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. The picturesque trails through and around Inwangsan
can easily wow even the novice hiker. An early morning climb leaves
the afternoon open for exploring the city. Follow the itinerary below
for a slow experience that sparks artistic inspiration.
The merchant Hong Geon-ik bought this site in the Pirun-dong neighborhood in 1934 and built the structure for two years. The home has quarters for the main gate, servants, men, and women, an annex, and garden. The inner and outer quarters are separated by a gate and another leads to the garden. The elevated garden has an ice shed built into the ground below. Designated Seoul Folklore Cultural Heritage No. 33 in 2013, the residence is also a venue for cultural programs and archive exhibitions as a living and integral part of the neighborhood.
Sitting at the heart of the metropolis, the temple has a spacious yard, traditional architecture, and elements Korean Buddhist culture. The temple grounds offer a unique charm every season, attracting visitors and devotees year-round: lanterns in spring, lotus flowers in summer, and chrysanthemums in fall. Through temple stay, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Buddhist culture. There are programs such as "A Pause," where one can go through inner contemplation, and "Mind Forest," where one can learn spiritual practices and wisdom of the mind. In connection with Gyeongbokgung Bookstore Road, one can enjoy time for reading.
This program occupies a remodeled corner of the residence of President Yun Po-sun and offers traditional Korean teas tailored to a visitor’s individual physical constitution and energy. Yulmu (pearl barley) tea is prescribed for a heavy detox and gugija (goji berry) tea to relieve tired eyes and heavy stress. One can enjoy the slowly extracted teas that are both deeply warming and soothing, with their strong yet gentle aromas forming the essence of tea therapy. The mini foot bath outside the café is also great for healing and relaxation.
This bookstore and café opened in 2020 sits midway up Inwangsan Mountain. Formerly a police guard post, the building was remodeled in glass to offer 360-degree views of the natural scenery of Inwangsan. The bookstore on the ground floor offers books on nature, meditation, and life lessons. Pick a book and beverage before heading up to the second floor. Engage in literary contemplation surrounded by Inwangsan on all sides.
Starting as a bookstore in the Le Marais quarter of Paris, 0fr has since expanded into a studio and publisher thanks to its popularity among the French capital’s creative people. Its Seoul branch has moved from Seongsu-dong to resettle in Seochon, and this detached house remodeled with liberal artistic sensibilities has merchandise irregularly arranged inside among torn-down walls for visitors to freely wander through. 0fr. Séoul is full of art literature, trendy design posters, and other goods including echo bags sporting the 0fr logo.
A lifestyle shop featuring sustainable lifestyles, this store showcases handcrafted Korean liquor and spirits from obscure makers, with considerable time and effort devoted to bringing out the flavor of each. Take home a bottle to unwind as the perfect way to spend a post-hike evening. The shop offers a plethora of eco-friendly merchandise with natural and recycled materials, with the space’s keywords being earthenware teapots and cups, vegan soaps, and incense holders chiseled from humble rocks.
This building seemingly without purpose has a simple facade void of color or scent, ironically making the structure one of the most interesting in the Seochon neighborhood. Daechung Park melts naturally into the hood with a fluid arrangement of interior spaces. Glimpses of the neighborhood while ascending the labyrinth- like steps to the fourth-floor café are intriguing. Daechung Park does away with the giant espresso machines of most cafés and serves hand-dripped cups made from specialty beans, with two types of beans served each week. Take a seat on the veranda facing Inwangsan to take in the view while sipping.
The museum sits at the residential quarters among alleyways where many painters and poets from yesteryear lived. The former home of artist Park No-soo was built in 1937, and he lived and worked there from 1973 to 2011. He donated his house to the city of Seoul, which reopened it as a museum in 2013. Exhibitions from the artist’s private collection are held here for artists and casual visitors alike.
For visitors wanting a sip of an early-afternoon drink accompanied by good music, Seochon Blues is perfect. Climb the steep stairs up to the second floor to find an old-school area packed with vinyl records and CDs. Request a song by writing the name on a piece of paper, hand it over to the DJ, and grab a seat and wait. Seochon Blues is all about nostalgia for the analog and often hosts exciting folk and jazz music.
A small pavilion at the western entrance to Tongin Market is where villagers used to gather to chat and mingle. The market only measures 200 meters from end to end, with 80 tiny stores crammed tight but has must- try foods like trademark light-fried tteokbokki (spicy rice cake), grilled buckwheat crepes, and giant chicken skewers. Dosirak Café Tong, located midway through the market, has seats and tables to eat the street foods in comfort. Pick up a tray here and fill it with grub while roaming the market.
Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) is a great way to recover energy after a long day’s hike. Opened in 1983, Tosokchon Samgyetang has served profound flavors of this dish for 40 years near Gyeongbokgung Station. The samgyetang here is especially sought after during the peak of summer, as a Korean secret to surviving the heat is to “fight fire with fire.” Succulent, fall-off- the bone chicken in a thick and hearty broth is this area’s hallmark. The chicken is stuffed with sticky rice, flavorful ginseng, pumpkin seeds, chestnuts, jujubes, and ginkgo.
As its name suggests, Of Onebookstay is designed around “stay” and “book” at a private Hanok (traditional Korean home) for quiet reading and contemplation. A footbath, scented candles, and playing of slow tunes are great for visitors while they gaze into the sky above through the old birch tree in the courtyard.
A night at Jinseojae, a traditional Hanok whose original woodwork has been meticulously preserved, is truly special with its name literally meaning “Where the light creeps in.” The blue sky is visible between the eaves of the opposing quarters and through the skylights in the master bedroom’s ceiling. Completing the space is a modern dining space and bathroom. Jinseojae is conveniently located near Tongin Market and a stone’s throw from major attractions.
This humble residence occupies a corner of a tiny alley deep inside the Nuha-dong neighborhood, with a quality that makes the mundane precious. The garden greets visitors followed by a patterned wall with steppingstones. The lounge offers healing and music amid the warmth of a wood-fire stove. Relax the mind and body in the modern sunken bathtub while focusing on the self. The garden is especially beautiful when the crepe myrtle tree is in full pink bloom.
#Inwangsan Mountain #Two-day itinerary #Hong Geon-ik’s House #Jogyesa Temple #Seoul Mountains #Itinerary #Seochon #Seoul Hiking #Makefolio Seochon #Tea Therapy #0fr. Séoul # Seoul Hiking Tourism #Daechung Park #The Forest Chosochaekbang #Inwangsan Mountain