Seoul, Pt. 1

Our weekend in Seoul was so packed full that we have to divide up the trip into a couple different posts. Here is a quick video summary of the first day and a half ☺

Day 1

Our trip to Seoul began by taking a bus to Osong station, about 20 minutes from our apartment in Cheonju. Osong station is really cool station with only KTX line trains. The KTX is a high-speed train line and while it is the fastest way to Seoul at just under one hour, it is also the most expensive way. Fortunately for us, tickets at Osong station are a little cheaper (reserved seats are W 18,000) than they are from Daejeon station (~W 25,000) so we end up saving a little there. Buses to Seoul go for less than W 10,000 and take 2-3 hours depending on traffic. Regular trains out of Jochiwon or Daejeon stations will cost around W 10,000 as well, and take around two/two and a half hours from the time we leave our apartment.

We figured because it was our first time going to Seoul, and our first chance to take high-speed rail, we definitely had to try it out.

The station platform

Trains were flying by us as we waited for ours

Taking the KTX definitely paid off. The 50-minute train ride flew by, and it was fun to watch the countryside go by us at 300 km/hr ☺ It was really easy to navigate the station and there were even coffee shops and places to relax while you wait for your train to arrive.

Just outside of Seoul Station

Our weather for the weekend was just perfect. It was definitely cold at night, but during the days it was beautiful and sunny.

When we left Seoul station we decided that we would just wander around. There are maps all over the city, with signs both in Korean and English. I would give the city a 10/10 in terms of being foreigner-friendly for exploring.

We first stumbled upon this sky-walkway/botanical garden walking path. It was actually kind of random but cool to see.

Each tree and plant had a sign

We found a map along the walkway that pointed us in the direction of a place we'd been wanting to check out-- Namdaemun market, the "oldest and largest market" in Korea. Full of traditional goods, clothing, and street food.

Namdaemun Market full of people and stuff!

Next to Namdaemun market: the Great South Gate, the main Southern gate for the city

This gate was our first glimpse at the traditional, historic buildings still standing in the city. We were really excited to see this ☺ I love the juxtaposition of this gate with the backdrop of modern Korea. It's just so strange and funny.

We found a few more maps and realized that we were within walking distance to our hotel, so we headed in that direction next. We used Expedia/Hotels.com/etc to find our hotel. Even booking two days before our arrival we were able to find a standard, king hotel room in a great location, right off the main road and by City Hall. The room had all the amenities of an American hotel room: standard sized towels, blow dryer, TV, western style bathroom, etc.

Hotel Aropa

After dropping off our bag in the room, we continued on with our exploration of the city. Upon reaching the main road we walked towards City Hall and noticed a sort of march/protest going on. Out of curiosity we began to follow it, and it became clear that we were heading down the road towards one of five of the great palaces still standing in Seoul, Gyeongbokgung.

We believe the protest had to do with workers rights and compensation

Beautiful mountains

Gyeongbok Palace

It was absolutely beautiful, so crowded with people, it just felt so special to be there. It was free to walk into the first gate and there was an area where you could buy tickets to enter the second gate and explore the palace. Unfortunately we got there around the time when it was last call for visitors, so we were unable to go inside.

♥

We will be back to explore this palace soon!

We continued walking around, looking for a place for dinner

No, we didn't go to Taco Bell, although I was fascinated that one existed here

It was starting to get dark, and with darkness came bitter coldness, so we hopped on the famous Seoul Subway to head to a shopping district known as Dongdaemun or DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza).

Large shopping malls line the DDP

Art museum and farmers market

Stages were set up outside of each shopping building

These girls were performing dance covers of popular Kpop songs

Here it was "Excuse Me" by Bestie, an old favorite of mine ☺

The next day we decided to visit another palace, Deoksu palace. We learned that nearly all of the palaces in Seoul had been either completely or partially destroyed either once or many times throughout history due to Japanese colonization, etc. So it made us wonder which parts were older, which parts had been restored... you can read more about the history of the palaces online, we were just more or less fascinated by how beautiful everything was ☺