SEOUL 2016
I visited Korea from 1 December 2016 to 8 December 2016, during the season of winter. Here's a brief outline of my 7D6N trip.
DAY 1: Ewha Womans University
DAY 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace + N Seoul Tower
DAY 3: Myeongdong
DAY 4: Lotte World
DAY 5: Nami Island
DAY 6: Myeongdong
Ewha Womans University
Directions: Take subway line 2 to Ewha Womans University station, use exit 2 or 3.
Ewha Womans University (이화여자대학교) is a private women's university in Seoul, South Korea founded in 1886 by the American Methodist Episcopal Church. It is the world's largest female educational institute and has been one of the most prestigious top universities in the country since its founding in 1886.
Gyeongbukgung Palace + N Seoul Tower
Directions: Take subway line 3 to Gyeongbukgung station. use exit 5 and walk for 10 minutes.
Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is located in northern Seoul, South Korea. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon. I wasn't expecting much from Gyeongb0kgung palace because after all it is a common tourist site but it turned out better than I thought. Highlight: we got to watch the changing of guards ceremony.
Myeongdong
Directions: Take subway line 4 to Myeongdong station, use exit 2 or 3.
Myeongdong is mostly a commercial area, being one of Seoul's main shopping and tourism districts. It was crowded because we went on a Saturday :/ but its good in a way because we got to experience busy myeongdong. Street food was the bomb.
Lotte World
Directions: Take subway line 2/8 to Jamsil station, use exit 4.
Lotte World is a major recreation complex in Seoul, South Korea. It consists of the world's largest indoor theme park (a Guinness World Record), an outdoor amusement park called "Magic Island", an artificial island inside a lake linked by monorail, shopping malls, a luxury hotel, a Korean folk museum, sports facilities, and movie theaters. It's your typical crowded amusement park with fun rides except that I saw I.O.I and that was the only highlight. I also drove very well during the bumper cars ride and the Koreans couldn't believe it. The queues were generally quite long with some having a waiting time of 1hr :-( so we didn't manage to try out the roller coaster which was a waste.
Nami Island
Directions: Take subway line 1 to Yongsan station. Transfer to ITX Train and alight at Gapyeong station. From Gapyeong station, take the Gapyeong tour bus/taxi to Nami Island station. Walk to Gapyeong Wharf and then take a ferry to Nami Island.
Nami Island is a tiny half-moon shaped island located in Chuncheon, South Korea, formed as it was inundated by the rising water of the North Han River as the result of the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam (청평댐) in 1944. It was very cold but had very nice scenary. There was also a pen of emu and I also saw a squirrel, that was interesting. Nami Island is located near the sea though, so the wind was rather strong and it was extremely cold. I think the temperature on that day was -6 degrees celcius which explains itself.