Yangju Nari Park

When the weather starts to cool to the perfect sweater temperature, make a trip out to Yangju Nari Park! Although it’ll take some commitment to commute to the outskirts of Seoul, it is well worth it! 

So, fully charge your phones (camera, etc.), bring your extra battery, and clear your memory because this is one Instagram-worthy trip you’ll want to document!

Directions:

Take the metro to Yangju Station and emerge out of exit 2.
Take the metro to Yangju Station and emerge out of exit 2.
Leave the station and cross the street to take the bus.
Leave the station and cross the street to take the bus.
Take bus 80 to Haedong Maeul 해동 마을 .
Take bus 80 to Haedong Maeul 해동 마을 .
Get off right at the park! Easy as pie!
Get off right at the park! Easy as pie!

Fees & Parking:
While there was no fee when I visited in 2017, there is now a 2,000 won (apprx. $2) fee to enter the park.
Also, there is parking available for those who drive although I am not sure if the parking is free or not.

Tips:

  1. Wear long sleeves and pants/leggings. The flowers are wispy and will tickle you! Also, to get some of these shots, I had to sit in the dirt so, I would very much recommend that you cover your limbs!
  2. Be patient because there will be many people taking pictures, too! Everyone was really nice, though! People also bring their whole families with them!
  3. Bring some cash because there is also a mini festival there! You can buy street food or cotton candy! I don’t know if the fair is there the whole time, but it wouldn’t hurt to carry a few won notes around!
  4. Sunglasses would also be great! There is very little cover there!
  5. Sneakers would be great because of the dirt everywhere. Boots would work, too. I would not recommend heels!
  6. Have fun! Smile! Today will be a good day!

Yongma Land

Welcome to Yongma Land!
Did you know that this park is still open to the public even though it was closed in 2011? You won’t find many children there now, but you may find couples taking wedding photos, influencers taking aesthetic photos for their social media accounts, or even k-pop groups (more on this below)!

Ok, let’s get the important information out of the way before I share my own experience!

Price:
5,000 Korean Won (1,000 KRW = 1 USD)
10,000 KRW if you are going for business/ commercial reasons
25,000 KRW to turn on the merry-go-round lights if you visit in the evening

Such a charming place for a photo shoot!
Such a charming place for a photo shoot!

Address: 69-1 Mangubon-dong, Jungnang-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Directions: Line 1 Mangu Staion is just a 10 minute walk away from the park. Make sure you get out of exit 1 and turn left when you see Yongmasan-ro 115-gil. Make a right on Mangu-ro 72-gil. You should see where you are by the time you get here. I would highly recommend using your map app because it can be a bit confusing. Alternatively, you could also hail a cab from the station and about 2 minutes away! It’ll cost you a little over 3,000 KRW, and it is my favorite way to get around to new places.

Gorgeous flowers at a nearby temple~
Gorgeous flowers at a nearby temple~

Speaking of which, when I hailed a cab to get back to the station from the park, I found a small temple near Bonghwa Elementary School. It is on Mangu-ro 70-gil, and in the spring time (this picture was taken end of March), you can take beautiful pictures of the lanterns and pink blossoms. It is called Yongjusa and you can see it on the map below. It is the grey pin in the top left of the picture. The red pin at the bottom right is Yongma Land. (This is just a screenshot, and not an interactive map.)

Check out this gorgeous temple!
Check out this gorgeous temple!

Remember when I mentioned that K-pop groups also came to Yongma Land to film their music videos? Check out the video I made below of all the groups that have been there (this list may not be complete, so if you know of more holler at your girl!).

So how to best enjoy YOUR experience at Yongma Land?

  1. Bring comfortable shoes. You will be walking a lot, so make sure you are comfy.
  2. Bring a group of friends. Sure, you could use a tripod, but friends can catch better angles!
  3. Bring a bottle of water. There’s nothing to eat or drink there, so do come prepared.
  4. Bring your sense of adventure. Nothing will hold you back! Unleash your creativity and artistic eye!

If you have read this far, then THANK YOU! You’re the real MVP! If you can scroll a little longer, then you can see my pictures below!

Melting Pom

THIS CAFE IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

Melting Pom’s owners posted on April 6th 2023 that after 6 years, the cafe has closed it’s doors permanently. This is part of opening a business in Seoul. You never know when a new place will open up and what they’re replacing. Enjoy every moment in the city and expect change. Melting Pom… you were such a cute place. We’ll miss you!

Near Hankuk University of Foreign Studies is one of the cutest and pinkest cafes in Seoul! It’s a great place for couples, but friends can enjoy this spot, too! You can sit on the beds, or on the floor. Either way, you ARE going to have a good time! 

They have unicorn toast, but when I got there, they had sold out. Sad times. HOWEVER, they did have a Byul Byul Parfait (Star Star Parfait) that was DELICIOUS. I found their prices quite reasonable. Take a look!

There is a fun gimmick right at the counter as well. You and your friend roll a pair of stuffed dice. If you match, you get a 10% discount! How fun!

Roll the dice to feel nice~
Roll the dice to feel nice~

Something I didn’t expect was the games available to play! There was a lie detector game, a pirate roulette game, and even a small arcade style game where you could sit and play with your partner! All the games were free except for the arcade game (which, if I recall correctly, was 500 won to play).

ARRRRRE you ready for some fun?
ARRRRRE you ready for some fun?

They have two little pom poms that live and play there in the cafe. They are so adorable and very photogenic!

Resident Pom
Resident Pom

There are toys everywhere and it is a very comfortable place to relax for a few hours. I hope you go and check it out!

Take a bear, squeeze a bear~ But ask first!
Take a bear, squeeze a bear~ But ask first!

And of course, it is a great place for your pictures, too!

Oh haiiiii~
Oh haiiiii~

Take a look at the other pictures in the slideshow below! I included the map (as usual) to help you find it! Get the unicorn toast or just anything and tag me (@melodyofherseoul) if you go! I’ll share your post in my stories!

Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.

Address: 264-410, Imun-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul

서울특별시 동대문구 이문동 264-410

Nearest Subway Station: Hankguk University of Foreign Studies (Line 1) exit 1

Guillaume Cheongdam

Another pink cafe in Seoul! And it is super fancy!

In the heart of one of the fanciest parts of Seoul, Cheongdam, is a luxurious French-style cafe called, Guillaume (pronounced gi-yom). It is a quaint coffee shop that also serves brunch, and sells decadent pastries.

It’s signature drink, the Rose Gold Romance, is a whopping 18,000 won, BUT it has rose petals and real gold flakes inside! Talk about fancy! You can choose to have it with alcohol (white wine) or without. If you forgo the wine, you could also have it served hot as a tea!

There are actual gold flakes in here!
There are actual gold flakes in here!

 Another great menu item you have to try is their macaron! They are very sweet and very chewy. You won’t regret it!

So colorful and delicious!
So colorful and delicious!

The cafe’s theme is very Victorian, and it is also a very quiet, chill place. It feels warm and peaceful, honestly. You will get a kick out of the decorations and adornments.

If you just got paid, or have some money to spare on a fancy drink, stop on by! It is very Instagram friendly! You can check them out online at: 

http://www.maisonguillaume.com/eng/

Hours of Operation : 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.

Address: 88-37, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

서울특별시 강남구 청담동 88-37

Nearest Subway Station: Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Bundang Line – Yellow)