My friend got me the Malaysian Independent Tourists' Guide to Korea and the Korea Tourist Map too! I was thinking if I can fit most of the places into my schedule. I will be going to Korea on 6th - 14th Dec. It will be the same, like others, where I will reach at about 9.15 pm at night. Maybe I will spend my first night at the aiport or takes the subway if I would be able to make it by 11.45 pm, or the standard limousine bus of which I think the bus would be a more appropriate choice?

I will be going on a backpack style too! Try to spend as little as possible (excluding shoppings, haha) with my friend. She's kinda thrifty too. We thought of following tour, but it is costly. About RM 2000 at least for 8 days 7 nights where all the itineraries are the same for all the travel agencies. And I thought of not going to Jeju Island as it will be better to go in autumn I guess?

I think I will be staying at Bangrang Hostel. It only cost 20k won per night per person for a double room with shared bathroom.

Definitely going to Everland! (I'm still a kid in me). Not sure if I should go to the Lotte World, but I think either one will be alright. I would want to visit the Joseon-era places like Namsangol Hanok Village, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, and The Royal Tombs. I will like Gyeonggi-do! Not sure if my friend wants to visit these historical places though, I will plan again soon. Not to mention the DMZ too! Oh man, I think I can spend a week in Andong! Haha.

I found some information from the official site, about travelling to Jeju Island package (domestic travel). This is the cheapest rate I managed to find.
[CNP TRAVEL]
Jeju Trolley 2N3D Tour 05/24/2010 ~ 12/31/2010
2 Night 3 Days Jeju-do, ￦ 286,000

Also, to the Ski Resort. You can click HERE to see the package. ￦ 125,000 per person.


This post has been edited by Carmein: Aug 23 2010, 10:10 AM

My main concentration will be on Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do and Busan!
I saw this 3-Day Backpack Tour of Busan-Gyeongju for Women. Haha.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_....jsp?cid=258914

My plan:
Day 1: 6th Dec
Arriving Korea (9.15pm), train or bus to Seoul (Bangrang Hostel)

Day 2: 7th Dec
Takes Seoul City Tour Bus for a downtown tour ￦ 10,000
Palaces, Namsangol Hanok Village
Watch Nanta show at Chongdong Nanta Theater ￦ 50,000

Day 3: 8th Dec
Myeong-Dong, Dongdaemun, Namdaemun, Insa Dong

Day 4: 9th Dec
Skiing day!
Going to YongPyong and stay at the hostel ￦ 11,000 / bed (Cheapest accomodation I can find from their website. Any other suggestion?
Seoul ↔ Yongpyong Resort Regular Shuttle BusRoundtrip ￦ 28,000

Day 5-7: 10th Dec - 12 Dec
Back to Seoul? Then proceed to Busan.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_....jsp?cid=258914
I will be following the guide from the site.
(OR shall I go to YongPyong on the first day of arrival, then only go to Seoul?

Day 8: 13 Dec
Back to Seoul! Back at Bangrang Hostel
Last minute shopping? Or I'll visit the places that I can't make it the first two days.

Day 9: 14 Dec (11pm flight back to KL)
I still have some time though, dunno what to do.

I really have no idea how to slot in Nami Island visit. And I have decided not to go to Jeju Island (cuz it's too expensive) Need some advice here for my plan. Thanks a bunch!

Free shuttle bus to Gyeongju in November! Plenty of spaces though!
http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/...t_07_01_01.asp#

Since there are so many ski resorts around, it will be the same, isnt it?
I don't really understand why most people opt for Yongpyeong Ski Resort?

This post has been edited by Carmein: Sep 15 2010, 12:50 PM

It will be one hour faster than Malaysia.

Just got my sweater and a pair of gloves from UT yesterday. They are having sales now again. There were many people and most of them are going to Korea!
The cashmere jacket is priced at RM 999! Wow.

