Seoul (Final Part)

Day 4

My forth day journey was about city tour. We went to few places which was not visited during last trip.

After took simple breakfast at the guest house, we went to Namdaemun Market to shop for brooches. Korean brooches is high of quality in terms of its durability, designs and the shines of its stones. To reach Namdaemun Market, from wherever you are, you may stopped at  Hoehyeon Station and get out from Exit 5. Not only brooch, you may find anything you want here especially for souveniers.

Namdaemun Market

After having our brunch nearby, we walked from the market to the Gwanghwamun Square. Nearby, situated Gyeongbukgong Palace and the King Sejong Story Exhibition Wall. The walk from the market to the Square took around 20 mins. Not bad to burn out your calories after two days sat in the bus for hours journey, why not today, we have simple walking exercise? The weather damn cold, around 1 degree but we still make our move haha..No problem!

The admission to the exhibition wall is free. What actually they exhibit? This place displays Sejong's intervention in Hangeul and contributions to the artistics, scientifics, militaries and politicals of Korea. Outside the exhibition wall, there is a Statue of King Sejong, the 4th King of the Joseon Dynasty (1397 - 1450, reigning from 1418 to 1450). The King responsible for some of the most brilliant achievements in the history of Korea among others are Maternity Leave for Bondwomen, Opinion Survey of Farmland Tax System, Ban on Lawsuits Againts Public Administrators, Respect for Elderly and Financial Aid to Poor Bachelors. 

Not many people inside hence, we just enjoyed our time, reading and taking pictures and whats most interesting when you came here, is, you may try to write your name in Hangeul for free. Just write your English name and they will write it in Hangeul for you to copy it down using calligraphy pen and paper provided.

Entrance to the Exhibition Wall

Statue of King Sejon

Writing my name in Hangeul

This is sun clock, one of the Sejong's creation

Sejong's Military Equipment. It has 100 arrows 

Armilary Sphere - Model of objects in the sky

After an hour inside, we got out from the wall, but, yeah, unexpectedly, there were a huge crowd at the square. We have been told by the volunteers around that, we are not allowed to walk around the square since there were few demonstrations took place at the same time. Peoples marched, queued and hold flags demonstrating what they were fighting for. It's normal in Seoul and they were free to demonstrate whenever they felt unsatisfied, threats or disagreements to any surrounding issues or situations. It was prohibited to snap demonstration photo but i managed to snap some. And the hot issue being demonstrated was about exploiting women in social media and filming industry. Since i am not Korean Drama fan, so no further comment. The demonstration was safe however and not causing any riots and injuries. 

The posters 

This is how the demonstration happened and took place

Not to interfere anything, we just walked passing by the Square, crossed the road to Gyeongbukgong Palace. 

Next to the Palace is National Palace Museum. While waiting for the change guard ceremony to be held at 2pm, we went in to the museum. 

National Palace Museum

This museum displayed old manuscripts,  imperial artifacts, and information about Joseon Royal and Korean Imperial Court. I personally respect and like how they preserve the culture of their late Imperial even the Dynasty lasts hundreds years ago. This is how the generations after would learn and know about the histories. From what i observed, every ceremonies, rulings and lifestyles has been properly described and written in the graphical manuscripts so that, we know actually how they were done and looks like during the reign. 

After an hour in the museum, we went out for the ceremony that took place at palace's compound (just next door). Crowds of people already gathered waiting for the change guard ceremony to start of. 

After the ceremony lasts half hour later, we tour the Palace, which was the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. It was built in 1395, and was the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon Dynasty, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon.

The entrance fee is 3,000 KWon, but if you rent Hanbok (for 10,000 KWon), than you may enter for free 😁.

The Palace 

The Change Guard Ceremony

Among the buildings of the Palace

Next, we went to Bukchon Hanok Village which located around 30 minutes walk from Anguk Station. Hanok means traditional houses which were dated back to the Joseon Dynasty. The admission is free, but bear in mind, since this is local residential area, you are not allowed to make noises here. Please pay respects of their privacy life. You can walk around and snap pictures here, no harm as long as you keep your mouth shut up 😏.

And after walking thousands of steps today' my leg asked me to rest. We went for the sotong pedas dinner at Dongdaemun before went back to hostel to rest. 

Final Day

Today is my final day in Seoul. After packed my stuffs, we checked out from the guest house heading to Seoul Station. I  have stored my luggage here since my flight back to KL was at 11pm, so we still have plenty time to hang around the city. 

I took the smallest locker since my luggage was only 20'. It's cost 2,000KWon per day. Cheap i think.

We moved our steps to Dongdaemun Design Plaza. This modern and unique building was designed by the world renowned architect, Zaha Hadid. The building was the world’s largest atypical architecture and comprised of five halls: Art Hall, Museum, Design Lab, Design Market, and Dongdaemun History and Culture Park. As we walked around, i can see few pianos also here, but in not so good condition (still can be played). 

Outside the building ~ Hello Strange Sculpture, the winner of Sculpture Contest

The design ~ the most popular spot for photos

LED roses garden. This is permanent exhibition. The roses will lights up automatically once the sun sets. Located next to Yigansumun Exhibition Hall 

We, after that, heading to Ewha Woman University. To reach here, you may take subway to Ewha University Station.

Nearby the University was Alchon Restaurant. Me and Tim stopped by here to have our lunch before the university.

We ordered the same meals, Alchon as it is labelled as Halal on their ordering machine. So, without any doubtful, we orderred and paid. After finished eating, as usual, i have uploaded the meals picture to my IG Story. But after hours, few of my followers DM me, and told me that the sauce used for the meals is non-halal. Contains pork. Oh My, its already in my stomach and its impossible to spit it back. So, i just accepted as it is but reminded other people not to go there unless you want to ask personally the restaurant owner. We didn't ask since we are far away from the restaurant when we got the non-halal alerts.

Looks Yummy hahaha

Alchon, the controversy restaurants. The Halal labelled has been placed at the door and order machine. So confusing if you are the first timer here. 

Life goes on. We headed to Ewha University after the meals. It is a private woman university in Seoul which was founded in 1886 by Mary F. Scranton under Emperor Gojong. We only visited the Campus Complex which consisted library, cafeteria, mini banks, students registration counter, lecturer's room, seminar room etc. We spent around 1 hour here for photos. 

Ewha Woman University 

If you visited the university, you can stopped by at Subway Sinchon Station. There are small bulding of Sinchon Tourist Information Centre located in front of the station,whereby you can perform your prayer here. A small room with sajadah has been provided but you need to have your ablution at the washroom at the station (upstairs). 

You can perform your prayer here

One thing about Seoul, if you lost or need directions within the city, there are Police Tourist which will patrol around the city especially in tourist attractions area. You can see the tag on their cloth which language they speaks (English, Korean, etc). 

Korean Police Tourist 

As I am not really a city person, so I felt a bit bored to hang around the city. Final destination before we ended up lepak at Starbucks for hours before went to Airport is...Korean Tourism Office at Myeondong. I have been brought here just for the purpose of wearing the Hanbok. I used to wear it but the picture took last time not very nice. A few selections of designs and colours you may choose from. Located at 5th Floor. After snapping some photos, we went to Myeondong Starbucks for drinks.

At 7pm, we left to Airport via Express, ready to check in and get boarding to fly back to KL...

Me in Hanbok

Not forget here, if you wish to go to Seoul & Jeju, you may contact my friend, Breathandbeing (IG) or +60196442402 (Tim)