Namsan Tower - How to Get There by Bus

Category: Attraction - Nature
Nearest Subway Station: Myeongdong (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 41 meters (Exit 2)
District (gu): Jung-gu
GPS: 37.560823,126.986621 ↗
Description:

Previously this site shows how to get to Namsan Park and Tower by taking the cable car. However the journey to the cable car station itself is challenging with the distance and being a bit hilly. Of course the price is also expensive with the current posted price being 8,000 KRW for a round trip and 6,000 KRW one way. Waiting time can be long too if it is a public holiday in South Korea.

Luckily you can also take a bus up and down the Namsan Mountain. Namsan Mountain is served by yellow (circular) buses. There are three different buses that go up: Namsan 02, Namsan 03 and Namsan 05. Each bus serves different routes in Seoul.

This entry shows how to take the bus Namsan 05 from a bus stop in Myeongdong Station. The bus stop is just a few steps from the Exit 2 of Myeongdong Station. The bus stop is next to Prince Hotel.

Even though the bus category is Yellow Bus, the Seoul government has changed most of the buses going up Namsan Mountain to the environmentally friendly electric buses that look like this:

Your bus number is 05 though. Don't take the wrong one from Namsan Mountain!

Or the old bus may come first. Don't snub this bus! It goes the same route. :)

Bus fare is only 850 KRW when using T-Money. Journey will take around 30 minutes and the bus interval is every 18 minutes. Because it is a circular line, you can also take the same bus from Namsan Mountain to this Myeongdong bus stop back.

Location in Google Map:

Agra Restaurant (Myeongdong)

Category: Restaurant - Halal Restaurant
Nearest Subway Station: Myeongdong (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 209 meters (Exit 6)
District (gu): Jung-gu
GPS: 37.562371,126.984454 ↗
Description:

Agra is a chain of restaurant in Seoul with branches in Myeongdong, Jongno and Itaewon. Under the same management they all use halal meat for their dishes. These restaurants serve Indian dishes like curries, naans, tandooris among others. Their price is a bit on the high side, but they have special lunch set with discounted prices. Lunch set is served in Myeongdong branch from 11.30AM to 5PM and the price is from 9,900 KRW. (source 1, source 2)

Location in Google Map:

Everysing (Myeongdong)

Category: Attraction - Hallyu
Nearest Subway Station: Myeongdong (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 140 meters (Exit 6)
District (gu): Jung-gu
GPS: 37.561278,126.984111 ↗
Description:

Everysing is a karaoke center (or as Koreans call it "noraebang") owned by SM Entertainment. In addition with providing karaoke rooms for visitors, Everysing also sells exclusive merchandises featuring artists under the SM Entertainment company. Conveniently located just above SPAO in Myeongdong it is worth a visit for SM artists' fans. (source)

Location in Google Map:

Namdaemun Kalguksu Alley

Category: Restaurant - Seafood Restaurant
Nearest Subway Station:  Hoehyeon (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 47 meters (Exit 5)
District (gu): Jung-gu
GPS: 37.558219,126.976971 ↗
Description:

This is the other famous food street in Namdaemun and the famous dish here is kalguksu or knife cut noodles. The broth for kalguksu is usually only made with anchovies, kelp and shellfish but you should ask in case other meats are used in it. Located in a small alley very near to Exit 5 of Hoehyeon Station, the alley is filled with many stalls serving the same kalguksu menu and barley rice bibimbap (boribap). These dishes also come with a free serving of bibim naengmyeon. The price for kalguksu is only around 4,500 KRW so not only they are filling, but cheap too :)   (source 1, source 2)

Go inside that clear plastic door.

Location in Google Map:

Spicy Hairtail Fish Stew (Galchi Jorim) Alley

Category: Restaurant - Seafood Restaurant
Nearest Subway Station:  Hoehyeon (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station:  195 meters (Exit 5)
District (gu): Jung-gu
GPS: 37.559841,126.976966 ↗ 
Description:

Tired of only eating kebab when going shopping at Namdaemun Market? How about a proper meal with spicy fish stew, rice and vegetable side dishes? Make your way to the Galchi Jorim Alley then.

This alley is one of two famous food alleys in Namdaemun. Hidden behind shop fronts, making your way to this alley is half the challenge. The other half? Enduring the spiciness of this dish and taking out the many small bones on the fish. As always check out the sources for pictures and more descriptions! (source 1, source 2)

When you've reached here, walk straight until you find many restaurants cooking their galchi jorim outside their doors.

UPDATE: I found out that alcohol may be used in the preparation of this dish from this article. Please ask first whether they used alcohol before ordering.

Location in Google Map:

Dongdaemun Grilled Fish Street

Category: Restaurant - Seafood Restaurant
Nearest Subway Station:  Dongdaemun Station (Line 1, 4)
Distance from Subway Station:  365 meters (Exit 8)
District (gu): Jongno-gu
GPS: 37.570306,127.006349 ↗
Description:

If you are done eating only Indian food and want something a little bit more traditionally Korean or want to taste some fresh grilled fish, make your way to the famous Grilled Fish Street at Dongdaemun. It is a small alley near Cheonggyecheon stream and filled with several restaurants selling the same grilled fish menus. You just have to pick any restaurant and point to the fish you want. The fish will be served with rice and vegetable side dishes. Price is around 6,000 KRW per fish. (source 1, source 2)

That small alley? Yeah that's the place.

Location in Google Map:

Om Dristi Restaurant

Category: Restaurant - Halal Restaurant
Nearest Subway Station: Myeongdong (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 250 meters (Exit 8)
District (gu): Jung-gu
GPS: 37.563035,126.985163 ↗
Description:

Om Dristi is one of the several Indian restaurants serving halal dishes in the shopping district of Myeongdong. In addition to halal food, they also serves vegetarian options in their menu. Lunch set starts from 25,000 KRW for 2 persons consisting of rice, naan, salad, tandoori chicken, curry and lassi drink and there is also a very simple "Nepal Set" serving rice, curry and papadom costing 10,000 KRW per person. The restaurant is located on the 4th Floor. (source 1, source 2)

Take the elevator next to Face Shop

Location in Google Map:

Dongdaemun Toys and Stationery Street

Category: Attraction - Shopping
Nearest Subway Station: Dongdaemun Station (Line 1, 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 120 meter (Exit 4)
District (gu): Jongno-gu
GPS: 37.57153,127.013491 ↗
Description:

One of the best Korean's products must be their beautiful, cute and creative stationery. Stickers, colourful papers, envelopes and ribbons made up of an industry of their own in South Korea. People go to bookstores like Kyobo and Bandi & Luni's or stationery stores like Artbox to get their hands on these beautiful creations. In Dongdaemun, there is a whole street selling stationery and toys at wholesale price. If you are looking for things to bring back home, stationery is always a good idea. They are cheap, and you can give them to your office mates or nieces and nephews. (source)

Go straight ahead for the street

 Location in Google Map:

Persian Palace

Category: Restaurant - Halal Restaurant
Nearest Subway Station:  Hyehwa (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station:  517 meters (Exit 4)
District (gu): Jongno-gu
Description:

This restaurant's specialty is Persian curries that can be customized to varying degrees of spiciness. The owner is an Iranian that came to South Korea to attend university and ended up staying to open up his own restaurant. The dishes have been customized to suit Korean taste. Among the most popular menus is their curry rice. The restaurant is located in front of Sungkyunkwan University so it is quite packed during lunch hours. (source 1, source 2)

It is the orange building at the back. Follow the camel path.

Location in Google Map:

Myeongdong Eomoni Jib (명동어머니집)

Category: Restaurant - Seafood Restaurant
Nearest Subway Station: Myeongdong (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 274 meters (Exit 6)
District (gu): Jung-gu
Description:

This seafood restaurant is recommended by Korean Tourism Organization as a restaurant that Muslim travellers should visit. Serving dishes such as spicy seafood stew and octopus stew, these dishes are cooked in a large hot pot and should be shared. This restaurant is located in a small alley in Myeongdong. It should be a good visit for those who are hungry during their shopping trip and craving for some authentic Korean food. (source 1, source 2)

Location in Google Map:

Namsangol Hanok Village

Category: Attraction - Cultural
Nearest Subway Station: Chungmuro Station (Line 3,4)
Distance from Subway Station: 128 meters (Exit 3,4)
District (gu): Jung-gu
Description:

Namsangol Hanok Village is a village with restored Hanok houses in the middle of Seoul. Located in a place that used to be a famous summer resort during the Joseon period, the village is attached with a beautiful park and very clear view of Namsan mountain and N-Seoul Tower. While Bukchon Hanok Village are mostly privately owned houses, the restored Hanok houses in Namsangol Hanok Village have been furnished with accurate furnishing of Joseon period and viewers are invited to look into the houses. Entrance is free, and the beautiful park is a very pleasant place for picnics. You can also rent hanbok and walk through the park to take pictures with the beautiful Korean traditional clothes. More source on KTO website.

source: visitkorea.or.kr

Location in Google Map:

War Memorial of Korea

Category: Attraction - Museum
Nearest Subway Station: Samgakji Station (Line 4, 6)
Distance from Subway Station: 412 meters (Exit 12)
District (gu): Yongsan-gu
Description:

South Korea and North Korea are still officially at war. They have never signed any peace treaty after the Korean War (1950-1953) but war was stopped by armistice instead. This memorial lines up exhibits of equipments used during the Korean War. It would be a great stop for those who are fascinated with war history. More information on KTO's Website here.

 source: visitkorea.or.kr

Location in Google Map:

National Museum of Korea

Category: Attraction - Museum
Nearest Subway Station: Ichon (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 433 meters (Exit 2)
District (gu): Yongsan-gu
Description:

