Visit Korea Special VIP Tour [Day 4-2]

Without further ado, 5 of us rushed out from IFC Mall to KBS as we only had about an hour to gather again for lunch and leaving Yeouido to Incheon airport.

 

 Yeouido Park (여의도공원).

From the above map, Yeouido Park is connected to Hangang Park. You just need to turn right and walk all the way to exit 9. Actually I've been here not once but twice...

 Yeouido Hangang Park (여의도 한강공원).

 Manually stitched these 5 photos to make create panoramic view.

 First visit in Jun 2012, we missed the ferry by few minutes

as we couldn't located the ticket counter. ㅠㅠ

 We decided to skip it as thhe next departure time was quite late.

It's tiring after came back from Jarasum Island in Gapyeong (near Nami Island), and shopping for the whole afternoon at Dongdaemun and Itaewon.

We got so many flyers from food delivery service 

(음식배달) from Pizza, Fried Chicken and
Chinese Food while we're strolling.

However, we couldn't order it although we asked that person to order for us, but seemed that it's hard as we didn't have local mobile number. At the end, we just grab burgers from Loteria and munching it facing Han river. There were a lot of family, friends spending their time in the evening and also lovey dovey couples dating there too.

 Second visit was on 9 Sep 2013...

On board Hangang River Ferry to celebrate my birthday.

(Click the above link to reserve ticket at discounted price)~^^

Totally mesmerized by beautiful riverside scenery while cruising from Yeouido Hangang Park. It's so dreamy to see dramatic Rainbow Fountain at Banpo Bridge, unobstructed night skyline view of N Seoul Tower, 63 City Building and skyscrapers from far.

 

 Let me think... have I ever walked in the park in Seoul?

I think never... For Hangang Park, I strolled along the riverside not inside the park. We went there in the evening and couldn't see the park, so it's not counted.

 

Cultural Event Plaza is commodious open space in which

all citizens can participate if there is cultural events and performances.

IFC buildings and office towers.

The above photo taken from Cultural Event Plaza or you can check this video to see the surrounding of the square with 50m flag pole and basketball courts (0:20 & 0:58).

 Besides functioning as sports area for jogging, cycling,  in-line skating,
this park also providing areas for relaxation.

Do you know that Yeouido is a popular place during spring? 

It's because Annual cherry blossom festival is held here and you won't get wrong if you want to see cherry blossom.

I also wish to stroll under canopy of around 1500 cherry trees,
but it's late autumn and all that I can see is...

contrast colors of National Assembly, autumn foliage and blue sky.

Yeouido Park is located in between IFC and National Assembly. You just need to cut cross the Cultural Event Plaza and go to exit 6. But, we're only use this exit to take some photos before going to KBS (Korean Broadcasting System).

To be continued... stay tuned~!^^

This trip is made possible by VisitKorea organised by Korea  Tourism Organization. 

   

Visit Korea Special VIP Tour [Day 4-1]

Felt like just yesterday we arrived in Incheon airport, but time did fly fast especially when you're having so much fun during our VIP Invitation Tour.

 Simple breakfast at the hotel before leaving Seoul.

 

Still had time posing before leaving leaving the room ;P

Souvenirs and gifts from KTO, other VIP members 

and my Korean friend.

I only bought bottled Taiwan milk tea and snacks, but look at these partial of additional items that I received. Luckily I brought another spare bag, but I still had hard time to squeeze them in although I vacuumed all the jackets the same way when I brought them. I repacked everything and put those bulky but not heavy items like snacks inside the green bag. I think all the members also stayed up late to pack the luggage.

 

 Waiting for the bus to take us to IFC Mall.

Wefie with Shuki as some of the VIP members from Japan 

already left Seoul because of early flight.

 International Finance Centre Seoul(서울국제금융센터)

or known as IFC Seoul (아이 에프 시 서울).

IFC Mall is a upscale shopping center located in the center of Yeouido.

 

    

 IFC opened in Aug 2012 which can be considered as 

Seoul’s newest shopping mall. 

 

 

 IFC also have 3 Office Towers:

32-story One IFC, 29-story Two IFC and 55-story Three IFC.

Somehow quite similar to Suntec City in Singapore because they both have shopping mall and offices towers especially if you considered connected 38-story luxurious five-star Conrad Seoul Hotel as part of IFC.

 

As you can see from the photos, this glass pavilion is at street level.

The 3-storey mall is actually underneath IFC Tower.

