A Weekend in South Korea

If you didn\’t know, I have a Weekend Trip to South Korea. But everything was only a plan. Coz everything was canceled. Plane tickets, hotel reservation, and yeah, my itinerary. Why? COVID-19 happened.

If it pushed through, it should had been last April 2020. A very impulsive buying of plane ticket coz of a single entry visa approval and an airline promo fare.

And since it didn\’t happen at all, I\’m gonna share what could have been my journey if only I was able to make it. I am not sharing any photos with this post yet. Coz I am hoping that I could be there one day and follow this itinerary. Then I will update & include my actual photos. #motivation 😉

This itinerary has been detailed out as I wrote this post. Anyways, here it is… 😊

DAY 1 APRIL 3 FRIDAY INCHEON DAY

1300H (PHT) A travel from Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 to Incheon International Airport.

0655H (KST) Arrival in Incheon International Airport. Go through the Immigration and have breakfast in one of the stores in the airport. Don\’t forget to buy the T-money Card which you can use to pay for the train, bus, or even in 7-eleven.

0900H-1030H (KST) Travel from Incheon International Airport to Wolmido Island. Go to the Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 Subway Station. Take the 공항철도 4001 (Blue Line) Platform 서울역. After 5 stops, alight at Geomam Station then transfer to 인천2호선 20236 (Orange Line) Platform 운연(서창). After 12 stops, alight at Citizens Park Station then take Exit 1. Go to 시민공원(문화창작지대)역 and take Bus 2 Wolmido Island. After 28 stops, alight at Wolmido Island (City Tour).

1030H-1400H (KST) WOLMIDO ISLAND (월미도). It is an island 1 kilometer off the coast of South Korea near Incheon. It was once connected by a highway in 1989 and was later connected by a monorail which opened in late 2019. It is perfect weekend destination and tourist area. It has a lot of things to offer from historical sites to park to theme park to different sightings like the fountain show to delicious seafood restaurants.

• Wolmi Street
• Wolmido Lighthouse
• Wolmido Theme Park
• Have a lunch at the Wolmido Seafood Restaurant

1400H-1420H Travel to Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village (송월동동화마을). From Wolmido Island, take either Bus 2 or 45. After 8 stops, alight at 송월동동화마을.

1420H-1500H SONGWOL-DONG FAIRY TALE VILLAGE (송월동동화마을). It is village which the government renovated by creating Mural paintings and painting the houses\’ walls with vibrant colors. The village features different fairy tale characters including Korea\’s own folk tales. There are cafés too for visitors to chill.

1500H-1520H Travel to Jayu Park (자유공원). Walk 3 minutes to Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village bus station. Take either Bus 2, 10, 15, 28 or 45 and after 1 stop, alight at Incheon Station (Chinatown). Walk for about 6 minutes to Jayu Park. Or you can walk from Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village to Jayu Park.

1520H-1600H JAYU PARK (자유공원). Jayu is the Korean word for Freedom. It was originally called Manguk Park (Thousand Nation or All Nation\’s Park) then later changed to West Park during the Japanese Colonization. It was then finally named Jayu Park (Freedom or Liberty Park) when the statue of General McArthur (who led a successful kanding of the allied troops at Incheon during the Korean War) erected. In this park, you can see the statue of General McArthur, view of some part of the downtown, harbor facilities, freight boats and whole ocean. There is a small zoo perfect for family, a pavilion, and surrounded by old buildings. A Cherry Blossom Festival is held every April when the cherry trees bloom fully along the uphill road.

1600H-1620H Travel to Jjajangmyeon Museum (짜장면박물관). Walk about 7 minutes to Wolmido Island Station. Take either Bus 2, 10, 15, 28, or 45. After 1 stop, alight at Incheon Station (Chinatown). Walk about 3 minutes to Jjajangmyeon Museum. Or you can also walk from Jayu Park to Jjajangmyeon Museum.

