Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the most photographed places in Seoul. It is also one of the most crowded, particularly between 10 a.m. And 3 p.m. On weekends. The solution is simple and the difference is significant: arrive before 9 a.m. And the alleyways are quiet enough to walk slowly.
What Bukchon actually is ¶
Bukchon is a residential neighbourhood of traditional Korean hanok houses, built mostly in the early 20th century, on a hillside between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. Some of the houses are still lived in. The neighbourhood has been a tourist destination for about 15 years, and the residents have had to deal with the consequences of that. There are signs asking visitors to be quiet and to stay on the main paths. We include a note about this in our pre-departure information.
The early morning difference ¶
Before 9 a.m., Bukchon is a neighbourhood rather than an attraction. The light is better for photographs, the alleys are passable without queuing, and the handful of small cafes that open early are not yet full. We build our Seoul itinerary around a 7:30 a.m. Start at Bukchon, which means leaving the hotel in Mapo-gu by 7:00. It is an early start, but every client who has done it has said it was the right call.
What to do after Bukchon ¶
From Bukchon, it is a 15-minute walk to Gyeongbokgung Palace, which opens at 9 a.m. The palace grounds are large enough that even on busy days there is space to move. The National Folk Museum of Korea is inside the palace grounds and is included in the entrance fee. After the palace, the Insadong area is a 10-minute walk and has good options for lunch.
The hotel location question ¶
Most group tours to Seoul base clients in Myeongdong, which is convenient for shopping but adds 30 to 40 minutes of travel time to Bukchon. We use a hotel in Mapo-gu, which is quieter, closer to the Mangwon market area, and better positioned for the itinerary we run. The difference in hotel price is minimal and the difference in travel time is significant over a 4-night stay.
A note on the Mangwon market ¶
Mangwon market is a covered local market about 10 minutes' walk from our Seoul hotel. It is not on most tourist itineraries and is better for it. The food stalls open from around 8 a.m. And the market is at its best on weekday mornings. We include it as an optional morning activity on the second or third day of the Seoul itinerary. It is the kind of place that is hard to describe in a brochure but easy to appreciate in person.
Our Seoul 4-night package is priced from 54,000 JPY per person and includes the hotel in Mapo-gu. For questions about the itinerary, get in touch with us at info@quietridgehaven.com or call +81 6-6788-2541.