Maybe you can check this out too!
I saw the banner advertisement from facebook and went to find more info on it.
http://www.bangranghostel.com/introduction.html

I have booked my stay there for one week. Location won't be a problem I guess as clear directions are given on the website.
20k won/night is the cheapeast I can locate for now. Decent ones.

hwaizai: That's a huge amount of money left! 334000 won is alot! Would you mind telling me the rate? Or pm me perhaps?

Yeah! I have read the news that Seoul already had it's first snow!
However, I don't think I'll be skiing. I am more interested to go snow sledding instead. Most prob at Bear's Town Resort, or Seoul Land or Korean Folk Village?
Also, am waiting for the AAX promo so that I can book to go Korea again next year in autumn.
I would like to ask if anyone has visited Uniqlo for its winter collection?
I have seen from the website and they seem to be alot cheaper than UT and others.
http://www.uniqlo.com/my/stylebook.html#/340/2/

Lotsa coupon to be used! Some are really useful escpecially the one for Samsung electronic items at 15% off!

http://visitkorea.com.my/special-coupon-bo...ellers-to-korea

I manage to change the Korean won at RM 2.84 at BB, the one next to Maybank. I was given all new notes!
There's another that offers 2.83 but the place looks unpromising. Haha.
Is anyone going to Korea from 6-14 Dec? Maybe we can meet up and travel together.

This post has been edited by Carmein: Dec 1 2010, 09:45 AM

Nope. Only 10k won notes.
I think we will be able to get change from purchases once we reach there.

Check the ski resorts here! Most of them are opened now!
Im planning to go to Bears Town Resort or KFV (quite far) for sledding! Not going to ski though.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FU/FU_...jsp?cid=1132205

A few more sledding hills to those who are interested (Based on my research so far):
Korean Folk Village
Seoul Land
Everland SnowBuster
Gapyeong Sledding Hills
Taereung Snow Sledding Field
Woobang Tower Land Sledding Hills

There's one more place to sled, at a park in Seoul.
You can get there by subway. Forgot the name though, I'll post up later when I get home. :0)

This post has been edited by Carmein: Dec 1 2010, 01:33 PM

I arrived at the Incheon Airport at about 9pm on 6th dec. On time! Well, the KFC is open for 24 hours. So, no worries if u haven't had your dinner yet.
The person from Incheon Guesthouse fetched my fren and I to the place.
It's a business center like place. Cosy and pretty.

The next day (7 Dec), went back to the airport and took bus to Bangrang Hostel at Chungjeongno station.
Gotta get off the bus quickly as the driver has no patient at all I can say. Even the Seoul city Tour Bus.-________-! He'll scream pali pali (go fast)
You guys can buy the Seoul city Pass at the convenience shop near gate 5 and top up 30k won.
I rented a phone from sk roaming and it's only 1520 won a day.

Went to Myeondong twice to buy stuff. Lolz.
For ladies, you might want to shop at the Face shop or skin food. Prices are 50% from Malaysia price.

Bought a pair of ankle length boots for 20k won.Not sure if it's cheap but it's pretty.
Right at the corner of Namdaemun Gate 4, there's a shop that sells pao.
And it has a long queue! I ate the Red Bean Pao for 1500 won.
There's kimchi pao too! I saw ppl buying a dozen of them!

It was snowing in the afternoon on 8th Dec.
I was at Gyeongbukgong. It snowed all of sudden.
Haha. I was anxiously waiting for my first snow experience. Lolz!

You can have lunch right opposite the palace.
We ate bulgogi and kimchi chigae for only 11k won.
Water is free in every restaurant.
There are distrilled cups places next to the water machine. Gotta self-service. :0)

Places nearby hongdae has lotsa good food too.
For those who wants to see Hello Kitty Cafe, it's there.

