Hot Spots
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Such a Beautiful and Peaceful Rail Park in Gangchon!!
They used to have a railway which was called Gyeongchun line and it’s been running for 70 years in Korea. And it has stopped and gone forever with its history. But they’re still running on this railway to keep their memories. That is Gangchon Rail Park and the new life of the line is breathing now again with that bike. Let’s find out what they’re exactly running on this railway.
There are 3 rail bike stations for this line, Gimyujeong, Gyeong-gang and Gapyeong. Each of them has a railway with 7~10 km distance and you can ride a bike or a train. Technically, they’re all bikes that you need to pedal to operate and they’re really fun driving on the railway. You’re supposed to drive through the tunnels, mountains, you can go all through the nature while you drive there.
This is the sign of the gate and it’s very colorful. It looks literally like a park.
It is such an overwhelming nature and it looks like a painting since it’s so beautiful.
These are the 2 seat bikes for couples. It must be like taking a stroll on the railway. They look so happy and peaceful.
When you ride it, you’re also supposed to pass through some tunnels and they provide such beautiful services and events.
They also provide VR rail bike for the first time in the world and it’s the largest in the world according to them. I wonder what it’s like.
This is the map of Gimyujeong’s Rail Park and this is probably the best course that they have.
Here’s some more information about this place if you’re interested in visiting this place.
Address : 1383, Gimyujeong-ro, Sindong-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
For Inquiries : 033-245-1000
Admission : 30,000 KRW (2 Seaters) / 40,000 KRW (4 Seaters)
Operating Hours : 09:00 ~ 18:00
Homepage (English) and Credit Source : http://www.railpark.co.kr/index.php?lng=e
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You Miss Spring Time Already? Cherry Blossoms In Gyeongju!!
When it turns to spring, everyone expects something very cheerful, joyful, warm and bright. And there is something more expected especially in Korea. And that is Cherry Blossoms outing. It is very normal in Korea to go and see cherry blossoms during spring. I didn’t know this but they also have cherry blossoms forecast. Cherry blossoms outing is very popular in Korea.
I got these photos from my colleague. I was told that it’s really famous for cherry blossoms here. It is located in Gyeongju City in Kyeongbuk Province which is really far from Seoul. The distance between Gyeongju and Seoul is 324 km and it takes about 5 hours by car. However, Gyeongju is a very important city historically in Korea and it’s often referred to as ‘the museum without walls’ so many students visit Gyeongju for their school field trip so they learn about the history.
There are so many cherry blossoms on the street. To be honest, I don't see anything special yet in this picture because it looks quite similar to other cherry blossoms.
Wow, there are more cherry blossoms here. I see endless trees on the street. They look very impressive.
Do you see that all of the cherry blossoms are reflecting lights? I thought it was black and white reversal but they are exactly the way it is. They are much more beautiful at night. I didn’t notice that.
There is a man standing in the middle of the street under the cherry blossoms in the darkness with frustration and desperation. He’s the one who gave me these photos. He was just playing alone, haha.
I also got this shot from Kweather website. See? They have Cherry Blossom Forecast. It’s interesting.
Please check the below for more information if you’re interested in this place.
Address : 140-25, Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju City, Kyeongbuk Province
Inquiries : 054-779-8585
Open Hours : 24 Hours
Admission : Free
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Want Something Familiar? Paju English Village!!
English Villages in Korea are usually language education institutions for a language immersion program for students. And one of them located in Paju City is opened to the public and it is also great to come by to get some fresh air. One of my colleagues gave me some pictures of this place and now I’m writing this to introduce you to this place.
This place is called Change-Up Campus in English but they have an official Korean name. It is long and hard to remember so everyone just calls it Paju English Village. This place could be really recommended for young children to learn English because it feels like a different country. And if you’re visiting Korea and missing your peaceful hometown then this place could help. I’m definitely interested in visiting this place soon because I didn’t know that it was free to the public until now.
This is a view from the top place of the whole village. It looks very peaceful and clean surrounded by mountains.
You can park your car in this place which is called Gate 1. I would say driving a car would be much more convenient to get here.
This is the entrance of the campus. It looks foreign already.
Look at the houses here. Wouldn’t it feel like you’re walking down the street in a small town somewhere in Europe?
This is the city hall. So they’re saying it’s a city, ha. It is interesting.
Please check the below for more information if you’re interested in visiting this place.
Address : 40, Eoleumsil-ro, Tanhyeon-myeon, Paju-si, Kyonggi-do
Inquiries : 1588-0554
Open Hours : 09:30 ~ 22:00
Admission : Free
One Day Experience : KRW 8,000
Homepage (English) : https://www.gcampus.or.kr/eng_index.php
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Heure Vert, With the View of Namhan River!!
