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Thursday 10 July 2014

From Soul to Seoul – Our 11 Days Travel Itinerary in South Korea (Jeju-do) Part 2

I have received several e-mails/ messages requesting for my Korea trip itinerary and this is why I've decided to put up a blog  (Small World) to compile and share my past travel experiences with my friends and colleagues.

I traveled to Seoul & Jeju Island, South Korea in January 2013 just because I wanted to experience snow and winter sonata. Honestly, I don’t think January is the best time to travel to South Korea because it was damn freaking cold.  It’s always below 5 degrees and highest temperature in the day can be only -5 degree. But I guess it was all worthy for the beautiful snow and skiing adventure. We wore long johns, hoodies and on top of it, another layer of pullovers and winter jackets for the 11 days winter trip in South Korea.  It was so cold that I refused to take photos as I need to remove my hand gloves.

We did a lot of research beforehand and for this trip, we (myself and Camel) took Malaysia Airlines flight from Penang – Kuala Lumpur – Seoul Incheon and here’s what we did for our entire 11-days journey (17 January 2013 - 27 January 2013) in Korea:  <Seoul – Jeju Island – Naminara Republic - Seoul> 

Please click here for our detailed travel itinerary in the city of Seoul (Part 1) 
Please click here for you to download our complete 11D10N travel itinerary in PDF.  

Day 1: 17 January 2013 – Depart from Penang – Kuala Lumpur (KLIA)

Day 2: 18 January 2013 
KUALA LUMPUR / SEOUL  - Kuala Lumpur – Seoul (Incheon International Airport) 
Deoksugung Palace (changing of guard ceremony at 11.00 a.m.) - Gyeongbokgung Palace - Changdeokgung (Palace) - Myeongdong Night Market (**We bought the Integrated Pass Entries to: GyeongbokGung, ChangdeokGung (inclusive secret garden) and Changyeonggung  priced at 10,000 KRW/pax) 

Day 3: 19 January 2013 
SEOUL / NAMI ISLAND – Took bus to Insadong (Tour bus stop near Tapgol Park) at 9.30am.followed by shuttle bus departing from Insadong to Nami Island - Sungnyemun Gate (**Round-trip bus fare cost 15000 KRW/pax / (for integrated entrance ticket to Nami Island and ferry + roundtrip bus fare + entry visa about 23,000 KRW/pax)
Advanced reservation required (Enquiries at: +82-2-753-1247) 

Day 4: 20 January 2013 
SEOUL / JEJU ISLAND – Took 08.10 a.m. flight from Gimpo to Jeju Island via Jeju Air – check-in Jeju Hiking Inn - Love Land (Jeju Sex and Health Museum 18SX) – Teddy Bear Museum - Seongeup Folk Village - Cross by Bijarim Road - Hallasan National Park - Jusangjeolli Cliff of Jungmun - Jeju Stone Park

Day 5: 21 January 2013 
JEJU ISLAND - Sunrise Peak (Seongsan Ilchulbong) UNESCO Heritage - Mysterious Road/ Dokkaebi Road - Yongduam (Dragon Head Rock)  - Trick Art Museum – Dongmun Traditional Market – Free & Easy 

Day 6: 22 January 2013
JEJU ISLAND / SEOUL - Free &Easy - Took 12.20 p.m. flight from Jeju Island to Gimpo via Jeju Air  - Mt. Namsan (NSeoul Tower + Teddy Bear Museum + Locks of Love) Namsan Cable Car 7,500 KRW/ round trip/pax

Day 7: 23 January 2013
SEOUL – Jongmyo Royal Shrine (15mins walk from Changdeokgung) - Samcheong-dong street (shopping) - Bukchon Hanok Village – Samcheongdong area - Dongdaemun - Gwangjang Market (to taste local food) 

Day 8: 24 January 2013 
SEOUL – Jisan Forest Resort (free shuttle bus) - Gwanghwamun Square at nightfall (Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin) 
Click here for details: http://www.jisanresort.co.kr/eng/index.html 
**Tips: please avoid weekend

Day 9: 25 January 2013 
SEOUL – Insadong Area -Ssamziegil Cultural Art Building - Insadong's Tourist Information Center and and Myeongdong Tourist Information Center (to experience Korean Hanbok) - Myeongdong Market -Myeongdong Cathedral for Korean Drama "You're beautiful" addicts - Ewha Woman’s Univ. Station (Sinchon) for dinner and shopping 

Day 10: 26 January 2013 
SEOUL – Cheongyecheon Stream - Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin and King Sejong at Gwanghwamun Square - Dongdaemun- Korea House - Namsangol Hanok Village - Shopping at Lotte Mart (Seoul Station) 

Day 11: 27 January 2013 
SEOUL / KUALA LUMPUR / PENANG - Depart from Seoul (Incheon International Airport) - Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) - Penang 

Jeju - this island has stunning beauty, weird attractions that money can't buy!
Jeju - this island has stunning beauty, weird attractions that money can't buy!
Jeju - this island has stunning beauty, weird attractions that money can't buy!
A LEGEND - "Grandfather stones" are mysteriously everywhere all over the island!
World Wonder of Nature 
Jeju Island, also known as the “Island of the Gods” was our second destination for this trip. We woke up as early as 4.00 a.m. in the morning to catch our flight from Gimpo International Airport to Jeju Island. The night before, we informed Mrs. Yim (the Guesthouse owner) that we will be departing to Jeju Island the next day early in the morning. Jeju Island seems to be filled with myths and legends and the island itself is prominently known as the island of three abundances. The three things which are abundant in Jeju are Seokda (rocks), Pungda (wind), and Yeoda (women). Jeju Island is a product of the volcanic eruptions of Hallasan, so all over the island, you'll see crazy lava formations.

Jeju Island is famous for its most famous residents - the women divers!

Something famous in Jeju
Like most tourists, we made visits to the Yongduam Dragon Head Rock situated on the coast of Jeju island, where the Dragon King who – on the search for the Elixir of Life, once got shot by an arrow and fell into the sea and the Songsan Sunrise Peak lies in the middle of Jeju island, one of the popular tourist attraction sites as well, which Kah Boon took the effort to climb to the peak of the mountain. Jeju is quite famous for a few things, and from my experience in Jeju Island, it seems as though their oranges and Jeju statues (Old Grandfather stone) hold the top spots in Jeju. I have realised that the Jeju statues (also known as “Dolhareubang” a word originated from “HaraBaragan” made up of “Hara” <keep watching, observe> and “Baragan” <objects> in Mongolia) can be found everywhere on the island!  Overall, it was beautifully scenic and I was impressed with the sights we visited. Our trip in Jeju Island ended with the great nature memories.

Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju
Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju
Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju
Teddy Bear Does Gangnam Style: Oppa-Teddy Style
Trick Art Museum - Sometimes your eyes would trick your own mind
Trick Art Museum - Sometimes your eyes would trick your own mind
Trick Art Museum - Sometimes your eyes would trick your own mind
Trick Art Museum - Sometimes your eyes would trick your own mind
18SX - Jeju Sex and Health Museum
Feel free to visit this site to learn more about Jeju Island: http://english.jeju.go.kr/ 

JEJU Island must-eat-food: 1.Hallabong Orange  2. Gigantic Sausage
My tasty experience
Air Itinerary Details: 
Malaysia Airlines: Penang - Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) – Seoul (Incheon International Airport) / Seoul (Incheon International Airport) - Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) - Penang

Jeju Air: Gimpo International Airport (Domestic Terminal) - Jeju-do (Jeju International Airport) /Jeju-do (Jeju International Airport) - Gimpo International Airport (Domestic Terminal) 

Accommodation:  
Jeju Island - Jeju Hiking Inn 
e-mail: jeju@hikinginn.com 

Local Transportation:  
Seoul (Gimpo Airport) – Jeju Island 
How to get there:  Took domestic flight from Gimpo to Jeju Island via Jeju Air
Duration: 1 hour 5 minutes
Departure Gimpo - Jeju: 20 Jan 2013 -  08:10 a.m.- 09:15 a.m.
Departure Jeju – Gimpo : 22 Jan 2013 – 12.20 p.m. – 13.25 p.m. 
Fares total: 79800 KRW/for return tickets/person inclusive of tax/fee/charge 
Click here for e-booking: http://www.jejuair.net/jejuair/ko_EN/main/main.jsp\ 

