[Seoul Slow Travel] Finding Old-Time Charm and Modern Aesthetics: Complete Guide to Bukchon’s Eight Views, Unique Hanok Cafés, and a Stroll Through Insa-dong
Ruth
20 days ago
On this Seoul trip, I deliberately slowed my pace and set aside a full day for the history-soaked Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheong-dong, and the artsy Insadong. Walking through the gently winding stone-paved alleys, on one side you see Joseon-era tiled eaves full of old-world charm, and on the other, sleek modern galleries and the aroma of coffee. In today’s post, I’m going to help you unlock the “Bukchon Eight Views”, and share a few beautiful cafes I’ve been keeping to myself!
“Bukchon Eight Views” are some of Seoul’s most iconic traditional sights. Because people still live in the Bukchon area, it’s best to download a map before you go, and keep the courtesy of “quiet travel” in mind, slow your steps and soak in these eight classic viewpoints:
View 1: Panoramic view of Changdeokgung Palace, from a higher spot, you can gaze out over Changdeokgung’s stone walls and greenery, with an amazingly open view.
View 2: Wonso-dong Workshop Street, this area preserves many traditional Korean craft studios, full of handmade warmth.
View 3: Gahoe-dong Traditional House Area, step into the alleys and you can admire one of the best-preserved clusters and layouts of traditional hanok homes.
View 4: Gahoe-dong 31-gil (Steep Stone Wall Slope), climb uphill along the stone wall, from a slightly downward angle you can capture richly layered rooflines of tiled houses.
View 5: Gahoe-dong Alley (Looking Down), this is Bukchon’s most popular and most representative photo spot, stand on the slope and look down, and the neat hanok eaves stretch toward N Seoul Tower in the distance.
View 6: Gahoe-dong Alley (Looking Up), turn around at the end of View 5, with blue skies and modern high-rises as the backdrop, the traditional hanok feel even more striking, a strong blend of old and new.
View 7: Gahoe-dong 31beonji, it’s relatively quiet here, perfect for appreciating the potted plants by each doorway and the delicate carved wooden lintels.
View 8: Samcheong-dong Stone Stairway Road, a stone stair path carved from a single, solid rock surface, extending downhill and connecting to the lively Samcheong-dong streets.
After walking Bukchon’s slopes, your legs are bound to feel a bit sore, that’s when it’s best to pick a distinctive cafe and enjoy the afternoon:
1. LOW ROOF: A large hanok-fusion style cafe on Bukchon-ro. There’s an outdoor terrace on the first floor, and inside you’ll find big floor-to-ceiling windows where you can enjoy views of traditional hanok and the changing seasons. Their signature latte and pastries are excellent.
2. OSULLOC Tea House Bukchon Branch: If you love tea, this is a must. It blends modern tea culture with a traditional hanok setting, offering refined Jeju single-origin teas and matcha desserts. The atmosphere is calm and elegant, instantly soothing.
Because the crowds were too heavy, I just popped into a random cafe, and the quality was pretty good too!
After leaving Bukchon, I walked over to nearby Insadong. It’s like an open-air museum, with antique shops, traditional teahouses, hanji craft stores, and all kinds of unique storefronts with signs written in Korean (even Starbucks and foreign fast-food chains use Korean signboards here, which is really special).
I especially recommend visiting Ssamziegil. It’s a truly unique shopping complex, instead of typical stairs, it’s designed with a gently sloping spiral walkway, so you can stroll your way past handmade design boutiques, creative souvenirs, and distinctive accessories. When you get tired, step into any traditional tea room, order a steaming cup of omija tea or a traditional herbal tea, pair it with a soft, chewy piece of Korean rice cake, and you’ll have the perfect ending to this Seoul culture day.
Bukchon and Insadong have quite a few slopes and require lots of walking, so be sure to wear comfortable sneakers that are easy to walk in! Also, since Bukchon is a residential neighborhood, remember to keep your voice down when taking photos, don’t shout, and don’t enter private homes.
