A Warrior Wife: AK Plaza in Pyeongtaek

AK Plaza in Pyeongtaek

(Hangul: AK플라자)

AK Plaza is a large, 9-story department store with Pyeongtaek Station attached.

From our house, we jumped on the 20 bus and rode about 20 minutes.

The first time I rode the bus, I had no idea what to do.

There at the front of the bus, you see a clear plastic box - this is where you can insert cash (only 1000 won bills and change) and it will give you change at the bottom.

The other (more popular) option is a T money card, which you can buy at most larger convenience stores and at Pyeongtaek station too at a store called Storyway.

You just hold your card up to the white square on the scanner above the cash box.

Most Koreans don't even take their card out of their wallet, bag, etc. (but there can't be many layers between the card and the scanner).

Also, you want to scan your card again when you get off. If you get on another bus within 30 minutes (I think that's the time limit), it will only charge you part of the amount as a "transfer fee."

Here is AK Plaza! And Pyeongtaek train station!

Thankfully, you can see it coming on the bus, so it's easy to tell when you need to get off ;)

When you cross from the bus station, make sure you watch out for buses and taxis!

There are also usually some vendors along here. It is my goal not to accumulate junk while I am here ;) so I haven't bought anything.

Also, notice there are lots of bicycles used around here!

There is parking for vehicles on the other side of the building.

This confuses lots of people. If you drive there, you have to go THROUGH AK to get to all the restaurants and shops on the other side.

If you arrive on the bus, do NOT go through AK Plaza to go out into the city!

To get up to the train station and the rest of the shopping (besides the basement grocery store), you have to go up that mountain of stairs or ride the super cramped escalator.

This older man is usually posted here at the bottom of the escalator.

His tunes aren't complex, but he is always there! He seems to be such a steady presence that even we expect him to be there whenever we go to AK! (which he usually is ;)

Yeah, I'm really not sure why they don't have more escalators ;)

Near the bus terminal are these machines.

This is where you can purchase a train ticket or you can reload your T money card.

You can choose to see the menus in English, which is a HUGE help ;)

You just place your card in the red slot near my husband's hand and choose to reload money card.

You can put various amounts on your card.

Each bus ride is approximately 1200 won per adult, so keep that in mind when considering how much to put on your card. You can also use your card in some taxis and some convenience stores (haven't done that yet though).

Around the corner is a small Daiso, lots of inexpensive things from kitchen accessories to organizational baskets. Across from Daiso is the escalator up into the shopping levels.

Sorry if this is unclear...will have to take more photos...we mainly wander around, looking thoroughly American and extremely uncertain ;)

Now, up to the roof and you find a garden area. It is winter and it is raining, so we tried not to judge it and plan to return when it warms up!

One level down is a movie theater (unfortunately the prices are almost as high as the US!) and an arcade (apparently). We missed the arcade on our last visit. That is easy to do considering this place is very spread out and the escalators are scattered all over the place.

Around the corner you find a kid's play place, so if it's raining (like today) kiddos can burn some energy.

And you can participate in tarot reading. I don't know much about it, but I did find it interesting that these ladies had tables set up for interested shoppers ;)

From this high up you can see the "five fingers" of this area of Pyeongtaek.

You can see the five different streets that branch off here at the main bus stop at AK Plaza.

You have to pay attention to which "spoke" you're on, or it's easy to forget where that amazing place you love is located ;)

On the second spoke (road) from the left, you will find the McDonalds shown below. This is always easy to spot and good to keep track of, because here I can get on the 20 bus to head home! Otherwise it's easy to get on the bus going the wrong direction - you would still get there...it would just take a lot longer!

Oh and I'm proud to say, we have not had any McDonalds since being here!! ;)

Although, my husband does plan to eat some of the American chains for comparison's sake.

Floor 4 or 5 has food and other floors have shopping.

Will have to do another post when we've investigated more fully!

But we did check out the basement!!

There is lots going on down there.

We entered this area from the street level to the left of the escalator we normally take.

There were lots of places to eat down here. Every square inch of space is used in Korea. You don't have much privacy, but it's very efficient.

This little place had a sushi conveyor belt. You just pick up each of the plates you want and the color of each plate determines the price.

Here is the wine section! I love wine, but these were definitely above our normal price range - haha under $10 ;)

Many of these were 30,000 won ($30) or more.

Then we found this little bakery. Bakeries in Korea typically provide trays with wax paper on them and tongs to make your selections. Then you take your tray to the cashier and they bag up everything and you pay. Some places have an English description, but many don't ;) It's definitely hit or miss.