Entrance Tickets:
- Jusangjeolli Cliff of Jungmun (Jeju) - 2,000 KRW/person 
- Jeju Stone Park (Jeju) - 5,000 KRW/person
Sunrise Peak (Seongsan Ilchulbong UNESCO Heritage Jeju) – 2,000 KRW/person 
- Trick Art Museum (Jeju) – 8,000 KRW/person 
- Sungnyemun (Gate) – FOCSeongeup Folk Village (Jeju) – FOC
Dongmun Traditional Market (Jeju) – FOC
Hallasan National Park (Jeju) - 1,800 KRW/person   
- Mysterious Road/ Dokkaebi Road (Jeju) - FOC
Yongduam (Dragon Head Rock  in Jeju) -  FOC
Love Land (Jeju Sex and Health Museum 18SX) -  9,000 KRW/person 

Car Rental in Jeju Island  
Rental dates: 20 Jan 2013 – 22 January 2013 (3 days) 
Car type: I301.6 (Gasoline) 
Total Charge: 68,400 KRW for 3 days
 Click here for details/ bookings: http://www.avis.com/car-rental/location/ASP/KP/Jeju
*Reminder! Bring along your international driving license

This island has stunning beauty
Feel and smell the real hanok
Traveling on your own without any tour guides has its own excitement and fun. In these 11 days, we got lost, we went to random places and we made last minute changes to our itinerary. Every day was a new adventure day with getting lost and finding our way.

Till we meet again, Seoul! Blogging about it makes me misses Seoul but I will definitely be back again! Wish I could go back for the second visit. Perhaps I should plan a trip in the middle of March/April for sakura!

If you have any enquiry regarding this trip/travel itinerary of mine, you are welcome to leave me a message here. 

Read more about our travel experiences @ South Korea: 
From Soul to Seoul – Our 11 Days Travel Itinerary in South Korea (Seoul) Part 1

“Travel brings power and love back into your life” – Rumi  

Welcome to Small World! This blog is not a travel agency, but rather a personal site which allows me to share my past travel experiences in a straightforward and far-reaching way. I often made great use of other peoples travel blogs and sites every time I plan for my travel itinerary as they often contained most updated information and invaluable resources from their past travel experiences.  I hope that you will find every piece of information & images contained within my blog handy and useful. Thank you very much for reading my post(s) and feel free to leave a comment/testimonial or click "Like/Share" if you love reading them all. xoxo The writer is a passionate traveler who enjoys speaking to young keen travelers about the freedom to get cultured and to taste the fullness of life. Feel free to contact the writer if you need any travel advice, guidance or tips or if you have any burning questions with regards to your upcoming trip(s)/ journey 
Be inspired but more importantly be inspiring -   

 

24 comments:

  1. Hi, i will be going to Jeju this Jan 2015 and was thinking of renting a car as well but am worried about driving in winter conditions as i have zero experience in this. can i check whether the jeju roads are covered in snow in Jan or its normal roads, not slippery at all?

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    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for dropping by. Not to worry, the snowfall is usually heavy in the month of December and usually near the mountains area in Jeju Island. The roads and sidewalks are cleared from snow, but then still a bit icy and slippery. The weather in Jeju in January is pretty cool and there's really no problem with driving. You can see from the picture I posted in my post, the roads are cleared. In case of snowing and icy road, ask the car rental company for tire-chain for snow. But then, no worries. Jeju has beautiful scenery, enjoy your trip! Cheers

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    2. Please support our humble blog if you find it informative / worth a read by casting a vote in the Singapore Blog Awards 2015 here: http://sgblogawards.omy.sg/2015/category/editors-choice-finalist.php
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  2. Thanks for sharing your awesome adventures! I can see that you’ve shared even the smallest details of your trip, including the transportation you used and the attractions of the place. I believe your readers can use your itinerary as their own when they visit Jeju, or at least hit some of those places along the way. Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing more of your adventures in your future posts. Have fun!

