Happy 2016 (SURPRISE!)

SURPRISE! IT'S ME! 

Bet you didn't really expect me to start this year by blogging.

How have you been doing? Did you eat a lot during the holidays? Good if you did because eating is an important part of your life and you should enjoy every bite. I sure do. One thing I don't do, however, is keeping up with the blogging-world... This is not a promise, because yes, too many people make promises during New Year's Eve and they forget it by the end of January, so I'd call this a... Well, let's call it a try. That's probably realistic. A try. I'm going to be posting something here every now and then, starting from now. I'm not promising daily or weekly posts, but at least I'll do something sometimes (because my computer is kinda resting in peace). While you're at it, check my instagram @minjahietaniemi because that's where you find my daily and weekly posts (phone is still going strong).

Have a good day, and a good week, and... Actually just have a good 2016! It's gonna be a good year!

Dongdaemun History & Culture Park

Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (동대문역사문화공원) is where Seoul subway lines 2, 4 and 5 meet. There are also many things to see and do in Dongdaemun, one thing is of course shopping at Dongdaemun market, but this post is all about the History & Culture Park! Don't forget to visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) and the museums telling about the history of this place! 

This is an exciting place with lights, music, interesting architecture, shows, exhibitions, shops, restaurants, cafés... This place has everything! 

The main point is maybe the interesting structure an architecture. The historical ruins you see in the middle are left untouched (well maybe they had to be touched a little bit) and a super-modern, huge establishment was built around them. 

Why is it called "history and culture park"? If you look around and see the surroundings you'll be able to guess it easily. The facility is built over the ground where ancient remains, ruins and Joseon dynasty porcelain, and other historically significant items were found. The ruins and relics are left untouched and they're exhibited inside the park. 

There are many exhibitions, galleries, museums etc located in the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park. Anyone would be delighted to come here and discover how ancient history of Korean meets the modern wave of Korean contemporary culture. You can go on a guided tour where the guide will gladly tell you all about the site, but in my opinion the best way to explore is to walk around when you have a lot of time to kill, and just wander and let the mysterious music and interesting surroundings take you to a whole new (or old) world. 

It's not just a facility that's called "park", there is an actual park on top of the buildings. 

Also the park above the ground exhibits the old and the new coming together and that perfect harmony between the ancient and modern culture.  

There are many contemporary artworks and buildings around the station and park. 

This place and all the lights are really amazing during the night! 

Dongdaemun offers so much for everyone, good food, shopping possibilities, design, museums, art, culture, sightseeing and much more. It's a must-visit place if you happen to have some time and interest for history and culture! 

From Seoul station to Dongdaemun

"These heels are made for walking." 

Everyone who knows me well enough, knows that I love to walk a lot. I love walking in the rain, walking in the city during the night, walking instead of taking a bus... This time I wanted to go and hang out in Seoul, nothing special but just seeing the views and taking photos. 

My starting point was Seoul station. 

This is Namdaemun Gate (Great Southern Gate) near Seoul station. 

In Korean "nam" means south and "mun" means gate, that's why it's easy to know this is the southern gate. 

This was part of the wall surrounding Seoul during 1392-1910. 

Some streetview near the center of Seoul. 

There are different kinds of architectural solutions, old and new, Asian and European. 

Anyway this street is very beautiful. 

There are many things to see around this part of the city. 

This is the beautiful fountain in front of Bank of Korea Museum near Namdaemun martket. 

More views behind the fountain. 

Views towards Namdaemun martket. 

Seoul N tower or Namsan tower is also clearly visible from here. 

Seems like the rush hour is beginning to take its final form! 

The evening is coming and people are going home (ha, in their dreams). 

A busy street near in the downtown Seoul. 

Busy Korean people coming from work. 

If I'm right this fancy tower building is designed by an Uruquayan architect called Rafael Vinoly. I call care what he named it, I call it "The Sauron". 

Cheongyecheon stream in the middle of Seoul. 

This is one of my favourite places in the whole city, an urban oasis! 

The streets here are very nice also. 

...That teeny weeny car though :D 

Many bars, restaurants and cafés attract people. 

 

 This stream has a long, meaningful history, since it was the landmark that divided the south and north side of the city. Stone bridges were built to connect the two sides, and that's why there are still many historical bridges that are popular attractions. 

However, the stream was turned into a sewer and served the city that way for about 500 years. It became a dirty, polluted creek and that's how it stayed for a long time, even when the refugees settled down along the banks after the Korean War. The stream became a symbol of poverty and hardships. 

Cheongyecheon was covered with concrete and nobody saw its value, not until the post war economic boom. The stream was transformed into a clean, beautiful Cheongyecheon it once was; the cost of the project was about 280 million dollars and took place between 2001 - 2005. It was a hard project, but now Cheongyecheon is the pride and joy of the city again! 

Not many people even know the colourful history of this place, but the main point is that they're finally protecting it and enjoying it. 

The stream and its banks still have memories of the past, but now it looks really beautiful and fresh.  

You can see how the center of modern Seoul has been built around the stream, and how popular this place is among the Koreans and also tourists. 

Even though it's a popular place, the atmosphere is very serene. 

I find it easy to relax here, gathering good memories.

Found some birds sleeping. 

From here you can see some of the beautiful bridges in the distance. 

I arrived to Dongdaemun. 

Look how clear the water is nowadays! 

This seems to be a popular dating-place since I always see so many couples here.

Cheongyecheon is not just beautiful, it has important meanings to the city. It decreases the traffic around downtown, divides different parts of the city, is a home to some wildlife like birds and even cools down the city center during summer. The most important thing is that it's something that the Koreans can be proud of, and a place that anyone can enjoy. 

Seoul Forest

Seoul forest (서울숲) is one of the biggest parks in Seoul. It was opened in June 2005, and the government spent about 235 billion won in the building and development. The place actually includes five different parks: a cultural art park, ecological forest, nature experience study field, wetlands ecological study field and Han-river waterside park. You can get there easily by using the subway, either Seoul subway line 2, Ttukseom station or Bundang line, Seoul forest station. 

The park is very beautiful, very big and it offers many things to do and see. 

There are many types of plants, trees and animals. 

It doesn't feel like you're in the middle of a metropolitan city before you climb up to a small tower and see this kind of a view. 

Hmmmm this looks very Finnish! 

These flowers have seen their best days, but still they're pretty. 

It's September but still feels like summer. 

Some parts are built on old ruins. Everything is in perfect harmony. 

The park also includes several greenhouses. 

This is the butterfly-park! 

Very beautiful flowers. 

And more flowers. 

And even more flowers. 

And still more flowers. 

We found some really beautiful butterflies also. 

I'm glad that my phone takes such good pictures. 

It's really fun to watch the future butterflies in action. 

And some more flower-photography. 

The water always seems so fresh anywhere in Seoul, the government has really worked hard to make everything beautiful and clean. 

Moving to a bigger greenhouse! 

Looking at the jungle from above is great! We saw many tropical fruits, flowers and plants. 

I don't even know what this is called but it's beautiful anyway! 

And so are these! 

Well, everyone who has ever visited Korea should know this kind of flowers. It's the Korean national flower, hibiscus syriacus. 

The park has many aquariums. 

There are many exciting types of fish, lizards, small rodents... Even bees. 

It's beautiful to see the sunlight through water. 

Finding new friends! 

Going back home. 

We saw a wedding photoshoot! 

Creative wall decorations near the park. 

You can never have too many pictures of food, right? 

Shopping at Chanel after a fun day. 

Waiting for a bus to take me home.  

Some green tea latte is a perfect ending to a good day!