6 Things To See In Eunpyeong-gu You Probably Didn’t Know About
Eunpyeong-gu is a district in the northwest of Seoul that most people drive through as they’re headed to Goyang. Having been a resident for a bit now, I was so surprised when I realized how many cool things there were in Eunpyeong-gu that so many people didn’t know about.
While it might not be a huge tourist draw (yet), it should be on your list of areas to see in Seoul. From traditional villages to arts, culture, and eco-friendly parks, there’s a lot to do in Eunpyeong-gu.
Eunpyeong-gu has some surprises. Are you ready to explore northwest Seoul?
- Bongsan Mountain (봉산)
- Eunpyeong Hanok Village (은평한옥마을)
- Jingwansa Temple (진관사)
- Savina Museum of Contemporary Art (사빈아미술관)
- Suguksa Temple (수국사)
- Seoul’s Innovation Park (서울혁산파크)
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1 Bongsan Mountain (봉산)
We have loved living on the foot of Bongsan Mountain and Eunpyeong-gu has been investing in building up the beauty of the mountain while we’ve lived there. Bongsan is apart of the Seoul Dulle-gil. If you’re trying to hike the loop around Seoul, this mountain is part of trek 7. Most of the trail is flat and Bongsan has one side that Eunpyeong-gu is creating a gorgeous flowery hillside. You’ll get great views out over the area and be able to see beautiful flowers from spring to autumn.
2 Eunpyeong Hanok Village (은평한옥마을)
I first wrote about this traditional Hanok village years back when it was just getting polished up. It’s now starting to get more recognition in mainstream sites as a place to check out. The Eunpyeong Hanok Village, with around 160 Hanok houses when all said and done, was built for tourists which is different from the Bukchon Hanok Village downtown which has residents that aren’t always excited to see the streams of tourists.
If you’re looking for beautiful traditional buildings where you can get picturesque photos, check out Eunpyeong Hanok Village.
Not only beautiful, there are various Hanok open for visiting where you can stay, have coffee, or partake in a traditional activity. Head into the Eunpyeong History and Hanok Museum (은평역사한옥박물관) to learn about the traditional architecture in the three story museum. Check out this guide to Eunpyeong Hanok Village before you go.
- Address: 127-27 Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (서울 은평구 진관동 127-27)
- By Subway/Bus: From Seoul Station, take bus 701 headed north. The bus goes 23 stops and takes about 41 minutes and drops off right in front of Eunpyeong Hanok Village. OR From Gupabal Station, go out exit 4 to bus stop 12112 and take bus 7723. The bus goes 7 stops and takes about 10 minutes and stops right in front of Eunpyeong Hanok Village.
3 Jingwansa Temple (진관사)
From the village, you can also walk up a beautiful forested trail to Jingwansa Temple (진관사), one of the four major temples in Seoul. The temple was destroyed during the Korean War but has been restored and rebuilt over the past fifty years to be what it is today.
This is the only temple in Seoul to serve Suryukje (국행수륙재), a Buddhist ceremony to provide food and the Buddhist teachings to spirits and starved demons who wander the land and sea. The ceremony is performed every leap year for 49 days… so not something coming anytime soon, but it’s really interesting. The temple also hosts a temple stay program as well.
It’s a beautiful place to visit when you’re in the area and looking for a nice walk along the foot of Bukhansan Mountain. Find out mroe about Jingwansa Temple.
- Address: 73 Jingwan-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (서울 은평구 진관길 73)
- Use the directions above to the Eunpyeong Hanok Village and then follow the road up through the village to the mountain and you’ll find the temple.
4 Savina Museum of Contemporary Art (사빈아미술관)
This interesting triangular cement building in the heart of Eunpyeong-gu hosts a number of exhibitions and classes throughout the year. A leading art collector database, the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art was actually selected as the third best art museum in Korea. The museum not only hosts great exhibitions year round, but they aim to connect with the community and host educational programs to help foster creativity.
Make sure to go all the way up and visit the rooftop for a fun moon installation that is a whimsical touch to the skyline. Make sure to check out their website for updated information on current exhibitions and programs.
- Address: 161-10 Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (서울 은평구 진관동 161-10)
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm (Closed New Year’s Day)
- Website: www.savinamuseum.com
5 Suguksa Temple (수국사)
One of my favorite temples in Seoul and not well-known though it’s so unique and should be, Suguksa Temple is a golden temple. This temple sits back in a neighborhood so it’s easy to miss but on clear days and at just the right angle, you will see glints of gold sparkle.
The main building of this guardian temple is the Golden Buddhist Sanctum and is covered in a special golden paper. Especially beautiful in the spring when it’s decorated for Buddha’s Birthday, it is a must visit. Learn more about Suguksa Temple.
- Address: Eunpyeong-gu, Seooreung-ro 23-gil 8-5 (은평구 서오릉로23길 8-5 (구산동))
- By Subway: Make sure to have your T-money card bought and topped up. From Gusan Subway Station, take exit 3 and make a u-turn and then just head west on the side walk. (Don’t cross the street.) Walk straight for about 1.5 kilometers and then you’ll see a sign that says Suguksa and points left. You’ll follow the signs into a neighborhood toward the hillside to find the temple. The walk will take about 25 minutes.
- By Bus: From Gusan Subway Station, take exit 4 and make a u-turn and then head west on the side walk. (Don’t cross the street.) Walk to the first bus stop to find bus 8774 or 7720. You’ll go five stops. Get off and walk back the direction you came to the first cross walk. Cross the street and walk into the neighborhood and follow signs to Suguksa Temple.
6 Seoul’s Innovation Park (서울혁산파크)
Another cool culture and arts park in Seoul, Seoul’s Innovation Park (SIP) is a social innovation platform in Seoul where people gather, come up with creative initiatives, and carry out activities which contribute to solving various social problems.
There are 235 groups including organizations, companies, and cooperatives and 1200 innovators doing social experiments to make their imagination come true in various fields including social economy, art, culture, education, human rights, fair trade, and so on. Citizens and residents are welcome to use various open spaces on the grounds as well.
Most buildings here were built in the past when the park was used for the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rather than demolish the buildings though, they were preserved and regenerated. It’s a cool park that hosts various exhibitions and festivals throughout the year and also has a branch of SeMA too. Check out the website for updates on programs and festivals. The park is just open for visitors and there are cafes to visit on the grounds every day too.
- Address: 684 Tongil-ro, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (서울 은평구 통일로 684)
- Website: http://www.innovationpark.kr/
I hope more people head to Eunpyeong-gu and see what there is to see!
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