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heyshanii-blog · 6 years

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I’ve been the type of person who always plans ahead of time where they’ll celebrate their birthday. After travelling to VISA free countries, I thought why not celebrate it in a OECD country.

OECD (the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is an international organization which countries who are considered members of it, stimulate economic progress and world trade.

Ranked as the 11th largest economy in the world, South Korea has drawn the world’s attention for being a popular tourist destination, notably among us Filipinos. Hence comes the question if we need a VISA. YES, we do! Don’t fret though cause South Korea’s VISA is not only easy but also FREE.

TRAVELLING TO SEOUL FROM INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Almost all of the international flights land at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1, including Cebu Pacific and there are several ways to get to downtown Seoul.

BY AIRPORT RAILROAD EXPRESS (AREX Express Train): The fastest way to get to downtown Seoul (Seoul Station) in exactly 43 minutes, without any station stops. A one-way ticket costs KRW 9000 for adults and KRW 7000 for children. Save even more on the adult fare if you purchase beforehand in Klook (KRW 6400). Be advised though that the train only runs from 5:23 AM until 10:48 PM.

BY AIRPORT RAILROAD EXPRESS (AREX All Stop Train): The second fastest way to get to downtown Seoul (Seoul Station) in approximately 58 minutes, with 13 subway station stops. A one-way ticket costs KRW 4150 with a T-Money Card. Take note that the train only runs from 5:25 AM until 11:39 PM.

BY BUSES: Take it only if you’re arriving during off hours as its way more expensive and takes longer than the subway. You can inquire at the Airport Information Desk on the 1st floor for the late-night airport buses to Seoul Station which costs KRW 9000.

BY TAXI: Most convenient yet the most expensive as it will roughly cost you KRW 60 000 – 80 000. The drop charge is KRW 3600 and the distance charge is KRW 120.

HOW TO GET AROUND

Seoul’s subway system is pretty efficient that you won’t need any other form of transportation. Most subway fare costs KRW 1250 for short distance trips. It can be a bit confusing but look around for these signs.

Take note where your nearest entrance is from and to where you are going.

Look out for these head signs as it tells you which way to go depending on the line number.

It tells you the line number’s transfer lines, last stop and which station is it headed next.

Watch out for the arrow sign which tells what’s the next subway station.

The only time we used a different mode of transportation was when we got on a bus on our way to N Seoul Tower, and when I rode a taxi back to the hostel as I was out after 11 PM when the buses and subways’ operating hours end.

Heads up though, Seoul requires heaps of walking so make sure to wear your comfiest shoes.

MONEY SAVING TIPS

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WHAT TO DO IN KOREA

1.) Relive the Joseon Period in a Hanbok and get lost in a maze of traditional houses at Bukchon Hanok Village

Hanbok is the traditional Korean dress worn by both men and women during festivals and celebrations. There are plenty of hanbok rental shops near the Village or the Palace, but you can rent in advance through Klook for KRW 15 000 for 4 hours.

Bukchon Hanok Village will take you back in time as it is a maze of narrow alleyways and traditional Korean houses called hanoks. Regardless of being a tourist destination, please be respectful as it is still a neighborhood.

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Subway Station: Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 1 or 2

2.) Watch the Changing of the Guards at Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palace

Seoul has five Joseon royal palaces, but these two are the ones you shouldn’t miss. Gyeongbokgung the main palace where the changing of guards happen at 10 AM has an entrance fee of KRW 3000 and closed on Tuesdays, while Changdeokgung, a UNESCO Heritage Site and home to Huwon, or the “Secret Garden” has an entrance fee of KRW 5000 and closed on Mondays.

Our feet were tired enough to explore both. However, if you plan on visiting all the palaces, get a discounted entrance ticket with the Integrated Palace Ticket for KRW 10 000. For those wearing a hanbok, you are free to enter the palaces.

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Subway Station: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 5 or Anguk Station (Line 3) Exit 1

3.) See North Korea on the DMZ and JSA Tour

Demilitarized Zone refers to the 4 km wide buffer zone dividing the North and South Korea. Within the DMZ is the Joint Security Area where the North and South Korean soldiers stand face to face, regarding it as “the most dangerous place in Korea.”

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You can book through Klook the DMZ Tour (Imjingak Park, Freedom Bridge, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, the DMZ Exhibition Hall and Dora Observatory) for KRW 50 000, JSA Panmunjom Tour (Freedom House, Conference Room, Bridge of No Return and the Ax Murder Incident area) for KRW 86 100, or DMZ and JSA combined tour for KRW 130 000.

