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| Gyeonghuiru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung in spring |
I've been asked to answer this question recently. That is why I decided to write about it. This is going to be my first blog post in English, so please excuse my bad grammar x_x. English is not my first language and I've taken an English course for 5 months (for the 1st time ever in my life). Hopefully, I didn't make too many grammar mistakes ^^
Honestly, it was really hard for me to answer that question because I would never schedule a one night holiday in Korea. Until now, Korean visa is one of the hardest visa to apply for non-frequent flyer & Indonesia passport holder. I was lucky enough to be granted Korean Visa for 4 times. Because of that, once I got the visa, I need to enjoy my holiday in Korea as long as I can.
Okay, exclusively for writing this post, I’ve tried my best to imagine this situation ‘what should I do if I only had 2 days 1 night in Korea?’
If I only had 2 days 1 night in Korea (if this was my 1st visit to Korea), I would spend it in Seoul and my 2D1N itinerary in Seoul would be like this:
I would like to take a night flight from Indonesia so I could arrive at Incheon International Airport in the morning and I could start my journey before lunch time. For the return flight, I would like to take the last flight ^^ - usually at the midnight around 00.30 pm.
For accommodation, I would like to stay at Hongdae (Hongik University) area. I choose this area because it is one of the AREX (Airport Express train) stations– so it’s easy to go to the airport – less time, less effort. My favorite guesthouse at this area is Hongdae Guesthouse. For more information about this guesthouse, you can visit their website here. My details review about this guesthouse can be read here (in Bahasa Indonesia).
Day 1
Morning:
Arrival at Incheon International Airport - go to the Hongdae by AREX (Airport Express train) – check-in at the Guesthouse.
Daytime:
- Explore Gwanghwamun Square.
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| Gwanghwamun square - Admiral Yi Sun-Shin statue |
Take a subway to the City Hall station (line 1&2) and go out via exit 3 or Gwanghwamun station (line 5) and go out via exit 1,2, or 8.
You will find three famous landmarks of Seoul while walking around the Gwanghwamun Square. They are Admiral Yi Sun-Shin Statue, The Great King Sejong statue and The Gwanghwamun gate itself.
- Strolling around Gyeongbokgung and visit the National Palace Museum of Korea and The National Folk Museum of Korea.
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| The National Folk Museum of Korea (The five-storied pagoda) - view from Gyeongbokgung |
Must visit spots at Gyeongbokgung:
1. Gwanghwamun 광화문 (The main gate of Gyeongbokgung)
2. Geunjeongjeon 근정전 (The Throne Hall)
3. Gyeonghuiru Pavilion경회루 (The Royal Banquet Hall)
4. Hyangwonjeong Pavilion 향원정
2. Geunjeongjeon 근정전 (The Throne Hall)
3. Gyeonghuiru Pavilion경회루 (The Royal Banquet Hall)
4. Hyangwonjeong Pavilion 향원정
*Gyeongbokgung and The National Folk Museum of Korea are closed every Tuesday.
*The National Palace Museum of Korea is closed every Monday.
*You can return to the Gyeongbokgung after visited the National Folk Museum by showing your Gyeongbokgung Palace's ticket. So, please make sure you keep the ticket with you all the time.
*You can return to the Gyeongbokgung after visited the National Folk Museum by showing your Gyeongbokgung Palace's ticket. So, please make sure you keep the ticket with you all the time.
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| Recommended route for exploring Gyeongbokgung & its vicinity : Gwanghwamun gate (A) - The National Palace Museum (E) - Geunjeongjeon (5) - Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (19) - The National Folk Museum (F) -Hyangwonjeong Pavilion (24) - Sinmumun (C) - Cheongwadae Sarangchae (H). If you choose the second option, after Gyeonghoeru - Hyanwonjeong Pavilion (24) - The National Folk Museum of Korea (F) - exit the Palace ground from side door near the museum (blue arrow). *G is The Blue House - You can't enter this area, you only can see it from the street, unless you join the Blue House tour. |
- For the next itinerary, you have two options: First, you can visit the Cheongwadae Sarangchae and strolling around Samcheong-ro. Second, you can strolling around the Bukchon Hanok Village and visit the famous 8 views of Bukchon.
