Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Sunday, 12 January 2014

Korea - Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

Korea trip Oct 2013



"Korea is such a 
beautiful country 
but with a sad history." 
Quoted from F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Finally, our last destination in Korea gonna ends with the most dangerous yet safest place in Korea. lol irony right? "The most dangerous place is the safest place" --- famous quote. 

Anyway, we booked with this DMZ tour 1 online at 46,000 won each. Surprisingly, they replied very promptly! Also, please take note of those days that are not open for visiting for your planning. I was so excited to go that morning and decided to play a prank on my friends by sending them message "Help me tell my mother that I love her if I could not make it back". Then I got scolded when I got back in SG ~.~ cannot take jokes one meh..

Oh yes, remember to bring passport otherwise you are not allowed to enter the area.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)


We were picked up at our hotel at 8am with other tourists in the tour bus, mostly were westerners. Our tour guide's english was so damn good and I like how he articulated all his words so clearly. Probably because he faces so many westerners daily. On a long bus trip to the most northern end of South Korea, he shared with us all the stories/history about Korea. He also told us to be punctual otherwise the bus will drive off after 5 minutes passed the meeting time.. need so fierce one meh.. 

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established after Korean War (June 25 1950 – July 27 1953) after both parties has signed Korean Armistice Agreement. An agreement for both warring parties to cease fire but it does not necessarily means the end of the war.

DMZ is a 250km long and 4km wide buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea. Though the name, this zone is the most heavily militarized border in the world. This has cut Korea into two, resulting the only divided country in the world.

(source from wikipedia)

With the tense situation between the parties, several unfortunate incidents happened within Joint Security Area (JSA) where the only connection between the two parties. One of them was the Axe-Murder incident in August 1976 involved the attempted trimming of a poplar tree which resulted in two deaths. Apparently, one party wanted to chop away one tree that block their view causing another party not happy.. then started the firing incident... I guess its not the tree problem, its their problem.. 

Despite the fact that DMZ is very heavily armed border, it is still a safe and popular tourist destinations in Korea.

Our itinerary:
Hotel → Imjingak Park → The Bridge of Freedom → The 3rd infiltration Tunnel → DMZ Theater / Exhibition Hall → Dora observatory → Dorasan Station → Unification Village (Pass by) → Amethyst / Ginseng Center → Arrive at City Hall / Itaewon

Wire fences at the side of the highway all the way to DMZ

A closer look

Actually it was quite scary to see there are wire fences along the highway and they get higher and more intense when we are nearing the zone. We also saw guard houses along the way too.

Finally we reached the first stop of the tour.

Provision shops for tourists

While waiting for our tour guide to buy tickets and get our passports verified.

We were free to walk around Imjingak Park.



The Peace Bell


"As we bid farewell to 20th century in which we witnessed the division of the Korean Peninsula, we welcome the 21st century as a time of reunification and peace for all mankind. It is here, at a point that marks the division of North and South that the hopes and prayers of 9 millions Kyonggi citizens come together in the erection of the Peace Bell Monument. The Peace Bell which is 2.23m in diameter, 3.8m high and weighs 21 tons is made of bronze and tin in the traditional Korean style. 
The bell pavilion which is made of wood with a four-sided arched roof, sits on an area of 70.5sqm and 12.18m high." 
By Lim, Chang-Yuel
Governor of Kyonggi Province


The distance between Seoul and Gaeseong (a city of southern North Korea). So near yet so far.

Peace-Wishing Ribbon Hanging

Prayers from the families to hope for their families' safety.


The Bridge of Freedom

Hope for the return of their families

Many world leaders and celebrities have visited DMZ and prayed for peace. It has became a symbolic place for peaceful unification. 

Now started the real tour..


A simple artpiece shows how much they want to patch up frayed relations between parties.

We were told not to photograph anything after we enter this museum where it shows a short 3D video of the history and the creation of DMZ, and a tour in Exhibition Hall that displays photographs and other materials.

After that we went to tour the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel by walking the trails in the tunnel. It was designed at the angle of 11 degree (if I remember correctly, if not 12 degree) where it is not uncomfortable for human being to climb. In the tunnel, we came to an end point where we can see the other side through a very small window. There even has a small CCTV to monitor if anyone try to take any photos in there... so be careful..


Dora Observatory



At the platform, tourists are allowed to use binoculars to oversee North Korea- Gaeseong’s suburban areas at 50 won each time. Too bad, that day the weather was so foggy that we were unable to see anything clearly =(

This was our tour guide! He has been working as a DMZ tour guide for many years and has a very good relationship with the soldiers. He said sometimes if soldiers are in a good mood, they are willing to take picture with tourists and of course if you are a pretty lady lol!!

