Hello guys!!! I'm alive! Haha. I have more travel posts to share with you but I've been busy with this new Joshlia/Kris Aquino movie I'm styling (we only have a month left until our play date which is on June 13! Waah!) so singit singit ko muna in between. Here's another Korea post which I hope you guys could use as a guide when you're planning for your upcoming Korea trips! Anyway, my family and I took a trip to Nami Island and Gapyeong where Petite France and the Garden of Morning Calm are located. Some of my favorite K-dramas where filmed here! More about that later. We didn't book a tour but instead we explored on our own. I only relied on blogs and travel guides I read online. Success naman! More photos and stories below..
NAMI Island is a tiny half-moon shaped island located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province - about 60 km east of Seoul. It was formed in 1944 with the flooding of the land cause by the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam was built. The island is named after General Nami, who died at the age of 27/28 after being falsely accused of treason during the reign of King Sejo, the seventh king of the Joseon Dynasty.The general was a young courageous soldier during the Joseon Dynasty who suppressed a riot led by Lee Shi-Ae. Commended for his actions he was promoted to Byeongjopanseo (Minister of National Defense). In 1965, Byeong-Do Min, donated two thousand trees to the island that included Cherry, Ginkgo, Redwood, Tulip, White Birch, and White Pine.
Winter Sonata, the 2002 Korean drama credited with kicking off the Korean Wave (Hallyu) was filmed on Nami Island (and Chuncheon). The famous 'first kiss' was set on Namiseom as well as were other important scenes in the drama. Tourists come from all over Asia to retrace the star-crossed lovers steps. Kilig!!!
Petite France serves as both a French cultural village and a youth training facility (Goseong Youth Training Center), and consists of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge and experience French food, clothing, and household culture.
The concept of Petite France encapsulates ‘flowers, stars, and the Little Prince.’ The village contains a memorial hall dedicated to Saint-Exupery, the author of the celebrated French novel, Le Petit Prince (1943) and as such it is called the Little Prince theme park. It also has a gallery displaying sculptures and paintings of le coq gaulois (the Gallic rooster), the national symbol of France; Orgel House where a 200-year-old music box plays a sweet melody; a shop that sells herbal and aromatic products; a souvenir shop; and many other locales where you can experience French culture. The village can accommodate up to 200 visitors with 34 guest rooms that hold four to ten people each. Enjoy the marionette experience and hear percussion instruments from around the world, and also enjoy soap bubble experience.
This garden is the oldest private garden in Korea. It is an artistic space with a beautiful balance between the Korean concept of natural curves with asymmetry, and plants with synthetic materials, attracting about 600,000 visitors annually. The garden houses about 5,000 kinds of plants, including 300 varieties native to Baekdusan Mountain, known as a spiritual mountain to the Korean people. Flowers are in bloom from March to November, so the garden is usually busy during this period. In addition to the beautiful foliage of the garden, there are a variety of festivals and displays held throughout the year.
In Moonlight Drawn By Clouds/Love in the Moonlight (구르미 그린 달빛) (KBS2, 2016) this garden is part of the royal palace. In episode 1, Lee Young (Park Bo-Gum) intercepts a love letter to his sister Princess Myungeun here who is happily eating close to him. And in episode 3 Hong Ra-On (Kim You-Jung) is gardening here with Princess Youngeun (Heo Jung-Eun). Lee Young comes along and Ra-on and him bicker for a while until she adresses him “as a friend”.
Sun-hye (Lee Min-ji) is teaching Kim Min-kyu (Yoo Seung-ho) ideas about dating and especially when it’s the right moment for kissing in episode 12 of I’m Not A Robot (로봇이 아니야) (MBC, 2017-18) in this garden. Sun-hye decides for Aji3/Jo Ji-ah (Chae Soo-bin) to be the guinea pig to teach Min-kyu when the right moment comes.
Hot choco - 3,500
Convenience store dinner - 6,000
Brunch at Pomato - 3,500
Roundtrip Namsan cable car - 8,500
Ice cream & churros - 3,000
Convenience store dinner - 4,000
_________________________________
TOTAL = 47,500 krw or P2,319
First order of business, brunch at POMATO! Tried their cheese ramyun, ang sarap!!!
From our hotel, we headed to Hyehwa station and took the train to Gapyeong station! Download the Seoul Metro app so you'll have a train transfer guide.
