We had a fantastic time staying in Donghae at the caravan area, an experience you don't get easily or anywhere else. If you missed out on that post, you can read it here: Korea 2012: Day 11 and Day 12 (Donghae 동해시)
What kind of a tourist are you? What do you enjoy on holidays? Sights? Shopping? Relaxing atmosphere?
I'm a sucker for splendid views and new experiences.
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| Image from jonkeegan.com |
If you're a fan of Korean dramas, or you have watched a couple, this location should be really familiar to you. Many Korean dramas are filmed in Byeokchokji Garden otherwise known as BCJ Garden located in Paju. Paju is about an hour's drive away from Seoul and is home to many beautiful natural sights and sceneries. Transport there is definitely less accessible than Seoul but I will acknowledge that for me, the sights made travelling worthwhile.
Paju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Paju was made a city in 1997; it had previously been a county (gun). The city is located just south of Panmunjeom on the 38th parallel. To defend the Korean capital, Seoul, many US and Korean army bases are set up in the city. In 2002, the northernmost South Korean railway station, Dorasan, was opened. North Korean territory and Kaesong City can be seen from Mount Dora in the city.
It was a relatively long trip heading to BCJ Garden, but the views were so splendid it took my breath and fatigue away.
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| Gripping onto two hot cups with comforting drinks in the thick cold. It had snowed heavily the night before. The frozen white land behind me is the famous lake within BCJ Garden. |
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| A beautiful wooden pavilion which we found overlooking the frozen lake. |
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| When we took this photo, a period drama was actually being filmed far off, further on the left where I am in this photo. However, it was clear that we were not to disrupt the filming because the area was barred off pretty well by tents and personnel. |
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| Had my butt wet from taking this photo ㅋㅋ but I just loved that orangey glow through the branches with the fluffy white snow. |
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| The Western Garden - the most spectacular part of the garden - in my opinion. |
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| The colour difference between the statues on the left and right is actually rather hilarious. |
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| A handful of snow =) |
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| Me and my favourite: polar bear! |
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| Just hanging out with a couple of baby pegasus. |
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| That was the wooden pavilion which I took a photo in just now. |
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| The same location as where Baro from B1A4 walked in the MV "Tried to Walk 걸어 본다" (Thanks to the information seen on another blog) |
My verdict? If you're a big Korean drama fan, this is the place for you. If you're a big fan of natural scenery and beautiful gardens, this is the place for you as well. Remember though that travelling time is rather long especially if you are taking public transport, and buses are infrequent. I promise though that the garden is really beautiful.
*Check out this blogger's post where she re-enacts scenes filmed in dramas at the BCJ Garden:
http://emeraldsconfessions.wordpress.com/2014/02/20/adventure-asia-fangirling-at-the-bcj-gardens/
The Botanical Garden BCJ (Byeokchoji) (벽초지문화수목원)166-1, Beolmanjang-gil, Gwangtan-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기 파주시 광탄면 창만리 166-1
Telephone: +82-31-957-2004 | Website: www.bcj.co.kr (Korean only)
Operating Hours: 09:00-18:00 (March to November);
10:00-21:00 (December to February)
Admission:
[APRIL-OCTOBER]
ADULTS: 7000 won (Weekdays), 8000 won (Weekends & Holidays)
TEENAGERS: 6000 won
CHILDREN: 5000 won
[NOVEMBER-MARCH]ADULTS: 6000 won (Weekdays, Weekends and Holidays)
TEENAGERS: 5000 won
CHILDREN: 4000 won
How to Get Here:
Alight at Samsong Station 삼송역 (Seoul Subway Line 3) and take Exit 8. Cross the large intersection 80m ahead. Take Bus 703, and get off at Gwangtan Samgeori (3-way Intersection) Bus Stop. Transfer to Bus 15 or 67 and get off at Domasan Elementary School Bus Stop. The Botanical Garden BCJ is located across the street.
* Please be EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS! Samsong Station 삼송역 (Seoul Subway Line 3) is not the same as Samseong Station 삼성역 (Seoul Subway Line 2)
I hope this was an informative and helpful post!
Till then,
Fly Safe and Eat Happy,
V
*P.S. Please ignore the table below I can't seem to get rid of it.
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