Travelogue #9 Seoul Korea - How to Spend only $733 for a 5days Ski Trip in Korea

Seoul Ski Trip

Well, people always brag about how many days they spend in Korea with the minimum spending.

But if you really look into their itinerary and food list, I bet most of you would not want to go on that trip because TRIP is all about ENJOYING all you CAN, right? Personally, I think at least, I have to go to all the must see and enjoy all the must eat list.

Let me share with you my itinerary for my recent Ski trip in Korea.

I really put in much effort compiling this ladies. Give some like on my FB please <3 As encouragement :)



Of course since my trip highlight is ski then let me share with you the cost breakdown in Gangchong Ski Resort.

Price is per pax:

Of course also my food highlight of this trip is my visit to Naryangjin Fishery Market.

Price as follow:

All price stated are in USD.





I really put in much effort compiling this ladies. Give some like on my FB please <3 As encouragement :)

Will be writing details of my trip soon. Stay tune! Love you girls!

Love,
Hot MaMa love to travel~

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Travelogue #5 Seoul, Korea Winter 2014 Insa-dong & Samcheong-dong

(source: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/) 

I was considering whether should I go for Samcheong-dong or Insa-dong and there, I found rebecca did a good write up on these two places.

If you are wondering of the differences between Samcheong-dong and Insa-dong (though the title of both of my posts would have explained it), it’s pretty simple – both are ancient yet modern streets, but Insa-dong offers more shopping for beauty and cosmetics brands and as well as traditional craft while Samcheong-dong leans more towards boutiques with local designer products (clothes, bags, jewellery) plus pretty cafes.

Source: http://www.rebeccasaw.com/insa-dong-seoul-korea-food-cafes-arts-souvenirs-shopping-leisure-cultural/

Ssamziegil is within Insa-dong and is famously know as mini insa-dong inside insa-dong. It has very fabulous graffiti and packed with shops that sells sourveniors and handcrafts gifts.

Read more here and here!
How to get there?

Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6.
Go 100m straight, then turn left.
OR
Jonggak Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 3.
Go straight 300m, and turn left at the 4-way Intersection.
Go straight 100m, and take the left road towards Insadong-gil Road.

Love,
HotMama

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Travelogue #4 Seoul Korea, Winter 2014 Attractions & Travel Guide

A thesis titled Where to Visit during winter at Seoul, Korea (Just my two cent thought in fact) 

Happily bought the ticket when YOLO told me there is AirAsia Sale. Impulsive buying again. Gonna make full use of this trip since this is going to be my second honeymoon with my hubby.

Seoul, Korea.
Winter.
Me + Hubby.
It is gonna be an awesome trip!

First, let me start with the recommended 5 days travel itinerary by the Korea Travel website.
Link: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

Day 1: Seoul: City Tour Sightseeing at Changdeokgung Palace → Insadong → Cheonggyecheon Stream → N Seoul Tower → Hotel or shopping at Dongdaemun Market
Day 2: Sightseeing in Suwon Depart from Seoul to Suwon → Sightseeing at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Everland → Back to Seoul  
Day 3: Namiseom Island Depart from Seoul → Namiseom Island → Gangchon Resort (go night skiing and spend the night at Gangchon Resort) 
Day 4: Seoul Gangchon Resort (go skiing in the morning) → Back to Seoul

What I can see from the suggested itinerary of what are the must visit are, heritage palace, food market, amusement park, night market and ski activities. Thus I make sure I visit all these attractions but which to go is the decision to make.

After all the research I keep contemplating which should I go for when I only have 5 days! Thus, let me share my research (all information that I can find online) with you. After all the hard work, I actually feel I have completed a thesis. LOL

Place to visit

Heritage Palace (Top 5)

• Gyeongbokgung (경복궁) 
• Gyeonghuigung (경희궁) 
• Changdeokgung (창덕궁) 
• Changgyeonggung (창경궁)
• Deoksugung (덕수궁

My choice: Gyeongbokgung - simply is the grandest and most well keep and Changyeonggung the secret garden as recommended by the late emperor LOL My review here

Amusement Park

• Everland Park
• Lotte World
• Seoul Land

My choice: Everland because it have both outdoor and indoor, more variety in terms of sight seeing and rides.

Ski Resort

• Bear Town
• Jisan
• Konjiam
• Yangji
• Gangchon

My choice: Sharing my compilation and review here. Opt to go for Gangchon because it is nearest to Nami Island.

Shopppping

• Gwangmyeong
• Insadong
• Dongdeamum
• Namdeamum
• Ssamziegil
• Ewha university (nearby night market)

My choice: Going for all if I can make it.

Must Try Foodie

• Strawberry and Banana Milk 
• Hotteok (3 main types)
• Gingseng chicken
• Bugolgi 
• King crab
• Bimbimbap
• Korean BBQ
• Sujebi
• ..

My choice: Too many!! I will update everything that goes into my mouth :P

Hotmama tipsss

Seoul Tips! Rent a pocket wifi for your stays in Seoul. Although many cafes and hotels have free wifi, it's always handy to have them with you for google maps

Seoul Tips! Average fare from Incheon Airport to Seoul is about 10,000W - 15,000W, travelling time 1.5hours - 2 hours. Subway rides around city is about 1,000W - 1,500W.

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Travelogue #3 Seoul, Korea Winter 2014 Palace Heritage & Must Visit

(source: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/) 

1. Deoksugung Palace
Location : 99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

2. Gyeonghuigung Palace
Location : 55, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

3. Gyeongbokgung Palace

Location: 161. Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-820, Republic of Korea

Nearest train station: Gyeongbokgung train station line 3, exit 5

4. Changdeokgung Palace
Location : 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

5. Changgyeonggung Palace
Location : 185, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

6. Unhyeongung Royal Residences

Location : 464, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Tips #1 

Decided to go for Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace because Gyeongbokgung Palace is the most upkeep and grandest of all while Changdeokgung Palace Secret garden is a must visit according to those who went before.

Tips #2

Not joining the tour for Gyeongbokgung Palace because it takes 1 hour long and Changdeokgung Palace - Secret Garden tour guide is a must for entrance which consume 90mins of my valuable time. 

Tips #3

Make it a first trip in the morning so that you are still full or energy to walk. 

Tips #4

If you are a heritage lover and have time to visit all 5 palaces then get the book combination ticket at a lower price. Can be purchase at any of the palace.

With the purchase of a book of Combination Tickets (adults 10,000won, Youth 5,000won), one admission for each of the five different palaces is available within one month. (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung - the Secret Garden included, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Jongmyo Shrine).

Tips #5

Book online for Secret Gardens as it cater for 100visitor per tour only.

Information:

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Admission Fee: 

Age 19~: 3,000 won / 2.400 won ( group, 10 or more ) 

Age 7-18: 1,500 won / 1,200 won ( group, 10 or more ) 

* Free: Children(ages 6 and under),Permanent Residency(F-5) Status Holder(Age 65 and Older) * 

Opening hours:

09:00~18:00(Final admission at 17:00) 

June through August 09:00~18:30(Final admission at 17:30) 

November through February 09:00~17:00(Final admission at 16:00) 

Closed on Tuesdays

Tour in foreign languages 

English : 11:00, 13:30, 15:30 

Japanese : 10:00, 12:30, 14:30 

Chinese : 10:30, 13:00, 15:00 

Tour starts in front of Gyeongbokgung Information Center inside the Heungnyemun Gate. Tour lasts for an hour to an hour and thirty minutes

Changdeokgung Palace

Admission Fee:
Regular Tour (Changdeokgung Palace)-Adults 3,000 won/Children 1,500 won
Huwon Tour (Secret Garden area)-Adults 5,000 won/Children 2,500 won

Opening hours:

General Palace

09:00~18:00 (Final admission at 17:00) 

June through August 09:00~18:30 (Final admission at 17:30) 

November through February 09:00~17:30 (Final admission at 16:00) 

Secret Garden - all operating time closed 1 hour earlier 

Closed on Mondays

※Visitors to the Secret Garden are required to join a guided tour.
※There are only 100 tickets available for each tour. 50 Internet booking in advance and the remaining 50 are sold at a ticket office on the day.
※The tour time and course are subject to change due to the weather conditions

Interpretation Services-Changdeokgung Palace:
Korean: 09:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30

English: Mar - Oct 11:30 13:30 15:30 Nov - Feb 11:30 13:30

Japanese: 12:30/Chinese: 16:00

Duration: 90mins

Unhyeongung Royal Residences

Hours & Admission

Apr - Oct 09:00 - 19:30 (Last admission 18:30)

Nov - Mar 09:00 -18:00 (Last admission 17:30)

Close on Mon

Admission ticket

Free

Tradition custome

10:00 - 17:00

3,300 won for 10mins

How to get there

Line 3 (Anguk) Gate #4

Line 5 (Jongno 3ga) Gate #5

Source: 

http://everyday-im-travelling.blogspot.com/2014/01/korea-seoul-gyeongbokgung-palace.html

http://kampungboycitygal.com/2013/02/seoul-itinerary-day-4-changdeokgung-palace-huwon-tour/

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264348

Love,
HotMama

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Travelogue #2 Everland - How to get there!

