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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Wansan Park, Jeonju

If you look for the King Cherry Blossom and colorful Royal Azaleas, Wansan Park in Jeonju is the best place to visit. Since it’s located just next to Jeonju Hanok Village, you can reach this place after you spend some hours in the famous Hanok Village, only 30 mins by walking.

King Cherry Blossom is another type of Cherry Blossom flower, but the flower is more pink, bigger and has more petals.

Royal Azalea in Wansan Park has some two colors, the red and pink one.

Something you can’t forgot is taking good photos.

[TIPS]

- You can get to Jeonju by taking public bus from Express Bus Terminal to Jeonju city which is available every 10 mins
- If bus terminal is too far from your area, the easier way to travel is joining oneday shuttle bus to Jeonju organized by Trazy where they have pick up points on popular area such as myeongdong, hongdae and dongdaemun. Click here Travel with Trazy
- Once you arrive to Jeonju City (by your own) or to Jeonju Hanok Village with Trazy, read my instruction bellow.

[HOWTOGETTHERE]

Walk from Bus Terimal to Geumam Gwanjang Intersection (금암관장사거리) for about 5-10mins, and take right and you will find bus stop. Take bus 165.
Get off at Nambu Market Bus Stop (남부시장). As soon as you get off, go to your left and keep going straight until you see a river and bridge.
(If you wanna visit after spending time in Jeonju Village, you can go to a big road next to Jeoju Cathedral, and turn left, towards a river and bridge)

As you find the bridge, you will see small hill on your right.

Find the entrance to the hill (steep stairs) and Wansan Park is just behind that hill.

Take the stairs and as soon as you reach the top, take left, go straight untill you find way down exit, and take left again and you will see the entrance of the Wansan Park on your right.

Visited on April 25th, 2017

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April 26, 2017April 27, 2017

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Seoul Sky

Seoul Sky is the newest tourist attraction in Seoul. Just opened 3 weeks ago on April 4th, Seoul Sky is the observation deck in Lotte World Tower, the tallest building in Korea, 5th tallest in the world now. Seoul Sky offers you such amazing view of Seoul city from “sky”, from 117th-121th floor around 500 m above grounds. The observation deck itself is the third highest in the world.

*credit to the owner

Seoul city looks like toys when you see them from 500 m above the ground.

I also captured Lotte World outdoor which is located just bellow the tower.

Seoul Sky got 3 records from Guiness World Records, with the tallest double elevator, the fastest double deck elevator, and the highest glass-floor observation deck in the world.

They also have their own mascots.

The journey to the sky starts from the entrance which is located in the B2 floor of Lotte World Mall (exit 1 Jamsil Station). The ticket price is 27.000 won per person.

Before taking the elevator to the sky, they offer you short history and information about Seoul Sky with high sophisticated and artistic media.

As you arrive at floor 117th (the first floor of observation deck), you will see such minimalist modern interior which is amazing.

If you go up to the 118th floor, you will find the glass-floor observation deck where you can see the ground clearly under your feet.

If you have more budget, you can also try to have meal in the sky of Seoul, the highest restaurant in Korea, which is on 123rd floor.

I also spotted a super romantic moment when the saxophonist took one of my friend to the centre and played an instrument for her. She said that she hopes that her future husband to propose her like that.

[HOWTOGETTHERE]

Take subway Line 2 and get off at Jamsil Station
Follow the direction to exit 1 (Lotte World Mall), as you enter the main gate of B2 floor of Lotte World Mall, you can see Seoul Sky entrance on your right side.

*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 20TH, 2017

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April 21, 2017May 9, 2017

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Seoul’s Hidden Canola Fields

Good news for everyone who is looking for the yellow canola flowers in Seoul area. You do not need to go to Busan or Jeju Island for canola flowers since you can see them in Seoul. It’s not as big as the field in other place, but it’s worthy to visit and take pictures, since its 30 mins away from downtown.

Canola flowers in Seoul usually bloom on April 10th until first week of May (depend on the weather, rain and wind). In 2017, in my prediction, the best time to visit is April 18th – April 23th.

