Sunrise and sunset attractions in Seoul
The Seoul Tourism Foundation recommended sunrise, sunset, and outing spots in Seoul.
◇ Sunrise attractions: Yongmasan Mountain and Yongwangsan
Mountain
Yongmasan Mountain in Jungnang-gu, Seoul is considered a famous place to
view Seoul. It is the highest peak of Achasan Mountain. From the top, you
can see the cityscape along the Han River. The sight of the North Korean
statue surrounding Seoul like a castle wall is also spectacular.
There is a story about a baby longevity related to a place name. A couple
who lived at the foot of Mt. Acha gave birth to a baby. As a baby, the
baby walked on shelves and climbed onto the roof. When the villagers saw
this, they thought he was a traitor and killed the baby. That night, the
cries of a winged dragon horse were heard from Mt. Acha, and the dragon
horse, which had been waiting for the baby general, flew away as the sun
rose. Since then, a legend has passed down that a dragon lives on Achasan
Mountain, and the peak of Achasan Mountain has come to be called
Yongmabong (mountain).
The fastest way to the summit of Yongmasan Mountain is the hiking trail
that starts from ‘Ppongtwigi Park’. If you climb the mountain along the
stairs, you will come across an octagonal pavilion. The view from the
octagonal pavilion is beautiful, but to see the sunrise, the best view is
from the deck observatory below the summit after passing the octagonal
pavilion.
Yongwangsan Mountain is a representative sunrise spot in Yangcheon-gu,
Seoul. A sunrise festival is held every January 1st from 6 a.m. to wish
for a new year. Before the sun rises, wish writing and a traditional
music performance are held at Yongwangsan Neighborhood Park.
Yongwangsan Mountain is recorded as Umjisan Mountain on old maps. One day the king dreamed that someone was harming him. Through a dream, he learned that an old man from the Park clan with magical powers who lived in the village below Mt. Umji was planning to die and transform into a dragon and become king, so he shot the dragon with an arrow and killed it. From then on, Uhmjisan Mountain was called Yongwangsan Mountain.
Yongwangsan Mountain is at a low altitude of 78m above sea level. Starting from Yeomchang Station on Subway Line 9, you can reach the summit in 30 minutes.
Yongwangsan Mountain is recorded as Umjisan Mountain on old maps. One day the king dreamed that someone was harming him. Through a dream, he learned that an old man from the Park clan with magical powers who lived in the village below Mt. Umji was planning to die and transform into a dragon and become king, so he shot the dragon with an arrow and killed it. From then on, Uhmjisan Mountain was called Yongwangsan Mountain.
Yongwangsan Mountain is at a low altitude of 78m above sea level. Starting from Yeomchang Station on Subway Line 9, you can reach the summit in 30 minutes.
◇ Sunset spot Yongyangbongjeojeong
Yongyangbongjeojeong is a pavilion from the late Joseon Dynasty located
in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. The name comes from the scenery seen from here.
High mountain peaks spread out in the north and the Han River flows in
in the east, so it looks like a dragon raising its head and a phoenix
soaring.
When King Jeongjo of Joseon went to visit the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado, he built a boat bridge between Yongsan and Noryangjin in Seoul to cross the Han River. After crossing the river, I took a short break and this is Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion. Originally Manghaejeong, King Jeongjo used it as a temporary resting place for the king and named it Yongyangbongjeojeong.
When you stand at the Yongyangbongjeojeong observatory, you can see the Hangang Bridge and Nodeul Island unfolding beneath your feet. The night view is also good. Glowing lights from high-rise buildings covering the Yongsan and Yeouido areas brighten the darkness of the night sky.
◇ Outing attractions Yongridan-gil and Sharosu-gil
Yongridan-gil is a representative street in Yongsan, Seoul, named for
the hill where the dragon appears. It refers to the alley that leads
from Shinyongsan Station to Samgak area. Unique restaurants and cafes
are located in every alley, making it a ‘hip place’ for the MZ
generation.
Amorepacific Museum of Art, Yongridan-gil's representative exhibition space, is holding a variety of exhibitions and activities encompassing ancient and contemporary art. Vietnamese restaurant ‘Hyotteu’ is a popular restaurant on Yongridan-gil. They have a variety of menu items, including beef rice noodles made with beef bone and brisket for over 12 hours, Hyotteu rice noodles with plenty of seafood and vegetables and Southeast Asian spices, soft and crispy fried chicken, and Shinyongsan Gukbap, which is made by boiling pork for a long time to create a spicy and refreshing broth.
Sharosu-gil, located near Cheongryongsan Mountain in Gwanak-gu, is an
alley area that runs from the alley near Exit 2 of Seoul National
University Station towards Nakseongdae Station. The name of the street
comes from a combination of the 'Sha' sculpture, the symbol of Seoul
National University, and Garosu-gil. Cheongryongsan Mountain is 159m
above sea level. Among the hiking trails in Seoul, this trail is
particularly low in difficulty and is suitable for a light stroll.
A Japanese ramen specialty store called 'Menshou' on Sharosu-gil has a Japanese-style interior design and its signature menu is tonkotsu ramen made with pork bones brewed in a traditional Japanese way. 'Ecstasy' is a cafe that is gaining word of mouth in Sharosu-gil as a 'restaurant with a great atmosphere' that utilizes vintage interiors and cozy lighting.
A Japanese ramen specialty store called 'Menshou' on Sharosu-gil has a Japanese-style interior design and its signature menu is tonkotsu ramen made with pork bones brewed in a traditional Japanese way. 'Ecstasy' is a cafe that is gaining word of mouth in Sharosu-gil as a 'restaurant with a great atmosphere' that utilizes vintage interiors and cozy lighting.