The view from the summit of Eungbongsan Mountain ()
Seoul Forest, located in the middle of the metropolis, is a natural space where you can enjoy the charms of both a forest and the Hangang River. Originally the royal hunting grounds during the Joseon period, the land was used for a golf course and horse race track before being converted into the current park in 2005. The park offers many ways to enjoy a relaxing time here through all four seasons!
Address: 273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 성동구 뚝섬로 273)
Directions: Walk for approx. 5 min from Seoul Forest Station (Suin-bundang Line), Exit 3 * Approx. 10 min walk from Ttukseom Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 8
Operating hours: Open 24 hr * Hours may vary by facility; inquire in advance
Admission: Free * Separate fees may apply to facilities
Website (Korean, English)
1. Take a walk
Seoul Forest is beautiful in all four seasons, with cherry blossoms and tulips in spring, hydrangeas and poppies in summer, and cosmos in fall!
2. Enjoy a picnic
On nice days, a picnic in the park is perfect! Just pick a tree to spread out your picnic map to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in Seoul’s central park.
3. Go for a bike ride
The fastest way to get around Seoul Forest is by renting Ddareungi, a public bike rental offered by Seoul Metropolitan Government. You can even ride all the way to the nearby Hangang Park if you want!
Seoul Bike Ddareungi
How to use: Download the Ddareungi mobile application from the App Store or Google Play
Seoul Forest location: 3515. Seoul Forest Management Office / 273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 성동구 뚝섬로 273)
Rates: Day pass 1,000 won per hour / Long-term pass 3,000 won for 1 hr for 7 days
Operating hours: Available 24 hr
Website (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
4. Relax in a cafe
The first thing you’ll see upon exiting Seoul Forest Station on the Suin-Bundang Line are blue shipping containers! These big boxes make up UNDER STAND AVENUE, a popular attraction around Seoul Forest. The containers have been converted into all kinds of shops, from cafés to design products and even clothing. The street space often serves as the venue for concerts by indie bands.
Another great place to go for coffee in the area is Seongsu-dong Café Street. The area is filled with famous coffee shops, from Korea’s first Blue Bottle Coffee to Center Coffee and Halff Coffee, operated by skilled baristas.
UNDER STAND AVENUE
Address: 63, Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 성동구 왕십리로 63)
Directions: Walk for approx. 5 min from Seoul Forest Station (Suin-Bundang Line), Exit 4
Operating hours: 10:00-22:00, open all year round * Hours may vary by shop; inquire in advance
Website (Korean, English)
Seongsu-dong Café Street
Address: Area of Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 성동구 아차산로 일대)
Directions: Seongsu Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exits 3 & 4 * From Seoul Forest Station (Suin-Bundang Line), Exit 5, walk straight 400 meters to Ttukseom History Street and then follow the alleyways towards the Hangang River
Major shops: Blue Bottle Coffee, SEOUL ANGMUSAE, ㅊa, Up.side Coffee, Mesh Coffee, tmh coffee
5. Hike up Eungbongsan Mountain
Located just a short walk from Seoul Forest, Eungbongsan Mountain is the perfect place to look out over the Hangang River and downtown Seoul. Despite its name, Eungbongsan is more of a hill than a mountain, making for an easy trek up. The mountain is most popular in spring, when the slopes seem to glow with bright yellow forsythia.
Trekking course between Eungbongsan Mountain & Seoul Forest
Course: Eungbong Station (Gyeongui-Jungang Line), Exit 1 → Eungbongsan Palgakjeong Pavilion (summit; approx. 20 min walk) → Yongbigyo Bridge → Seoul Forest
Length: Approx. 5 km
Travel time: Walking approx. 1 hr 30 min
More Info 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay)
* This column was last updated in May 2021, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting. * Column content provided by TRAVELHOLIC.
– COPYRIGHTS ©KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED www.visitkorea.or.kr