Please follow proper dress code: – Jeans are allowed as long as not faded, ripped, or torn in any way. – No shorts or skirts. – No shirts or tops without sleeves or exposing the midriff. – No sandals, flip-flops, or open-toed shoes. – No athletic, military, or oversized clothing.

4.) Spend the day being a kid at heart in Everland Resort

Everland is South Korea’s biggest theme park, made up of five themed zones— Global Fair, Zootopia, European Adventure, Magic Land, and American Adventure.

The most popular attractions at Everland are T Express, one of the world’s fastest wooden rollercoasters, and Panda World, which is home to a pair of giant pandas gifted to South Korea by Chinese president Xi Jinping as a sign of friendship.

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The park, which dresses up to match the season, is big enough to make you hungry and thirsty, but you can get food and drinks at a reasonable price ranging from KRW 4000 — KRW 20 000 at their restaurants and snack bars.

We were lucky enough to catch both parades at 3:30 PM and 8:30 PM, however, we opted to skip the fireworks display at 9:30 PM because of the subway’s operating hours.

A one-day pass to Everland costs KRW 54 000 for adults, but you can get them for KRW 35 000 if you purchase them in advance through Klook.

Check out this blog post for a handful of details about Everland.

How to Get There: Gangnam Station (Line 2) → Joengja Station (Sinbundang Line) → Giheung Station (Bundang Line) then transfer to Jeondae Everland Station (Yongin Everline Line) → Take the free shuttle bus to Everland

5.) Visit Nami Island, Gangchon Rail Park, Petite France and Garden of the Morning Calm

Having no idea how Koreans celebrate Chuseok, we went off to Gapyeong in the hopes for the autumn foliage on my birthday. Thinking it will be an easy trip as it has been a favorite day trip, we started at 11 AM and got confused on how to get there as you can either take the subway or ITX. The traffic was severe too due to the holiday that we ended up exploring Nami Island only. Nevertheless, we made the most out of our day, and I will surely come back the next time I’m in the country. For now, you can head off to Travel Intern’s blog for more details on how to DIY the trip.

If you’re going to all four attractions in Gapyeong, it’s best that you avail the Gapyeong City Tour Bus, an unlimited bus ride within a day for KRW 6000. You can purchase the ticket from the bus captain and show it at every pickup point.

NAMI ISLAND

Nami Island, a tiny half-moon shaped island, is a must-visit for anyone travelling to South Korea and you can explore it in less than a day. Aside from being storybook beautiful, it is officially known as the Naminara Republic, a micronation with passport and flag. Before you can board a ferry onto the island, you’ll need to purchase an “entry visa” which costs KRW 10 000 for Koreans, but just KRW 8000 for foreigners.

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6.) Lock your love and get the best view of the city on top of N Seoul Tower

Not only does N Seoul Tower give you sweeping aerial views of Seoul, but it’s where you can “lock your love” for all eternity as well.

You can get to the tower by either riding the shuttle bus for KRW 1250 or take the cable car for KRW 9500 for adults and KRW 6500 for kids roundtrip while one-way costs KRW 7000 for adults and KRW 4000 for kids.

The entrance to the Observatory is an additional KRW 10,000 for adults and KRW 8,000 for kids, but you can get them for KRW 6,400 and KRW 5,400 respectively if you purchase them in advance through Klook. The Observatory gives you a 360° panoramic view of the entire city, best during sunset or at night.

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How To Get There:

— by Cable Car: Myeongdong Station, Exit 4 → walk straight towards the Hoehyeon Intersection to the right of Pacific Hotel → turn left towards Namsan Park/Tunnel which is up to the hill → take the Namsan Oreumi (slanted elevator), located at the entrance of Namsan Tunnel #3, connected to Namsan Cable Car

— by Shuttle Bus: Chungmuro Station, Exit 2 → go straight to the bus stop and ride Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus No. 02 or 05

7.) Rejuvenate and relax in a jjimjilbang

A jjimjilbang is a gender-segregated public bathhouse in Korea where locals come to unwind, hang out and engage in a whole host of health and beauty rituals that go far beyond a quick soak.

I saw loads of this in Korean drama scenes and wanted to try it myself. Fortunately, a foreign friend happens to plan on staying overnight at one. Among all the bathhouse in Seoul, we went for the Siloam Spa near Seoul Station. On our way there, we passed by Seoullo 7017 or “SkyGarden“, which marks the transformation of an overpass highway to a pedestrian oasis in the middle of Seoul where you can get tourist information, rest, and have a light meal or snacks.

