(Published in the April 2019 printed edition of Groove Magazine)
Recent years have solidified the gentrification of Seoul. Perhaps, the most talked about area we have seen was the unfolding of Seollo 7017, once a highway overpass that became a safety risk. Located near Seoul Station, it used to be an alternative route for buses and cars. It is now a sky garden adorned by various plants and flowers. Another safety risk that dramatically became a haven for artists is the Oil Tank Culture Park, located near the World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu. After a consultation with the citizens, it was redeveloped and is now a picturesque eco-park. It features exhibitions and performances that draw people in. It is alive with energy and creativity, a stark contrast to its eerie state not so long ago.
But, alas! There is one place that keeps luring visitors to its abandoned state. Byeokje Station in Goyang summons the curious. What makes Byeokje enticing for visitors?
The staff in the few neighborhood restaurants, who are mostly ajummas, appear to be used to daily new faces whose purpose is predictably a visit and a photoshoot in the abandoned station. Both local and foreign tourists vie for space and the best view possible and drop by the restaurants before or after their photo sessions. This is to the delight of the ajummas in the restaurants. Clearly, visitors are good for business.
From the main road where one alights from the bus, one follows a narrow road that goes to the abandoned railway. It cuts in the middle and requires a choice: Going right or going to the left first?
Going to the right leads you to a small dilapidated structure that unmistakably served as the ticket station.
As if mocking its current state, a broken clock, visibly attached to one of its rails, shows that time had stood still for this abandoned railway station.
The rust and the
And yet… the metal railway, lined by leafless trees in the dead of winter, is charming in its melancholy. The same trees turn a vibrant green in spring and summer. The railway stretches far, its end not in sight. However inexplicable it may seem, it evokes hope. Then there’s the railroad lamp, standing still, a remnant of the station’s bustle when it was still serving the population it was designed to serve.
The left side of the road leads to the abandoned tunnel. It is supposed to be just one of those ordinary, dark tunnels until its end opens to the scenic backdrop of the Bukhansan ridges. This is when it becomes mesmerizing and dramatic. Visitors have been going here season after season and naturally brings out the tunnels’ beautiful landscape, no matter what season they choose to come.
Lovers crave the romantic glow they get from the photos. Friends rejoice at the versatility of the mood the tunnel offers. On a great day, you have to wait for your turn to have your photo shoot as you want them done as the place can be filled with people whose purpose is probably the same as everyone else’s: a great photo. It is a place that silently welcomes everybody. No rules, no formal entry points, no aesthetics. It is as raw and as abandoned as it can get.
But despite the absence of formal entry points and regulations, visitors come and leave with a sense of respect. Unspoken but highly observed: those who come leave with appreciation and reverence. It is not often that a place neglected can welcome visitors openly and amiably.
Address: 8-15, Hoguk-ro 1430beon-gil, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do ( 경기도 고양시 덕양구 대자동 산139-4 벽제역)
How to go there: Go down Exit 8 of Bulgwang Station (Line 3 and Line 6) and take Bus No. 774. Get off at Byeokje Station.
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Hi ate! Im glad I discovered your page in Bloggers in Korea fb group. I like your writing po♡ Being able to see the beautiful things out of such place that we would otherwise find eerie, that shows how unique and appreciative you are ate. Hope you will write more! Greeting from Daejeon!
Hi Riza, thank you for visiting my website. Let me know if you have a blog, too:-).
Meron po, but not very active hehe. http://www.ourkoreanstory.wordpress.com
I will try to write again and asikasuhin yung blog, hopefully, this year. Hehe.
your website looks neat and clear to navigate. and I love your ourkoreanstory logo with shades of the KOrean yin and yang. do continue writing:-).
This kind of Content again was so Awesome, you are one of the Best Blogger that I Know. SOBRANG Worth to Read From Top to End .. can’t wait for the future Post ate Wendy ❤❤
Looks like an awesome spot. I wish you had share a few more pix of the location. I wonder if my model and photographer friends would be interested in trekking out to this location to shoot here. Looks neat, particularly the track and abandoned tunnel!
lots of photographers use this for their location shoot. I’m sure your photog and model friends would be interested.
I’m super interested about this one. Medyo scary pero I think mag-eenjoy din ako dito. Hahaha. Gusto ko na talagang pumunta sa Korea because of your posts.
Isa talaga ang Korea sa bucket list ko pag nagka passport ako. Kung sana lang din ganto ang nangyare sa mga railways sa Pinas kahit luma na nagiging parang tourist spot pa.
This might be abandoned but somehow it has a unique charms and stories.
The community could transform this into a new updated destination.
Parang setting ng historical drama! Very interesting place and I just love the photo in the tunnel!
i love that through your blog you are able to share little treasure spots in South Korea. 🙂
Ate, try watching the Korean Drama – He is Psychometric. May scenes din sila doon about abandoned railway stations in Seoul. Gusto ko din puntahan haha!
You are very detailed in your description that makes us feel like we’re there in korea with you! Very nice
Still on my bucketlist. Sana makapunta ako sooner or later. I love your picture ung silhoutte lang kayo ang ganda. I remember tuloy ung Train to Busan ung last station na naglalakad ung 2 survivor. Parang medyo ganun ung dating.
thanks!
Ang ganda nga dito sa lugar na to Ms Wendy, yung sa gusto ko talagang achieved dito yung silhouette na kind of photo 😍😍😍
Cool station which is also great for IG purposes. I remember watching Memoroes of Alhambra, a korean kseries but they have scenes with railway stations like this.
Oh, it’s an abandoned railway pala. Kala ko it’s still working but people just aren’t interested to go there. Love your photos!
on the contrary, people are interested to go there:-)
Love your IG pics in the tunnel as well as the clock, kakaiba. Thank you for a free tour in Korea through your writings.
thank you:-)
Abandoned places are always perfect foe photography.
Hi! I liked how you wrote this. Truly, it is in unbecoming, shabby, raw places that we find beauty sometimes. I am reminded of Corregidor, it is an abandoned place but it holds my respect and admiration. The beauty is still there.
Ang exciting and interesting pong puntahan ang lugar nato. Maganda rin po atang magpa-picture rito lalo na po sa tunnel, I like your “angels in the dark” ig post ❤
This kind of Content again was so Awesome, you are one of the Best Blogger that I Know. SOBRANG Worth to Read From Top to End .. can’t wait for the future Post ate Wendy ❤❤