[KR; 2024] Day 3 - Solo Seoul | Yeonhui Forest \ Gwangjang Market \ Gotomall \ Seonyudo \ Hapjeong
Day 3
Breakfast @ Park Avenue Guest House
Breakfast was some beef main, so when I told the staff that I couldn't take beef, they changed some sides for me so I can still have breakfast - Kimchi Toufu soup with rice & seaweed. It was so delicious :)
Yeonhui Forest Rest Area
Yeonhui Forest Rest Area 연희숲속쉼터
So... I saw on ig reels about a "hidden backgarden" where you can see pretty flowers - and possibility some Cherry Blossoms (I went in April which was late for it anyway). I decided to try my luck and hiked up this mini "forest".
Fortunately / unfortunately, it wasn't the peak of the spring season - hence I only get to see some lavenders. But they are my favourite flowers so all good as well :)
While I was hiking down the "forest", I noticed there was a stream going downwards, being curious and also expecting a nice river view, I followed the trail down.
The stream went into this wider stream, and I noted a good view from far - hence I crossed over!
Hongjecheon Artificial Falls 홍제폭포
I think I was quite lucky to find this? This was one of the popular new attractions in Seoul (sorry I didn't do my homework), not too long after, one of Running Man episode had their opening at this place and I was like - I have been there!
Gwangjang Market
Was hungry after the hike and decided to take a subway-bus to the market!
Gwangjang Market 광장시장
Lots of foooooood!
I decided to go for something popular - the famous netflix noodles:
Gohyang Kalguksu 고향칼국수
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cCDVhCgA8eZXjYcV6
There was a queue but you don't have to wait that long if you are traveling alone :)
The noodles looked soggy but it didn't taste that at all. The kimchi went well with the noodles, and everything was great. A very hearty and local meal.
After lunch, I had a task to buy blankets from the market:
I've no idea what is the shop number, I was given a shop front photo and look for it. All I recall was the shop was right opposite the rest room.
The blankets over here were not very expensive but the quality was better than average. I got the cooling blankets and I loved it a lot every night. An idea if you need some back home, the store owner will help to vacuum them flat so that you can fit them in your luggage without taking much space. Caution: they can be quite heavy so prepared to buffer in like 2-3kg.
I noted in the Onion Cafe menu (the previous day) that Gwangju's outlet has a special drink, so I decided to find it. It was tucked at the corner of the exit:
Pretty store decor:
Onion Cafe Gwangjang Market Branch 어니언 광장시장
The special drink was some Icheon Local Honey Green Tea - which the colour looked quite suspicious... like sugarcane juice! It tasted quite interesting - worth the try! But the croissants smelt really nice, I was too full to try.
Seonyudo Park
I was in a hurry because the sun was setting...
Hapjeong
Gotomall Underground Shopping Mall
Gotomall Underground Shopping Mall 고투몰 고속버스터미널 지하상가
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4N9x4ou3ityAK8Gx5
I really liked this underground mall from my last trip, so I added in to my itinerary!
It was crowded, during the weekdays, and it was a mix of tourists and locals. Be prepared to walk a lot and dedicate like a half day in this place. I literally walk until I drop and decided to escape the place. But many happy buys before I gave up.
Triode
As a big fan of k-variety, I had this list of cafe I wanted to try and this was near Goto Mall. It was featured in a variety called "Sixth Sense":
What so special about them was - they sell cakes in grams. You let them know the weight and they will charge you accordingly. All the toppings - fruits, macrons etc are not included in the weight! The cake was quite yummy, would recommend if you need a short rest from shopping.
Seonyudo Park
I took a ride back to Hongdae to drop my shopping loots and quickly hopped on a bus to this park:
It was quite interesting a small island in the middle of the river, and it was the filming site of the MV Hapjeong Station Exit 5 합정역 5번 출구!
I was in a hurry because the sun was setting...
I was super in a hurry that I didn't top up my transport card, I had zero balance after tapping off to this park, so I had to walk back to Hongdae. But thankfully, I was blessed by the pretty sunset golden hour:
There were plenty of these trees along the road, which looks very winter:
Hapjeong
Since I was walking, I was able to be flexible and cross the road and take a photo with the actual Hapjeong Exit 5 stand!
I found a small restaurant nearby that sells Jjampong 짬뽕 - not superb but filling and good for the day.
After dinner, did some shopping along the way back to the guesthouse:
That's how I spent my last day in Seoul... Jeju coming up next!
Comments
Post a Comment