 

 We didn't explore this mall because of our luggage were at its limit,

and I was pretty sure that they're selling Winter collection which

is not suitable for us living in hot tropical countries.

Our earlier plan was to take airport limo 6002 nearby the hotel to Incheon airport because our flight were at late afternoon. But, because our bus took a highway route to airport and not going back to town. So Nat, Lucky, and me had another problem as we'd to lug our heavy luggage as the lockers in the mall were too small. 

Thanks to Kim eonni for volunteering to look after our luggage, she'll be leaving with the group. Therefore, we decided to join them to the airport as it's too troublesome and almost impossible to move around with the luggage.

Yeouido 'Manhattan of Seoul'

It got this nickname because it's the hub of commercial, financial and cultural centers. It's also home to the National Assembly (the national parliament of Korea), KBS broadcasting company and Yeouido ecological park (you can see the reflection on the above photo) which giving impression of New York's Central Park.

 

 Not to lose a second, we made our way to KBS

crossing Yeouido Park and National Assembly.

Website: www.ifcmallseoul.com

Add: 10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

Subway: Yeouido Station  (line 5 or 9) exit 3.

 Phone : +82-2-6137-5000 

Business Hours : 10am to 10pm.

Closed every first Monday of the month, 

New Year, Lunar New Year and Chuseok.

This trip is made possible by VisitKorea organised by Korea  Tourism Organization. 

   

Visit Korea Special VIP Tour [Day 3-6]

We'd planned and agreed to add another itinerary for spending our memorable last night at Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Cheonggyecheon (청계천) Waterfall

You might be asking why we chose Cheonggyecheon out of many interesting places in Seoul? It's because of Seoul Lantern Festival (6 - 22 Nov 2015). Saw a lot of awesome photos postings on Facebook. For sure we didn't want to miss this rare opportunity especially it's free~!^^
 

KEB Hana Bank lighted tunnel on Mojeongyo bridge

and colorful rainbow lights below welcoming

visitors coming from Cheonggye Plaza.

Ok, let's check out  600 pieces of amazing giant lanterns with unique designs lighted up along 1.2 km stream starting from Cheonggye Plaza to Supyo Bridge. This year theme is "Illuminated Seoul Tour" which combines both traditionalism and modernism.

~ Traditional Life Experience in Seoul ~

 Lifestyle in Hanyang during Joseon Dynasty.

 

 

We went to Deoksugung Palace on the second day. 

Daebak~! It's awesome to see replica of Junghwajeon Hall lantern with so much details including Yongsang (king's seat) and  Irwaborongdo (partition depicting the Sun, the Moon and five hilltops).

Day and night of Irwaborongdo (일월오봉도 / 日月五峯圖).

Jongmyo Shrine.

Donuimun (also known as Seodaemun).

Sunseong Nori (돈의문 순성놀이) means walking tour around the dosung (capital city). It's quite extensive from early morning to late evening. In order to appreciate the nature beauty and city landscape, people used to climb which it's enjoyed by Koreans since Joseon Dynasty.

 

Iconic Bukchon Hanok Village. 

Under the rainbow~^^

 

Jas eonni tossing coins into the wishing well.

 

 This theme start from Cheonggye Plaza and 

ended at Gwanggyo Bridge, where there's

activities and stalls here...

 

 

Visitors busy making their own lantern, writing their wishes on it.

Queuing to release their lanterns at Gwanggyo.

Few stalls selling various types of decorative lamps here.

Lovely Le Petit Prince stuffs.

 

Artists at work at the bridge.

~ Local governments and overseas invitation ~

 

 Brave and cool Admiral Yi Shun Shin (이순신) in the battle with 

Japanese navy at the Myeongryang Strait (명량, 해남군).

 

 

 Lanterns made by overseas artists.

Together in modern Seoul.

 ~ Light Art author show ~

~ Corporation and the character ~

 Cushion products from Amore Pacific brands.

Here comes lovely characters which a lot of kids standing there to admire and taking photos with their parents.

 Pororo (포로로), Turning Mecard (터닝메카드), 

Robocar Poli (로보카폴리), Clean Bear (클린베어),...

 

Hello Carbot (헬로카봇) and...

Larva (라바).

Coffee cups art installation?! ;P

 

Pagoda and Jongno Tower light display.

After that, we're walking back to Center Mark Hotel (behind Jongno Tower) to pack our luggage. Hope that we can come back here next year~!

Website: seoullantern.visitseoul.net

Add: Cheonggyecheon, Changsindong, Jongno-gu, Seoul