2013 back in Gyeongbukgong and Samcheongdong once again!

 We have a lot on our itinerary today! Palace - Samcheongdong-Gil - Sanmotoonge -  Myeongdong!

Once again, after 2 years, I am back at the biggest palace in Seoul, this time with Pam and in summer.

 My introduction and directions to the place has already been clearly written in the previous post (here) on Gyeongbokgung, hence, this post will just be the snap shots of some of the vicinity that I previously missed.

Like the residences and headquarters.

 

This is my favourite shot! 

Clearly, the atmosphere in winter and summer is very different and each one with their own beauty!

HEADING TO SAMCHEONGDONG-GIL

So after exploring Gyeongbokgung, I decided to bring Pam for a walk in Samcheongdon-gil, this time I am starting the walk from Gyeongbokgung instead of Anguk station (read more about Samcheongdong here) - it really challenges my memory! 

(At the same time feels like I am walking down memory lane..just less nostalgic cause of the blazing hot sun! Too sunny to feel cold and melancholic)

So upon heading out of the the palace, we made a left turn and walked along side the place wall on the left.

 Pretty much looked like we were walking to no where in the hot sun! 

But. Press on.

We are walking on the left side of the road, but it is also fine to cross over to the right side cause we will need to ultimately turn unto an ally on the right to get to the intersections and cross roads of the Bukchon Traditional Houses & those little shops which I want to visit. 

According to the Information Personnel, one of the easiest ways to identify which is the right ally to make a right turn to is the Samcheong Police Station. And that was exactly what we did! (I know, using the Police Station as a landmark is really weird)

 So anyways, along the way, while walking by the main road, there are also these pretty cafes and dining places. So nice for a lunch date actually!

And I am pretty sure nobody is going to go alfresco in this temperature.

AND DADANG! 

The Yellow cottage which I so missed! hahah

Whilst some of the cafes and shops seemed familiar, many others seem to have changed. This summer time visit is a new experience as compared to the previous Autumn-Winter time. The sun made everything more warm and lively, though there's a tinge of nostalgia walking past these homely cafes.

 

I don't remember this shop at all.. but well the fashion sense is like before, where they used to sell more indie (like vintage/retro?) and artistic styles.

The morning ended with our lunch @ some random dining place, having Bulbogi. Yumz!

Roaming the streets of Samcheongdong-gil and Bukchon

Directions:

Anguk Subway Station, Line 3, Exit 3

Today, Rose's family arrived in Seoul and I am their "official" tour guide - Frankly, Rose knows more about where to visit than I do! She mentioned this beautiful street with quaint shops and folk houses named sam... something. I have not heard of this sam.. something place... though I was supposedly the guide here. (Korean words in transliteration seem HARDER to pronounce, seriously). Well anyways, she has the directions and so I tagged along!

This is called SAMCHEONGDONG-GIL - looks super complicated to pronounce - literally read "sum-chong-dong-kill"

I found out from the tour book:

"Samcheongdong Street - Traditional Korean houses and modern buildings are juxtaposed to create unusual scenery. Contemporary restaurants and wine bars have been established in traditional houses along with galleries, designer shops, specialty shops and themed museums".

Basically, this street gives a sense of nostalgia and melancholy edge, filled with a mix of old and new times. 

New times = Modern looking quaint buildings selling contemporary fashion and accessories (you won't find Faceshop, Etude house etc. here)

Old times = Folk Houses which really are traditional Korean style houses (most of which ARE real residences 

This is one of the many shots of the modern buildings which looked like a cottage in a village. 

I thought it's architectural style was homely and nice, and it was different from that of Apujeong and Hongdae. (they each have their own sense of taste and are all fabulous in their ways!)

 

OK, a little more on the directions - the moment you exit from exit 3, you should spot some signs to tell you where is where but in fact, none states where Samcheongdong-Gil is cause the whole area is Samcheongdong. 

So, just follow the path alongside the stone walls in the 2nd picture below (that seems to lead to nowhere) cause you will soon reach an intersection and that's where you will start to spot the cottage-looking buildings. 

 

The weather is really getting colder by now as Winter is just a few days away.. I don't even want to think about how cold that will be!
 

More pictures of the contemporary cottage-like shops! yay!

And there you see, right next to the cottage-like buildings, there will also be old-world style folk houses!

There are plenty of food and cafes in this area, so no hungry-stomachs!

And you find quaint little shops, artistically displaying their merchandise in front of the store! The prices ain't too expensive, really, but seems like the items sold could also be found in Myeong-dong.

See why I say it looks artistically displayed?

I just had to position them in this manner to add that melancholic idea in the photo!

And at random intersections, you will find residences like these, that's why the experience was so... cool?

Of course, while walking in between intersections, we have lost our way and decided it's ok to just "go with the flow" and ended up at this sorta main road, which will led us to Gyeongbokgung.

In fact, so many shops and cafes line this road. 

Since this location is close to Gyeongbokgung & The Blue House (where the president stays, I suppose) 

my guess is that this district would be an expensive one (where the wealthier people stay). 

Notably, this could also be a dating point cause I do see lotsa couples hanging out here 

(Seoul really has so MANY dating places ya know!)

Signing out with an idiotic pose of myself!

 (BTW, if you observe the background, that is the side entrance to Gyeongbokgung.)

Mental note: Next time, I'd try walking to Samcheongdong via Gyeongbukgung!