Ethan got few days of break in school, so I took him for a quick trip in Seoul to enjoy some autumn scenery and spicy food which we both love.
DAY 1:
Took morning flight to Seoul without any delays or mishaps, managed to exchange currency, buying metro cards in the arrival hall, and finding the downtown airport shuttle without any language issue.
After ~1hr shuttle ride, we arrived in hotel in MyeongDong area. We headed directly to lunch (even though it was already around 1:30pm local time. After lunch we took Metro Line 4 which isn't far from the hotel to Namsangol Hanok Village (南山韩屋村). Again there were signs in Korean, Chinese, & English everywhere, so we didn't have any problem navigating the metro system.
On the way back, we passed the landmark Samsung building while walking toward Cheonggyecheon (清溪川) all the way to the Cheonggye Plaza area, and enjoyed the annual lantern festival along the clear creek. We had dinner at a nearby Korean fast food place where Ethan had spicy rice cake and I had beef soup.
Taxi back to MyeongDong area after 8pm where the narrow streets are now completely packed with food and clothing stalls. Had more snack before returning to the hotel.
DAY 2:
It was a long and packed day after finishing a nice breakfast in the hotel.
- Metro to National Museum of Korea - very nice setting
- Metro to Changdeokgung (昌德宫) - beautiful garden with full autumn colors
- Walk to Samcheong-dong area after a quick bite of lunch - hippie quaint area
- Walk along Gyeongbokgung side wall to National Folk Museum
- Walk to Gwanghwamun (光化门) gate and plaza for metro
- Metro back to Myeondong and walked toward Nansan Park to take cable car ride up to N Seoul Tower
- And finally back to Myeondong for dinner at the famous stone pot mixed rice at 全州中央會館
Took a half-day city tour with a travel company starting from
Gyeongbokgung Palace景福宫 - of course as not as the grand Chinese Forbidden City, then exited in back which faces the entrace to the Korean equivalent of the White House Cheong Wa Dae(青瓦台) with the blue tiled roof. Next is Bukchon Hanok then Insadong (仁寺洞)
After the group tour, we had lunch at the famous dumpling place in Myeondong 明洞饺子. Then we took Metro to 汝矣岛渡口站 for HanGang park and had a chance to visit the local farmer's market.
Went to a local Lotto market for some Korean snacks, then headed back to Myeondong for some 土豆猪骨汤。
DAY 4:
It was a rainy day in Seoul, so we decided to do something indoor in Coex Mall which is located in the Gangnam district. We went to the Aquarium and then the Kimchee Museum. Weather was cooperating so we returned back to Meonydong area for late lunch of some beef soup at 神仙雪浓汤. We then visited the Meonydong Cathedral and did some shopping around Meonydong.
DAY 5:
Had a relaxing morning around the hotel then a brief walk around Namdaemun Market which wasn't all that exciting. Then had last oppotunity for some spicy seafood soup before heading to the airport.