14 days south korea itinerary - · pdf file14.01.2014 · © liza hassan |...

By Liza Hassan

14 Days South Korea Itinerary

© Liza Hassan | Travelogue 2013 | cadymcbronzie.wordpress.com

Day 01: Seoul, South Korea 1000 – Arrival and hunt for accommodation Entire 2BR for 2 – 6 pax (1min from metro) Address: Sinjeong-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul 158-070, South Korea Alight at Shinjeong Station (Line 5), Exit 1. >> URL: https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/1107940

1200 – Lunch We had lunch at a fusion restaurant along Sinjeong-dong. Cost us about 25,000 won each (S$28).

We headed back to the apartment for a quick nap, after buying some tidbits at a local supermarket. Freshened up and we were ready to explore Seoul!

https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/1107940


1500 – Shopping and Korean street food Before we bought our tickets for the Jump musical, we walked around the neighbourhood to familiarise ourselves with the various landmarks.

Some of the Korean street food that we snacked on; traditional Korean steamed rice cakes, mochi, tteokbokki (some stalls sell theirs extremely spicy!) and fish cakes. I personally like the steamed rice cakes and fish cakes the most. Give the street food a try if you can

2000 – Jump (점프); Comic Martial Arts Performance

This show is basically a martial arts performance combined with slapstick humour. I highly recommend you watch this show first before catching the Nanta show. >> URL: http://ticket.interpark.com/Global/Play/Goods/GoodsInfo.asp?GoodsCode=12020660

Alight at Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1/3/5), Exit 14. Turn right at the corner and go 50m. You will arrive at Seoul Cinema on the right.

http://ticket.interpark.com/Global/Play/Goods/GoodsInfo.asp?GoodsCode=12020660


Day 02: Seoul, South Korea We explored Hongdae as it is a famous spot for K-drama filming, food and also SHOPPING! We were also on the hunt for cafés and restaurants owned by popular Korean idols. 1200 – SuJu Yesung’s parents’ restaurant – Babtol’s Take Exit 8 from the Hongik University Station. Cross the street, keep right and head towards Hongik University. It is located diagonally across Hongik University. >> We did not manage to find Babtol’s but found a quaint crispy chicken stall instead near the campus (forgot what’s the name though). Settled in and had good & cheap food

1300 – Hongdae Flea Market Alight at Hongik University Station (Subway Line 2), Exit 9. Go 150m straight and cross the street. Turn left and go 500m straight towards the Hongik University entrance.


Turn right and you will arrive at Hongik Children's Park.

The flea market was definitely huge and we had so much fun examining the items being sold. I finally had a caricature done of myself.

Same same, right? Especially the teeth… so spot on!


We ate 1,000 won (S$1) ice cream while roaming the streets. Does not really matter whether the day is hot or cold, you really ought to try this ice cream!

We spent an entire afternoon at Hongdae before we eventually went to Myeongdong for a quick coffee/dessert break. 1800 – Coffee/dessert break at SuJu Siwon’s Twosome Coffee café Alight at Myeongdong Station, Exit 8. You will exit at Nature Republic. Just go straight and you will see at least three more Nature Republic stores along the way. Turn right when you see the store below.

Photo credit to another blogger (can’t recall at this point of time but will verify soon)


You will then see an Olive & Young building. Siwon’s Twosome Coffee is located on the 2nd floor.

2100 – Nanta (난타); Non-verbal Comedy Show

This marked my 2nd time watching the comedy show, Nanta. It was still hilarious, just like before. This is a must watch when you are in South Korea. >> URL: http://nanta.i-pmc.co.kr/nanta/en/intro.aspx

http://nanta.i-pmc.co.kr/nanta/en/intro.aspx


Day 03: Seoul, South Korea It started raining on the 3rd day when we were in Seoul but that did not dampen our spirits. We had a quick brunch at my favourite Korean café, Paris Baguette.

