First Snow in Korea, 한국첫눈 2017

 

On 20 Nov, first snow was fallen in Seoul. I left Seoul on 11 Nov, just about 1 week, the most beautiful & colourful autumn has gone and the freezing grey winter came.  The change was quite abrupt and dramatic, phrasing in totally different scenery……

Beautiful time has to be treasured and enjoyed.

Maybe it is a good time to listen to this song again – 첫눈처럼 너에게 가겠다

http://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/1ONNIXIDV5

http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20171120500121

Out of Seoul, Mudeungsan in Gwangju:

Frost on 18 Nov 2017 –https://www.facebook.com/mudeung.knp/photos/pcb.1449132605202461/1449132558535799/?type=3&theater

Snow on 23 Nov 2017 –https://www.facebook.com/mudeung.knp/videos/1453957964719925/

서울로 Seoullo7017

 

I really appreciate the concept of renovating this flyover.   I could only get there at night but it was much more beautiful than i expected.  Initially, I intended to had a walk there but it was so windy and chilly that i had to withdraw this idea.

http://seoullo7017.seoul.go.kr/

http://english.visitseoul.net/tours/All-about-Seoullo-7017_/21502

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=2497803

 

Starfield Library 별마당도서관@Co-ex Mall

In this high end commercial mall in Gangnam-gu, good to see such an non-commercial atmosphere,  people are free to be there to enrich their psychological state, while the management of the mall (Shinsegae) is not simply focusing on fulfilling the physical needs of the potential customers.  The library is well integrated to the mall and the life of people. 

Further reading – http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170531001002

 

Book Park 북파크 @Blue House

The 3-storey book shelf is a signature of the Book Park.  The environment is warm and trendy.  However, the variety may not be compared to those key book stores, such as Kyobo 교보문고, YP Books 영풍문고, and Jongno Books 종로서적.

When i was on the way to the BookPark, the shops nearby Itaewon are generally stylish.

http://bookpark.ikaos.org/

종로서적 @종각역/ Jongno Bookstore @Jonggak Station

Photo source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/common/vpage-pt.asp?categorycode=124&newsidx=220781

Photo source – http://www.huffingtonpost.kr/2016/12/23/story_n_13807634.html

These quiet seats are unique to this branch, quite limited and always full.  The bookstore is not a very big one but of optimum variety of books.  If you cannot find what you want, it is also convenient to visit another big bookstores nearby…..

I think it is a good idea to spend those freezing or hot summer nights in these big bookstores in Seoul.  This Jongno Bookstore종로서적 is just 5 minutes away on foot from another giant one, YP Bookstore 영풍문고 which is a 2-storey store with thorough variety of books.  Both are at the same metro station, Jonggak Station (Line1).  Jongno Bookstore is at the Exit3-1 while YP Bookstore is at the Exit 5 or 6.

Both are not far from Kyobo as well, after walking out from the Exit 1 of the Jonggak Station (Line1), go straight for 10 mins, and you will reach the Gwanghuamun branch of Kyobo.

Official Site:

Jongno Bookstore종로서적- http://www.jongnobooks.com/?act=info.page&pcode=sub1_1

YP Bookstore 영풍문고- http://www.ypbooks.co.kr/m_main.yp

 

P.S. In case visiting Jongno bookstore, maybe it is a good idea to visit the largest Starbuck in Korea as well, which is at the same building.  http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20171220000808

 

 

 

 

Bukhansan National Park 북한산국립공원 北漢山國立公園

 

This was my first time to have a close encounter with the autumn foliage by hiking in a mount overseas.  Due to the size of the venue and the natural /random allocation of the foliage, the landscape was spectacular and the feeling of embracing by wide varieties of foliages were really fresh and great.

There are a lot of entry points around the National Park, i entered the Park via the Bukhansan Visitor Centre 북한산성탐방지원센터 which is at the Western side.  The course I took  actually can reach 백운대,  the highest Peak of the Bukhansan (836m) , but i had to return after reaching 보리사 as the sun got dim quickly at around 4pm.  I should have started early.  Anyway it was already a big bonus for me as i just made up my mind to go there that morning.

