Korea Trip Itinerary

Welcome back again!!!!!!

Internet time after 2 weeks offshore. But this time I want to share my own itinerary for the unsuccesful trip. I supposed to go South Korea last month. But it ruined because of my job schedule. This is one of example for offshore guy like me (oppsss girl)need to sacrifies. Now my 2012 autumn trip will be extend to 2013 spring. Pity to me...

Anyone to share, recommend or suggest good itinerary can please discuss in the comment.


15/10
-arrive incheon airport at 430pm
-check in at Myeongdong Hostel (22000 won/person)
option 1 : by airport limosine bus
​take airport bus at 5B and 12A bus stop bound for Ibis Ambassador Myeongdong
​(10000 won/way)
​Get off at Ibis Ambassador Myeong Dong. In front of HanaBank
​Walk forward to Eujiro Subway station and crossing the intersection then you will see a ​Seoul Backpackers signboard.

​Option 2 : by KAL limosine bus
​take KAL limosine bus 4B and 11A bound for lottehotel Seoul (14000 won/way)
​get off at Lotte Hotel Seoul
​Walk forward to Eujiro subway station and crossing the intersection tehn you will see a ​Seoul Backpackers signboard

​Option 3 : By AREX Train to Seoul Station (Airport Express train, 13300 won)
​From Seoul Station transfer to subway line 1(dark blue line). Get off at City Hall and ​transfer to line 2 (green line). Get off at Eujiro 1 (il)-ga. Find exit 2.
​Turn left immediately at the first corner.
​Walk about 50m and you will see a black building on your left side.

-Dinner at Sindang Dong Tteokbokki Alley
​How to get there :
​Take subway line 2 and get off at Sindang subway station. Follow exit 8.
-Shortly after the exit, turn left just before the fire station; go straight (100-200 metres) and you’ll see the square-arch which is the entrance to the street with many options. Mabongnim Halmeoni Tteokbokki Restaurant since 1953 is the left corner shop beside the arch.
-address : Sindang-dong Jung-gu Seoul, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
-back to hostel and sleep.

16/10
-From Seoulbackpackers Myeongdong to Gimpo airport.
​How to go to Gimpo Airport by subway.
​From Eujiro 1 (il)-ga (line2-green) subway station and get off at Yeongdeung po-gu office ​station.
-transfer to line 5 (purple) and get off at Gimpo Airport
-Check in hostel at Yeha Guest House City Hall at Jeju Island (22000won/person/night). Stay for 2 night. Check out : 18/10/12
- Add : 278, Seogwang-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province 690-844, South Korea

option 1: By Bus
​Take bus no 100 in front of Gate No.2 at the 1st floor of Jeju Airport.
​Get off at Tamra Welfare Center which is before Gwangyang intersection bus stop.
​Find building that has Jetong Clinic at 1st floor. Yeha at 8th floor.
​
Option 2 : By taxi (4500 won)-just show the taxi driver
- Direction in Korea : 제주시청쪽 광양사거리 근처에 CGV건물 옆에(서쪽방향) 있는 건물로써 1층에 제통의원이 있는 8층짜리 건물의 6층으로 오시면 됩니다. 전화:064-756-5506
-Direction in English : Please find 8-Storey building has the “Jetong Clinic (제통의원)” at the 1st floor, which is located next to CGV Theatre near Gwangyang Intersection in Jeju City Hall area. YEHA Guesthouse City Hall is at the 6th floor of this building. *Telephone No. : +82.64.756.5506

For jeju trip I suggest go there by flight. Find budget airline to Jeju with cheaper price.

Jeju tour for this depend on flight schedule. If get early flight, so you can round nearby place close to the hostel.

17/10
-Jeju island tour (Rent Scooter)
-attraction place :
1. Seongsan Ilchubong Peak
The sunrise seen from the peak is considered one of the most fascinating scenic views in Jeju.

Admission Fees
Age 24-64: 2,000 won / Age 7-23: 1,000 won / 65 and over, 6 and under: Free

Getting there:
By Bus
From Jeju-si:
Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal -Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (1 hour 30 min ride/ 20 min interval)

2. Manjanggul Cave
Manjanggul Cave is the longest lava tube in the world.

Admission Fees
Adults – 2,000 won / Youth - 1,000 won / Children – 1,000 won

Free – Senior citizens, disabled visitors

Getting there
Bus
From Jeju-si:
Jeju Bus Terminal, take the Donghoe Line Intercity Bus to get off at the parking lot near Manjanggul Cave Entrance. (Takes approximately 30 minutes.) At the parking lot, take a town bus bound for Manjanggul or a taxi.

3. Hallasan Mountain
Situated in the heart of Jeju Island, Mount Hallasan (1,950 meters) is the highest mountain in Korea and a dormant basalt volcano.

Admission Fees
Adults: 1,600 won / Youths: 600 won / Children: 300 won

Getting there;
Bus
From Jeju-Si:
From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Seongpanak (first bus 6:00 / last bus 21:30 / 10 min interval / 35 min ride / 1,700 won). Get off at the entrance Seongpanak.
-Dinner and Rest

(Check again the jeju attraction location and make your route easily).

18/10
-Fly to Busan before 12pm
-Half day tour at Busan city
option 1 : By KTX
5pm travel to Gyeongju by KTX train (appx 40 minutes)
option 2 : By Bus
Take bus at Nopodong bus terminal in Busan (4000 won, 1 hour journey)
-Get off at Gyeongju bus terminal
Check in at Nahbi Guest House (17000won/person)
Address : Seonggundong 340-22 4F, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbukdo, South Korea
​주소 : 경상북도 경주시 성건동 340-22번지 4층
​Phone : 82-70-8719-9500 / 전화번호: 070-8719-9500
​Mobile Phone : 82-10-9700-3047 / 핸드폰: 010-9700-3047
​How to get there from Gyeongju Bus Terminal :
​Go out from bus terminal and turn left.
​Go straight towards intersection
​There is NH Mart Supermarket at the corner. Turn left at the intersection
​Go straight towards Jung Ang Market.
​Before Jung Ang Market, There are soup restaurant and pharmacy in the 1st floor. Nahbi on ​the 4th floor.

19/10
-visit bulguksa temple by bus no 11 or 10 from Gyeongju Bus Terminal ( 1500 won)
- visit Tumuli Park and Anapji Pond by bus no 11 from gyeongju Bus Terminal.
-Check in at Nahbi Guest House. (17000/person)
-Rest

20/10
- Gyeongju to Andong by bus (KRW 12000), appx 2 hours
-Bus Schedule : 8:30 08:45 11:40 12:10 13:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 but check for any recent change.
-Leave luggage in the locker at the bus station.
-From Andong Terminal, take bus 46 to Hahoe Village.
* Bus 46 Info: 06:20, 08:40, 10:30, 11:25, 14:05, 14:40, 16:00, 18:10/ 40min-ride
- Catch Evening bus to Seoul at Andong Terminal Bus
-From Andong To Seoul:
final destination: Seoul Express bus terminal
around every 1hour from 5:45AM to 20:10, 15,700Won, 3hours.
​final destination: Dong-Seoul inter-city bus terminal
​every 30-min from 05:30~20:40, 15,700Won. 3Hours.
-Check in at Happy Garden Guest Hostel (17000 won/person)

21/10
-Early morning to Nami Island
option 1 : by Shuttle Bus at Tapgol Park (first bus 930am, 23000 won)
option 2 : by bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (1st bus 615am, 1 hour 20 minute)
Option 3 : By Subway
Line 1 (blue) Seoul Station. Get off at Hoegi station
Transit to Sangbong Station (Jungang Line). Take Gyeongchun Line and get off at Gapyeong station.
-From Gapyeong station take taxi/bus or walk to Nami Island.
-Round trip ferry+Nami Island admission fee is 8000 won for foreigners.
- Nami Island to Sokcho :
Take taxi or bus to Gapyeong bus terminal (taxi fare around 5000 won)
option 1 :From Gapyeong bus terminal take bus to Chuncheon (25 minutes, 2500 won)
Option 2 :From Gapyeong subway station then get off at Chuncheon station. Go to Chuncheon bus station.
-From Chuncheon bus terminal take non stop bus to Sokcho (2hours, 12000 won)
Schedule : 07:30 09:00 10:30 12:00 13:30 14:50 16:00 17 :20 18:30 20:00
- Check in at Sokcho Guest House (not book yet)

