Jeonju Hanok Village

 

In the evening of 20 March 2026, we visited Jeonju Hanok Village. Jeonju Hanok Village comprises around 700 beautiful hanok buildings, and is Korea's largest, and the only urban, traditional hanok village. 

The beautiful hanboks

The village is famous among Koreans and tourists because of its traditional buildings that strongly contrast with the modern city around it. 

A lovely evening stroll.

We also had our foot spa and shoulder massage, in total 30 min, comprising of 15 min interval. 

Place we had our foot spa

Jeondong Cathedral

Pity we could not visit the church. The church was closed by the time we had our dinner. Jeonju Cathedral (Jeondang Seungdong Temple) was built in 1914 and was designed by the same priest who created Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul. It was the first cathedral in Jeolla Province, and its present building was completed in 1987.

Jeonju is famous for its Bibimbap. No surprises that is what we all had for dinner and complimentary ginseng strawberry from our guide. 

Gyeongam-dong Railway Retro village (Korea)

Here we are in Korea. I had a sleepless night as I can never sleep on planes. We arrived in Korea on 20 March 2026. Perhaps for me, this has to be the much awaited break after what I have been through in 2025. On arrival in Korea, we had to queue for 1.5hour at immigration. (perhaps due to the BTS Concert) and hence an increase in the number of visitors. After a sumptuous Braised Pork Ribs in potato soup, here we are at the first stop of the day. 

Gyeongam-dong Railway Village is a retro-themed attraction built around a 2.5km railway in Gyeongam-dong. We only walked the left side of the railway. The place was originally constructed in 1944 during the Japanese occupation to transport paper materials. Although train no longer run, the railway had been preserved as a cultural tourism site. 

Gyeongamdong Railroad Town is a charming district developed on top of abandoned railroad tracks. The village today creates the atmosphere of the 1970s and 1980s. This tourist destination evokes a nostalgic atmosphere. Visitors can stroll through the streets, admiring the picturesque scenery while soaking in the unique cultural experience. 

Old houses and shops line the tracks, and vendors sell nostalgic Korean snacks such as dalgona candy. For me, it was a walk along the railway track balancing the uneven ground, I was admiring the items and staff toys sold at the various stalls. The quaint ambiance and retro architectural style certainly caught my attention. 

Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel (Belgium)

Scherpenheuvel is a small town in the province of Flemish-Brabant, Belgium. It is known for its religious significance and history, attracting many visitors from all over the world. The town is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel, which is an important pilgrimage site for Catholics. 

The Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel is the most important attraction in the town. It is a baroque church that was built in the 17th century and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. 

It is believed that the Virgin Mary appeared to a shepherd boy on the hill where the Basilica now stands. The boy found a small statue of the Virgin Mary, which was later enshrined in the church. Since then, pilgrims have traveled to Scherpenheuvel to venerate the statue and ask for healing and blessings.

Aside of the Basilica there is a dedicated place where Christians burn a candle for good luck and faith. 

The Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel has a gigantic dome which is crowned with a lustrous scattering of 298 gilt stars. Not only is Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel Belgium’s most famous basilica, it is also the oldest domed church, dating back to 1627. The basilica and square are designed as a heptagram, symbolic of Mary’s seven sorrows and seven joys.

We took a train from Belgium and then a bus to visit the church. I felt the peace praying in the church. I was also admiring the beauty of the church’s architecture and interior decorations.

Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel

 

Manneken Pis & Jeanneke Pis (Brussels)

In Brussels, we visited Manneken Pis & Jeanneke Pis. In fact, this was my second visit to Mannekan Pis as I visited Belgium after graduation on student tour.  

Manneken Pis is a small bronze statue of a peeing boy that is located in the old part of town of Brussels, between rue de L'Étuve and rue Chene, next to the Grand Place. The Manneken Pis was designed in 1388 and is one of the most representative and loved symbols of Brussels.

Very close to the Grand Place visitors can also find the Manneken Pis’s “sister”, Jeanneke Pis. She is the female version of the little boy urinating. 

                                                 

This cheeky little girl with two ponytails is less known than her older brother and is a lot more modern. The little girl is made of bronze and squats and smiles while she urinates into a grey limestone base.

Belgium Trip 2024