Day 3: Old Seoul - Tapgol Park and Insadong Market

Insadong Street and Tapgol Park.

Tapgol Park or Pagoda Park is, according to Visit Korea, the first modern park to be built in Seoul. You'll find here the glass enclosed, 10 story pagoda. It was a Saturday and there was an event for the elderly at that time (or maybe the elder Koreans really hangout here), so there were a lot of people at the park. 

The glass enclosed pagoda.

There's a pavillion in the middle of the park. And yes, you can tell that this park is also from the successful Joseon dynasty.

The pavillion.

We crossed the street from Tapgol to get to Insadong.
Perfect day for some Insadong experience. On weekend, some streets around Insadong are closed to vehicles. Shops are set up on the streets. Traditional Korean craft and culture will be seen all over Insadong. There are art galleries, traditional tea houses and stores that sell different Korean art.

Performance at Insadong.

Comfort room art at Insadong.

Thinly sliced squid cooked on hot walnuts. (?)

Red bean goodness!

Famous teahouse.

Book sale.

Free hugs, anyone? ;)

More huggers!

Colorful characters strolling.

Souvenir shopping.

Insa Art Gallery.

This way to more art galleries.

We also found this very unique mall, Ssamziegil Mall. It's not your usual indoor mall. It has 4 floors, connected by spiral staircases. Just like the rest of Insadong, Ssamziegil Mall is an artwork in itself. Each floor has a different theme. It's like walking in an art gallery with all the paintings on the walls and staircases.

Mall facade.

Ssamziegil Mall map.

The mall.

Giraffes at the mall?

I really enjoyed this day. Just relaxed and steady. It was already dark when we walked backed to our guesthouse. And on our way back, we saw Changdeokgung Palace at night. 

Oh tired feet! Rest some for another long day awaits. :)

Day 3: Old Seoul - Changdeokgung Palace and Bukchon

Since Day 2 was so action packed, we chose to keep it simple on Day 3. Beewon Guesthouse was only 3 minutes away from Changdeokgung Palace. How can we not visit, right? You'll have to shell out KRW3,000 for the entrance fee. But you can buy a pass worth KRW10,000, for admission to 4 palaces and 1 shrine. 

We missed the tour with an English speaker so we decided to take a tour on our own. 

Changdeokgung Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage.

Welcome to Changdeokgung Palace!

Pillars at the Palace

Coffee/craft shop in the palace.

It was so hot that day, but when we came to this part where there are hanoks or the Nakseonjae, it was strangely cool. Nakseonjae is the part of the palace that the King used as his living quarters and library. Maybe that is why it's so cool there, can't make the King sweat in summer! I almost fell asleep on the steps of one hanok. Hahaha! The ceiling, door and wall designs are so intricate.

Nakseonjae: where the cool hanoks are.

Ceiling.

Is this why these hanoks are so well ventilated?

The King's Hall or the Injeongjeon Hall. Where the King receives his court and foreign envoys.

Exterior of the Injeongjeon.

King's throne.

Interior of the Injeongjeon.

The Queen's quarters behind us.

After the quick tour of the Palace, we headed to our favorite lunch place near Bukchon. We ordered bibimbap, kimbap and soup with meat and veggies.

Satisfied stomach for less than KRW15,000!

Tea house.

While walking around Bukchon after lunch, we found another quaint shop that sells handcrafted stuff. This shop sells a lot of handmade stuff like clocks, earrings, bracelets, notebooks, hand painted bags and more!

Owner of the shop.

Real pressed flowers.

Cute stud earrings.

Smiling with the owner.

I shall return.

From Bukchon, we went on our way to Tapgol Park by foot. It wasn't a short walk, but walking has always been something I like doing. On our way to the park, we witnessed some sort of ceremony.

Next stop: Tapgol Park, Insadong Market and Ssamziegil Mall! :)