Namdaemun Market, Seoul

Namdaemun Market, the largest traditional market in Korea, is a well-known and popular tourist spot. Namdaemun is the nation's wholesale centre and one can practically find anything here. However for clothes, I still think that for clothes, Dongdaemun is a better bet. 

I've always thought that Dongdaemun is a night market, and Namdaemun is a day market. True in it's Facts, but not exactly accurate, depending how you define day and night. Dongdaemun wholesalers start business at night, from 8pm and ends the day at 5am. Some wholesalers double up as retailers would stretch their business up to 5pm. 

Namdaemun, on the contrary, starts business as early as 5am in the morning. According to some websites, business starts as early as 11pm the night and last through the day. Well, for a typical tourist that is not into wholesaling, we'll look at the retailers business hours. 

For most tourists like myself. Namdaemun would be a more interesting place in the day. Namdaemun, would be a place to go for foodstuff, and Dongdaemun, at night, or even past midnight, to shop for clothes. 

Namdaemun is filled with busy street stalls. You find street stalls lined in alleys. A place I recommend for getting local foodstuff, kitchenware and household items. 

Look at how many different kinds of seaweed you can choose from. Definitely spoilt for choice. Some shops have samples though but you'll be obligated to buy if you do try the samples.

My most memorable part of Namdaemun is the food alleys or the food streets.

Some of the "cooked" food stalls, similar to our Singapore "Economical Mixed Vegetables Rice". The stalls have makeshift tables and chairs. It's amazing to find it in a developed country like Korea, but such street-food stalls are becoming an extinct species in Singapore.

You can find a number of stalls that sell this fried fish-cake stuff with sausage. They make the batter there and fry it on the spot. Looks really yummy, but truly unhealthy. 

We choose a stall that is pretty popular. Well, Papa Snew is a bit concern of the re-used oil, so we do try to find one which the oil that doesn't look too over-used, judging by the colour of the oil. 

Another popular stall that has long queue is this Hotteok (or Hoddeok). This comes in a variety of filled Korean pancake and is a popular street food in Korea.

There's a variety of sweet or savoury filling to choose from. I tried the one with vegetables, which is stuff with veggies such as chives, carrots and Korean vermicelli (our chinese "Tang Hoon"). It was so interesting that I have to try one of it despite the long queue.

Papa Snew is not into Chives, so he choose the sweet one with red-bean filling. It was yummy as well.

There's much more of stalls than this. However, this being towards the last day of my trip, my human battery is running low and my legs are beyond me.

Walking is a lot in Korea. Do be prepare to do tons of walking if you are exploring these places on your own.

Look at the makeshift money changer in the top right hand picture below. I heard that the rates here is not bad, though I didn't ask.

Namdaemun Market
Hoehyeon Station (Subway Line 4), Exit 5

Close on Sunday

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Dongdaemun & Cheongyecheon Stream, Seoul

For most of the tourists, Dongdaemun is probably the most well-known place in Seoul. You probably may not have gone to Seoul if you haven't visited Dongdaemun. No surprise. This place is known for it's shopping mall that opens practically 24 hours. Even if shops do close, it would probably be wee hours in the morning. 

For most ladies, it's a shopping paradise. For me, it was a disappointment. I have been to Dongdaemun a few times (sometimes sneaking out at night during my previous work trips to kill my shopping itch). Most times, I return empty handed, or with just an item or so. Why? Read on. 

There are two sections of Dongdaemun. The ones that most tourists visit located on the side of Doosan Tower housed small individual retailers are Yes APm, Doota, Migliore. Doota is more high-end, with local branded stuff.  This is the section that I always visit. 

 

The other side, nearer to the Dongdaemun Stadium, meant for wholesalers. This means they usually sell in bulk, are Designer's Club, Gwanghee Fashion Mall, Migliore Valley, Jeil Pyeonghwa. According to KNTO, the first three cater more to the teens and youth in the twenties while the later caters more to the 30s and 40s. 

