Showing posts with label Seeing - Naksan Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seeing - Naksan Park. Show all posts

Sunday, 9 June 2013

Naksan Park, visiting a part of Seoul Fortress @ Hyewah Subway Station

Hyehwa Subway Station, Line 4, Exit 2


Once again, I am back at this location to reminisce the good old times! I absolutely adore the ambiance here even after umpteen times.

Somehow, it brings me to a place of serenity. 언니 and I simply sat on the fortress wall overseeing the rooftops of random houses....  We didn't talk, but we communicated.

The warm weather didn't make it fun to hang out there for too long, but it was worth the climb up the slopes and stairs. Like a hideout in the city.


Directions:
Exit via exit 2, DO NOT walk straight, instead make a u-turn upon exit - to the right hand side. Turn into the first street/lane that you come across (on the right-hand side).

You wouldn't miss this as it is super crowded in this lane.


 One of the landmarks - WAFFLE LUI - a restaurant located at the end of this lane. (It used to be Beer Castle, but things always change every few years, so too bad for me, I will not meet any cute waiters there anymore! HAHA)
 You will spot this tall tower the moment you turn into the lane.

You can shop along the way as well, there are MANY random shops selling women fashion along the road.
  

Once you hit the end of the street, turn left and there's yet another street, so just continue walking straight from there, following the lane.
 

This street you are on has lotsa cafes& restaurants, like shown here. I didn't have time to chill out in any of them, but they sure looked inviting. All the cafes and restaurants looks super inviting. A pity i had no time to check them out over this trip.

Walk till the end, and there will an up-slope road, so just follow it. 
(After that, i'll get a little more complicating)

You should arrive at another street, with something like a performing arts centre on your left-hand side. This street is slightly up-slope, so just persist and walk up, till you hit a dead end. 
(It's just 50m before you should hit a dead end)

Alright so this is the deadend where you turn left. You wll spot this sorta basement carpark.


At the next junction, turn right. And you shall see this playground. Just walk ahead, up hill. it's quite a tough slope, but you will be fine. It's about a 200m up hill walk through some residential apartments. 

Take your time, enjoy the walk up. Keep going up.

Just follow the path and continue walking up.


You will finally see this staircase leading to what seems like nowhere, but that's the stairs to the top of the fortress. Don't give up here. Climb it!

And there you have it, you have arrived at the destination.
 

Find an ideal spot, climb the wall (yes, you can climb it, just dont fall over the fortress and it's about 3 storeys tall), sit there and relax - like this.

The view is a humble view of random Korean houses. Nothing magnificent, but to me, it was heart-warming.


It'll be really nice if you could catch the sunset or sunrise here. (I caught the sunset here 2 years ago).

After you've had enough fun chilling out, just follow the fortress wall and walk ahead and you will find signs to descend. 


Observe the surrounding areas while you descend... it's pretty fun seeing these random wall paintings.

Yet again, cozy cafes full of their own personalities.


And shops as well. Looks like a flea market shop what sells vintage ornaments and toys.



You will very automatically find your way back to the main roads where lots of roadside stores spring open (at night). It ranges from selling of food, to acessories, to clothes etc.

The one new store i have not seen before is the selling of cocktail and liquor in a street store. Like a portable pub, blasting loud music and flashing techno lights!

Cheers 언니! 
만나서 너무 반가웠어. 다시 보자!

Frankly, Hyewah Station is one of the less commercialized spots that has alot of chic cafes, shops and merchandises. I really suggest you give this place a shot is you want to soak up the mood of shopping like a local. Even if your intention is not to hang out in Naksan Park, just drop by this station to look-see, afterall, it's like couple stops (or is that 1 stop?) away from the popular Myeongdong. (In the past, Hongdae was one of those off-the-beaten track location, which is currently more popular with tourist now, this is kinda more off the beaten track now! hah)


Tuesday, 21 September 2010

Naksan Park at Hyewah Sybway Station

Hyehwa Subway Station, Line 4, Exit 2

I headed for Naksan Park on the past Saturday - it is one of my "to-go" places marked on my self-tour book because it seems like a tranquil venue to spend quality time alone.

Apart form that, it seems like an ideal venue for dates and family outings as well (since I spotted alot of couples and families there). The best part is, it is not overly commercialised, so you really get to hang out at areas where locals date and chill out.
The weather was fine and I had initially wanted to go to Seoul Seonggwak but since I only managed to leave the house at slightly after 4pm (after my laundry)... Naksan was where I decided to go instead, and it was absolutely perfect as I managed to catch the sun set!





DIRECTIONS
Although the book states a 10min walk from Hyehwa Station, I took close to 20 mins (I'm kindof an idiot when it comes to map-reading...)

So like what I always do and have been accustomed to doing now - I ask for directions... I asked a total of 3 "sets of people.. The 2nd set of people I asked were waiters from a random restaurant called "Beer Castle" and they are so, very good-looking! (I just had to pen this down didn't I?) For the good looks + helpfulness, I think I shall promote Beer Castle here. It is located at Hyehwa Station, exit 2, walk inbetween the streets all the way to the end, and that will be the restaurant I am talking about.

Here is the picture of the crowded street which you need to make your way through to arrive at "Beer Castle" (which is part of the route to Naksan Park). Squint and you will see "Beer Castle"!



Anyways, upon hitting the end of the street, turn left and there will be a playground with a signage to say "Naksan Park". Just follow the arrow and walk straight up along the residential slopes.


As I was walk pass the residential slope... the sun was going to set and the reflection of the lighting in the residential alley was a sight to remember...


Just for the record, no artificial photo-shopping was used in this photo.

I would very much prefer to take my time to walk up the slope and enjoy the ambience, I had to hurry along in order to catch the setting sun.

Mental Note: I will defnitely go back for a round 2!

You will spot this wooden stairway leading towards an unseen destination. Just keep the faith and climb it.


Then you will come to the top where you will spot a fortress looking wall (Correction, that IS actually a fortress) - welcome to Naksan Park!


First there was a great sense of satisfaction getting the on my own...
Second, I just can't seem to stop taking photos of the surrounding... and there are "sub-parks" within the park and stationery exercise machines for people to exercise and families to hang out...

I soon realised this was part of that fortress I had intended to go to initially, just that this was at a different segment of that fortress.


There is a sense of serenity being there... perhaps the feeling of being on top of the world?

The sun set was captivating... but since I am no professional photographer, these shots are my best shots.

To be more exact, I did not even think of taking photos of the sun seting- it was only when I saw the couples around me fumbling and rushing around to take pictures that I started to "Kay Poh!" hahaha... Needless to say, a "kiasu" Singaporean will always be a "kiasu"!


Couples were spotted sitting on top of the fortress wall (they climbed up, brought food, cameras and just hung out...). Nope, I wasn't envious, I just felt a sense of warmth as I watched these lovey-dovey couples.

Also, something I observed in dating couples... they like having matching things. Either matching shirts, or shoes or something. And there is just something about the way they talk to each other, tease each other and touch each other's face... is really kinda sweet, with a tinge of "mushiness"... So romantic... makes me want to enter courtship days all over again!


I have to prove I was there right? hahaha (Me and pepero)


As the night fell, I made my way down from the top and past these streets... Rustic and pretty... You probably don't find such streets in organized little Singapore!


This is certianly a classic! It's PANG PANG's brothers and sisters! I should have to buy the two piglets home to give the one at home a complete family!

With this, I shall end my Naksan Park solo-date!