Korea Day 2: K-Drama Locations (Nami Island and Petite France)

 Day 2: The main reason I wanted to visit Korea was for the autumn or fall season. I'd like to see the autumn colors and all those postcard worthy pictures I've been seeing so far. Those who have visited Korea would tell you that the country is so lovely during fall season. I guess if you're in Seoul the nearest picture-perfect-autumn-mode-postcard picture scenery you would get is in Nami Island or around the Gapyeong province. Nami Island as most people know is a small crescent-shaped island named after General Nami. The island is mainly popular due to the Winter Sonata K-drama.

If you're already in the Gapyeong province, another place to visit would be Petite France. It is also the shooting location of the hit K-drama My Love From The Star. The place is very small and mostly depicts scenes or the titular character My Little Prince. For those of you who are fan of this book you'll love this place. :) Well I did. :) Most buildings or houses are like those you'll find in a French province. Scenery is great by the way and I guess it would be nice if you have time, do check out Petite France. :)

Day 2: Monday
5:30 AM	Wake-up
6:00 AM	Prepare stuff, freshen up
7:00 AM	Leave for Nami Island (take subway or ITX)
	Take subway to Cheongnyangni station for ITX train City Hall Station Line 1 to Cheongnyangni Station Line 1
7:30 AM	Arrival at Cheongnyangni station Follow signs going to ITX (tap Tmoney Card when transferring)
	Exchange online ticket and present passport to get ITX tickets
8:16 AM	Train to Gapyeong Station
8:55 AM	Arrival at Gapyeong Station, go to Gapyeong Tourist Information outside the station
	Buy hop-on/hop-off Gapyeong Tourist Shuttle bus tickets (valid all day) (KRW 5,000) (note: bus leaves at 0910AM or else take taxi to dock (KRW 3,000 - 5,000))

My blog name is so me...I got lost for a few minutes in Cheongnyangni Station. @_@ I got confused when I was following the signs to the ITX Cheongnyangni Station. When I was watching youtube videos about navigating Cheongnyangni Station, I thought I would go up and out to the street and crossover to ITX Cheongnyangni Station. I was wrong. I had a mini heart attack when I came up to a platform, then up the escalator, then I saw this gate, what looks like another station. Turns out there's an underground connection from Cheongnyangni Subway Station to the ITX Cheongnyangni Station. Good thing we left early to exchange our tickets.

During the peak season, it would be best if you could purchase ITX tickets in advance. Just book them online to reserve your seats. This saves you the hassle of booking tickets through the Korail Kiosks you would see around the station. Visit Korail to book your e-tickets. We just presented our printed e-tickets and got the train tickets. We didn't  present our passports anymore. We made our way through the gates again and then down the escalator to the main platform.

Pic of ITX Ticket

Long line in front of Gapyeong Station, boarding station of Circular Bus

9:30 AM	Arrival at ferry dock to Nami Island
	Buy ferry tickets and tickets to Nami Island (KRW 8,000)
9:45 AM	Ferry to Nami Island
9:50 AM	Arrival at Nami Island
11:00 AM	Early Lunch
12:45 PM	Ferry back to Port (to Petite France)

Pictures around Nami Island

Tree-lined photo-op

Winter Sonata site

Yellow!

Red!

1:00 PM	Bus to Petite France
	Note: Show bus ticket
2:00 PM	Arrival at Petite France (entrance at KRW 8,000) show coupon for discount (KRW 6,000)
	Tour Petite France (can stay longer or shorter)
3:40 PM	Bus to Gapyeong Subway Station (note: show bus ticket)
4:30 PM	Arrival at Cheongpyeong Subway Station
	Train back to Seoul

Remember about my earlier post about the expenses? Here is the link for the discount coupons for Petite France.

Now let me show you some pictures of Petite France...

View from the top of the hill

We were supposed to take the bus going to Cheongpyeong but it was already full and there was a long line, so had to take the bus going back to Gapyeong. Now, we were able to ride the bus going back to Gapyeong. I had to stand for almost one hour since traffic was also bad. :(

6:30 PM	ETA Seoul
	Go to Wangbijib for Dinner
	Near Myeongdong Station Line 4, Exit 9

Taking the subway train back to city was equally worse. I was unsure at the time to take the first train since I got confused with the direction going back to the city. I was able to ask the personnel from the station which platform we should wait for our train.We had to make I think a couple of subway transfers, stand for the whole 2 hours, then get lost at some station. Finally, we were able to make it to Wangbijib for dinner. :)

For us, the beef ribs were 10/10. It was just...heaven...:) I admit, for the three of us, the dinner was quite pricey but the food was just oh so...I just have no words. I'm no food critic but the meat was just so tender, flavorful...wow...just wow...and the price was just...wow. T_T Sky's the limit for food budget. Might as well eat the specialties while in Korea. :) We were able to exchange our money in Myeongdong. Got good rates as well. :) Money changer was a few steps from Wangbijib. 

Good food to end Day 2 :)

[UPDATE 1/10/2015] You can use Seoul Subway App to know which trains to take. You just need to input your departure and arrival station. So better make sure you know which is the nearest station of your destination.

From Gapyeong Province to Seoul:

If you are leaving via Cheongpyeong. But for us we left from Gapyeong Station. 

Note: There's an ITX Train leaving Gapyeong to Seoul, but it leaves around in the afternoon. If you want to spend more time on Nami Island or Petite France, or both, take the subway train instead.

Cheongpyeong to Myeongdong

Cheongpyeong Gyeongchun Line to Mangu Jungang Line

Transfer to Jungang Line

Mangu Jungang Line to Ichon Line 4

Transfer to Ichon Line 4

Ichon Line 4 to Myeongdong Line 4

If you're in a rush, take the ITX Train. I didn't take the bus because I read somewhere that it was pricey and has a fixed schedule.