Best Seoul palace to visit Part 1

source: Visit Korea

Gyeongbokgung Palace 

Gyeongbokgung Palace was the first and the largest and the main of the royal palaces built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty located in northern Seoul, South Korea. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces built three years after the Joseon dynasty was founded. Gyeongbokgung served as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty.

Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon.

Visitors to Gyeongbokgung can also visit the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea as they are located on the palace grounds.

The Korean government has invested much time and effort into rebuilding, restoring, and maintaining the palace for future generations.

How do I get to Gyeongbokgung Palace?

• Take a subway to Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) and take to the Exit 5. You will connected directly to the palace.

Is Gyeongbokgung Palace free?

• No
• Admission Fees : Adults (ages 19-64): 3,000 won Children (ages 7-18): 1,500 won
• Yes. If you wear Hanbok. 

Closing time?

• Closed on Tuesdays

A must visit location in Seoul for those who are interested in the history of Korean architecture and culture.

Changdeokgung Palace

Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. For 270 years, the palace was home to the Joseon government and was also the favored residence of many Joseon Dynasty kings. This makes Changdeokgung Palace the longest-serving royal residential palace.

What I like the most, Changdeokgung Palace is well-preserved and still has many of its original features. In 1997, Changdeokgung Palace was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. 


Visitors to Changdeokgung Palace might also visited Huwon (Secret Garden). 

How do I get to Changdeokgung Palace?

• Take a subway to Anguk Station (Line 3) and take Exit 3.
• Walk Straight from the exit 3 for about 5 minutes and the palace is on your left.

Anguk Station (Line 3) and take Exit 3.

Walk Straight from the exit 3 for about 5 minutes and the palace is on your left.

Is Changdeokgung Palace free?

• Admission Fees (The Palace only) ( : Adults (ages 19-64): 3,000 won Children (ages 7-18): 1,500 won
• Huwon Tour (Secret Garden Tour) : Adults (age 19-64): 8,000 won Children (ages 7-18): 4,000 won
• Yes. If you wear Hanbok. 

Closing time?

• Closed on Monday

How to go to JYP Entertainment building from Dunchon Oryun Subway Station

This is an easy and memorable way to get to JYP Entertainment building. It only takes 15 to 18 minutes from the subway station.

How to go to JYP Entertainment building from Dunchon Oryun Subway Station

Take a subway to Dunchon Oryun station (line 9), and take exit 1

Walk straight.

Walk straight and just follow the arrow.

How to go to JYP Entertainment from Dunchon-Dong Station (Line 5)

Artists that is under JYP Entertainment is like 2PM, Got7, Day6, Twice, Stray Kids and Itzy.

Their new building is located in Gangdong District. It's only took 15 minutes of walk from Dunchon-Dong Station (Line 5).

How to go to JYP Entertainment from Dunchon-Dong Station (Line 5)

Take the Dunchon-Dong Subway Station (Line 5) and take Exit 3. Walk straight.

Turn right at the first intersection

Walk straight.

Walk straight again and just follow the map.

How to go to Big Hit Entertainment new building

BTS's label BigHit Entertainment will be moving to their new and large building located in Daechi-dong in Gangnam. They will be move in May 2020.

It's located near the Hakdong Subway Station (Line 7). It's take around 2 minutes to go there.

How to go to Big Hit Entertainment new building from Exit 3

Hakdong Station (Line 7) and take exit 3 and turn left just like in the picture.

Walk straight after you turn left.

And then turn left again and Big Hit Entertainment is in front of you.

How to go to Big Hit Entertainment new building from Exit 2

How to go to Namsan Tower Cable Car [the easy way]

The easy way to Namsan Tower Cable Car from Myeongdong Station. 

Take Exit 3 of Myeongdong Station.

You will see Pacific Hotel In front of you.. Take the road on your right.

Just walk straight all the way.

How to go to Lab 5GAM from Hapjeong station

Kim Hanbin aka B.I's Lab 5gam in Hongdae officially closed! So last weeks they open their new store in Hapjeong Station area.

So I think they're using 5GAM 131LABEL on everything.

How to go to Lab 5GAM 131LABEL from Hapjeong Station Exit 6

Take Exit 6 of Hapjeong Station (Line 6)

Walk straight pass the Baskin-robbins store.

Walk straight again pass the T-World store

How to get to Mural Ihwa Village from Dongdaemun Station

Actually we have a lot of way in getting to Ihwa Mural Village. This is the second way how to go there which is from Dongdaemun Station Line 1 (Blue), Exit 1.

The journey there takes around 12 to 14 minutes depending on how fast we walk.

