Seonyudo Park: One Of The Best Kept Secrets In Seoul
Seonyudo Park sits on an island on the Han River in Seoul, Korea between Hapjeong and Dangsan and is one of the best kept secrets in Seoul. The island, only accessible by foot bridge, walking, or bus, used to house a water treatment plant but in the effort to bring green space back to Seoul, it was released back to nature.
Just south of the popular art and live music district known as Hongdae sits Seonyudo Island. There are only a few islands on the Han River that are accessible and this park is one cool one to find. Crossing the bridge from Hapjeong Station to Dangsan Station, I’ve seen this little island in the middle of the Han river for a few years now and finally got off the bus to actually walk among the green that I’ve eyed from the bus windows.
Everything you should know about Seonyudo Island in Seoul:
- How To Get To Seonyudo Island
- What To know
- History of Seoul’s Seonyudo Island
- What To See & Do
- Stay Nearby
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How To Get To Seonyudo Island
Seonyudo, meaning “an island where Taoist hermits play”, should not to be confused with the the Seonyudo Island that is just off the coast from Gunsan, Korea.
Address: 95 Yanghwa-dong Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (영등포구 양화동 95)
By Public Transportation: The best way to get to Seonyudo Island is via public transportation because there is NO parking.
- By Bus: 60, 60-3, 70, 70-2, 70-3, 88, 88-1, 602, 603, 604, 605, 642, 661, 670, 760, N26, N62, 5616, 5712, 5714, 6514, 6623, 6631, 6632, 6712, 6716, 7612
- By Subway: Take subway line 2 to Dangsan Station (exit #1), then take a bus (605, 6623, 6631, 6632, 6633) and get off at Hanshin Apts. Cross over the Rainbow Bridge.
- → Or, take subway line 9 to Seonyudo Station (exit #1) and walk until the large intersection. Take a right and walk towards the river. Eventually you’ll see the ramp spanning the freeway to Rainbow Bridge.
- → Or, take subway line 2 to Hapjeong Station (exit #8) and take a 20-minute walk across the Yangwha Bridge and enjoy nice views of the city while inhaling lots of vehicle exhaust. Or get a bus going south. There are a few that stop in the middle of the bridge and let you off to get to the park entrance. It’s free. Open 06:00-24:00.
What To Know
Hours: Everyday: 6:00am – Midnight
Amenities: There are public bathrooms on the island, a cafe, and a water playground in the summer for kids.
History of Seoul’s Seonyudo Island
In 1978, the island was turned into a sewage treatment plant and it wasn’t until 23 years later with the Hangang Renaissance Project that it was reformed into the first recycling park in Korea. The project aimed to bring the river back to the people through restoration and creativity reforming the urban space that now surrounded the river banks.
The goal was certainly met on this island where the cement blocks, paths, and pipes have been transformed in such a way to be apart of the green that once again has been allowed to take over the island. Another park that was reclaimed is the West Seoul Lake Park and is also a fun place to see how nature has reclaimed land and one of the newest in the city is the Oil Tank Culture Park that reclaimed six huge oil tanks near World Cup Park.
If you like seeing spaces turned into other places, you could also find B39 in Bucheon which was formerly a trash facility and is now an arts and culture space. If you’re headed on a roadtrip in Jeolla, don’t miss the Sansok Lighthouse culture and arts complex outside of Jeonju for more reclaimed spaces.
This island was once covered with cliffs that Confucian scholars would stroll among while writing poetry and like I said, is in the middle of Han River. The cliffs no longer exist thanks to the Japanese occupation and their subsequent removal of them, but there is still plenty to see and numerous reasons to make a trip here if you’re in the area.
What To See & Do
Set in the middle of the iconic Han River, this island in Seoul is really quite stunning and a beautiful addition to the 11 Han River parks. Walkways go this way and that. From above you can see the waterways that allowed water to come in and be treated before being taken out again and from below you walk amid ivy covered concrete walls, bridges and obstructions.
A waterfall flows and a greenhouse along with floating gardens are not to be missed. Pillars with concrete peeking out yet somehow able to support natural growth jut into the air. Not only is it full of natural wonder, but it’s a cool industrial meets nature spot for a photoshoot in Seoul.
There are play areas for children and beautiful backdrops for photogs. There’s a small cafe and a hut to get some sausage while on a stroll and all of it is stunning when all done up by the natural wonder of mother nature. Ivy climbs the numerous cement walls and pathways. This might just be my favorite place to have a picnic in the city of Seoul. Dare I say it?
If you have a little person with you, there’s also an area where the children play near the greenhouse on the island and in the summer, there is a water playground for the kiddos to cool off.
Designed as an eco-conscious park there are greenhouses, lotus plants, bugs and birds galore. There are paths that go up and paths that go down, plenty of views of the surrounding city and plenty of places to play a good game of hide and seek. One of my future goals, get a good group of at least 15 people and do this. It’s the perfect size. Not too big, but not too small, and boundaries built in.
In the summer, families, couples and people just out for a wander head to the island either by bus, on foot or via car to take in the area that is a bit of a respite from the city. Honking cars can’t be heard here and there are numerous enclaves where you can set up a blanket with a picnic and sort of feel lost in the middle of the city. It’s quiet and easy to walk around.
Seonyudo Park is one of those perfect places to getaway to for a few hours, have a picnic and feel as though you’re not sitting smack dab in the middle of a massive city. Cars can’t be heard honking or screeching here and high rises don’t encase the view. There are plenty of enclaves to hide in and feel as though no one will find you, which also makes it the perfect location for a game of hide and seek or tag, too… see?
Family outings, friends for a picnic or just locals hoping to get some away time, everyone can find something to enjoy about Seonyudo. It’s just difficult enough to get to that hoards of people are rarely found on the island, but easy enough to get to that no one should miss out on a visit to the island.
There are adventures for children and adults alike to be had in the park that is an easy bus stop ride from the popular art and music district of Hongdae to the north. Hongdae can be a bit crazy these days though, so after the park, if you’re looking for some eats, head into the foodie hot spot in Mangwon-dong or just a bit down the road from Hongdae you can find tons of places to eat in Yeonnam-dong too.
A Hidden Cherry Blossom Spot
Seonyudo Island is actually a hidden beauty in the spring. While others are headed to Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival or finding some of the other more popular cherry blossom spots in Seoul, Seonyudo Island blooms and does it rather quietly. Somehow being in the middle of the Han River makes it a bit of a hidden gem that people just pass by without realizing they can visit to see cherry blossoms. If the delicate blooms are what you’re after in the spring, maybe try this island when the flowers are in bloom. It’s just beautiful.
Night Spot For a Walk
Seonyudo Island is a great place for a late night stroll. There are plenty of lights on the paths and it’s beautiful… and slightly creepy, but mostly beautiful. I once walked from Mokdong to my house in Yeonhui-dong and crossed through the island at night. It was a great walk. My photos from that were pretty bad, but these photos from the Seoul Metropolitan Government are much better. Worth it!
This has become one of my favorite places to go each summer that I’ve lived in Korea. From morning until night, there’s usually few people and plenty of space and lots of fun to be found here.
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