[Seoul] - Chasing Charming Cherry Blossoms at Yeouido Park

Annyeong ya my dearest Incheon airport~! Long time no see...

Finally arrived after 4 hours transit in Shanghai. So, half of the day
was already over. We quickly bought AREX tickets and took the train to Seoul.

 We stayed at K-Grand Hotel near to Seoul Station as the next day
early in the morning we need to take train to Changwon.

The building was old, but hotel itself  was clean though the room
was a bit small. Nice city view, Seoul Square and Namsan Tower.

It was drizziling when we arrived in Seoul, thought that it would have stopped. However it continued throughout the whole day. Forgot to put umbrella in my luggage, and only left with one disposable raincoat. Since I have a Poncho, let my hubby to use the raincoat because he gets sick easily.

 We saw 7-Eleven Store near the park, but the umbreallas were all sold out!!!

Yeouido Park (여의도공원) is a must-visit place in Seoul. You can witness beautiful cherry flowers in bloom in Spring or walking under the canopy of colourful foliage during Autumn. 

This was my first time seeing cherry blossom (벚꽃 = Beotkkot) in Korea, though I saw Sakura in Osaka and Kyoto but I think they're different species or hybrids. Anyway, they're all lovely~!

It was sad because we litterally just strolled about 10-15 minutes.

Retreated and run to IFC Mall because it started showering heavier and it was freezing cold! Unfortunately, we didn't manage to go to Yunjunro Street to walk under the lovely canopy of 1,886 Korean cherry trees.

Cherry Blossom Festival was started 3 days ago (5 - 13 April) but the rain just poured at the wrong time! As you can see from the video, only few people and only 2 or 3 street vendors seen. Maybe the day before were busier because Bamdokkaebi Night Market happening on Fridays and Saturdays from March to October.

Anyway, it's a sweet memories when walking passing this park because I came here with VIP Tour members in November 2015, and we walked to KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) Building from IFC Mall.

 Keep calm and May The Force Be With You!

 We couldn't find a store selling umbrella at IFC Mall, maybe they used all 

to decorate the mall! Shall we steal these transparent umbrellas with 

beautiful cherry blossom prints and walk back to the park?

 Food Empire Premium Food Court at IFC Mall.

Late lunch because cherry blossoms were more important than anything else!

My hubby likes "Daddy Zone" concept where Daddies and kids

can rest or reading books instead of following Mummies for endless shopping.

 Finally my suffering ended~!

Earlier, we went to Lotte Outlets Seoul station to buy a pair of shoes because this boots and another pair of sport shoes almost killed my feet! Maybe they feet suddenly grew of longer or swollen because water retention during long flight that the shoes were so tight and it was painful to walk.

Actually, I told the staff that I wanted to wear the new shoes, but he told me that it was raining outside and it'll get wet. I said it's ok but he looked so concerned on the shoes. So ended up I still wore the boots out from the store and found this seat and quickly changed it before going to Seokchon Lake. 

Yeouido Park (여의도공원)

Address: 120, Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul     

서울특별시 영등포구 여의공원로 120 (여의도동)

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IFC Mall upscale shopping center at Yeouido.

KBS Building

Visit Korea Special VIP Tour [Day 4-3]

We didn't have time to explore the whole Yeouido Park, just a quick hopping from IFC Mall to KBS.

 

C-47, the first transport aircraft owned by Korean Air Force

showcasing on the runway in Yeouido and an exhibition titled 

“Flight Over 70 Years at Yeouido Park."

 

Finally we saw KBS building after crossing the road from Yeouido Park.

 

Bald trees and beautiful autumn foliage. 

It'll be better if we're there during Cherry Blossom.

Poster of K-drama "Oh My Venus (오마이 비너스)" 

starring So Jisub and Shin Mina.

 

Checked how to go to KBS Exhibition Hall with the guard 

inside this main building.  

Apparently we'd to go outside and walk further to another building...

 Korean Broadcasting System (한국방송공사)
truck with production rooms?

KBS On Exhibition Hall (KBS 온 / 견학홀).


 It's the first museum in Korea dedicated to the history and
evolution of the Korean broadcasting industry.
 
 
The exhibition hall is a space where visitors can experience
radio and television broadcasting production firsthand.


We're supposed to go to the hall on the second floor.

However, we'd to rush back and gather with others at IFC Mall, so no time to tour the museum, radio drama studio, sound effect instruments, 9 o'clock news corner, hologram corner, 3D movie experience hall and chroma key corner, visitors have the chance to observe the TV production process and radio programming process through a window that looks out into the broadcasting studio.

 Familiar with this place?

Yes, you're right! K-drama 'The Producers (프로듀사)' and variety show '2 Days 1 Night (1박2일)' were filming in front of this KBS Building.

At least some pictures since we're not going inside KBS On.


 Well, we're not the only one snapping so many photos.


One of the man gave me a white folder Sorinalda (소리날다),
maybe they're recruiting news presenter or anchor there.

 
  KBS Radio.


Though I didn't finish 'The Producer', but there were
few scenes of the drama were shooting at KBS car park.

 KBS On (견학홀)

Add: 13, Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

Operating Hours: 09:30-17:30 (Last admission: 17:00).

Closed: New Year’s Day, Seollal, Chuseok and

 first Monday of every month.

Admission: Free.

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

   

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.