Day 2 was spent exploring the Gapyeong area. It is located outside Seoul city area and is most known for Nami Island, filming location of the drama Winter Sonata which started South Korea's soft power - Hallyu Wave. Both I and Mister had been there (3 times for me) and our companions didn't feel like there is much to see at Nami Island, so we visited Petite France and Garden of the Morning Calm instead.
Petite France
What is it: a French cultural village set in the Korean countryside, which is dedicated to the Little Prince story. The village consists of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge and enjoy French food, try on clothing and experience household culture (Credit: Visit Korea Website)
Why is it famous: Its picturesque surrounding paves way for it to be featured in numerous Korean variety shows and drama. Most famous were Running Man (with guests from 2PM - Nichkhun & Teacyeon), Beethoven Virus, Secret Garden & My Love from Another Star (where Do Min Jon & Cheon Song Yi shared a kiss).
How to get there:
From Seoul: Take subway to Gapyeong Station or Cheongpyeong Station then take Gapyeong Circular Tour Bus (5,000 Won for one-day unlimited ride) or taxi.
Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm
Garden of the Morning Calm
What is it: the oldest private garden in Korea with about 5000 species of plants. Scenic walkways, beautifully manicured grass & flower beds connect the garden's 20 different themed sections.
Why is it famous: Other than being a filming location of dramas like "You are Beautiful", the garden is truly stunning when its season for flowers to bloom. Sadly for us, we only saw tulips when we went there in late March. Go there during Spring Garden Festival or Festival of Roses & Hydrangeas. However, if your itinerary includes Everland, maybe you might want to skip this garden as Everland also has a flower festival.
How to get there:
From Seoul: Take subway to Gapyeong Station or Cheongpyeong Station then take Gapyeong Circular Tour Bus (5,000 Won for one-day unlimited ride) or taxi.
From Petite France: Take Gapyeong Circular Tour Bus (5,000 Won for one-day unlimited ride) or taxi.
Opening Hours: 9am - 7pm
Our Experience
We were probably half asleep when we changed subway lines since we ended up on express line instead of local line that stopped at every station. And our bad luck didn't end there since the french restaurant we planned to have lunch at Petite France was closed! So our lunch was just spicy rice cake, fish cake & hot dogs. Even when we were waiting for Gapyeong Circular Tour Bus, it didn't come as scheduled! We got tired of waiting so we just took cab everywhere that day, from subway station to Petite France, then to Garden of the Morning Calm and finally back to subway station. There were 8 of us so we maximized the use of 2 taxis. Even then each of us spent about 17,000 Won on cab :(
And I think Petite France was just alright, so for your one day in Gapyeong, I think you should head to Garden of the Morning Calm & Nami Island (also, grab lunch at Nami Island which offers more dining choices). The garden was beautiful with tulips, which was something we couldn't enjoy in the tropics of Southeast Asia. I can only imagine how striking this garden would be during flower festivals. Try to avoid weekend as many locals also head there for short getaway so these places will be packed! We suspected that was the reason our bus was late because we went there on Sunday and so many people would be getting on and off the bus, which subsequently delayed the bus arrival.
Since lunch was so pathetic, we were really looking forward to our dinner. BBQ meat at Sinchon didn't disappoint us and we stuffed ourselves silly. Of course we didn't stop there. As we were walking over from Sinchon to Edae, we passed by roadside foot stalls along the way. Mister and I converted our friends to big fans of Cup Chicken & Blood Sausage :D
If you are interested in visiting Nami, my blog posts from previous trips are here!
http://musingsofmissn.blogspot.com/2013/07/mr-missy-in-korea-day-2-17-may-2013.html
http://musingsofmissn.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-journey-to-k-land-day-2-3-feb-2013.html
http://musingsofmissn.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-journey-to-k-land-day-7-part-1-8-feb.html
http://musingsofmissn.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-journey-to-k-land-day-7-part-2-8-feb.html
Petite France
What is it: a French cultural village set in the Korean countryside, which is dedicated to the Little Prince story. The village consists of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge and enjoy French food, try on clothing and experience household culture (Credit: Visit Korea Website)
Why is it famous: Its picturesque surrounding paves way for it to be featured in numerous Korean variety shows and drama. Most famous were Running Man (with guests from 2PM - Nichkhun & Teacyeon), Beethoven Virus, Secret Garden & My Love from Another Star (where Do Min Jon & Cheon Song Yi shared a kiss).
How to get there:
From Seoul: Take subway to Gapyeong Station or Cheongpyeong Station then take Gapyeong Circular Tour Bus (5,000 Won for one-day unlimited ride) or taxi.
Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm
Garden of the Morning Calm
What is it: the oldest private garden in Korea with about 5000 species of plants. Scenic walkways, beautifully manicured grass & flower beds connect the garden's 20 different themed sections.
Why is it famous: Other than being a filming location of dramas like "You are Beautiful", the garden is truly stunning when its season for flowers to bloom. Sadly for us, we only saw tulips when we went there in late March. Go there during Spring Garden Festival or Festival of Roses & Hydrangeas. However, if your itinerary includes Everland, maybe you might want to skip this garden as Everland also has a flower festival.
How to get there:
From Seoul: Take subway to Gapyeong Station or Cheongpyeong Station then take Gapyeong Circular Tour Bus (5,000 Won for one-day unlimited ride) or taxi.
From Petite France: Take Gapyeong Circular Tour Bus (5,000 Won for one-day unlimited ride) or taxi.
Opening Hours: 9am - 7pm
Our Experience
We were probably half asleep when we changed subway lines since we ended up on express line instead of local line that stopped at every station. And our bad luck didn't end there since the french restaurant we planned to have lunch at Petite France was closed! So our lunch was just spicy rice cake, fish cake & hot dogs. Even when we were waiting for Gapyeong Circular Tour Bus, it didn't come as scheduled! We got tired of waiting so we just took cab everywhere that day, from subway station to Petite France, then to Garden of the Morning Calm and finally back to subway station. There were 8 of us so we maximized the use of 2 taxis. Even then each of us spent about 17,000 Won on cab :(
And I think Petite France was just alright, so for your one day in Gapyeong, I think you should head to Garden of the Morning Calm & Nami Island (also, grab lunch at Nami Island which offers more dining choices). The garden was beautiful with tulips, which was something we couldn't enjoy in the tropics of Southeast Asia. I can only imagine how striking this garden would be during flower festivals. Try to avoid weekend as many locals also head there for short getaway so these places will be packed! We suspected that was the reason our bus was late because we went there on Sunday and so many people would be getting on and off the bus, which subsequently delayed the bus arrival.
Since lunch was so pathetic, we were really looking forward to our dinner. BBQ meat at Sinchon didn't disappoint us and we stuffed ourselves silly. Of course we didn't stop there. As we were walking over from Sinchon to Edae, we passed by roadside foot stalls along the way. Mister and I converted our friends to big fans of Cup Chicken & Blood Sausage :D
Great Korean BBQ in Sinchon!
Korean blood sausage (soondae)
Outside the traditional street snack tents
If you are interested in visiting Nami, my blog posts from previous trips are here!
http://musingsofmissn.blogspot.com/2013/07/mr-missy-in-korea-day-2-17-may-2013.html
http://musingsofmissn.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-journey-to-k-land-day-2-3-feb-2013.html
http://musingsofmissn.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-journey-to-k-land-day-7-part-1-8-feb.html
http://musingsofmissn.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-journey-to-k-land-day-7-part-2-8-feb.html
Adios!
xoxo
Miss N
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