September in Seoul - Bukchon Hanok Village [Day 7]

 

 Ma Love in the Land of Morning Calm

Places that we visited in Korea (09.09.2013 - 15.09.2013)

  

On our last day in Seoul, we tried to relax and slow down to appreciate the moment in Seoul. Because after tonight, everything will back to normal life with endless things for us to rush. So, we planned to just have light itinerary in Seoul. But then, we got some problem with our luggage, as supposedly, we can leave our luggage in Capt. Ryan's Nest, but he said there'll be another guest coming in, so for the conveniences of everyone, we thought to just put them in the lockers at Seoul subway station, since we'll be taking Arex from there to Incheon Airport. However, those big lockers were all occupied...

Where to store your luggage?
1. Subway paid lockers

I love this facilities so much. You know... I'm the person that can go out just with my HP and credit card, because I hate to carry anything especially if it's heavy. And, another reason is I'm a forgetful person, that few times I left my purse, bag and other things.

In Korea, you can easily find lockers almost in every subway stations, nearby the entrance of  tourist attractions and departmental stores with various sizes (small, medium and large). Some places even provided free lockers, or you need to pay the deposit but it'll be refunded after usage.

Interesting! I just found out that these subway lockers also provide diverse services including shipping and receiving, express delivery, and laundry. Please check this link on how to use the locker machine and the payment method available.

2. Premium Travel Center - Seoul Station
You can leave your baggage, clothing and products at baggage storage service available at Premium Travel Centre located at Seoul Station:

Premium Travel Center B2F,

Seoul Station City Airport-Terminal,

378 Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu,
Tel: +82 2 392 3545  

Hours of operation : 08:00 to 20:00

Rate: Small - 3,000 Won / Medium - 5,000 Won / Large - 7,000 Won / X-Large - 10,000 Won (per Item included Tax).

Premium Travel Center also provided other services such as:

*  Porter services

*  Tour Information / Travel service

*  Business Center

*  Meet & Greet service

*  Conference room Reservation

*  SIM Card & WI-FI Rental service

Yes, we bought our EG Sim Card from this Premium Travel Center on our first day in Seoul after gave up searching for Pocket Wifi.

After freed our hands from those big and heavy luggage, we went to Korail Arex Ticket Counter just opposite Premium Travel Center to buy ticket to Incheon Airport at discounted price. Korail just announced a one-year extension until 31 Dec 2014 on its discount fare of 8,000 won instead of the standard 14,500 won.

we supposed to go to Namdaemun market for breakfast, but...

Kids insisted to have Dunkin Donut, as they were hungry...

  

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을)

Bukchon literally means North Village, was the hometown of yangban and scholars during Joseon Dynasty. Hundreds of beautiful traditional Hanok house will capture your attention and your heart just located between Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung and Jongmyo Shrine.

 

Signage for directions around Bukchon

You can find experience interactive programs related to traditional culture such as tea ceremony, arts and crafts, Museum of Korean Embroidery and Museum of Korean Traditional Knots are located inside these charming alleys in Bukchon Village. Check BnBHero's website if you wish to stay in Hanok Guesthouse.

Hanok Gallery

Donglim Knot Workshop.

Maybe because we were there early in the Sunday morning, Museums, Arts and Crafts Workshops and Cultural Centre and Galleries were still closed...

you can find unique galleries, cafes and eateries too

We saw quite a lot of local Korean strolling along Bukchon "8 Photo Spots". It's nice to explore these small alleys surrounded with vintage hanok and endless pleasant surprises with beautiful and cozy atmosphere to reminisce the old Seoul.

  

Bukchon 3rd Spot: Gahoe-dong Museum Lane


Bukchon Observatory
22-3, 11 Da-Gil Bukchon-ro, Jongro-Gu


From Observatory, you can have a wonderful view of entire
31 Gahoe-dong area, Mount Bugaksan and Namsan Tower too.




Bukchon 4th View: Gahoe-dong Alley
The most beautiful place in Bukchon...


the sea of hanok tiled roof is truly a sight to behold...


Bukchon 5th Spot: Gahoe-dong Alley (Harmony)
Thanks to the Bukchon Hanok conservation project that these
antique hanoks zone has perfectly preserved its originality.


Bukchon 6th Spot: Gahoe-dong Alley
The finest view of Seoul, Hanok houses contrast with high-rise buildings.
Bukchon 5th and 6th spots are the most popular among the eight views.

Stairs made of rock stone

We didn't complete the full 8 Photo Spots and no chance to search for Hanok House where "Personal Preference" was filmed, because these 2 kiddos were worse than old grannie! They remarked  Bukchon Hanok Village was the highest mountain that they ever climbed and they're out of breath!

Modernised two-story or three-story Hanok Houses.

