Travel Route for Chungmuro & Namsan
Namsan Seoul Tower (Seoul N Tower) is an incredibly famous spot for international tourists and locals alike. There are so many amazing attractions near Namsan, but the problem is that first-time tourists usually have no idea where to start or how to plan their route.
As a Dongguk University alum who spend four years studying right in the heart of Chungmuro and Namsan, I am probably the best person to map out the ultimate itinerary for you.
By following this post, you will save both your time and your money. Trust me.
Namsangol Hanok Village
Namsangol Hanok Village is a beautiful park where you can see authentic traditional Korean housing from the Joseon Dynasty. There is absolutely no entrance fee, and you can catch various free cultural performances right inside the park grounds.
The first thing you will catch a glimpse of right after passing through the main entrance is Namsan Tower standing in the distance. I personally think this specific angle is one of the absolute best spots to take a photo of Namsan Tower.
If you want to do more than just sightsee and watch the shows, Namsangol Hanok Village also offers great hand-on activities, such as Gyubang (traditional room) crafts and mother-of-Pearl art, though these do cost around $6 to $16 USD. Making a traditional hairpin or a hand mirror is definitely worth considering- they are incredibly practical to use and make for perfect, memorable souvenirs.
Namsan Seoul Tower
Once you finish looking around Namsangol Hanok Village, head back out through the main entrance and walk toward to the bus stop near Chungmuro station, Exit 2. (Bus stop is super close to Exit2)
Hop on either 01A or 01B bus-just take whichever one comes first. It will take you right up to the Namsan Seoul Tower area. I am 100% sure this is the fastest and most budget-friendly way to get up to Namsan Seoul Tower.
Here are a few activities and spots that I've personally experienced and highly recommend:
Free concert
Sometimes there are free orchestra concerts held right in the square in front of the tower. Keep in mind that the performance schedule might change depending on the tower's schedule)
Free exhibition
I believe this is a regular program because every single time i visited Namsan Tower, they have had a free display running on 4th floor. Definitely give it a visit!
Enjoying the view
Namsan offers incredible city views whether you visit during the day or at night. The best part? You don't actually have to pay to go up to the Namsan Tower observation deck. The mountain itself is already so high up- just find a good spot along the railing and enjoy the scenery. Honestly, that's the one of the greatest things about traveling Seoul: you can get breathtaking view of the entire city just 15 minutes away from central hubs like Chungmuro station. Taking in this view is an absolute must.
Taegeukdang Bakery
There are several routes and ways to get dwon from the Namsan Tower area.
For this intinerary, we will head down toward Dongguk University(Dongdae) Station, which you can reach by bus or on foot.
If you prefer to take the bus, hop on Bus 01B and get off at the Dongguk Univ.Station, Jangchung-dong stop.
*Important: You must take bus 01B, Bus 01A does not stop at Dongguk University Station.
Once you arrive at Dongguk University Station, there is a legendary spot i highly recommend visiting before moving on to our next destination. It's a household name among Koreans, and having spent four years here as a local student, i can tell you it lives up to the hype.
Tageukdang Bakery (태극당)
Right near Dongguk University Station, Exit 2, you'll find a legendary bakery called Taegeukdang (태극당). It is incredibly famous for its old-school, traditional Korean-style baked goods and its rich history-it has been open for 80 years!
Their absolute signature menu items are
Monaca Ice cream: 
Acrisp, thin wafer sandwich filled with dense ice cream.
Korean-Style Salad Bread (Yachae sarada-ppang):
A hearty, nostalgic bread packed with a savory, crunchy vegetable salad filling.
Danpat-ppang:
A classic, sweet red bean bread.
If you are a fellow bread lover and want to experience authentic, old-school Korean baking, this spot is an absolute must-visit.
DDP
Did you get a good rest at Taegeukdang?
Then it's time to head out to our final destination. It is an incredibly popular spot for both Koreans and international tourists alike: DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza). The good news is that DDP is not far from Taegeukdang at all. It's only a quick 10-to-15-minute walk to get there (You can easily navigate your way using Google Maps).
As a korean, I usually visit DDP to check out the exhibitions. However, I don't strongly recommend the indoor exhibitions for international tourists, because i'm not always sure if they provide English translations or support other languages. But even without stepping inside an exhibition hall, there are still plenty of amazing things to do outside!
Incredible Photo Spots
DDP is packed with fantastic photo zones. in fact, tons of fashion influencers constantly visit DDP just to shoot content. Channel your inner model and take plenty of photos here!
Pop-up Stores and Media Art Along the Walkways
As you stroll down the outdoor walkways, you will often run into random, free media art installations and trendy pop-up stores.
The DDP Design store
There is a fantastic souvenir shop on-site that sells unique, Korean-style design goods.
I recently visited the store myself and was honestly a little shocked-the items were so much cooler, more creative, and more hip than i expected!
You don't even have to buy anything; just looking around at all the creative items is pure joy.