The First option – Cheongwadae Sarangchae + Samcheong-ro + Wiki Café
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| The Blue House - view from the Gyeongbokgung's gate (Sinmumun) |
Take the palace’s back gate to exit the Gyeongbokgung. Across the street you will find a building with blue roof tiles. It isn’t close enough with the street but you definitely can see it. There will be a small police box on the middle of the street. The building with the blue roof tiles is The Blue House. In Korean, it is called Cheongwadae . It is the official office and residence of The President of the Republic of Korea. Not far from that place, only few meters ahead, you will find a plaza with a large building on your left side, a beautiful fountain with phoenix statues on the center and the other large building on your right side. The building on your right side is the Presidential Guest House and the building on your left side is the Cheongwadae Sarangchae. Cheongwadae Sarangchae is the museum of Cheongwadae. The admission fee is free, so you might want to visit it ^^.
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| Cheongwadae Sarangchae |
After visiting Cheongwadae Sarangchae, follow back the walking path that you took before and turn right following the palace’s stone wall. Now, you’re at Samcheong-ro. Grab a snack or drink ^^ at one of the unique cafes / restaurants there. If you are an ‘ELF’ you definitely want to visit wiki café that owned by Super Junior Sungmin’s mother. They serve many kinds of beverage and cakes. You can leave your letter or gift to Sungmin there. If you’re lucky, you can also meet his brother there. Believe me he is as handsome as Sungmin. So don’t forget to take a picture with him… ㅋㅋㅋ .
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| Wiki Cafe: How to go there? Please visit my friend's blog for the answer : http://meheartseoul.blogspot.com/2015/12/VisitKoreaVIPTour2-3.html |
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| Who's that guy? He is Sungmin's brother |
(If I only had 2 days to explore Seoul, I won’t waste my time for eating at fancy restaurant… I would grab some ‘dosirak’ (packed – ready to eat- food, you just need to heat it up for eating it) for my lunch at any convenience store that I could find. In this case, I would have a lunch at Hongdae area before I go to Gwanghwamun square).
Believe me, this itinerary will take more than 4 hours including your visit to the Gyeongbokgung and the two museums. Normally, you need at least 3 hours to explore Gyeongbokgung, The National Palace Museum and The National Folk Museum of Korea. So, if you spend 1,5 hours at Cheongwadae Sarangchae and 30 mins at Wiki café, it will be 5 hours in total for all of your daytime trip.
*Cheongwadae Sarangchae is closed on Monday, Tuesday (if Monday is a holiday), New Year’s day.
*If you wish to enter The Blue House area, you need to book the Blue House tour in advance (3 weeks prior to the desired date). Click here for The Blue House tour online application and here for my specific post about the Blue House (Bahasa Indonesia only – please leave a comment if you like me to post an English version of it).
The second option – Bukchon Hanok Village.
Bukchon Hanok Village is a large area. You will need at least 3 hours if you want to visit all of the popular views, especially if you’re not really good at reading maps ㅎㅎㅎ.
On my previous trip to Korea, I managed to go to one spot only, so I can't give you any tips about this place. If I have a chance to visit Korea again, I definitely will go to all of the popular views.
On my previous trip to Korea, I managed to go to one spot only, so I can't give you any tips about this place. If I have a chance to visit Korea again, I definitely will go to all of the popular views.
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| Bukchon Hanok Village - view no. 6 (photo cr: bukchon.seoul.go.kr) |
Here are the 8 views of Bukchon Hanok Village:
View 1: Panoramic view of Changdeokgung Palace (I visited this one last spring).
When you walk up the alley of Bukchon-gil from the Bukchon Culture Center, you will be mesmerized with the panoramic view of Changdeokgung Palace beyond the stone-lined wall.
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| photo credit: bukchon.seoul.go.kr |
View 2: Arts & crafts street at Wonseo-dong.
Located at the end of the alley after a stroll along the stone wall of Changdeokgung Palace. Traces of the people who cared for the royal families affairs still remain in the street.
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| photo credit: bukchon.seoul.go.kr |
View 3: The Picturesque Neighborhood of No. 11 Gahoe-dong area.
