Seoul walking tour courses give freshness for pandemic-weary citizens

 

Bukchon Hanok Village / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization

By Bahk Eun-ji

Strolling through downtown Seoul can bring some freshness into the weary daily routine for citizens who have been unable to travel since the start of the prolonged pandemic.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Tourism Organization operate guided walking tour programs where participants can explore various themed tourist attractions in the capital while listening to tour guides certified by the city government.

There are a total of 44 courses with 225 guides including speakers of various foreign languages. As the highest Level 4 social distancing measures have been implemented in the greater Seoul area, the number of participants for each tour is limited to three until at least Sept. 5.

Of the 44 courses, the organization has recommended three courses, full of cultural attractions and artistic ambience. They are: Bukchon Hanok Village, where visitors can feel the elegance and serenity of the country's traditional hanok architecture; Daehangno, which is full of passion of cultural and performing artists with artistic sculptures and buildings with modern history; and Chungmuro and Euljiro where the past and present coexist in the alleyways.

Bukchon, place of elegance and quietness of hanok

If you are looking for hanok (traditional Korean houses) in downtown Seoul, the first place that comes to mind is probably Bukchon Hanok Village. Bukchon is located between Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace, and was regarded as one of the ideal places to live, situated between Mount Bugak and Cheonggye Stream.

In particular, Unhyeon Palace near Anguk Station on Seoul Metro Line 3, the starting point of the course, was the residence of Heungseon Daewongun, the father of King Gojong of the late Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).

Jeongdok Public Library / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization

When heading to the Bukchon Hanok Cultural Center from the starting point, the houses of royal families and aristocrats of Joseon continue to spread out so that visitors can feel as if they are in the Joseon era.

But there are also modern buildings such as Choong Ang High School, Jeongdok Public Library, Gahoedong Cathedral and the emerald blue roof of Lee Jun-gu House, a Western-style house built in late keonhacai . A hilly alley there provides the best photogenic spot in the Bukchon area looking down over hanoks and even Mount Nam in the distance.

The two-hour course starts in front of the tourist information booth at Unhyeon Palace, and operates twice daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Daehangno for architecture tour

Daehangno, meaning university street, traces its name back to when the law and medical departments of Keijo Imperial University were established on both sides of the road in the area during the Japanese colonial era.

Marronnier Park in Dahangno / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization

After being liberated from the Japanese occupation in 1945, Keijo Imperial University was reorganized as Seoul National University (SNU) in 1946, and the colleges of liberal arts, law and fine arts were set up there.

Currently, only SNU's hospital, medical school and nursing school remain, while other colleges were moved to Mount Gwanak in the southern part of Seoul.

The building of Daehan Hospital, which was one of the main state medical institutions in the late Joseon era, still stands within the SNU Hospital compound. It has a clock tower of the 17th- and 18th-centuries European neo-baroque architectural style, with harmony of red bricks and granite. To this day, it still boasts an elegant appearance.

Across the street from the hospital are dozens of art galleries and small theaters for plays, as well as Marronnier Park. Flea markets and street performances are often held there.

The three-hour course starts in front of exit 3 of Hyehwa Station on Seoul Metro Line 4 and operates twice daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Chungmuro, Euljiro alleys to feel retro vibe

Alleys in Chungmuro and Euljiro enjoyed a boom during the renaissance of the Korean film industry in the 1960s and 1970s. More recently, many of the alleys have been revitalized with an urban regeneration project aimed at restoring the historical and cultural value of the art industry.

In Pil-dong Culture and Art Street, one such alley, visitors can enjoy various artworks for free.

Sewoon Plaza /Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization

Two famous streets are Euljiro's "sea snail street" and "nogari (dried young pollack) alley."

This alleys, which has been frequented by workers at nearby print shops and building material dealers for over 50 years, have been keeping the same ambience, so visitors can enjoy food and beer as well as a retro atmosphere of Seoul.

Due to the attractive taste and price, it has been a popular spot for young people as well in recent years.

Restaurants along Sewoon Plaza /Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization

The next place to visit in the course is Sewoon Plaza, which has been transformed into a new and trendy spot in the era of network media.

Bookstores and memorials such as Sewoon Electronics Museum and Sewoon Tech Book Lounge, which were established along with the city government's regeneration project, show the overall history of Sewoon Plaza.

The third-floor terrace of Sewoon Cheonggye Arcade has a variety of outdoor restaurants and cafes that attract young people.

The two-hour course starts at exit 4 of Chungmuro Station on Seoul Metro lines 3 and 4. It also starts every day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.