[Walking Course in Seoul] Bukjeong Village

Bukjeong Village, known as the last "moon village" (poor hillside village) in Seoul, can be accessible by taking the village bus from Hansung University Station. As the village is located on hills, the scenery is quite beautiful and you can also feel the atmosphere of the olden days while walking at the alleys. This place is one of the popular walking courses in Seoul.

Bus stop in front of supermarket

To get to Bukjeong Village, you can take the Village Bus #3 at Hansung University Station and get off at the supermarket or Senior Citizen Center. There could be no proper sign at some of the bus stops, but you can pay attention to the announcement of the bus stop name on the bus.

One of the must-visit attraction at Bukjeong Village is the Simujang House. To get there, we will get off at the bus stop in front of supermarket. The bus will drive up a slope, and as you are on top of the hills, you can see the beautiful view of Seoul. The villages clustered together at the foot of the mountain looks like a picture.

After you get off at the bus stop in front of the supermarket, walk down the alley and you will be able to see Simujang House.

Every time we walk in an alley, we will stop to enjoy the view of the houses that kept its look since the olden days. This is different from what we see in the village where it is filled with apartments. There are a few things to check out while you are here - such as the pretty mailbox that can be hardly seen these days and the gate that gives you a warm feeling.

If you keep walking, you will come to Simujang House.

Simujang House is built by Manhae Han Yong-un, and you can some of Han Yong-un's writings, research papers and trial records at the room that was used by him last time.

You can read Han Yong-un's lines from the book on the hillside near the entrance. It is sad that we were unable to enter the place as it is temporarily closed due to COVID-19. There do not have a website, so if you wish to visit this place, kindly contact the Department of Culture and Sports in Seongbuk-gu Office(02-2241-2652) to find out if it is operating on that day.

However, we managed to take some pictures of Simujang House from the entrance and stone wall.

Simujang House is a Hanok (Korean Traditional House) built facing the north, which is hard to find as Hanok was normally preferred to be facing the south. It was built facing the north because the Independence Activist - Han Yong-un didn't want to see the Japanese General Government Building in south. It was designated as Seoul Monument No. 7 in 1985, but it now the Historic Site No.550.

Then, we walk towards the Bukjeong Village. There are signs that will guide you so don't worry about not being able to find it.

Bukjeong Village has beautiful fortress wall and nature, and is a nice area to stay. The Seoul city wall is located next to Bukjeong Village, so you are able to see the wall over there.

In the late Joseon Dynasty, Royal Division was established here and the soldiers who were operating and managing the facilities stayed here with their family. Since then, it became a village. After the Korean War, the people who lost their homes gathered and built houses here. Then, population increased and the village was expanded, and after some time, it became Bukjeong Village.

If you follow the sign and walk up hill, you will find your way to the bus stop for village bus. If you wish to visit only the Bukjeong Village and not Simujang House, you can get off at the Senior Citizen Center from village buy, which will be more convenient.

We saw Cafe Bukjeong but it is currently not operating. From the exterior, rather than a deserted house, you could feel the atmosphere of how time has actually passed.

As you walk around the village, you will get more familiar with this place, and you could feel the residents' affections towards the village, and their wish to improve the environment. Perhaps it is because of that, more people are visiting this village as dating course, walking course, etc. In addition, it has also become an art village where young artists gather.

Since it is a place where people live, we hope everyone will follow the etiquette and let's not visit this place at late hours.

You will come to a spot where there is eye catching with jangdokdae (platform to store jars for sauces), tortoise, bird cage, and pretty flower pots. There is award given to this village such as Seoul Future Heritage and "Seoul, Blooming Flower". So, let us all protect this last "moon village" in Seoul till it wins special prize at the citizen contest of preservation area.

How about take a short trip from the city and going for a walk to experience the appearance in the olden days, feel the warmth of this village and enjoy some special scenery?

[Information about Bukjeong Village]

1. How to get there : At AREX Seoul Station, transfer to Subway Line 4 ▶ Get off at Hanseong University Station Exit 6, take Maeul (village) bus Seongbuk #03  ▶  Get off at Supermarket or Senior Citizen Center

2. Address : 132-3 Seongbuk-ro 23-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

*Please wear a mask and practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wash hands frequently and practice cough etiquette. Stay safe!