You'll have the opportunity to walkthrough the interior of Hanoks around no.11 Gahoe-dong neighborhood. There are a number of craft workshop where you can experience traditional culture as well.
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| photo credit: bukchon.seoul.go.kr |
From this viewpoint, the whole area of No.31 Gahoe-dong can be seen.
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| photo credit: bukchon.seoul.go.kr |
View 5: Downhill alley of Gahoe-dong.
This area has the largest number of clustered Hanoks built in a rural area.
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| photo credit: bukchon.seoul.go.kr |
From here you can see a view of Hanoks and panoramic view of modern Seoul as the background. It's acclaimed as the best scenic beauty of Bukchon.
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| photo credit: bukchon.seoul.go.kr |
In the quiet and peaceful ambience of the austere alley, the neighbors' friendly mundane life can be hinted at.
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| photo credit: bukchon.seoul.go.kr |
You can take the descending stone-stair shaped alley from Hwagae1-gil to Samcheongdong-gil. This alley has unique scenery with a sculpture made entirely of one gigantic rock bed.
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| photo credit: bukchon.seoul.go.kr |
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| Map of Bukchon Hanok Village and its 8 views (taken from Bukchon Hanok Village's brochure- Jongno-gu-Tourism & sport division) |
Nighttime:
- Have a dinner at Insadong and strolling around Insadong.
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| Insadong in winter 2013 |
- Go to Dongdaemun – take a subway to Dongdaemun History and culture park – visit the magnificent Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) – buy some souvenirs at one of the souvenir shops at Doota.
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| Doota department store |
Or you can choose to visit Myeongdong for shopping first and then go to Dongdaemun. Most of the stores at Dongdaemun are open until 5 AM.
Why you should go to Dongdaemun? Because it is Korea’s largest wholesale and retail shopping district and of course because you can see the magnificent Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) at this place.
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| Dongdaemun Design Plaza - The latest futuristic landmark of Seoul - view from Lotte Fitin - KLive's terrace |
Day 2
Morning:
- Check-out guesthouse – keep your luggage at the guesthouse.
- Take a subway to Yeouinaru station. Take a walk at the Yeouido Hangang Park – National Assembly Building – KBS.
These places are featured in many Korean dramas, reality shows and K-Pop’s MVs, like 2 days 1 night (1박2일) , The Return of Superman, The Producer, and many more.
If your visit time is in cherry blossom’s season, you can also enjoy the cherry blossoms festival along the National Assembly building, Yunjungro Cherry Blossoms tunnel and Yeouido park area.
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| KBS HQ - Yeouido - this bulding is the famous 1 Night 2 Days filming location and 2015 Kdrama 'The Producer' filming location (starring: Kim Soo Hyun, Cha Tae Hyun, IU, Gong Hyo Jin). |
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| The National Assembly Building in spring |
Daytime:
- Take a subway to City Hall station – Seoul City Hall – Watching the Changing of the Royal Guard ceremony at Deoksugung – take a quick strolling around the Deoksugung.
Why you should visit Deoksugung? Because in this palace you can see an unique scenery that the other palaces don’t have. In Deoksugung, you can see the western style building and the Korean traditional style building standing side by side on the same palace ground. This itinerary will take around 2 hours.
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| Deoksugung in spring : It's so beautiful, isn't it? |
*Please do check the Changing of the Royal Guard ceremony schedule before you go. The current schedule is at 11.00, 14.00, 15.30.
*Deoksugung is closed every Monday.
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| The Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony at Deoksugung |
- Next, take a subway to Myeongdong station and go to the N-Seoul tower by the Namsan cable car. For exploring the N-Seoul Tower, you need at least 30 mins, not include the observatory and Alive museum. Actually, you can go to N-Seoul tower by bus or even walking (technically, hiking ㅋㅋㅋ), They are cheaper than the cable car but it will take longer time.