How to get to Ihwa Mural from Dongdaemun Station

Take a walk to exit 1. Turn to your left or make a u-turn on your left after come out from the exit 1. (Do not walk straight!)

Walk straight and pass the Olleh store on your right.

[Update] How to go to Mural Village in Ihwa-dong from Hyehwa Station

This Mural Village in Ihwa-dong is where Lee Gak (Park Yoo-chun) went on a fairytale date with Park-ha (Han Ji-min) in Rooftop Prince.

Visitors can find the many beautiful paintings and sculptures scattered around the village, all of which were created by “Art in the City” project.

This village is located about 800 meters from the subway line 4. You need to walk around 11 minutes to reach there.

If you want to go to this village from the Dongdaemun Station (Line 1), you can follow the map here. 

How to go to Mural Village :

1.     Take subway line 4 to Hyehwa Station and take Exit 2.

[Update] Shopping at boy+ by supermarket (보이 플러스 바이 슈퍼마켓)

This store is always visited by the popular idol like KARA, T-ARA, Super Junior, Shinee, Infinite, F(x), Brown Eyed Girl.

Boy+ by supermarket is located at Apgujeong Rodeo and near Apgujeong Rodeo Station, Exit 5.

Boy+ by supermarket 

How to go to Boy+ by supermarket 

 Take Apgujeong Rodeo Station and take exit 5. Walk straight from the exit 5.

Take right when you found 1st alley.

How to get to the Hostel, Hotel and Guesthouse in Jongno Area

Jongno District is one of the most popular places among tourists. Jongno which means "Bell Street". It is commonly referred to as the face and heart of Korea because of its important roles in the politics, economics, culture, and history as the capital city.

Jongno-gu is one of my favourite places to stay, eat and also to visit. There are so many attractions place to visit. For Example, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Jongmyo, Insadong, Bukchon Hanok Village, Naksan Park and others. 

But today, I want to show you how to get to some of the Hostel, Hotel and Guesthouse from the Exit 6 of Jongno 3 sam ga station (Line 5) Purple. 

List of the Hostel, Hotel and Guesthouse that in the map bellow : 

• Saewha Hostel, 
• Yellow Brick Hostel, 
• Fortune Hostel, 
• Seoul 53 Hotel, 
• Jongnowon Hotel 
• Seoul Jongno Hotel.
• Hostel Korea - Changdeokgung
• Beewon Guesthouse

1. 

   After coming out from Exit 6, take on your left.

2. 

   Follow the arrow

3. 

   Follow the arrow

4. 

   After 2 minutes, you will see The An Hostel on your right

5. 

   The An Hostel
   

How to get to Bukchon Hanok Village from Gyeongbokgung Palace

Let's talk about how to get to Bukchon Hanok Village from Gyeongbokgung Palace. This palace is a popular place to tourist because you can get a free entrance fee if you enter the palace with Hanbok. 

Hanbok is also a very popular among tourists. So if you want to use Hanbok, just go to Insadong or Gyeongbokgung Palace. You will find a lot of Hanbok rental shop.

If you want to go to Bukchon Hanok Village after exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace, I will show you how to get there. It is took only 11 to 15 minutes only.

If you want to use the subway, here the how to from Anguk Station.

While walking and exploring the palace, you will find yourself at the National Folk Museum of Korea. From there, exit toward the big road.

How to go to iKON Jinhwan's sister cafe

Every iKONIC's must have a place to visit. Including iKON Jinhwan's sister cafe in Hongdae.

In this cafe, you can find iKON photographs, cups, signature and others.

The cafe is called Cafe PLATTE. And if you're lucky, you'll be meeting iKON's member just like I meet Hanbin last April. I got his signature too! 

Here how to get there : 

Best hanbok rental near Gyeongbokgung

Hanbok is a must traditional clothes that you need to try if you want to visit South Korea. Last time, I already told you my experience about wearing hanbok.

This time, I decided to use hanbok again. But not by making a reservation but by walk-in.

Here I would like to introduce you guys with a hanbok rental shop that works best for me. I think this rental shop is new because the clothes are pretty and not shabby like others.

Let me introduce you to this shop.

It's called Hanryu Hanbok. 

Opening hours

Open all year 9:30 ~ 20:00  
Opening nights: 9:30 ~ 22:00

How to get there? 

Take an exit 6 of Anguk Station. Walk straight until you reach the tourist information center and turn left like in this picture below. 

The front of the shop.

Take the elevator to the 4 floor.

While there you will be entertained by an aunt. The last time I went there, she seemed alone without a helper. She'll help you how use hanbok.