Anyway, if you've just joined us, we're on to Day 7 of my Korea travels that I did back in 2012. I bet you're wondering why I decided to jump on to this task when it has been 2 years. Well I'll be making a trip to Seoul at the end of November so I thought, why not? It could be a bit of a refresher, and helps with preparing me for my upcoming trip.
This post is a continuation from my previous post Korea 2012: Day 6 (Kona Beans 코나빈스 - Lord Stow's Bakery - Kyochon Chicken 교촌치킨 in Apgujeong 압구정 - Kalguksu Alley in Namdaemun)
Since I have so little photos, fret not! I will provide you with information and interesting places to visit in these areas! There will still be things to read and photos to view=)
Insa-dong Street is one of the most memorable attractions in Seoul and represents the focal point of Korean traditional culture and crafts. Stores in Insa-dong specialize in a wide variety of goods that can only be purchased or appreciated in Korea: hanbok (traditional clothing), hanji (traditional paper), traditional teas, pottery, and folk crafts. Everyone often says that you go to Insadong to get cultured.
One of the landmarks and must-visit places in Insadong is Ssamziegil (쌈지길).
This unique area was designed in such a way by connecting its charming alleys in the form of a spiral-like stairway. As you do your window-shopping through the lovely, cozy stores all the way to the top, you will arrive at Haneulmadang where you can get a extraordinarily clear view of the sky.
Insadong 인사동 can get really crowded on the weekends. Make sure you plan your trip wisely so that you will not be overwhelmed!
When you're at Ssamziegil (쌈지길), don't forget to check out or try POOP BREAD 동빵.
Don't worry, there's no overwhelming smell or fainting people around the stall. They simply sell a bun similar to bunggeopang 붕어빵 (the fish shaped one) stuffed with red bean, that is in the shape of poop (its just a novelty thing). This will be a pretty awesome street snack to have as you're exploring Insadong.
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| Images taken from seoulstateofmind.com How cute is that! I didn't get to try this the last time I was in Korea but maybe I will this time. |
My verdict: Ssamziegil (쌈지길) seems like a really artistic hipster town, with shops selling creative handicraft of intricate porcelains and hand-sewn toys. There's even lots of couple areas near the roof-top area which is really pretty at night. Not to mention the painted stairs, walls and murals all around the building. If you're into the arts and culture scene, this will be a pretty awesome place for you.
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Insadong 인사동 is also known to be home to the best hotteok 호떡. For those of you who don't know what hotteok is: a pan-fried pancake made of wheat flour, water, sugar, milk and yeast which is filled with brown sugar, honey and chopped nuts usually ground nuts and pine nuts.
THIS IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE SWEET KOREAN STREET SNACK - simply because it is just so gratifying. When you bite into the crispy chewy skin, the sugar, honey and nuts come oozing out and in winter, this is just amazing.
I didn't get to try my hotteok in Insadong though, so I'm not too sure which stall has the best one. But fret not: the ultimate tourist secret to finding the best stall is to go to the one with more customers or a longer queue! It can't be too bad then.
The hotteok 호떡 street stalls are scattered all around Insadong so keep your eyes peeled!
There's also the stalls selling Dragon Beard Candy in Insadong but I much prefer the ones in Singapore and Malaysia. Probably just a local taste thing.
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Some of the famous things you can get around Insadong are their traditional crafts and souvenirs:
Thanks to sleepwalkingintokyo.wordpress.com for the awesome pictures which will be extremely useful for my upcoming trip. I'm really excited!
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Chenggyecheon Stream
Before being restored only in 2005, Cheonggyecheon Stream existed only as a neglected watercourse hidden by an overpass. It has now been transformed into a haven of natural beauty amidst the bustle of city life commonly used as a dazzling backdrop in television programmes and films.
Narae Bridge, expressing a butterfly in flight, and Gwanggyo Bridge, symbolizing the harmony of the past and future, are two of the twenty plus beautiful bridges that cross the stream. The ‘Rhythmic Wall Stream’, lined with fine marble, sculptures, and Korea’s 8th stone building, Palseokdam, adorn the Cheonggyecheon Stream.
Cheonggyecheon Stream passes close to Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, the Sejong Center, Insa-dong Street, Changdeokgung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace, allowing visitors to easily visit major tourist sites after a leisurely stroll along the stream.
Cheonggye Plaza
Cheonggye Plaza in Sejong-ro is situated at the fountainhead of Cheonggyecheon Stream. From Dong-A Ilbo Building, the starting point of Cheonggyecheon Stream, Cheonggye Plaza stretches all the way to Sindapcheolgyo Bridge. The Plaza is roughly 160m long and 50m wide and has a beautiful fountain, an artificial waterfall, and a miniature replica of Cheonggyecheon Stream, as well as a walking path. The area commemorates the Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration Project, and also symbolizes gathering, harmony, peace, and unity.
Cheonggye Plaza was created based on the design of Korean traditional bojagi (a colorful wrapping cloth), featuring the elegant beauty of traditional stonework that is colorful, yet tasteful. The Plaza also includes a model of Cheonggyecheon that provides visitors with a bird's-eye view of the formerly restored Cheonggyecheon Stream. At the Plaza, there are plaques providing detailed commentaries on the 22 bridges that span the stream as well as a number of graceful fountains that add to the ambience of the area.
The waterfront areas of Cheonggyecheon Stream, and the surrounding streets have become popular places for those seeking refreshment and a variety of cultural experiences. Cheonggye Plaza is also lit up at night to provide a mesmerising night view.
This is the only picture I managed to capture that day because the snow was relentlessly heavy. I was standing under one of the bridges to capture this scene of the waterfall and christmas tree with the crazy snow. The crazy thing is that Jess, Jess' friend and I decided to stroll down the stream like any other day. It was a fantastic experience, one I would never be able to replicate. When we got back, my fur coat was literally covered in snow.
If you're on a tour, my guess is that you only get to explore the plaza if you have the chance to get here. It truly is an experience to remember (and I was linking the different scenes to where the actors and actresses were standing as we walked along the stream).
This year, I will be able to see the Seoul Lantern Festival at Cheonggyecheon! The stream already looks so pretty alone, I think it will be so awesome lit up with lanterns! 신난다! Just look at these photos from previous years:
I do apologise that there isn't much to post! We were mostly snowed in for the day and stuck eating donuts and I felt that it wasn't responsible to take my camera out to snap any photos even if we had the chance since I would damage it with the snow.
To cheer you up, here's a picture of donuts and bibimbap (the remaining 3 photos I have of the day) because food always makes people happy:
I promise more and better photos for Day 8 when we travelled to Suwon!
Till then,
Fly Safe and Eat Happy,
V
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