Best views from Bugaksan Mountain, Cheong Wa Dae Observatory

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Bugaksan Mountain

Best views from Bugaksan Mountain, Cheong Wa Dae Observatory–Chunchugwan Trail

Published Date : Dec 22, 2022 / Edited Date : Dec 08, 2023

This relatively short and leisurely trail makes for easy walking. Follow the one-
way road on the right side of Daetongmun Gate up to Cheong Wa Dae Observatory,
the highest point of the trail. The boarded deck offers great views of the Cheong Wa
Dae complex, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Gwanghwamun Gate as well as the
thoroughfare stretching all the way to Seoul City Hall.

Hiking route

Chilgung Shrine Backroad Baegakjeong Pavilion Daetongmun Gate Cheong Wa Dae Observatory Chunchugwan Backroad

Total travel distance 2.18km

Average travel time 50 minutes

Difficulty easy

COURSE MAP

A diagram showing the course of the 3rd course of Mt. Bukak, Cheongwadae Observatory - Chunchugwan. The difficulty of the section from the back road of Chilgung to Baekakjeong, the starting point, is easy, the section from Baekakjeong to Daetongmun is easy, the section from Daetongmun to Cheongwadae Observatory is easy, and the section from Cheongwadae Observatory to the back road of Chunchugwan is easy.

A graph showing the change in altitude between the three courses of Mt. The total length is about 2.18 kilometers. The starting point, the back road of Chilgung, is about 0 km and the altitude is about 50 meters. Baegakjeong Pavilion is about 0.65 km long and about 170 meters high. The distance to the main gate is about 0.85 km, and the altitude is about 180 m. The distance of the Blue House Observatory is about 1 kilometer, and the altitude is about 200 meters. The distance to the destination, the back road of Chunchugwan, is about 2.18 kilometers, and the altitude is about 50 meters.

INFORMATION

About the trail

Steep stone steps link Chilgung Shrine to Baegakjeong Pavilion. A pair of hiking sticks make the climb far easier.

Shelter and hiking tips

Take a seat at Baegakjeong Pavilion and look south beyond the Cheong Wa Dae walls. Visible beyond Namsan Mountain are the peaks of Cheonggyesan Mountain south of the Hangang River and to the right is Gwanaksan Mountain.

Transportation

Take bus No. 1711 outside Exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station, Seoul Metro Line 3. Get off at Hyoja-dong, pass Singyo-dong intersection, and walk 300 meters toward Sihwamun. If you go straight along Changuimun-ro between Sihwamun and Mugungwha Park, you will come across Chilgung Shrine. The road behind Chilgung Shrine leads to the Bugaksan Trail.

SPOTS

Baegakjeong Pavilion

This pavilion is great for taking a quick break before making the climb to Cheong Wa Dae Observatory. N Seoul Tower is visible over Cheong Wa Dae walls from Baegakjeong Pavilion, which is flanked by commemorative zelkova and hornbeam trees planted by past presidents.

Daetongmun Gate

This gate stands along the path from Cheong Wa Dae Observatory to the summit, but has limited opening hours. Those arriving after hours must turn left toward Samcheong Park, passing the Baegak 1-gyo and Baegak 2-gyo bridges.

Cheong Wa Dae Observatory

The great views of downtown Seoul from Cheong Wa Dae Observatory impress all who visit and provide a great spot for taking panoramic photos. Looking south from the deck, Namsan Mountain can be seen on the left and Gwanaksan Mountain on the right. Even Lotte World Tower at Jamsil can be seen.

MORE INFO

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395, and the Cheong Wa Dae grounds were originally its backyard. When Cheong Wa Dae was first built in 1939, it was called “Gyeongmudae” (the palace police station), and from when the government of the Republic of Korea in 1948 was established until recently, it was used as the official residence of the president. Cheong Wa Dae took on its current name during the term of the fourth president Yun Po-sun, and it has been open to the public since May 2022.
Looking up at Bugaksan Mountain from the main gate of Cheong Wa Dae, a pair of boulders called Buaam Rock or Haetaebawi Rock projects above the roof line. The haetae is a mythical unicorn-lion that was believed to ward off evil spirits and symbolize the energy of water. The watery energy of Haetaebawi on Bugaksan to the north counters the fiery energy of Gwanaksan Mountain to the south, striking a harmonious balance.

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