No wonder I didn't find anything suitable as I was in the wrong building all these while! My girlfriend who travelled there one week before I do, also complained the same thing! That tells very much about our age. She was tremendously disappointed as she was expecting to bring home loads of good stuff. 

Other than the shopping malls, Dongdaemun is also famous for it's outdoor night market where street vendors lined their stalls in yellow tents. It's a bit like pasar malam. The usual things that they sell are belts, socks, T-shirts and accessories.

Look at the crowd after a rain.

Did I mention that you need to try bargaining while shopping at Dongdaemun? Stuff here are cheaper than Myeongdong. However, don't expect to bargain down too much especially when they know that you are a tourist. You just need to search for sincere and nice sellers. Papa Snew bought some shirts from this funny Ajumma (aka "Aunty" in Korean) in Migliore and in her hardly understood English, tried hard to give him tips on how to dress up and style like Korean fashion. He ended up buying few shirts from him.

My deduction is, you really need to go to the right place (since the entire Dongdaemun is huge). Probably the touristy part was really not the right place to shop afterall. Searching for the right stuff at a good price in Dongdaemun is like searching for gem. You need real patience and good stamina. Now that you know my age bracket, do share your experience and drop me a comment if you know where I can find good stuff in Dongdaemun.

Dongdaemun
Dongdaemun Stadium Station (Subway Line 2)
or Dongdaemun Station (Subway Line 1 or 4)

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Since the rain has stopped, we decide to walk up and explore on the Cheongyecheon Stream. This is probably one of the longest stream, stretching 5.84KM and passing Deoksugung Palace to Changgyeonggung Palace. Not just any restored stream, the Cheongyecheon Stream is full of life and activities.

The Cheongyecheon Stream is a common place where young couples date. As it was just after a rain, we explored only on a  short section of the stream. If we do have the time and the weather was right, we could have taken a leisure stroll down a longer section of the stream.

There are many entry points to Cheongyecheon Stream. My suggestion is if you are going to Dongdaemun, just walk towards the stream if you just want to have a peep. However, if you do intend to take a leisure stroll, you can start from City Hall Station (Subway Line 1, 2), Exit 4. Walk 250 m north to Cheonggye Plaza. The Cheongye Square would be the start of the stream and the venue where events and activities are held.


Cheongyecheon Stream
Opens 24hours

Subway:
Line 1: City Hall Station, Jonggak Station, Jongno 3-ga Station, Jongno 5-ga Station, Dongdaemun Station, Sinseoldong Station
Line 2: Euljiro 1-ga Station, Euljiro 3-ga Station, Euljiro 4-ga Station, Sindang Station, Sangwangsibni Station
Line 3: Jongno 3-ga Station
Line 4: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station
Line 5: Gwanghwamun Station


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Edae - Ewha Womans University Vicinity, Seoul

Edae or Ewha Womans University vicinity is every teenage girl shopping haven. My age is nowhere near that of a teenager, or a budding University student. But I have read so much about getting bargains at this area. Hence, I needed to check it out the area.

There are a lot of street shopping, mainly frequently by students from the University. Yes ApM, the same shopping mall  found in Dongdaemun, catering to youngsters is also here. The highlight is probably the shops in shopping street selling trendy clothes, shoes and accessories. All more suitable for the youngsters. Believe they are also more affordable then those in Myeongdong.

Walking along the street, we stopped at Ewha Womans University. Our curiosity grows as we see the huge University ground and decide to explore further. We were applaud by the combination of modern and colonial architecture style. The lush greenery reminds me of some of the older Universities in UK.

Ewha Womans University is one of the top University in Korea. Only for the ladies. But... but.. I thought University is place where you get to meet your potential life partner, or at least have a better avenue to meet friends of the opposite sex?

Would you believe that these are part of a University campus? I will probably be very motivated in my studies if I do study here!

