Things to do in Bukhansan

Jinyoung is such a nice tour guide. Our hike was around 4 hours, very durable even for people with low fitness level. After the tour she took us to the restaurant with great Korean food too!

Four weeks ago to today, I went on the hiking tour up Bukhansan. Jak was the hiking leader for the small group of us. He communicated with me to confirm the meeting spot and met me there with other solo travellers. Given how it was my first day in Seoul, I wasn’t prepared for the difficulty of the hike and I definitely had underestimated the heat. However, Jak was patient and allowed us rest stops along the way and when we requested it as well. At areas where it was quite steep, Jak gave us alternate paths to take and if we wanted a challenge, he guided us along them. The views were exceptionally beautiful and we managed to visit three peaks which felt like the biggest achievement for me. Unfortunately I experienced some leg cramping between the 2nd and 3rd peak. Thanks to Jak who provided me with some meds to ease the cramps and also allowed time to hydrate before continuing. Jak also took lots of pictures for us along the way which showed the beauty of the mountain itself.

Jak is great and enthusiastic. Glad to talk about second hand bookshops.

Recommended to book if you don’t have hiking gear. Hiking boots were sturdy - you definitely need it if you are trying to get to the summit! Friendly staff who helped us to book a taxi to go to the entrance/ starting point. There are free lockers for you to deposit your belongings.

The location is very convenient, right next to the subway exit, and you can just take the elevator straight up. The space is very spacious, clean, and bright. When you first arrive, there is a small machine next to the main reception desk to check in using your Klook reservation. Once inside, another desk staff member will provide the clothes, pants, and towels to change into (the exfoliating mitt for the body scrub service can also be purchased here). For those who purchased the body scrub service, the process is to first take off all your clothes, lock your sauna clothes and locker keys inside, and then you can start the sauna and body scrub with just a towel! The body scrub was so comfortable and not painful at all; all the dead skin was scrubbed away, and my skin became noticeably fairer and smoother. After the body scrub, you can rinse off, put on the sauna clothes, and head to the steam room! This place is well worth spending half a day at. It is super comfortable and highly recommended to everyone.

Ethan was a wonderful guide and so well informed, not only on shamanism but also the history and culture of Korea. He emphasised having an open mind so you knew that the tour was a safe space! We were able to make a wish at the top of the mountain which was a lovely calming experience. Even if you are not a spiritual person, this tour will show you a new side to Seoul, you will be able to emerce yourself in nature, see beautiful views, learn about the history and stories of Korea.

Richard was a great tour leader. He explained the history and tension between North Korea and South Korea nicely. He also gave us many interesting facts and did an interesting quiz at the end of the trip. I got a choco pie for answering the question correctly, yeay! Thank you so much, Richard. I had so much fun and I appreciate your effort 😊🙏🏼

We had such a great experience renting our hanboks here! The entire process did take a little while, but that was completely understandable since we had four people getting dressed, including a child, and it was also pretty busy when we visited. Everyone working there was so kind, patient, and helpful throughout the whole experience. They also spoke English well enough that we had no trouble communicating, which made everything much easier. We absolutely loved wearing our hanboks and had such a memorable experience. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to rent a hanbok while visiting Seoul! 🇰🇷

We had a wonderful day with Jenny as our tour guide. It was very hot, and the pace of the tour was quite high! Jenny constantly checked to make sure everyone was doing okay in the heat. Thanks to the fast pace of the tour, we were able to see a lot in one day. Definitely recommended!