War Memorial of Korea

The girls (Iris, Fiza, Nyna and Hanim) visited War Memorial of Korea in Seoul last Autumn and they claimed it was not that bad and quite an exciting place to marvel at. At least we get to know the reason why Korea is divided right? Not only that we know the Kpop idols lalala..but at least we know this much eh? hehehe..

Official website: https://www.warmemo.or.kr/eng/intro/message/message.jsp

How to go:

Samgakji Station, Line 4 or 6, Exit 12 - 5 minute walk

Namyeong Station, Line 1 - 10 minute walk

Check out here for the map.
Admission: FREE
Opening: 9:00 - 17:00

Myeongdong to Samgakji



8 minutes, 4 stops, 3.8km

900 won with T-Money, 1,000 won with cash

More info of War Memorial of Korea at Wikipedia

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Wolhwawon at Suwon

I wish that this park has more maple and gingko trees. The sight would

be more breathtaking.

Hanim, Mi Hyeon onni and Min Young as the tourist guide. They are the best!

Fiza with the mother statue.

Wolhwawon is a Chinese traditional garden located at Hyoseong Park at Suwon.

Wolhwawon was built by a friendship alliance between two cities, Gyeonggi-do in Korea and Gwangdungseong in China, which agreed that these two cities would build their traditional gardens in each others cities.

How to go:

From Myeongdong to Suwon: By Subway

1 hour 8 minutes, 25 stops, 41.4km

1,600 won with T-money, 1,700 won with cash

Transit at Gemjeong subway station



From Suwon to Wolhwawon : By Bus

From Suwon station: 2-1,82,83,92,92-1

From Yeongtong 2-1
From Northgate :98
Get off at Newcore outlet(Dongsuwon)

By Car
Suwon(Singal) IC- take a left toward Suwon and go straight for 4 km- take right at the intersection in front of the court- go straight for 300m until East Suwon IC- go straight toward Suji-Take high-level road and go straight for 1.5 km- take a right at the intersection of Newcore oulet

Opening hours: 9:00~18:00 throughout the year
Check out GyeongGi-Do for more information.

Pictures courtesy of Iris, Fiza, Hanim and Nyna.

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Namdaemun Market @ 남대문 시장

I love it when the air is cool and crisp.

The sky is sparkling blue.

One fine day in Seoul.

I can't really remember where the building selling this stuff located.

When I arrived there, I met the place by accident while trying to

avoid the heavy rain. Just when I turned my head to the left, I

saw the bling bling..so shiny and I was almost blinded. The building

has a few levels, I just stopped at the lowest floor where they made

the brooches right there.

According to my friends who love accessories, the design of Korean

brooches are not the same as in Malaysia. I don't know how true it is cause

I don't really do shopping much. I'm a shop-not-a-holic..hehe..

멍게 - meongge. If you like raw food aka sashimi, try this.

The inside of 멍게 - meongge and eat it with gochujang - spicy sauce.

Pretty hanbok for the little ones at home.

How to go to Namdaemun Market

If you stay in Myeongdong area, it is pretty near and walking distance to the market.

It is located near to Hoehyeon subway station. Under Namdaemun-no (the main street to the north of the market) is an extensive underground arcade - Hoehyeon Underground Shopping Arcade

Tips:

• Go to the market early in the morning like 09:00
• Bargain like crazy because the initial prices of the goods are normally much higher. For shoppers like me who hates to haggle, go straight to Lotte Mart or Home Plus if you only want to buy candies or groceries. Cheaper and no haggling needed.  

Myeongdong to Hoehyeon

2 minute, 1 station, 0.7km

900 won by T-Money, 1,000 won by cash

Hoehyeon subway station, Line 4, exit

What to shop at Namdaemun Market
You can shop for souvenirs to bring home but I suggest that you can get better choices in Insadong.

• clothes - I prefer going to Dongdaemun to shop for clothes than here.
• shoes
• fabrics
• tableware
• flowers
• vegetables
• ginseng products - I bought a few packets for friends and family. There's one good brand recommended by Min Young.
• toys
• watches
• sunglasses
• brooch (accessories)
• Hallyu souvenirs

Tourist spot by walking distance from Namdaemun Market

• Namdaemun (Great South Gate)
• Seoul Station
• Deoksu Palace
• City Hall

Video courtesy of Andyhwaiting

Check out more comprehensive details of Namdaemun Market at Asia-Planet.

Pictures courtesy of Iris, Fiza, Nyna and Hanim

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Sejong Center

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts (or Sejong Center) is the largest arts and cultural complex in Seoul, South Korea. It has an interior area of 53,202m². It is situated in the center of the capital, on Sejongno, a main road that cuts through the capital city of the Joseon Dynasty. The center took 4 years to complete, opening its doors in 1978. It was "built as a cultural center for Seoulites." It currently is home to the biggest pipe organ in Asia. (Source: Wikipedia)

 
The building is located in Gwanghamun and you can view the statue of the great King Sejong  just in front of the center. Underneath the statue, you can walk into Gwang Ha Rang, where you can view many free exhibition. The Gwang Hwa Rang is situated right underneath the Sejong-ro crossroads. It is accessible to pedestrians and art-discerning visitors. There is a window-gallery that enable by-passers on ground level to peek inside.

Check out my trip to Gwanghamun on April 2009 here and to King Sejong's tomb here.
My friends Iris, Fiza, Nyna and Hanim recently visited the great King Sejong's exhibition and check out their pictures here. You can even practise writing your own name in Hangul! ^^

The great King errr..Queen Fiza?

Nice kitty..rawrrr!! Be careful Nyna! ^^

Fiza landed into the same dreaded situation like me.

There's no letter in Hangul which sounded like 'Z' and 'F' hence

Korean pronounce our name as Pija and Jarina respectively.

I gave up to teach them on how to pronounce my name properly.

The funnier thing is, Korean pronounce pizza (the food) as pija.

Hmm...hehehe.

Uri chingu!! From left Fiza, Iris, Nyna and Hanim.

All pictures are from their courtesy.

Myeongdong to Gwanghamun

16 minutes, 5 stops, 5.1km

1,000 won with cash, 900 won with T-Money

Transit at Dongdaemun History and Culture park subway station

Take Exit 5 at Gwanghamun subway station to go to Sejong Center

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Teddy Bear Museum

Official website: http://www.teddybearmuseum.com/Etc/English.asp

Admission: 8,000 won (Museum only) , 12,000 won (Museum + N Seoul Observatory)

Operating hours: 10:00 - 22:00 (Last Admission: 21:00)

How to go:
By bus - Take the yellow bus for 500 won with T-Money. Check my post for Yellow bus to N Tower.
Once you reach the bus stop at N Tower base, you need to walk a bit up to the steep hill. If you want to avoid this, you can always ride the cable car. If not, please wear comfortables shoes like sneakers.

By cable car - From Myeongdong subway station, Exit 3, walk up to the hill behind Pacific Hotel until you reach the cable car station. Cable car return fee 7,500 won. Check my post for cable car to N Tower.
Source: KNTO

Picture courtesy: Iris, Fiza, Hanim and Nyna

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