Beautiful Hanok Houses along the maze-like alleys of Bukchon Village.
Ups! Why I have so many photos? I'm sure it's more than  scenic spots here :P

Don't miss it if you're in Seoul. If you miss it, you miss Seoul~! ^^

Related Posts:
~ [Trazy] Bukchon Hanok Village 북촌한옥마을
~ Samcheongdong has Something for Everyone~!
~ Gyeongbokgung Palace

September in Gangneung - Seongyojang Hanok House [Day 4]

Let's travel back to the old Joseon Dynasty through the gates of these two historical residences in Gangneung~~~

Seongyojang (선교장)

After decided Gangneung as one of our destinations, I  browsed on tourist attractions to visit from KTO's website. Somehow, I was summoned to this ancient, gigantic and picturesque Seongyojang!

Imagine myself walking around Hwallaejeong in my previous life.

Upss... pardon me in this Gisaeng costume, should be in normal Hanbok (for servant?)
 

 or maybe match with this Fusion Hanbok from MoranBaepil?

OMG!!!  It's so unbelievable and so excited when I read that visitors are welcome to stay overnight in this 300 years National Treasure Hanok House! Thank you! I can finally stop imagine myself staying in this residence in my previous life .ㅋㅋㅋ

FYI, drama Hwang Jin-Yi (황진이), Princess Hours Gung (궁) and Princess’ Man (공주의남자) were filmed in Seongyojang.

Do check out these links for filming location of Korean Drama Gung (궁): Unhyeongung (운현궁) Royal Palace | Gyeongju Anapji Pond (안압지) | Gyeonggijeon (경기전) | Jeonju Sago (전주 사고)

I quickly went to Seongyojang's website (in Korean language) and selected (행랑채1~5 정보) room that fit 4 people. A big thanks to BnBHero assisted us to reserve the room, although that's not their regular service...

Interesting information about Seongyojang...

 In 1703, Mugyeong Lee Naebeon, the 11th descendent of Prince Hyoryeong,
a brother of King Sejong, build this vast 99-kan house.
(Kan: traditional measurement that corresponds to the space between two columns)
Until now, the descendants of Naebeon Lee still residing here.

  

In the past, the site was accessed by a boat that crossed Gyeongpoho Lake,
hence its name Seongyojang, which literally means a "Boat-Bridging House," 

using the Chinese characters "seon" for boat, "gyo" for bridge and "jang" for house.

Despite the passage of over 300 years, the original architecture is very well preserved,

and has been designated as the important Folklore National Treasure No. 5.

 

Seongyojang [선교장] is comprised of several buildings, including a main quarter,

a detached house, Hwallaejeong [활래정], Yeolhwadang [열화당], Haengnangchae [행랑채]
and breathtaking garden called the 'Garden of Four Seasons.

Haengnangchae (행랑채) in particular, is used as a Guesthouse for travellers and guests. Yeonhwadang (열화당), the most beautifully decorated part of the house, and ideal area to receive guests. It is currently being used as a library. It's frequently used as a backdrop for historical dramas including drama ‘Hwang Jin-Yi’.

Interestingly, every single part of the house has both symbolic meaning and a practical function

Seongyojang has a slightly different structure to it compared to other Traditional Hanok Houses.

* Master quarters and inner quarters are positioned parallel to one another.

* The two quarters have their own gates for the convenience of visitors.

* The gate to the inner quarters, located in front of a well, was designed to provide residents with the utmost privacy.

Picturesque Hwallaejeong was built in 1816 has 'ondol' (Korean underfloor heating)

is located just beside the main entrance.

Hwallaejeong Pavilion served as a tea room for guests.
It's a nice place to enjoy the beauty of the lotus flower filled pond in front of the building.
Lotus Pond is an important component in Korean garden.

We received an unexpected email from Seongyojang on our second day in Seoul. It's actually informing that SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) will be recoding in Seongyojang for Chuseok program. They would like us to participate and  take a little part for the program as foreign visitors in Seongyojang. We agreed to it... will post about it in separate article.

 

Since it's nearby Ojukheon House, we stopped by Seongyojang to make payment for room booking. From the staff, we're told to arrive in Seongyojang around 6:00 pm tomorrow for the recording. 

Then, I decided to have a stroll inside Seongyojang, so tomorrow we'll have more time for touring from Gangneung to Samcheok. The kind staff  waived our admission fees, although we're only staying in this Hanok house tomorrow.

 

The guide explaining some details of Seongyojang to a group of local tourists.

Visitors can experience various Cultural Programs such as Traditional Tea Ceremony, Plaque rubbing experience, making traditional Korean cookies, making rice cakes (tteok), Seongpyeon,  and also playing Traditional Games. It'll be free admission for those using the Traditional Culture Experience Center.

