September in Seoul - Gyeongbokgung Palace [Day 6]

Back in Seoul from Gangneung City. Maybe we bought the wrong bus ticket, as the bus stop at Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (Gangbyeon Station) instead of Express Bus Terminal. Anyway, we arrived in Seoul... ㅋㅋㅋ 

Bus fare from Gangneung to Dong Seoul is cheaper than from  Express Bus Terminal to Gangneung. Adult: 14,600 Won  and Child: 7,300 Won. 

Took a taxi from Dong Bus Terminal directly to Capt Ryan's Nest. Instead of hotel room, we booked this entire apartment in Yongsan-gu through BnBHero.

Cosy and beautiful apartment 

Kids love this quite spacious loft apartment. It's new, neat, clean and comfortable. It's accessible to the city's must-see places. clean and spacious. Essential amenities and wifi facilities are provided too.

The owner, Mr. Ryan Kim is a very nice guy,  and very helpful and responsive to our messages. Overall, I felt it was worth the price as it was a pleasant experience throughout our stay.

1.  Gyeongbokgung (경복궁)

Gyeongbok (경복 = Greatly Blessed by Heaven)

Gung (궁 = Palace)

Gyeongbokgung was the first royal palace built by the Joseon Dynasty, built in 1395, three years after the Joseon Dynasty was founded. It served as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty.

 Gyeongbokgung is situated in the middle of Seoul city.

Admission Ticket: 3,000 Won (Adult) and 1,500 Won (Child)

The most prominent and grandest of the Five Grand Palaces (Gyeonghuigung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Changdeokgung), which consisted of 330 buildings. It's also called Northern Palace because of its location.

 Geunjeongjeon (근정전 = Imperial Throne Hall), where the king was

formally briefed by his officials and the central venue for various

coronation ceremonies of the royal household.

Rank Stones with numbers carved on them

Court officials would line up according to rank using the rank stones

in the courtyard outside Geunjeongjeon Hall.

   

Gwanghwamun is the main gate of Gyeongbokgung,

It's comprised of three arched gates called Hongyemun, with the middle gate

reserved for the king and the other two for his officials. Gwanghwamun was

severely damaged during the Japanese occupation and the Korean War.

Heungnyemun (흥례문) is the second largest gate of Gyeongbokgung,
and the first gate that visitors see after Gwanghwamun Gate.

This gate was totally demolished during Japanese occupation, and 

restored to its original form in 1995.

Pictureque Hyangwonjeong Pavilion (향원정)

This hexagonal pavilion was constructed by order of King Gojong on an artificial

island in a lake (Hyangwonji) and was connected to the palace grounds by a bridge.

Hyangwonjeong means ‘Pavilion of Far-Reaching Fragrance’

 and Chwihyanggyo bridge translates as ‘Bridge Mesmerized with Fragrance’


Geoncheonggung (건청궁)

Jangandang is a part of Geongcheonggung. living quarter of Gojong, the last emperor.
King Gojong built this palace (gung) inside Gyeongbokgung (palace) in 1873.
I particularly like this unpainted wooden quarter, but there's sad story behind it

Too bad we're late to join the free guided tour. I really recommended this free tour because we're just wandering around over 40 hectares of this palace but not knowing what are the purposes of each halls.  We joined Changdeokgung free guided tour in our previous trip and we can really appreciate and learn more about this historical site. The guide will show you around and briefly explain some of the major buildings with their functions and their own stories behind them. It's available in English and other languages too.

We missed out Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (경회루) on another side of the palace




and walked pass this National Folk Museum, located on the Gyeongbokgung grounds.


National Folk Museum with blue-tiled 5-story pagoda on top of it.

This photo was taken when we just arrived... still full of energy and smiles.

But, they decided to go out and had dinner as they're tired and hungry...

2.  Tosokchon (토속촌)

Chicken stew with Wild Mountain Ginseng

Tosokchon is famous for their Samgyetang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup). Samgyetang is a whole spring chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng and other healthy ingredients like jujube, garlic, ginkgo nut and different types of medicinal herbs and and grains. It makes Samgyetang not only delicious but also healthy because each ingredient of samgyetang has its own special functions. Ginseng is effective in tackling multiple symptoms, rejuvenates body, boosts metabolism, reduces stress, treats diabetes, improve respiratory illnesses, and many more.

Koreans especially enjoy eating it on three hottest days in July and August, called Chobok (초복), Jungbok (중복) and Malbok (말복) for restoring their stamina and health due to exhausted of the summer heat.

Tosokchon restaurant

Tosokchon is located near Gyungbokgung. You can easily identify this unique Hanok style restaurant. It's quite big with few halls/rooms. You need to take off your shoe, as you'll sit and eat on the floor.

