KOREA

SEOUL

The popularity of Korea started with the movie “Winter Sonata” screened over in local television. Viewers are infatuated with the good looking movie stars that had influence tourists to visit the “Winter Sonata Seoul Location", highlighting Korea Star Picture Shop, Whoam Catholic Church. Joong Ang High School and the street of Korean Star.

As for me, I am not that crazy over the Korea movie stars, it was the promotional price of RM980, that attracts me to Seoul, way back in 2006.

I then followed the 6D5N tour to Seoul-Suwon-Everland, to understand why are the present generation so crazy over Korean stars, during the 2000s. 

SEOUL - HERE I COME!!

Seoul has a colorful past and the walk us through the places of history coupled with grand buildings hinting to us that Korea is a country with a tale to tell. The must visit heritage places namely Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Deoksugung Palace, Namsangoi Hanok Village and the Memorial Hall for Incheon Landing Military Operation.

Seoul is a “shopping paradise” – as we were provided a chance to visit a number of shopping areas 'part by part' throughout our holiday.

It is also a country popular with plastic surgery - where every girl or boy had in their life time undergo beauty surgery to improve the weak areas of the face and body.

DAY 1

A nature day – we took the Woimido Seagulls Watching Ship – to watch the numerous seagulls flying across one's head, rather friendly with human, while watching the beautiful scenery offered, here.

WOIMIDO SEAGULLS WATCHING TRIP

Afternoon, walk through the 100-year-old Chinatown, and saw some churches and local delights sold here. The people living in Chinatown are the third generation from Shang Tung Province – a total of 15,000 families. 

CHINATOWN

We also visited the Memorial Hall for Incheon Landing Millitary Operation. Here, the Incheon Landing Operation was executed and turned the Korean War in favor of the allies. In 1984, Incheon citizens put their all out effort into constructing the Memorial Hall in Incheon to honor those who sacrificed their lives to preserve the democracy and freedom of the Peninsula in its imminent situation due to the invasion of the communist forces in 1950 under the banner of United Nations. Here, visitors can understand more about Korean war – via the exhibition room, video and panels, uniforms of the ROK Army and the North Korean People's Army. At the outdoor area there are – landing crafts (F86F Saber Jet, North Korean Anti-Aircraft gun, other heavy weaponry), Freedom Tower , Water Mill and a park.

MEMORIAL HALL FOR INCHEON LANDING OPERATION

Shopping is a must in Seoul – where we get to visit in 'parts' places like Cheonggyecheong Street and Insadong.

CHEONGGYECHEONG STREET

Insadong is famous for souvenirs – similar with our Petaling Street, in Kuala Lumpur.

SUWON HWASEONG FORTRESS

The first heritage place we visited is the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress – is an 18^th century fortress which is the official fortress of Suwon-Si, Gyeonggido, from the later day of Jaseon Period (1392-1910) is now the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. It was built by King Jeongjio (1170-1800) as an act of loyalty towards his father who was murdered and he wanted to strengthen the authority of his monarchy which was weakened by factional hostility. The fortress was equipped with defense facilities like posts, observation towers, battlements, secret gates and arrow-launching platforms. The fortress took 700,000 man to work on, completed in 1796.

SUWON HWASEONG FORTRESS

DAY 2

In the morning – it is time for some 'fun', we visited the fascinating Everland Theme Park which is one of the top 7 theme park in the world, and the largest in Korea, with about 10 million people visited the park weekly. What delights me is the park showcased five them areas along with more than 50 different kind of attractions full of high octave thrills and fun. Everland, carries a park and resort concept – featuring an 'all in one' first class entertainment including a Safari, amusement rides, Magic Land, European Adventure, Global Fair, American Adventure and Zoo Topia. There are Disneyland characters such as Micky Mouse and Mindy, welcoming visitors at the entrance. 

EVERLAND THEME PARK

 

The other beauty – the miniature replica buildings of St Sophia Istanbul (Turkey), St Marco Cathedral of Venice (Italy), Taj Mahal (India) and Pantheon Close (Classic Renaissance).

GARDEN OF MICKEY & MINDY

Be amazed to find an animal called "liger" ( a cross breed between a lion and a tiger), and also other animals like double humpback camels, elephants, zebra and Asian ponies.

LIGER

 

By afternoon – we visited another historical place called Namsangoi Hanok Village – is a popular place to experience the lifestyle of traditional Korean – in a village – visitors are encouraged to explore the historical Korean houses, browse traditional crafts and try hands at the ancient games demonstrated, here.

NAMSANGOI HANOK VILLAGE

On our second day, we continue our shopping spree at Apgujeongdong and Dongdaemun Market.

Apgujeongdong is a shopping are for 'branded goods' and it is nicknamed the Fashion Street of Korea.

NAMSSANGOI HANOK VILLAGE

Dongdaemun Market, is located near Great East Gate, is Korea's largest wholesale shopping district with 26 shopping malls, 30,000 specialty shops and 50,000 manufacturers. Items sold here are silks, clothes, sport wear, plumbing and electrical supplies, toys and office supplies. 

7-LUCK CASINO

By evening, a visit was made to 7-Luck casino to test your luck, is located at Millennium Seoul Hilton.

DAY 3

A trip to Korea will not be complete without visiting the Kimchi Making House, to get a hands on the making of kim chi dish.

D-I-Y KIM CHI

Here, visitors get an opportunity to dress up in a Korean Traditional costume for a photography session. I really love the Korean costume, one of my favorite Asian costume.

LOVE MY KOREAN COSTUME!!

Deok Su Gong Palace is the final historical place we visited, which showcases 13 heritage buildings of various Korean and western structure, it a palace famous for its elegant stone-wall road and the building 'Jeonggwanheon' had a secret passageway to Russian Emissary.

The palace was originally the home of King Seongjong's elder brother, Prince Woldsandaegun (1445-1488). However, after all palaces in Hanyang (Seoul) had been burned down during Japanese Invasion of 1592, Deoksugung was used as a temporary palace. Gwanghaegun succeeded Seongjo as the King in 1592 and named it Gyeongungung in 1611. Deoksugung was used as a royal palace for 7 years until 1615.

DEUSUGONG PALACE

The rest of the day, were spent on a brief visit to the National Ginseng Shop followed with Amethyst Factory and Ubiquitous Dream Hall (Futuristic Product).

UBIQUITOURS DREAM HALL

We end our tour at Myeongdong Shopping Area – a middle class shopping area – where one can find the popular High Ice Cream, clothing and souvenir.

MYEONGDONG SHOPPING AREA

DAY 4 - DEPARTURE

JULY 23 – 27, 2006