Ride the Cute Haechi Bus and Enjoy the Best Views of Seoul at Namsan Tower!

Seoul has several observatories where you can look down on the city, but Namsan Seoul Tower remains the most iconic. Because it sits at the mountain peak, it offers a perfect blend of nature and urban scenery, making it a must-visit landmark for both locals and international tourists.

The Best Way Up: The Eco-Friendly "Haechi Bus"

To protect the ecological environment of Namsan Park, private passenger cars are restricted from driving up the mountain. Therefore, the Namsan Circular Bus is the only public transportation option to reach the top.

The bus is particularly eye-catching because it is a zero-emission electric vehicle decorated with Seoul's adorable mascot, Haechi & Friends.

• Payment Information: These are "cashless buses." You can pay with a standard transportation card or use the Climate Card (Seoul’s unlimited transit pass).

• Why take it? Walking up the mountain can take quite some time and effort. Taking the Haechi bus allows you to arrive comfortably and quickly while enjoying the cute Haechi-themed interior.

Breathtaking Panoramas

Once you hop off the bus, you will find a fantastic observatory right behind the bus stop. You can see tourists marveled at the view before they even reach the main tower plaza.

From the bus stop, a short uphill walk takes you to the main plaza of Namsan Seoul Tower. If you visit in late autumn, the path is vibrant with colorful maple leaves—a perfect spot for photography.

Inside the tower, the observation deck offers a 360-degree view. Since there are no tall buildings immediately surrounding the mountain, your view is completely unobstructed. The tower also provides descriptions and locations for Seoul’s major landmarks, making it fun to spot them from above.

How to Get Back Down

When you are finished sightseeing, you can catch the bus again from the same stop where you got off. There are two main lines:

• Line 01A: A larger loop that passes through major hubs like Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Insadong.

• Line 01B: A shorter loop connecting the tower to Chungmuro and Dongguk University stations.

Visitor Information

Namsan Seoul Tower

• Location: 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
• Hours:

• • Mon–Fri: 10:00 – 22:30.
• • Sat–Sun: 10:00 – 23:00
• Ticket sales close 30 minutes before closing.

• Admission: Adults 21,000 KRW / Children 16,000 KRW.
• Website: Buy Namsan Seoul Tower Ticket on Klook

Namsan Circular Bus Info

Route 01A (The Grand Loop)

This route connects Namsan to historical sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace and Cheong Wa Dae (The Blue House).

• Namsan Yejang Bus Transfer Parking Lot (Start).
• Toegyero 3-ga, Hanok Village, Korea House.
• Chungmuro Station Exit 2, In front of Daehan Cinema.
• Toegyero 5-ga, Cheil General Hospital.
• Jangchung Culture & Sports Center, Kwon Ki-ok Activity Site.
• Dongguk Univ. Station, Jangchung-dong.
• National Theater of Korea, Banyan Tree Hotel.
• Namsan Northern Circuit Entrance.
• Namsan Seoul Tower.
• Namsan Library.
• Baekbeom Square (Turning Point).
• Hilton Hotel.
• Namdaemun Market Accessory Center.
• Seoul City Hall.
• Seoul Shinmun (Press Center).
• KT Gwanghwamun Office.
• National Palace Museum of Korea.
• Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House).
• Chunchumun Gate.
• Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Folk Museum of Korea.
• Anguk Station, Insadong.
• Namin-sa Madang.
• Jongno 2-ga, Samilgyo Bridge.
• Namdaemun District Tax Office, Seoul Paik Hospital.
• Namsan Yejang Bus Transfer Parking Lot (End)

Frequency: Every 6–9 minutes
Hours: First bus 06:30 / Last bus 23:00

Route 01B (The Direct Loop)

This route is a faster option connecting the tower directly to major subway stations (Line 3 and Line 4).

• Namsan Yejang Bus Transfer Parking Lot (Start).
• Chungmuro Station Exit 2, In front of Daehan Cinema.
• Dongguk Univ. Station, Jangchung-dong.
• National Theater of Korea, Banyan Tree Hotel.
• Namsan Seoul Tower.
• Namsan Library.
• Namsan Cable Car, Namsan Trail Entrance (End).
• Namsan Yejang Bus Transfer Parking Lot.

Frequency: Every 15–18 minutes
Hours: First bus 06:30 / Last bus 23:00

Source: Seoul newsletter