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Tour Seoul's Universities by Riding Bus No. 273

Seoul's Scenic University Campuses

Seoul’s public transportation system is one of the best in the world and the city’s buses are easy to figure out, even for visitors. It’s possible to tour Korea’s top universities via one bus route, blue bus no. 273! Blue bus no. 273 runs across Seoul, connecting 9 major universities in the city. Bus No. 273 connects Daehak-ro and Sinchon, so it’s possible to visit some of Korea’s best universities, like Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, Ewha University, Yonsei University and Hongik University. While riding the bus, it’s common to see university students wearing their school colors or school jackets. Visit the universities listed in this article and see Seoul's scenic university campuses.

Feel the Romance of Campus Life at Yonsei on Baekyang-ro

Yonsei University was established in 1957 when Yonhi University and Severance Medical School came together and agreed to merge into one institution of higher learning. Baekyang-ro is the road that leads into the university this road runs through the entire campus. Baekyang-ro is lined with many trees, making for a pleasant walk. Many notable Yonsei buildings can be spotted on both sides of the road. When walking from the main gate deeper into the campus, visitors will be able to see Yonsei’s eagle statue perched atop a high pillar. The eagle seems to be soaring high and is located on the left-hand side of the road. The eagle is Yonsei’s school symbol and mascot. Near the heart of the campus is the ivy-covered, gothic-style brick buildings: Underwood Hall, Stimson Hall, Appenzeller Hall. The buildings surround an English-style garden and courtyard that also has a statue of Dr. H. G. Underwood. The area is a popular photo spot and visitors should take time to get their own snaps when at Yonsei.

Behind Underwood Hall is Yonhi Hall, and the building may be recognizable to fans of Korean films and dramas. Yonhi Hall is a popular filming location and some of the most famous works filmed there are the movies “My Sassy Girl” and “The Classic” as well as the drama “Reply 1994.” Furthermore, a monument dedicated to the beloved poet Yun Dong-ju is also here. Yun’s most famous poem, “Foreward” is engraved on the monument. Furthermore, there are excellent walking trails throughout the campus grounds. The trails are not just popular with Yonsei students; locals often visit just to take a walk.

Gothic Architecture and Cutting Edge Research

From the main entrance to Korea University’s campus, visitors can see sweeping views of brick gothic-style buildings. Korea University’s main hall was designed by the first generation Korean architect, Park Dong-jin. In front of the main hall is the spacious campus Ccentral plaza, popular with students as a meeting point and a resting place. Located beneath Ccentral plaza is a three-story underground complex. Thanks to this complex, Korea University is the first university in the country to have an underground campus. The complex contains several facilities such as reading rooms, a café, a health center, and more. There is also a bakery that sells bread made by the university’s food research institute. The bread is called “Korea University Bread” and there is a souvenir shop too. Visitors can also stop by the Korea University Museum, which documents 100 years of history and displays cultural treasures, artifacts, and works of art. Visitors can enjoy art from notable Korean artists such as Park Su-geun and Jeong Gyeong Ja.

There are many well-established restaurants that offer great food at reasonable prices near the university.

A Centuries-Old Historical Campus

Sungkyunkwan University was established during the Joseon Dynasty in 1398 and Sungkyunkwan’s Seoul campus is located in the Myeongnyun-dong neighborhood. The campus melds the historic and traditional with the modern. Though Sungkyunkwan is one of Korea's best universities, during the Joseon Dynasty it was the top institution of higher learning. The first building visible from the university’s entrance is a Confucian shrine, the Daeseongjeon Shrine. Ancestral tablets of Korean and Chinese Confucian scholars are enshrined here. Behind the shrine is Myeongnyundang, a lecture hall for Confucian scholars. The buildings are surrounded by ginkgo trees that are believed to be over 400 years old.

Take a leisurely stroll around the buildings, the same way that scholars would have centuries ago. Past the shrine and hall, further into the campus is Bicheondang. Though the current building in a reconstruction (the original burned down during the Korean War), during the Joseon Dynasty, Bicheondang was the university’s exam hall. Visitors to the campus should also visit the 600th Anniversary Hall. The 600th Anniversary Hall houses the university’s museum. The museum has displays and exhibitions on a variety of subjects, including Confucian culture and the school’s illustrious history. Another popular spot at Sungkyunkwan is the law school building’s rooftop. The views of Seoul at night are particularly beautiful. The popular Hallyu actor from "Descendants of the Sun," Song Joong Ki is an alumnus of Sungkyunkwan.

Sungkyunkwan University is located next to the famed arts mecca, Daehak-ro. Daehak-ro is full of venues of all sizes that host concerts, musicals, and arts performances. Furthermore, the area is popular for its restaurants and cafes. Daehak-ro is fun to visit whether traveling alone, with friends, or with family!