Cheonggyecheon Stream 청계천 > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 10 (7) - 2014 October 17 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

From Yeouido, I decided to walk at Cheonggyecheon Stream. There's so many subway that could lead to the stream, so I choose Euljiro 3(san)-ga to Euljiro 4(sa)-ga.

Credit: Visit Korea

Until it was restored in 2005, Cheonggyecheon Stream existed only as a neglected waterway hidden by an overpass. Today, it has been transformed into a haven of natural beauty amidst the bustle of city life.

Narae Bridge, representing a butterfly in flight, and Gwanggyo Bridge, symbolizing the harmony of the past and future, are just two of the more than twenty beautiful bridges that cross the stream. The Rhythmic Wall Stream, lined with fine marble, sculptures, and Korea’s 8th stone building, Palseokdam, adorn the Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Cheonggyecheon Stream passes close to Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, the Sejong Center, Insa-dong Street, Changdeokgung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace, allowing visitors to easily visit major tourist sites after a leisurely stroll along the stream.

It's unique. Pity I didn't have a change to explore more. Maybe next time. :)

Yeouido Park > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 10 (6) - 2014 October 17 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

Next I went to Yeouido Park. Yes, it's only me, because my friend is sick and she said she go back to guesthouse first to take a rest.

Yeouido Park is a large recreational area located on Yeouido Island in the central part of Seoul. It was once originally covered with black asphalt, and people frequented the place for bicycling and roller-skating. The construction began in 1997, and opened officially in February 1999. It is now the place where many people in the city come to rest and enjoy strolling around, play sports, and cultural events.

The park is divided into theme-based sections: the Traditional Korean Forest, Grass Square, Culture Square, and Nature’s Ecosystem Forest. In the Traditional Korean Forest, only traditional Korean trees are planted, and it has a pond and an octagonal pavilion, with a trail walk that completes the feel of an elegant Korean garden. Grass Square has a low hill, with grass field and various trails, and nearby there are evergreens and deciduous trees to reflect the changing of the seasons. Many performances and events are held at the Cultural Square, and because there are many zelkova trees lined up nearby, it is a great place to rest. One particular part of the park that is most enjoyed is the Nature’s Ecosystem Forest – it is where you can observe nature and learn from an ecologically sensitive pond and forest, right in the middle of the city. Composed of a swamp area, waterline area, grassland area, and a forest, you can observe various kinds of life forms living in these areas.

One of the must-see areas is the Yunjunro Street, behind the National Assembly Building. This place is famous for having the loveliest cherry blossom street in Seoul. Cherry blossom trees, 30 to 40 years old, line up for about 6km, and is very popular in the spring.

Credit: Visikorea

Once out from the station, we can see the 63 building

Yeouido Park

Yeouido Hangang Park

It's a nice evening to enjoy the park. Maybe next time, I could come here with someone, and enjoy more of it's facility.

Yeouido Subway Station

Mapo-Gu Office Subway Station > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 10 (5) - 2014 October 17 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

From Ewha, I plan to join my other friends, who are at Odbo Cosmetic Store in Seoul which there's only 1 outlet. I go to Mapo-Gu Office Subway Station.

Credit: https://seoulinspiration.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/odbo-outlet-in-seoul/

Credit: https://seoulinspiration.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/odbo-outlet-in-seoul/

I found this website before and try to follow it's instructions. Exit Mapo-Gu Office Subway Station exit 3, the area is different with others subway station. It's quiet, only traffic.

I just drop by and then back to continue my journey. I didn't found my friends there because they are already done.

Let's take it as walking around Seoul.. Haha..

Ewha Women's University Shopping Area 이화여자대학교 > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 10 (4) - 2014 October 17 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

From Gyeongbokgung Palace, after rest for a while near the palace area, we go to Ewha Women's University shopping area.

Stop by Ewha Women's University / 이대 station then exit 2 / 3 and walk for 5 minutes then you will see a lot of store.

I didn't buy anything in here, just walk around, until I found the entrance of Ewha Women's University. Because it's university area, so there's so many students in here.

There's so many street food and cafe too.

Jeonggwanjang Hongsam 정관장 홍삼 at Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 10 (3) - 2014 October 17 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

When we arrive at Gwanghwamun Station, my friends said that she wants to looking for some book. So while she is looking for her books, I decided to back to Euljiro 3(sam)-ga station, to visit Jeonggwanjang Hongsam Store. Once you go out from the station, then you will see the store in the right side.

Jeonggwanjang Hongsam exclusively deals with products by the Korea Ginseng Corporation. Jeonggwanjang, with over 100 years of history, is a Goryeo hongsam brand that only uses high quality six-year-old ginseng roots through rigorous testing.

Credit: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=988479

They offer the product: ginseng roots, condensed products, liquid products, extracts, hongsam tea, hongsam jelly, hongsam candies, and hongsam chocolate.

I also have a discount coupon from Visit Korea site. But unfortunately, the ginseng roots that I'm looking for, only there's the big package ones and there's no smaller one. I didn't bring much money, and my uncle, who wants the Ginseng, said that he only wants a little. So I didn't buy it.

Gyeongbokgung Palace > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 10 (2) - 2014 October 17 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

Just like other palace, in Gyeongbokgung Palace, we can see the royal culture and kingdom in here.

Geunjongmun Gate (The Third Inner Gate)

Geunjeongjeon, The main Throne Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace

Geunjeongjeon, The Main Throne Hall of Gyeongbokgung palace

National Folk Museum of Korea 국립민속박물관

The outside wall of Gyeongbokgung palace

Gwanghwamun Square > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 10 (1) - 2014 October 17 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

Today we visit some place in Seoul. First destination is Gwanghwamun Square. Ride subway to Gwanghwamun Station then exit 2. The MRT Station interior is unique.

At Gwanghwamun Square, there's the biggest book store in Seoul, Kyubo Book Store. You can enter the shop from MRT exit or from outside.

There's Admiral Yi Sunsin statue and also famous King Sejong statue in here.

Under the square, there's a exhibition about King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sunsin.

After see the exhibitions, we decided to eat lunch first. We found some restaurant in the small road near the Gwanghwamun Square. Then we go to Gwanghwamun Gate which is the main and largest gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace.