms).

On the area, we found a wishing “hole”(?). Each of us made our wish, were only japanesecake made her coin to the hole. Unfortunately, due to her excitement one of her gloves fell at the stream. A price to pay for a big wish. hehe

That’s it.. the coldest day we had during our trip.

More pictures on our album