Visiting Seoul, South Korea from A Malaysian's Perspectives
So, there were some things that I wasn't quite prepared for when I visited South Korea in the end of February 2019. Here are some information and tips that I would like to share with other fellow Malaysians or other travelers who are looking to visit this place in the near future.
Data Roaming or SIM Card Purchase?
Data roaming charges could be cheaper and still just as reliable as compared to purchasing a SIM card for internet browsing purposes. My mobile carrier, UMobile (prepaid plan), charges RM10/day for roaming charges, whereas my sister purchased two separate SIM cards - one for 5 days, then again for another 3 days.The total I spent for data roaming amounted up to RM90 (Approx 32,000 won) only, whereas she spent over RM140 (Approx. 37,000 won) for those two cards. The second card purchase depleted its data usage after one day's use, rendering the card useless for internet surfing afterwards.
What is T-Money & How Is It Charged?
T-Money is the equivalent of Malaysia's Toucn 'n' Go card that we use as a cashless system for transportations. T-Money cards can be purchased at various marts, 7-Eleven stores and train station vending machines in South Korea. The subways in South Korea charges mainly by distance. Every train station and buses start with a basic charge of 1,250 won (Approx. RM4.50) for the first 10KM. Afterwards, every subsequent 5km will charge your card an extra 500 won.Most subsequent subway stations are also within walking distance to one another, so it is best to just walk to the next station instead of traveling via subway to said station to save some money.
Do Subway Station Exits Matter?
When you start traveling via subways, you'll quickly realize that there are often various exits available for each station. Some exits are right next to each other, but others are further apart. While planning for the trip, VisitKorea helped me a great deal in determining which exit is the closest to the attraction that I am interested in.Just key in your destination in the search bar, click into your destination and then click on "Transportation" to see which station to go to, and which exit is the closest!
Basic Etiquettes to Watch Out for in South Korea
When staying in hotels, guest houses or even when visiting shop lots and restaurants requiring you to take off your shoes, you should wear the provided slippers into the premise. We are used to going barefoot inside houses or hotels, but in South Korea it’s a little different this way.Most places also do not allow you to throw your used toilet paper into the toilet itself - you will see reminders in the restroom, asking you to discard them properly in the waste bin provided so that you don’t clog up the toilet.
South Koreans also practice having ‘fast lanes’ and ‘slow lanes’ even on escalators - something I really wish that we practice in Malaysia, so if you are not planning to move during the escalator right, stand on the right side. Those rushing individuals will speed past you on the left.
Places to Visit Near Seoul Station
If you also arrived at Incheon International Airport like me, then it's likely that you will be visiting around Seoul after taking the all stop train directly from the airport to Seoul station. Here are a few places that I really recommend you to visit.
Grevin Wax Museum
Address: 23 Eulji-ro, Euljiro 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Phone: +82 2-777-4700
This wax museum has wax figures from different eras and ages. You can pose for photographs with Charlie Chaplin, Steve Jobs, Obama, Michael Jordan and of course, some Korean celebrities as well. Here, you will be prompted to visit the 4th floor first, and you slowly walk around and play games along the way with your entrance ticket before you head down to the lower floors.
This is probably as close as most of us can get to taking a picture with our favourite celebrity close-up, so why not visit and see how many celebrities you can recognize?
P.S.: They even have hand print models of selected celebrities!
Myeongdong Streets
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| A random city view. I forgot where I took this. Ain't Myeongdong though. |
I won't specify an exact location for this one - just head to Myeongdong station and you're right there!
Even though I have read that Myeongdong is the shopping city from a lot of travel blogs, I still did not expect the vast shopping district that greeted me. There's always another shop that would pique my interest as I turn down the corner into another street, and by 6PM, more stalls have opened for my family and I to snack our way through.
Myeongdong Shopping District serves as a family shopping destination simply for the fact that it supplies all sorts of goods - not just the usual cosmetics that we expected. There were also clothes for guys, digital & tech stores, a 4-storey Daiso store and much more! You can also stop by any cafe available there for a rest before you head back.
Happy Day Spa
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| Super dark lighting at the lower floors |
Address: 112 Yanghwa-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Phone: +82 2-322-3399
I never realized how conservative I am until I visited this spa.
This spa happens to be one of the branches of the Happy Day Spa chain, but it's conveniently located near Hongik Univ. Station Exit 9. You'll have to walk straight out about 300+ metres to get there though.
We visited at night, around 9PM. We paid 10,000 won (approx. RM36) as an entrance fee, and we can stay there from 8PM until 5AM if we wanted to. Think of it as a super budget place to stay if you have nowhere else to go! The first floor has the locker room, shared shower and some hot water pool thingy that we did not go for because everyone is just strolling around naked.
Lower floors however, had sauna rooms which we enjoyed very much.
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