Please note that wet tissue is nearly a must  as there is no access of water in this National Park .  However, this National Park is close to Seoul and of good access of public transport, plenty of large sports outlets, restaurants, convenience stores, food stalls etc at the entrance,  clean washrooms are found along the trails whenever you needed it.

The attitudes of the Koreans, as usual, are serious and their gears are professional.  Many of them use a pair of hiking poles and they are generally walking at a fast pace.  They could not tell by appearance if am a Korean or not.  After they knew that i am a foreigner, most of them immediately asked if i am a Japanese, maybe Japanese are well known at hiking.

http://bukhan.knps.or.kr/front/portal/visit/visitCourseMain.do?parkId=121500&menuNo=7020092

By the way, there is a circular trail 북한산 둘레길 around the whole National Park, the Southern routes, at Area #4 to #7, are most close to Seoul.

남산골 Namsangol

 

After watching Taekwondo at the Namsangol Hanok Village , i inevitably went to the Namsan Cirular Trail again, and then visited the nearby Namsangol Night Market in the evening.

Regarding the Taekwondo performance, i preferred those held in indoor (due to winter) that i watched few years ago.  It is a must-go event in Korea as it is really spectacular. The performers are generally young, i think they started practising Taekwondo since they were a kid.

For the brief hike this time, i started at the Namsangol, exit 7, and headed east which was opposite to what i walked before.  After passing the Seokhojeong 석호정(where traditional archery 전통 활쏘기 could be tried),  that means I completed the Northern Circular Trail (plus where i covered last time).   When i started heading to the Southern Circular Trail where bus and bicycle are allowed, i could not resist the temptation to take the bus up to the N Seoul Tower, in order to avoid the crowd, i walked downhills to the Baekbum Square 백범광장 and the Seoul Old City Wall.

At the evening, i went back to the Namsangol to visit the Traditional show and the Night Market.  I preferred this night market to the Dokkaebi Night Market at Cheonggyecheon청계천 and Yeouido 여의도.

http://korean.visitseoul.net/tours/%EC%84%9C%EC%9A%B8-%EB%91%98%EB%A0%88%EA%B8%B8-%EB%82%A8%EC%82%B0-%EC%88%9C%ED%99%98%EC%82%B0%EC%B1%85%EA%B8%B8-KR_/8509

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20171123000790

 

Olympic Park 올림픽공원

 

I was a bit hesitating to go there initially, as i did not know much about this spot and it is quite far away from the Central area.  After visiting there, i found that it is one of the most beautiful and big Park in Seoul with spectacular scenery, Sculpture Park, Art Museum with exhibition which was collaborated with overseas well known museum.  As I preferred to grasp the chance to stay outdoors in Seoul’s sunny autumn, i told myself to enter the museum someday during other seasons.

http://www.olympicpark.co.kr/jsp/english/index.jsp

여의도한강공원 Yeouido Hangang Park

 

Yeouido is the place where the Parliament is, good venue for bicycling, famous for cherry blossom, but for autumn foliage, it seems not a must-go place.

The night market was welcomed by the young locals, they all enjoyed picnicking besides the Hangang.  Those stalls selling grilled meat had long queue consistently.

도깨비밤시장 @여의도한강공원- http://www.bamdokkaebi.org/

억새紫芒@하늘공원Haneul Park

 

Before i went there, i did not care much about its name, I recognised the meaning when i reached there.  It is situated at a hill top and takes a long series of stairs to get there, I think that’s why i saw some Koreans doing warm-up and stretching at the starting point…

http://www.visitkorea.com.my/k-places/7624/haneul-park-%ED%95%98%EB%8A%98%EA%B3%B5%EC%9B%90.html

 

Dongdaemun Design Plaza 동대문디자인플라자 (DDP)

 

Though this was not my first time to go to this complex but it was my first time to watch the exhibits, quite out of my expectation, frankly.

