A Relaxing Day at Jeongdok Public Library and a Glimpse of Bukchon
I'm creating a routine of visiting the library on my days off. People create books, and books create people, so I feel like I need to read books to stay true to my human nature.
Today's pick is Jeongdok Public Library. If you go early in the morning, parking is easy, and above all, the comfort of Bukchon and the retro feel of the old school building always draw me here.
As you may know, the Jeongdok Public Library site used to be the location of Gyeonggi High School. In 1977, Gyeonggi High School moved to Gangnam, and the site was revived as this library. That decision seems to have been a very good one, and thanks to it, the building remains a registered cultural heritage and continues to provide us with comfort.
The former Gyeonggi High School playground is now a garden, and the former auditorium is currently used as a cafeteria and store.
Jeongdok Library Tips
You can find other information online...
To secure parking, it's best to arrive before 9 AM. Also, parking discount tickets are only given to those who borrow books, so borrow any book if you need an hour parking discount.
The cafeteria menu is diverse, and the daily special (Baekban) costs 6,500 won. It often sells out quickly, so be sure to visit around lunchtime. In addition to the daily special, there are also various menu items such as tonkatsu, omelet rice, and spicy pork stir-fry. You can also bring your own lunch.
Interestingly, there is also a lounge on the first floor of Building 3, where you can eat light snacks. This is probably due to the library's large size.
On the second floor of the main building, there is an open-style laptop reading room, and on the third floor, there are some desks in the study room where you can use laptops.
Apply at the kiosk on the first floor of Building 3 before going up, so if you are a laptop user, decide whether to use the 2nd floor or the 3rd floor and apply accordingly.
There is a general reading room on the 2nd floor of Main Building 2, and if you go up to the 3rd floor, there is a place with a great view of downtown Seoul. Today, I accidentally went here and thought about visiting Namsan.
Weekday Lunch in Bukchon
The Jeongdok Library cafeteria is very well-equipped, so I thought about eating here, but since I had tasted it once before, I went to the Korea Federation of Banks cafeteria for a walk in Bukchon today.
The Korea Federation of Banks cafeteria is about 700 meters away. Previously, outside access was allowed, but as of August 2025, 'officially' meals are not allowed for outsiders.
When we bought the meal tickets, there was no procedure to ask if we were outsiders, and it seemed like we were just seen as employees or trainees, but please be aware that outside meals are not allowed. (We found out after we finished eating.)
Anyway, there was a daily special for 8,000 won and a ramen corner for 4,800 won, so I was satisfied with the reasonable price and menu composition. My wife said that it was too salty for Pulmuone, so I checked and found out that the operator had been changed from Pulmuone to Foodist's Gourmet Place.
Anyway, I sincerely hope that you will open it to outsiders as well. For example, I think it would be a good idea to operate the building in shifts for outsiders, such as at the Catholic Center.
Maebongsan Octagonal Pavilion on the way home
For physical fitness, I sent my wife ahead of me, and on the way home, I rode my bike to Beotigogae Station, then stopped by Maebongsan Octagonal Pavilion, and then took Line 3 from Geumho Station and came back.
It's a pity that Maebongsan Octagonal Pavilion doesn't appear on Naver Map, but this is a famous place for Seoul views that everyone knows. It's a great viewing spot with Seoul scenery that even foreigners would like to visit at least once.
I haven't been here with my wife yet, so I hope to come back again next time.
As a tip, Beotigogae Station on Line 6 is the best way to get to Maebong Octagonal Pavilion in Seongdong-gu, and it takes a little more effort to get to it from Geumho Station on Line 3.
The old Gyeonggi High School playground is now a garden.
Explanation of Inwangjesaekdo (a famous landscape painting). Inwang Mountain looks great from here!
I envy people who write well.
Explanation of Buildings 2 and 3. Building 1 is for children and teenagers. Buildings 2 and 3 are reading rooms for adults.
You can eat snacks in the lounge on the first floor of Building 3, and you need to get a number for the reading room.
3 Self-Study Room on the 3rd floor.
A portion of the 3 Self-Study Room is set aside for laptop users.
Retro Boco Red Sensitivity
If you want to feel the old library, go to Jeongdok Library.
Precautions
A desk where a proctor would have sat.
This is originally a laptop reading room - it has an open cafe style. Shall we go here next time?
Korea Federation of Banks
The entrance to the Korea Federation of Banks cafeteria is a little further inside.
Cafeteria with entrance at the back of the main building
Lunch 8,000 won
Self-service
I was grateful for the soy sauce pork.
They also gave me a salad, which I really liked.
Perfect meal
This is the ramen corner. Toppings are free.
Hangang Ramen is changing the world. I saw it in the Coupang cafeteria and here too.
Gourmet Place app from the restaurant operator Foodist
No meals for outsiders
No meals for outsiders. I'm glad I saw it when I came out.
Walk along Bukchon Road back to the library
Old Gyeonggi High School Auditorium
The old Gyeonggi High School Auditorium is now a restaurant
Various menus @ Jeongdok Library Cafeteria
Baekban 6,500 won, thank you.
Namsan Tower seen from the 3rd floor of Building 2 of the library
Yulgok Tunnel passing through Changgyeonggung Palace by bicycle
They made the Yulgok Tunnel very beautiful.
Passing Cheonggyecheon, Dongdaemun, Jangchung Gymnasium, Yaksu Station, and Beotigogae Station
Maebongsan Octagonal Pavilion
Seoul Night View @ Maebongsan Octagonal Pavilion
The weather was so nice today
Seoul view shot of a lifetime
Coming down to Geumho Station - Geumho Tunnel in the distance
Take Line 3 at Geumho Station and go home.
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