김천 청주 1박 2일~ 2 Days 1 Night @ Gimcheon & Cheongju

September 2017. Day 3 in Busan. Raining day. We went to Gimcheon for a business visit. Just like our previous visit to Gimcheon, we took Mugunghwa-ho since as our destination is near Gimcheon station. Mugunghwa-ho is Korail's slowest trains that stopped by small towns and villages that other train-line doesn't serve. I personally prefer Mugunghwa-ho if we are not in hurry as I like the countryside scenery along the way compared to KTX that see nothing much. 

It's been more than 7 years since I last visited Gimcheon. We arrived at lunch hour, and have lunch at 선채령 Seon Chaeryeong~ a restaurant in Bugok-dong Matgoeul that serve Hanjeongsik meal by using Gimcheon freshly produced agriculture products. The meal course we had is Seon Chaeryeong Jeongsik @ 10,000won per pax. It consist of stone pot steamed rice, black pork bossam with Gimcheon Jirye Black pig, dwenjang jiggae, acorn jelly pancake with chives & apples, some banchan made from freshly harvest seasonal vegetables such as seasoned muk, salad with black sesame sauce, water kimchi etc, and their homemade gochujang which be use to make bibimbap with the stone pot steam rice and fresh veggie from banchan. 

After lunch and finished the business meeting, before leaving Gimcheon to Cheongju, we were invited for dinner together at 김천만송골갈비탕 Gimcheon Mansonggol Galbitang Restaurant which specialized in Galbitang using Hanwoo (Korean beef) at Jogakgongwon-gil. This premium Galbitang with abalone and Korean beef no doubt is one of the best beef ribs stew I had so far. The udon that added into the stew absorb the broth from Galbitang well is so addictive. We were thankful for being treated with nice meals when we were in Gimcheon.

After dinner, we took Mugunghwa-ho again from Gimcheon station to Jochiwon, Sejong-si. The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 mins. Ashough Jochiwon station has upgraded into a modern building, however the pedestrian tunnel that linked the railway stop to terminal hall still preserve it previous old look. We then head to downtown Cheongju city centre and spent a night at a hotel nearby to the Cheongju Intercity Bus Terminal since we have a meeting next day morning in Cheongju. After the meeting we will be heading to Seoul for another 3 days 2 nights business trip.

김천 울산식당 & 직지 문화공원 Gimcheon, Ulsan Restaurant's Hanjeongsik Lunch & Jikji Cultural Park

January 2010. Day 5 in Busan. Today we travel to Gimcheon for a business trip. It's our first time to Gimcheon - a city in North Gyeongsang Province. From Gupo station, we took the earliest Korail train to Gimcheon. It's snowing in Gimcheon~ finally I get to see snow again as Busan rarely snow due snow cloud will become dry when they pass over Jirisan in Jeonnam. Oppa said he can't recall when it is the last time Busan snowed. During the 2.5 hours journey, we dozed off for almost an hour at the beginning. When we woke up again, we saw snow along the railway, grounds and mountain. After arrived Gimcheon, we had hot udon & kimbap as breakfast at a cafe next to Gimcheon Station exit before we depart to our destination.

After the meeting, we were invited for Hanjeongsik lunch at a mountain town below Hwangaksan where a well-known temple Jijiksa is located not far away. Jikjisa is one of the oldest temple in Korea constructed in 418 during the Silla Kingdom, well known with it's temple stay. This small town in Daehang-myeon that covered with snow everywhere has restaurants and motels that accommodate people who came to visit the Jikjisa.

We have Hanjeongsik lunch at this matjib named 울산식당 Ulsan Restaurant. Hanjeongsik is a full-course traditional Korean meal served with an array of savory side dishes. It was served in the royal palaces for Kings and noble class during Joseon Dynasty. Side dishes can be vary according to the season or region. Main dish normally are meat or seafood. Here charcoal grilled bulgogi is served as main. There are 3 types of Hanjeongsik in their menu. Lowest is 13,000 won per pax and highest is 20,000 per pax. Except for the main dish (grilled pork and beef), the vegetable side dish are refillable. If you would like to try different types of Korean side dishes at once, Hanjeongsik restaurant can be the best choice with affordable price!

After meal. we take a stroll at the 직지 문화공원 Jik-ji Cultural Park which is just few miles away from the restaurant before head to train station and return to Busan. The park completed in 2004 has a natural steam running thru the park, surrounded by beautiful landscape, artificial fountain, sculptures and other facilities. Now it is covered in snow in winter so basically there is just white scenery everywhere. To get here: From Gimcheon Train Station, take bus No. 11 or No. 111 to Jikjisa Temple- The restaurant and Jikji Cultural Park is located few km before Jikjisa Temple.