The Seoul Hiking Tourism Center near Mount Bugak in central Seoul's Samcheong-dong / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization City's 2 hiking tourism centers draw over 14,000 visitors, provide cultural programs By Jung Da-hyun Hiking in the mountains of Seoul is becoming increasingly popular among foreign tourists, with the city’s hiking tourism centers drawing over 6,600 international visitors out of 14,000 visitors as of Aug. 20 this year. The Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) currently operates two Seoul Hiking Tourism Centers aimed at promoting and revitalizing hiking tourism in the city.
The first, established in 2022, is located near Mount Bukhan in northeastern Seoul's Gangbuk District. The second center, located near Mount Bugak in central Seoul's Samcheong-dong, began a trial run in November last year and officially opened in April. According to the STO, the number of visitors to the Seoul Hiking Tourism Center near Mount Bugak exceeded 10,000 in just four months after its official opening.
As of Sunday, the Bugak center has recorded 10,552 visitors, including 5,274 international guests. The center saw 930 visitors during its initial two months after its trial run. In addition, the first center near Mount Bukhan has welcomed 3,905 visitors this year, with 1,631 being foreign visitors.
The Bugak center owes much of its popularity to its excellent accessibility. Located just a five-minute walk from Cheong Wa Dae's Chunchugwan, the historic former presidential compound, .