It's definitely worth a visit to Ewha Womans University area. Even if it's not for shopping, but for some time to stroll around the University Campus is also a good experience.


Ewha Womans University
11-1, Daehyeon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul-si
Ewha Womans University Station (Subway Line 2), Exit 2 or 3.


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Namsan Tower (N Seoul Tower), Seoul

Namsan Tower, also known as N Seoul Tower, is one of the beautiful and romantic icon in Seoul City.

I have planned to visit Namsan Tower in the evening. I imagined having the combination of the spectacular views of the city in the sunset. However, it didn't turn out very much as planned as the sun sets pretty fast during the Autumn season. When we reached the cable car station to Namsan Tower, the sky was already turning dark.

There are two ways to get to Namsan Tower. The first way is by cable car, which offers you a good view of the city and the mountain. The second is by trekking the way up via a stone windy stairs. This would probably take about 30 minutes or more for me. Well, I wanted to save my energy as there are a lot of walking to be done in Seoul. Besides, the cable car ride would be an experience in itself.  

There was a queue to take the cable car during the evening. We queued for about 20minutes before getting onto the cable car. The ride was a mere 5 minutes ride but it was an experience anyway. After arriving at the tip of the cable car station, we still need to climb some flight of stairs to get to the base of Namsan Tower. On the way, you will come across the Gazebo that you see in many Korean drama series. We spotted some lovey dovey Korean couple....

At the foot of N Seoul Tower, there are some few retail shops and restaurants. Besides the magnificent views Namsan Tower offers, the place is also renowned for its collection of "Locks of Love". Couples  declare their everlasting love and symbolically does it by writing love notes on the lock and attaching over the "trees of locks" or the fences. The locks comes in all shapes and sizes, some very unique that are not commonly found. 

I wonder should the couple part, would they go back there to "unlock" the love locks? But well, who would bother doing it right? There are probably thousands or millions of locks all over and would be hidden beneath. 

A comparison of the towers around the world.

It's a 360 degrees view of Seoul city. It was too dark for me to take a good shot of the view. So I will recommend going during the late afternoon where it is still bright to enjoy a clear view.

If your love ones is not with you up the tower, you can post them a postcard and send it to your love one. 

N Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower)
By Cable Car 
Admission Price: 8,000KRW (return), 6,000KRW (single)
Opening Hours: 10am - 11pm
Directions: Exit 3 of Myeongdong Station (Subway Line 4). Walk for 10-15minutes following the street uphill, on the right side of Pacific Hotel. (It might be a bit too complicated, so I suggest you just get a taxi from Myeongdong).

Namsan Tower
Admission Price: 9,000KRW
Opening Hours: 10am-11pm (Mon-Fri); 10am-12midnight (Sat & Sun)

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Bukchon & Samcheongdong, Seoul

After Gyeongbokgung Palace, we continued on to Bukchon & Samcheongdong. Samcheongdong is a street adjacent to Gyeongbokgung. It is one of the most beautiful streets in Seoul, incorporating a mix of traditional Korean houses with modern cafes, art galleries, designer and specialty shops.

To my knowledge, Samcheongdong is also a high-end area with many government officials residing there as it is near to the Blue-House (Cheongwadae). Cheongwadae is the official residence of the President of Korea.

Check out the many unique cafes at Samcheongdong. It's a place where the East meets West. You find modernised cafes and shops operating in traditional looking house. Unique as it is, you don't feel that either of these are "out of place", but well-mixed.

I really love the nice cafes in Samcheongdong. If I have the luxury of time, I would probably try out all these nice-looking cafes. I was told that the must-do at Samcheongdong is to enjoy a cuppa of coffee with waffles. A pity that I did not get to try to waffles.

We spotted these nice cafes while we are on the uphill of Bukchon. This would be my dream cafe, if I ever have a chance to open one. It is call Kona Queens.