Dorasan Station

In 2000, representatives from both parties agreed to connect at the Gyeongui Railroad Line. However, the plan did not go the way it should be. It is now becomes another tourist attraction. At 50 won, tourists are able to purchase a train ticket for future usage.

"Not the last station from the South,
But the first station towards the North"


Former U.S. President George W. Bush visited here in 2002.



Unification Village

DMZ has became a UNESCO transboundary biosphere reserve.




You can read more about DMZ here.

This has ended my first trip to Korea. I must say this is a very fruitful and eyes opening trip for me. I used to not like Korea because I feel their drama plot always so draggy and keep crying BUT my love towards Korea is growing lol.

I hope the next time I will be back is during their winter for skiing! OK now I have to learn roller blade first. lol 


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Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Korea - Seoul : Gyeongbokgung Palace + Shopping areas you must not missed!

Korea trip Oct 2013



Gyeongbokgung Palace visiting!


To understand more about Korea, you got to immerse yourself in their culture. So here we are paying a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace. Gyeongbokgung was the main and largest palace of the five grand palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongbokgung literately means "Palace of Shining Happiness".

I love visiting places that are different from Singapore. Singapore is too modernized and filled with high rise buildings. Sometimes it is good to step out of your daily pace/comfort zone and experience different thing. You may have new inspiration after that.

Cheongwadae Fountain


The building at the back is Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House). Cheong Wa Dae is the official office of the President of the Republic of Korea and the Presidential Secretariat, hence entrance into the buildings is prohibited but there is free tour to tour around the premises. The building is covered with korean style blue tiles, hence the name Blue House.

Free tour on every Tuesday - Saturday (Saturdays are only for individuals or families under 10 people) 
Tour timing: 10am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm 
Apply online through http://english.president.go.kr/ (at least 3 weeks in advance)

Are both of them sleeping? lol the horse looks quite tamed.

We started the tour from northern gate to the southern gate.
(source: http://english.seoul.go.kr) 

Look at the map first before we lose ourselves in this big compound.

Sinmumun Gate is the northern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Nice shot of bf wondering around.


Hyangwonji Pond

This hexagonal pavilion that sits in the middle of the pond is named as Hyangwonjeong Pavilion which means pavilion of far-reaching fragrance. 

Chwihyanggyo, the bridge that leading to the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, means intoxicated with fragrance.

#VeryAutumnFeel

The National Folk Museum of Korea

This national museum located in Gyeongbokgung Palace showcases thousands of historical artifacts to illustrate the traditional daily lives of Korean people in the olden days.  




Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, the living quarters, where the king threw feasts for foreign envoys or his court officials. This is where all royal banquets and entertainment were held.

Gyotaejeon Hall - The Queen's living quarter




Tourists with pretty koreans shot


Throne Hall Compound - Geunjeongjeon Hall where important state functions were held.
These stones indicates rankings. Court officials lined up in order from the lowest rank (9th) to the top rank (1st).


This is the throne in the Geunjeongjeon Hall.


Heungnyemun Gate Compound

Gwanghwamun Gate is the main gate to the main palace. It is located at the south of the palace. That's the end of our palace visiting.

While we were walking back towards city hall, we saw this professional lady wearing tube dress for her performance. Mind you, the temperature was around 10 degrees celsius. 

A status of King Sejong the Great. He was the fourth king of Joseon.

He also on the money note lol. *taken from wikipedia*

(source: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/) 

Address: 161. Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-820, Republic of Korea
Nearest train station: Gyeongbokgung train station line 3, exit 5

Admission Fee: 
Age 19~: 3,000 won / 2.400 won ( group, 10 or more ) 
Age 7-18: 1,500 won / 1,200 won ( group, 10 or more ) 
* Free: Children(ages 6 and under),Permanent Residency(F-5) Status Holder(Age 65 and Older) * 

With the purchase of a book of Combination Tickets (adults 10,000won, Youth 5,000won), one admission for each of the five different palaces is available within one month. (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung - the Secret Garden included, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Jongmyo Shrine).

Opening hours:
09:00~18:00(Final admission at 17:00) 
June through August 09:00~18:30(Final admission at 17:30) 
November through February 09:00~17:00(Final admission at 16:00) 
Closed on Tuesdays

Tour in foreign languages 
English : 11:00, 13:30, 15:30 
Japanese : 10:00, 12:30, 14:30 
Chinese : 10:30, 13:00, 15:00 
Tour starts in front of Gyeongbokgung Information Center inside the Heungnyemun Gate. Tour lasts for an hour to an hour and thirty minutes


===============================================================================


Yays, SHOPPING TIME~~

I came up with a list of shopping districts that you must not missed in Korea. I bet best time for shopping is summer or spring but the period now was autumn and all shops were preparing for winter season... all thick thick clothings... how to wear in Singapore.... *fingers point to each other*

Anyway, can stock up cosmetics or beauty products if you are super fan for their local brands!

