The first thing we did was buying the T Money- similar to T&Go we used in Malaysia. The card was purchased at GS25 Store at the Ground Floor (arrival hall) of Incheon Airport. The blank card cost 2,500 won. We topped-up with 40,000 won anticipating for the frequent use of the subway during the next six days. Got 5 cards for the five of us. The card has a non-expiry date and monies can be refunded at the same store upon your return with a 500 won deduction.
We had purchased the card for the convenience of using the subway since there will be lots of moving around. We did not plan to rent a car since foreigner are not allowed to drive in Korea unless you have the local driving license. The card can also be used for purchases at GS25 Store and 7 Eleven plus other stores and outlet.
Our hotel is close to Myeongdong Station. We took the commuter train which is on the lower ground of Incheon Airport. The train station is at the Lower Ground Level -access by crossing the road just outside the arrival hall or could take the escalator down from the arrival hall itself and walk about 10 minutes to the station terminal. The ticket cost 3,850 won as compared to 8,000 won using the express train. The only difference is on frequent stop made at the many stations along the way. The train took one hour from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station. The T-card purchased earlier can be used for the train by flashing on the T-money logo on the turnstile.
Unless you are on back-pack or physically fit, I would not recommend travellers with heavy luggage taking the train since the transfer from airport train to the subway is tiring. We have to walk up and down staircase in some parts of the station although most of them were fitted with escalator and lifts.
We had to transfer to another train (line 4) to Myeongdong Station.
Upon exiting Myeongdong station, we had to walk for 10 minutes under the cold temperature of minus 10 degrees to our hotel, Namsan Guesthouse. The hotel is a service apartment with full kitchen facilities. We arrived at the hotel at 7.30pm. The room had been reserved for the five of us at a rate of RM300 per night for 6 nights. Hotel reservation had been made 3 months ago at the famous Myeondong shopping area. It is good that most service apartment has heated floors especially if it is in winter. Reservation is made direct with the guesthouse. No monies were transacted during registration and they put a trust on us to ensure we come as planned. Payment was in full upon registration. A 5 percent charges will be imposed if credit card is used.
One bag has a full load of winter clothings since it will be minus zero degrees during our stay. Another bag is stuffed with food.Knowing scarce access to halal food, we brought plenty of supply for our consumption namely 3-in-one packet drink, kicap, bread, instant noodle, frozen roti canai and murtabak.
Breakfast of bread, instant noodles is provided by the hotel.The next morning we tour Myeondong shopping area which is 10 minutes away. The weather is extremely cold at minus 3 degress Celcius.
After having self-prepared lunch at the hotel, we went to the nearby Namsan Mountain. The cable car station is 10 minutes walk from the hotel. The ticket price is 8,000 won per person. There is a telecommunication tower on its hilltop. Still had plenty of snow around which had fallen on the day before we arrived.Spent about an hour taking photos and enjoying the scenery. There is also a popular corner where lovers left padlock chained to the hills fencing. There are practically thousands of them with different types and colors.
Later we walked to the Myeongdong shopping area again to the Cats Cafe. They were charging 8,000 won per person with cats mingling around in the cafe. We can even play with the cats. Complimentary drink is provided.
For location, see map detail below. As you exit Myeongdong station exit 8, walk straight after second road, turn left. The cafe is beside CROCS shoes.
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| Namsan Guesthoure Rate |
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| Playing snow at Namsan Hotel |
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| Cable car Station |
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| Namsan/Seoul Cable Car |
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| Seoul/Namsan Tower |
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| Seoul Tower ground |
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| Seoul Tower ground |
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| Seoul Tower ground |
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| Seoul Tower ground |
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| Walkway from the cable car to Seoul Tower |
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| Hundreds of padlock lining the perimeter |
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| Seoul city at night forming the backdrop from Seoul Tower |
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| Sunset Seoul Tower |
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| Sunset Seoul Tower |
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| Location of Cats Cafe as marked X (beside CROCS shoes) |
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| Cats Cafe at Myeongdong |
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| Walking Ads for the Cats Cafe |
Spend the whole morning at Dongdaemun fabric outlet. It on the same subway Line 4 as Myeongdong and such we do not have to change trains. It is quite inconvenience for the wife especially we have to walk several distance and going upstairs and downstairs to change subways. It is also close to the famous Cheonggyecheon river attraction. The wife got a set of lace curtains and porcelain souvenoirs.
Halal food is available at exit 7 of Dongdaemun Station. Immediately after exiting the staircase, turn right and the shop is 10 meter away among the shophouses.
Later part of the day we went to Changdeokgung Castle.The ground is still covered with thick snow. After spending sometime at the castle ground, we walk to the nearby Insadong, a Korean cultural attraction near Anguk Station. Korean delicacies restaurant is also available here. Humaira got some souvenoirs for her friends.
