Moran Traditional Market

Moran traditional market located in Seongnam city is has a great 50 year history. Kim Chang-suk developed the area after she came to there from Pyeongyang, leaving her morther behind. She named it Moran (meaning Peony Flower) since the area reminded her of Peony Peak in Pyeongyang.

Moran Market is open every 5 days for people to trade daily goods, and is a market bustling with people who visit for shopping and food.

Location

Moran Market is located near Moran station exit 5, so it can be easily reached from everywhere in Seoul. The Market runs every 4th 9th, 14th, 24th and the 29th of the month. 

Healing Time: Gyeonggi Camping Festival in Pocheon

Exploring Pochoen at Bidulginang Falls

As you might have seen on my facebook the past weekend me and 4 other GG supporters spend two days and a night at Gyeonggi Camping Festival in Pocheon. It was my first time camping in Korea and the first time in a long long while time not being in a city area and it was quite litteraly refreshing; and here is why.

But first... Lunch

If you go eating with a bunch of bloggers, this will happen.

We met up at 10 in the morning and after an initial hour long subway ride, and  driving for a while all of us were ready for our first stop. Mushroom Shabu Shabu at Beoseotgol Iseulbi Garden. 

Mushroom Shabu Shabu

Did you know that besides gingseng, apples and grapes Pocheon is also famous for it's mushrooms? The little pictures I have of this delicious food proofs why! We ate to our hearts content. Honestly the pictures don't do the food justice, but I was to busy enjoying the different varieties of mushrooms and the many many vegetables to feel bothered to take many pictures.

Bidulginang Falls

After lunch we went to Bidulginang campsite to drop off our stuff and we went straight for Bidulginang Falls. Bidulginang Falls is the 6th scenic view from pocheon City, a Korea's National Cultural Heritage. You however, might know beautifull sight from dramas such as It's okay, it's love and many others.

6th Scenic view: Bidulginang Falls

Blogger perspective again.

We were lucky enough to be able to take a look into the valley, hence the helmets to protect us from possible falling stone. And even though we were surrounded by other people taking pictures. Being able to see this gorgeous view from upclose made me feel really small and humble.

Don't forget to look up when visiting the falls.

 Uncheon Traditional Market

show some love for Uncheon Traditional Market Photo Credit Williams Nana Kyei

After enjoying this piece of beautiful nature we went to Uncheon Traditional Market. We split up in two teams and each team got a limited amount of money to buy ingredients to cook with for the potluck party. There was a friendly yet competitive tension as each team picked their ingredients and started cooking.

Cooking time, camping style. Photo Credit Williams Nana Kyei

Pitch High and Campfire dinner

Pitch High in Action

Even though we spend what felt like hours peeling apples and cooking pancakes. Real dinner wasn't served until after we got to enjoy an amzaing performance by a very new quarted called Pitch High. We were lucky enough to have them join us for barbeque dinner where we talked until the fire couldn't warm us anymore.

enjoying a private peformance. Photo Credit Williams Nana Kyei

Goodmorning Pocheon

The next morning I was greeted by fresh air and a gorgeous view of the mountains surounding us. Besides the cold and short night I felt refreshed and ready to start school again. But first we of course had to pack our and get ready to for the ride back to Seoul.

Packing. Photo Credit: Williams Nana Kyei

As you might be able to tell, I thoroughly enjoyed my short stay at the Pocheon. Even though we had a busy schedule  I felt refreshed and recharged and I can't wait for another trip to explore more of the beautiful wonders this place can bring us.

Check out the Pocheon tag on the GGtour website if you are also interested in visiting this gorgeous place.

Love, Wietske

Koreas most beautiful garden.

The weather is finally starting to get cooler here in Korea, so it's the perfect time for outdoor activities and enjoy this fresh air.

The Garden of Morning Calm

On 33ha, you can enjoy thousands of varieties of flouwers in this wonderfull place, an absolutely must see for not only photographers, but it's a great location for a romantic date with your loved one.

The garden is the oldest among private gardens in Korea. It is an artistic space with a beautiful balance between the Korean concepts of natural curves and asymmetry, plants and other various materials.

Getting there

[Bus] From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal take a bus bound for Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal, or take bus 1330 at Cheongnyangni Transfer Center (in front of Lotte Department Store) and get off at the Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal (travel time: 1hr 45min) From Cheongpyeong Terminal, take Bus 31-7 to the Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원). Travel time: 41min [Subway] Cheongpyeong Station (Gyeonchun Line) Exit 1. Go left until you reach the 3-way intersection and turn right. Continue straight toward the Cheongpyeong Catholic Church. Pass by Cheongpyeong Elementary School, turn left, and you will see the Cheonpyeong Bus Terminal. From Cheongpyeong Terminal, take Bus 31-7 to the Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원). Entrance fee is only 9,000 won so take your chance and visit this beautiful place~ Love, Wietske

How to get to Everland.

