Part II - Korea Folk Village Minsokchon in Yongin, the Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in Gyeonggi-do and Other Suggestions!

For Part II of our 1-day Gyeonggi Province itinerary, we went to the Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace and the Korean Folk Village (Minsokchon) in Yongin. I've already been to both locations before and just a couple of hours for both is surely not enough, esp. if you're a fan of K-dramas and want the old Korean village of the Joseon Dynasty feel (or want to see some characters or join some activities). So for accommodations (I am for staying more than one night in Suwon so that you can see the fortress light up at night and explore more! Hehe.), I would suggest the Hotel Prumir where we stayed =)

The Korean Folk Village has changed a bit since the last time I came here. It looks Nami-like with the lanterns and picnic tables near the entrance, which isn't entirely a bad thing.

 

 

Wearing hanbok is something I've longed to do with more friends in a Korean folk village haha.

 

I found more things to touch and photo-opp with this time haha. Those are some old shoes and backpack made for travel!

Then they have all these Korean historical dramas and movies filmed here now.

 

One thing we actually did for a while is to spot and recreate some scenes which was fun.

 

 

Can you guess what this is?! An ironing board! Haha.

I would have loved to chill over here

but we watched the hyper traditional show performed by farmers, which was fun too.

This place is beautiful even after winter. What more during spring, summer and fall, right? =)

One thing new that I didn't know about was this tea house!

 

 

 

It was a cold day that time so we sat inside the ondol room and had some sikhye (although supposed to be drank cold)! This sweet puffed snack was so addicting haha. I believe it's made of rice crispies and honey. You may want to check out these other sites in the Yong-in area too - the Yongin Daejanggeum Park and the Hantaek Botanical Garden of wild plants!

 

We went to the filming site of Jewel in the Palace (Daejanggeum) next - took us around an hour by car from Yongin to Suwon. The Haenggung Palace is an actual palace modeled after the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. King Jeongjo planned to live the rest of his life near his father's tomb and with his mother Lady Hyegyong after his reign ended.

Out of filial love, the king built this palace for his parents and you can see some scenes whey they celebrated his mother's 60th birthday party in 1795. 

 

 

 

I liked this super long wall at the back most during our brief stay there. It's an illustration of the king's journey procession when he travelled here at the time of the Joseon dynasty =) Can you find where the king is? Haha.

 

I believe one day is not enough for the many activities in Suwon. Do check out the "King's Trip to Alleys" at Haenggung-dong, the Haenggung-gil craft street, the mural village, the Gwanggyo Lake Park, the Suwon Traditional Cultural Center, the Suwon Hwaseong Moonlight Tour, Suwon Galbi ribs, the Suwon Chicken Street, the Ji-dong Market Soondae Town, Gongbang Street, the traditional and historic markets opened by order of the king such as the Paldalmun Market, Yeongdong Market and Jidong Market and the Yungneung  Geolleung Tombs Walking Path among many others.

We stayed at the Hotel Prumir and I loved it! =)

 

 

 

  

  

I am so tempted to plan another trip to exploring more of Gyeonggi-do! I can't wait to go back to the Garden of Morning Calm and Dumulnori too hehe.

This trip was made possible by the Korea Tourism Organization and the Gyeonggi-do Tourism Organization. Many many thanks for introducing me to a lot of sites and giving me more reading materials for my next trips!!

Venues:

Yongin Korean Folk Village

17075 90 Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do Province

+82 31 288 0000

Website and Transportation, How to Get There

Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace
825 Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do Province
Website

Photo Spots in Gangneung Gangwon-do - The Haslla Art World Museum Creative Space and Gyeongpoho Lake Cherry Blossom Festival!

Play Time at the Gangneung Ice Skating Arena, Gangneung Ice Hockey Centre and Cultural Experiences for Korea Tourism Night!

Jumunjin Beach Resort, Jumunjin Fish Market and Silbi Saengseon Gui Seafood Experience in Gangneung Gangwon Province near Seoul!

Things to Do Near PyeongChang - Daegwallyeong Ski History Museum and Alpensia Ski Jump Centre in Gangwon-do!

Where to Ski and Snowboard in Korea - Best Olympic Grade Ski Resorts in Pyeongchang, Korea near Seoul!

One Night in Seoul - Korean Air Flight Manila to Incheon, Where to Eat Tosokchon Ginseng Black Chicken and Shilla Stay Hotel in Gwanghwamun!

Try Korea Traditional Food Culture Experience - a Cooking Food Tour at the Jeongangwon Restaurant and Hanokstay near Seoul in Gangwon-do!

Where to Eat Hanwoo in PyeongChang Gangwon - Delicious Marbled Beef Korean BBQ at the Daegwallyeong Hanu Town Restaurant!

Temple Stay: Woljeongsa Temple Stopover and Prayer Bead Experience in PyeongChang, Gangwon!

Part I - My 1-Day Gyeonggi-do Experience Near Seoul, Gangneung and Pyeongchang - Gwangmyeong Cave and Van Gogh Exhibit!

Part II and Other Suggestions - My 1-Day Gyeonggi-do Experience Near Seoul, Gangneung and Pyeongchang - Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, the Korean Folk Village Yongin Minsokchon and My Hotel Prumir Stay!