Have you ever wonder why those people dress in a weird way when you happen to watch a saeguk (korean historical drama) while you've been watching HK tvb all the time since young. Yep! That's me when I was super super new to Korean drama. Lol... yeah, now I know they are korean.. not chinese.
Okay, let's go on with our trip. Day 4 was the high and almighty king's home, The Palace! Hahahaha~ Of course out of those many palaces in Seoul, Korea, we only chose to go to 2 of it.
To go to the Grand Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace by metro, take Line 3, exit 5 at Gyeongbokgung Palace Station. Once you arrive, you go through an exhibition corridor and at the end of the corridor, you will arrive at the Palace Museum.
If you plan to try Samgyetang (Chicken Ginseng Soup), don't forget to try out the super famous Tosokchon. We had our breakfast here around 10am. No queue yet.... but if you're coming a little later, be prepared to queue up cause the place is always flooded with locals and tourists. We met some friendly Hongkies here.. ^^
It's 10-15 mins walk from Gyeongbokgung palace. If you wish to have your breakfast before visiting the palace, please exit 2. Walk straight towards the Popeyes fast food restaurant and continue straight until you reach the GS25 convenience store. Then, turn left and the restaurant is right in front of you on your left.
Tosokchon address:
5, Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Website: www.tosokchon.com
FB: www.facebook.com/Tosokchon
Tosokchon
View from inside the restaurant
Yummy kimchi and ginseng liquour
They taught you how to eat your samgyetang
Our yummy and hearty Samgyetang
Seafood pajeon (pancake)
The long long long queue after we finished our breakfast
Here's the information on Types of samgyetang and food they served:
After filling up yourself with a good breakfast, you can walk over to the Gyeongbokgung palace. It's the place where "Love in the Moonlight" casts had their fan meeting right in front of the most famous Gwanghwamun (Main gate of the palace).
Thank you for reading... ^^
**To be continue with part 4**
During our visitation, it was Korean Thanksgiving day 1... so if you're planning to go during their Public Holiday, be prepared to see lotsa people. However, I personally think that it is still better than in Beijing, China. I happened to go to the Forbidden City during their 10 days holiday in China as well.. let me tell you.. the crowd is enormous... it's crazy. Too many people and they will just push you away to squeeze in to see whatever they could have a look. At least here in Korea, they are far more polite than the Chinese..
The Gyeongbokgung palace is relative smaller compared to the forbidden city but at least they were well preserved, maintained and cleaner than China. Yes, forbidden city is much more older and grand.. I'm not criticizing.. it's just my point of view. =) Although it's smaller, do get the brochure from the tourist information counter so that you know where you're going and what's the name of the building or its purpose. It's time to learn some history.. hehe~
The first building you'll see after entering the gates will be the National Treasure No. 223, Geunjeongjeon Hall, which is the main throne hall of Gyeongbokgung. Below is the panoramic view of the main hall and it's surrounding corridors.
The majestic throne
The ceiling of the Throne Hall is crafted with Gold Dragon
Sajeongjeon Hall - King handled routine state affairs (Daily morning cabinet meetings)
Hemispherical Sundial (aka traditional clock)
Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (Banquets for foreign envoy or court officials were held here)
Hyangwonjeong Pavilion
Jibokjae Hall (Library and Reception hall for foreign envoys)
Park Se Dang's First Palace Answer sheet... (that's real!)
Emperor Gojong's Potrait
Inside the Jibokjae Hall...
The ceiling of Jibokjae Hall... It's still very well maintained.
Jagyeongjeon Hall (Queen Sinjeong's residence, the most elegant living quarters)
If you are going to the palaces, i'm sure you'll see people dress in Hanbok.
Cute little boy in Hanbok
It's a great opportunity to see the Korean Traditional Folk Dance during our visit. Be sure to check it out if you're travelling around the Thanksgiving time too!
Enjoy the Traditional & Modern dance with Traditional Music!
Next, we went to Bukchon Hanok Village which is just beside Gyeongbokgung Palace. Initially we wanted to look for the 8 photo spots (best picturesque background) in Bukchon but it's really too tiring to climb and walk around the building. Haha~ So, we just passed by the village and end up in Changdeokgung Palace.
Chandeokgung Palace is just a walking distance away from Gyeongbokgung Palace. Maybe around 10-15 minutes walk. If you like to take a break, just go to the cafe located in Samcheongdong. It's an area between the two palaces.
Chandeokgung palace building ground looks a little different than the normal palace. It's main door is on the Palace's right side. Meaning after going in through the main door, all the quarters and halls are on your left. However, it's setup is far more modern than Gyeongbokgung palace. The architecture of the building looks more modern and they even have carpet and marbles. Let's talk no more.. time for pictures!