The cafe has a full glass frontage. Guests can choose to sit at the 3rd storey, outdoor area or the second-level indoor dining. As there were people smoking on the outdoor deck, we decided on the second storey which has a better to people-watch.

What I was surprise was that the menu are all in English. The staff spoke good conversational English, and most of the customers were young people. I believe the older folks would prefer the traditional Korean Tea places. Free WIFI is commonly found in cafes.

Enjoy my favourite Green Tea Latte with a cheesecake.

Continuing on in Bukchon, you will find street stalls, restaurants and art galleries.

Street Stalls that we came across.

We were searching for the Bukchon Hanok Village and finally arrive after walking around the area for about half an hour. The Hanok Village is the Korean traditional houses which dates back to the Joseon Dynasty. Till date, there are still residences in these houses, while others have been converted to guesthouses, culture centres and teahouses.

There are 8 views of Bukchon - the photospots of Bukchon.

Looking at the roof tops, are you thinking that you have travelled to the past?

When we were there, Persimmons are in the season. Can see them growing everywhere. I believe the resident decide to grow it on higher ground so as to prevent people from plucking it. Honestly, the persimmons was pretty tempted to pluck them as well!

Bukchon Hanok Village
Anguk Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 2. Go straight for about 300m to arrive at Bukchon Hanok Village.

Samcheong-dong Street
Anguk Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 1, 2, or 3. Walk 10 minutes.

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Gyeongbokgung, Seoul

On our second day, we visited Gyeongbokgung Palace. There are a few palaces in Seoul. The main royal palace of the 500 Joseon Dynasty remains to be the Gyeongbokgung Palace. So if you do not have the luxury of time or an inept for Korean history, visiting the Gyeongbokgung Palace would probably just be sufficient.

There are at least three entrances to the Gyeongbokgong. The Royal Change of Guard Ceremony happens at the main Gwanghwamun Gate (which faces the Gwanghwamun Square). It's a good opportunity to witness and experience some rare traditional Korean culture. Happens on the hour between 10am - 3pm, except Tuesday.

Not trying to be rude, but this guard looks pretty adorable, similar to those you see from the TV drama series. Talking about it, I always thought that such performance and traditional costumes are worn in the period dramas. Was pretty amaze that the ceremony still happens at the Royal Palace presently.

There are numerous different halls and pavilions in the palace. To be honest, I didn't have the energy to continue after seeing the first few. The grounds are just simply too huge to cover. Size does matters. Especially to my tiring legs! Seeing is believing  Now I really understand what it means by the size of the palace grounds.

Not forgetting, I have yet to cover on the palace gardens. We decided to venture to the back of the palace, whereby we reach the gardens. It's another huge piece of land, with views of the mountains. With the autumn leaves, this makes it really picturesque.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

22, Sajik-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opens: 9am - 6pm (Last Admission at 5pm)
Close on Tuesday
Winter (Nov - Feb): 9am - 5pm (Last Admission at 4pm)
Summer (Jun - Aug): 9am - 6.30pm (Last Admission at 5.30pm)
Admission Ticket: 3,000KRW
Changing of Royal Guards Performance: 10am - 3pm (6 times a day / on the hour)

Directions:
Gyeongbokgung Palace Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 5 and walk for 5mins.
or Gwanghwamun Station, (Subway Line 5), Exit 2 and walk 400m.

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Walking further from Gyeongbokgung, we reach the National Folk Museum of Korea.

There are 4,000 historical artifacts in the museum.

Below shows the rotary grinding mill used in the olden days.

We did not actually go into the museum but stumble upon the open-space artifacts on the front yard of the museum. It showcase interesting facts on the diversity themes of Korean folk life, highlighting particularly on the traditional rural life.

National Folk Museum of Korea

37, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opens: 9am - 6pm (Last Admission at 5pm)
Close on Tuesday and 1 Jan
Admission: Free
Directions: Walk from Gyeongbokgong Palace or Anguk Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 1

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