22/10
- From Sokcho intercity bus station, take bus no 7 or 7-1 (30 minutes)
-visit mt sorak national park
-Back to seoul. Take bus from sokcho Express bus terminal to Seoul Express bus terminal (25000won, 3 hours)
-Check in Happy Garden Guest House (17000 won/person)
-Walk to cheong gye cheon stream at night

23/10
- stay in Happy garden guest house (17000 won/person)
- visit Deoksokgung Palace (changing army on tuesday only) or Gyeongbokgung palace (also have changing army ceromny).
-Visit blue house
- visit Namsan Towel
-Naksan Fortress
-Coffee Prince shop
How to go there :
​At Gyeongbokgung subway (Line 3), Exit 3. Walk staright towards the local bus stop about
​100m. Bus no 7022 or 1020 (Green bus only). Stop at Buam-Dong community center. Then ​walk up to the hill.
-Shopping at Namdaemon Market and Myeongdong
- Survonier at Insadong market (optional). This is the place for surviner.
-Rest

24/10
- Namsangul Village (optional)
- Heading to Incheon.
- Check in Incheon Hostel ( I prefer hostel around Incheon because close to the airport)
- visit Si-do Full House location
How to get there :
option 1 : by bus
Take bus no 223 at gate no.5 on 3rd floor at Incheon Airport
Get off at KT telecom. Take another bus no.710 and get off at Samok ferry.
Option 2: by taxi
Airport to samok ferry (20000 won)
-Take ferry to Shin do island (ferry will go to this siland)
-Take local bus in front of Ferry terminal to Si do island (Si do island is Full house location)
-12 minutes from Shin do to si do island.
-Full House Entrance fee 5000 won
-Last ferry from Shin do island is 600pm.
-So better finish the trip before 600pm.

25/10
-check out and go to Incheon airport at 7am
-Fly back to Malaysia at 930am.

Cheers!!!!!






​

Korea Trip

I went to Korea last February (24Feb-1March 2011) with my cousin's group by Air Asia X. They are from MMU University and just finished their study last January. This trip like celebration to them. I have been waiting so long to go Korea since all my friend have their commitment. So, I just grab this opportunity and join this group. At first, only 10 of us will travel to Korea (1 of us schooling and knew korean language). But, when the time comes I heard 6 more person will join my group. This 6 person consider kakak and aunty (1 of the kakak is our group member's closed friend. She stayed in Korea for 4 years and work at Malaysia Embassy). We are lucky coz have 2 person can speak korean laguage. I think it's better since this is our first time to Korea. Our journey took around 7 hours from Kuala Lumpur-Incheon, Seoul. For your information, i didn't took part about korea coz the kakak already book all our accomodation and transportation from Incheon Airport to Seoul City. I just payed the amount.

LCCT Airport

An nyung Haseyo Hwang Tae Hyung @Jun Geung Suk

Incheon Airport

When we reached outside the airport building, wow it super cold. Even that time is end of winter (temperature between -4°C-2°C). Everybody start wearing winter coat. From Incheon airport we took a bus to Seoul City. It took around 1 and half hour to reach our destination. We stopped at Angguk Station Exit 5 since our hostel is around that area. We just follow the hostel direction given from the map.