Official Website – http://www.ddp.or.kr/main?hl=en_US

 

Seoul Forest 서울숲

This was the only cloudy day during my stay in Seoul.  It would have been far more beautiful to have sunlight shining through the foliages.

The facilities at the playground for kids are more interesting, challenging and artistic than those stupid ones in Hong Kong.  These do help to cultivate their courage and creativity.

Again, i do appreciate the little library besides the bench, the craft is really nice.  The books are clean and of varieties which are suitable for adults and kids.

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=789696

http://english.seoul.go.kr/life-information/natural-attractions-parks/parks/?pidx=11

Column /대림창고@ 성수동2가

This is a stylish cafe in an aged industrial area.  The building was a factory, afterwards, it was renovated to a cafe and gallery.  Such kind of renewal is quite common nearby and seems to be an interesting cross-over among those artistic communities.

The coffee there would not let you get disappointed.

Further reading-  http://seoullikealocal.com/column-probably-coolest-cafe-seoul/

As it takes nearly an hour to get there from the Central part of Seoul , you may consider to visit other interesting places nearby as well…..

The yellow mural was a shooting place of my most favourite Korean Drama 도깨비.  In that scene,  도깨비 had been waiting for being called for long and this eventually happened,  but he showed up as if caring nothing and intentionally being stylish & busy, such behaviour of 도깨비 was really hilarious….. http://tv.naver.com/v/1297568

Further reading : here

교보문고 광화문점/ Kyobo@Gwanghwamun

 

 

Kyobo is one of the bookstore chains in Korea.  One of the characteristics of this branch is its Reading Table for 100 people, which is made of a 50,000 years Pine Wood.  People are welcomed to take a seat and read as they like.  Per my visits, the seats were 99% full (exactly as the photo below), showing that the interaction facilitated is a successful one.

Please be reminded that Jongno is a prime district and Kyobo is a commercial bookstore.

People enjoy reading at the stylish Pine Table:

Photo Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.kr/2015/11/18/story_n_8586950.html

Video showing the wood source and the installation of the Pine Table:

Kyobo official site – http://www.kyobobook.co.kr/index.laf

One more interesting thing i found in Kyobo is the paper envelop cup 봉투컵 at the water dispenser.  I think the good point is, space saving.  However, as the volume seems a bit small and Korea is very dry, I had to get refill 4-5 times usually.

창덕궁 후원 Changdeokgung Secret Garden

 

 

One thing that impressed me most in Korea is, visitors/ citizens are always encouraged to get a book to read in various public places, and there is no exception in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.  You are welcomed to read in four of the designated pavilions.

For visiting this Secret Garden, reservation is necessary, do remember to do so 6 days in advance and try it at 9:00 Seoul time.  Japanese, English, Korean group could be chosen.  However, you can still visit on your own without joining the group you enrolled.

Reservation – http://eng.cdg.go.kr/new_temp/list.php?year_cal=2017&month_cal=10&c_date=25

Official Website – http://eng.cdg.go.kr/info/info_about.htm

After the visit, I  watched the 《雲畫的月光》구르미그린달빛 eventually.  I found that the drama got some shots which were at similar angle as mine 🙂

 

 

남산 순환 산책 Namsan Circular Trail

This day, i walked from the Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을)  to the Namsan Library, i.e. from exit 7 to exit 1 of the Namsan Circular Trail.

There is even a mini library in front of the Namsan Library, good to see the citizen enjoys reading in such a beautiful and peaceful outdoor environment.

Actually, I have been to the Namsangol Hanok Village couples of time, I believe that autumn is the most beautiful season to visit.  When i saw those colourful foliages, it is hard for me to associate that they are the same trees when i saw them in early Spring.

1. http://www.ttearth.com/world/asia/korea/seoul/img/_map/map_namsan2.htm
2. http://blog.daum.net/cityidll/17768535
3. 남산순환버스 http://myung123.tistory.com/491