Yangpyeong City has been always popular for its peaceful views and many couples visit this place for driving their cars. We actually didn’t mean to visit Yanpyeong but it was on the way heading back home from where I visited for my personal business. And it’s not very far from Seoul so if you want something to refresh your mind then this place can be recommended. We dropped by a coffee shop on the way and we realized the view of the river was very impressive and beautiful.
I found out that the river near the coffee shop was Namhan River which means Southern Han River. The total length of this river is about 375 kilometers and it flows all the way through Gangwon, Chungbuk and Kyonggi Provine. By the way, this coffee shop also sells their own homemade bread and according to them, they use 100% organic flour for their bread. We already had lunch before but I couldn’t help it. I grabbed some.
This is funny. I didn’t know M&Ms were welcoming us. I got those photos from my wife. You can see a sign of their organic bread as well.
They looked so delicious but I was also shocked when I saw the prices. It was too much. Luckily, I was already full so I grabbed only some.
This is what the whole coffee shop looks like and we could see the view of Namhan River from upstairs.
As always, I ordered Americano and she ordered Latte, it was green tea Latte this time. I took a sip of hers and I just frowned, ha.
The bread was so fresh. Bread is always right!!
Please check the below for more information if you’re interested in this coffee shop.
Address : 3096, Sansu-ro, Ganghwa-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Kyonggi-do
Phone Number : 031-774-2021
Operating Hours : 09:00 ~ 21:00
[Menu and Price]
Americano : KRW 5,000
Cafe Latte : KRW 6,000
Mango Latte : KRW 7,000
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The Most Popular Singer In The Memory, Kim Kwang-seok!!
There is a post-death popular singer still living in the memory of so many people in Korea. His name is Kim Kwang-seok and he was such an influential folk rock singer. He was born in 1964 in Daegu, South Korea. He debuted in 1987 as a member of the folk band and released his solo album the following year. Unlikely many other singers, he earned his fame by singing at concerts rather than showing up on TV music shows.
As I stated above, his hometown is Daegu city. Near the house of his childhood, you can see an alley which is called Kim Kwang-seok Alley. It was built and designed in 2010 with the memory of his life and songs. And 11 artists participated to make wall paintings in this neighborhood. If you’re interested in someone’s biography who was a very popular singer in Korea then you should visit there. It’s going to be a special and unique experience for you.
Does he look familiar? I didn’t know him and his songs very much but now I can recognize his face because he’s been famous for a long time, even more after his death.
There is a radio station in this alley. It’s not a fake. It is really broadcasting his songs every day here.
I love this wall painting. It looks like he’s still singing right in front us. I think his songs are reflecting something indescribable from deep in my mind.
This is the title of his mega hit song, ‘The Private’s Letter’. He performed this song while playing his acoustic guitar and harmonica.
You can see a statue of his figure there. Wow I didn’t realize that he’s been that much admired. The people in Daegu must be really proud of him, I guess.
Please check the below for more information if you’re interested in visiting this place.
Address : 2232, Dalgubeoldae-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu City
Inquiries : 053-661-3328
Open Hours : 24 Hours
Admission : Free
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The Most Well Preserved Palace, Changdeokgung!!
Changdeokgung is known as one of the Five Grand Palaces built by the kings of Joseon Dynasty. Since it’s located east of Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeokgung is also referred to as the East Palace. When you get there, you’re going to realize that it is a huge palace where the kings lived during Joseon period. It is surprising to see that they’ve been preserved for such a long time.
Changdeokgung was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. They stated that it is an outstanding example of Far Eastern Palace architecture and garden design. I didn’t know this but portions of the palace were used to film the popular Korean drama ‘Dae Jang Geum’. It is absolutely beautiful that makes me feel proud that I’m Korean.
It says Jeonghwamun in Chinese which is one of the gates in Changdeokgung. You can always see a lot of visitors including foreigners. You can also see some of them in Hanbok.
This is one of the pavilions in the palace. I couldn’t remember the exact name so I looked it up. It’s probably Buyongjeong Pavilion.
It is magnificent. I always wonder how their lives could be in this place. It must have been really peaceful. You can see everyone is busy with taking pictures now.
During the fall season, it is colorful everywhere in the palace. They must be really good at preserving the shapes including its nature..
Please check the below for more information if you’re interested in visiting this place.