Obtained these information from Overland website. When I googled map it says, 2 hours approximate to reach Everland if take bus 5002 and M5107 from Seoul. However, the information provided by Everland is only 40-50mins. 

Update you once I am there!

_________________________________________________________

**Information sourced from Everland

Public Transportation

Metropoilitan Subway

• Transfer to Yongin Ever Line at Giheung Station on Bundang Line!
• - It takes 30 minutes from Giheung Station to Jeondae Everland Station (last stop) on Yongin Ever Line. 
• - You can take the shuttle bus (free of charge) from Yongin Ever Line and go to Everland or Caribbean Bay. 
• - Ever Line operation hours 05:30~23:30 

☞ In this page:
- Yongin Ever Line is not shown.
- Estimated time and fee can be calculated.

Bus from Seoul

• Regular bus

• Shuttle Bus 1
• - Time: Approx. 40~50 minutes
• - Bus fare: 12,000 won (round trip)
• - Call center: 82-32-322-7001 / 82-31-919-1244  * Prior booking required *
• - Site link: http://www.daesungtour.co.kr/sub3.php

Route	Departure	Time	Bus Stop
Seoul->Everland	Hotel Seokyo (Hongik Univ.)	09:00 10:00	The front gate (Exit No.9)
	Shinchon	09:10 10:10	Exit No.5
	Seoul City Hall	09:30 10:30	Exit No.5
	Dongdaemun History & Culture Park	09:50 10:50	Exit No.11
	Jongno 3 ga	09:40	Exit No.12
Everland->Seoul	Everland	18:00 21:00	Parking lot No.5 (Platform No.7~8)

• Shuttle Bus 2
• - Time: Approx. 40~50 minutes
• - Bus fare: 12,000 won (round trip) * Prior booking required *
• - Call center: 82-10-4718-7440 / 82-2-778-6212
• - Site link: http://7331078.wix.com/everlandshuttlebus

Route	Departure	Time	Bus Stop
Seoul->Everland	Myeong-Dong Shinsegae Dept. store	09:30	Shinsegae department store bus stop (No. 143)
	Myeong-Dong Tourist Information Center	10:00	KEB Bank AirBus shuttle stop
	Itaewon	10:20	Exit No.4
	Sinsa	10:30	Exit No.5
	Sinnonhyeon	10:35	Exit No.6
	Gangnam	10:40	Exit No.6
Everland->Seoul	Everland	18:30	Group bus turning place

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Travelogue #1 Seoul Korea Winter 2015 Ski Tips and Review Compilation List

SKI REVIEW 

My comprehensive list of top 5 nearest to Seoul Ski choice. Review in terms of price, how to get there (duration) and compilation of blogger experiences. These compilation is to suit my need where; no stay over required and cater of 2 pax.

Source from KTO

BearTown

Per Pax price information
Price Lift : 52,000 won
Price Class : 50,000 won (1:5) / 70,000 won (personal coach with Shoun as linked below)
Price Ski Rental : 30,000 won
Price Sled : 22,000 won
Location : 2 hours from Insa-Dong

Operating Hours

Daytime 09:00-16:30  Morning 09:00-13:00  Afternoon 12:30-16:30  Evening 18:30-24:00 (except on Fridays, Saturdays and national holidays / the time is subject to change for snow maintenance.)  Midnight 20:00-24:00 (except on Fridays, Saturdays and national holidays / the time is subject to change for snow maintenance.)  Daybreak 24:00-04:00 (except on Fridays, Saturdays and national holidays) Open from : 4 Dec 2014 Directions From Gangbyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, Exit 4)  - From exit 4, cross the street and walk to the right. Cross the street again to find the bus stop.  - Take Bus 11 (강변역A) and get off at Bears Town (베어스타운) Bus Stop (approx. 1hr 38min). - First bus 6:05 / Last bus: 00:20 / Interval: 15-20min

