By Honorary Reporter Ria Zuhairiah from Indonesia

Photos = Ria Zuhairiah

Bukhansan Mountain is one of the most beautiful mountains in Seoul and easily accessible by public transportation. I went there in September 2019 and loved it. The following is information to help others discover Bukhansan's beautiful scenery and have them smiling along the way.

This is how to get to Bukhansan Mountain from Hongik University Station, the area I stayed in when I visited the mountain in 2019. (Screen capture from www.rome2rio.com).

Preparing for something exciting

Be prepared when going up the mountain like bringing a trekking pole, water and snacks. People get hungry while hiking, and I remember bringing gimbap (seaweed rice rolls) and marshmallows. I didn't bring a pole so the rocky trail was quite difficult for me. 

Since April 2021, however, the Seoul Hiking Tourism Center provides hiking gear for foreign visitors. Just five minutes from Bukhansan Ui Station, it offers hikers and tourists information on hiking tourism, reservations of hiking gear, a rest lounge, and amenities and services. Also check out the center's recommended hiking courses online (www.seoulhiking.or.kr).

Surprise from locals

Many elderly people go up to Bukhansan. I remember one older man suddenly who approached me when I took a break and said, "Come on, let's get moving again." Many Korean senior citizens greeted me and my friend, often asking how we knew of Bukhansan because hiking is not a typical tourist activity here. 

Another man I met there said Bukhansan is usually a place for locals, and that if a visitor is from abroad, he or she is usually an exchange student who has lived in Seoul for a couple of years. He was surprised that I visited the mountain just two days after arriving in Korea.

3 major peaks
The mountain's three peaks are Baegundae at 836.5 m above sea level, Insubong 810.5 m and Mangyeongdae 787 m. Choose among the easy or hard routes to ascend Bukhansan.

Clean air and colorful scenery
How can anyone not enjoy the clean air, green scenery (or sometimes yellowish-red leaves in autumn) and chirping of crows? Certain points have water flowing beneath white rocks. I found this place so peaceful and magical that I didn't want to leave. 

I found this leaf from a red maple tree while climbing Bukhansan Mountain.

Seoul is known as a city rich in culture, shopping, cuisine and history but nature must be added to the list after a hike of Bukhansan. The nation's capital has everything, and for people who like adventure, this mountain is a can't-miss stop. 

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things.