Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Korean Folk Village, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do - Day 4 in South Korea

We had an early start for the day, it rained very hard yesterday and we only explored around Jukjeon in the afternoon.

After we had breakfast, our host's father took us via his taxi to Suwon to see Suwon Hwaseong (Suwon Fortress).

Hwaseong Fortress was built during the 18th century by King Jeonjo of the Joseon Dynasty in honor of his father. The fortress surrounds the center of Suwon and has been  registered as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO last 1997. I am not Korean history savvy, and unfortunately, did not have time to research about it so I only know very limited about what the Fortress symbolizes.

Website: ehs.suwon.ne.kr
Operating Hours: Summer season 09:00-18:00; Winter season 09:00-17:00
Admission: Individual – Adults 1,000 won / Youth 700 won / Children 500 won
Directions: Suwon Station (Seoul Subway Line 1)

Dongjangdae - Eastern Command Post

Jeju via Plane – Booking via T’way Airlines Part 2

This a continued post for booking via T'way Airlines (please see earlier post on how to make a log-in ID here.) First click Log-In (as shown below) and input your membership details.

Some Korean Street Food around Jukjeon Cafe Street at Yongin, Gyeonggi-do - Day 3 in South Korea

It was a rainy day when we moved to Yongin from Chuncheon. We woke up late so our host took us to Jamshil station in Seoul. And yes, it was raining hard with me and my friend carrying our bags, and oh, I forgot, it was our first time to use the subway in Korea. I can't imagine how pathetic we looked especially when we knew that there were no escalators on that station.

We met with our new host at Jukjeon Station which is in Bundang or the Yellow line of the Metro. It is also near Dankook University where some Korean celebrities studied before. We arrived quite early however it was raining really hard and we were planning to either go to Suwon Hwaseong or Everland for this day. However, I don't think we would have enjoyed it as it would have been very wet and we will be doing lots of walking if ever. So me and my friend decided to wait for the rain to stop and just roam around Jukjeon so we can still say that this day did not go to waste.

It was around 3PM when the weather looked okay. It was still raining a bit, but we needed to do something so we went window shopping around E-mart and Shinsegae which was beside Jukjeon station, Exit 1.

Shinsegae is known to be the oldest department store in Korea and houses some expensive Korean and international brands such as Louis Vuitton, Alexander Wang, Prada, and the like. As expected, I was not able to buy anything as everything was just way too expensive for my wallet. :(

The Shinsegae in Jukjeon

A day around Seoraksan (Sogongwon, Sinheungsa Temple, Biseondae) and my First "Hitchhiking" Experience in Gangwon-do - Day 2 in South Korea

I woke up quite early that day, the Seoraksan day. I was excited and was also disappointed with myself. Going hiking without any rubber shoes - black boots, red Martens lace up, spike flats, heels - but no rubber shoes. Stupid, yes, I know that already.

After contemplating on what to wear, I finally settled with a shirt, blue coat, and the black boots (they were not hiking boots, take note). It was a bit cold already in Chuncheon and we were warned that the temperature can get lower once we were in Seoraksan.

We left for Sokcho by 9.30 AM and we bought our tickets in advance the day before. Sokcho is a city in Gangwondo which is also very close to the National Park of Seoraksan. One must pass Sokcho first as buses going to the mountain are situated there.

It was a two and a half hour ride from Chuncheon to Sokcho, we arrived at Sokcho bus terminal around 12.00PM. This I did not expect - or maybe I just did not do my research on the travel time. (read: Bad planning). I wanted to do the Cheonbuldong course, but apparently we will not be able to make it on time given that we only went for a day trip to Seoraksan. Fail number 2.

The bus stop for Seoraksan is 2-3 minute walk from the terminal. There is also a Tourist Information Center outside the bus terminal which was a nice touch not just for people going to Seoraksan, but also if you want to go around Sokcho. There are also small stores inside/outside the terminal so you can buy food or water before going to Seoraksan. It could get a bit pricier once you get there.

There was a schedule pasted on the bus stop and the earliest bus we can take will pass by 12.30PM. Bus fare was 1000 Won but T-money can also be used for discount, you must take Bus 7 and get off at Seoraksan National Park.

I was told that it was of a 20-30 minute ride from Sokcho to Seoraksan, however we went on a Saturday. Yes folks, Saturday! When we arrived inside the Seoraksan, there was quite of a traffic jam due to the cars going up to the park/entrance. However, we still waited as my friend wanted to preserve her energy for the hiking. We got off at Seoraksan National Park (Seoraksan Sogongwon 서락산 소공원) We arrived Seoraksan around 1.20PM. :(

Admission Fee to Seoraksan

The Famous Dak galbi of Chuncheon and Nami Island Experience in Gangwon-do - Day 1 in South Korea

For the start of our 16 day trip around South Korea, I have planned that we go around Gangwondo area first, as according to the autumn foliage forecast, Seoraksan would reach its peak on October 17-19th  - and I wanted to see the mountain on its "fullest bloom."

Predicted Autumn Foliage around South Korea for 2012