Super lamig guysss
Mejo kalito the train but just follow the app or ask for directions hehe
When we reached Gapyeong, we headed to the mini mart outside to buy more heat packs muna panlaban sa lamig!
Outside the train station is the bus station. You could hop on the Gapyeong City Bus to get to the Nami ferry station or other locations like Petite France or Garden of Morning Calm
Since it's already late, we decided to take a cab straight to the ferry station na
After a few minutes, we arrived at the Ferry Station or Gapyeong Wharf!
Ticket is 8,000 won for a roundtrip ferry ticket
Our ride going to the island!
Ferry Schedule
It was just a short ride to the island
1st Stop: NAMI ISLAND
NAMI Island is a tiny half-moon shaped island located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province - about 60 km east of Seoul. It was formed in 1944 with the flooding of the land cause by the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam was built. The island is named after General Nami, who died at the age of 27/28 after being falsely accused of treason during the reign of King Sejo, the seventh king of the Joseon Dynasty.The general was a young courageous soldier during the Joseon Dynasty who suppressed a riot led by Lee Shi-Ae. Commended for his actions he was promoted to Byeongjopanseo (Minister of National Defense). In 1965, Byeong-Do Min, donated two thousand trees to the island that included Cherry, Ginkgo, Redwood, Tulip, White Birch, and White Pine.
(source: http://www.korea4expats.com)
Nami Island's Chuncheon Gate said to bring good fortune to whoever passes under it!
The island is huge! But there's a map infront which you can use as guide
Kumusta Ka?
There are bonfires which proved to be super helpful since we were freezing!
So many nice spots!
Goblin bridge
There are restos and cafes on the island
Love this sign!
Daming artsy walls
Quiet corners
May peacock!!
Nami Island became more famous because of the popular K-drama Winter Sonata! Feels!!!
Winter Sonata, the 2002 Korean drama credited with kicking off the Korean Wave (Hallyu) was filmed on Nami Island (and Chuncheon). The famous 'first kiss' was set on Namiseom as well as were other important scenes in the drama. Tourists come from all over Asia to retrace the star-crossed lovers steps. Kilig!!!
Hmm, pano kaya ako didiskarte ng picture
daming tao bes hirap umaura
With the bro
Siblings!
Maternal Love sculpture
Removed my coat for this shot pero naninigas nako sa lamig haha
Bikes used in the K-drama!
So beautiful
Pic tayo ng naghahagis ng mga dahon!
Go!! FAIL. Haha
Ayan na konti nalang!
Pwede na to haha
Pose pa more
Behind my IG photo's sabog dahon shot haha! Thanks bro!
Bonfire pa more. Amoy inihaw ka nga lang after. Haha
Aura muna while waiting for our ferry back to the dock
Thanks to Joot the bulagger for my pic! Akalain mo yun tama yung framing kahit malabo mata nia haha
From the dock, we walked straight until we saw this GS25 minimart
And this bus stop at the right side of the road
Across the bus stop is this stall and this Gapyeong City Bus guide!
Gapyeong City Bus guide!!!
Bus schedules
Landmark is this Dessert 39 shop. Dito ka pipila for the bus
We paid 6,000 won for our bus ticket! Hop on, hop off na yun.
2nd Stop: PETITE FRANCE
From Nami Ferry Terminal, we boarded a City Bus and got off at Petite France!
It is a popular K-drama filming location and you might have seen it in the drama, My Love From The Star!
Admission is 8,000 won
Petite France serves as both a French cultural village and a youth training facility (Goseong Youth Training Center), and consists of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge and experience French food, clothing, and household culture.
The concept of Petite France encapsulates ‘flowers, stars, and the Little Prince.’ The village contains a memorial hall dedicated to Saint-Exupery, the author of the celebrated French novel, Le Petit Prince (1943) and as such it is called the Little Prince theme park. It also has a gallery displaying sculptures and paintings of le coq gaulois (the Gallic rooster), the national symbol of France; Orgel House where a 200-year-old music box plays a sweet melody; a shop that sells herbal and aromatic products; a souvenir shop; and many other locales where you can experience French culture. The village can accommodate up to 200 visitors with 34 guest rooms that hold four to ten people each. Enjoy the marionette experience and hear percussion instruments from around the world, and also enjoy soap bubble experience.
This place is so artsy!
Still from the drama!
Cute ng nanay ko
More K-drama posters inside the park
Siblings
View from the top
Little Prince
Cute houses inside the park!