1230 – Head to Lotte World Alight at Jamsil Station (Seoul Subway Line 2 & 8), Exit 4. Lotte World is directly connected to the station. >> URL: http://global.lotteworld.com/main.asp

Due to bad weather, we were unable to enjoy the more thrilling rides located at Magic Island. But the indoor rides were equally as fun too! Do take note that the Lotteworld Special Parade “Lotty’s Adventire Parade” starts at 7pm. Dinner was Curry Shrimp with Rice and Bibimbap at the food court.

http://global.lotteworld.com/main.asp


Day 04: Seoul, South Korea 1200 – Lunch at Se7en’s Yeolbong Jjimdak Alight at Gangnam Station (Subway Line 2), Exit 11. Walk straight until McDonalds and turn right. Walk straight until the first intersection and turn right again. Walk straight until Quarterback Restaurant and then, turn left. If you see the cute chicken, then you are there. >> But it was closed for renovation. We settled for Bibigo instead. Ain’t too shabby and it is worth a try. Seafood Pancake, Dried Pollack Soup and Kimchi Fried Rice were delish!

1400 – Coffee break at SuJu Lee Teuk, Sung Min & Kyuhyun’s café, Kona Beans A trip to Seoul would deem incomplete without a visit to this café partly because I am a fan of Super Junior… hehe! If you are lucky, you would be able to catch one of these idols’ mothers working behind the counter


1700 – Dinner and shopping at Dongdaemun This is possibly one of my favourite shopping havens in South Korea. You are able to buy clothes, accessories and souvenirs at wholesale prices. And yes, there are clothes for people of various sizes! Don’t discriminate hor…

My favorite shopping malls are definitely Doota and Migliore in Dongdaemun. We had dinner at the food court on the upper most floor of Migliore. I always insist on coming back here just for the Tteokbokki Ramyeon. It is especially heavenly when eaten during cold nights.


Day 05: Seoul Busan, South Korea 0600 – Leave for Korail You can purchase the tickets online as it is more cost saving. But remember to print out the e-tickets in exchange for the KR Pass at the counter. >> URL: http://www.korail.com/en/

The KTX ride to Busan was around two hours and forty minutes. 1000 – Hunt for accommodation and nap We stayed at a low budget hotel, Dongbang Tourist Hotel. It was perfect for us as we were never always in the hotel rooms. >> URL: http://www.expedia.com.sg/Busan-Hotels-Dongbang-Tourist-Hotel.h5958061.Hotel-Information?rm1=a2&hwrqCacheKey=e9a798b9-6cca-4173-9df1-b1478e00077aHWRQ1388727244588&c=289d9d47-d575-4b74-b63d-d5308a7cd5ef&&hashTag=default&rfrr=-30461&sp=KygIKjE7PWVtanZsa34rKBswMxE2ZWhtd2hpfisoCCoxOz0bF2VvbHZhYH4rKBswMxctLGVoYHdoaQ

http://www.korail.com/en/

http://www.expedia.com.sg/Busan-Hotels-Dongbang-Tourist-Hotel.h5958061.Hotel-Information?rm1=a2&hwrqCacheKey=e9a798b9-6cca-4173-9df1-b1478e00077aHWRQ1388727244588&c=289d9d47-d575-4b74-b63d-d5308a7cd5ef&&hashTag=default&rfrr=-30461&sp=KygIKjE7PWVtanZsa34rKB







1300 – Lunch Crispy Chicken is quite a norm in South Korea. And the Koreans especially love to have this with beer. But we like ours Sweet and Spicy with pickled radish and salad. YUMMY!

1500 – Hunt for more street food Alight at Seomyeon Station (Subway Line 1 or 2). We explored the Seomyeon Food Alley; saw plenty of seafood pancakes, mandu, fishcakes and tteokbokki. There are plenty of restaurants and pubs along the alley too.


Day 06: Busan, South Korea 1100 – Temple visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Alight at Haeundae Station (Subway Line 2), Exit 7. Take Bus No. 181 and alight at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.

Keep a lookout for the awesome view by the bridge. It is truly magical and the view is magnificent, beyond words, really.

1500 – A stroll on Haeundae Beach It would be very silly to make a trip to Busan without visiting its No.1 beach. Haeundae boasts an emerald seascape and a fine sandy beach.


