Travelogue Korea: Gwanghwamun & Cheonggyecheon Stream

After what seems like hours (kitorang sempat tidur kejap dalam Subway), we finally arrive Gwanghwamun Plaza all the way from Munsan. 

How to get there:

From Munsan, we got on the Gyeongui Line and stopped at Digital Media City, where we transferred to the Airport Railroad, the A'Rex. From there, we then stopped at Gongdeok station for another transfer to Line 5 and finally settled at Gwanghwamun, our destination.

There's a lot to say about Gwanghwamun: in Gwanghwamun Plaza lies the statue of Korea's most celebrated King---- The Great King Sejong, who is responsible for creating Hangeul (Korean alphabet). Gwanghwamun Plaza is also located in front of the Gwanghwamun Gate, where behind the gate lies Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, The National Folk Museum & National Palace Museum of Korea, Samcheongdong Street, where the street is lined with Hanok (traditional Korean house) renovated into cafes and shops, and also the Cheongwadae, known as the Blue House, a presidential residence of South Korea.

Haechi Madang, Symbol of Seoul.

Gwanghwamun Station entrace.

Abang2 police dekat Station entrance.

For us, unfortunately, we only manage to walk around the Gwanghwamun plaza, as we do seem to run out of time. We actually had planned Gyeongbokgung and Samcheongdong into our itinerary, but we had to cancel it. It's kinda sad, but I guess it can't be helped. So we just walked along the Gwanghwamun Plaza. I suppose it's much more beautiful in other seasons, because there was a long flower carpet, fancy lighting and waterways along the plaza, but I guess since it's in the middle of the city center, it's nice to just walk around looking at the skyscrapers in the middle of the cold too.

The Great King Sejong.

Gwanghwamun Gate. Behind it is Gyeongbokgung Palace.

One of the government buildings (I think?).

View from Gwanghwamun Plaza.

Seoul City Center.

Statue of a General.

So from Gwanghwamun Plaza, we continued walking and looking around at the "happening" Seoul city (of course it's happening, there's a demonstration going on there, with plenty of policemen running around) until we arrive at Cheonggyecheon Stream. It was a natural, dirty stream and used to be a slum area, but under several restoration and upgrading, it now runs 5. 84 km through downtown Seoul, and there's 22 bridges and stepping stones along the stream. It has a spectacular view of course, with flashy buildings along both sides of the stream. 

On our way to Cheonggyecheon.

At a junction with a traditional pagoda at the back. 

Demonstration going on at the back.

Dragging my mum.

Cheonggyecheon Stream.

The start of the stream.

Waterfall.

Leisure walk along the stream.

Stepping-stones.

Walking path.

Bohong je baca peta tu. Tengah rehat kaki lettuww.

Night view.

Bet the view was much more fabulous at night, but unfortunately we only walked long enough only a little later after sunset, around 7.00 p.m. After that, we were supposed to go for our last destination of the day, the infamous N Seoul Tower, but we got lost along the way, and no taxis were willing to take us there (we found out later that we were already so nearby the Namsan Oreumi elevator, that's why they won't take us there), so, tired and all, we decided to give it up and go shopping in Myeongdong, which is like, just across the street from where we were at that time.

But that, of course, is a different story. Myeongdong is just so irresistable!

To be continued---- Korean Folk Village.