Review here and Source here
Korean Good Looking Coach ~ here




Source: KTO

Jisan Forest

Per Pax price information

Price Lift : 35,000 -65,000won (various according to timing)

Price Class : 35,000 -65,000won 

Price Ski Rental : 20,000 won

Price Sled : not stated

Location : 2.5 hours from Insa-Dong

Operating Hours

Full-day 09:00 ~ 17:00 Morning 10:00 ~ 15:30 Afternoon 12:30 ~ 17:00 Click here for more info. Directions- The bus runs every 20 minutes from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal. Take this bus and get off at Icheon coach bus terminal. Then take Bus No. 12 from Icheon and get off at Jisan Resort.(40 min ) - Take City Coach Bus No.9800 at Gangnam Station(exit No.7) or Yangjae Station(Yangjae bus station). (bus- 9:00~13:00 every hour/ 15:00/16:00/17:30/19:00/20:00)

Review here and here and here

Daily tour here and here which cost 145,000 ~ 150,000won (all in)

Source : KTO

Konjiam Resort

Per Pax price information

Price Lift : Not Found

Price Class :  Not Found

Price Ski Rental : Not Found

Price Sled : Not Found

Location : 2.5 hours from Insa-Dong

Operating Hours

Mon - Fri 9am Sat - Sun 7am Closing 4am everyday ** As at 16/12/2014 there is no announcement from the FB page that the slope is open :( and so no rate available Click here for more info. Tips This ski place have 2 unique things to offer 1. It has a Me-Time that works like a clock in ticket. You pay according to the time spend in the ski resort! Well, it does not really benefit me since I am a tourist that travel a mile there just for ski purposes. Weekdays: One-time - 10,000won 2hrs - 34,000won 3hrs - 42,000won 4hrs - 48,000won 6hrs - 62,000won 8hrs - 70,000won Weekend: One-time - 10,000won 2hrs - 40,000won 3hrs - 49,000won 4hrs - 56,000won 6hrs - 72,000won 8hrs - 80,000won 2. It can accommodate 7,000 people once (good and bad - I don't like crowd) DirectionsFrom Exit #1 at Gangbyeon Station (Subway Line 2) take Bus No.1113-1, and get off at Gonjiam Terminal. (곤지암터미널) ** OR From Exit #6 at Jamsil Station take Bus No. 500-1, OR From Exit #7 of Gangnam Station, take Bus No. 500-2. ** Get off at Gonjiam Terminal and take a taxi to Konjiam Resort (10~15 mins, about 8,000 to 10,000 won) Free shuttle bus also available there! * Shuttle bus schedule: 09:30-20:30, 1 hour intervals (no bus at 12:30 & 18:30)

Review here

Daily tour #notfound

Source: Travel CNN


Source: Travel CNN

Yangji Pine

Per Pax price information

Price Lift : 50,000 - 75,000won

Price Class :  70,000won (2 hrs)

Price Ski Rental : 30,000 - 39,000won

Price Sled : 32,000 - 47,000won

Admission Price: 387,000 - 495,000won

Location : 2.5 hours from Insa-Dong

Operating Hours

Morning 09:00-13:00 Afternoon 13:00-17:00 Evening Zone 1 18:20-23:20 Evening Zone 2 18:50-23:20 Night 22:00-03:00 All-night 24:00-05:00 Full-day 09:00-17:00 Daybreak Zone 1 18:20-03:00 Daybreak Zone 2 18:50-03:00 Night to Dawn 22:00-05:00 Afternoon to Night 13:00-23:20 Afternoon to Dawn 18:30-05:00 ※ Times are subject to change. ※ 1 Zone slopes: Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue ※ 2 Zone slopes: Avec, Challenge, Challenge Plus Directions From Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Yongin via Yangji. Get off at Yangji Terminal, and take a shuttle bus or a taxi to Yangji Pine Resort. OR From Yongin Intercity Bus Terminal, take a shuttle bus or a taxi to Yangji Pine Resort.

Review 

Daily tour here which cost 75,000 - 95,000 won (30mins lesson only)

Source: KTO

My verdict:

Bears Town is good if you want to have a plain experience of ski. It is near, decent and reasonable price.

Jisan is a little bit further, priced almost like Bears Town. Nothing much to brag about.

Yanji Pine is something that you would want to go for - better quality ski experience due to the slope and space they offer. More price, further but still acceptable distance. If you intend to spend more time on ski - go for this. Better still, spend a night there for night ski too!

Will be updating my experience soon :)

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