Travel Guide For Enjoyable Holiday

7 Must See Bridges of Han River (Hangang)

I have not had the time to discover this yet but I will check these beautiful bridges if I go to Seoul again.

Ever wonder why the bridges (portrayed in drama or movie) in Seoul are breathtakingly beautiful? Some Korean movies or dramas frequently potray the main protagonist having a fun time or even crying under the bridges while basking on their woe or sadness. They would sometime rest near a pojang macha (make shift stall) drinking soju and eating egg rolls/banchan (korean side dishes).

There is a total of 27 bridges cross the Han River in Seoul National Capital Area (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon), South Korea. (Source: Wikipedia)

Yanghwa Bridge 양화대교

By Subway

Line 9 to Seonyudo Station, exit 3, walk 15 min
Nearby attraction: Seonyudo Park
Source: Wikipedia

Hangang Bridge 한강대교

By Subway
Line 4 to Ichon Station. Exit 4 and walk for about 12 min.

Dongjak Bridge 동작대교

By Subway

Line 4 to Dongjak Station. Exit 1 for Gureum, Exit 2 for Noeul and walk for about 3 min

Hannam Bridge 한남대교

By Subway

Take Line 3 to Sinsa Stn. Exit 4, or to Nonhyeon Stn. Exit 6,7, then take a transit bus

Jamsil Bridge 잠실대교

By Subway
Line 2 to Jamsil Stn, Exit 7 and walk for about 10 min towards Jamsil Bridge

Gwangjingyo Bridge 광진교

By Subway
Line 5 to Gwangnaru Station, Exit 2 or to Cheonho Stn. Then walk for about 15 min
Read the article about the bridge by JoongAng Daily here.

Banpo Bridge 반포대교와 잠수교

Banpo Bridge Fountain is very original of the kind. 380 nozzles equipped along the both sides of of Banpo Bridge (570m each, 1140m in total) pump up the river water which will fall from the top toward the surface of the river 20m down.

Mon - Friday : 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 20:00, 21:00

Directions
Terminal Express Bus Station, Seoul Subway line 3, Exit #8 >> 5min walk >> located across the underground path
Source: KNTO and Banpo

Dongho Bridge 동호대교

This bridge is just beside Oksu Station. Whenever a train runs through it, blue lights will light up on its side. Once the train passes, the blue lights will disappear. (Source: Chaemii)

Check out the the article by KNTO on the killer views from observatory cafe's outlooking these gorgeous bridges here and Han River water taxi here.

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KTX - Korea Bullet Train

This might sound ridiculous to you but one of the things that I wanted to try in Korea was riding KTX (Korea Bullet Train). I guess there are so many reasons why tourists want to visit Korea, right? ^^ Albeit a silly one like mine.

The history of KTX
Official Website: KTX
The Korea Train eXpress (KTX) is South Korea's high-speed rail system, which connects the capital Seoul to Busan and Mokpo. Operated by Korail, the system's technology is largely based on the French TGV/LGV system. The KTX service holds in excess of 65% of the total route market share between Seoul and Busan, and transported around 37 million passengers annually since 2006 (Source: Wikipedia)

Say hi to Taeyang, Seungri and G-Dragon (Big Bang) from Yongsan Station.

I waited until both of my friends arrived in Seoul and we decided to take the shortest route from Seoul. The three of us checked out Yongsan electronic complex first and rode the KTX Korea Bullet Train later. Shopping comes first! Hehehe..

Our coach is lucky number 6!

From Yongsan to the nearest KTX Station CheonanAsan costs about 13300 won (~MYR40) and the duration was 35 minutes. It was cheaper compared to JR Nozomi Bullet train in Japan which was around MYR75 for half an hour in 2007

This KTX is bound for Gwangju.

KTX ran at maximum speed 305km/hour when we rode the train. Overall, it was a pleasant ride, but the space between seats is not that spacious considering it as a bullet train. Some of my Korean friends consider KTX fare is quite expensive. When a bullet train passed through Cheonan Asan Station, we heard an explosive sound, almost like a bomb. Amazing!

People waiting for their train at Yongsan Station

A KTX train passed by beside us in one blink!

KTX schedule at Cheonan Asan Station.

On the way back we took another type of train called

Saemaeul from Cheonan Asan to Seoul.

It set us off at 9,100 won but the time taken was 1 hour 08 minutes!

Now I know what's the meaning of the saying - Time is money. ^^

We win some, lose some. Save some money, lose some time.

Where can you grab a bullet train in Seoul?

Seoul Station
Yongsan Station

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Baan Sukhawadee, Pattaya: Thailand

“Baan Sukhawadee is open to all with the intention to give visitors a feeling of being a joint owner, to discover the Truth of Living, and finally worship our several holy images such as the Lord Buddha at birth Image, the Goddess of Mercy, King Taksin the Great, King Chulalongkorn the Great, Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, the father of Royal Thai Navy. Every object in this house is placed to provide a balance between art and science, and with the power of affection and generosity of the owner who never gives up nor surrenders to poverty as a limitation of life’s targets. All these objects can either be a motivation or be the beginning of the inspiration that lead you to achieve your goals”.

Sukhawadee means pureness-happiness-wealthness. All the main buildings are in both pink and blue. Pink stands for love and use cupid as a symbol. The ancient used to say “Without love, you will never succeed”. We need to be able to love and be loved and be unified with the group. To be able to discuss and to solve the problems to reach the goal. Blue stands for water. Water is the beginning of many lives. It can adjust its shape with any surrounding. If we can adjust ourselves with all the changes occurring in the world, we will be able to live happily in this society.

Baan Sukhawadee was built in the year 2000 on 11 rais of land. The house is located on Sukhumvit Road and is 400 meter long and adjacent to the sea front. Now the area has been extended to cover more than 80 rais. The house is built in peaceful area surrounded with various botanical plants and great view combined with many stunning buildings and and several holy images for worship such as the Lord Buddha at birth Image, the Goddess of Mercy, King Taksin the Great, King Chulalongkorn the Great, Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, the father of Royal Thai Navy, etc.

Baan Sukhawadee was created with intelligence and teamwork that was based on the fundamentals of love and harmony. The result of this effort was the creation of works that are very valuable, dignified, and all are of equal importance. These works include several distinguished architectural buildings as follows:

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Bungeoppang (붕어빵) or Fish shaped waffle

Bungeoppang (붕어빵) is very tasty eaten during cold season like now in autumn..yummy. Hence, it is best tried right from the stove. When it is hot and steamy the taste is the best! In Japan you may call it Taiyaki. The shape is like a fish and stuffed with sweet red bean filling.

Which part of Bungeoppang (붕어빵) do you eat first, head or tail ?

If you have had one before, tell me how did you eat it? For me, I love to eat from the tail because I like to leave the best part last - sweet red bean filling or because I love to eat the crunchy part first? Maybe. ^^ Do you know that a questionnaire has been done to determine your personality based on how you eat bungeoppang (붕어빵)? I know it's ridiculous but it's true! Hahaha...

More explanation about bungeoppang (붕어빵) from Wikipedia

I had the chance to buy Bungeoppang (붕어빵) mold from G-Market last May before going back to Malaysia and only now thinking of making some for my nephew. I know I'm lazy..hahaha. The mold cost about 15,000 to 18,000 won if I'm not mistaken.