I do love May in Korea. It is one of the best months to travel around Seoul. Sun is shining with a nice cool breeze, flowers are in full bloom, and there are lots of festivals around the city. It is also the best time to stroll around old parts of Seoul. There are a few Hanok Villages in Seoul and the most famous one is probably Bukchon Hanok Village. I like Bukchon one, of course, but my favorite one is Seochon Hanok Village. One day in May last year when the weather was perfect, I was on a Seoul City Walking Tour run by Seoul city and had a wonderful time exploring the whole Seochon area.
Route
Gyeongbokgung Station – Site of the Tongui-dong Baeksong (White Pine Tree) – Tongui-dong Hanok Village – Tongin Market – House of the Yun Family in Okin-dong – Ongnyu-dong – Paiwha (Baehwa) Girls’ High School Saenghwalgwan (Multi-Purpose Hall) – Sajik Park – Gyeongbokgung Station
Tongui-dong Baeksong (White Pine Tree)
This white pine tree was once a Natural Monument but in 1990 a typhoon caused this tree to wither and die.
The outer wall of Gyeongbokgung palace
Tongui-dong Hanok Village
Tongui-dong Hanok Village is located to the west of the Gyeongbokgung palace. This district belongs to Seochon, which means Seoul’s ‘Western village’. This area was a home to the middle-class professionals.
Tongin Market
This is a great market especially to foodies!
Ogin-dong to Suseong-dong Valley of Inwangsan
Suseong-dong Valley in Inwangsan is a nice getaway from the city. Jeong Seon (1676–1759), a master of capturing Korean landscape, painted this Suseong-dong Valley and recently Suseong-dong was restored to its original condition based on that Painting.
Park Nosu’s House in Ogin-dong
Yi Sang-beom’s House and Atelier in Nuha-dong
This house is a Registered Cultural Heritage 171.
Sajik Park
Sajikdan, an altar honoring the gods of the earth, is in the center of Sajik Park.
I thoroughly enjoyed this route. You can join Seoul City Walking Tour guided by an expert volunteer in Korean or English or make your own tour which will give you more flexibility.
Hi, thanks for sharing.
May I ask why you prefer seochon Hanok village than bukchon?
Hi, Kathy! I prefer Seochon Hanok village because it gives you a better glimpse into how middle class Koreans lived during the Joseon Dynasty and in the modern days as well. The place seems to have been changed over time intergrading modern lifestyle. On the other hand, Bukchon Hanok Village was the quarter for high-ranking officials and nobles and it is now a kind of open air museum. It is more traditional and has a better infra structure for tourists. I love both places. I just enjoy more walking through the maze of streets in Seochon. 😉