Christmas Eve in Korea
Hospital Visit and Health Check
Christmas Eve started with a hospital visit for a follow-up appointment due to my recent bout with pneumonia and food poisoning. My mom, ever the protective figure, came along and asked the doctor a series of important questions I hadn’t thought to ask. She is a huge proponent of preventative care so she even requested comprehensive blood work to get a detailed understanding of my health. I let her do most of the talking because it was nice for once to have back up and my mom is certainly not one to back down! The interpreter certainly earned his paycheck that day! My mom generously paid for the visit, which cost around 40,000 won (~$30 USD). Thank you, subsidized Korean health care!
Juno Hair Experience
While waiting for the blood work results, I took my mom to Juno Hair, a renowned salon chain in Korea where I have an account. They provide excellent hair care services, though my mom felt the dye was darker than expected. The stylist aimed to match her roots with the rest of her hair while covering uneven spots. Since my mom had previously box-dyed her hair black, the stylist was cautious about using a lighter shade, as it could have resulted in reddish roots. Despite the color outcome, the service was professional, and the root retouching cost 90,000 won (~$67 USD). My mom looked great but felt she would prefer a salon with fewer language barriers next time.
Lunch at Times Square Mall
After the salon visit, my friend Sharen (known as @seoulfuldiaries on social media) picked us up and drove us to Times Square Mall for lunch and shopping. My mom was hoping to try fried mackerel, but the cafeteria didn’t have it. We found a long silver fish, commonly eaten in Korea, but since it lacked scales and is considered “unclean” in our religion, my mom opted for LA Galbi instead. Unfortunately, she wasn’t too impressed with it either. Lesson learned: I’ll be double-checking cafeteria menus in the future before bringing her along! The visit to the cafeteria was my first time, too so I didn’t know what to expect. Next time, I will be sure to have the itinerary for the food planned out completely. Don’t get me wrong, the food wasn’t bad but, it wasn’t our favorite.
The Garden of Morning Calm Visit
Our next stop was the breathtaking Garden of Morning Calm, famous for its winter light displays. The entire area is adorned with fairy lights, creating a magical winter wonderland.
The Garden of Morning Calm is located at 432 Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
This picturesque garden is situated approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Seoul, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking a serene escape from the bustling city.
To reach the garden without a car, visitors can take the subway to Cheongpyeong Station on the Gyeongchun Line, then either a 20-minute taxi ride costing around 18,000 won or a local bus directly to the garden.
Alternatively, the Gapyeong City Tour Bus offers a convenient hop-on-hop-off service connecting various attractions, including the Garden of Morning Calm.
The garden is open year-round, with seasonal festivals highlighting its diverse flora. Admission fees are approximately 11,000 won for adults, 8,500 won for youth, and 7,500 won for children.
Operating hours vary by season, typically opening at 8:30 AM and closing at sunset, with extended hours during special events like the Starlight Festival in winter.
For more detailed information, including current events and exact operating hours, it’s advisable to visit the official website or contact the garden directly.
TL;DR:
- Location: Outside of Seoul in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
- Entry Fee: Approximately 11,000 won (~$8 USD)
- Best Season: Winter for light displays, spring and summer for flowers
- Getting There: Since we traveled by car, it was convenient, but visitors without a vehicle can take an express bus to Cheongpyeong Station and transfer to a local bus or taxi from there.
Outside the garden, several souvenir shops and food stalls offer delicious snacks. We tried Hotteok (a traditional Korean pancake), which was so good we had it both before and after our walk! My mom enjoyed it but isn’t the biggest fan of fried foods, so she only took a few small bites.
Important Tips:
- Footwear: Wear good walking shoes since the garden has uphill and downhill paths, which were still icy and snowy during our visit.
- Weather: It was much colder than Seoul in the early evening (the temperature ranged from a low of approximately 19°F (-7°C) to a high of around 36°F (2°C)), so I was glad to have brought an extra jacket. My mom ended up using it along with a hat, as even baby Phoebe’s cheeks (My friend, Sharen’s child) were turning red from the chill.
Despite the cold, it was a memorable evening filled with festive lights and great company. The garden was busy with both locals and tourists, creating a wonderful holiday atmosphere.
Wrapping Up Christmas Eve
By the time we got home, we were all thoroughly exhausted but filled with happy memories. It was the perfect way to spend Christmas Eve together. You should definitely add this to your list for when you come to visit Korea in the winter!
Stay Connected!
If you enjoyed reading about our Christmas Eve adventures, make sure to follow me on all my social media platforms at @melodyofherseoul for more heartfelt stories and travel experiences! Stay tuned for Day 3, where we celebrate Christmas Day in Seoul with a visit to Xenia Clinic for treatments and explore the underground shopping mall at Gangnam Station followed by shopping in Hongdae!
Melody of Her Seoul 