We ordered Chicken stew with ginseng (15,000 won) and another one with wild mountain Ginseng (21,000 won). Basically it's the same chicken stew, just additional a small bottle of wild ginseng to pour on the soup for Chicken Stew with wild ginseng.

They also served 2 small cups of ginseng wine... I like the taste of ginseng wine.

We reached around 5:45pm, and it was quite crowded... and very fast our room was fully occupied with the rest of the customers. It's better to avoid lunch and dinner hours.

You can see the immediate effect after healthylicious Samgyetang...

Cute and happy faces! LOL!!!

3.  Caffe Bene

to make them even happier and wider smiles...  but they couldn't smile,

 as they couldn't scoop and eat until I finished taking photos. Hahaha... sorry~!



Caffé bene served this sweet and tasty bingsu (빙수= shaved ice usually with sweet red beans, nuts, or fruits toppings). It's our favourite dessert as a small treat after tired walking...

Actually we wanted to order 3 glasses of bingsu, but the staff kept saying that it's very big glass.... So we ordered Green Tee Bingu and Oreo Bingsu... and the cute staff still told us that it's very big glass and showed us the glass. Maybe she was afraid that we're unable to finish them and wasting food. But, we insisted to order 2 glasses and finished them cleanly :P

Then, we rushed to Kyunghyang Newspaper Building to catch Fantastick show. But there's no show on 8pm. Actually, I'd asked my Korean friend to reserve it, but blamed me that didn't ask him the timing and thought it's only one show on 8pm everyday. But, actually they have 2 shows (5pm and 8pm). So, we changed it to 5pm show the next day.

Since it's cancelled, we just went back to Capt. Ryan's nest to rest and pack our luggage as it's our last night in Seoul...

And today is the last day of 2013... and before 2013 ends, I would like to thank all of you, who made this 2013 beautiful for me.

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and fantastic year ahead. 새해 복 많이 받으세요~! Cheers...^^

Related Posts:

~ Samcheongdong has Something for Everyone~!

~ Bukchon Hanok Village  

~ Insight Into Insadong

~ [Trazy] Gyeongbokgung palace 경복궁

~ [Trazy] Tosokchon Samgyetang 토속촌 삼계탕

September in Seongyojang - [Day 6]

It's our last day in Gangneung, we'll be going back to Seoul. But before leaving Seongyojang, there's another recording on our participation of Korean Traditional Tea Ceremony.

After we had some breads and milk for breakfast in our room, we gathered again around 9 am. We didn't reserve for breakfast, as we usually have light breakfast. They insisted us to have breakfast as Seongyojang because they'd prepared Seongpyeon that we made yesterday and Chodang Sundubu (초당순두부) for us.

Wow! We're a bit shocked to see our breakfast spread!



We're quite disappointed as we didn't eat Chodang Sundubu yesterday. It's the specialty food in Gangneung. It's to our surprised that we could taste this original Chodang Sundubu (watery tofu  made from locally grown soybeans and seawater, and is prepared and eaten within the same day) in Seongyojang. Therefore, although our tummy still full, we tried to clear most of the food with thankful heart.

~*~*~*~

Traditional Korean Tea Ceremony  

OMG! Never imagined that we could step our feet in this beautiful and quaint Hwallaejeong Pavilion (활래정) to experience 'Dado' - the etiquette and enjoyment of tea in an easy, formal and natural setting.

  

 Dado (다도체험) - Korean Tea Ceremony

The sound of the hot water as it is carefully poured, the sight of varyingly clear

and colored liquids filling empty cups, inhaling the unique and delicate fragrance of the tea,

the hands that extend with poise to slow sip the tea lightly and rolled over the tongue

while savouring and appreciate the aromas to the taster’s lips that appeals to all five senses.

  

You know after learnt Dado, I was so tempted to buy a set of teaware  (차기 = chagi) to practice this art of preparing and enjoying tea in this delicate and cultured way. Please check this website for the procedure of the Korean Tea Ceremony and video guide ^^

Tea is said to be an aid to digestion after a meal and some claim it helps the complexion as well. It has no calories and is much lower in caffeine than coffee. Drinking green tea should be a calming experience that brings peace to your soul, and calms your nerves while allowing you time to think, dream or simply enjoy the fragrance and taste of the tea.

  

 Inside Hwallaejeong Pavilion with SBS crews and Mr Lee (KTO)

after filming ended enjoying drinking tea and eating Dasik (tea food),

while gazing the beautiful Lotus Pond. Please let the time stop there~!