1620H-1700H JJAJANGMYEON MUSEUM (짜장면박물관). This is a museum about the black soybean noodles or popularly known as Jjajangmyeon. Here visitors can learn on the history, its manufacture and even the influence & value it effected on Korea.

1700H-1715H Walk to Chinatown

1715H-2000H CHINATOWN (인천차이나타원). It started to operate during the opening of the Incheon Port in 1883. The place has lots of restaurants. There are also temples, Mural paintings and other spots that you can check. Of course, do not forget to try authentic Chinese cuisine.

2000H-2130H Travel to Guesthouse for late check in and rest. This varies to where you\’ll stay, but my accommodation would had been supposedly in Hongdae. So from Chinatown, walk 2 minutes to Incheon Subway Station then Enter via 3. Go to Platform 소요산 and take the Blue Line 1 (107) and after 21 stops, alight at Sindorim. Change to Platform 내선손환 and take Green line 2 호선 (234). After 5 stops, alight at Hongik University and take Exit 2. Walk for about 6 minutes to the Guesthouse.

DAY 2 APRIL 4 SATURDAY CHERRY BLOSSOMS DAY, HANOK VILLAGE & DONGDAEMUN

0900H-0940H Travel to Yeouido Hangang Park. From Hongik University Subway Station, go to Platform 내선손환 and take Green line 2호선 (211). After 4 stops, alight at Chungjeongno (Kyonggi Univ.) and follow signs for 5호선. Change to Platform 방화 and take Purple Line 5호선 (510). After 4 stops, alight at Yeouinaru and exit via 2. Walk for about 4 minutes.

0940H-1100H YEOUIDO HANGANG PARK (여의도한강공원). Every spring, it holds the Cherry Blossoms Festival. In here, one can rent a bicycle to tour around. There are convenience stores, information center, and nearby parks. One can also do the Han River Cruise, the Floating Stage, Cascade and Piano Waterway.

1100H-1140H Travel to Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을). Walk for about 5 minutes to Yeouinaru. Enter via 2 and go to Platform 마천. Take Purple Line 5호선 (575) and after 7 stops, alight at Jongno 3-ga. Change to Platform 대화. Take the Orange Line 3호선 (310). After 1 stop, alight at Anguk and exit via 2. Walk for about 11 minutes.

1140H-1330H BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE (북촌한옥마을). This is a home to hundreds of traditional houses called Hanok. Close to Gyeongbukgong Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine. Bukchon literally translates to northern village. These houses operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses. It is an actual neighborhood with people\’s homes. Thus, visitors are advised to be respectful at all times while looking around.

1300H-1400H Travel to Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Walk about 12 minutes to Anguk Subway Station. Enter via 2 then go to Platform 오금. Take Orange Line 3호선 (352) and after 3 stops, alight at Chungmuro. Change to Platform 당고개 and take Blue Line 4호선 (409). After 1 stop, alight at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park and exit via 1. Walk about 6 minutes.

1400H-1630H DONGDAEMUN (동대문). It is a top attraction visited by international tourists. There are a lot of things to see and do here. There are several hidden attractions too.

• Dongdaemun Design Plaza (This landmark of Dongdaemun designed by Zaha Hadid and shaped like a swirling spiral representing the dynamics of Dongdaemun Fashion Town. It has a fascinating design in and out.)
• Dongdaemun Gate (흥인지문). (This was built yo protect Hanseongbu which historically housed important government facilities. It was the gate on the east side of the outer wall of Seoul Fortress among eight gates.)
• Cheonggyecheon Stream (It is an all-time favorite leisure place to relax or hang out in the heart of of the capital.)
• Ihwa Mural Village (이화동벽화마을). (It is known as a moon village and set in the hillside. There are a lot Mural paintings and artwork here.
• Naksan Park & Seoul Fortress Wall (Naksan Park is a great place to see the Seoul City Wall and rake in views of downtown Seoul.)

1630H-1720H Travel to Seokchon Lake (석촌호수). Walk to Dongdaemun Bus Station. Take Bus 301 Jangji Public Garage. After 26 stops, alight at Seokchon Lake, Hansol Hospital. Walk for about 6 minutes to Seokchon Lake.

