Gokseong International Rose Festival (Train Village)

May is the time for rose flower to bloom all over Korea. Southern part steal the start to have rose earlier in the third week of May. One of the biggest rose flower park is in Train Village, Gokseong, Jeollanam Province, 3.5 hours from Seoul. The International Rose Festival in Train Village is held from May 19-28 this year.

Not only rose flower park, as its name, Train Village has a many displays of old train where you can take a look and of course take photos. In addition, they also have 3D art exhibition, small zoo, small amusement park and some more attraction. Train Village only cost you 3000 for admission.

[HowToGetThere]

Take normal train (22.200 won) from Yongsan Station to Gokseong Station or KTX (39.900 won) from Seoul Station to Gokseong Station. In front of the station, you will see a river, and Train Village is just acroos the river.
Other option is taking bus from Seoul Central Terminal to Gokseong city via Gwangju City. From the bus terminal walk for about 20 mins.

*more info

VISITED ON MAY 20TH, 2016

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May 21, 2017May 21, 2017

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Spring at Nami Island

Who doesn’t know Nami Island? The most favourite place to visit for most South East Asian tourists when they come to Korea for travelling. Why? It’s because of the popular Korean drama “Winter Sonata” back in 2002 which started Hallyu Wave to many countries.

*credit to owner

Nami Island has always its story every season. This time is story about green Nami Island during spring time when all the leaves grow and flowers bloom.

Not only famous for its nature-beauty, but you can do such a lot of activities in Nami Island, riding bike and cart, visiting museums and gallery, trying water sport, shopping, cafe hopping, etc.

Once you get the Nami Island ticket in the entrance, you’re gonna take 5-min ferry ride to Nami Island which is located in the middle of North Han river.

You can also check Nami Island during Autumn here (my previous post). Nami is totally yellow during that season. You can read and plan to visit for this year’s autumn.

[HowToGetThere]

Take ITX from Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station for 55mins (cost 5200 won / per person for adult) or take all-stop train to Gapyeong Station (about 2000 won)
When you get out from Gapyeong Station, you can take taxi for 10 mins (3000-5000 won) or take the Gapyeong shuttle bus for 6000 won or normal bus for 1300 won.

However, now travelling to Nami Island is so much easier if you join TRAZY daily tour which is good, efficient (no need to waste time by getting lost), fair price, and you can also travel to Petite France, Garden Morning Calm, Rail Bike, etc which are located in the same area. You can join the daily tour below.

Travel with TRAZY to Nami Island

[Tips]

Book the ITX through online on letskorail.com, even 2 weeks before because those period is usually fully booked, or juts take the normal train if you don’t get any.
If you’re planning to visit only Nami Island, it’s better to take the taxi to be faster. But if you plan to visit other places (Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm) you can take the Gapyeong shuttle bus for 6000 won (all day ride).
Come early in the morning! You might have to wait for more than 1 hour just to take ferry to Nami Island if you come after lunch time
I recommend you to visit only Nami Island and spare much time. I had to queue for 2 hours only to take the ferry back to the entrance when I visited last year (it was 2pm in the afternoon).
In 2016, my prediction (based on friends who went there & recent photos from instagram) the peak time would be October 22-30 this year. You can’t visit too late otherwise all the yellow leaves are already on the ground.

*more info

VISITED ON APRIL 30TH, 2017

IF YOU READ MY BLOG AND MANAGE TO VISIT THE PLACE, I APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN HELP ME TO SHARE MY BLOG BY USING HASHTAG #rufustory WHEN YOU POST THE PHOTOS OR SHARE MY BLOG ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA^^

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May 13, 2017May 13, 2017

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Seoul Canola Flower at Seoraesom

It is still the time for canola flowers to bloom in Seoul. Not only seeing canola in Gwangyeongdaegyo on late April, you can also visit another canola field on mid May in Soraesom. Soraesom is a small land beside Han River which is a park for leisure, have a walk, do jogging, bicyling as they also grow many kind of flowers and plants on its season. During May, they plant canola flower and have the annual canola flower festival on 2nd week of May (May 12-14, 2017 this year).

And the most important thing, photo time.

[HOWTOGETTHERE]

Soraesom is located in the middle of Seoul city, which is only 15-20 mins away from city centre. Located aroung 20 mins walking from Sinbanpyo Station (Line 9). Here’s the detailed direction.

As you arrive at Sinbanpyo Station (line 0), take exit 1.

Go straight and TURN LEFT on the first intersection (only 20m from exit). You will see “PRUGIO” sign on the intersection.

The Soraesom is just behind the PRUGIO apartment, so just follow the road towards the apartment.

You can either take the underpass way of PRUGIO or go up passing the park. I took the underpass

When you get out, you will see a door, go through the door and go downstairs and pass the tunnel.

After you get out from the tunnel, the Soraesom is just in front of you, take left or right side to find a bridge going to the canola flower field.

VISITED ON MAY 9TH, 2017

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May 9, 2017May 10, 2017

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Bongeunsa Temple

Every year during first week of May, there is always an unique view everywhere in Korea. Do you know what it is? Colorful lantern. As we celebrate Buddha’s birthday on early May, people decorate street and temple with colorful lantern. It’s perfect time if you want to visit temples in Korea sine you will see them more beautiful on early May.

Not only colorful lantern, they also have the white lanterns.

Bongeunsa is one of the biggest temple in Seoul, located in the middle of busy district gangnam, next to COEX Exhibition and Mall.