1600 – Fishy business at Busan Aquarium We decided to check out the Busan Aquarium and watched the Shark Feeding session. >> URL: http://www.busanaquarium.com/en/

1800 – A stroll on Gwangalli Beach and look at the Diamond Bridge We then proceeded to the Gwangalli Beach, to catch the sunrise.

http://www.busanaquarium.com/en/


Since it was still early, we crossed over and sat down at a café. Had my usual fix of Vanilla Latte and tried the Caramel Toast. Not bad! Plenty of cafés opposite the beach and it has a magnificent view.

The beautiful Gwangan Bridge or otherwise known as the Diamond Bridge was lighted up at night. It was simply breath taking.


Day 07: Busan, South Korea 1200 – Temple visit to Gumyeongsa Temple We took the bus from Nampo Station to get to Taejongdae.

This was the view overlooking the Yeongdo Lighthouse.

We also managed to visit a South Korean actress, Choi Ji-woo's photo exhibition on the 2nd level of the Observatory Platform. 1800 – Shopping at Nampodong and BIFF Square Alight at Nampo-dong Station (Busan Subway Line 1). We checked out the BIFF Square; a cultural tourist attraction. You can find movie theatres, hand-printed movie celebrities, shops and leisure facilities.


There was a long queue at this heotteok 호떡 (a fried Korean pancake filled with nuts,

cinnamon & sugar) stall. Yum! And apparently, Korean celebrities such as Lee Seung Gi bought theirs at this stall.

Samgyetang 삼계탕; apparently this is one of the famous food stalls in Busan. This is within

the BIFF Square itself.


Day 08: Busan Seoul, South Korea 1000 – Rise and shine, head to Korail for brunch and head back to Seoul 1300 – Hunt for accommodation It took us awhile to communicate with the taxi driver to get to our destination in Seoul. Minerva House is located just behind Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. >> URL: https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/700227

1800 – Dinner and shopping at Myeongdong Dinner was at Mr Pizza and we shopped for more facial products here.

The streets of Myeongdong are forever bustling with crowds on a weekend night. Myeongdong is truly a great place to buy facial products because you will definitely get plenty of freebies!

https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/700227


Day 9: Seoul Jeju, South Korea 1100 – Brunch at Coffine Gurunaru We found another cool coffee place to hang out, Coffine Gurunaru. I had the Honey Butter Toast and Caramel Latte for brunch. We slacked for a while before heading to Incheon International Airport as we were flying to Jeju at night.

2100 – Arrival at Jeju International Airport And we safely arrived in Jeju-do! We met our Korean host family whom we would be staying with for the next five days.


HomestayKorea URL: http://www.homestaykorea.com/

This is a typical Korean household. The family was very nice and hospitable. They took note of our dietary preferences and were very accommodating indeed.

Our host’s name is Lee So-Im / 이소임. Based on your preference, you can choose the kind

of place that you wish to stay in. Thanks Homestay Korea for this wonderful experience. From airport pickup, daily traditional Korean breakfast, sending us to the bus stops and helping us to get to our destination.

Overall experience: 5-stars (out of 5), yo! Address: #306, 101-dong, Jangan villa, 1280 Bomok-dong, Seuguipo city, Jeju

http://www.homestaykorea.com/


Day 10: Jeju, South Korea 1000 – Traditional Korean breakfast We started the day with a traditional Korean breakfast before exploring Jeju-do.

We then got a lift from our host to visit Jeongbang Waterfall. It is the only place in Jeju where the water falls straight to the ocean and selected as one of the ten wonders of Jeju.

We explored the Southern part of Jeju-do and took a bus to visit the tourist spots. There were plenty of trekking paths in Jeju. If you are a nature lover, bring along your trekking gear and enjoy the scenery and fresh air.


Dolhareubang (Stone Grandfather) is the symbol of Jeju Island. They are guardian gods, have shamanistic or religious meaning and act as signposts. There are 45 original dolhareubang that still exist on Jeju Island.

There are plenty of nice beaches and we happened to visit Jungmun Beach, one of the most beloved beaches in Seogwipo.


In Jeju, there is also a thick subtropical forest and the Seonimgyo arched bridge above the Cheonjeyeon Waterfall.

