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

[Seoul] - Center Mark Hotel

The first 2 nights we stayed in Sejong Hotel, and we booked our last 2 nights in CenterMark Hotel.  The location of this hotel is a plus point as it's nearby to major tourist attractions such as Unhyeongung, Gyeongbokgung, and Gwanghwamun. For shopaholic, a 10 - 20 minutes stroll will bring you to shopping districts such as Insadong, Samcheongdong, or Myeongdong.

The front desk lady really friendly and helpful.

The receptionist able to converse fluently in English. She asked us to rest at the lobby, while she helped us to process our check-in with our passports and Agoda booking confirmation. After that, she came to our seats, walked us to the lift and even pressed the lift button. Then she handed us the room card and wished us a happy stay with her nice smile.

A decent sized Standard Double Room.

Clean and comfortable room with modern facilities.

    

Bathroom with bathtub, warmed water and heated seat bidet.

              

This is famous Jongno Tower, what a great view from our hotel window.


Free Wifi internet connection in the room,
It's time for Olleh WiFi Router (Pocket WiFi) to rest and recharge :)
 

Quite rare to find 3 pins socket together with 2 pin socket.
Great to have additional socket because we have so many devices 

to recharge. You know batteries lose power quickly due to cold temperature.

 

 Art de Chef Buffet Restaurant.

 Breakfast : 7am ~ 10am  |  Lunch : 11:30am ~ 3pm  | Supper : 6pm ~ 10pm

Our room is not included breakfast. We actually wanted to try their lunch buffet, but it was already closed after we check-in the room, so we'd Ginseng Chicken Soup at Mogyo Samgyetang (무교 삼계탕) which is just opposite the hotel.

There are some restaurants and cafes at this food alley behind the hotel.
Can you see that gigantic office building? 

              

Top Cloud (탑클라우드) restaurant sitting on top of this 33-storey Jongno Tower.
Imagine myself enjoying tasty meal and majestic view of Seoul!

Walk to the end of the alley and you'll find subway station.

Jonggak Subway Station is about 5 minutes walk from the hotel.

Jonggak underground shopping center~^^

       

In front of YMCA, you can find airport Limousine Bus.

We took this bus to Incheon Airport. It's more convenience

rather than carrying luggage to Seoul Station and take AREX.

                        

 Kill time while waiting for the airport bus :P

I was left alone, as hubby took early flight. Actually wanted to go to airport earlier, but don't feel like to drag heavy luggage... so just spent a lazy morning gazing out from the window and silently say goodbye to Seoul.

Sigh... missing Seoul already though I'm still in Seoul!

When can I see you again my lovely Seoul?!