Bugak Palgakjeong

Seoul has many mountains, it’s over 100 mountains. I am sure of you knowing one of them, Mountain Namsan. Many of foreign visitors go to Namsan and visit N Seoul Tower. Locals? We are going to another stunning point when we want to see the city from above. It has awesome scenery, especially at night. I’d like to introduce this place. It is Palgakjeoung located in Mountain Bugak overlooking whole Seoul city. Its romantic night view is famous dating course.

When you get on the top, you can see Palgakjeong. (‘Palgak Jeong’ means ‘Octagonal Pavilion’) Palgakjeong Pavilion sits on Bugaksan. It is placed in the middle of Bugak Mountain, but you can enjoy 360 degree views of Seoul. Its octagonal pavilion also has some resting place such as café, restaurant and observation deck. It wasn’t difficult to find N Seoul tower in Namsan and Han river. I could even see the super tall Lotte world tower in Jamsil. (Far south over Han river)

Bugak Skyway, for a ride

The way to Palgakjeong is called Bugak Skyway which is a well-known road for taking drives due to its beautiful night view, but a quite rough driving route. I mean, the road twists around the mountain. Mountain Bugak has a view Seoul from the Fortress Wall. You can have a fantastic drive along the route enjoying beautiful scenery for 10km.

Slow Mailbox

It is like a time capsule. If you put a letter into the slow mailbox, the letter will be delivered a year later. You can write and send a mail to your family, friend or yourself. How amazing is it to send a part of the present to someone you love.

It costs 3,000 won for domestic mail and 5,000 won for air mail. You can purchased regular postcards or envelopes of letter for posting at the Sky Restaurant on the second floor of the Palgakjeong.

Hiking Spot, Bugaksan-Gil Promenade

If you want to go up there without a car, then prepare your legs. Unfortunately there is no direct public transportation to Palgakjeong. There is no other way but to walk from the entrance of the path for 3 km. It will take about 50 mins. There are four walking trails to Palgakjeong for enjoying beautiful scenery. One famous interesting path is the ‘Kim Sinjo route’. This route became known in 1968 by North Korean Spies attacking the presidential blue house, Cheongwadae. It has opened since 2009. Visitors show their passports to enter the area. Its time for visiting are limited from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.

Address : 267 Bugaksan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Parking lot : 11:00 – 23:00 (300 won for every 10 min)

Webpage: http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004003002014&p=03&art_id=609&lang=en

Admission: Free

Transportation : Gyeongbokgung Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 3 – Take Bus 0212, 1030 or 7022 and get off at Jahamun Gate (Changuimun Gate) Bus Stop – Walk toward the entrance of the path to Bugak Mountain for 3 km to the Palgakjeong. or Take a taxi from Gyeongbokgung Station. (It costs around 6,000 won)