1720H-1930H SEOKCHON LAKE (석촌호수). Also known as Songpa Naru Park is famous for being one of the best places in Seoul for Cherry Blossoms and sunset viewing. Lotte Tower and Lotte World can also be seen within the area.

1930H-2030 Travel to Hongdae Shopping Street. Walk about 8 minutes to Jamsil (Songpa-gu Office) Subway Station. Enter via 2 and go to Platform 내선손환). Take Green Line 2호선 (211) and after 23 stops, alight at Hongik University. Exit via 9 and walk for about 8 minutes.

2030H-2230H HONGDAE SHOPPING STREET (홍대). Hongdae is a neighborhood known for its youthful and romantic ambiance, underground culture, freedom of self-expression, unique cafés, cozy galleries, accessory stores, fashion shops and art markets. There are also cultural events, street performances, and festivals held here.

2230H-2245H Walk to Guesthouse

DAY 3 APRIL 5 SUNDAY CHURCH, LIBRARY, MALL, CHECK OUT

0800H-0830H Check out and leave stuff at Reception Area

0830H-0900H Travel to Myeongdong Cathedral. Walk about 7 minutes to Hongik University Subway Station. Enter via 2 and go to Platform 내선손환. Take Green Line 2호선 (234). After 7 stops, alight at Euljiro 3(sam)ga and exit via 11. Walk for about 8 minutes.

0900H-1000H Attend the Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral (서울 명동성당). This is the Church for Archdiocese of Seoul and the birthplace for the Roman Catholic Church community in Korea.

1000H-1200H MYEONGDONG (명동). One of the primary shopping districts in Seoul. There are many brand names and department stores in the area. It also has restaurants and fast food.

1200H-1300H Travel to Starfield COEX Mall. Walk to Myeongdong Subway Station and enter via 9. Go to Platform 오이도 and take Blue Line 4호선 (456). After 7 stops, alight at Dongjak (Seoul National Cemetery) and go to Platform 중앙보훈병원. Take Brown Line 9호선 (938). After 4 stops, alight at Bongeunsa and exit via 7. Walk for about 5 minutes.

1300H-1500H STARFIELD COEX MALL (스타필드코엑스뫃). It is Asia\’s largest underground shopping mall. It has everything one needs, all in one place. It has a combination of fashion, food, culture and entertainment. The Starfield Library offers a space of rest and entertainment with books.

1500H-1600H Travel to Guesthouse. Walk about 8 minutes to Samseong (World Trade Center Seoul) and go to Platform 내선순환. Take Green Line 2호선 (234). After 20 stops, alight at Hongik University and exit via 2. Walk for about 6 minutes.

1600H-1700H Change, Arrange & Claim Stuff

1700H-1810H Travel to Incheon International Airport. Walk for about 13 minutes to Hongik University Subway Station and enter via 5. Go to Platform 인천공항2터미널. Take the Blue Line 공항철도 (4013). After 10 stops, alight at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1.

1810H INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Check in, dinner and go through immigration then wait for the flight.

2050H Travel back to Cebu

So, there! As what my latest trips had been, I always go through not so jam-packed itinerary. This might be like it but I am always flexible with my schedule. Coz I don\’t want to get stressed doing everything even though I am exhausted and no longer enjoying the places I\’m going.

It\’s impossible to go to every tourist spots or attractions on a trip. Unless you\’re staying for months. So don\’t get yourself stressed out. If there are places you can\’t go, think that you have to go back to visit them. 😉

And yeah! I hope that I could visit Seoul or South Korea again and make this itinerary happens. Plus, I\’ve got a lot of places that I want to visit and food I want to try. Thanks to all the variety shows I have watched during the pandemic. There\’s no harm in dreaming and trying. 🙏🤞😁

REFERENCES FOR INFORMATION:
Visit Korea
The Soul of Seoul
Incheon Roadplanner
Korea to do
Lonely planet
Visit Seoul