Day 11: Jeju, South Korea 1000 – Traditional Korean breakfast Another appetising Korean breakfast to start our day and I especially liked the cucumber fritters. Very nice


1300 – Half-day Tour We paid for a half-day tour and toured the East of Jeju Island. First stop was the Trick Art Museum.

We visited the Seongeup Folk Village. The traditional Jeju thatched houses, Confucian Temple and School, government office, Stone Grandfather, mill, fortress site and tombstones have been kept intact.


Much to my delight, we had Bibimbap for lunch.

We then attempted to hike Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) which stands at 182m. I only climbed half-way through as I huffed and puffed my way up… hahaha!


Down below is where you will find Haenyeo, Jeju women divers.

If you are game enough, try the fresh abalones and sea urchins.

We then headed to the Manjanggul Cave, the largest known lava cave in the world.


Day 12: Jeju, South Korea 1000 – Traditional Korean breakfast We had Dakdoritang with Cold Cucumber & Seaweed Soup and other side dishes for breakfast. As always, it was YUMMY!

This time around, we were travelling to the West of Jeju Island.


Upon arrival, I had a Caramel Macchiato at a quaint café called Lazybox. From where I was seating, I was greeted by a lovely view of the Dragon Head Shore and the sea. Such beauty right in front of my eyes and I am thankful for the opportunity to travel to Jeju Island and enjoy a slower pace of life.

Can you spot Mount Sanbang?

The view of Hwasun Beach.


It was time for us to explore the Yongmeori Cliff.

I was still in awe when I first laid eyes on the Yongmeori Cliff & Shore. It was just too beautiful beyond words.

The unique cliff formation along with the sea caves, vertical joints, bluffs and hollows makes for a fascinating walk.


And I had the Abalone Stew for lunch. You just gotta love fresh seafood!

Mount Sanbang stands at a height above sea level of 395m. Visitors can only climb midway till Sanbanggul (Sanbang Cave).


Day 13: Jeju Seoul, South Korea 1000 – Traditional Korean breakfast Squid, Bean Sprouts Soup and side dishes for our last breakfast in Jeju. We could never

thank 소임 언니 enough for her hospitality in hosting us at her home.

2000 – Reached Seoul and hunt for accommodation Twinrabbit Hostel Address : 504-7 Yeonnam-Dong, Mapo-Gu Seoul Korea. >> URL: http://www.twinrabbit.co.kr/ This is how tiny the hostel room was but complete with basic necessities; bed, small kitchenette, bathroom and a balcony with a washing machine. There are TV and PC with free wifi too!

http://www.twinrabbit.co.kr/


Day 14: Seoul, South Korea Free & Easy; I shopped to my heart’s content as I explored Seoul on my own. Went to the different shopping malls and got last minute souvenirs. I even had time for people watching while lounging at a café. We met up with a fellow Singaporean who is currently studying in Seoul, for dinner. Tried

another new Korean cuisine, 안동찜닭! A must try if you are in Myeongdong.

Day 15: Seoul, South Korea Singapore It was time for me to repack my luggages and hand-carries! It was time to go home


Before leaving the Twinrabbit Hostel, I snapped a picture of the basic Korean phrases that

were written on their glass door. 귀엽다

I also saw this on one of the walls and it reminded me so much of Billy Joel's song. And yes, this pretty much sums up my feeling for my 2nd vacation in South Korea.

The End


For other places of interest: Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) >> URL: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264134 Cheonggyecheon Stream >> URL: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=897540 Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm >> URL: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264615 Everland >> URL: http://www.everland.com/web/multi/english/everland/main.html Gyeongbokgung Palace >> URL: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264337 Mount Seorak National Park >> URL: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264211&nearBy=accom Teddy Bear Farm >> URL: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=658430&nearBy=accom Yongpyong Water Park (Peak Island) >> URL: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=587249&nearBy=accom

For more pictures: Spring & Summer 2013 in Korea | Part One Spring & Summer 2013 in Korea | Part Two

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264134



http://www.everland.com/web/multi/english/everland/main.html


http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264211&nearBy=accom



https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151442366526127.1073741825.532021126&type=1&l=1114074aac

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151464717816127.1073741827.532021126&type=1&l=7bd763e0fe

14 days south korea itinerary - · pdf file14.01.2014 · © liza hassan |...

Documents