I have heard many people say that they are still confused as how to easily get to Everland. Don't be scared and follow the guide I will give you today and you will get there with ease.

Subway

The great thing about taking the subway is, is that you can take the Everland shuttle bus - which is free - right when you get out of the last subway stop.  In the example above I showed you how to get to Jongdae Everland Station from Gangnam station. Click here to find out how to get to Jongdae station from your station of choice.  Going by subway costs about 3,150 won.

Bus

If you rather not transfer so much you can also take the bus,  bus no. 5002 and no. 5007.

For bus no 5002 you can find bus stops at Sinnohyeon , Gangnam and Yangjae station. Check the maps above to find the location of the busstop.

For bus no 5007 you can find bus stops at gangbyeon, jamsil, songpa and suseo station. Check the maps above to find the location of the busstop. Going by bus cost about 2,500 won.

Shuttle bus

Everland also has two shuttle bus both with multiple stops throughout Seoul. It is the most expensive option at 12,000 won for a round trip and you have to make reservations in advance. However if you are unsure about finding busstops or scared taking the subway this might be the best option for you.

Shuttlebus 1

Route	Departure	Time	Bus Stop
Seoul->Everland	Hotel Seokyo (Hongik Univ.)	08:00	The front gate (Exit No.9)
	Shinchon	08:10	Exit No.5
	Seoul City Hall	08:30	Exit No.5
	Dongdaemun History & Culture Park	08:40	Exit No.11
	Jongno 3 ga	08:50	Exit No.12
Everland->Seoul	Everland	18:00	Parking lot No.5 (Platform No.7~8)

If you wish to take this shuttle bus you have to make reservation at 82-32-322-7001   or check the website.

Shuttlebus 2

Route	Departure	Time	Bus Stop
Seoul->Everland	Hongik Univ.	08:50	Exit no.4
	Myeong-Dong Shinsegae Dept. store	09:30	Shinsegae department store bus stop (No. 143)
	Myeong-Dong Tourist Information Center	10:00	KEB Bank AirBus shuttle stop
	Itaewon	10:20	Exit No.4
	Sinsa	10:30	Exit No.5
	Sinnonhyeon	10:35	Exit No.6
	Gangnam	10:40	Exit No.6
Everland->Seoul	Everland	17:50	Group bus turning place

If you wish to take this shuttle bus you have to make reservation at 82-10-4718-7440 / 82-2-778-6212 or check the website.


Finding everland in beautiful gyeonggi should now be a breeze. Don't forget to check the website for more information.

Love, Wietske
 

Jarasum International Jazz Festival

At the beginning of this month I posted the gyeonggi-do festival guide. Today I want to dive a little bit deeper into one of the mentioned festivals.

The beginning

On the otherwise quiet Jaru Island you can enjoy an amazing Jazz Festival every autumn. Jarasum International Jazz Festival began in 2004 with 30 teams of jazz artists from 12 countries. This exciting event attracts a diverse audience and provides spectators with many unforgettable memories.

International

According to their website the "international" in Jarasum International Jazz Festival is not just inviting foreign artists from other countries. Since it's excistence the festival has hosted 535 artists from 41 different countries. It also has a yearly national focus project, last year it was Norway, this year Germany. The yearly national focus project introduces a specific country to the audience by working together with countries embassies and cultural institutes. 

2015

The first line up for this years festival has already been announced and with names such as Juan Carmona, Igor Butman and Moscow Jazz Orchestra and many others it looks promising. So if you are into Jazz don't make any plans for october 9th until october 11th. (More artists will be anounced in August)

Tickets

Adult: 3-day Pass 90,000 Won. 2-day Pass 70,000 won 1-day Pass 45,000

On-Site Tickets: 50,000 Won

Youth: 1-day pass 30,000 Won

On-Site Tickets: 35,000 Won

*all tickets include one 5,000 Won Gapyeong Love Gift Certificate per each ticket. 

Booking period June 23th ~ October 6th 2015 (more details here)

Transportation

Bus: Take an intercity bus or ITX or subway to Gapyeong. It's a 10-minute walk from Gapyeong Intercity Bus Termnial or a 15-minute walk from Gapyeong station.

For more details on transportation and the festival check the official website here.

Anyone willing to go here with me? 

Love, Wietske

Korea's Drama Paradise.

Want to visit a Korean movie or drama set? How about not just visiting one but the place where 14 different dramas and movies were shot including the ever so popular My Love from the Star and The Moon embracing the Sun.