1) Myeongdong


Memorize this map if you want to shop fast. 

Christmas lighting already set up nicely outside Lotte Mall

Cupid and heart on Young Plaza.

Krispy Kreme at Lotte Mall basement near the train station. First time trying and its good - it melted in my mouth! Much cheaper than in Singapore. 

Welcome to Myeongdong. It is similar to Taiwan's night market where alot of stalls set up on the road/outside the shopping mall. 

Lol saw plastic surgery clinic in Myeongdong. Random youngsters filming skating video on the street. To my surprise was that there were still so crowded even on a weekday afternoon. How can that be?

Looks like Taiwan's night market hor? I wanted to try the cuttlefish (top left hand corner) but totally forgotten about it. =(


The egg muffin is DA BOMB! VERY DELICIOUS! I think only 1,000 won only! The white colour part is I think is the egg white foam and the below part is muffin. With a little burnt taste, Woohoo!
The sausages also nice! Different flavours in one stick. I think also 1,000 won only. Why other countries street food so cheap and nice one?

Miss Lee cafe and A Twosome Place cafe locate in Myeongdong. Check them out HERE.


Myeongdong 
Nearest train station: Myeongdong station line 4

2) Dongdaemun


Doota! is a slightly more atas (high class) shopping mall that sells mostly Korean designers' brands. 



Just beside Doota!, Migliore shopping mall and Hello APM shopping mall consist of wholesale shops. Hence, the clothings are of more reasonable pricing relatively. The second time we went back to Dongdaemun was on a Monday and the shopping malls are closed on Monday. ~.~ Who would have thought that shopping malls close on Monday or any other day? Wouldn't they be 24/7?

Roadside food! yum yum~


Dongdaemun 
Nearest train station: Dongdaemun station line 1,4 exit 8
or 
Dongdaemun History & Culture Park line 2, 4, 5 exit 14

3) Namdaemun


Nandaemun is one of the largest outdoor wholesale market in Korea. They practically sell everything and at 50% discount rate??!! I ownself interpret one.

The whole places are filled with street vendor stalls and buildings. It sells from clothings to food to flowers to electronic appliances to toys. The market opens for 24 hours daily but most stalls close on Sunday.


I was there on a Monday noon and it was soooo crowded! I wonder how the crowd will be like on Friday or Saturday. If it rains, sweat not, you can go to their new Messa Shopping centre that has 32 floors with 9 of them underground. You can have a fantastic view of Namsam mountain and N Seoul Tower at a restaurant on 16th floor. Opening hours: 10am to 5am daily except 8pm on Sunday, closes on 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month.


I am very surprised to see that Korea is a VERY safe country. How do I define VERY safe? Just look at the structure of a money changer. Open concept stall with a middle aged lady under a big umbrella. *good job Korea*

Namdaemun Market
Nearest train station: Hoehyeon station line 4, exit 5, 6 or 7

4) Ewah Womans University


Areas around university are all shopping paradises. Apparently students money very easy to earn. I guess so too, korean so into fashion and so willingly to spend on clothings and makeup. That is why you can see so many beauty shops everywhere, some even have many outlets in one area.

#shoppingeverywhere

Then I saw something very intriguing! Kopitiam - Singapore Toast Cafe located near Ewah University!
*three cheers to Singaporeans*

(source: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/)

Ewah Womans University
Nearest train station: Ewah Womans University line 2

5) Hongdae


Other than it is near Hongik University and known as a shopping paradise, it is also famous for its urban arts and indie music culture, clubs and entertainments. It is probably because Hongik University is one of the top fine arts colleges in South Korea.

Many underground band musicians and street artists can be seen there performing and hence bringing up the art atmosphere.

People keep telling me shoppings around university premises are relatively reasonably priced but I seriously doubt so. Ok, probably because they sell all autumn/winter clothings when I was there. I bought a pair of boots at around SGD50 after much bargaining...

You can find Trickeye Museum there too! Worthy to go! I will talk about it in next post.

OH YES! Thanks Nature Cafe - Sheep Cafe is there too! Experience a little farm feel in modern place~


Hongdae
Nearest train station: Hongik University line 2


Saw this while in the train station. I guess not illegal because the lady was trying to cover to prevent me from taking photo. But they are soooo cute! I would wanna buy if I can bring back home.

Anyway, had a not good experience while taking their public transport.. their inter-train station (like from circle line to NEL) has to walk up walk down turn right turn left and no escalator ~.~ actually their train stations are quite near to each other. Sometimes take cab is faster/cheaper than take train...

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