The next attraction was Bukchon Hanok Village. This hilly village is a traditional Korean village nearby to Gyeongbokgung Palace lived by the aristocrats during Joseon Dynasty. This village has a lot of amazing traditional architectures, as it is in the middle of Seoul, you may noticed the contrast between Korean traditional and modern architecture. Check it out!
How To Go There:
You need to stop at Gyeongbokgung Palace station by using Line #3 Seoul subway & proceed to Exit #5.
Turn on Maps.me apps for further direction as this place nearby to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Bukchon Hanok Village - Silence Please!!
Bukchon Hanok Village - The Surrounding Neighborhood
Bukchon Hanok Village - The Landscape View
Unhyeon Palace - The Main Entrance
My biggest mission is to try Korean traditional dress also known as Hanbok. I would want to try to wear it at Gyeongbokgung Palace but somehow it was closed after the Royal Guard Changing ceremony. Therefore, I had switched my plan to rent it at Unhyeon Palace. The charge was around 6600₩ for two persons for an hour wearing it. The mission had been accomplished, HOORAY!!!
Unhyeon Palace - Korean Traditional Costume, Hanbok
Our next destination is Myeong-dong. We had a mission in here as well, which was street food hunting. We had tried several street foods at Myeong-dong, to name a few such as Takiyaki, Honey Candy, Banana Crepe etc. Meanwhile for dinner we have had it at Yoogane Restaurant.
Overall, the food pricing is a bit expensive compare to the other places in Seoul due to it's a hot spot location for the tourists. But if you're looking for Korean skincare/beauty products, this is the place that you MUST visit! Most of the products are selling in bulks with cheaper price to attract customers. Korean String Honey Candy is Korean traditional delicacies, also known as Kkultarae. I have the video of the Korean String Honey Candy but it' s not uploaded yet in Youtube, do check it out regularly as in my opinion the making of this delicacies is very interesting!
Myeong-dong - The Main Street
Myeong-dong - The Korean Pancake (Hotteok)
Myeong-dong - The 1st Street Food: Takiyaki
Myeong-dong - The Takiyaki
Myeong-dong - The 2nd Street Food: The Banana Crepe
Myeong-dong - The Banana Crepe
Myeong-dong - The 3rd Street Food: Green Tea Ice-Cream
Myeong-dong - The Tallest Green Tea Ice-Cream
Myeong-dong - The 4th Street Food: Korean String Honey Candy
Myeong-dong - Natural Republic Outlet
How To Go There (Yoogane Restaurant):
You need to stop / transit at Chungmuro station 1st before taking another train to Myeong-dong by using Line #4 Seoul subway & proceed to Exit #7 to the main road. You will see Migliore at your left.
Go straight until reach the junction with the largest Nature Republic outlet at your left, turn to the right.
Continue straight until reach the 1st junction at your left, turn to the left.
Just go straight until you see this restaurant at your left (the restaurant is in the middle, you might need to give your full concentration while looking for it).
Myeong-dong - Yoogane Restaurant
Yoogane Restaurant- The Side Dish
Yoogane Restaurant - The Spicy Squid Fried Rice
Travel Tips/Hints:
Due to Bukchon Hanok Village has a lot of hilly slops with small alleys for you to wander around, please pick-up a map before you wander around.
As Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the residential area, please be mindful to control your voice which may disturbing the residents.
If you missed the skincare outlet that you're interested to go, don't worry as you may see the same outlet again at other location in Myeong-dong.
The next destination was Gyeongbokgung Palace. This palace was the main royal palace during Joseon Dynasty. We had a mission here - it was watching the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony!! This is the ceremony that I've been eager to watch...
Schedule of the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony as in below detail. You may refer via this LINK1 & LINK2 as well for more details.
It was a spectacular & colorful ceremony with the sound of the biggest drum that I've ever seen beating several times & felt like the ground that you stand were shaking & going to collapse. The video clip of this ceremony is available at the end of this page as well, do check it out!!
How To Go There:
You need to stop at Gyeongbokgung Palace station by using Line #3 Seoul subway & proceed to Exit #5.
OR
Gwanghwamun station by using Line #5 Seoul subway & proceed to Exit #2.
Gyeongbokgung Palace - The Ticket Entrance
Gyeongbokgung Palace - The List of Royal Gate Guard Costume
Gyeongbokgung Palace - The Entrance
Gyeongbokgung Palace - The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony
Gyeongbokgung Palace - The Biggest Drum
Gyeongbokgung Palace - The Exquisite Roof Architecture
Gyeongbokgung Palace - The Pigeon
Gyeongbokgung Palace - The View inside the Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace - "We're Ready!" Said the Guardsmen
By afternoon we had left Gyeongbokgung Palace & went to Namdaemun Market. Somehow on the way to the market I realized that Korean strawberry for 4000₩ per pack. It's really cheaper compare to the price at Myeong-dong. After negotiating with the seller, we managed to get 7000₩ for 2 packs. Seriously, can't wait to eat it!! We had also bought 2 Halal kebabs for 8500₩ for the dinner tonight. I had bought some souvenirs to bring home as well at Namdaemun Market especially the unique Korean spoon & chopstick set....
How To Go There:
You need to stop at Hoehyeon station by using Line #4 subway & proceed to Exit #6.
Walk around 100m until you've seen a junction at your right & turn right (you will pass through the Iranian kebab Halal stall & a fruit stall at your right as in below picture).
Namdaemun Market - The Cheapest Korean Strawberry
Namdaemun Market - Halal Iranian Kebab Stall
Our next attraction was to go to N Seoul Tower. We plan to view the sunset of Seoul from the tower. The N Seoul Tower or also known as Namsan Tower or Seoul Tower is the highest point in Seoul and it is a must-see tourist destination for those hoping to get a panoramic view of Seoul. Check-out this LINK for other alternative methods to go to N Seoul Tower.
How To Go There:
You need to stop at Myeong-dong station by using Line #4 subway & proceed to Exit #3. Prefer to turn-on maps.me for the navigation as it's quite far from subway station.
N Seoul Tower - The Staircase to Namsan Cable Car
The Namsan Cable Car
N Seoul Tower - The Cable Car Ticket
The Sunset @ N Seoul Tower
Early Dinner @ N Seoul Tower
N Seoul Tower - The Sunset
N Seoul Tower - Seoul Cityscape @ Night
Travel Tips/Hints:
Ensure to take travel insurance for your own benefit including to check the coverage in detailed especially if you're joining the extreme sports.
If you're walking to the cable car of N Seoul Tower, the final route is very steep. You may opt to use a taxi from the subway station.