The overview of Chandeokgung Palace
Injeongjeon: Throne Hall
Huijeongdang: King's Residence
Daejojeon: Queen's Residence
Seongjeonggak: Crown Prince's Study
Seongjeonggak: Crown Prince's Study (2nd Building)
Entrance to Secret Garden. We didn't go in. There's a schedule to visit. Make sure to check it out if you want to visit.
Outside of Nakseonjae Complex (For his beloved concubine)
Nakseonjae Hall
Inside of Daejojeon Hall
After visiting the palace, we decided to drop by at Insadong for souvenir gifts.Yes, it's still a walking distance, 10 minutes walk. LOL~ Yeah, I know.. too much walking in one whole day. This is just half of it, more to walk... =__=
Insadong is famous for Korean Traditional Culture and Craft with lotsa souvenir shops. Be sure to check out before buying.
People mountain people sea.. =D
Don't forget to buy their traditional cookies too! I personally prefer the rice puff! Yummy!
By looking at the map, Insadong is quite near to Myeongdong. It's says about 500m away. LOL! Kid you not... if the weather is nice and you are still full of energy, yes, you can walk. BUT if you're tired and had a whole morning tour to palaces like how we were, I think it's better to take the metro to Myeongdong. Hahaha...
Passing by the Cheonggyecheon Stream, we get to see a lot of tall buildings (We're in the middle of the city!) and some nice statue.
So, after our long walk, we finally arrived at Myeongdong! Yippie~ First stop, the very classic looking building in Korea, Myeongdong Cathedral.
It's long past our lunch time when we arrived. We could eat a cow! lol~ Hungry, exhausted, lost in Myeongdong trying to search for the famous Myeongdong Gyoja only to get disappointed when it's closed on that day. It seems like we would have to simply find a restaurant but to my surprise, I found Gangnam Myeonok (강남면옥) that the Return of Superman little twin boys had beef ribs with their father, Mr. Lee Hwi Jae.
(The yummilicious beef ribs)
(No Myeongdong Gyoja then i'll have my gyoja here hahaha..)
(It's huge!! I can't fit one whole mandu into my mouth)
The beef ribs are so yummy that it melts in your mouth. So soft and tender and juicy! mMMmm i'm salivating again. lol~ No wonder Seo Jun and Seo Eon love it so much.. It's a MUST go restaurant if you're there.
Gangnam Myeonok (강남면옥) is located on the 5th floor. Don't be afraid. You'll see the above red signage when you are at the McDonald. Take the elevator on the right side of McDonald to 5th floor and you'll see the spacious restaurant.
(that's our bill.. we ordered beef ribs and mandu only.. but they gave us soup and banchan too. So, you'll be super full)
After our late lunch (which is around evening), we decided to go to Namsan Tower (aka N Seoul Tower). Yes, we walked again... lol~ Once you're in Myeongdong, you can easily see the tower at the south. You just need to go to the Myeongdong Metro station and exit 6. After exiting, follow the right street of Pacific Hotel and walk for 10-15 minutes. Do bear in mind that you are climbing hills again,, (yes, cos it's called Namsan.. meaning South Mountain). So, a small 10-15 minutes walk to the cable car station will make you feel tired. LOL! if you're not tired, you can walk up to the tower (definitely not me tho).. but if you are or wanted to try the cable car, feel free to ride it with KRW8,500 for return ticket.
* If you are travelling on same date as us.... please be prepared to queue up for a long long time. I've experienced it... and it's not fun. DEAD TIRED.. 1 hour queue to get the ticket and board the cable car. (T.T)
(Seoul View from Cable Car while ascending)
(The horrible queue which is now shorter..please spot for the group of people)
(The famous Namsan Tower.. the observatory entrance fee is KRW10,000)
(North of Seoul.. with the palaces as the background. I've walked soooo far! My gosh)
(The famous love lock.. Did I locked mine?)
I know it's a crazy day.. with crazy walking. I got tanned in Seoul too... LOL! Bonus pictures below.
(Hahaha.. look at that. Sore feet with tanned skin)
(O.O we walked that much...From Gyeongbokgung to Bukchon to Chandeokgung to Insadong to Myeongdong to Namsan)
You only live once. Why not do it when you are still young and energetic? I don't think I would want to walk that much again in the future.. hahahaha... It's a good exercise too since you'll be eating a lot during your vacation. My hubby broke his record... he normally walked 5k steps per day back in home country but we walked 30k steps per day in Seoul. Hahahaha... that's a huge difference..
**To be continue with part 4**
