Hongje Waterfall in Seodaemun-gu Surpasses 5 Million Visitors

Cafe Pokpo records 6.1 billion won in sales 3.5 years after opening

The cumulative number of visitors to the Hongje Waterfall area, a popular urban destination in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, headed by District Mayor Park Woon-ki, surpassed 5 million as of October 6.

Citizens and tourists take in Seodaemun Hongje Falls from the terrace of Cafe Pokpo. Courtesy of Seodaemun-gu.

According to Seodaemun-gu on October 11, the milestone was reached about three and a half years after Cafe Pokpo opened on April 1, 2023, with an average of around 3,900 visitors per day. Cafe Pokpo, located in front of the waterfall at 262-24 Yeonhui-ro, has recorded cumulative sales of 6.1 billion won. The four cafes operated by the district, including the Cafe Complex Cultural Center, Cafe Ansan and Cheonyeon Hwangto Cafe, have recorded combined cumulative sales of 7 billion won.

At Hongje Waterfall, visitors can stroll along Hongjecheon Stream or sit in front of the waterfall and enjoy what is known as "waterfall gazing" as they watch the water flow. Cafe Pokpo, where visitors can enjoy coffee in an open-air setting, has become a place where they can linger after word of it spread.

Photos and videos posted by visitors on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have also drawn tourists from Southeast Asia, Europe and South America. The official Cafe Pokpo Instagram account, cafe.pokpo, has surpassed 10,000 followers. The district uses revenue from operating the cafes to support local talent, including by providing scholarships.

“Hongje Waterfall is an everyday retreat for residents and a place where tourists can experience Seodaemun-gu,” District Mayor Park Woon-ki said. “It is all the more meaningful that the people who come here help support local students' education.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.