kozaza stay

[kozaza stay/Seoul] UrbanWood Guest House @Hongdae, Seoul

UrbanWood is located just 2 minutes away from Hongik University (Hongdae) Subway Station (exit 7) and 5 minutes away from the airport bus stop. Few places offer such easy accessibility in the heart of Hongdae’s northern cafe district.

Themed cafes, lounges, live music, bars, indie culture, art shops, and street performances abound in this university district known for its vibrant, artistic culture. Explore, relax, and shop during the day, and expect the party of your life at night.

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You can book UrbanWood Guest House HERE at kozaza

 

 

 

 

 

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[kozaza picks/seoul] Seoul accommodations around the place of Lighting Lantern Festival

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In tribute to a millennial tradition you are cordially invited to Korea’s annual Lotus Lantern Festival which will definitely lighten your hear and brighten your world.

The festival will kick off on from April 25th to May 11th in Seoul

Organized to celebrate the Buddha’s coming into this world, the month-long Lotus Lantern Festival will pack its most highlighted events into three days on April 25~27.

 

International Seon Center Templestay @Yangcheon-gu

Templestay is a cultural experience program that enables participants to experience firsthand the 1700 year old Korean Buddhist culture and traditions at a Korean temple. Traditionally templestays are held in the remote Buddhist temples in the mountains surrounded by nature, but the International Seon Center is located within the city, so the benefits of resting your weary body and mind can be achieved closer to home!

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You can book Templestay HERE at kozaza

 

Maple Homestay @Bukchon

Maple Homestay is located in the Bukchon, Seoul. House was fully renovated in a modern design 3 years ago. It is very clean, warm and nice view from top floor garden. I’m sure that you can feel as like you are at home.

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You can book Maple Homestay HERE at kozaza

 

 

SNUG Studio @Insadong

When visiting Seoul, it’s all about location! It is a cozy, bright and safe studio flat nestled in the heart of Seoul, very close to Insa-dong. You will have your own self-contained space in a central location to rest and relax after a hard day of sightseeing.
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You can book SNUG Studio HERE at kozaza

 

 

iStay @Gangnam

iStay is located in a convenient area of Gangnam, Seoul. Here you can relax comfortably without any interruption because this house is surrounded by the luxury residential neighborhood. It is on the 2nd floor. There are 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a living room and a kitchen which is equipped with everything.

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You can book iStay HERE at kozaza

 

 

Always Like Home @Gangnam

“Always Like Home” is located in center of Gangnam, Seoul city and surrounded by some of the city’s best tour spots & nightlife and food stalls. Best location (Just 5 min from subway station & airport bus stop), comfortable and clean.

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You can book Always Like Home HERE at kozaza

 

 

 

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[Seoul Festival] Yeon Deung Hoe / Lighting Lantern Festival / Lotus Lantern Festival

April 25~17, 2014 (Fri~Sun, 2558 Buddhist Era)

Vicinity of Jogye-sa Temple, Seoul, South Korea

 

코자자

The Yeon Deung Hoe is a traditional Korean folk festival that began in the Goryeo Period (918 – 1392) as the Lotus Lantern Assembly (Yeondeunghoe) and continued in the Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1910) as the Lantern Celebration (Kwandeung-nori). According to Buddhist beliefs, the act of lighting a lotus-shaped lantern will light up the dark parts of one’s soul. By doing this, the evil and flawed parts of one’s soul are stripped away leaving only a clean slate to start anew. Lanterns are also lit to dispel the darkness that is in the world, symbolizing one’s hope for a wiser and more compassionate society.

 

 

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In tribute to a millennial tradition you are cordially invited to Korea’s annual Lotus Lantern Festival which will definitely lighten your hear and brighten your world.

Organized to celebrate the Buddha’s coming into this world, the month-long Lotus Lantern Festival will pack its most highlighted events into three days on April 25~27.

There are hands-on experiential programs and performances to sing and dance along with, as well as parades and exhibitions to see. Most programs are family-oriented, so bring your families and loved ones and immerse yourselves in the festival’s spiritual ambience and energetic togetherness which you won’t be able to experience anywhere else.

On the night of April 26, more than one hundred thousand lotus lanterns will light up the Seoul night. The majestic parade of lanterns in unimaginable shapes and colors will bring the hearts of both participants and spectators together as one.

 

 

Festival Information

 

Exhibition of Traditional Lanterns

Please come see the meticulously crafted and exquisite lanterns made of hanji, traditional handmade Korean paper made from mulberry bark. Each lantern tells its own story with its warm, cheerful light.

ㆍApril 25 (Fri) ~ May 11 (Fri)

ㆍVarious places such as Jogye-sa Temple & Bongeun-sa Temple

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Lotus Lantern Parade

Hundred thousand Lotus Lanterns brighten the heart of Seoul!

Behold a brilliant ocean of light from the countless handheld lanterns and the grand ornate lantern floats in the festival’s main attraction. Not to be missed.

ㆍApril 26 (Sat) 7:00 ~ 9:30 pm

ㆍBegins at Dongdaemun and proceeds to Jogye-sa Temple, along Jongno Street

(Subway Line 1, 3, 5 Jongno 3-ga Station / Line 1 Jonggak Station or Jongno 5-ga Station)

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Hoehyang Hanmadang

Following the parade, participants and spectators come together to end the festivities in a spirit of dedicating one’s merits to others. Buddhist entertainers put on a show and the audience gets into the act, dancing hand in hand. Fondly called the ‘Flower Party’ by foreigners, it is a joyful night with a rain of flower petals from the sky climaxing the festival.

ㆍApril 26 (Sat) 9:30 ~11:00 pm

ㆍJonggak Intersection (Subway Line 1 Jonggak Station)

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Traditional Cultural Events

Experience firsthand traditional Buddhist culture and festivities!

One hundred exhibits will line the street in front of Jogye-sa Temple.

Visit the various booths to make lotus lanterns, create Buddhist art, try temple food and play traditional Korean folk games. There are also booths introducing the Buddhist cultures of Tibet, Mongolia and Southeast Asia. Do not miss this experiential event, a favorite of the festival!

ㆍApril 27 (Sun) Noon ~ 6:00 pm

ㆍStreet in front of Jogye-sa Temple (Subway Line 1 Jonggak Station / Line 3 Anguk Station)

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Welcome to Seoul, Korea>>

More about Yeon Deung Hoe(Lighting Lantern Festival / Lotus Lantern Festival) >>

 

 

 

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[kozaza stay/Bukchon] KunDaeMunJip Hanokstay

A place to feel the tranquil landscape and peaceful lifestyle
With a history of 70 years, Kundaemunjip is a hanok cultural experience site in the heart of the city. It is located in BukchonHanok Village, where there is a harmony of Seoul’s past and the present. Kundaemunjip is a place to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the tranquil atmosphere felt by our ancient ancestors. Escape from hectic routine of modern days and enjoy a moment of peace and freedom.

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You can book KunDaeMunJip Hanokstay HERE at kozaza

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[kozaza stay/Seoul] Mumum Hanokstay @Bukchon, Seoul

During the Chosun Dynasty, the elite aristocratic class resided here in Bukchon. We are proud to say that our hanok, MuMum is located in the heart of Bukchon, surrounded by the traditional Korean atmosphere. Hanoks have been famous for harmonizing nature and simplicity to create and neat living experience. DaeSung Kim, a master carpenter, has noted that beauty of our hanok. Stay at MuMum for a cozy, comfortable experience!

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You can book Mumum Hanokstay HERE at kozaza

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[Visit Seoul] Seoul’s 140 Spring Flower Paths

Welcome to Seoul, Korea >>

Book Homes in Seoul at kozaza >>

 

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Take a Stroll Along Seoul’s 140 Spring Flower Paths!

Spring is finally here and what better time to take a stroll along some of “Seoul’s 140 Spring Flower Paths”!

Enjoy over 160 km of flower-filled roadside paths, riverside paths and paths in parks.

 

 

 

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▲ Ttukseom Seoul Forest / World Cup Park

 

Perfect for a Spring Outing 1: Large Parks

For families and couples, the best places to go for a spring outing are the major parks located in Seoul. These parks are conveniently located near various means of transportation and offer various other activities to enjoy as well as food to snack on. Have a great time at parks such as North Seoul Dream Forest, Ttukseom Seoul Forest, and Sangam World Cup Park.

 

1. North Seoul Dream Forest

Yoshino Cherry trees line the main road in North Seoul Dream Forest, a gorgeous sight to see when they are in full bloom. The park also features thousands of colorful irises and wild flowers. It’s a great place to have a picnic as well. Have a great picnic lunch on the grass lawn while enjoying cultural performances.

 

2. Namsan (Mt.)

Namsan is covered with forsythias, azaleas and cherry blossoms. Try taking the cable car up to N Seoul Tower or stop by the traditional Hanok (Korean house) teahouse called Mongmyeok Sanbang. No matter which path you wander down to enjoy the beautiful spring flowers, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll also have a wonderful view that overlooks the city.

 

3. Ttukseom Seoul Forest

You can also find Yoshino cherry trees at Ttukseom Seoul Forest, but the interesting plants, flowers and insects that can be found in this park are the biggest draw here. The butterfly garden in particular is a must-see.

 

4. World Cup Park

World Cup Park is spread out over a massive area, and therefore features a wide variety of flowers. It’s made up of five smaller parks including Pyeonghwa (“Peace”) Park where you’ll find rapeseed flowers and poppies, and Noeul (“Sunset”) Park with its large forsythia blossoms, irises, rapeseed flowers. If you’d like to stay in the park overnight, Noeul Park offers camping equipment that can be rented out for use on the camping grounds.

 

 

 

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▲ Seocho Azalea Ridge / Songpanaru Park / Hangang (River) Banpo Seoraeseom / Cheonggyecheon (Stream)

 

Perfect for a Spring Outing 2: Small Mountains and Parks in the City

Even though Seoul is a bustling city, there is a surprising amount of natural beauty amidst the chaos. The small mountains and parks located in the heart of the city make for a great spring outing. These places have great paths for taking a stroll and are usually surrounded by cultural spaces and restaurants. Among these, Naksan (Mt.), Seodaemun Ansan (Mt.) and Seokchon Lake (Songpanaru Park) are the most recommendable.

 

1. Naksan Park

Among the many walking trails in Naksan Park, the trail that goes along the edge of Seoul Seonggwak (Fortress Wall) is the prettiest in the spring when the forsythias are in full bloom. The scenic view of the city from Naksan (Mt.) is also very stunning, and weigela florida flowers can be seen in various parts of the park. The areas of Daehangno and Dongdaemun are nearby, great places to grab a bite to eat or catch a cultural performance.

 

2. Seodaemun Office

The road behind Seodaemun Office that leads to Ansan (Mt.) is a great place to go for a walk or a bike ride. The path is lined with lovely cherry blossom trees and in the spring, the base of the mountain is completely covered with white blossoms. You can also visit the Seodaemun Museum of Natural History located nearby.

 

3. Seokchon Lake

There are always many people exercising or going for a stroll at Seokchon Lake, but the lake is the most popular in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. The park also features about 300,000 irises and wild flowers that make for a breathtaking sight. Lotte World amusement park is also located nearby, a popular place among children.

 

 

 

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▲ Walkerhill Road / Yunjung-no (Road) in Yeongdeungpo-gu

 

Scenic Drives

If you want to go for a scenic drive, the best roads for forsythias and azaleas would be Gamsawon-gil (Street) in Jongno-gu and Bukgak Skyway. For beautiful pink cherry blossoms, Jeungsan-no (Road) in Eunpyeong-gu, Gomdallae-gil (Street) in Gangseo-gu and Cherry Blossom Road in Geumcheon-gu are the most recommendable.

 

1. Samcheong Park & Waryong Park

The cherry blossoms in Samcheong Park and Waryong Park are spectacular. The 2-laned road that begins at the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea building and leads up to Waryong Park is the most beautiful flower tree-lined road in Seoul. The road has been expanded to include a new walking trail, great for those who would prefer to enjoy the sights without a car. The neighborhoods of Samcheong-dong and Gahoe-dong are nearby and are great places to go for cultural events. The restaurants of Seongbuk-dong are also worth going to.

 

2. Bugak Skyway

Bugak Skyway is the most beautiful driving route in Korea. Forsythias and azaleas flourish here, and with the neighborhoods of Seongbuk-dong, Buam-dong, and Sajik-dong nearby, it’s easy to catch a cultural performancance or grab a bite to eat afterwards.

 

3. Gwanghwamun Square & Seoul Plaza

You can also enjoy a nice drive along the road that connects Gwanghwamun Square and Seoul Plaza. Called Sejongno (Street), this road is lined with cherry blossoms, perennial flowers and tulips.

 

 

 

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▲ Samcheong Park in Jongno / Jeungsan-no (Road) in Eunpyeong-gu / Uicheon (Stream) in Gangbuk / Danghyeoncheon-no (Road) in Nowon

 

Best Places to Go for Walking and Exercise

The flower paths along the Hangang (River) are the best places to go for a walk or exercise. Keep your body healthy and your mind at peace by visiting one of these paths.

 

1. Hangang (River)

The Hangang (River) is Seoul’s lifeline and it is also where you first see the signs of spring arriving in Seoul. The well-traveled bicycle paths and walking trails along the Hangang become colorfully adorned with rapeseed flowers and newly planted wild flowers. Needless to say a walk along the Hangang is a must in the spring.

 

2. Jungnangcheon (Stream)

Another great path is the trail along the Jungangcheon (Stream) which flows through the districts of Seongdong-gu, Gwanjin-gu, Jungnang-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, Seongbuk-gu, and Dobong-gu. Here you can see cherry blossom trees, rapeseed flowers, roses, irises and a variety of other colorful flowers.

 

 

 

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▲ Hyangdong Arboretum in Guro / Sinteuri Park in Yangcheon / Eungbongsan (Mt.) in Seongdong / Cherry Blossom Road in Geumcheon

 

Places to See Exotic Flowers

Forsythias, cherry blossoms and azaleas are the most widely common spring flowers in Seoul, but here are some places where you can see some unconventional flowers.

 

1. Irises

The place where the most irises can be found is the Seoul Iris Garden which features 300,000 plants over 52,417 square meters. As the name of the park suggests, a big part of the park is dedicated to irises, a total 130 different species to be exact. In addition to irises, the garden features wetlands flora, various medicinal plants and more.

 

2. Chinese Fringetree

You can see Chinese Fringetree blossoms along Cheonggyecheon-ro (Road) in downtown Seoul, Sadang-ro (Road in Dongjak-gu and Rodeo Street in Songpa-gu. Many Korean believe that these white flowers resemble puffs of cooked rice.

 

3. Wildflowers

You can see different types of wildflowers and herb plants at Sinteri Park in Yangcheon-gu, the Achasan (Mt.) pedestrian walkway in Gwangjin-gu, and the Herb Garden in Gangdong-gu.

 

4. Pear Blossoms

The best place to go to see pear blossoms would be the Jungnang-gu Weekend Farm which features 10,000 square meters of pear blossoms.

 

5. Roses

You can see roses at the rose garden near Seoul National University at the base of Gwanaksan (Mt.).

 

6. Herbs

The Herb Astronomy Park near Iljasan (Mt.) in Gangdong-gu features about 120 different varieties of herbs.

 

 

 

Spring Flower Festivals

If you want to enjoy a spring flower festival, head over to the Hangang Yeouido Spring Flower Festival, which takes place on April 12 – 18 this year.

 

1. Hangang Yeouido Spring Flower Festival

The annual Hangang Yeouido Spring Flower Festival is held with over 1600 cherry trees from Jeju origin will bloom, along with more than 90,000 flowers that will delight the senses.

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