Dasik (다식= Korean traditional sweet and cookies) is  appreciated for its artistic and decorative colors and patterns as well as for its pleasing sweet taste.  It is regarded as a healthful snack and classy dessert

The Teacher (선생님 = Seonsaengnim) explained to us about the philosophy of Korean food with yin-yang concept. It interacts and opposes itself in terms of its five flavours (Sour, Bitter, Salty, Spicy and Sweet), and also ingredients of five colours (Yellow, Black, White, Red and Green). Example: Sesame tastes bitter and it's benefited for brain development and stimulating function.

  

~*~*~*~

 Traditional Korean Game - Yutnori (윷놀이)

 

Let's play Yutnori (video link)

After tea ceremony, we supposed to go outside to play Yutnori, but it was drizzling. So, they arranged it to the next room inside this Pavilion.

Yut game is quite simple, but there are some special rules and you need some strategies to win the game. Please check the link for the instruction and you can try to throw yut stick from iBuzzKorea. Well, it's kinda interesting and fun that these two kiddos didn't want to stop playing, but after third rounds we had to stop as we're rushing back to Seoul.

We went back to our room to get the luggage, and met Director of Seongyojang to say thank you for the great hospitality given to our family during our stay. It was a great honour that SBS and KTO given our family this memorable and priceless chance to experience Korean Traditional Culture in Seongyojang.

For those interested to learn more about Dado or other Korean traditional cultural experiences, please check Seongyojang's website for more information.

Seongyojang must be very scenic in Winter with white snow blanketing it~! Annyeong...

Related Posts:

~ [Gangneung] 300 years old Seongyojang Hanok House.

~ Hanok Stay and Hanjeongsik tasting at Seongyojang.

~ [Gangneung] Ojukheon House and Museum

~ [Chuam] - Chotdaebawi Rock   

~ Majestic Mureung Valley

September in Seongyojang [Day 5]

We arrived in Seongyojang just in time. The first photo taken there showed 5:52 pm, which taken about 10-15 minutes after we reached there, as Mr Nam asked to top up another 30,000 won for taxi fare on top of 20,000 won we agreed earlier. So, after spent few minutes talk, we just gave the amount rather than wasting time. We didn't want to trouble Travel Hotline 1330 for this small dispute.

SBS started to record our activities in Seongyojang from the above spot.

Video Shooting Part I :  

Arriving in Seongyojang and walking to our room. Passing through the above gate with small slope, then unpacking our luggage in the room.

Ok, let's rewind what happened 15-20 minutes earlier before filming started...



SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) van parked in front of Seongyojang.  

We quickly took out 3 luggage and all our belongings out from the taxi. The staff in-front of Ticket office recognised us, and asked one staff (Ahjumma) to bring us to our quarter. She didn't speak English, but I don't have problem with it because she talked slowly and using basic Korean words.

She showed us how to open the lock and wooden door, turn-on the light and air-con, she then brought us to toilet and shower room.

shower room and toilet are on the other building next to our room.

small TV set, fridge, air-con and 4 sets of traditional Korean pattern

mattresses, pillows and silky blankets are provided in the room.

Public bathroom looks old as they preserved the old wooden door outside,

but inside is clean and it's been renovated with modern facilities such as

water heater and shower head and frosted glass partitions

~*~*~*~

Suddenly a pretty lady walked towards me when I was about to go to washroom. She politely introduced herself and told me that they're from SBS. She told us that they wanted to film us entering Seongyojang. 

She said sorry that they didn't wait for our arrival so we'd to bring our luggage to the entrance and walking to our quarter again. I apologized to her, because it's actually our fault as we arrived a little bit late, and maybe they had waited us earlier. But I guessed she just didn't want us to feel bad. Such a nice young lady!

 

Please click this link for the news and video 

aired on SBS channel on 22 Sep 2013.

Then after recorded that segment, we rest awhile in our room and gathered again around 7 pm to have dinner together. While waiting for the food being prepared, we had some chit chatting outside...

She said full set meal will be served, and was surprised when I said 한정식 좋아해요 (I like Hanjeongsik meal), as she didn't expect that I know how to speak Korean language. We chatted a bit here and there... about Korean food and cooking, Running Man,  Korean dramas, KTO, places we visited and will visit for the next few days, transportations to go around,...

While chatting, we just realized that Assistant Manager of Public Relations Department from KTO, Mr Lee J.H also came together with 3 crews from SBS.

They're wondering how did I find this Hanok house, as it was their first time in Seongyojang too.

I found it from this interesting posting from KTO's website 

"Korea's Most Unique accommodation"

I don't know why... I just can't stop my love for Korean traditional cultures. It keeps growing deep deep down in my heart. I love to visit places with lots of historical sites like Gyeongju, love to see Hanok houses and pretty hanboks. Therefore, I love to watch Korean historical drama where I can see those historical sites or hanok folk villages, hanbok costumes with the histories behind them.