Subway-Anguk Station

We stayed at Seoul Hostel. I'm not too fussy for accommodation because I'm always looking for budget hotel during traveling. Bed just for sleep for less than 5-6 hours. Of course we will went out the whole day to explore new places. For extra information, the hostel owner is Muslim (he just converted for a years maybe..im not sure that).You guys can check the hostel rate in www.seoulhostel.net

Our small room with attach toilet

Clean toilet

Time to rest everyone. We need to keep our energy for tomorrow activities. All of us excited to start our amazing race in Seoul. Haha :)


This is the first thing to buy. It's like our Touch & Go card. The purpose of this card is for all transportation in Seoul City. No need to line up to buy the subway ticket (also for bus and taxi). If I'm not mistaken this card cost 2500 won and you should refill your card too.

T-Money

Sight Seeing In Seoul 

Nami Island

We went to Nami Island as our first activity. Nami Island is outside from Seoul City. This is the place where Kang Jung Sang and  cycling in Winter Sonata korean drama series I think we took around 2 hours to reach Gapyeong subway station. From subway station took a taxi to ferry port. Taxi fare around 4000 won while ferry fare is 8000 won.

Ferry to Nami Island

Welcome to Nami Island

Nami Island Signboard

Sarang hae

Winter Sonata Memorial

 Bye Bye Nami Island. We meet again next year in autumn season...MMmmuahhhh!!!!!

 For other activities we buy a package from our hostel. The main package is one day skiing (from morning until evening). The tour guide will pick up us at Seoul Hostel. On the day, we persuade the tour guide to include Gyeongbokgung (Gyeongbuk Palace) and Namisan Tower (Seoul Tower). We rearrange the schedule. Skiing until afternoon. Then bring us to Gyeongbokgung and last destination is Seoul Tower. From Seoul Tower we go back ourself. This is better coz since we have transport. Easy like ABC. No headache.

Skiing at Skijang

Everybody getting excited to ski on the ice. But I'm a little bit disappointed. Missed communication with the tour guide. Actually we want the real ski but when at Skijang they give us something else. I don't know what to call this thing. Look like kids game. She told us if skii we need to pay extra. Since we cut off the time, just proceed with kids game.

Kids Game

Happy Smile

 Gyeongbokgung

We are lucky. When we arrived at this palace, they have exchange army (panglima) ceremony. They will change twice per day for the morning shift and evening shift. Is it the best word to describe? Haha:)

Gyeongbokgung Exit Gate

Seoul Tower
This is our last sight seeing trip. We arrived late evening. I'm satisfied we can cover our sight seeing list (based on our itinerary). One of us excited to go here coz this is one of scene place in Boys Over Flower series.  Most similar to KL Tower. The main purpose is to see Seoul view from the tower. Need to pay 7000 won for the entrance. Everybody look tired and we decided to walk around outside the tower.

At Namisan Tower

Seoul View

Then I saw so many pad lock (they called love pad lock) along the fence and also hanging on Xmas tree. The love padlock is symbolize of love. Something you lock your love. They believed on that?? OMG!!!!

Love Padlock

End of sight seeing story. Scene in korean drama gave a big impact to tourist to visit the location. Everybody want to go to the drama places. Hahaha :)

Place to Shop
Hoyeayyy!!!! Time to shop. But it not much influence me to shop. I'm not a shopaholic person. I just find some souvenir to my family and close friend. But i have a budget for clothing in my list.

Namdaemun
 This is one of famous shopping place for among tourist. Once I reached there, just one word from my mouth....Huargggghhh!!!! their fashion very trendy and super cool even they sold winter cloth (end of winter season). I bought 2 pants, 2 sweater and 2 trendy blouse (it's trendy tshirt actually..hehe). Enough for me.

Namdaemun Gate 5

Namdaemun Market

Now, let's find souvenir. First we went to one of the building between the long cloth shops. Inside this building they sold a lot of women accessories. Earrings, necklace, bangles, brooch ant others. Most of malaysian tourist will came here to buy brooch. Some of the seller can speak simple Malay language especially on numbering.

Korea Brooch

This building is attach with souvenir building. A lot of korea souvenir can find here. I bought fridge magnet, korea chopstick and key chain. A special Hanbok in frame bought for my own souvenir.

Souvenir Shop

Dongdaemun
I have nothing to buy here. We went here for handbags shopping purpose only. Requested by working person. Hahaha :). There are a lot of handbag's shop inside the building.