Please reserve in advance if you want to eat delicious Hanjeongsik (한정식) at Seongyojang, as preparation for the meal is needed for this full-course traditional Korean meal.

   

Traditional Cultural Experiences in Seongyojang

Related Posts: 
~  [Yeongju] Museom Hanok Village (영주 무섬마을)
~  [Yeongju] Seonbichon Village (선비촌)
~  Jeonju Hanok Village
~  [Seoul] Bukchon Hanok Village

(Love) Motel in Korea

WA Motel, Busan

This is my first time in my life staying in (love) motel!!!

As I mentioned earlier, the tour that we booked earlier was cancelled. So I have to search for accommodations in Korea.

You can book through Agoda, and they have special discount for DBS/POSB credit Card.

At first I wonder why it's so cheap for 3 stars rated hotel.. then I read the reviews and got some idea about this hotel. Though it's labelled as "Love Motel" but the reviews quite good. I don't think you can find such a nice hotel in Singapore with that price. A small boutique hotel might cost double of this love motel which only cost SGD 70.00/ night

Tadaaa...

WOW!!! compared to the hotel we stayed in Jeju, this motel is even better!

Walking distance from metro station (about 5- 10 minutes walk) and nearby famous Haeundae Beach. There are few similar motels around that area too.

I guess these are some common things of love motels (accuracy not more than 50% :P). Please correct me if any of the information here is wrong...

1.  Enter through parking lot, which have something like "curtain" hanging from top and left about

     1/3 not covered for privacy for those drive-in customers?

2. The receptionist desk also have partition screen covered and only have a small hole for payment

    and get the key.

    Sorry that I didn't aware of it, I just bend my head, look and talk to the receptionist... LOL

    (top left of the photo).

3. Nicely design room with different themes and modern facilities included in the room such as:

    2 PCs with Wi-Fi connected to wide screen TV, microwave, water dispenser and can drinks in

    mini fridge, snacks, toiletries.

Wa Motel interior

   
The room so spacious. Bathroom with Jacuzzi bath tub and shower head. I found something quite interesting... All hotel or motel that we stayed provide lotion, after shaved and toner for men (but not for female). Anyone can tell me why is it so? I really wonder why? Is it because female customers normally carry their own? or they just want to promote the cosmetics products to male customers?

Here are comparison of Wa Motel with 3 star (consider quite big) hotel which I stayed in Jeju.

* Wa Motel is spacious with modern luxury settings. Hotel in Jeju just a simple room with outdated
   furniture.

* Clean room and bathroom... they even wrapped the toilet bowl with a paper stating... it's clean for
   your hygiene use. So scary when a saw a ton of hairs on the toilet bowl in the hotel in Jeju....

* Free toiletries: toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower cap, and something unusual also included inside
   the pouch (guess what was it?!). You need to pay for toothbrush and toothpaste with the stated price
   if you want to use them for hotel in Jeju.

* I didn't know that can drinks and snacks are free of charge too... normally most hotel will charge if
   you consumed... You only need to leave the key and they didn't check your room.

Wa motel served  sandwiches and orange juices for breakfast. They even asked what time we prefer the breakfast to be delivered to our room. Really good service!

We stayed on another love motel in Seoul too... I forgot the hotel name, we supposed to stayed with my Korean family... but we didn't want to disturb them as they have kids that need to go to school and it's not so nice that we came back late.

We just walked-in to one of the love motel... and luckily the receptionist understand a bit of English. He tried to explained to us that the hotel charged hourly rate.

Sigh, we should just pay few hours rate instead of 2 nights stay... as we didn't understand until we had made the payment and he said that we need to check out tomorrow and check in again for the same room. Haaiiizzz... should request to change to another room for different atmosphere :P

We stayed in the above room, which have pink rosy wall paper and a big round mirror on the ceiling. It's quite hi-tech, that the air-con remote is not using the original remote control... We thought that air-con was spoilt and called the receptionist to fix for us. Actually, it's centralised all in one remote for lights, curtains and aircon...

Aigoo, so embarrassing... the guy smiled after he explained how to operate them. I had to nod my head with an awkward smile and said: "네,알겠습니다... 감사합니다~ (Yes, I got it now... Thank you). Maybe he was thinking OMG, where the earth are these customers from? why so stupid?

Very good customer service. They draw us a map for us to wait for airport bus...  They even asked what time to serve the breakfast for us (sandwich with orange juice).

Personally, I think love motel is worth the price (around SGD70- $80). But might not suitable if you travel with children or female single traveller.

You can check these site for more types of accommodation (Budget, Hanok, Apartment, and luxury hotel) in Korea:
1. Visit Korea
2. BnBHero

Please check my latest post on another love motel in Haeundae area here.

Upss... this is a long page, I think will write on Minbak (Bed & Breakfast) next round ^^