Baeksa Village, a moon village in northeastern Seoul

LEADER: Jon Dunbar

DATE: Saturday. May 4, 2024. 2:00 PM ~ 5:00 PM.

DESTINATION(S): Baeksa Village

COST: 25,000 won for RAS Korea members; 30,000 won for Non-members

MEETING POINT: Bus Stop No. 11409  (‘Junggye Bond-dong End Point’ (중계본동종점), the last stop of Bus Routes ‘1141’, ‘1131’, ‘1221’) @2:00PM
Google Map
Naver Map

RSVP by May 2 (Thursday) with payment of the fee via bank transfer. Please register one RSVP at a time.   * The group size will be capped at a maximum of 12 guests.

☞Payment to be remitted to the following account:
SHINHAN BANK ACCOUNT # 100-026-383501 (RAS-KB)

*Reservation is not confirmed until payment has been received by RAS Korea in advance of the event.

We will visit Baeksa Village, a moon village in northeastern Seoul. Moon villages, or “daldongnae,” are refugee villages that are typically found on mountain slopes. It is believed they get their name because they are said to be closer to the moon.

Baeksa Village formed as early as the late 1960s, as evictees relocated here after being kicked out of inner-city slums. The scenery at Baeksa Village is breathtaking, with views of the city and Mount Buram. These days, the village is mostly depopulated, and redevelopment looms. The streets are still open to public access, and the area still receives visitors, who come here to look around, take pictures, or hike the mountain trails uphill from it.

Due to the delicate status of this ageing village, tour participants are urged to obey several rules. Do not enter any abandoned buildings on the tour. Do not take any objects, or leave any litter behind. Never make loud noises or do anything else that may disrupt any of the remaining residents. Bring sturdy shoes because there will be a lot of walking up hills. The group size will be capped at a maximum of 12 guests.

Jon Dunbar moved to Korea in December 2003 and began urban exploring in March 2005. He curates a database that contains over 700 past and present urban exploration locations across Korea. As well as working at The Korea Times, he also is general editor of Transactions, the journal of Royal Asiatic Society Korea. He founded the DoTam Film Festival which screened short films related to Korean urban exploration on April 6.