It was the fourth day of the trip and I am dawdling to get up. My body is starting to feel weary from all the activities we did from the previous days. See, this wouldn't happen if you exercise regularly, says my conscience. The frigid weather and crowd in Nami depleted all my energy that I felt tired even just after I wake up. How about we stay in the guesthouse, watch tv, lay around and call for a food delivery? Na-ah, not a good idea, mainly if you only have two remaining days in Seoul.
So, we lazily dress up, walk out of the door and braved the cold with low energy and expectation.
A tiled mural from Seoul Grand Park station
A looooong walk from subway's exit to park's entrance
Not everyone who travels to Seoul, particularly the first-timers would include Seoul Grand Park in their itineraries. There's not much hype to this place compared to the hip and modern places around the districts where young people usually ventured out. But my 5-year old self was too eager to see the zoo animals that we decided to come at the last minute.
The moment I step-out from that subway exit, I knew I'd love this place; there's no crowd at all ♡
Except for these adorable kids... (look at how they hold each other's hands)
and some group of seniors leisurely walking around.
(l) F4 Senior Version (r) Elephant Train
Seoul Grand Park is a huge complex, covering an area of about 9,157,000㎡ in the City of Gwacheon, south of Seoul and takes about 45 minutes away from the city center via subway.
Opened in 1984, Seoul Grand Park offers a wide array of festivals and cultural activities for education, nature, and amusement. Some of the facilities include the Seoul Zoo, the largest in Korea and 10th in the world, Seoul Land, an amusement park, a Rose Garden, Children's Zoo, Seoul Museum of Modern Art, campsites, and hiking trails.
Plus a surprisingly calm and picturesque scenery in autumn. Can you believe this was taken from a Zoo?
We bought a bundled ticket with a one-way ride on an Elephant Train, Seoul Zoo entrance, and Sky Lift (one-way) for 10500 ₩.
Seoul Grand Park Zoo was the first in the Korean peninsula created in 1909 and re-opened in 1984 after a massive destruction from World War II. It is home to almost 3,000 animals belonging to about 350 species from all over the world. Amazing.
An African Oryx and Leopard
A cute Macaque
Watching the zoo animals and these kids charming reactions rekindled a memory of how I once wanted to become a preschool teacher.
There are also restaurants, convenience stores, snack bars, and shops in the park so you don't have to worry about the food. But I'd suggest you buy water and some snacks before you start roaming around, just in case you need some salt and sugar in your body. After all, the Seoul Zoo area measures to 2,420 square kilometers. Wear your most comfortable shoes and prepare for a lengthy walk.
We had experienced the most pleasant weather that day so far, not too cold neither hot. The light and gradient vivid colors of autumn leaves were picture perfect, ah I can't explain it in words (this must be love, haha).
For now, I'll let the pictures speak for itself.
Euphoria
Sorry Spring, but I think my heart belongs to Autumn now. ♥
Surreal. All the fatigue I felt in the morning was gone. This is all I ever needed that day.
I often think of the heavens Your hands have made, and of the moon and stars, You put in place. Then I ask, Why do You care about us humans? Why are You concerned for us weaklings? - Psalm 8:3-4 (CEV)
This is one of those places where I would gladly spend an entire day; do nothing but sit on the ground full of fallen leaves and listen to the songs of birds as the sun kisses my forehead and cheeks. Or I could bring my palette and paint while sipping a limitless cup of hot milk tea. Oh, the simple joys of life.
We took the Sky Lift on our way back to the Seoul Zoo entrance. It was another 15 minutes of incredible experience. The beautiful scenery of vast mountains, lakes and vibrant trees reminded me of how enormous this world we live in and we are just this tiny speck of dust in the air.
It made me realized how those every good and ugly pieces of my life accounts to the well-written and beautiful story of who I am today.
That sometimes, a change of perspective is all it requires to make us feel alive again.
How to get there?
Transfer to Subway Line 4 at Seoul Grand Park Station (Seoul Land) Exit 2.
Click the links for: Fees and operating hours | Seoul Grand Park Map | Seoul Zoo Map
I'll be back, promise.
Till the next post ~
