Autobahn in Seoul and Changdeokgung Palace

I went to Seoul in the early days of April. Travel to Seoul in ANA airplane was pure luxury – there were almost no other passengers. I felt I am flying my private jet or I have chartered whole plane!

After airplane climbed to cruise altitude, I spotted Fuji just outside my window. It seemed so small from such height. I could easily spot my climbing route and rocks around crater. My heart rejoiced as seeing old friend.


Image: Fuji from airplane

Korea from sky is different from Japan – not so high mountains, many houses with blue roofs, straight roads, many factories etc. Just before landing I filled landing and customs cards. There was questions like do you have firearms, explosives, poisons, fake goods etc. These cards mentally prepare passengers that customs and border crossing is not an easy deal.

Border guard asked if I have friends in Korea. I replied that not yet and I am here to make friends... After official part was over in airport, I found myself in Korea.

Seoul airport bus
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Video: airport bus

I did not have any guide book or information about Seoul. Luckily I reserved hostel just before leaving Japan. Free Seoul map I picked up in hostel was my guide for next 4 days and it’s pretty well made.

First impressions about Seoul – everything in Korean and I could not understand anything, streets and shops reminds me China, small dust everywhere – on shop windows, cars etc. Also - people are very helpful on the street. It’s easy to approach anybody and ask for directions. Some people are even ready to help me when just seeing me walking with the map. There is also some danger – bikes and mopeds sometimes ride on sidewalk, so really have to watch and give way to them. Cars can take right turn on the red light, which is different from Japan.

First day program is seeing - Changdeokgung Palace and N-tower. Changdeokgung Palace provides just guided tours. Only tour in Japanese language was left for that day, so I got myself of Japanese tour.


Image: Changdeokgung Palace and N-tower in one picture. They are actually far apart

Seoul castle tour

Video: touring palace

When spotting me in Japanese tourist crowd, others probably thought – why this strange foreigner joined tour in Japanese language ? Thoughts running through my head were – I do not think I really left Japan or did I ? Changdeokgung Palace tour was interesting, but they did not show all palace. It is much bigger. Probably self-guided tour is the best (they are only on Thursdays from April to November). We spotted plum trees blooming and also some pupils who just graduated and came to palace for some kind of ceremony.

Next stop – N Seoul Tower. It is 360 m high tower above sea level for TV, radio, telecoms broadcasts with observation platform and restaurant floors. Tower itself is not high, but is located on the top of hill and could be visible from large area of Seoul. Around tower is park, where people go jogging and for walks. I got lost in those roads, so I had to take cable car to the top. I also have to mention that after dark there is laser show and moving images are being projected on tower wall. This all is accompanied with music. Pretty interesting place indeed!


Image: View from Seoul N-tower

Changdeokgung Palace from the sky:

View Larger Map

Other pictures and observations:


Image: Seoul during twilight


Image: Famous Korean food - topoki is being prepared in the street stall. Rice paste cooked with red pepper souce. Tastes very well!

Other:
What I liked about Seoul is that it’s very easy to go online – ether at paid or free wifi spot and what I disliked was air pollution and sand dust everywhere.

I should also mention that Korea is country where it's most easy to become millionaire - need just 560 euros, which is one million Korean won!!!

Next:
Trip to Suwon
Climbing highest mountain in Seoul area

Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon city

During second day, visited Suwon city to see old fortification wall and some old castles. Suwon is within very easy reach with subway. In train, I noticed that some people carry big size luggage. What are in those big bags ? There were also people selling some stuff on train, which I found entertaining. They were good organized - when one seller left for next cab, other seller came. Image: Scene inside Seoul metro Suwon tour, I am starting with Hwaseong Fortress wall. Its a short bus ride away from Suwon station. Probably, the best way to explore fortress is to go clockwise. Walk starts with long uphill climb. It’s more like a park in this section - people running and exercising, others are having spring picnics etc. Very few tourists. Later wall goes into more urban area with houses and streets around. It is possible to see old houses inside and modern, tall buildings outside. Here I met more local tourists from Korea.



Video: Some moments I captured at Hwaseong Fortress. It starts with ringing of bell. It costs 1000 won for 3 hits and if you go there you should not miss it

Its very easy to walk around fortress wall. Whole walk with stops took me around 3 hours. See other pictures from wall. Image: Command and watch tower Image: yellow flowers were blooming this time Image: most interesting tower built on small river Image: wall continues into more urban areas There is also second, smaller castle in the middle of Hwaseong Fortress. It is also place where some Korean TV dramas with historical topics have been filmed.
Video: video from smaller castle in the middle of Hwaseong Fortress. It is called Hwaseong Haenggung palace Image: some of the exibits in the castle This place on Google map:
View Larger Map Access: Click here for a map.

Baegundae in Bukhansan National Park

In this video I am climbing Baegundae (834 m) in international team with Ms. Precious from Korea and Satoru-san from Japan. Mountain is located in Bukhansan National Park, which was very easy to reach by subway. Path is very stony and is like walking on stairs. There were really many people, so sometimes we had to stand and wait before proceeding in some narrow places. Near summit, we also met two students of Buddhism from Israel and Czech Republic. Baegundae is very international mountain indeed.


Image: There were many climbers on the route. This scene just after leaving bus. Soon afterwards path splits into many directions


Video: some scenes from climbing


Image: Look from Baegundae. Some haze prevented from seeing far, but scenery around mountain was good. Seoul is somewhere nearby behind cloud cover


Image: Look from Baegundae

Access:
Subway line No.3 till Gupabal station and then bus 704. Actually most of people will be waiting for bus 704. Around bus stop place to shop for supplies.