Day 12: Namsan Tower and the Locks of Love
On Day 2, I visited the Namsan Tower at night with the thoughts that seeing Seoul lit from high up above would offer the most memorable view. While it did to a certain degree, I couldn’t help but feel that I actually saw less than I had hoped for so I made it a point to return during the day. I had about 4 things in and around the Namsan area that I wanted to visit and today turned out to be one of the most spectacular days weather wise for it. The sun was shining bright and it was one of the cooler days since I had been in Seoul due to a nice breeze.
I took the cable car to the Tower on my first visit so I decided to take a different route this time around. I was actually tempted to walk up the Namsan to the tower and in an ideal situation I think I would have but I decided to save my energy and take the bus. I took subway line 3 from Dongnimmun Station to Chungmuro Station and got out using Exit 2. Right near the exit is a bus stop for the yellow colour bus number #2 that goes to Namsan Tower.
When the bus started making it’s ascent, we had to pass a gate and it appeared that the only vehicles that were allowed to drive up to the Namsan Tower were buses. It was nice knowing that there weren’t going to be any cars or traffic along the way to contend with. Inside the bus, there was a map with stops so it was easy to see where we were going and where I needed to get off along the way now and for later. The ascent on the bus ride up the mountain side was really beautiful and I had thoughts about coming back here again someday and taking my mom on this ride as she’s really in to nature. During the ascent, we passed by many hikers who were taking the long route up or down the mountain side. If I had to choose between the bus ride during the day and the cable car at night, I would choose the bus ride hands down.
There were hardly any people on the bus so I managed to get a good seat by the window. I was enjoying the view of the mountain side so much I decided to put the camera away and just take it all in. I kind of regret not taking any pictures now but there are times when you just want to relax and enjoy. There were several school students in the back of the bus, probably in junior high school, having fun conversations amongst themselves and making comments about the scenery like “완전 대박!” It made me miss those times when I was younger where life seemed less difficult and more care-free. It also made me wish I grew up in Korea so that I could have those types of memories of hanging out with friends going to Namsan and saying things like “대박". I was tempted to start a conversation as I was curious about Korean school life after hearing so much about how difficult it was, whether they went to academies after school and such but I didn’t. I think it would have been easier if I looked like a foreigner but because I’m Korean, I didn’t want to make them feel awkward and be like this weird man asking them questions and they were all girls also. I guess I just felt like conversing with someone at that moment and someone closer to my age. Though I came to Korea with my mom and stayed with my aunts, I travelled daily on my own so I didn’t really have any one to converse with. That was kind of by design though. I preferred being by myself than to be forcefully stuck with someone I didn’t really know to sightsee and travel around with. The only communication I had had with anyone were normally just short conversations with my aunts who were all my mom’s age or older.
On the way up, we did actually experience a little traffic as there seemed to be many tour buses at the top. Once we got to the top, I got off and kind of followed the rest of the crowd to the Namsan Tower. There was a heavy presence of school kids on this Friday in and around the base of the Tower. I found it common to run into school kids at all the tourist spots during the weekdays. I liked seeing school kids running around, especially if they were wearing cute uniforms and holding hands with their partners. Super cute.^^ Here are some pictures of the Namsan Tower. The weather was so nice!
I heard a drum beating in the background and I went to explore it not too far away and found a guard ceremony happening. There was a guard beating on a drum and another blowing a horn. Smoke was rising from the chimneys so I’m not sure if it was a signal ceremony or what have you. Take a look for yourself at this clip of the ceremony and of the area in around the base of the Namsan Tower.
I have to admit that the real highlight of this visit today for me was being able to properly see the Locks of Love in the daylight. The Locks of Love are basically all along the lookout areas at the base of the Tower. One of the lookout areas is elevated so you need to go up a short flight of stairs and the other is on the main floor near the restaurant. I first headed up to the elevated lookout area. I tried to find the massive lock that Nickhun and Victoria attached on an episode of “We Got Married”. I thought that it was in the general vicinity pictured below and I tried looking for it in the dark last week but I still couldn’t find it today. Perhaps someone cut it off and took it as a souvenir…again! In addition to the traditional padlocks, couples used all kinds of locks such as chain locks and even U-bike locks!
As you can see, the wall of locks actually blocks most of the view of Seoul from the lookout unless you are tall and can see over them, which I am.^^ Don’t worry though because at the very end of the lookout, there’s an area that is free from locks where you can see out into the city. The view faces in a South and South-Eastern direction so you can see the Hangang and the 63 Building in the distance. In fact, this area offers a really good view of Seoul that I didn’t feel the need to go up the Namsan Tower again. I was content with the view from here. Don’t you agree?
Within the lookout they also have these cute benches that are angled so that couples can get a little closer while sitting. (*^^*). I felt like sitting actually to rest for a while but I thought it would look a little sad sitting by myself on a bench designed for two.^^ Even if I did, would I sit one side or in the middle?!
