Travel
Celebrate Chuseok in Seoul’s parks, fun for families and individuals alike
haps Magazine Korea
September 11, 2024
(Seoul City Government)
With the five-day Chuseok holiday approaching, why not enjoy the festive season at one of Seoul’s parks?
Seoul City has prepared an array of activities at 11 parks, offering everything from traditional folk games and cultural experiences to exhibitions and performances for those spending the holiday solo or with family.
Family-Friendly Fun in Seoul’s Parks
For families, Seoul’s parks provide a chance to experience both the beauty of autumn and traditional Korean culture. Enjoy folk games, seasonal customs, and more while celebrating Chuseok in a meaningful way. For those seeking a peaceful retreat, the parks also offer nature tours and exploration programs, perfect for unwinding.
Boramae Park will host special gardening activities, such as the Boramae Family Gardener and Boramae Garden Tour programs. Families can read garden-themed storybooks together, plant flowers, and create personalized flower pots. These programs require pre-registration and cost 3,000 won per family.
World Cup Park, Boramae Park, Seonyudo Park, and Oil Tank Culture Park will also feature unique activities. At World Cup Park, visitors can join the Traditional Games Arena, where games like yutnori, tuho, jegichagi, and slap-match (ttakji) will be available for free. Additionally, attendees can craft traditional items like jureonggu (dice games), jegi (Korean hacky sack), and incense pouches.
A Full Moon Viewing event will be held at World Cup Park, where visitors can observe the Chuseok full moon and planets like Saturn and Jupiter using a telescope under expert guidance. For a more interactive experience, families can join the Ecological Adventure Tour with the electric car “Kwikori Bongbong.”
Traditional Games and Cultural Events
At Boramae Park, traditional folk games such as tuho (arrow throwing), and activities like face painting will be available. Oil Tank Culture Park will offer a chance to enjoy folk games like yutnori and top spinning, along with the cultural exhibition Traveler.
For those looking for a hands-on experience, Seoul Forest, Maehyeon Citizen’s Forest, and Gildong Ecological Park will host various ecological activities and traditional games from September 14 to 18. Visitors can also join the We Are Citizen Scientists program to explore nature using a 3D microscope.
Solo Activities for a Peaceful Chuseok
Seoul’s parks are also perfect for solo visitors seeking a tranquil escape. Seoul Forest offers a self-guided exploration program, Seoul Forest Explorer, where participants can follow a map and answer quizzes about the park’s natural features. Maehyeon Citizen’s Forest will host a Park Explorer activity, focusing on the plants and insects living in the park. World Cup Park will provide a full moon and celestial viewing event with telescopes for a unique solo experience.
Cultural programs such as the Traveler exhibition at Oil Tank Culture Park and Rhythm: Being Two at Seoul Botanic Garden provide a perfect way to enjoy Chuseok alone.
For more information, including program times and reservations, visit the Seoul Parks website at parks.seoul.go.kr. Pre-registration is required for some programs and can be done through the Seoul Public Service Reservation website.