I want to cycling there! Korea here I come!

Tuesday, 11 September 2012 by Mira Marsellia

Bulguksa. by Mira Marsellia

If I can go to Korea, what I want to do there? I often ask myself. Once I see a lot about Korea through drama, sitcom and film, heard happy Korean pop songs, also read a lot about tourist destinations in Korea, I came to a conclusion. I like cycling in Korea!. My dear God, Father, Mother, all my ancients, and Kim Hyung Joong oppa! Please help me, I really want to go to Korea. In the name of all holy things, good and pure in this world, for the good of my soul at a later date, please answer my pray!

And here is my story and plan. Why cycling? Is that a plain and simple thing to do? Yes indeed, but cycling in Korea would be extraordinary. Because, I want to cycling in the ancient city of Gyeongju. Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for a thousands year. So, it is great, right? Moreover, cycling is one of the greenest and cheapest methods of travel. Get on your bike and reap the environmental and health benefits of cycling, in Gyeongju you can also take a lots of incredible pictures of many historical sites and by then also get fresh air by cycling around.

I want to tell you first about Gyeongju. What is interesting facts about

Bulguksa Temple. pic from http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

Gyeongju? Gyeongju was the capital of the SillaKingdom in the year 57 BC – 935 AD. It is located on the coast of the East Sea in South Korea. The distance is about 370 km from the South Korea capital, Seoul. In the past Silla kingdom standing on the 1st century AD, and Silla was the ruler of almost the entire Korean peninsula. Prosperity and greatness of the kingdom of Silla spread far to another countries, even to Persia, based on the historical record of the 9th century. Gyeongju is the meaning of the word itself literally “congratulation city”.

For the peace of the kingdom of Silla, King Munmu the Great, king of Silla to the thirty who was born in the year 661 AD, declared to his successor before his death,

Even after death, I will never cease to protect Silla. After I die die, my body and spread my ashes cremation on a rock in the East Sea so I could thwart the Japanese attack on our country. After my death, I will become a dragon and protect Silla never stops.

King Munmu Underwater Tomb. Pic from http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

The place where King Munmu or spread his ashes buried in the East Sea is called the Underwater Tomb of King Munmu. Rocks just off the beach in the fall is very famous for its beauty. Not only the place where King Munmu interred known for beauty, Gyeongju attract a lot of tourists who are interested in Korean history and culture, especially the historical relics of the Silla kingdom, and a beautiful and distinctive architecture of the Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongju National Museum, has recorded a collection of 16,333 artifacts. Gyeongju is a place called ‘Museum without Walls’. So many historic relics there spreading all over the city.

Here’s my itinerary with a bike in Gyeongju I’ve dreamed so long, and hereunder is the map for the cycling route I want to do in Gyeongju, Korea.

Travel Map by Bike at Gyeongju, from http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

Ssambap. pic from http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

First by cycling in Gyeongju, I would like to go and enjoy specialties in Ssambap Alley, which is located close to Daereung-won Tumuli Park and Cheomseongdae Observatory. Ssambab is rice

and eaten with sauce wrapped by different kinds of vegetables and lettuce. Also enjoy the banchan, various kinds of side dish, as a supplementary food Ssambab. It is important, I need energy to cycling around, so I put eating as the first thing to do in order. Tumuli park (known as Daereungwon in Korean) has more than 20 large and small tombs from the Silla period and has been designated Historic site #175. The tombs are presumed to be those of kings and court officials. The dimensions of the tombs vary with heights range from less than 1 meter to 23 meters. Most of them are earthen and mound-shaped. Very exhilarate to see there by cycling around.

Silla kings burial ancient form of Tumuli Park, tombs shaped hillock overgrown grass – from Daerung-won and came to Cheongseongdae Observatory, an observation tower built in the era star whose reign of Queen Seondeok is between 632 AD to 647 AD – cycling trip up to Gyerim Forest, an ancient forest with old zelkova trees and willow forest, is known as the Roosters Forest. The ancient forest where a child was found in a gold box and accompanied by a rooster, the child was adopted by the king and given the name Kim Alji , who became the ancestors in Gyeongju, the Kim clan.

Tumuli Park.http:// english.visitkorea.or.k

Cheomseongdae Observatory. http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

Happy cycling continues to Seokbinggo Ice Storage House ice storage building which was established in 1738 in the reign of Joseon Dynasty. Around this palace there Balwolseong Archery Fun activities – learn archery with approximately 10 minutes, participants can try their own ten arrows a shot.

Further cycling towards Anapji Pond, a very picturesque with buildings and a pond that was built to resemble the sea as though a limited area. Anapji Pond has made it the object image which is very famous for its incredible beauty.

This pool was built in the reign of King Munmu in 632, located at the northeast end of the site Balwolseong palace and in the city

Anapji Pond. http://english.visitkorea.or.k

Gyeongju. Bike adventure continues to the Gyeongju National Museum which is not far from Anapji Pond, as we could took a break and look around.

Cycling continues to the famous Hwangnyongsa Temple Site with stories of

Pagoda at Bunhwangsa. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeongju

sacrifice and the place of execution Ichadon, in his attempt for Buddhist to be accepted by the kingdom. The journey continues to Bunhwangsa Temple which was built in the reign of Queen Seondeok, buildings made of andesite stone shaped like a brick, is listed as National Treasure No. 30. After that, a cycling trip ends in the downtown area of Gyeongju.Trips in the afternoon allows attractions can be seen in the beauty of twilight and streetlights installed there.

Back to the hotel for rest, I would not forget to buy local specialty snacks , ie Hwangnamppang, Gyeongjuppang, or Chalborippang. Hwangnamppang and Gyeongjuppang snack of bread is very interesting because it contains red beans inside, and Chalborippang feels like sponge cake and it would be very soft in the mouth.

Gyeongju Bread. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeongju

In October, Korea would be incredibly astonishingly beautiful by the colour of the autumn. Oh, please God be kind and good to me! I would be regret if I have not ever been in Korea for just once, especially in autumn season. But honestly, I would like to be there in any kind of seasons, winter, spring, or summer. But autumn will be very very very special for me. I want to see there with my very own eyes!. And by cycling around. Amen.

Back from Gyeongju, it would be very nice, of course, if I could go shopping and buy some of myfavourite cosmetics and do facial treatments. I really like the famous Faceshop cosmetics and other Korean cosmetics in Seoul. Those have been helping me to get better and good looking skin.

Korean Cosmetics. by Mira Marsellia

To satisfy the taste of culinary adventure in Korea, I wanted to visit and taste the various foods on the Gwangjang Market. Meals are plentiful there. Assorted sausages, various snacks, special food. There mungbean tasty pancakes known as bindaetteok, which I am eager to try. From the picture alone I’d imagine the fragrance and flavor. The Gwangjang Market is worth to visit and it was an overwhelming site of gastronomic beauty.