Handbag shop

Gwanjang Market

This place is famous with the textile and fabric. Some of us bought korean silk at one of the shop here. Our group leader is this shop regular customer during her staying in Korea. The owner very soft spoken and polite (for sure coz we bought his silk). I don't know the silk price is cheaper than Malaysia. I never bought and wear silk actually. I have zero knowledge about silk price. Hahaha..

Korea silk store

Myeongdong
Myeongdong is the most popular place for branded shop. This place also known as fashion street coz it have Zara, Uniqlo, MNG, and other brand. Here also have a lot of beauty shop like Faceshop, Nature Skin, Etude House, Missha and other korea product beauty. I like this beauty shop marketing strategy. Almost of the beauty shop will put korean artist picture banner outside their shop. Before going inside, the salesgirl already give special gift (their product of course) to customer. But I'm really jealous with korean girl (in beauty shop). They have smooth and flawless skin like korean artist.

At Myeongdong

Itaewon
We just stopped to find Muslim Restaurant. Some of us can't eat korean food. It depend our taste. I have no problem coz I really love korean food. This place is popular amongst foreigners. One of the main reason is the variety restaurant. This is the right place for foreigners to find their own country food (Indian, Middle East, American and Italian food). I'm so surprised coz have one mosque in Itaewon.

Mosque at Itaewon

We had try two Muslim restaurant in Itaewon, Usmaniah and Wazwan ( if i'm not mistaken). I also try turkish kebab from MR Kebab. Usmaniah is exclusive and a little bit expensive while Wazwan is consider cheap restaurant. One of Wazwan's waiter can speak Malay coz he worked at Masjid India, KL before.

Usmaniah Restaurant

Wazwan Restaurant

Underground Market
Most of underground market located at subway station. You can find a lot of things here. We went to one of underground market in Seoul ( I forgot the location). This is our last shopping before travel back to Malaysia.

Korean Food That I Try :

Nami Island
We called Nasi Kocak. I forgot the korea name for this rice. The main ingredient are plain rice and egg.

Nasi Kocak

At Seoul Hostel, Jongno-gu
We order from our hostel. This small restaurant have delivery service. So wonderful.

Nakci aka Octopus

Sondobu set with rice

Nakci, and macarel

Jelly fish, and i forgot the others

Shindang Rapoki
This ramyeon restaurant was recommended by our leader. Located at Shindang Rapoki. We went there by taxi. Lucky we have the address. Just showed the address to taxi driver. She always came here last time. No worries coz this is vegetarian restaurant. I don't know how to pronoun this restaurant name (written in Korean character). I think I still keep this restaurant business card. Maybe can go for the next trip. Hopefully!!!!

Ramyeon Restaurant

Ramyeon ingredient

Ready to boil

Ramyeon after cook

Gwanjang Market
Most of korean street food can get inside Gwanjang Market. We try to eat Homultang. The main ingredient are fish, fish egg, some vege and of course chili paste.

Homultang ingredient

Ready to cook

Skijang Food Court
We eat here after finish skiing. A lot of variety. We plan to order different menu. We order either seafood or vegetarian. I always avoid meat.

Tteokbokki aka rice cake

Chijeu (Cheese) Ramyeon - Highly recommended

Haemul Ramyeon

Bye Bye Seoul
End of Seoul story. The good thing about Seoul is I'm proud of their media tv entertainment. Everybody can see the beautiful Seoul scenery and popular attraction places in their drama series and movies. Every drama series especially gave a big impact to their fanatic fans. All the actor and actress look handsome and beautiful with flawless skin. That's why everybody excited to visit Korea. Thumbs up to Korea media entertainment for the big contribute in Korea Tourism. But the bad things is most of them can't speak English. We need to prepared with korea simple word. For korea drama fans, they should know a little bit korean language (for sure) hahaha...Even my cousin she can understand some korean word. Be prepared!!!!Hahaha :)

C U AGAIN KOREA IN AUTUMN SEASON 2012