My kids were so excited when I told them it's actually nobleman's house during Joseon Dynasty with the maximum 99 rooms/kan. Law prohibited civilians from building houses with more than 100 rooms. (Kan: traditional measurement that corresponds to the space between two columns). Then, we decided to book this hanok room.

But, based from our experience from last year trip, most of the accommodations like hanok, pension house, minbak, and van camping rental can only be booked through their own websites. It's a bit hassle, as they only accepted cash transfer or local credit card for the payment to secure the booking. Therefore, I'd to bother my Korean friend to settle the payment for me first.

I emailed to BnBHero (No1. House & Experience sharing network' in Korea) to check whether they provide service to book accommodation in Seongyojang. I was expecting a "NO" answer, but to my surprised, they replied they'll find a way to assist the booking, although it's not their regular service.

Really thanks to BnBHero for extra mile service and Seongyojang that allowed us to make the payment on the day we check-in. Everything was so smooth, therefore our family can have such an unforgettable moment to experience what it’s like to spend a night in the traditional Korean way.

 ~*~*~*~

Video Shooting Part II :  

Enjoying Hearty Hanjeongsik dinner

Sumptuous & Savory Hanjeongsik meal @Seongyojang's dining room

(please click the link for dining reservation)

Woohoo!!! lots of banchan that I never seen and ate before...

 Full Course meals with main dish, hotpot, side dishes, desserts and sweet sikhye drink ^^

We lost counts of how many dishes being served, as they kept coming new dishes and replacing the empty plates. We're being pampered like royalties with such good food. We tried to finish them, as we didn't want to waste food and considering the amount of work and care to prepare the dishes.

You may think that Japchae  (sweet potato noodles) as a simple food, but the preparation for cooking it's not easy, and it's no joke when you have to cook everything separately. It's not like dump everything and cook them together like what I normally do to cook Dong Fen (冬粉).

Just hope that they didn't think that we didn't have enough food, because we normally didn't leave a single grain on the plate if possible. But, we didn't manage to clean every single plate, as we'd stored up to maximum capacity of our tummies.

We reserved dinner when we booked the room. But, when we paid for the room, they told us to pay when we dine there. But, after dinner when we wanted to pay, they said no need as it's a treat for us. Really thankful to SBS, Seongyojang and KTO for this healthy hanjeongsik meal.

After having our meal, and we learnt how to make Songpyeon (송편), Korean traditional rice cake which contains stuffing such as sesame seeds, black beans, walnut, as it's near Chuseok holiday. Yes, Songpyeon's usually eaten during Korean Autumn Festival.

We had so much fun learning to make this half-moon-shaped songpyeon,

but our songpyeon ended up with unique shapes of cubes, cat and house.

While making the Songpyeon, they interviewed me on our view about Songyojang, as they knew that we dropped by here yesterday. I fell in love at the first sight as it's even more beautiful than what I expected... It's absolutely amazing for this 300 years-old building to maintain it's beautiful architecture and scenic landscape. I really love peaceful and serene places that surrounded by nature that offer relaxation and fresh air to breath. Kids were happily run and play around.

Ok, that's all for the recording...

 ~*~*~*~

We'd to go back to our room as it's raining after our dinner, else we could walk around Seongyojang's garden and find a nice spot  for stars gazing.

Prince Chai Hao Zhi needed to wear his "crown" to the toilet

as it was raining outside ^^



Well, that's just one of the inconveniences that we had in Seongyojang, because the toilet is not inside the room and it's raining. Other than that, everything is fine. We're asked whether it's troublesome to take off our shoes each time we entering the rooms. We didn't find it's inconvenience, because it's just like we need to take off our shoes when entering our house.

 

Though the room looks quite small with the door partition in between, can considered it as 2 connected rooms. You can put 2 mattresses on each room, but we put 3 mattresses on one side of the room and four of us squeezed together. Hahaha... we like it this way!

Peaceful night for a while in this hanok room, but soon after that I heard random snoring sound from my hubby and kids. And I turned those snoring sound to MLTR-Sleeping Child inside my head!
   "I'm gonna cover my sleeping child...
    Keep you away from the world so wild"

Good night and sweet dreams~^^

Wanna experience Hanjeongsik but not traveling to Gangneung? No worry~!

Check out these two options of Hanjeongsik availablein Seoul,

and you can conveniently reserve your meal here.

Related Posts:

~ [Gangneung] 300 years old Seongyojang Hanok House.

~ Traditional Cultural Experience at Seongyojang.

~ [Gangneung] Ojukheon House and Museum

~ [Chuam] - Chotdaebawi Rock   

~ Majestic Mureung Valley