Seongbuk-dong

Welcome to a different facet of Seongbuk-dong, focusing not purely on its literary past, but on its remarkable capacity for spiritual regeneration and preservation of traditional, slower ways of life. As you step out of Hansung…

Our primary destination is Gilsangsa Temple, located beautifully on the wooded slopes of the valley. However, the history of this serene religious compound is incredibly unconventional and deeply fascinating. …

Ascending to the very highest, most secluded point of the Gilsangsa Temple compound, we arrive at Jinyeonggak. This exceptionally humble, quiet wooden structure serves as a dedicated memorial space containing the personal deeds,…

Descending slightly from Jinyeonggak, positioned respectfully on the right side of the forested hill, we encounter a small, beautifully maintained shrine dedicated entirely to Madame Kim Young-han. It is incredibly important to…

After thoroughly cleansing the mind at Gilsangsa Temple, it is customary to descend back into the neighborhood to nourish the body. A mere ten-minute, pleasant walk down the hill brings you to the narrow alleys housing…

As our exploration of this spiritual and deeply traditional side of Seongbuk-dong draws to a close, we are left with a profound sense of inner equilibrium. We began our journey escaping the relentless, exhausting velocity of the…