Bits & Pieces - The World & Me: Seoul Autumn Love 2011

31st October 2011

청계천 Cheonggyecheon Stream (清溪川)

Cheonggyecheon Stream used to exist merely as an overpass neglected in 1970 until it was restored in 2005, becoming a haven of natural beauty amidst the bustle of city life.

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Map information of the full stream

Narae Bridge, expressing a butterfly in flight, and Gwanggyo Bridge, symbolizing the harmony of the past and future, are just two of the more than twenty beautiful bridges featured along the path of the stream. The ‘Rhythmic Wall Stream’, lined with fine marble, various sculptures, and Korea’s 8th stone building, Palseokdam, adorn the Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Gwanggyo Bridge

More photos of stream

Cheonggyecheon Stream offers many beautiful sights to see and enjoy:
- The grand fountain, located in Cheonggye Plaza
- Dapgyonori on the Gwangtong Bridge - a ritual of crossing the bridge on the first full moon of the new year to ensure that for one year, the one who crosses will not have any leg ailments.
- A ceramic mural of a king making a grand voyage to Hwaseong, Jeongjobanchando
- A colorful cloth wall made of fabrics from Dongdaemun’s fashion district
- A cultural wall painting by 5 local artists
- A reproduction of an area where folk woman used to do their laundry
- A wishing wall, where more than 20,000 people have written their deepest desires
- A tunnel fountain
- Jonchigyogak, an angle of intersection left behind when the Cheonggye overpass was removed
- The aquatic life dwelling among the willows

The beginning of the stream - this is where it all begins....!!!

Self portrait again!

Laser Light Show Time

Furthermore, the Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, the Sejong Center, Insa-dong Street, the Changdeokgung Palace, and the Changgyeonggung Palace all lie adjacent to the Cheonggyecheon Stream, allowing visitors to easily visit the tourism sites after a leisurely stroll along the stream.

Korean Tourism Organisation (KTO)

We visited KTO to ask some questions and guess what?? They had setup a booth for FREE Hanbok experience. As this is one of the MUST DO things in Korea, we registered. However, wearing it over my top was a mistake as it makes me looks so…….. BIG!!! In future, please please please do not wear anything under your hanbok. A lesson learned.

KTO

Can you see how big I look???

Mummy is cute

Yyeoppo

Say "KIMCHI"..... hello Aunty, where are you looking???

Other than the Hanbok experience booth, there is a medical corner, Korean Wave (Hallyu) & merchandise corner, Learn to cook Korean dishes & Korean food tasting corner and free international phone (max. of 3 minutes usage) & internet service.

We will definitely find time to learn Korean dishes during our next visit.

Mummy with 权相宇 and 宋臣宪

2NE1

Buying T-Money

We got T-money as it gives a 10% discount on all local buses and subway fares. However, 1 thing you need to know is ……. the souvenir card of KRW3000 does not include any cash value. You need to top up cash again after purchasing the card so eventually it easily cost up to KRW10,000.

The machine to purchase T-money

To understand more on T-Money, please visit http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TR/TR_EN_5_4.jsp

경복 궁 Gyeongbokgung Station (景福宮)

Lunch at토속촌삼제탕To Sok Chon Sam Je Tang (土俗村蔘雞湯). A Ginseng Chicken soup restaurant that almost all travel guide books or travelers’ blog will mention. We do not want to miss out on this highly recommended restaurant and so here we are.

The entrance

The signboard

Waiting for our table

Famous korean side dishes - Kimchi and Radish

Super crunchy Kimchi and Kimchi Radish as appetizers. Ask the waitress to refill if you want more. Don’t be shy!!! (# ^ . ^ #)

Here comes my 삼제탕

Seafood Pancake

Present this to the cashier and make your payment.

Directions

Exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung Subway Station, it takes approximately 120m or 5 minutes walk. If you still cannot find it, ask for direction and most people know about it.

**Personal tots :

I think it’s a little bit too much for 1 person to finish that whole bowl of chicken soup. It will be nice if we can share. Talking about this, we never ask them about sharing though. Therefore whoever had this sharing experience, please let me know so we don’t have to stuff ourselves the next time. Thank you!

Walk to광화문 Gwanghwamun (光化門) near the main gate of Gyeongbokgung

After our very full lunch, we make our way to Insadong and unintentionally passed by Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun. We also enjoyed the beautiful autumn scenery along the way.

Entrance (Day)

Entrance (Night)

Autumn Endless Love

We missed the changing of guards’ ceremony. (T _ T)

Continue our walk to인사동Insadong (仁寺洞)

Insa-dong (인사동), located in the middle of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. It is basically a very long street that has many mini alleys connected to it. There are dozens of shops selling traditional and cultural items such as artwork, art supplies, antiques, and handmade goodies. There are also plenty of traditional restaurants, traditional teahouses, and cafes.

The meeting point in Insa-dong. It’s a paintbrush symbolizing that this is an art street (I think).

별다방미스리 (Byeoldabangmiseuri) - The restaurant where MBC “We got married” Sweet Potato couple met for lunch. I think it’s famous now and you can’t miss the promo banner. Those who watched “We got married” series should know about this. *Wink*

Sweet Potato Couple ahhh............ but I love Adam Couple more. Wahaha!

The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect compliment to the galleries.

Traditional Tea House with lovey dovey

More tea house

Restaurants

Art Gallery

쌈지길 (Ssamzigil)

A new shopping mall built in the middle of Insa-dong. There are plenty of handicraft shops from accessories to clothes. I like this place and the interesting thing is …… the walls are full of handwritten notes which tourists or visitors left behind.

Ssamzigil

Entrance with information

The shopping mall

Entrance to cafe???

Message left by people who visited Ssamzigil

Ok.... you don't have to tell people you very tall

Beautiful accessories shop

Oh…… I almost forget. All the shops and restaurants in Insa-dong use Hangul to write their shop name. Do you know how to write “Starbucks” in Hangul??? 걱정하지마 (Don’t worry)!!! You can learn it right on the streets of Insa-dong.

The Face Shop

Starbucks

Tony Moly

Additional Information

Every Sunday from 10:00 – 22:00, the streets are closed to traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and others set up shop (Korean candy merchants and fortune tellers.) There are traditional performances and exhibits as well.

명동Myeongdong (明洞)

The street of Myeongdong is always so busy and crowded. It is a combination of fashion and business district in one area. We walked back to Myeongdong from Insa-dong for our delicious dinner.

명동교자 Myeongdong Gyoja (明洞饺子)

Another restaurant recommended by our guidebook. It basically serves only 4 dishes – 3 types of noodles and Korean meat dumpling at a flat rate of KRW8000. They make the spiciest kimchi I ever had. If you like to experience “FIRE” coming out of your sausage lips, go ahead and try it at your own risk.