Solo Korea Trip DAY 2 (part 2) – Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace, Insadong

Welcome back and let's just begin ~

Continued from my previous post, I reached Bukchon Hanok Village after my visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace and have lunch at Tosokchon.

Here are some photos of the village that I took once I reached:

It was quite hard for me to take “clean” shots as so many tourists (including me lol) stopping here and there to take photos everywhere. However It was very fun to stroll around this area as it feels like you go back to the past. Just fyi that inside this houses there are actual citizen living inside, thus making loud noises are strictly prohibited.

Some of the tourist wore pretty traditional hanbok to match the village environment, but I wonder how they fight the blazing heat with their appearances.. 

Just a reminder again that I went there on August, which is mid summer and I’m sweating like mad all the time. Me myself not recommending people to go Korea in mid summer, as it was too hot. Even for me who rarely sweat (and always feel cold anytime), sweat a lot back then. No more Korea in summer! Just no.

Strolling Bukchon Village from side to side finally took me to another palace that I thought It’s alright if I do a light visit. The Palace itself were called Changdeokgung Palace; was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. 

It was not as crowded, but as beautiful as Changdeokgung Palace. There are areas called Secret Garden that I think worth the visit but since I arrived there after the last session of the tour for the garden, I couldn’t make it inside. There are schedules for the tour with several translated language course, and I recommend you to inquire the tour beforehand if you would like to enter the area.

Here are some of the other photos I managed to take:

Satisfied with the visit to the Palace, I continue my walk from that spot back to Samcheongdong area for more stroll and walked through them into Insadong area. I think it’s just below Samcheongdong area If I’m not mistaken.  

Shop a little bit too in some makeup stores (can’t stand anymore so I went to shop bit by bit) and buy some cute accessories around Samcheongdong area.

Insadong area itself is a little bit more of a traditional and lively shopping area with focus on selling stuff targeted on tourists, such as a package of 6 keychains with Korea tourist spot pictures, set of chopsticks, Korean themed fridge magnets, etc. Roughly this is what its like.

From there I managed to walk quite far (maybe around 1.5 hours?), reaching the and of the Insadong road and continue to follow the train line, until I reach Jongno area and found one small night market there. 

It looked interesting so I just went by and entered impulsively, until I found this stall of food and decided to have my dinner there! 

It was quite cheap and not to mention the portion is also huge! Even though I asked the auntie to give me small portions, but still they gave me like whoa, so much. Too bad I went alone there so I can’t try all of the things that I want to try.. The minus point for solo travel, is stomach capacity, I guess.

Ending my dinner at the market conclude my day 2, I walked back home very tired (I think I walk more than 15 km that day, not to mention with that amount of sweat) however very satisfied. After unpacked my shopping bag and do some research for my next day trip and itinerary, I went to sleep to prepare myself for a whole new journey tomorrow. 

So much fun this day and definietly can't wait for the next post, which is trip to Nami Island!

Please click links below to see which day you want to browse! (Will update the link one by one with every new post that I’ve uploaded)

See you on the next posts!

Solo Korea Trip DAY 2 (part 1) – Gyeongbokgung Palace, Samcheongdong

Since I went to so many places on the second day, I will divide the itinerary for this day into 2 posts so that I can write more detailed information on this one. Here we go!

For the second day, I went to several historical places that I’ve been eye-ing for, with the main target was Gyeongbokgung Palace. After grabbing quick breakfast (read: good bread and milk) from nearby convenience store, I went directly to the palace by subway from my the nearest station from my stay and start strolling around. Here's roughly how's the palace looks like:

Quite amazed at how I can see the mountain as a background for the whole picture!

Just when I reached the place, the guard changing ceremony is being held. It’s just one simple and short ceremony, however what makes it attractive was the appearances of the troops, with traditional Korean hanbok which everyone adores. Managed to take several photos of them too.

Such a perfect timing for me to arrive there!

Anyway, back to the main spot for the day and a short intro, Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. It is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty, which served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon. In short, it was a must visit place when you're in Seoul and I would say it can’t be more true than that.

Now I can say I’m officially in Seoul!

The Palace details itself were quite fascinating, a total change of nuance for me here since what I am used to see were always Japanese Style Palaces and temples after all this time.

It took me around good 1.5 hour to totally enjoy the view with a rather slow pace. I noticed that some of the area need pre-reservation before visits.

When I finished with all the views and areas inside the palace, I went to go lunch and off to search for a place called Tosokchon Samgyetang that was recommended by my Airbnb host; which she said that it sells the best samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) in town. 

Here's a brief photo of how the restaurant looks like:

She said it was always crowded when its lunch time but LUCKY me, when I reached the place even around lunch time, there’s still no crowd there and I can directly go in and get seated!

It was indeed the best samgyetang that I ever had in my life! Rumors said that even the president of Seoul itself (dunno which generation though) have been here to eat the samgyetang too.

Heres what it looks like,

Yum.

And they even provide instruction how to eat the samgyetang the right way. That’s what I call creative and helpful!

The meat was just so soft and melts in my mouth. Would definitely order the 2nd one if my stomach capacity allows it..

After I finished my meal, I decided to go as soon as possible since I knew that the place were getting more and more crowded and there must be some queue outside (and I was right!) waiting to be seated.

From Tosokchon with wholly full stomach, I took a turn on a nearby market which unfortunately I forgot it’s name. It was quite interesting to see so I just went impulsively there for a while.

The food that the aunties selling were quite nice and appetizing! Too bad I'm so full already I didn't have the chance to try them at all.. Just look at those kimbap that are waiting to be eaten. Too bad.

From there I continued to make a walk route circling outside of Gyeongbokgung Palace’s back area directly to Samcheongdong area, passing several government area I guess, since it was somehow strictly guided everywhere.

So scary since the environment were suddenly became so official.. and every guards there look at me like I'm a threat to their government. haha. At least they did their job wholeheartedly.

Samcheongdong area itself was a more of a stylish area one, with some indie brand stores scattered all over the place. 

Since I didn’t have any intention to shop around here, I just did some window shopping and keep walking towards Bukchon Hanok Village, second main target of the day. I just knew it when I reached that area since the village itself is very distinctive, it starts when you see several old style traditional Korean house here and there.

For the first part, I will cut it here and definitely will post more of the photos including closing of day 2 on my next post!

And here are 2 bonus photos, several cute cafes and traditional houses which I found during my search of the samgyetang restaurant.

Please click links below to see which day you want to browse! (Will update the link one by one with every new post that I’ve uploaded)

See you on the next posts!