The start of my snow dream came true when I traveled more than two hours from Seoul for the Pyeongchang Trout Festival. I made sure to do this on my first day to kick-start my snow adventure.
Excited girls woke up very early to go to Pyeongchang for snow activites.
Pyeongchang was so hyped up for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games when we were there. 🙂Myeongdong to Pyeongchang for Odaechon Stream
Take the train from Myeongdong to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park (2 stops) then transfer to the Green line for Gangbyeon station (9 stops, Total Fare: KRW1350 ~ Php67, Travel Time: 24 minutes). Ride the intercity bus to Jinbu at Dong Seoul Bus Terminal beside Gangbyeon station. (KRW13200 ~ Php600, Travel time: 2.5 hours)
We were quite annoying always asking the driver “Jinbu station?” every time the bus stops but we had to because we were catching up on sleep during the long ride and Jinbu is not its terminal destination.
We were already overwhelmed as we walked on this desert of snow. Imagine our excitement to do the activities!There is a Tourist Information Center beside the bus terminal at Jinbu. We asked for directions to the Odaechon stream which was just a few meters away across the bus station.
We were so happy when we saw Olaf greet us on our first time to step on snow.
Olaf greeted us at the Pyeongchang Trout Festival!We took part in the Pyeongchang Trout Festival at Odaechon stream by just trying a couple of snow activities. We didn’t try trout fishing when we saw that there were very few people doing it.
We tried snow tubing too many times like very excited little kids and only stopped when we already felt tired going up the slope while dragging our heavy tube rides to the starting point.
Snow tubing too many times at the Pyeongchang Trout FestivalWe also tried snow rafting which was too fast and intense we cannot take neither a video nor a decent photo while doing it.
We had delicious trout dishes for lunch and walked around the area and laid-back Jinbu before we made our way to Ewha University.
Trout dishes for lunch at the Pyeongchang Trout FestivalJinbu to Ewha Women’s University
Ride the intercity bus from Jinbu to Dong Seoul Bus Terminal Seoul beside Gangbyeon station. (KRW13200 ~ Php600, Travel time: 2.5 hours). Take the train from Gangbyeon station to Ewha Woman’s University station (16 stops, Travel time: 32 minutes, Fare: KRW1450 ~ Php71). Take Exit 2 or 3.
At Ewha Women’s University. Those glass walls include doors to the rooms inside the university!We then went back to Myeongdong to buy some stuff for our dear ones back home and to visit Shinesagae Mall where I remembered how Shim Chung waited for Heo Joon Jae looking at the Christmas lights before she got kidnapped in the Legend of the Blue Sea. 🙂
There’s too much stuff and food around Myeongdong, you’ll be full by just eating while walking!We planned to visit the Gwangjang Market, Seoul City Hall open skating rink, and Hongdae in the afternoon (this is written in the detailed itinerary below) but we happily accepted an invitation by our Airbnb host to join him and his friends for Coffee, Cellphone Case Making, and Chimaek Dinner which he planned to launch as an activity/experience in Airbnb that time.
Coffee, Cellphone Case Making, and Chimaek at Myeongdong with our Airbnb host and his friendsWe had so much fun doing the activity. Thank you to Bosco, our Airbnb host, for inviting us with his friends.
