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Street Art? Graffiti? but not “Picasso”

Club street in Hongdae of Seoul

I was lured by the introduction of “Picasso Street” on a Korea travel guide book from a friend and made a trip to take a look at the “Picasso” art work in Seoul. It took a little while to find the exact location.  It’s a retaining wall at the back of an alley! To be honest, it was disappointing. I would not call myself an artist but I have seen enough of master pieces that I would not associate any paintings in the area with Picasso. Street art? May be. Graffiti? Some of them are definitely graffiti. When it comes to contemporary art, it’s personal. You have to come see it yourself. Having said that, the area is very interesting though. It’s a centre of young culture. University areas are always filled with young and energetic atmosphere, particularly in this Hongik University (or Hongdae) area. The school is a famous Fine Arts and Design university in South Korea. There is an annual street art exhibition event, attracting art school students and young artists to flock to this area. Weekend evenings are the most…

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In Autumn in Korea

Landfill Turned into Sky Park

Sky Park viewpoint

Once a 15-year of landfill, the 1.05 million-pyeong area was turned into a eco-park called World Cup Park near the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The World Cup Park consists of five small parks, including Pyeonghwa ‘Peace’ Park, Haneul ‘Sky’ Park, and Noeul ‘Sunset’ Park. During autumn, the Sky Park is the main attraction of the park where the annual Seoul Eulalia Festival is usually held in October. The trick is the hike of 300 steps up the green hill. There is an option of paid shuttle bus but I walked from the World Cup Stadium subway station. As you go up the hill, you will see great views of the city, the Hangang River and some mountains. Eulalia is no where in sight until you walk further up. Once you reach the top, the unexpected vast field of golden color eulalia with foot paths looks like a huge maze. Then there is a bowl shape view point that offers a panoramic view of the eulalia field. If you don’t have enough time to go all the way south to Suncheon Bay ecological park, this is a…

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In Korea

Coffee in Korean Traditional Houses

Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul

Over the past few years, I have tried all coffee chain stores and seen the evolution of coffee shops in Korea. Starbucks has remained a safe choice for me for the standard of service, quality and variety of coffee choices. It finally reached a tipping point when I feel the difference and will try more independent coffee shops. And there are so many coffee shops in Korea now, more accessible than convenient stores. Moreover, many coffee shops offer unique ambience. Bukchon, iterally “north village” is a traditional residential area with many hundreds of years old traditional houses called “Hanok”. Many tourists would come to the area for a walk after visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung. In recent years, more and more of the traditional houses are turned coffee shops, tea houses, restaurants and guest houses, offering a unique cultural experience for both locals and tourists.

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In Korea

Great Night View from the Landmark of Seoul

N Seoul Tower in Korea

At 236 meters, N Seoul Tower is the highest point of Seoul where you can get a good view of the city. The night view of the city is spectacular! “N” stands for “new” look when the Seoul Tower went through a 15 billion won remodelling project. Now, there are a few restaurants, namely N Grill, N Burger, N Terrace, N Sweet Bar in the tower, offering a panoramic view and a wide variety of food and drinks from a simple burger to fine dining by a Michelin star chef. The observatory is another paid access. However, since I can see the panoramic view of Seoul city from the public area, I didn’t go up the N Tower. I think that the interesting experience is the elevator ride near Myeongdong subway stations that leads to the entrance of the cable car station where you can take a cable car up to the top of Namsan Mountain. You may also walk up to the cable car stations. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

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In Autumn in Korea

Olympic Park in Seoul

Built for the opening of the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, the Olympic Park covers an area of 1.5 million square meter with six indoor and outdoor sporting venues. Today, the park continues to be a popular place for various events and sporting activities. Other than the sports facilities, the park is indeed a very big park. I think it takes a whole day to walk through it. The park is beautiful. The landscape is well-designed with lots of trees, grass areas covering 33,000 square meters, artificial lakes connecting the natural stream, rose garden, wildflower deck, and various jogging/walking trails. The park has a mission to become a eco-friendly one. Smoking is prohibited in the park. And you will see birds and small animals such as squirrels and rabbits around. It is a beautiful place to visit in fall. It is very colorful with various kinds of trees and reeds along the lakes. And the park is conveniently located in download with direct access through subway, not far away from the Lotte World.

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In Autumn in Korea

The Oldest Private Garden in Korea

The Garden of Morning Calm is a really beautiful garden with nice landscape and a wide variety of trees and flowers. It is the oldest private garden in Korea. The Garden of Morning Calm is conceptualized by a university professor who had a vision to create a world-famous garden and the inspiration of the name is based on a great Indian poet describing Korea as “the land of the morning calm” during Joseon Dynasty. It is located in the middle of the mountain about 1.5 hours north east of Seoul (Gapyeong County of Gyeong Gi-Do), and not too far away from the popular Namiseon Island. There is a tour bus that runs in a loop that stops at the Garden of Morning Calm, Le Petite France and Namiseon Island, which are the three key tourist destinations at the moment. I have been to this garden four times and still enjoy it because garden has continued to build, planting more flower beds, adding buildings, and this year a new suspension bridge. If you like flowers, trees, and enjoy outing, this is a great place to be: fresh air, colorful flowers, and beautiful…

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In Autumn in Korea

Lake Park in Seoul

Ilsan Lake Park in Seoul, Korea 韓國首爾一山湖水公園

Ilsan Lake Park is one of the largest man-made lake park in Asia, spanning across over 990,000 square meters with a musical fountain, 4.7 km bike path, foot path, 100 species of wild flowers, and a forest with 200,000 trees. The park is very big. Be prepared for a good couple of hours walk if you take a loop. It is a very nice walk though. The foot path is easy and flat. You can take a rest any time and enjoy the green and nature. It’s along the subway line which is very accessible – Jeongbalsan Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2. There is a shopping/mall area before you get to the entrance of the lake. So you may take a meal before or after the walk.

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In Korea

Mural Village in Seoul

Ihwa Mural Village in Seoul

The Ihwa Mural Village has become a very popular photo spot for both tourists and locals. The last time I visited I saw a film production. What makes this area attractive is the murals, metal sculptures and mosaic in this hillside residential area. Pleasant surprises in this unexpected area. There are steps and slopes. Be prepared for a little hike. The are is located up the slopes of Naksan Park at Hyehwa Station in Seoul (subway line 4). Get off at exit 2, turn left of the Arco Arts Centre and go up the hill.  There is a sign to Naksan Park that you may follow too. There are two ways to go up. Now the Korea Tourism Office offers a map. It’s easy. This mural village was relaunched in 2013. The first launch was a few years but but it was such a disturbance to the residents that the murals were removed. The noise and nuisance caused by the growing number of visitors may affect this neighborhood. So be considerate next time you visit. University area is always filled with…

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