Museums are a good place to visit to learn about the history and culture of a country. The best thing is museums also usually don't charge any admission fee. South Korea is a country rich in historical backgrounds. The National Museum of Korea houses many artifacts that tells these stories. For more information, visit KTO website's entry on the museum.

source: visitkorea.or.kr

Location in Google Map:

Myeongdong

Category: Attraction - Shopping
Nearest Subway Station: Myeongdong (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 0 meter (Exit 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
District (gu): Jung-gu
Description:

A very trendy shopping district, Myeongdong is filled with Korean brand cosmetic stores. You can find many branches of Nature's Republic, Etude House, The Face Shop and many other brands here. Selling cosmetic stuffs at very discounted price, these stores are generous with their free gifts so do buy them for people back home! Clothing brands such as GAP, H&M, Uniqlo and the SM Entertainment affiliated SPAO have their flagship stores here. Myeongdong is always full of people but especially so on the evening and on the weekend. It is a good place to be to soak up the lively atmosphere: with colourful lights, youth-filled crowds and stores blasting the latest K-Pop songs to the streets.

source: visitkorea.or.kr

Location in Google Map: 

Namdaemun Market

Category: Attraction - Shopping
Nearest Subway Station: Hoehyeon (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 0 meter (Exit 5,6)
District (gu): Jung-gu
Description:

Namdaemun Market is a large mostly open-air market that sells a lot of things from clothes to ginseng. Many clothes sold in other places in Seoul actually come from Namdaemun. You are expected to ask for discounts and they will usually lower the original quoted price. Here is also the place to buy brooches, especially if you are going to buy them in a huge quantity to be resold back home. Souveniers like t-shirts, key chains and fridge magnets are also widely available here so this market is a convenient place for the gifts you want to buy for your family, colleagues, neighbours etc.

For Muslim travellers, there's a halal shawarma stall here. So you can stop and grab something to eat in the middle of shopping.

source: nationalgeographic.com

Location in Google Map: 

Namsan Park and Tower

Category: Attraction - Nature
Nearest Subway Station: Myeongdong (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 600 meters (Exit 4)
District (gu): Jung-gu
Description:

Popular for the N Seoul Tower on top of its mountain, Namsan also have a lovely park surrounding it. There are well maintained pavilions and also old smoke signal station dating back to Joseon period. Namsan Tower is a popular spot for lovers where they would come and leave padlocks bearing their names. It is believed by doing this their love for each other will be "locked" forever. :) More information on Namsan Park and Tower on KTO Website.

There are several ways on reaching the park and tower. One of the easiest ways is to take the cable car. Direction in Google Map below is to the Namsan Cable Car station. There are also many paths to the cable car, the one shown is while the most farther, is the most straightforward and not as "hill climbing" as the others or going through small alleys (less chance of getting lost/confused!).

source: visitkorea.or.kr

Location in Google Map: 

Walking Direction:

1. From exit 4, walk straight until you reach the junction in front of the Shinsegae Building:

2. Turn left (you should be able to see Namsan Tower from here) and walk straight up until you see this elevator that will take you to the Namsan Cable Car:

Nanta Theatre

Category: Attraction - Performance
Nearest Subway Station: Myeongdong (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 412 meters (Exit 6)
District (gu): Jung-gu
Description:

Nanta is a non-verbal theatre combining Korean traditional salmunori and modern performance. The performance is of comedic nature, and is among one of the most popular in Korea. It has been performed in many countries outside of Korea. More information on their official site. The location here is the Nanta theatre in Myeongdong.

Location in Google Map: 

Chungmu Gimbap

Category: Restaurant - Seafood Restaurant
Nearest Subway Station: Myeongdong (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 233 meters (Exit 8)
District (gu): Jung-gu
Description:

This restaurant has only one dish, sticky rice rolled in sweet to be eaten with spicy squids and pickled radish. The side dishes and soup can be refillable and each set costs 6,000 W (source).

Location in Google Map: 

Jageumsong (자금성) Chinese Restaurant

Category: Restaurant - Vegetarian Friendly Restaurant
Nearest Subway Station: Myeongdong (Line 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 266 meters (Exit 6)
District (gu): Jung-gu
Description:

This restaurant is listed in the official site of KTO as having the vegetarian version for all their Chinese menu items. Located in Myeongdong, the restaurant is on 2nd floor, in the building opposite Levi's store. Restaurant is opened from 11 am to 9.30 pm and closed on the first and third Sundays of each month. (source)

Location in Google Map: 

Everest Restaurant

Category: Restaurant - Vegetarian Friendly Restaurant
Nearest Subway Station: Dongdaemun Station (Line 1, 4)
Distance from Subway Station: 81 meters (Exit 3)
District (gu): Jongno-gu
Description:

Everest Restaurant serves Indian-Nepali dishes and comes highly recommended in many restaurant reviews. As usual they have vegetarian dishes and Muslims can opt for their egg curry.  Try to ask for customization for other dishes (not to put chicken/beef in your dishes). This restaurant is located on the 2nd floor. (source 1, source 2, source 3)

Location in Google Map: