South Korea is one of the countries that rich of its cultural heritage. The most popular historical icon in Seoul is Gyeongbokgung Palace. Besides royal palace, there are some Hanok Villages that spreads through the town. Bukchon Hanok Village is one of them. To get some unique experience, try visiting those two places by wearing a Hanbok (Traditional Korea Dress). You can find Hanbok rental place easily around Seoul especially near the historical sites. I will give you my recommendation of Hanbok Rental in the next post (Next week).

That day, we were going to Gyeongbokgung Palace and around there. Oh, we also had to rent hanbok. The night before, we already researched about Hanbok Rental. From Google, it said that Gyeongbokgung Palace had a hanbok rental facility for tourists. We went by subway and took off at Gyeongbokgung Station that located inside the palace area. After met with eonni (new friend!), we searched the place that rent some hanbok. However it turned out to be a rental for only royal guard outfit. And finally, we ask other tourists that already wore a hanbok HAHA. They said we need to go to Chungmuro Station. There is one Hanbok Rental place called “One Day Hanbok”. We also searched it on the internet first before we went there.

There are about 4 stations away to Chungmuro Station from Gyeongbokgung Station. It was so easy to find One Day Hanbok. It is located just in front of the station. This rental gave us so many Hanbok dress choices. After some confusing time, I chose a dress with pink and dark blue color. There were so many pretty hanbok. Of course, the rental hanbok is made simpler so we can wear it easily. We decided to take a stroll around Bukchon Hanok Village first because it was nearer. So yeah, we took a subway with HANBOK! So many people stared at us but it was okay because the hanbok was so pretty.

Bukchon Hanok Village is an area where you can find Korean Traditional House called Hanok. There are about a hundred Hanok in this area. Now, these traditional houses in Bukchon Village used as a cultural center, guest houses, or cafes. International tourists will be able to feel the historical and cultural side of Korea. When you visit this place you will find so many small and beautiful alleys. Don’t forget to strike a pose there. Maybe next time, it will be such an interesting experience if I try to spend at traditional guest house.

There was one episode when we visited Bukchon Village. We met 2 film crews; one was for comedy show I think, and 1 for drama shooting. For South Korea comedy show lovers, you definitely know Kim Jun Hyun. The one with big body and loves to eat. Finally after spent some days walking around Seoul, we met a comedian and actress HAHA. The one who was shooting a drama is Kim So Yeon (We Got Married). However, their crews were sooooo rude! They shouted loudly and spoke harsh words even to tourists that simply just want to stroll around that area. 

Actually, we went to Bukchon Area because of one well-known Tteokbokki Restaurant called Mukshidonna. You can find more information about Mukshidonna in my other post (8 Best Food Places at Seoul). It was impossible to get change first so we decided to eat in the restaurant wearing a hanbok too HAHA. Only 4 of us ate tteokbokki wearing hanbok that time. It was a really funny episode of our trip. After enjoying the delicious tteokbokki, we went to Gyeongbokgung Palace quickly because there was a limited time for rental hanbok.

Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the popular South Korea historical icon, especially in Seoul. This palace built in 1935 and also became the main royal palace in Joseon Dynasty. Now, Gyeongbokgung open for public and for those who wearing Hanbok doesn’t need to pay for the admission ticket. The palace has a really large area. Many tourists just taking a walk, strolling their afternoon time while enjoying the beauty of Gyeongbokgung. There were also a photography community who trying to take a good photos. 

One more funny episode from this Gyeongbokgung trip. Many tourists from China asked us to take a picture together because we wore hanbok. Everytime we walked, they always stopped us HAHA. Such an interesting experience. My favourite part from this enormous palace is Hwayeonjeong Pavilion. This beautiful pavilion surrounded by some kind of lake named Hwangyongji Pond. A bridge called Chwihyanggyo connected the pavilion with the road. Just imagine it when the winter or autumn season comes, it will become soooo pretty. Other than that, people visit Gyeongbokgung to see the changing of the Royal Guard. The changing ceremony held at 10 am and 2 pm everyday. 

Address : 161, Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Nearest Station : Gyeongbokgung Palace Station, Exit 5 or Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 2.
Closed every Tuesday

Gangnam area is actually famous for its elite shopping store. It is a prime area for those who live at the southern of Han River. However, there is one shopping gem here. Yes, Gangnam Underground Shopping Center. Located in the Gangnam Station, it contains cloth stores, shoes, make up, and accessories. Of course, they sell goods with an affordable price. Many youngsters visit this underground shopping center to find the latest fashion trend or just go around to window shopping. 

Address : 396 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Opening Hours: 10.00 – 22.00

Nearest Station: Gangnam Station

Dongdaemun Shopping Area

Dongdaemun is a famous shopping area for locals and international tourists. There are so many shopping buildings which sell clothes and shoes here such as Migliore, hello aPM, and Doota. It kind of similar with Mangga Dua in Jakarta or Platinum in Bangkok. I guess online shopping seller buy their goods here, because they usually offer you to buy for wholesale. Other than that, Makeup stores spread around in this area. The price for clothing goods varies from 10.000 KRW until 30.000 KRW and a pair of shoes maybe around 25.000 KRW. Noted that you can negotiate here J

Address: 263, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Opening Hours: 10:30-04:30 (the next day)

Nearest Station: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, Exit 14 or Dongdaemun Station, Exit 8.

Konkuk University Station Area

Actually, I found this shopping area accidentally. My main destination was Common Ground, a famous hangout place for youngsters in Seoul. However, we decided to explore a nearby area there. It turns out to be another shopping area. I don’t know why but when you shopping for makeup here, they will give you more free samples. I prefer to buy clothes at Ewha Womans University Shopping Street or Gangnam Station Underground Shopping Center but it still nice to look around here. 

Address: Hwayang-dong, Seoul, South Korea

Opening Hours : Varies according to shops

Nearest Station: Konkuk University Station