From Insadong, we took Line 2 and Line 7 to Ttukseom Station for Ttukseom Riverside Park. They have snow slide and skiing park during winter. Later we proceed to the Rainbow Bridge to see the colorfull lit-bridge but were not open during winter.
After a tiring day, we decide to go back to the guest house. While having dinner at the guesthouse, we met six fellow Malaysian who had checked-in earlier today. They were also season travellers, a student from UTP, uITM and two from Maybank.
We also met Roger's family from Melbourne Australia. They had two sons Harry and Sam. They were telling that Australia is 40 degrees currently and now we were here in Seoul at minus 15 degrees.
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| Bikers heaven at Dongdaemun |
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| Dongdaemun |
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| Dondaemun halal food outlet |
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| A bridge across Cheonggyecheon river |
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| Cheonggyecheon river attraction |
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| Changdeokgung Palace |
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| Dongdaemun |
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| Changdeokgung Palace |
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| Changdeokgung Palace |
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| Changdeokgung Palace |
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| Changdeokgung Palace |
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| Changdeokgung Palace |
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| Insadong Art & Culture area |
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| Subway Station to Insadong |
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| Insadong street vendors |
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| Hangang Park Ski Ground |
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| Fellow travelers from Malaysia staying in the same guesthouse |
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| Mr & Mrs Roger from Melbourne Australia |
Day 4 (Sunday)
The following day Sunday morning, we went to Nandaemun Market which is one station away from Maeongdong Station. This area specializes in souvenoirs, leather goods and local dishes. They even sell fresh fish, vegetables and farm products. We got some branded bags and souvenoirs for friends and relatives. We were planning to buy some brooch but the shops selling them were all closed on Sunday.
After dinner at the guesthouse, we took Line 4 south across the river to Seoul World Trade Center to Coex Mall. After spending an hour at COEX, we proceed to Yongsan to get some computer/telephone accessories.
We had dinner at Iteawon. They are many halal food outlet at Iteawon readily available right from Iteawon Station all the way to Seoul Mosque. Seoul Mosque is about 10 minutes walk from Iteawon station. Refer to map below.
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| Namdaemun Market |
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| Namdaemun - Kedai beg disebelah kanan wife |
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| Namdaemun - Branded & non branded bags |
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| Coex Mall at Samseong Station Line 2 |
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| Coex Mall |
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| Ice skating ring at Yongsan Digital Mall |
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| Halal food is plentily available along the route from Itaewon Station to the mosque |
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| Seoul Mosque at Iteawon |
Day 5 (Mon)
Did a last minute shopping for souvenoirs at Namdaemun Market. The weather were much better as compared to the last few days. We got T shirts, fridge magnets, brooches and lots more... Goods were much cheaper at the multi-storey building.
Bought mackeral whole fish since we were planning to do some cooking. Had not been having a proper Malaysian dish since arriving in Seoul. The fish cost rm15. Three chillies for rm3, 10 eggs for rm10 and a small pack of salt for rm3.
Before retiring to bed, we packed-up ready to leave the next morning. We had 5 large luggage and 2 hand carry. We had to leave 2 winter jackets behind due to luggage space.
Earlier in the morning, we had made reservation with the guesthouse for a van to the airport. The luggage is too heavy to carry in the early morning to the subway station. So we have to opt for the van instead. The van cost 65,000 won for an hour trip to the airport.
We woke at 4.30 am and freshen up. Had a quick breakfast. The driver is already waiting downstairs by the street. He helped us to carry the heavy luggage to the waiting van. We left the guesthouse at 5.30 and reached the airport by 6.30am. The queue at the check-in counter is not long since it was still early. Had another breakfast at the cafe and performed the morning prayers at one corner of the cafe. Before boarding, we quickly went to GS25 Store at the arrival hall for the T-Money refund.
Bought some local sweets at the duty free departure area before boarding the flight to Kuala Lumpur scheduled at 9.30am
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| Deep fried whole mackeral Japanese style for dinner |
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| Namsan Guest House registration office |
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| Namsan Guesthouse santai area |
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| Block E - Brooch & Accessories, Block D - Souvenoirs |
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| Block E Floor 1 - Brooch & Accessories |
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| Block E Floor 1 - Brooch & Accessories |
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| Block E Floor 1 - Brooch & Accessories |
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| Block D Floor 1 - Souvenoirs |
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| Block D Floor 1 - Souvenoirs |
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| Block D Floor 1 - Souvenoirs |
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| Outside Myeongdong Station Exit 5 |
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| Surau at duty-free departure area Gate 29 |
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| See u again Seoul |