 

Korea Folk Village

The place for you to be is Korea Folk Village! It is not just a great place to experience traditional Korean culture and life with many events such as horse riding and fabric dying or one of the many workshops that are being organized. They also have many seasonal events and performances which are an absolute delight to watch!  

 

For the Drama Lover

Besides these events depicting traditional Korean life KFV also has special experiences for the drama lover like you and me. So you cannot only see the place where your beloved dramas were filmed you can also experience it!

 

 

If you are in Korea October to November KFV also organizes an historical drama festival. The program lets participants have a vivid experience of historical drama at KFV, long loved as the leading shooting location. During the festival, KFV presents a world of historical drama that overflows with various spectacles and enjoyments such as ‘historical drama star’s autograph sessions’, ‘peeking at historical drama shooting set’, and ‘special drama exhibition’. Get your fill of the special time for renewing your enchantment with the touching reverberations of historical drama.

 

Time, Price and How to get There

Hours

Season	Weekdays	Weekend
Feb. ~ Apr.	09:30 ~ 18:00	09:30 ~ 18:30
May. ~ Sep.	09:30 ~ 18:30	09:30 ~ 19:00
Oct. ~ Nov.	09:30 ~ 18:00	09:30 ~ 18:30
Nov.(11/17) ~ Jan.	09:30 ~ 17:30	09:30 ~ 18:00

 

Rates

Visitor		admission	free pass
adult	individual	15,000won	24,000won
	group	12,000won	18,000won
adolescent	individual	12,000won	19,000won
	group	10,000won	16,000won
child	individual	10,000won	17,000won
	group	8,000won	14,000won

 

How to get there

It is very easy to get to Korea's Folk Village from Seoul or anywhere in Gyeonggi province. All you need to do is get to Suwon or Sangal station and there are free shuttle busses that will take you to the park!

 

 

For much more and information on the park visit their website here.

 

Now tell me, which korea drama or movie set do you want to visit?

 

Love, Wietske

 



 

 

Feel #Gyeonggi: My Favorite Summer Activity

*edit* 2015-9-6  I have unfortunately been informed that Wolmi-Do is in fact nog in Gyeonggi. I am truely sorry for this mistake. However I still recommend you reading this article and going to Wolmi Island!

With only one more day of school, and 1 exam, left in this semester I have started making plans of what to do this summer. I want to explore many new places in Seoul and #Gyeonggi, however there is on thing on my to do list that I do almost every single summer when I am in Korea. And that is make yet another trip to Wolmi-Do.

 

Photo Credit: http://HappyDalki.blogspot.com

 

Wolmi-do is located roughly 1km off the coast of Incheon, right next to the sea which gives it a nice breeze, perfect for those hot summer days! And it is fairly easy to get to as well it is only 10 minutes by taxi or can take the subway and then get off at Incheon Station (Seoul Subway Line 1).When exiting the station, take local bus from either 2, 15, 23 or 45 bound to Wolmido and get off when Wolmido City Tour, Wolmi Culture Street, or Wolmi Final Bus Stops are announced. (source)

You might be wondering why I would 100% recommend you to go to Wolmi-do. First of all, it is the many great memories I have there. From celebrating my friends 30th birthday and eating aweful sweet potato cake (which my friend loved) too holding on for dear life in the disco ppang ppang while getting made fun of by the guy who runs it.

 

Secondly, I really enjoy the casual atmosphere. Because there is no entrance fee, you only need to pay for separate rides, there is no actually pressure to have fun. The low cost of hanging out at Wolmi-Do means there is also a great mix of people there.

 

There are parents with their little kids. Teens trying to off amongst their friends. Couples sharing cotton candy. Young adults, and older people watching their grand-childeren and living life vigorously trough them.  Honestly, one of my favorite things is to just sit down and watch these people living there life while enjoying the slight breeze.

 

Try running trough the fountains for a quick cooldown

 

However, if you are slightly more adventurous. There are many other ways to cool down - or work up a sweat - depending on what kind of person you are. My personal favorites are the viking or one of the two freefal rides. If you rather stay inside and not work on your tan, there are also a few arcades located on the premises.

 

If you are in Seoul this summer and are hot and bothered, I recommend you go check out Wolmi-Do! Gyoenggi's most underrated amusement park.

 

 

 

If you have been to Wolmi-Do before, let me know which ride you liked best! Or share your favorite summer activity.

 

Love, Wietske

 

p.s. Check out Gyeonngi's Facebook and Twitter.

 

p.p.s. I wrote this article as part of my application to become an #GGKoreasupporter; however I 100% mean everything I said in this article~