Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사)

10.5Km 2023-03-13

120, Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-392-3007

Located on the outskirts of Ansan Mountain in Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Bongwonsa Temple, as the center of Korean Buddhism Taego, is a thousand-year-old temple with a long history and tradition. In 889 (3rd year of Shilla Queen Jinseong’s reign), Monk Doseon founded it at the ground of Yeonhui Palace (now Yonsei Univ.) and named it Banyasa temple. It was destroyed during the Imjin War in 1592, and later in 1748 (the 24th year of Joseon King Yeongjo’s reign), it was rebuilt and renamed “Bongwonsa” by two Buddhist monks, Chanjeup and Jeungam.

“Yeongsanjae,” one of the Buddhist rituals and also a National Intangible Cultural Property, takes place at Bongwonsa on June 6 every year wishing for world peace and the reunification of North and South Korea. It was designated as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. During Yeongsanjae, visitors can enjoy the Buddhist arts such as Beompae (Buddhist temple music for rituals) and dancing. Also, during summertime, Seoul Lotus Flower Culture Festival takes place, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers which are a symbol of Buddhism.

Gildong Ecological Park (길동생태공원)

10.6Km 2021-10-23

1291, Cheonho-daero, Gangdong-gu, Seoul
+82-2-489-2770

Gildong Ecological Park was founded by the Seoul government by restoring the wetland on the side of Cheonho-daero. The park maintains and preserves a wide range of flora and fauna in their natural habitats, allowing park visitors to observe plants, animals and insects in a natural ecosystem, and to learn about the importance of nature conservation.

The 80,683 ㎡ park is divided into a wetland zone, forest zone, and grassland zone. Amenities include an outdoor classroom, outdoor exhibition space, observation deck, pergolas, and more. The bird observation platform in particular is a great way to birdwatch in the urban landscape.

Yonsei University (연세대학교)

10.6Km 2023-07-04

50, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-1599-1885

Yonsei University, which opened in 1885, is a prestigious university that boasts a beautiful campus. In particular, it is famous for its wooden trails, antique buildings covered with ivy, and Cheongsongdae Forest, a popular dating spot among couples. Yonsei University also has a Korean language institute for foreigners interested in learning Korean.

Heungbu Bossam (흥부보쌈)

10.7Km 2024-10-15

15-13 Sillim-ro 59-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul
+82-2-888-9464

It's a great place to hold group dining and gathering. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is kimchi cabbage wraps with pork.

Cheongun Literature Library (청운문학도서관)

10.7Km 2023-08-16

40 , Jahamun-ro 36-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Cheongun Literature Library is located at the foot of Inwangsan Mountain and can be reached by following the mountain's walking trail starting from Changuimun Gate along the fortress wall. This public hanok library is designed in consideration of the sloped topography and the natural scenery of Inwangsan Mountain. The library consists of two floors: an underground floor and a ground floor. While the ground floor is designed as a traditional hanok, the underground floor is made of concrete to support the hanok building and the spacious outdoor yard. By implementing the natural slope in the library's design, the underground southern entrance is exposed, allowing sunlight to enter. The underground floor features a wide collection of books while the ground floor serves as a place for reading. The natural environment surrounding the library adds to the hanok building's traditional and peaceful charms.

Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park (여의도샛강생태공원)

10.7Km 2021-06-14

48, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3780-0570

Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park in central Seoul was the first ecological park in Korea, opened on September 25, 1997. It houses a wide variety of flora and fauna, including kestrels (Natural Monument No. 323), herons, and minnows. There is a 6 kilometer-long promenade that crosses the park, and information signs explaining various flower and plant species throughout the park.

Seoul Sillim-dong Minsok Sundae Town (서울 신림동 민속순대타운)

10.7Km 2024-02-15

Seoul Sillim-dong Minsok Sundae Town (서울 신림동 민속순대타운)

Minsok Sundae Town is situated near Sillim Station, an area renowned for its abundance of sundae restaurants. Sundae, a quintessential Korean street food, is crafted by blending vegetables, glass noodles, seasoning, and pig's blood, which is then encased in pig intestines and steamed. The flagship menu, sundae bokkeum (stir-fried sundae), involves slicing sundae and stir-frying it with an array of vegetables, chili pepper powder, red chili paste, and other seasonings on a griddle. In addition to the classic, there are variations like baek sundae (sundae), chapssal sundae (sweet rice sundae), and gopchang bokkeum (stir-fried small intestines).

Mok In Museum Mok Seok Won (목인박물관 목석원)

10.7Km 2021-09-01

46-1, Changuimun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-5066

Mok In Museum Mok Seok Won relocated in 2019 from Insa-dong to Buam-dong. Six exhibition halls offer visitors a look at wooden figures from around the world. Mokin refers to traditional wooden sculptures carved in shapes of human figures or various animals. The museum holds around 12,000 wooden folk sculptures including those used to decorate funeral carriages and temples mostly from the Joseon dynasty up to modern times. The museum also has an outdoor exhibition hall that harmonizes the sculptures with nature.

Jaunam Hermitage (자운암)

10.8Km 2023-05-08

Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul
+82-2-882-3839

Jaunam Hermitage was originally built in 1396 by Great Monk Muhak of Joseon dynasty. It was renovated in 1734, and finally took shape of the hermitage we know today in 1976 when Monk Boryun added Daeungjeon Hall, Chilseonggak Pavilion, and Sansigak Pavilion. It is currently located in the famous Jahadong Valley on the Seoul National University campus.

Gwanak Starlight Walk (관악별빛산책)

10.8Km 2025-12-15

1642-7 Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul
+82-2-828-5743

Gwanak Starlight Walk is a signature winter festival of Gwanak-gu in Seoul. It's a lighting festival where visitors can enjoy beautiful light installation along Byeolbitnaerincheon Stream. The event area spans 300-meters from Sillimgyo Bridge to Bongnimgyo Bridge. The diverse lighting artworks created by ten different Korean artist teams come together to create a space where stories of individuals all become one as a community. Various hands-on programs offer visitors a chance to see and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city throughout the festival period.

Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사) - Area information - Korea travel information