Seoul is an amazing city. It keeps so many things in harmony. It is so dynamic and diverse. And there are always new amazing things to visit and discover in it.

Jangchungdan park. Main entrance

I decided to start with breathing some fresh air in Jangchungdan Park. I chose a hotel in the center of the city, and this park was located right next to it. The park is an amazing place when you are seeking for peace and calm. It is always very pretty there regardless of time and season.

The park has a very deep history and meaning: it is considered a landmark of patriotism and contains monuments dedicated to Independence Movement and people who fought for the independence of Korea.

Hanok Tea House in Jangchungdan Park

Autumn in Jangchungdan Park

There are also plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the fresh air. The park is located right next to Dongguk University and there is also a trail to Namsan Park. If you are a fan of jokbal (pigs feet), you can find lots of jokbal restaurants around that area.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Main Entrance

I continued my exploring and educational trip at Dongdaemun History and Culture Park. It’s highlight spot is Dongdaemun Design Plaza, which is also known as DDP.

Design shops and pop-up stores in DDP

DDP is a very well-known venue for holding various exhibitions, fashion shows, forums, conferences, and other domestic and international events. It is a place where young designers can expand their inspiration and art zones, where people get to face traditions and novelty, where history lives right next to the present moment, where you can let your imagination fly. It is absolutely worth visiting this place for exhibitions, festivals and events. There are plenty of unique coffee shops, street food, restaurants and shopping centers around it as well.

Jangchungdan Park

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Dongdaemun Design Plaza

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Another place, which is located not far from DDP is Cheonggyecheon Stream. The stream is a symbol of harmony between past days and new rushing metropolitan city.

Wall art at Cheonggyecheon Stream

The waters of Cheonggyecheon are streaming right through the center of the city and connecting several significant areas and spots. It passes close to Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, Sejong Center, Insa-dong Street, Changdeokgung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace.

It is calm and peaceful at daytime, letting you walk and enjoy the silence even though you are in the heart of the city’s office area. At night it becomes dynamic and colorful, lit up with lanterns, lights and people’s laughter. Cheonggyecheon Stream has its own mysterious and enchanting atmosphere, which you can be easily trapped into, as I was that day.

Mysterious and enchanting atmosphere

Book of Hangeul (Korean alphabet)

The evening was approaching and I felt that my trip was somehow incomplete. I needed to know something new, to discover more at that moment. That led my way to National Museum of Korea – that very place where all stories from the past open their doors to you. I walked in the halls, visited the exhibition dedicated to Korean alphabet – Hangeul, which I found extremely educational and interesting.

The museum is incredibly huge and you will definitely need at least half a day to explore it. In addition to galleries with hundreds of national and international pieces, the National Museum of Korea is a venue for cultural activities, intercultural exchange programs, concerts, and more.

Amazing dawn at National Museum of Korea

What I liked the most about it was that the sunset there was beautiful. I finished going around inside and went out of the building…..to witness a miracle. The view was magnificent. The museum is located on a hill and when you get upstairs to its main observation point you will see how beautiful and fascinating Seoul can be.

Traditional Korean cuisine: Bibimbap

Being totally inspired and amazed by all of the things I’ve seen at that day I went to have dinner in one of the restaurants at the museum. That bibimbap was unbelievably delicious. Thus, me and my happy stomach headed to finish the day in the nice hotel.

Cheonggyecheon Stream

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National Museum of Korea

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I usually prefer staying at small and cozy places, rather than big hotel rooms with no particular atmosphere. This time my choice was USB House, located in the center of Seoul. It is very close to Dongguk University Subway Station and is only 10 minutes away from Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station.

Single bed in the room at USB house

The Guesthouse was very nice and clean, all as I expected. I checked in pretty late: at 6 o’clock in the evening. The lady at the front desk was very nice and warmly welcomed me to come. She guided me to my room, showed how to use its facilities, and told me the password for my room, and wi-fi of course. Since I was staying there for only one night I could not use everything that guesthouse provided. But out of curiosity I checked the restrooms and bathrooms there: they were clean and fresh, quite spacious and separate for male and females. Fresh and clean towels were also free to use there.

Facilities in the room

Common lounge at the USB House

I entered the lounge at the guesthouse to make some tea. There were also juice and coffee options but I’m a hopeless tea person. I didn’t bring anything with me, but it turns out I didn’t need to. The lady at the guesthouse gave me everything I needed: a towel, toothpaste, a mug for my tea, even gave me snacks. We talked a little bit and she happened to be very nice and kind person.

I went out of the building to walk around and find a convenience store since I forgot to take my toothbrush. There were 3 convenience stores in 100 meters distance from the place, so the walk was pretty fast. When I came back, there were several people sitting in the lounge. It was quite small but cozy, so I decided to stay with them and take part in a conversation. Atmosphere at the lounge was so warm and friendly, that everyone felt like not leaving very soon. Unfortunately the night was all around and we had to get up and head to our rooms.

The room I stayed in was tiny, but cozy. For one single moment I felt myself like Harry potter and it made me feel happy. The bed was very comfortable and clean (I am very picky when it comes to cleanliness and freshness). I was totally satisfied with my bed, with the room and the hospitality I was getting during the whole evening. Then I realized: small and cozy places are usually more attractive to me. That’s what I thought. And fell asleep.