3rd Stop: GARDEN OF MORNING CALM
Popular K-drama location featured in "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds"/ "Love in the Moonlight" starring Park Bo Gum & Kim Yoo-Jung
We arrived late, as in less than 2 hours before closing time but we still decided to check the place out. Sayang eh andun na din kami. Admission is 9,500 won. Mahalia but keri na!
Lamig bes?
This garden is the oldest private garden in Korea. It is an artistic space with a beautiful balance between the Korean concept of natural curves with asymmetry, and plants with synthetic materials, attracting about 600,000 visitors annually. The garden houses about 5,000 kinds of plants, including 300 varieties native to Baekdusan Mountain, known as a spiritual mountain to the Korean people. Flowers are in bloom from March to November, so the garden is usually busy during this period. In addition to the beautiful foliage of the garden, there are a variety of festivals and displays held throughout the year.
Had to buy hot choco to keep myself warm
We arrived at around 5:30pm so mejo madilim na when we got there
Hindi namin nasulit so I suggest you go here early! The garden is huge and could easily take 2-3 hours of your time. :)
Found the famous pond!!!
Which you will see in the drama, Love in the Moonlight! Waaah!
Same bridge where Park Bo Gum stood! OMG
Another still from the drama
I'm Not a Robot was also filmed here!
Saw this nice tree on our way out
So this ends our day of exploration in Nami Island!!! Wish we could have gone earlier (we arrived after lunch na huhu) so we could have more time to explore each of the places. Next time! :) This place is so beautiful especially in autumn. I want to go back!!! :( Thanks again for reading! :)
BUDGET (Airfare, Accommodations, Others in PHP)
Airfare - 5,700
Airport Tax - 1,620 (mine was c/o KTO but will include for total)
Accommodation (family, 5 nights) - 3,825
Accommodation (solo, 7 nights) - 3,780
Portable WiFi - 2.050
________________________________
TOTAL = P16,975
Budget for Solo Travel Day 1& 2 (KRW/Won)
T-Money load - 10,000
Convenience store purchases - 10,000
KFC dinner - 7,000
Socks - 4,400
Black coat (same as my brown one haha)- 30,000
_____________________________
TOTAL = 61,400 won or P2,941
Budget for Solo Travel Day 3 (KRW/Won)
Lunch at Hungry Tiger - 6,000
Coffee at Coffee Prince - 8,000
Street food at Myeongdong - 7,000
Coffee at Coffee Prince - 8,000
Street food at Myeongdong - 7,000
Convenience Store buys - 6,000
_______________________________
TOTAL = 27,000 or P1296
Budget for Solo Travel Day 4 & 5 (KRW/Won)
Lunch at Vietnamese Restaurant - 4,000
Coffee at Dobong Walnut - 3,000
Coffee at Dobong Walnut - 3,000
Card re-load - 5,000
Dinner - 6,500
Clothes shopping at Tomato Library - 17,000
Lunch at Popeyes - 8,000
Flower Garden Cafe admission - 3,000
Olive Garden PeriPera lip tint - 6,500
_______________________________
TOTAL = 53000 krw to P2,600
Budget for Solo Travel Day 6 & 7 (KRW/Won)
Lunch at noodle shop - 6,500
Train card reload - 3,000
Dondaemun dinner - 8,000
Omurice lunch - 6,000
Waffle and hot choco snack - 5,500
Miscellaneous like water - 5,000
________________________________
TOTAL = 34,000 krw or P1,650
Budget for Solo Travel Day 8 & Family Day 1 & 2
Streetfood as dinner - 10,000
Shake shack lunch - 9,000Hot choco - 3,500
Convenience store dinner - 6,000
Brunch at Pomato - 3,500
Roundtrip Namsan cable car - 8,500
Ice cream & churros - 3,000
Convenience store dinner - 4,000
_________________________________
TOTAL = 47,500 krw or P2,319
Budget for Family Day 3
Brunch at Pomato - 3,500
Taxi from Gapyeong train station to Nami Ferry Dock - 4,000 / 4 - 1,000
Nami Island Ferry ticket - 8,000
Heat packs - 2,000
Gapyeong City Bus ticket - 6,000
Petite France admission - 8,000
Garden of Morning Calm admission - 9,500
Snacks and drinks - 5,000
____________________________________
TOTAL = 43,000 krw or P2,065
*budget depends on shopping habits and food preferences
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