Quiet old Seoul with bookshop cafes, where I go when I need to think.
Why HYOCHANG, why now
Hyochang is being called Seoul's next emerging hotspot now that Seongsu and Hannam feel saturated. The new cafes around Hyochang Park and proximity to the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail are driving the buzz.
1. Tianti Books & Cafe
- 4 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul
- 4.2 · 146 reviews · 독립서점
This opens the course in the afternoon when the light through the windows is best. An independent bookshop with a large drink menu and a calm setup. You get settled here before the neighborhood darkens, and the timing lets you linger without cutting into dinner.
Crew's note
Back corner by the plants. Seat's yours.
What visitors say
nice ambience & delicious persimmon smoothie! known to be linked to a contentious chinese group - interesting to read
Easy to find, large selection of drinks.
2. Kim Koo Museum & Library
- 26 Imjeong-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul
- 4.4 · 1565 reviews · 야경 명소
The course ends here because it stays open into the evening and the view from the upper floors works best after sunset. The museum sits near Hyochang Park, so the walk from the bookshop takes you through the strip that's drawing the new cafe crowd. Closing here gives weight to the route.
Crew's note
Most foreigners skip this. I don't.
What visitors say
This place is an excellent place to study the center of the Korean independence movement and the father of the nation, Kim Koo, various inde…
A museum dedicated to the leading Korean independence activist and leader, Kim Gu (or Kim Koo). The exhibition is divided into two floors. T…
The walk between
You'll pass the edge of Hyochang Park and some of the newer cafes that are putting the neighborhood on the map. The strip is residential, low buildings, not much foot traffic yet.
- Start mid-afternoon so you have daylight at the bookshop and dusk at the museum.
- The area works best on weekdays when the park and the cafes aren't packed with weekend crowds.
FAQ
- Is the museum free to enter?
- Yes, entrance is free. The exhibition spans two floors, and Kim Koo's tomb is located nearby if you want to extend the visit.
- Can I do this course in reverse?
- You could, but the museum's night view is the natural closer and the bookshop works better with afternoon light. Starting late and ending early doesn't give the route the same shape.
Ask Thomas
Seoul
