I remembered watching the 1988 Olympic Games on television never expecting that almost 30 years later I would be exploring the Seoul Olympic Park. We took the metro to Mongchontoseong station on Line 8 and entered the Olympic Park through the World Peace Gate. This colourful entrance was built as a sign of peace and …
Continue reading Day 11. Seoul Olympic Park and a walk up Naksan Mountain
We set off on foot this morning to the Jongmyo Shrine which was located not too far from our hotel. Admission to the shrine is included in the palace combination ticket (10,000 Won / £6.98) which we had purchased earlier in the week. The shrine houses the spirit tablets of the Joseon Dynasty and was …
Continue reading Day 10. Jongmyo Shrine & a visit to International Horticulture Goyang Korea
Yet another clear, sunny morning so we thought it was a good opportunity to go up Namsan mountain. We took the metro to Dongguk University station (Line 3, Exit 6) and transferred to one of the circular route buses which go up to the mountain summit (either Numbers 2, 3 or 5 from this stop). …
Continue reading Day 9. Namsan Seoul Tower & Deoksugung Palace
This morning we took the metro to Yongsan from where we transferred onto Korail Line 1 to Suwon, (the brown line). Line 1 splits at Guro so care needs to be taken to ensure you are on the correct train. Express trains only operate after Guro so any train can be taken as far as …
After a delicious hotel breakfast we returned to our room and turned on the television to watch live history being made when the leaders of both North and South Korea met at the DMZ. By 9.45 a.m. we had finished viewing and were ready to take the metro to Samseong in the Gangnam district of …
It was another warm, sunny morning so after breakfast we took the metro to Gyeongbokgung station so that we could visit Gyeongbokgung Palace. As we had purchased a book of tickets the previous day covering all of Seoul's palaces we did not need to visit the ticket office. We had arrived at 9.20 a.m. in …
Continue reading Day 6. Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Royal Guard Change, Seoul
We woke to clear blue skies so after our hotel breakfast we took the metro to the Seodaemun Prison History Hall near the Dongnimmun metro station, exit 5. After leaving the station it was just a short walk through Independence Park to the museum entrance, admission is 3,000 Won (£2.00). This former prison stands as …
Continue reading Day 5. Seodaemun Prison and Bukhansan National Park, Seoul
We opened the curtains to clear blue skies and sun pouring into our room which was such a contrast from the previous two days. After enjoying a leisurely hotel breakfast we took the metro to Anguk Station, Line 3, Exit 3 so that we could visit the two royal palaces located near there. Soon we …
Continue reading Day 4. A visit to Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung Palaces, Seoul
We woke to the sound of heavy rain beating against the windows and on checking the forecast it seemed to be set in for the day. Breakfast was again tasty with some different hot dishes from the previous morning. I spotted some cream of mushroom soup which isn't something I would usually have for breakfast …
Continue reading Day 3. Learning about Korean history in Seoul
We slept really well in our comfortable bed, waking early at 6.30 a.m. due to the time change. Breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express Euljiro was served in the basement and we found a varied selection of hot and cold dishes to suit all tastes. Most diners were wearing smart business suits, appearing very formal …
Continue reading Day 2. Visiting the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul
