It might take some time and practice for the name to roll off your tongue smoothly. Anuradhapura is an ancient city, which was the capital of Sri Lanka for a thousand years. The Buddhist dagobas, high-rise temples, ponds and ancient palaces are vestiges of the cultural,…
The clock tower in Dambulla graciously welcomed me upon my arrival. Dambulla was to be my base over the next few days. In Sri Lanka main streets carve their way through the middle of town. They are named after the biggest city they lead to,…
Maintaining the lifestyle of the rich and famous may be expensive, but give it a try, even if only for a day. Clicking high heels create a rhythmic soundtrack, which embodies the glamour of Cheongdam-dong Luxury Street. This high-end street aptly captures the true essence…
My wonderful friend, Gina, and I spent the afternoon nobly frolicking around Changdeokgung Palace like we owned the place: quite literally we were pretending to be the daughters of royalty. We suspended our disbelief – no one had to know that we were ACTUALLY part of…
Incheon Chinatown is the biggest and only (official) chinatown in South Korea. Its beginnings can be traced back to the late 19th century when it was opened in an attempt to create a free trade zone for Chinese merchants and settlers. The Korean War, however,…
I updated this post in December 2017. :) Captured by an age-old spell, Lilliput – also known as Gaemi Maeul or Ant Village to the locals – lies hidden in the hills near Bugaksan in northwestern Seoul. Once I passed through the portal, like the one found in The…
High-heeled strides along Sinsa Dong’s Gingko-lined promenade are a popular pastime for many Seoulites. You’ll be forgiven for momentarily thinking that you are ambling along a bustling boulevard somewhere in Europe, when you encounter it at first glance. The main street, Garosu-gil, is lined with…
I wrote this article for Neh Magazine as part of my freelance work. I wander wide-eyed along the eastern wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, beneath the Gingko trees. You should visit Samcheong Dong with the intention of getting lost among the narrow paths and alleyways. It’s the…
Now that you’ve read Busan on a Budget, here’s my advice on where to go and what to do while in Busan. Beomeosa Temple At over 1,300 years old, Beomeosa Temple, which was built in 678AD, is Busan’s oldest zen Buddhist temple. Its ancient artifacts epitomise…
This is post is about the second two of our roadtrip to Gyeongju, here is Gyeongju: The Gorgeous (Part 1). On Sunday morning we rented bicycles so as to explore the city at our leisure. Our first stop was Tumuli Park where we explored the…
N Seoul Tower is the South Korean equivalent of the Eiffel Tower and possibly one of the most romantic place in Seoul by night. The rails of the viewing deck are clad in hundreds of multi-coloured padlocks, which are engraved with lovers’ inscriptions. So many have…
Hwaseong Fortress enfolds Suwon CBD in its arms. The fortress extends 5.74 kilometres and encloses 1.3 square kilometres. It was built in the late eighteenth century to protect the capital of Gyeonggi Province, which is where Seoul is located. It took two and a half years or 700,000 man hours…
Bongeunsa Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple that was founded in 794AD by monk Yeon-hoe, who was the highest ranking monk of the Silla dynasty at the time. Nowadays, its location seems quite incongruous among the surrounding high-rise buildings of Gangnam, which tower above it. It is directly opposite COEX Mall…
I visited Gyeongbokgung Palace so many times during my two years in South Korea that I’ve lost county. Yet each visit brought with it some new insight into Korean culture and its proud people. The palace is synonymous with Seoul and arguably South Korea; it’s…