Hi there! This is my third time in Seoul, and there is still so many things to appreciate in Seoul City, probably got to plan for one more trip! This time round I am going with my mom, so I cut down a lot on cafe hopping, and focusing mainly on the nature and culture of Korea. So here is a summarise itinerary for the trip ⬇️
Day 1 - Arriving in Seoul Before boarding the plane, we went to collect our WIFI router from Changi Recommends. It is SGD5 per day, free on collection day, unlimited data usage. Prepaid SIM card with data is really expensive in Korea. Based on individual usage, I am always on the Internet, so 1GB for SGD35 only lasted me about 5 to 6 days, on my previous trip. So renting a router is so much more worth it. Took a midnight flight from Singapore and arrived at Incheon Airport in the noon, via Cathay Pacific, transfer at Hong Kong Airport. Korea is an hour ahead of Singapore. Took the AREX (express airport train) to Seoul City, Seoul Station. From there, we took the subway to Yongsan where our Airbnb is located. Our Airbnb is about SGD70 per night, with 2 queen beds (so it actually fits 4 guests), WIFI, portable WIFI router, TV, washer, air-con, basic kitchen needs and toiletries. We were quite exhausted after the long plane ride. Had a late lunch at some Korean restaurant nearby our place. After which, we went to the nearby I'Park Mall - a huge state-of-the-art shopping mall that comprises 11 floors, directly connecting to Yongsan Station; for a walk and some grocery shopping at E-mart. Day 2 - Myeongdong First destination for the day is brunch at Bonjuk, a popular Korean porridge place, then around the streets of Myeongdong. This is the place where you can get lots and lots of free cosmetic samples with purchase. Do not be ashamed to ask for samples! Of course the amount of given samples based on the amount you spent. So far the most generous merchants will be Innisfree, Etude House and Tony Moly. There is also hourly, daily and weekly sales; so do not rush to buy all the cosmetics at one go. Sales can go up to 1-for-1, or if you are lucky enough 1-for-2! Around Myeongdong, we went to LINE Friends Store, Innisfree and Innisfree Green Cafe, and Stylenanda Pink Hotel. If you are a LINE fan and if you have time, go to the one at Itaewon. It is crazy, the whole building dedicated to LINE! It is really AMAZING! Next is Innisfree, I LOVE their products, especially the foot mask! Their cafe on the 2nd floor onwards is AMAZING as well, one of the prettiest cafes ever! They even have like a mini pond within the cafe, and enclose rooms for quiet discussions. We had so much shopping with us that we decided to return to drop our shopping bags before we head back to Myeongdong for some street food for dinner. You cannot miss out tteokbokki+odeng (Korean rice cake + fishcake, Dakgangjeong (sweet and sour chicken) and the 32cm ice cream! Day 3 - Hongdae, Wax Museum Supposed to have brunch at Yeolbong Jjimdak, Korean braised chicken restaurant opened by YG Artiste, Se7en; but it has closed down! Settled for a random eatery near Thanks Nature Cafe - visit the sheeps, Sam and Anna! Around the streets of Hongdae before we move on to hunt for Hello Kitty Cafe, which has also unfortunately closed down, and reconstructed as BlackPink’s new home for their TV series. Settled coffee break at neighbouring Coffeesmith. After which, we went to Stylenanda Hongdae (flagship store). The cafe at the top floor is so huge and pretty! They even have a swimming pool within the cafe to match to the cafe theme - Pink Pool Cafe. Next, we went to wax museum, Grevin Seoul. Grevin Seoul is the first Asian venue after its opening in Paris, Montreal and Prague - France's famous beeswax museum, Musee Grevin. It houses 4 stories with15 themed exhibitions and 8 interactive activities, such as quiz games, plane simulator and wax figure making. Ending the evening with a cable car ride up to Namsan Park, N Seoul Tower to catch the sunset - a bird's eye view of Seoul, not one of best skyline though. Then back down to Myeongdong for some bingsu at Sulbing. Day 4 - Out of City to Jeju Island This morning we are taking a 1hr domestic flight to Jeju Island via Eastar Jet. This is a pretty last minute change of decision as the initial plan is to visit Nami Island instead. The 🌸 cherry blossom 🌸 forecast was out early March, and Jeju's predicted bloom dates happened to be the period where we are in Seoul, thus the swop in plans. There are so many awesome places to go in Jeju and after research and discussion with my mom, we decided to shortlist these places: Cherry Blossom Street, Soingook Theme Park - miniature models of famous landmarks from around the world, and Hello Kitty Island. Then, we catch an evening flight back to Seoul. If you were to book early, flight rates go as low as KRW9,900 per trip. We booked our tickets 3 weeks before so it comes up to KRW118,600 (both trips) per pax, that is about SGD150? Day 5 - Up the Mountain, Dongdaemun Had Myeongdong Kyoja for brunch before we set off to Bukhansan National Park, visiting Geumsunsa Temple - one of the traditional Buddhist temple in Seoul - about a kilometre hike up the mountain. There are many hiking trails available to reach one of the three peaks of this national park. Geumsunsa Temple is great to experience the Buddhist monk's life, surrounded by the beautiful nature of Mount Bukhansan. Next is to Dongdaemun, one of those must-go shopping districts in Seoul! Be sure not to miss out Doota Mall, one of the largest fashion mall in Seoul! Dinner is at Angyeong Halmeoni Gopchang, Korean BBQ of pork intestines. This is legit heaven food! 😍😱 You have got to try this, especially if you are a fan of offals! Day 6 - Experiencing the Korean Culture Starting the day off with Namdaemun Market, a must-go traditional market where you can get many items at wholesale price! Lunch is at Andong Jjimdak, super good Korean braised chicken with yummy sweet potato noodles! Since we are back at Myeongdong for lunch, I thought I should go LINE Friends Store get some Brown merchandise since I have spare cash. Chilled at O'sulloc Tea House, a matcha cafe; and headed over to K-style Hub, basically a Korean tourist centre where you get to learn and experience the Korean culture and history. There are Korean food cooking classes available for booking as well. Next is dinner at Korea Samgyetang, the oldest authentic Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup restaurant in Seoul, passing by Deoksugung, one of the traditional Korean palaces in Seoul; before we call it a day! Day 7 - Garosugil, Street Shopping Back to Namdaemun Market for more shopping, then off to another Korean Buddhist temple, Bongeunsa Temple, one of the most-visited temples in Seoul. Next off to Garosugil, the popular cafe street and the ultimate hang-out place for the fashionistas! We visited Mr Holmes Bakehouse, specialising in French Bakes of rotating flavours, originated from San Francisco. Followed by Cafe 89 Mansion, opened by Korean Actor Lee Jong Suk. Next, we went street shopping around Ewha Woman's University, before we head back to our apartment and time to pack our luggages and squeeze in all those shopping! Day Eight - Back to Singapore Last day in Seoul! 😭