    Grady Mann @ Yellow Taxi St. Petersburg

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    Replies
    1. Hi Grady, warm greetings from Malaysia. Thanks for dropping by and browsing through my posts.I am glad to be connected. Stay tuned for my next travel episode: Macau Street Eats. Also please feel free to contact me in case you want to know more details on the places I have visited, I will be more than happy to help. Do share / Like my Facebook page with your circle of friends too! Cheers :)

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  3. Nice post! : ) Arex Express train is the best way to access from the airport to Seoul station. It is fast(it takes only 43 mins to Seoul station) and clean. Plus, the price is also reasonable. It cost 8,000won and if you take one of these airline;Asiana,KAL,Jeju airline, you get some discount(6,900won). Arex Express train info desk is located between gate no.9 and no.8, desk no.45 on 1st floor in the airport.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jennifer, warm greetings from Malaysia. Thanks for dropping by and browsing through my posts. Do share my blog posts on my travels to Seoul and Jeju Island with your circle of friends too who will be traveling to South Korea. And I hope you will keep visiting me :) Cheers

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  4. Hi, reading your Seoul posting makes me smiling even wider hahaha cant wait for my trip in this Dec hehehe. For renting and driving in Jeju, is it safe and easy to locate? GPS included in the rental car?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Yuri, thanks for dropping by. Yes, we rented a car with Avis and it comes with a high-tech English GPS with updated navigation maps and easy to use. No worries about driving in Jeju Island, its easy to explore this little island and this is the best way to see the island in a relaxing way. However, do take note as the roads in the month of December are slippery and full with snow. Jeju has beautiful scenery, happy planning and enjoy your trip! Cheers :)

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  5. Hello~~! I really appreciate your article, because i came from Korea and I'm Aeri! Thank you for introduced of Korean.
    Your posting is really cool!! Jeju island is wonderful that many Korean think awesome one of journey place. Enjoy the day too!!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Aeri, thank you very much for dropping by and reading my posts in my blog. I really appreciate that. Yes, I must admit that Korea is a beautiful and well-preserved country. I love everything here especially the people's culture. Of course, I hope that I'll be able to make another trip back during spring season one day. Please feel free to share my post about my trip to your circle of friends. "Like" my Facebook page too: https://www.facebook.com/chengywongsmallworld Thank you.

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    2. Please support our humble blog if you find it informative / worth a read by casting a vote in the Singapore Blog Awards 2015 here: http://sgblogawards.omy.sg/2015/category/editors-choice-finalist.php
      Thank you.

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  6. This is just gorgeous !*love* it all as the messages, the pictures and the quality of the writing. Thanks !

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    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for dropping by. Glad you enjoyed reading those post(s). Please feel free to share this blog with your circle of friends too and do "Like" our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/chengywongsmallworld Thank you.

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    2. Please support our humble blog if you find it informative / worth a read by casting a vote in the Singapore Blog Awards 2015 here: http://sgblogawards.omy.sg/2015/category/editors-choice-finalist.php
      Thank you.

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  7. Please support our humble blog if you find it informative / worth a read by casting a vote in the Singapore Blog Awards 2015 here: http://sgblogawards.omy.sg/2015/category/editors-choice-finalist.php
    Thank you.

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  8. Very interesting article! Long time I am looking for a website that offers clear insights about tourist Places to Visit in Malaysia . My long term search end here and your website are really stunning.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Manoj, thanks for dropping by. I am glad you found the tips useful for you in planning your upcoming trips. Do stay tuned for our upcoming posts too! Cheers and good day!

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  9. Simply loved the post. Specially the pictures are really amazing. This place is a must watch place for all the people who are fond of traveling different places. You must take a detailed road map along with other stuffs as in my last trip I lost my Germany Road Map and faced too much problem.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Great Journeys, thanks for dropping by and for reading my blog posts. Glad you enjoyed reading my journeys along the way. M sorry to learn about the lost if your Germany Road Map, but I am sure you will find it back some day. Meanwhile, wish you all the best and stay tuned for my next post.

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  10. Hi would you mind email me your 11 day itinerary to nahdiya.shaari@gmail.com? I can't seem to download from here

    ReplyDelete