Before enjoying the night view of downtown Seoul from Bugaksan Mountain, go experience the warm ambiance of a traditional marketplace. Walk for 10 minutes straight from exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung Station, subway line 3, and you'll run into Tongin Market, a traditional marketplace comprised of narrow alleys that boast long years of tradition. There are about 80 shops and eateries in Tongin Market, and anyone visiting the market will be absorbed in all the things to see and delicious food to eat.
There’s a place that is uniquely special in Tongin Market and can be found in the cafeteria area called Dosirak Café. What’s interesting is that you can only pay for food here with yupjeon, which is a type of a coin used during the Joseon Dynasty, instead of using cards or cash. You can purchase these coins at the customer service center located in the entrance of the market and buy food with them from the food establishments located inside. Inside the Dosirak Café of Tongin Market, you can fill your dosirak (lit. a boxed or packed meal) with various foods, including tteokbokki, tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties), gimbap, and many side dishes, and then enjoy eating them in your table in the café. A single yupjeon coin costs KRW 500, so you can enjoy plenty of food with about 10 coins. You can only buy the coins from 11 AM to 3 PM on weekdays and 11 AM to 4PM on weekends and holidays, so please check the hours before visiting.
A must-try food at Tongin Market is gireum tteok-bokki (pan-fried rice cake), which has been featured on many TV shows and programs. Gireum tteokbokki comes in two types – rice cakes stir-fried with either soy sauce or gochujang. You can enjoy either the salty type or the spicy type depending on your preference. The crispy texture is another reason this food is a unique specialty of Tongin Market that is beloved by so many. You’ve definitely got to try the gireum tteokbokki at the Dosirak Café.
Many couples choose to date at art museums or exhibitions. There are so many art museums in Seoul, but the one we recommend the most is the Seokpajeong Seoul Museum located in Buam-dong. The Seokpajeong Seoul Museum isn’t just an art museum. It’s also a space where the Seoul Museum, which hosts various exhibitions, and Seokpajeong, where you can see Bugaksan Mountain and Buam-dong in a single glance, coexisting with one another. The museum aims to provide visitors with the opportunity to choose how they’ll enjoy the diverse cultures in Seoul, a cultural hub of diversity.
As such, the Seokpajeong Seoul Museum hosts many unconventional and novel exhibitions rather than conventional ones. For instance, the museum has hosted an exhibition that expresses the emotions we feel when we are in love using temperatures, an exhibition about mirrors where visitors can look at themselves through the reflection, and a winter zoo exhibition that deals with the animals that visitors get to meet at the museum. If you are into potentially rediscovering yourself through exhibitions rather than simply appreciating artwork, we highly recommend you visit and see for yourself what the Seokpajeong Seoul Museum has to offer.
After enjoying a special exhibition at the museum, come up to the 4th floor. There, you’ll see Seokpajeong, a place that is cherished by many for providing an amazing panoramic view that captures both Bugaksan Mountain and Buam-dong. There’s an interesting story about this place. Seokpajeong used to be managed by a high-level official with the title of Yeonguijeong (prime minister,) during the Joseon Dynasty. Heungseon Daewongun, a politician and the father of Emperor Gojong, the 26th king of Joseon, liked this place and made it his own holiday cottage. As there were many rocks and hills in this place, the name of this place was changed to Seokpajeong, with “seok” meaning rocks, and “pa” meaning hills, according to the Chinese character meaning. Apparently, even Heungseon Daewongun’s pseudonym, Seokpa, comes from this place as well, which hints at allure of Seokpajeong.
There are lots of places to look around in Seokpajeong. Right across from the entrance, you can see the sarangchae (guestroom). Right next to it, there’s Cheonsesong, an old pine tree that is hundreds of years old that conveys the centuries of history it preserves in its grains. There’s also an annex building, and the view from the annex is extremely beautiful. As you look at the harmonious scenery of the mountain, trees, and sarangchae, you’ll feel as if you’re back in time in the middle of the Joseon Dynasty. It’s also worth noting that there’s a room in the annex that Emperor Gojong had stayed.
Below Bugaksan Mountain, there are many mesmerizing coffee shops that are different from ordinary coffee shops. The first place we recommend is Sanmotoonge Café in Buam-dong. It found popularity following its appearance as a filming location on the popular TV series, Coffee Prince. The biggest advantage of this place is the beautiful view you get from the café. With the tall Bugaksan Mountain as a distance peering down at you, you get to see the cool downtown of Seoul as well. If you visit this café when the weather is nice, experience healing alone under the sun and breeze.
Another café that was featured on television is The Piano. Located in Pyeongchang-dong, The Piano is where various commercials and entertainment shows, such as Heart Signal and Hangout with Yoo, were filmed. It’s difficult to get there using public transportation, but once you arrive, the view that unfolds before you will make you doubt whether you're actually viewing it from the middle of a downtown, urban area. The Piano is where you can take lots of wonderful photos with Bugaksan Mountain in the background, so remember to visit this café when you’re around Pyeongchang-dong.
After spending the daytime at a coffee shop with an amazing view, it’s now time to enjoy the night view of Seoul. There are several spots to enjoy a great night view of Seoul. Today, we’ll introduce you to the place where you can enjoy the night view of downtown Seoul at its finest – the Bugak Skyway. Just because you are in Bugaksan Mountain, it doesn’t mean you have to hike all the way up. In fact, you can drive right up to the spot itself! That’s why the Bugak Skyway is a favorite among couples as a part of an adored driving route at night.
Before looking at the night view from Bugak Skyway, it’s also a good idea to visit and take a look around the Bugak Palgakjeong Pavilion first. This pavilion, which is just as beautiful as the Seoul's nightscape, becomes even more gorgeous at night with its lights turned on. There’s also the “junk art” exhibition, showcasing artwork made with disposed items and recycled materials.
Once you’ve briefly looked around Bugak Palgakjeong Pavilion, you're ready to fully engage in the surrounding night view. The best part of enjoying the night view of Seoul from Bugak Skyway is the panoramic view. You can see Namsan Mountain, located right in the center of Seoul, and Namhansanseong, located toward Gangnam. When there are clear skies, you can even see the Lotte Tower. But, that’s not all! Look up the dark sky and you’ll even be able to catch some beautiful starlight. You can feel both the urban vibe of the downtown area blended with the surreal nature of the mountaintop at the Bugak Skyway.
With the stars glimmering above and Seoul shining brightly below, you'll want to make it a point to visit with your special someone and appreciate the return of romantic summer nights all over again at Bugaksan Mountain!
Related Articles
※ This article is dated May 2022. Business operations and business hours may change according to government quarantine guidelines. Please check before visiting.