I walked around for a while reading the heart messages that caught my eye and took some pictures and videos of them. I hope the authors of the messages don’t mind.^^ I feel like I’ve somehow spied on their private moment but then again, they deliberately hung them there for everyone to see. As an observer, I found it fun to see these little displays of public affection and love…부럽다!…^^
After finishing with the top lookout, I headed down to where the other Locks of Love were. In addition to being locked to the railings, they also had steel framed evergreen-like trees for people to fasten their locks on to. Locks of Love Christmas trees!
The message in the last picture written in English was one of my favourites. It seemed simple and honest. Virtually all of the messages were in Korean but every once in a while there were some in different languages. Some even had pictures attached to them also. While I was looking at one of the trees, there was a nearby Korean couple conversing and the guy said “I bet half these people broke up!” which prompted a wack from his girlfriend.^^
I put a little video together dedicated to the Locks of Love at Namsan Tower. I hope you enjoy it!
As I mentioned, I didn’t feel the need to go up the tower again so I headed back down the hill to where the bus stop was. I just missed my bus but that allowed me some time to hit the convenience store right in front where I got a Mars Bar and some water. I tried to ensure that I always had some form of snack to munch on in the event I couldn’t find or didn’t have time for any proper food. I hopped back on the #2 bus and headed to my next destination…
I took the cable car to the Tower on my first visit so I decided to take a different route this time around. I was actually tempted to walk up the Namsan to the tower and in an ideal situation I think I would have but I decided to save my energy and take the bus. I took subway line 3 from Dongnimmun Station to Chungmuro Station and got out using Exit 2. Right near the exit is a bus stop for the yellow colour bus number #2 that goes to Namsan Tower.
When the bus started making it’s ascent, we had to pass a gate and it appeared that the only vehicles that were allowed to drive up to the Namsan Tower were buses. It was nice knowing that there weren’t going to be any cars or traffic along the way to contend with. Inside the bus, there was a map with stops so it was easy to see where we were going and where I needed to get off along the way now and for later. The ascent on the bus ride up the mountain side was really beautiful and I had thoughts about coming back here again someday and taking my mom on this ride as she’s really in to nature. During the ascent, we passed by many hikers who were taking the long route up or down the mountain side. If I had to choose between the bus ride during the day and the cable car at night, I would choose the bus ride hands down.
There were hardly any people on the bus so I managed to get a good seat by the window. I was enjoying the view of the mountain side so much I decided to put the camera away and just take it all in. I kind of regret not taking any pictures now but there are times when you just want to relax and enjoy. There were several school students in the back of the bus, probably in junior high school, having fun conversations amongst themselves and making comments about the scenery like “완전 대박!” It made me miss those times when I was younger where life seemed less difficult and more care-free. It also made me wish I grew up in Korea so that I could have those types of memories of hanging out with friends going to Namsan and saying things like “대박". I was tempted to start a conversation as I was curious about Korean school life after hearing so much about how difficult it was, whether they went to academies after school and such but I didn’t. I think it would have been easier if I looked like a foreigner but because I’m Korean, I didn’t want to make them feel awkward and be like this weird man asking them questions and they were all girls also. I guess I just felt like conversing with someone at that moment and someone closer to my age. Though I came to Korea with my mom and stayed with my aunts, I travelled daily on my own so I didn’t really have any one to converse with. That was kind of by design though. I preferred being by myself than to be forcefully stuck with someone I didn’t really know to sightsee and travel around with. The only communication I had had with anyone were normally just short conversations with my aunts who were all my mom’s age or older.
On the way up, we did actually experience a little traffic as there seemed to be many tour buses at the top. Once we got to the top, I got off and kind of followed the rest of the crowd to the Namsan Tower. There was a heavy presence of school kids on this Friday in and around the base of the Tower. I found it common to run into school kids at all the tourist spots during the weekdays. I liked seeing school kids running around, especially if they were wearing cute uniforms and holding hands with their partners. Super cute.^^ Here are some pictures of the Namsan Tower. The weather was so nice!
I have to admit that the real highlight of this visit today for me was being able to properly see the Locks of Love in the daylight. The Locks of Love are basically all along the lookout areas at the base of the Tower. One of the lookout areas is elevated so you need to go up a short flight of stairs and the other is on the main floor near the restaurant. I first headed up to the elevated lookout area. I tried to find the massive lock that Nickhun and Victoria attached on an episode of “We Got Married”. I thought that it was in the general vicinity pictured below and I tried looking for it in the dark last week but I still couldn’t find it today. Perhaps someone cut it off and took it as a souvenir…again! In addition to the traditional padlocks, couples used all kinds of locks such as chain locks and even U-bike locks!
I put a little video together dedicated to the Locks of Love at Namsan Tower. I hope you enjoy it!
As I mentioned, I didn’t feel the need to go up the tower again so I headed back down the hill to where the bus stop was. I just missed my bus but that allowed me some time to hit the convenience store right in front where I got a Mars Bar and some water. I tried to ensure that I always had some form of snack to munch on in the event I couldn’t find or didn’t have time for any proper food. I hopped back on the #2 bus and headed to my next destination…
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