If you hop onto Seoul City Tour Bus, it will cost you only 9500 won. :0)
I went up to Namsan Park. And it started snowing again when we were walking up th slope. Therefore, I didnt want to go up the tower. Anyway, it was good enough that we encountered snow again!;0)

Went to Doota, but stuff there are expensive if you are planning to get some good deals.
Food wise, there are lotsa choices.

Street foods:
1. Potato chip - 2000 won (Myeongdong)
2. Tteokkbokki - 2000 won (Myeongdong)
3. The one that looks like fuchuk - 1500 won
4. Hotdog wrapped in french fries (forgot the name) - 2000 won
5. A round piece of pancake - 1000 won

And it was raining today when i was strolling along Garousukil.
Price for 2 cups of cuppacino from coffee bean is 4500 won each for single shot.
Gotta stay here because of the rain. Haiz. and i forgot my umbrella.
A twosome place is awesome too. (just another cafe like CF but it's huge there) also, Tom Toms coffee. :0)

Ssamzigil @ insadong is pretty!
And guys, you can snap picture of yourself wth ownself written message, then get it send to your email from a machine.
It's on your left corner when ur coming down from the stairs towards the entrance when ur leaving. :0) It's free. Btw, it's on the wall, you may not notice it. The middle machine.

Went to the Red Sky Cafe near Banpo Bridge (got down from Donggak station), waite till 8pm but there were no sign of the rainbow fountain. I dunno why?
5000 won for a piece of cake. The water is free.
We left early because there were no sign of the fountain, and also it is a place for couples.
I read the schedule that there will be rainbow fountain almost every hr from the main site.

Koreans are pretty excited when they hear non local speaking Korean.
I can speak minimal Korean as I have just started my lesson.
And ahjumonis are pretty friendly.
Also, I find ppl spitting everywhere. Herm.

Youngpong bookstore is huge! And i like it there. :0)
If you want to buy cds, clothes, scarfs, shoes,.. Try finding them at underground shopping center. They are cheap too!

Cass beer is 2500 won per bottle if u drink in a restaurant.
Not sure bout others though. :0)

I have booked two seats to go to Namiseom on Sunday (12 dec).
I know it will be packed on weekend, no?
As for tomorrow(11 dec), 13 dec and 14 dec, I am clueless where to go.

Might go to the Bears Town Ski Resort on monday.(13 dec)
Any better idea?

This post has been edited by Carmein: Dec 11 2010, 01:02 AM

aeiou228, haha. It's all in my camera. And Im still in Seoul now. Lazy to extract them as they are large.

If anyone has the Seoul Best 100 guide book in green, it will be really good!
I got it from Bangrang Hostel here.



This post has been edited by Carmein: Dec 11 2010, 01:14 AM

For those who are planning to buy down jackets or jeans from Uniqlo Malaysia, you can omit your plan as the Uniqlo in Korea is selling at much cheaper price. I bought my down jacket (women's) from Uniqlo Malaysia for RM 399.90 and it's selling at 99k won in Korea. As for jeans, I bought mine for RM 179.90 and in Korea 49.9k won only.

I went to Myeondong three times. Haha. The temptation is too hard to resist.
Things (fashion items) sold here is better than Namdaemun.
If you wana buy souvenirs like bookmarks, korean spoon & chopstick (get them from Namdaemun) :0)
There are lotsa cute stationeries, diaries, passport holders, and things you cannot imagine. (I like them. Ignore this if you're a man. haha)

Went to Bears Town Ski Resort today.
Took bus to Deong Seoul Bus Terminal (Gangbyeon, Subway Line 2). From the exit of the subway, go across the road and go into the building, ground floor (they call it 1st floor in korea), and bought my ticket to Pocheon (6000 won one way-express bus-one hr journey) and drop off at Naechon-Myeon. Make sure you ask the driver to remind you where to stop at. Journey was about an hr. When you drop off, I took a taxi for 3700 won right to the entrance of the Bears Town Resort. Damn disappointed as their sledging area will only be opened next Wednesday. :0( There weren't many people. You have to walk down the slope, and cross the main road for a bus back to Gangbyeon station (the station is in front of a restaurant). Bus No. 11 (only 1700 won) but the journey takes about 1 hr 15 mins because it's a town bus.
(I'll upload pictures of the restaurants and buildings around the area so you can have better view of it) :0)