The canola flowers grow bellow the Gwangmyeong Bridge (광명대교), just next to the Anyang stream nearby Guil Station. Gwangmyeong Bridge is seen in the picture below.

[HOWTOGETTHERE]

The location is quite hard to find as it is quite far from the nearest subway station, which is Guil Station (Line 1), about 1,3km away (20mins walking). Here’s the detail direction.

As you arrive at Guil Station, take exit 1 (the exit gate is shown below)

As soon as you go out, turn right and you will see the entrance of a bridge which will accros the stream.

At the end of the bridge, turn left (under the flyover road), go straight.

When you the find a pathway going down, go down to the jogging and bicycle track beside the Anyang stream (stream should be on your left side)

This is the jogging and bicycle track beside the stream. Keep walking straight.

First, you will see tulip fields, and the canola fields is just behind it.

Keep going straight until you find the yellow canola fields.

Here’s the direction in map

VISITED ON APRIL 20TH, 2017

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April 20, 2017May 1, 2017

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Wonmisan Mountain Azalea Festival

Azalea flower is purple flower which usually bloom on early April in Korea.

Wonmisan Mountain Azalea Festival is held on April 7-9 this year. Beside Wonmisan, there are other Azalea Festival such as Yeongchwisan Azalea Festival (Yeosu, early April) and Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival (Incheon, late April).

Not only purple Azalea, yellow Forthysia also blooms around the mountain make it more colorful.

If you walk around, they have a pretty bridge, a good spot for you to take good picture. Meanwhile if you reach the peak, you can see Bucheon Stadium from above.

[HowToGetThere]

Take subway to Bucheon Stadium Station (Line 7), take exit 2
Walk straight for around 500 m, just afer you pass the stadium you will see sign “The Azale Garden” (photo below), that’s the entrance of the festival

*more info

If you miss Wonmisan Mountain Azalea Festival, you still have a chance to visit Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival by joining daily tour Trazy!

Click here Travel with Trazy

visited on April 7th, 2017

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April 7, 2017May 1, 2017

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Jinhae (2017 updated)

Everyone knows that Jinhae city is the most beautiful place in Korea for seeing cherry blossom. It’s super recommended for travellers who come to Korea during late March until April 1st week to visit this city. Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival itself held between April 1 – 10 everyear. Why it’s so pretty? The whole entire is city is PINK as cherry blossom grows everywhere.

Gyeonghwa Station

Gyonghwa Station is used to be train station where cherry blossoms trees grow along the rail way. They also put the real train during Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival to make it more beautiful.

If you are a photographer and like to take perfect picture, you can come to this place at the dawn and use long exposure when it’s still dark. I arrived at 5.15am in the morning and took some best shots.

Yeojwacheon Stream

The 2nd must visited place after Gyeonghwa Station when you are in Jinhae is Yeojwacheon Stream where you can see the cherry blossom tree along the stream for about 1 km long.

Jinhae Inland Water Ecopark

At the end of Yeojwacheon Stream, they have a park with small lake called Jinhae Inland Water Ecopark.

Jinhae Naval Base Command

You ca also take a stroll to the left side of Yeojwacheon stream (5 mins walking) to visit the Jinhae Naval Base Command area where you can also see chery blossoms

Jinhae District Office

Jinhae is a perfect place to explore cherry blossom spot as the whole city has it. I went to the Jinhae District Office area, 30 mins away from Yeojwacheon or 20 mins away from Gyeonghwa Station by bus 307. They have cherry blossom trees around the area.

Just next to the district office, there is a way uphill where you will find baseball court,

If you keep walking uphill you will see a pink hill, full of cherry blossom

Wood Culture Experience Centre (목재문화체험장)

Keep walking from Jinhae district office and take the left way in the intersection to visit the Wood Culture Experience Centre.

Jinhae Dream Park

My cherry blossom adventure is not finished yet as I explore the Jinhae Dream Park and the surrounding, next to the culture centre to take some best photos.