Here are the Popular free admission spots at N-Seoul Tower:
1. The N-Seoul Tower & Namsan Park (outdoor & limited access to the shop & places inside the tower)
2. The Locks of Love
3. Namsan Octagonal Pavilion
Here are the Popular free admission spots at N-Seoul Tower:
1. The N-Seoul Tower & Namsan Park (outdoor & limited access to the shop & places inside the tower)
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| N-Seoul Tower view at night |
2. The Locks of Love
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| The Locks of Love trees (behind) - in front of the N-Seoul tower |
3. Namsan Octagonal Pavilion
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| sunset at Namsan Octagonal Pavilion |
- Go back to Hongdae and if you still have time you can strolling around Hongdae.
Nighttime:
Go to the Incheon airport - if my flight is at 00.30 pm, I will to go to the airport at 7pm as the latest.
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| Korea Traditional Cultural Experience Center at Incheon Airport - 3rd floor In ternational departure area - East wing: 5m away from gate 24 & West wing: 5 mins away from gate 40 |
Why I go there so early? Because I want to spend some time for visiting the Korean Traditional Culture Experience Center at the departure hall in the Incheon International Airport. You can experience some cultural activities here, like making Korean traditional craft, trying Korean traditional clothes (Hanbok), watching the walking of the Royal Family parade and many more. On my last visit to Korea last year, I managed to paint a key chain with Korean traditional pattern and I took it home as a little gift for my self ㅋㅋㅋ. All of the cultural activities at the center are free. Please click here for the details information regarding this center.
Here is the summary of my 2 days 1 night itinerary in Seoul including the budget:
| Time | Activity / Place to go | Details | Budget (KRW) | ||
| Day 1 | Morning | Arrival at Incheon Airport | |||
| Proceed to the Guesthouse/ Hostel | By airport express (AREX) train | 4700 | |||
| *Hongdae Guesthouse | alight at Hongik University Station (line 2), get out from exit 1 | ||||
| AREX fee from airport to Hongdae | |||||
| Have a quick lunch at Hongdae area | *dosirak at convenience store ^^ | 7500 | |||
| daytime | Gwanghwamun square | Subway From Hongdae to Gwanghwamun station (line 5), exit 1,2,8 | 1350 | ||
| *Admiral Yi Shun Sin's statue | Free admission | ||||
| *The Great King Sejong's statue | |||||
| *Gwanghwamun gate | |||||
| The National Palace Museum of Korea | Free admission | ||||
| Gyeongbokgung | admission fee | 3000 | |||
| *Geunjeongjon (the throne hall) | |||||
| *Gyeonghueru (The Royal Banquet Pavilion) | |||||
| *Hyangwonjeong pavilion | |||||
| The National Folk Museum of Korea | Free admission | ||||
| option 1 | |||||
| Cheongwadae Sarangchae | Free admission | ||||
| Samcheong-ro - Wiki cafe | beverage at wiki cafe (price range KRW 3500 - 5700) | 5700 | |||
| option 2 | |||||
| Bukchon Hanok Village | visit 8 Bukchon's view | ||||
| Free admission | |||||
| Night | Insadong | ||||
| Dinner at Insadong | 10000 | ||||
| Myeongdong | subway to Myeongdong station (line 4) exit 6 | 1350 | |||
| Dongdaemun | subway to Dongdaemun History and culture park station (line 2,4,5) exit 1 | 1350 | |||
| *Dongdaemun Design Plaza | Free admission (outdoor area & selected exhibition only) | ||||
| subway to Hongik University station (line 2), exit 1 | 1350 | ||||
| Day 2 | morning | check-out Hostel/ GH | Keep your luggage at the hostel | ||
| Breakfast at hostel | |||||
| Yeouido | subway to Yeouinaru station (line 5), exit 2,3 | 1350 | |||
| *Yeouido Hangang Park | |||||
| *The National Assembly building | |||||
| *KBS Headquarter | |||||
| daytime | Seoul City Hall | subway to City Hall station (line 1,2) exit 2 | 1350 | ||
| Deoksugung | Admission fee | 1000 | |||
| Watching the Changing of The Royal Guard ceremony | Free Admission | ||||
| *ceremony schedule: 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm | |||||
| Lunch at Myeongdong | 10000 | ||||
| subway to Myeongdong station (line 4) exit 3 + 10 mins walk to the cable car | 1350 | ||||