Please DONT go to Lotte World on weekends. I went there on Sat. Lolz. But I wasnt intended to go for the amusement park. It's just that I arrived late at Yangjae's Saturday flea market, and therefore, took subway to Jamsil. Haha. You can get cheap jumpers too! I got one for 9900 won only. :0)
A bowl of bibimbap for only 5k won. No worries.

Places that I've been:
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace..get the ticket right at the main entrance on the right side if you get down from Gwanghwamun station (subway line 5)..if you're coming from Gyeongbokgung station(subway line 3), you will have to pass thru the national palace museum on ur left)..it was snowing that day, therefore, i didnt walk all through..

2. Gwanghwamun Square & Cheonggyecheon..i think it's better to go to these 2 places at night.. :0)..drop off at gwanghwamun station for these 2 places..it's very near to each other..you will nv miss it.. i can see lotsa ahjummas and ahjussi carrying super huge DSLRs to snap pictures of the Gyeongbokgung..you can see ppl wearing red at subway stations ringing bells, you can make some donations too! :0)

3. Insadong.. basically, it's just a small street..my main interest was Ssamziegil..go to the top floor and snap some pictures! :0)

4. Samcheongdonggil..you can find a lot of themed cafes...a cup of coffee for about 5000 won :0)

5. Namdaemun..as I have said earlier, get souvenirs here..you can probably get ur best deal here.. :0) Dragon beard is not delicious..Lolz. So, just save your money. I got a pair of spoon and chopsticks for 2000 won only.

6. Myeongdong..a place I went for 3 times..haha..a wrapped around scarf (wool like) for 12000 won.. I think it's cheap? You can find skirts for as low as 4900 won from mini boutiques..the tall ice cream (1500 won) is not delicious..please dont buy..there are like thousands of face shops, skin foods and etude house..face mask from Etude is the cheapest..1000 won/pcs.. FS is 2000 won/pc

7. Namsangol Hanok Village..very near to Korea House (a restaurant).. I think you dont have to go to Buckhon village if you plan to visit here.. :0) Both are free anyway.

8. Namsan Park.. i went there by Seoul City Bus Tour..snowing freaking heavily when I was walkin up the slope..nv went up the tower, therefore, I dont have much comment.. :0)

9. Hongik Univ Area.. hello kitty cafe?..nv went in but i just walked past it.. :0) sellings cothes and other stuff too..

10. Banpo Bridge/Hangang Park area..went to Red Sky cafe..one of many cafes you can watch the bridge.. :0)

11. Bears Town Ski Resort..as mentioned above..go on weekdays

12. Lotte world/ lotte mart @ Jamsil

13. Namiseoum..must go! YOu can try the flying fox for 38000 won per pax..so that you dont have to take the ferry to the island..lolz!..nearby restaurants sell good food! :0) I took the bus from Insadong tapgol park.

14. Garosugil

15. Dongdaemun..i only ate there..stuff are pricey (as in comparison to namdaemun and myeongdong)

This post has been edited by Carmein: Dec 14 2010, 02:37 AM

The food that we have tried in Korea.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

This post has been edited by Carmein: Dec 17 2010, 11:57 AM

You can top up from subway stations. If I am not mistaken, there is as low as 2000 won, 3000 won, 5000 won and 10k won from the machine.
Just place your card on the slot, then slot in your money and it's charged! :0)

ztan, i recognised that shop at once! I was stucked there for quite a long time buying accessories because they were so cheap!
Only 1000 won per item, you will never get it here at this price!
Also, they have pretty phone covers.
I bought alot of Cantata coffee because of Lee Min Ho. :0) Haha.