Address : 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiries : 02-3668-2300
Open Hours : 09:00 ~ 18:00
Homepage : http://www.cdg.go.kr/default.jsp
Admission : Free
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Godang, Another Hanok Coffee Shop!!
This coffee shop is located in Namyangju City which is quite a peaceful area, not far away from Seoul. Do you know Korean Folk Village? When you get to the entrance of this coffee shop, you’re going to be reminded that place. Have a look at those pictures below.
I was told that this coffee shop was introduced in a TV show before because of its unique style. There is a bakery as well so you can grab some bread or rice cake made by their own so you can have it with your coffee. One staff brought us inside and designated our seats. It was one of the houses and we could see several tea tables inside with mostly couples having their coffee.
This is the entrance of the coffee shop. Looks like we’re entering a huge Hanok. This one must be designed from a rich hanok because there are many detached houses inside.
There’s a sign of today’s coffee. It also says there is a 2 hour time limit when the seats are full. And no pets allowed.
Look at that clear sky. I wondered if this hanok has been preserved since the time of Choseon Dynasty or they just rebuilt it to provide coffee since the beginning.
You can have coffee outside as well. I guess it wouldn’t be easy to take seats inside the hanok because they’re always busy. It was lucky for us to have one inside though.
There is a bakery inside the coffee shop. We picked 3 kinds and they were really good. Yeah, I know. I love bread always. No wonder the shop’s full name is Godang Coffee & Bakery.
If you want to try something new to get some fresh air, for meditating, not far from Seoul, then this coffee shop would be a great place. You better drive there because it doesn’t seem very convenient to take the bus or subway to get there. But it is definitely worth driving there on your date.
Please check the below for more information if you’re interested in this coffee shop.
Address : 121, Bukhangang-ro, Joan-myeon, Namyangju-si, Kyonggi-do
Inquiries : 031-576-8090
Operating Hours : 11:00 ~ 22:00
Homepage : https://www.godangcnb.com/
[Menu and Price]
Straight Coffee : KRW 7,000
Wondu Coffee : KRW 8,000
Siru Tteok (Rice Cake) : KRW 8,000
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Once Upon A Time, There Was A Hanok Village!!
As you know, there are so many cities in Korea to travel but Jeonju could be one of the most tempting places for foreigners because of the food and the places. I know it because I used to live in Jeonju city during my military service. I remember that the air and sky was much cleaner than Seoul.
Hanok means Korean traditional house and there’s a village with 7~800 hanoks gathered in the central of Jeonju city. And they make beautiful and unique eastern views. Did you know you can also stay in one of them if you want to experience the beauty of hanok?
There is a huge sign of the village entrance which is carved on the rock. It is so Korean-like, ha.
You can stop by this pavilion if you need to take a break. It has a Korean traditional style as well.
Look at this magnificence of hanoks! There are so many Korean houses gathered in a village. Looks so great.
Looks like everyone’s wearing hanbok, the Korean traditional attire. So am I supposed to wear hanbok when I visit this place? I don’t think so, ha.
Why don’t you make your trip memorable by visiting this place? You’re going to learn about Korean traditional culture for sure. Even I would like to learn that, too. Besides, Jeonju city is really famous for their delicious local foods. You’re going to love most of them.
Please check the below for more information if you’re interested in this place.
Address : 69-1, Gyo-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju City, Jeollabuk-do
Inquiries : 063-282-1330
Admission : Free
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The Most Beautiful Red, Wuhwajeong!!
It’s probably too late to post this blog because it’s already winter but do you like autumn colors? I got these photos from my colleague and it was amazing. It’s not even colorful but only red. But it’s strangely beautiful. It’s only a shame that I missed this beautiful scenery.
There’s a pavilion called Wuhwajeong in the Naejangsan mountain which is located in Jeongeup City, Jeollabuk-do and you can see this beautiful street when you get there. The view is just like a beautiful water color painting of the orient when the red leaves are reflected on the lakes. That what’s the sign says about the pavilion.
Do you believe me now? How’s that even possible that it’s only red? Isn’t it supposed to be yellow as well?
I can see that it was rainy there. But it must have been tasteful when you walked down the street under the rain.
Look at this bloody red under the sunlight. It is so beautiful.
What kind of tree is this?? Is that really a tree with red and pink leaves? It looks like a beautiful painting.
Please check the below for more information if you’re interested in this place.
Address : 1207, Naejangsan-ro, Jeongeup City, Jeollabuk-do
Inquiries : 063-538-7875
Admission : 3,000 KRW (Adult) / 1,500 KRW (Junior)
Homepage : http://www.knps.or.kr/
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