Travel to Seoul: Part 2

On day 4, we went to Yeouido Hangang Park. In this park, it is recommended that you visit this park in the morning because of its view and atmosphere over there.  Meanwhile, you can enjoy the cold breeze and street food there because most of the people will visit there for camping and picnic. 

We spent afternoon to walk around park because of its cold weather environment, atmosphere and green natural scenery. If you visit this park, you won't feel rushed because most of tourists went here is for camping and picnic. 

How to go there? If you depart from New Chonji Hotel, walk to Euljiro 4-ga > Take Line 2 train> Chung-jeongno> Change to Line 5 > Yeouinaru> Walk around 3-5 minutes will reach the park

In evening, we went to Sebitseom via Uber before the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain and light shows started at Banpo Bridge. Both of the destination is near to each other but you need to take Uber or bus to go there because there is no train station nearby. About the Sebitseom, it is an artificial floating island and the night view is attractive and unique. 

At night, the floating island will bright up and most of the tourists will enjoy the night view there before the light show near Banpo bridge is started. 

Sebitseom

Banpo Bridge

The Banpo bridge moonlight fountain show is one of the most popular and well-known attractions that you cannot missed out if you are travelling around Seoul. Normally, you can check the show schedule based on their website and it is not operating in November until March due to the weather condition. Based on Korean Time Zone, the show schedule is as follow (it may changed or cancelled due to weather condition): 

April -June / Sep-Oct 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, 21:00 (& 12:00 daytime show)

July -August 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, 21:00, 21:30 (& 12:00 daytime show)

On day 5, we went to quite far area which is Hwaseong Fortress near Suwon, which is under UNESCO World Heritage. It was built in the late 18th century for defensive purposes. 

How to go there? If you depart from New Chonji Hotel, walk to Euljiro 4-ga > Take Line 2 train> Seolleung> Change to Line SB > Suwon City Hall > Take Uber or taxi and you will reach the destination 

There is no admission fees charged if you going to this place. This place is good to visit because of its architecture, historical culture, and the landscape. 

Don't missed out the Suwoncheon, the main stream in Suwon, the night view there is attractive. 

On day 6, we went to Ewha Womans University, which is also largest university for women in South Korea. This place is good to travel if you want to experience the university atmosphere and natural environment of the university. To me, this place is good to capture photo because of its university environment and it seems like Korean drama background. Meanwhile, it has variety of cafe and convenience shop near the university street. 

How to go there? If you depart from New Chonji hotel, walk to  Euljiro 4-ga Station > Take to Line 2 train> Walk around 5 minutes to Ewha Women University

In evening, we went to Seoul Central Market randomly. You can take train from Ewha Womens University station to Sindang (Line 2) and then walk to the market by using Naver map.

On day 7, it can be considered as our last day of staying in Seoul, we went Myeongdong to buy souvenirs and junk foods there. Last but not least, we serve our dinner within the street as end of our Seoul trip on that day.

While travelling in Seoul, the drinks and foods can be considered as moderate to us and it is good to try and taste. To us, because we only stay in Seoul for few days, the recommendable foods in Seoul are Ginseng Chicken soup, street foods near Myeongdong street, fried chickens, and the food and drinks in convenience shop such as 7/11, CU mart, or GS 25. It is worth to try.

On day 8, after our luggage is well packed, with a feeling of reluctance, we boarded the plane to return home. Needless to say, we hope that one day we have the opportunity to travel and explore this country again! 

Things to prepare before travelling to South Korea:

1. Prepare passport and buy flight ticket early
2. Plan the travel schedule and budget wisely
3. Purchase travel insurance early 
4. Apply K-ETA (Need to pay around RM 35.00) and update Q-code before travel to South Korea 
5. Purchase Internet Roaming
6. Download Naver Map, Papago, Uber mobile apps and make sure Google lens can function normally
7. Download Seoul Metro map
8. Make sure global transaction is activated for your credit cards (If you have) 

Things to prepare and take note while in South Korea:

1. Purchase and top up T-money card for public transportation
2. Activate Internet Roaming 
3. Make sure Naver Map, Papago, Uber mobile apps and Google lens can function normally 
4. Minimum order 2 foods for 2 persons, because some of the restaurants won't accept that you order only 1 food if you bring someone into their restaurants 
5. Most of the destination within Seoul got English, Japanese and Chinese language signboard, so no need to worry too much
6. Be courtesy while travelling, this is because different country have different culture 
7. Don't throw rubbish everywhere and make sure your rubbish is thrown separately based on the signboard. 
8. Make sure your watch timezone is updated to GMT+9 

My thoughts:

After travelling to Seoul with my girlfriend, frankly, it is a short getaway from busy worklife, high pace city, and explore new country to broaden my mind and "recharge" my body. Thanks for my girlfriend who is willing to spend her precious time with me to explore a new country  to create meaningful memory in my life. Hopefully, we have a chance to travel another country in the future to explore more beautiful destinations. 

You can click here to watch our trip to Seoul.