I paid KRW 12 000 for nighttime use and given a locker key to store my shoes. After doing so, I handed my locker key to the front desk, in exchange for a towel, a pair of pyjamas and a different locker key with a number on it where I stored my stuff which you can wear on your wrist.

What you need to know if you’re going to the gender-segregated baths, you need to go naked, bringing only a small towel and toiletries. Fear not! Koreans consider this normal in jjimjilbang. Before bathing, wash first and if you’re going to the saunas, change into the pyjamas.

You can get a scrub for an extra KRW 15 000 – KRW 20 000. Lastly cap off a good sweat with a cold sweet sikhye, a traditional fermented rice drink, or steamed sauna eggs called maekbanseok gyeran.

How to Get There: Seoul Station, Exit 3 and cross the streets then take the stair up to the Seoullo 7017

8.) Shop and eat till you drop

Seoul is a shopaholic’s paradise. There is so much to buy here, from accessories, clothes, foods, cosmetics and even socks may it be in the shops, streets or the subway.

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MYEONGDONG

Home to high-end brand stores and Korean cosmetics, the best time to come here is around dinner when the street stalls open so you can feast on street food while shopping.

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Subway Station: Myeongdong (Line 4), Exit 7

HONGDAE

Hongdae, the abbreviation of Hongik Daehakgyo, gives you an energetic hippie vibe as it’s home to one of the top fine arts colleges in South Korea, Hongik University. Aside from the artsy nooks and trendy clothes and accessories hanged for sale, it comes alive at night with the street performances and nightclubs blasting their stereos on. We party hard here on my birthday going home at 5 in the morning.

Subway Station: Hongik University (Line 2), Exit 8 or 9

EWHA WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY FASHION STREET

The streets around the university is a shopping haven for women. Before hitting the shops, take a few minutes to check out Korea’s largest underground campus, Ewha Campus Complex.

This fashion street shopping unmistakably targets students at Ewha, so expect the shopping to be trendy and at the best bargain.

Subway Station: Ewha Woman’s University (Line 2), Exit

9.) Eat a live octopus in traditional market

If there’s one thing I wasn’t expecting on this trip, it’s eating a san-nakji or live octopus. Gomawo Sam!

Bought live before being chopped up and served raw on a plate, the tentacles continue to wriggle about for a long time despite being detached from the octopus’ body which contains ganglia. Drizzled with sesame seeds and served with a soy-wasabi dipping sauce, it was better than I had imagined. Just make sure to chew it well as there are reports of a few deaths by choking from the tentacles latching on to people’s throats.

We went to Namdaemun Market initially, but they close earlier due to Chuseok, Korean’s Thanksgiving Day. Luckily, we found a stall that still sells some octopus at Gwangjang Market. Expect to spend around KRW 10 000 per octopus with preparation.

10. Cafe hopping

Seoul has no lack of aesthetically-pleasing, eclectic and Instagram worthy cafés that you can spend a week just doing café hopping. We didn’t have much time to do it, but I’ll surely update the list the next time I’m in Seoul.

STYLENANDA PINK POOL CAFE This gorgeous pastel pool-themed café has got to be one of the Instagrammable places you should mark on your bucket list.

Subway Station: Myeongdong Station, Exit 6

LINE FRIENDS CAFE AND STORE

I didn’t have the chance to go to LINE Friends Cafe and Store in Itaewon, which is a 3-storey high building with a concept cafe at the top level. However as I passed by Ewha’s Fashion Street, I surprisingly found one of their flagship stores.

Subway Station: Itaewon Station, Exit 3

SAMPLE ITINERARY & BUDGET

A week isn’t enough to experience everything in Seoul but here’s a sample itinerary of the must-dos.

Like what I said in How Do You Travel, travelling doesn’t need to be expensive. What you need is thoughtful planning and sorting out the fixed and variable costs through budgeting.

Reserving and paying in advance makes the budgeting smoother too, still, do it only after you get your VISA approval. We booked our accommodation and most of our activities in Seoul a week after we got ours. Leaving us with the transportation, meals and extras (souvenirs, party expense) to plan out.

TOTAL

PHP 10 000 to spend before the trip and PHP 10 000 to spend in Korea with the meals and transportation expense. Have in mind that this estimate doesn’t include souvenir or shopping. If I spend more on that day, then I’d cut back in fickle expenses– it’s as simple as that.

A Week in Seoul, South Korea for PHP 20 000 I've been the type of person who always plans ahead of time where they'll celebrate their birthday.

#wanderlust #Seoul #Travel

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