| Namsan Cable car | Cable car admission (adult) - round trip | 8500 | |||
| N-Seoul Tower | Free admission - the pavilion and outdoor area only | ||||
| Admission to the Observatory KRW 10000 | |||||
| Hongdae area | subway to Hongik University Station (line 2) exit 1 | 1350 | |||
| Night | Take luggage & go to airport | Airport express train (AREX) to Incheon airport | 4700 | ||
| dinner at airport / Hongdae | 10000 | ||||
| Total (admission fee + transportation + meal) in KRW | 75900 | KRW | |||
| in IDR (kurs 1 IDR = KRW 12,5) | 948750 | IDR | |||
| in USD (kurs 0,86 USD = KRW 1000) | 65,32 | USD | |||
| *budget for each meal is approximate (normally, it would take less than KRW 10000 for a simple meal like bibimbap, sundubu jigae, etc). | |||||
| *transportation cost is based on single journey ticket price | |||||
| *admission fee to each tourist spot is for adults (non-group) | |||||
| 1 night at Hongdae Guesthouse (Dormitory room rate / person) | 22000 | KRW | |||
| Total include accommodation | 97900 | KRW | |||
| 1223750 | IDR | ||||
| 18,95 | USD | ||||
| *I don't include the airfare on this budget calculation because it may vary depends on your point of departure and airlines | |||||
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| Map of Seoul 1st timer 2 days 1 night itinerary (map taken from Korea Travel Guide e-book) |
Please note that this itinerary is for the first timer. If you have gone to Korea before, like me, I believe you will visit another place. I’m thinking of writing about 2D1N itinerary for those who have visited Seoul before but I need to find a perfect time to write about it ㅋㅋㅋ.
Please feel free to leave a comment here or send an email to me if you like me to write about other things in English.
Please click here for my other posts about Seoul (Currently, only available in Bahasa Indonesia, please use the translator button to read it in English). I've reviewed most of the places above in my previous posts (Bahasa Indonesia only) with more details information and tips.
Useful Links for preparing your visit to Korea:
Seoul subway - cyber station:
https://www.smrt.co.kr/program/cyberStation/main2.jsp?lang=e
Incheon International Airport:
http://www.airport.kr/pa/en/a/index.jsp
Korea Tourism Organization:
www.visitkorea.or.kr
Visit Seoul:
www.visitseoul.net
Gyeongbokgung:
http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/main/main.jsp
Wiki Cafe:
http://www.wikicafe.net/
Bukchon Hanok Village:
http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/eng/
Cheongwadae Sarangchae:
http://cwdsarangchae.kr/eng/
Insadong:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2_2_1.jsp
Myeongdong:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/whereToShop/whereToShop.jsp?action=about&cid=995821
Dongdaemun Design Plaza:
http://www.ddp.or.kr/
Seoul City Hall:
http://english.seoul.go.kr/get-to-know-us/city-hall/overview-city-hall/seoul-city-hall/
Deoksugung:
http://www.deoksugung.go.kr/eng/index.asp
N-Seoul Tower:
http://www.nseoultower.co.kr/eng/
Hongdae:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1326972
Seoul subway - cyber station:
https://www.smrt.co.kr/program/cyberStation/main2.jsp?lang=e
Incheon International Airport:
http://www.airport.kr/pa/en/a/index.jsp
Korea Tourism Organization:
www.visitkorea.or.kr
Visit Seoul:
www.visitseoul.net
Gyeongbokgung:
http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/main/main.jsp
Wiki Cafe:
http://www.wikicafe.net/
Bukchon Hanok Village:
http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/eng/
Cheongwadae Sarangchae:
http://cwdsarangchae.kr/eng/
Insadong:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2_2_1.jsp
Myeongdong:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/whereToShop/whereToShop.jsp?action=about&cid=995821
Dongdaemun Design Plaza:
http://www.ddp.or.kr/
Seoul City Hall:
http://english.seoul.go.kr/get-to-know-us/city-hall/overview-city-hall/seoul-city-hall/
Deoksugung:
http://www.deoksugung.go.kr/eng/index.asp
N-Seoul Tower:
http://www.nseoultower.co.kr/eng/
Hongdae:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1326972
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