South Korea Diary 26 JAN - 3 FEB 2013
Finding snow
Finding snow
1 FEB 2013
This morning, we still at Seorak Hanwa resort with the rain. Then, we go to the bus termianl and come back to Seoul, it take around 3 hours. 3:00 PM, we go to Hongik University area and have a lunch; Tteokbokki, blood sausage and vegetable tempura.
Next, we go to trick eye museum. It is an art gallery with paintings created using techniques that give each 2D art piece the illusion of being in 3D. Instead of merely viewing paintings (as in a typical art gallery) visitors can interact with the paintings, posing themselves just right so that they look as if they are part of the original work. Outside of the main exhibition hall is a main square that is decorated like the Santorini in Greece. The admission is 13,000 KRW, but we have free coupon.
7:00 PM, we go to have a dinner at buffet Korean grill restaurant. Many items are ordered; pork, beef, duck, vegetable and ice-cream. After that, we go to dongdaemun market and come back hotel. Sleep tight.
2 FEB 2013
In the morning, I have a breakfast at the hotel. Our target is Jongmyo shrine. It is a Confucian shrine dedicated to the perpetuation of memorial services for the deceased kings and queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. According to UNESCO, the shrine is the oldest royal Confucian shrine preserved and the ritual ceremonies continue a tradition established in the 14th century. The Jongmyo Shrine was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995. Next, we go to DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). It take around 1 hour. The DMZ is a border barrier, which runs in the vicinity of the 38th parallel north. It is 250 kilometres long and approximately 4 km wide. Civilian access to the DMZ is strictly controlled. Certain areas restrict individual tourists from visiting the area on their own, making some tourist sites in the area available for sightseeing via a few DMZ tour packages offered by select travel agencies. Our tour package following; Imjingak- Dorasan Station- The 3rd Tunnel. Imjingak exhibits various relics and monuments related to the Korean War and subsequent South-North confrontations; old train, bridge of no return. Dorasan Station is the northernmost railway station situated on the Gyeongui Line. It is located 30 meters from the Southern Limit Line. Dora observatory, situated on top of Dorasan, is viewpoint that can looks across the Demilitarized Zone. The 3rd Tunnel is first discovered in 1978. The tunnel was designed for a surprise attack on the Republic of Korea by the North. The tunnel is 1.7 kilometers long, 2 meters high and 2 meters wide.
In the morning, I have a breakfast at the hotel. Our target is Jongmyo shrine. It is a Confucian shrine dedicated to the perpetuation of memorial services for the deceased kings and queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. According to UNESCO, the shrine is the oldest royal Confucian shrine preserved and the ritual ceremonies continue a tradition established in the 14th century. The Jongmyo Shrine was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995. Next, we go to DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). It take around 1 hour. The DMZ is a border barrier, which runs in the vicinity of the 38th parallel north. It is 250 kilometres long and approximately 4 km wide. Civilian access to the DMZ is strictly controlled. Certain areas restrict individual tourists from visiting the area on their own, making some tourist sites in the area available for sightseeing via a few DMZ tour packages offered by select travel agencies. Our tour package following; Imjingak- Dorasan Station- The 3rd Tunnel. Imjingak exhibits various relics and monuments related to the Korean War and subsequent South-North confrontations; old train, bridge of no return. Dorasan Station is the northernmost railway station situated on the Gyeongui Line. It is located 30 meters from the Southern Limit Line. Dora observatory, situated on top of Dorasan, is viewpoint that can looks across the Demilitarized Zone. The 3rd Tunnel is first discovered in 1978. The tunnel was designed for a surprise attack on the Republic of Korea by the North. The tunnel is 1.7 kilometers long, 2 meters high and 2 meters wide.
Our lunch is Jangeogui (grilled eel). After that, we come back to Seoul. We go to Lotte world theme park. It consists of the world's largest indoor theme park which is open all year around, and an outdoor amusement park called "Magic Island". 8:00 PM, we come back hotel and can see Changdeokgung palace, located oppposite our hotel, in the night during walking. Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbukgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon Dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. Instant noodle is my dinner. Sleep tight.
3 FEB 2013
I have a breakfast at hotel. Our target today is Tapgol park. It located on the former site of Weongaksa Temple from the Joseon Era, is the first modern park to be built in Seoul. Weongaksa Temple was known as Heungboksa Temple during the Goryeo Dynasty, The park contains several national treasures, including Wongaksaji Sipcheungseoktap and Weongaksabi, and Palgakjeong, where the Independence Proclamation was read; the independence movement relief plate; and the statue of Son Byeong-hee. The park is of great historical value and national spirit. Next, we go to Seodaemun Prison History Hall, a special museum located at Seodaemun Independence Park. It was built near the end of the Joseon Dynasty, and was where Japanese soldiers tortured then later executed Korean followers of the Independence. There you'll find seven jail cells, a historical exhibition hall, an execution room, watchtowers and a basement jail cell. Lotte store is the place for our shopping. I buy foods such as strawberry, seaweed, instant noodle and some snack.
Our lunch is at Tosokchon, a Korean restaurant known for its signature samgyetang; 15,000 KRW,(chicken ginseng soup) made with glutinous rice, gingko nuts, ginseng, garlic and jujube, as well as 30 different types of medicinal herbs and grains. The restaurant, located near Gyeongbokgung Station. After that, we take Metro and bring our luggage. During waiting for a bus, my dream come true; SNOW is falling. Finally, I can find falling SNOW. ^^ Then, we take a bus go to Inchoen, it take arond 1 hour. 5:00 PM, we are at the airport and 7:05 PM is our boarding time. Korean air, KE653, is our flight to Thailand. This trip is complete...
I would like to thank all my travelers and local guides for your kindness.