Love Locks on Namsan Mountain

Namsan Peak, or Namsan Seoul Tower in South Korea, is a famous spot where couples leave their mark of love. They want to preserve these special moments—and that’s how the tradition of love locks at the base of the tower began.

Countless couples who visit this place attach padlocks as a symbol of their love. Thousands upon thousands of locks in all shapes, sizes, and colors cover the railings, layer upon layer, forming what looks like “lock armor.”

This romantic tradition isn’t unique to Seoul—it’s popular worldwide. When I visited San Francisco, I saw locks hanging on a pier overlooking the ocean, each engraved with sweet promises.

Other famous spots have love locks too, like Rome’s ancient Milvio Bridge, Paris’s Pont des Arts over the Seine, Cologne’s Hohenzollern Bridge, Moscow’s Tretriakovsky Bridge, and Prague’s Mala Strana Bridge.

This just goes to show—love knows no borders or language. The way people express, feel, and dream about love is the same everywhere.

After attaching their locks, couples often throw the keys into the river, believing it means their love will last forever. Of course, no one knows how many of these couples actually stay together for life—but it’s a beautiful sentiment.

Back to Namsan Tower’s Love Locks

Everywhere I looked, there were locks—on railings, fences, even on special “lock trees” covered in thousands of love locks. From a distance, they look like real pine trees, but up close, they’re just metal frames built for couples to hang their padlocks.

It’s not just young couples—older couples come too, either to relax in the romantic atmosphere or to celebrate years of love. Some photographers even visit for artistic inspiration.

All Kinds of Locks

Each lock is unique—some are square, heart-shaped, or even made from old phone cases with handwritten vows. The colors are vibrant—red, pink, blue, yellow—very Korean-style. Red and pink are the most common, symbolizing passion and romance.

Some locks are rusty and worn, while others still shine. There are even rubber-coated locks sold to prevent rust. Some look like bike locks, while others have tiny charms attached—maybe from families wishing for lasting love and happiness.

Messages of Love

Many locks have heartfelt messages engraved:
– “You are my last and greatest love.”
– “I’ll never forget how beautiful you were the first time I saw you. My heart has been yours ever since—and you should be proud of that!”
Some even have signatures. One sad lock simply read: “Goodbye, my love.”

Messages are in Korean, English—I even looked for Vietnamese, but there were too many to find!

Besides locks, some people write or draw on the pillars. It’s cheaper than buying a lock (since you still have to pay for the ₩17,000 cable car ride—about $17 per couple). But honestly, it’s better not to—those pillars were painted nicely!

Namsan Park & Tower

Namsan Park was created in 1989 as part of a mountain restoration project. With its pine forests, historic Joseon Dynasty walls, and scenic views, it’s a favorite spot for both tourists and locals.

The Namsan Seoul Tower, built in 1969, stands 236.7m tall (497.7m above sea level). Designed by architect Jang Jong Ryul, it cost $2.5 million and is now a symbol of Seoul. Since opening to the public in 1980, it’s been known as the “Tower of Love.”

A Lasting Memory

Whether these couples stay together forever or not, their love locks remain as cherished memories. Personally, I hope every couple finds happiness—because love should bring joy, not heartbreak.

My trip to Korea wasn’t perfect weather-wise, but the beauty of Namsan Mountain, the Han River, and Seoul’s mix of modern skyscrapers and serene nature made it unforgettable.