Tag Archives: tour guide

Seoul Storytelling Tour

30 Jun
Gwanghwamun Square

Image of the square mainstreet square of Gwanghwamun leading up to Gyeongbokgung Palace

I so wish I could take my mom to do this, the tour sounds like a lot of fun!

Seoul Metropolitan Government has established the Seoul Storytelling Mission Tour, which runs from July 27 to October 2014. There is a new tour every week, and there will be English, Chinese, and Japanese variations.  

Once every week, international tourists or foreign residents can participate in the tour as it slowly walks them through many of the city’s attractions.  Stops include Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (beautiful area), Gwanghwamun Square (best palace in the city), Yeouido Hangang Park (picnic heaven), and others.  As part of the event, each participant will be given various assignments such as photographing certain locations.  So it’s kind of like a scavenger hunt!

Sign up quick!  Only the first 100 people to register can participate!

DATE: July 27- October

COST: Free!!

WHERE TO REGISTER:  http://www.seoulstory.org/article/notice/184?pageindex=1 

MORE INFORMATION: Website

Program

Route

Seoul City Wall Course

Marronnier Park  Ihwa Mural Village  Naksan Park 
Hansung University Station (Seoul Subway Line 4)

Dongdaemun

Dongdaemun Design Plaza  Dongdaemun Gate (Heunginjimun Gate) 
Pyounghwa (Pyeonghwa) Fashion Town

Sejongdaero Hangeul Gaon-gil

Gwanghwamum Square  Gyeongbokgung Palace  Sejongno Park 
Sejong Center  The Korean Language Institute  Dorim Forest Park

Hanseong Baekje Cultural Heritage

Olympic Park World Peace Gate  Gommaldali Birdge 
Mongchontoseong Fortress  Hanseong Baekje Museum  The sky Garden

Hangang River

[Yeouido] Yeouido Hangang Park  Nogeumsu Plaza 
Night View from Mapo Bridge  Water Light Square  Seogangdaegyo Bridge
[Banpo]
 Banpo Hangang Park Moonlight Square  Floating Island 
Media Art Gallery 
 Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain

 

10 Things I Will Miss About Japan (and 1 Thing I Won’t)

25 May

Page 1Arashiy

Is it possible to fall in love with a country in just two weeks?  In some ways, Japan is very similar to the US. Every other block has the old, familiar sight of a Starbucks, McDonald’s, Seven-Eleven Convenience Store, and bus stops.  Go to a store and you’ll find Pringles and Doritos chips, Tide laundry soap, Dove shampoo, and Apple computers.   Afternoon tv shows tend to be some serious drama that is reminiscent of US soap operas.  Despite the language barrier, you can always still recognize that look from a Japanese mother towards her child that means innately “sit still.”  

Sharp

Recognize this company? Take a look at your local TV store!

 But at the same time, there is something so unique, so different about life in Japan.  So here are 10 things Continue reading

48 Hours in Seoul: Day 2

24 Feb

48 Hours in Seoul: Day 2

An Itinerary for Getting the Most From A Too Brief Trip

See the introduction here.

See Day 1 here.

Note that all directions & prices were true as of mid-late 2012; I haven’t check back since then. I’m headed back this summer, so I’ll look and see then if I can. 🙂

Itinerary Summary–Day 2

  1. 8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. *** Breakfast at Myeongdong 
  2. 10:00 a.m. -11:30 p.m. *** Namsan Tower and the Cable Car
  3. 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. *** Lunch in Coex Mall
  4. 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. *** Shop and visit the Aquarium in Coex Mall 
  5. 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.***  Korean National Museum
  6. 5:30 p.m.- Whenever you leave *** Shop and enjoy Dondaemeun 

I tried to leave enough time for travel between each stop, but this means you may have a little more or less time depending on how long it takes you to move from one place to another.

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Breakfast/Shopping: Myeongdong

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Why?

Most touristy places in the city aren’t going to open up this early, so this is a good time to wander around and grab some  breakfast if you’re an early riser.  Myeongdong actually opens up pretty early because it caters to tourist shoppers; in fact you may hear people calling out in Japanese, since most of the tourist come from Japan.   Myeongdong is traditionally considered a shopping central for all fashionistas.  It’s got purses, clothes, glasses, beauty supplies, shoe stores, beauty parlors, etc.  Honestly, I preferred some other places more for actual bargain shopping (note that this is where the upper crusts shop as well; we’re talking Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana stores) , but it is an awesome place to grab coffee of a morning.  They have plenty of pastry/coffee shops like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, etc.  Plus, the stalls are fun to wander if they’re up before you leave, and you can sometimes walk away with a handful of free stuff from the hawkers. If you’re low on funds, maybe save your shopping $$ for later though. Continue reading

48 Hours in Seoul: Day 1

5 Feb

48 Hours in Seoul: Day 1

An Itinerary for Getting the Most From A Too Brief Trip

See the introduction here.

See Day 2 Here.

Itinerary Summary–Day 1

  1. 8:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. *** Gwanghwamun Square
  2. 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. *** Lunch in Itaewon
  3. 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. *** Shop in Itaewon
  4. 5:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m. *** Dinner at a Korean BBQ (It’ll be 5 before you get there)
  5. 8:40 p.m.-9:10 p.m. *** Take the Hangang Ferry Cruise
  6. Head in for a good night’s sleep/Party all night.

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History: Gwanghwamun Square

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Why?

Gwanghwamun Square is both amazing and one of the most important things to see while in Seoul.  You don’t have time to visit every major palace and museum in Seoul, but this palace both palaces and museums in one spot.  The Square itself is fascinating; because this is such an important place politically and culturally, the streets are lined with different political protests.  When I was there, you saw a long row of cages marked with signs protesting North Korea’s treatment of its citizens.  It is quite literally a square,  in the center is a long grassy strip with two large, very famous statues.  Then at one end you will find Gyeongbokgung Palace.   Continue reading

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