I wish I had more time to spend in Gangneung (Gangwon Province, Korea). We found photo spots in just two days! I could spend a half day or more at the Haslla Art World Museum and maybe even try out the boutique hotel inside like the US Ambassador's recommendation! Then if the timing is right, the Gyeongpo Lake is lined with cherry blossom trees =)
I like creative spaces and so naturally, I loved Haslla Art World at first sight. I'm also in the process of filling up the apartment with cute and functional stuff so I'm on the lookout for unique pieces hehe.
This one reminded me of our flying prenup experience in Taiwan. =)
Outside, we found this plant called ssuk 쑥 (Korean wormwood or mugwort) growing all around and tempura-ed ssuk was the only thing I ate a lot of with unlimited strawberries haha. Monica said this is used to make doenjangjigae (soybean paste soup). I'm on the quest of finding where to buy it fresh or if I can get seeds hehe.
They have an outdoor sculpture and installation park too =) Just needed to catch my breath for a bit since it's uphill then downhill. Hehe.
We had some time to stroll around Gyeongpoho Lake too during the cherry blossom festival. There's a pedestrian area but bike rentals are very popular so we shared the road with them..
Actually I think the trick to finding cherry blossoms is checking when and where they are (~March to May) and they're all over Korea. Then you will just need a low tree with lots of flowers and focus on that! Checking out sample poses of people online and what color they are wearing in the photo are also useful hahaha. We did not leave this spot for a while and took most of our shots there hahaha.
I must warn you - allergy alert! The Beot kkot (cherry blossom) flowers have a LOT of pollen, esp. if you go very near for a shot. I was wondering why I had lots of sticky yellow powder all over my jacket haha. And if you are with a group of super excited sakura-loving people, then thirty minutes is surely not enough to find that tree and take a million photos ;)
But if ever the pink flower trees are not yet in bloom then a walk around the lake is also nice! Then go back to Korea in March, April or May and fall in love with Gangneung all over again! Check out my other Gangneung posts for other things to do! =) This Gangwon tour was made possible by the Korea Tourism Organization Manila Office.
Venues:
033-644-9411-5
Mt 33-1, Jeongdongjin-ri, Kangdong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Korea
Gyeongpoho Lake Gangneung
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 - My 1-Day Gyeonggi-do Experience Near Seoul, Gangneung and Pyeongchang - Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, the Korean Folk Village Yongin Minsokchon and My Hotel Prumir Stay!
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 - My 1-Day Gyeonggi-do Experience Near Seoul, Gangneung and Pyeongchang - Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, the Korean Folk Village Yongin Minsokchon and My Hotel Prumir Stay!