The best time to visit Bongeunsa starts at 6pm, because you will experience day and night view of the temple with the colorful lanterns which are prettier since they have light at night.

[HOWTOGETTHERE]

Take subway line 9 to Bongeunsa Statiom
Take exit 1 and walk for 30 m

more info

IF YOU READ MY BLOG AND MANAGE TO VISIT THE PLACE, I APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN HELP ME TO SHARE MY BLOG BY USING HASHTAG #rufustory WHEN YOU POST THE PHOTOS OR SHARE MY BLOG ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA^^

VISITED ON MAY 4th, 2017

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May 5, 2017May 9, 2017

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Incheon Songdo Central Park

Incheon is one of the recommended destination if you have much time in Korea since its only 1,5 hour away from Seoul by subway. Recently, Incheon is getting more famous as they keep developing the area for residence and tourism. One of the most popular place in Incheon is Songdo Central Park area, which is part of Songdo International City.

The first spot you have to visit is the monument Tri Bowl which has meaning to represent the harmony of sky, ocean, and earth. *more info

Second thing to do in Songdo Central Park is riding the water taxi to explore the man-made canal among the high beautiful buildings of Songdo. It only cost you 4000 won per person (adult) and 2000 (child). If you’re coming from Tri Bowl, the port to take water taxi is on left side, edge of river.

Third, you have to try super fun outdoor activity in Songdon Central Park, which is riding kanoe (25k-35k for 3 people), kayak (25k for 3 people) and boat (35k for 3 people). The ticket counter for this activity is inside the sunset cafe. If you’re coming from Tri Bowl, it is on right side, edge of river.

The most unforgettable but also pricey experience of Songdo Central Park is staying in Korean Traditional Style 5 STAR Hotel, Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Hotel (operated by Accor Hotel). This hotel is such a perfect combination of artistic culture and luxurious design. You will feel like a King who stays in a Korean modern castle in 21 century. *more info

[HOWTOGETTHERE]

Take subway line Incheon 1 to Central Park Station
Take exit 3 and you will get out at Tri Bowl.
From Tri Bowl, go to the left if you want to take water taxi, go to your right if you want to ride the kano and kayak.

*more info

VISITED ON APRIL 28th, 2017

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May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

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Gunpo Royal Azalea Festival

Late April is the time for Royal Azalea blooms in Korea. One of the best spot to see these beautiful flower is in Gunpo, Gyeonggido, around 45 mins away from Seoul.

Royal Azalea is really similar to Azalea (read here), especially the form of flower. The difference is only in the size of the tree because Royal Azalea tree is smaller and bloom 2-3 weeks after Azalea. The color is also the same, red, purple, and pink.

The festival is usually held on the last weekend of April. In 2017, it was held between April 28-302017, which already ended for this year. However you can still see the flower until 2 weeks after since the flower bloomed a little bit late this year.

[HOWTOGETTHERE]

Take subway line 4 to Surisan Station
Take exit 3 and go straight for about 400m

*more info

IF YOU READ MY BLOG AND MANAGE TO VISIT THE PLACE, I APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN HELP ME TO SHARE MY BLOG BY USING HASHTAG #rufustory WHEN YOU POST THE PHOTOS OR SHARE MY BLOG ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA^^

VISITED ON APRIL 27TH, 2016

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May 1, 2017May 9, 2017

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Baeneomsil Village, Jinan

I discovered another yellow paradise in Korea. This huge canola flower field is located in Baeneomsil Village, located 15 mins away from the nearest city Jinan (4 hours away from Seoul). The canola field is so big and located just beside a small stream of Yongdam Lake and beautiful Wolpo Bridge as a background.

It is magical yellow everywhere which is amazing. The thing is not many people know about this people, so you can enjoy it as your own paradise.

The place is quite far from the city, but if you have a chance to visit, it’s worth to try.

[HOWTOGETTHERE]

First, you have to get to Jinan City. There’s two way to get there

1a) Go to Jeonju by taking bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal which runs every 10 min start from 12.800 won (standard bus).

1b) As soon as you arrive in Jeonju, take intercity bus to Jinan from Jeonju Intercity Bus Terminal (it’s 5 min walking if you get off at Jeonju Express Bus Terminal). The bus runs every 20 min for only 3700 won, 1 hour ride.

2) Take direct bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Jinan Bus Terminal. But, there are only 2 bus going there per day, 10.10 and 15.10 and cost you 15.000 won.

Second, as you are in Jinan Bus Terminal, take local bus to Geumji Village (금지마을) for 1000 won 15 min ride. The bus passing the village is not many : 11.00, 11.40, 12.55, 15.00, 18.20, 19.10. You have to be careful of this and ask the driver first to make sure it’s the right bus. Everything will be in Korean and they do not speak English. You can ask like this “Geumji maeul kasijyo”? (Youre going to geumji village right?)
Before you get off at Geumji Village Bus Stop, you gonna see the huge canola field on your right. As you get off, walk to the place for 5 min. Remember the place where you get off.
Take the bus from the bus stop where you get off to Jinan Bus Terminal. The afternoon schedule is only at 15.00. Do not miss it.

Note : The easier way to get there is taking taxi from Jinan Bus Terminal to Geumji Village for about 20.000 won 15 mins ride.

Visited on April 205th, 2017

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April 27, 2017April 27, 2017

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