Korea: Gyeongbokgung & Bukchon // 首尔的风景区

My first full day in Seoul was an eventful one.

To start, I had a lovely breakfast with my Airbnb host family and some of the other house guests. I met another solo female traveler from Germany and we shared travel stories and future aspirations. It’s amazing how when you meet someone for the first time, even if you come from a completely different background and culture, talking about travel can be an immediate bonding and enlightening experience. Actually, when I have spoken to people who love to travel as I do, the best part is seeing the positive energy that radiates out of their being resembling just pure happiness. I enjoy hearing how others have experienced travel and why they live abroad, because in this way you can see what is really most important to them and shows what kind of hardships and inconveniences they are willing to endure to pursue what their heart most desires. It’s an amazing conversation to have with someone and you almost always learn something new.

My first goal for this day was to knock out the ancient parts of the city center. I headed into Gwanghwamun Square and strolled the pedestrian streets. There was a Farmers Market event taking up most of the square with small booths and activities. Children were running around and families were sitting together enjoying the beautiful weather.

At the end of Gwanghwamun Square I was face to face with the majestic Gyeongbokgung Palace. The Palace was built in the 14th century and has a history that dates back to before Seoul was even a city. The grounds are filled with beautiful gardens, temples, shrines and ponds. I was in awe of the tranquility. Autumn had just barely touched Seoul and the trees were just beginning to change. I later found out that Gyeongbokgung means “may the light of enlightenment blanket the world” and I think the Palace perfectly embodies this.

After the Palace I visited a little, local tucked away café that my friend recommended. It was my first coffee experience in Seoul and I was so, so pleasantly surprised. It was delicious – I guess I had just become accustomed to poor coffee habits in China. Not to mention, they had pumpkin cream cheese muffins! It’s the little things…

After a little coffee pick me up, I was on my way again. I walked through the city center on my way to the ancient Bukchon Village, also known as the North Village. I got a little too distracted by all of the cute thrift shops, cafe’s and street art on the way… Also Bukchon has multiple sight-seeing points inside but walking the streets within is like a labyrinth! It took me forever to find the best scenic spot but the search was oh-so worth it.

From the highest points on the hill, you could overlook and see the roof tops of all of the homes within Bukchon and farther into the depths of Seoul. Some were old and some had been modernized. It was amazing to see the wide expanse of homes and feel the tranquility of the space.

The most anticipated scenic spot was this one – a lane where, from the top, you could see the Namsam tower and center of Seoul. It was packed with tourists so from the bottom of the lane I knew I must have found the right place. Photos were being taken left and right – couples, families, friends, locals and tourists. Oh a funny thing about selfies in Korea, selfie sticks are actually forbidden because they became too dangerous on account of all the injuries that careless people caused when swinging the sticks around and hitting people the in the head. Lol…

Regardless of the crowds, it was a breathtaking view that my photos don’t bring to justice. Also I was lucky to arrive right during sunset, when the evening light seemed to cause everything to glow. It was magical.