Suseong-dong Valley
(Inwangsan)
Hiking
Suseong-dong Valley
(Inwangsan)
Hiking
Suseong-dong Valley sits at the base of Inwangsan. There is a very short, paved walking path that makes a pleasant loop through the valley. The valley is a beautiful and culturally significant spot in Seoul. This spot won't make much of a hike due to its shortness, but it is a great starting point if you are looking to explore Inwangsan.
The Scouting Report
For those of you familiar with Korean art, you may recognize the valley from a painting done by Gyeomjae Jeong Seon, a Joseon master painter who lived 1676-1759. In addition to its artistic significance, Suseong-dong Valley is also the original source of Cheonggyecheon, the popular stream that runs through the middle of Seoul.
This picturesque valley that lies at the foot of Inwangsan does not look like it is in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world. Its beauty is compact and plentiful. Although the valley is scenic enough to be a destination in its own right, it also makes for a great starting point when hiking Inwangsan.
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Terrain
The path that loops through the valley is mostly paved concrete. The footing is very solid.
Difficulty
(1=easy, 5=difficult): 1
-The route is fairly flat, extremely short, and paved the entire way.
How To Get There
From Line 3 - Gyeongbokgung Station (경복궁역):
- Go out exit 3.
- Walk (or run (or crawl)) until yo uget to the bus #9 bus stop.
- Take bus #9 to the end of the route.
- It will park at the end of its route, and the valley lies just beyond the bus's parking area.
- Slap the bus driver on the shoulder and say, "Fine job with the bus, sir!"
Route
What signs should I follow?
This route is short. Don't worry about signs. Just follow the trail.
When you enter the mouth of the valley, look for the Suseong-dong Valley map seen above.
Near the map, look for the display that provides information about the valley. A copy of a well-known painting that the valley appears in can be seen here.
Follow the path to the left. It will loop around the small valley. The path is only .5 kilometers long.
There are a few trails that branch off of this loop and lead up Inwangsan. As long as you stay level, and don't ascend too steeply, you won't have any problem getting back to the starting point.
Duration
The loop around Suseong-dong Valley can easily be completed in a mere 10 minutes. Don't rush, though. Take your camera, and spend time capturing that elusive National Geographic Photo Of The Year Winner>
Cool Down
Instead of taking the bus back, stroll down the street that leads to the valley. There are numerous quaint coffee shops and restaurants. See the Seoul Spots page on Seochon Okin-gil.
Elsewhere on the Web
- Suseong-dong Valley Painted by Jeong Seon 300 Years Ago, Restored Closely to Its Original State - by The Kyunghyang Shinmun
- Suseong Dong Valley - 수성동 계곡 - by Bobby's Awesome Life
- A Landscape Revealed - by The Soul of Seoul
- Autumn at Suseong Valley - by Autumn at Suseong Valley
