Save travel information you're interested in according to the region to view in your favorites list later on.
※ The actual region of the content is selected. Descending toward the Seoul neighborhood of Buam-dong and spending the evening in Seongbuk-dong is a great way to end a day of hiking on Bugaksan Mountain.
The historical Seongbuk-dong area has attracted scholars and literati throughout the nation’s history and is home to many renovated Hanok residences where visitors can recover and recharge.
Gilsangsa Temple lies just outside the commotion and congestion of the capital. The temple grounds are open to all who wish to meditate, contemplate, and pray and temple stays are offered throughout the year. This temple only offers a one-day stay, but even a few hours are enough to cleanse the mind. A brief initiation in temple etiquette is followed by a silent circling of the main pagoda, learning the lotus position, attending a contemplation session, and holding dialogue over tea. Contemplation is the principal method of Korean Buddhism practice and a means of transcending life and death to discover the true freedom of the unattached self.
Heungcheonsa Temple stands at the entrance to Jeongneung Royal Tomb. While the temple has a collection of cultural properties, the centerpiece is Geungnakbojeon Hall. The temple was built in 1853 by the monk Gubong Gyejang in the typical architectural style of the late Joseon Dynasty. The flower-patterned engravings above the doorways and dragon’s head carvings atop the pillars attest to the ornate and functional architectural techniques of the time. After marveling at the technical sophistication of the structure, chat with resident monks over a cup of tea. This is a great opportunity to inquire about Buddhist culture or discuss the daily conflicts and hardships of modern life.
The Korean Stone Art Museum houses more than 1,250 masonry artifacts, 280 needlework pieces, and 100 modern and contemporary paintings. The museum occupies a sprawling site of 18,182 square meters on the Seongbuk-dong hills between Bugaksan Mountain and the Seoul City Wall. Many muninseok stone statues sold or smuggled overseas are on display at the Recovered Artifacts Hall. These imposing replicas of civil officials, like those of military officials and guardians, were placed around tombs and graves to guard and protect the premises.
This was a favorite gathering spot for noted modern Korean writers Yi Tae-jun, Jeong Ji-yong, Lee Hyo-seok, and Lee Eun-sang. The residence sits among the western hills of the neighborhood Seongbuk-dong and features cross-shaped holes in the outer walls designed to pass the wind through. The original owner was Yi Jong- seok, an affluent merchant from the late Joseon era who built his fortune selling salted shrimp in Mapo, the epicenter of waterborne transportation at the time. The gambrel roof and manicured landscaping attest to his vast wealth.
Sitting on the foothills of Bugaksan Mountain, this village was a favorite neighborhood of the Joseon Dynasty’s royalty, high-ranking officials, and elites. The number of Hanok homes here has exploded from around 30 to 1,400. To truly appreciate the 600-year history of the neighborhood, two must-visit places before exploring the village are Bukchon Cultural Center and Bukchon Hanok History Museum. The village also offers workshops in many traditional Korean handicrafts. Bukchon Village Library has a sizable collection of over 1,230 books donated by residents for reading by visitors.
A leisurely drive along the 19-kilometer mountain road along the ridge of Bugaksan Mountain leads to Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion, standing 342 meters above sea level and offering excellent views of Seoul’s beautiful seasonal transformations. At night, this is a great vantage point amid city lights. Food and drink are available at Sky Restaurant inside the pavilion, which is also great for seeing views when the weather is too hot or cold.
Built in 1933 during Japanese occupation, this structure faces north to shun the former headquarters of the Japanese Government- General in the south. The humble abode reflects the upright and thrifty nature of its builder, independence activist Han Yong-un. The name board in the study bears the name of the home as written by fellow independence activist and calligrapher Oh Se-chang.
The archetypal text on syntax theory, Munjang gangwha (Diction on Writing), by novelist Yi Tae-jun remains a classic among Korean writers even today. Suyeon Sanbang was the place Lee Tae-jun, whose pen name is Sang-heo, resided from 1933 to 1946 and where he wrote "Moonlit Night," "The Stone Bridge," and "Hwang Jini." This residence was also the headquarters of the literary community Guinhoe (Group of Nine) before being turned into a teahouse in 1998.The facility's name is loosely translated into "a home in the mountains for reading and scholarly gatherings." Thus, sit with a warm cup of ginger tea and soak up culture here.
A Buam-dong institution since 1993, this restaurant is best known for its signature tri- color tteok (rice cake) and mandu (dumpling) soup, colored naturally using spinach, carrots, and beet. Jaha Sonmandu is featured in the Michelin Guide Seoul 2023. The depth of flavor here owes to the homemade jang (fermented soybean paste) prepared once annually in winter using meju (boiled and crushed soybean) blocks sourced from Chungcheong-do.
This place serves old-style Korean fried chicken with hefty wedges of fried sumi (waxy) potatoes harvested in the highlands of Gangwon-do. The salt here is straight from the salt flats of Sinan, Korea’s largest salt-producing region, and carefully stored for at least six years before being toasted to evaporate away any impurities. This results in a decidedly sweet and nutty flavor on the coarse grains of salt, amplifying the chicken’s flavor. A popular side dish is golbaengi (sea snail) noodles, a classic anju (food to be eaten while drinking alcohol). The sea snails are tossed in a gently spicy sauce with apples, Korean pears, and sea grass and served with a mound of cold, thin noodles made from flour. The fresh taste added with low-key umami is one of a kind.
This 130-year-old traditional Hanok was remodeled by master carpenter Jeong Yeong-jin. A pavilion, pond, and an open wooden floor are arranged around the yard in the classical style in a throwback to Korea’s past. The guest quarters are divided into five sections and the Pavilion Room provides a perfect space for drinking tea and quiet contemplation.
For around 60 years since 1942, Boan Inn has been in place, serving as a home for many notable writers, including Seo Jeong-ju and Kim Dong-ni. Recognized as the birthplace of Korean literature, it was also the headquarters of a literary coterie magazine, Siin burak (Poet's Village). Boan Stay preserves the tradition of the old Boan Inn, occupying the third and fourth floors of what is now a cultural arts establishment called Boan 1942. Boan Stay is ideal for temporary lodging for cultural nomads. Rooms feature great contrasting views of the urban skyline and peaks of Bugaksan Mountain and are artistically decorated with works and furniture by contemporary designers.
This Hanok residence is nestled in the old residential neighborhood of Samcheong- dong. Originally built in 1938, the premises were remodeled in May 2019. Its name loosely translates to "House of Comforting Acquaintances." This private accommodation also accepts just one guest or group at a time. The graceful and dignified interior is an ideal setting for conversations over tea. The signature outdoor bath here is closed for winter from December to February.
#Seoul Hiking #Two-day itinerary #Cheongsudang SPA #Bugaksan Mountain #Heungcheonsa Temple #Gilsangsa Temple # Seoul Hiking Tourism #Seoul Mountains #Yi Jong-seok’s Villa #Korean Stone Art Museum #Bukchon Hanok Village #Itinerary