Day 10 - Incheon Rail Bike

I don’t know how to ride a bike, but I sure know how to ride a rail bike! I had my first rail bike experience in Incheon and it was amazing. Located in Yeongjongdo island, the seaside rail bike is a 5.6km round trip rail and it is actually the first rail bike in Incheon that was opened just this year. Throughout the course, I got to see beautiful flowers and the breathtaking scenery. The sea is really blue and it was super therapeutic to just cycle and look at the scenery. To make the experience even better, I played my favourite music while cycling. It felt so good and I find it super healing!

I know there is another rail bike course in Korea which is located in Gapyeong. The one in Gapyeong has music tunnels and it is said to be longer. Well, the one in Incheon is really beautiful and the atmosphere is great. If you really want to try out rail biking, do consider both rail bike course. I have only been to one and I assure you it is really worth it!

Written by Cindy Tai as ODAO

Day 9 - Moonlight Tour @ Changdeokgung Palace

Changdeokgung Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site from the Joseon Dynasty founded in 1392 to 1910. It is also known as Donggwol, the Eastern Palace as it is located east of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Every year, the Changdeokgung Palace holds night tours during two periods. First during June-August and second during August-November. This is an exclusive tour as tickets are usually sold out fast every year and their tours are very limited as well. It is open for Koreans on every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights while foreigners only can visit on Sunday nights at 8pm-10pm. Each night, only 100 people are allowed to attend. The moonlight tour is a guided tour so don't be worried about the language barrier as foreigners will be given special tours which are available in English, Japanese and Chinese.

When we arrived, we were divided to form smaller groups for the tour. It was a cooling night as we waited outside the palace entrance for the tour to start. We were given time to have a photo session with the palace guards on duty and get ready as the tour guide handed out headsets to listen to the guided tour.

Finally, the tour commenced as the palace guards did a mini performance that signified the opening of the tour. As we entered the gates, we were given hand-held lanterns so we can see in the dimly lit palace. Once I was in the palace grounds, I felt like as if I was transported to the past. It was as if the palace doors separated the modern and tradition world while the palace walls hid us away from reality.

We were brought to the heart of the palace, the Injeongjeon Hall, which was the Venue for Royal Ceremonies. We got to see the King's throne and the famous folding screen called Ilwoloakdo byeongpung, embroidered with the sun, moon, and five mountain peaks.

Then, we were brought to see the King's quarters where we heard light flute music playing. At first, we thought it was just music played from speakers but it was actually a real person playing it! He sat in the Sangnyangjeong pavilion and gave a non-stop flute performance for all the visitors, which was really applaudable.

As the pavilion is located at the top of a hill, we could see from afar NamSan Tower and buildings from the modern world. Having the thought of needing to return back to reality after the tour ends made me wish that the night would never end, but I guess we can only look forward to the future.

Next, we took a long walk in the dimly lit palace grounds to reach the Buyongji and Aeryeonji Pond, also known as The Majestic Royal Backyard. There, we saw another performance of a lady playing a gayageum, which is something like the Chinese guzheng. We enjoyed the music while having a short rest before heading to our last stop of the night.

Lastly, we headed to Yeongyeongdang Pavilion, where performances were held in the past. We were treated with traditional Korean beverages and snacks while watching the last performance of the night which lasted for a good 30-40minutes. We were entertained by traditional dance, musical and singing performances under the breezy Korean night sky.

Personally, I felt that the Moonlight tour at Changdeokgung Palace was the most memorable experience I had in Korea. It is really a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. Walking the palace grounds in the quiet night is really different as compared to daytime, where you can fully immerse yourself into the world of the past. Words and pictures are not enough to describe the rich-cultured experience. Tickets are priced at 30,000won, so be sure to try it at least once in your life! It is really an unforgettable experience! I will definitely be back again next time! See you again Changdeokgung Palace!

(More info about the tour can be found here: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=1087481)

Written by Andrea Ng as ODAO.

Day 9 - Seodaemun Prison

I had never heard of Seodaemun Prison before, but it was a fruitful experience visiting the museum as it added to the educational aspect of this trip, and helped us learn more about Korea’s rich history. The building was brick red from outside, and since it was constructed at around the 1900s, it looked quite old.

We took pictures, all brimming with curiosity about just what the prison’s history was. Soon, my friends and I were being led by a guide who explained to us that the prison was used during the Japanese Colonial Period to house Korean liberation activists. About 3000 were imprisoned. And not all of the prison’s buildings were preserved, only seven out of fifteen remained.

Afterwards, we were led upstairs where we could see all the different ways the Japanese tortured the prisoners. One such method was hanging the prisoner upside down and pouring scalding water on them. It was really horrible to imagine all the sorts of torture that happened before in the very same place.

We also got to visit a memorial hall and the prison cells themselves. Our guide explained that more than 20 people would be in a cell, and there was no toilet or bucket for them to relieve themselves. Standing there in the cell with my friends, I really understood how terrible the living conditions were for the prisoners. That day, I had a new dream–world peace.

Written by Peggy Tan as ODAO