We had a full day and we enjoyed all our activities. More of our winter adventure on Day 2 as we went skiing! 🙂
| South Korea Itinerary |
| On Conversion: KRW1000 ~ Php50 |
| On Time Zone: GMT + 9 (Korean Time is 1 hour advanced compared to Philippine Time, e.g. 7 am in KR is 6 am in PH) |
| Day 1 | Pyeongchang Trout Festival, Ewha Women’s University, Gwangjang Market, City Hall Skating Rink, Hongdae, Dongdaemun LED Flowers |
| 6:00 AM | Eat free breakfast by 6am (5am PH time) |
| 6:30 AM | Take the train from Myeongdong to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park (2 stops) then transfer to the Green line for Gangbyeon station (9 stops, Total Fare: KRW1350 ~ Php67, Travel Time: 24 minutes). Ride the intercity bus to Jinbu at Dong Seoul Bus Terminal beside Gangbyeon station. (KRW13200 ~ Php600, Travel time: 2.5 hours). |
| 9:30 AM | Walk to Odaecheon Stream right across Jinbu Bus Terminal. (Ice Fishing: KRW13,000; Snow sledding, rafting, tubing: KRW6,000) |
| 12:00 PM | Grilled/fresh fish etc for lunch at Odaecheon. Enjoy the rest of the facilities. (~KRW10k) |
| 2:00 PM | Leave Jinbu for Ewha Women’s University. Ride the intercity bus from Jinbu to Dong Seoul Bus Terminal Seoul beside Gangbyeon station. (KRW13200 ~ Php600, Travel time: 2.5 hours). Take the train from Gangbyeon station to Ewha Woman’s University station (16 stops, Travel time: 32 minutes, Fare: KRW1450 ~ Php71). Take Exit 2 or 3. |
| 2:45 PM | Stroll around Ewha Women’s University. |
| 3:15 PM | Visit Gwangjang Market for fresh food/snacks. Take the train from Ewha Women’s University staton to Euljiro 4(sa)-ga Stn (6 stops, No transfer, Travel time: 10 minutes, Fare: KRW1250~Php57). Take Exit 4. |
| 4:45 PM | Try open ice skating at Seoul City Hall (KRW2,000). Roam around. Take the train from Euljiro 4(sa)-ga Stn to Seoul City Hall Station (3 stops, No transfers, Travel time: 5 minutes, Fare: KRW1250~Php57). Take Exit 5. |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner and chill and stroll at Hongdae. (~KRW10k) |
| Take the train from City Hall station to Hongik University Station (5 stops, no transfer, Travel time: 10 minute, Fare: KRW1250~Php57). Take Exit 9. | |
| Visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza to see the 20,000 LED flowers before going home. | |
| Take the train from Hongik University Station to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park station (9 stops, no transfers, Travel time: 17 minutes, Fare: KRW1250~Php57). Take Exit 1. | |
| Go back to Myeongdong from DHCP station (Blue Line, 2 stops, no transfers, Travel time: 4 minutes, Fare: KRW1250~Php57) | |
| Estimated Expenses: Php4,000.00 |
This excludes all other expenses not specified in this itinerary.
Expenses on food is also just an estimate and will vary depending on what and where you choose to eat.
Actual prices may also have changed.
Spend frugally!
South Korea Trip Notes
Navigate easily around South Korea using their subway by downloading the Subway Korea app.
We already paid for our air fare, accommodation, and tour package before we traveled for this trip. See complete list below. Click each highlighted item to book or know the details.
Accommodation
3 nights in Myeongdong, Seoul at Namsan Hostel
Tour Package on Day 2
Strawberry Picking, Yangpyeong Rail Bike, and Vivaldi Park Ski Resort Tour Package via Trazy
Plane Tickets
Cebu to Incheon to Cebu via Cebu Pacific
The following will also be essential for your DIY itinerary.
- Google Maps for real time navigation would be very useful.
- You’ll be surprised how easy it is to learn Hangeul (a self-study will do!). No frills, one character – one pronunciation (just like Tagalog and so unlike English). The exciting part is familiarizing the characters and their matching pronunciations.
- That said, it would be more helpful if you at least know how to read Hangeul to be able to read the signs. Well, even if you don’t, you’ll still surely enjoy South Korea. 🙂
Travel Tips From Yours Truly
8 Travel Tips from A Frugal Traveler
Keep these travel tips in mind to help you make the most of your travels.
Natasha was a full-time banker who got to take a breather when she traveled. She loves the outdoors so much. She is currently in the UK pursuing postgraduate studies!
https://waterfallmagazine.com
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