Haebangchon is a hillside neighborhood in Yongsan that feels noticeably different from some of Seoul’s busier shopping and tourist districts. Its steep streets are filled with small cafes, restaurants, local shops, and residential buildings, and with views of Namsan and N Seoul Tower almost everywhere.
It’s also a good area to explore when you want something a little quieter without going too far from central Seoul. Haebangchon has appeared as a filming location in several K-dramas, including Can This Love Be Translated?, so some of its streets might look familiar if you watch Korean dramas. I liked that I could take my time here, wandering through the smaller streets and stopping whenever something caught my attention, rather than following a set itinerary.
What to Do at Haebangchon
Visit the Cafes and Restaurants
Haebangchon has plenty of independent cafes and restaurants tucked into its streets, ranging from small coffee shops to casual restaurants and bars. Some are located higher up the hill, so you can also find places with views overlooking the surrounding neighborhood and Seoul.
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| inside a cozy restaurant called Neighbors |
It’s easy to plan your visit around a cafe or restaurant you already want to try, then explore the area before or afterward. There are enough options around that you could also just walk until you find somewhere that looks good.
Climb the 108 Heaven Stairway
The 108 Heaven Stairway is another spot you can add while exploring Haebangchon. As the name suggests, there are 108 steps, although there is also a small inclined elevator running alongside them if you don’t want to climb the entire staircase.
It’s a quick stop rather than something that will take up a large part of your day. Since Haebangchon already involves quite a bit of uphill walking, it fits naturally into exploring the neighborhood on foot.
Explore the Local Shops
Between the cafes and restaurants, there are small independent shops scattered around Haebangchon. You’ll find everything from lifestyle and design stores to vintage shops and other small businesses, so it’s worth paying attention as you walk rather than sticking to the main roads.
The neighborhood isn’t really somewhere I’d go with a long shopping list. Browsing the smaller shops works better as part of exploring the area, especially since you never really know what you’ll find.
Look for the N Seoul Tower Views
One of the advantages of Haebangchon’s hillside location is getting different views of N Seoul Tower as you walk around. You don’t necessarily need to seek out a specific viewpoint either, since the tower appears between buildings and at the end of certain streets.
The uphill walking can be a bit tiring, but the elevated streets also give you some really good views of the surrounding city. It’s worth occasionally looking behind you as you make your way higher up.
How to Get to Haebangchon
The nearest subway station is Noksapyeong Station on Line 6. From Exit 2, you can walk towards Haebangchon, although you should expect around 10 to 15 minutes of uphill walking depending on exactly where in the neighborhood you’re headed.
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| N Seoul Tower view |
You can also reach the area by bus, including local buses connecting Haebangchon with nearby neighborhoods. A taxi is another convenient option, particularly if you want to avoid the uphill walk or you’re coming from another part of central Seoul. Once you arrive, though, exploring Haebangchon on foot is the best way to see its smaller streets and shops.
Haebangchon is worth adding to your Seoul itinerary if you enjoy exploring neighborhoods without needing a packed list of attractions. Between the cafes, restaurants, small shops, steep streets, and views of N Seoul Tower, there’s enough to keep you occupied for a few hours without feeling like you need to rush through anything.
Just be prepared for the hills and wear comfortable shoes. Haebangchon is definitely a neighborhood that involves a lot of walking, but taking your time also gives you an excuse to stop for coffee or food along the way.
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