The Hangang Parks: A Guide To The 11 Han River Parks In Seoul, Korea

The Han River, also called the Hangang, is a symbol of Seoul, Korea and a popular place to spend a day for most Seoulites especially during the hot hot summer. Year round, visitors can be found biking, walking, running, picnicking, or just enjoying the view.

The Seoul City Government has done a lot to make the parks that line the river all the more visitor friendly in the past decade and there are now art installations to be found, skateboard parks to be enjoyed, outdoor concert venues, museums and just sooo much more to do, aside from the fantastic swimming pools that are also there.

One of the questions I get most often these days is what is the best Hangang Park and I have to say they all have their attributes. Really, I think they’re all worth a visit if you have time, but if not, whichever is easiest to get to is the one to find just to feel the atmosphere of the Hangang River.

Don’t visit Seoul and NOT visit the Han River. Wherever you’re staying, there will undoubtedly be a park nearby so take a break from the busy city and find the flower fields, playgrounds, or other hot spots on Seoul’s iconic riverside.

If you’ll be living here for an extended period of time, then absolutely check out this list of parks and make a plan to visit them all! What a great bucket list item to be able to check off. Visited Every Han River Park? ✓ 

Check out each park below and what you can find. There are directions to the Han River Parks under each one as well as a useful map at the bottom.

BONUS! After the awesome Han River Parks info, there is also more information about the islands that are on the Han River that, though aren’t considered Han River Parks, do offer a lot of park amenities and make for awesome adventures too. See what you can see and enjoy the views

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

---

What To Know Before You Go

• Transportation: It’s pretty easy to get to most of the Han River parks using public transportation in Seoul. Make sure to get a T-Money card and top it off before you go. And, once you’re there, you can rent bikes to get around.
• Food/Drinks: Most of the parks are now equipped with convenience stores every so often that are stocked with drinks and fast food/snack options. If you’ll want something different, bring your own or go the Korean way and look out for the guys passing out menus. You can order and get delivery straight to your tent/picnic blanket.
• Public Restrooms: There are restrooms usually nearby the convenience stores or in the vicinity. Plenty to find every so often so you won’t need to go far if you’ve gotta go.

---

Want to skip around? Here are the different parks to check out in this guide:

• Ttukseom Han River Park (뚝섬한강공원)
• Ichon Han River Park (이촌한강공원)
• Mangwon Han River Park (망원한강공원)
• Nanji Han River Park (난지한강공원)
• Gangseo Han River Park (강서한강공원)
• Yanghwa Han River Park (양화한강공원)
• Yeouido Han River Park (여의도한강공원)
• Banpo Han River Park (반포한강공원)
• Jamwon Han River Park (잠원한강공원)
• Jamsil Han River Park (잠실한강공원)
• Gwangnaru Han River Park (광나루한강공원)
• BONUS: Seonyudo Island (선유도)

---

Parks on the north side of the river starting from the east and heading west.

Ttukseom Han River Park (뚝섬한강공원)

The Ttukseom Han River Park has some definite highlights especially for the flower hunters and the architecture lovers. This park is also near the Brooklyn of Seoul, aka Seongsu-dong which features a ton of cool murals and cafes and restaurants so it’s easy to make a day of it in the area.

Head to exit 3 of Ttukseom Resort Station and before you’ve gone down, there are doors that lead to the J-Bug Culture Complex which is both interesting from the inside and out. Having shown up in multiple K-dramas like The Liar and His Lover and Rooftop Prince, the spot isn’t unknown, but is definitely rather quiet at most times.

Considering most people probably head to the park… to go to the park, it’s not surprising people head straight to the grass. But don’t do that! The J-Bug, named so because it looks like a centipede, has a cafe inside as well as desks for studying. It’s a great quiet place to take a break, do some work, and get a view and in the summer heat, it’s cool. Watch out the windows as the train speeds by on the Cheongdam Bridge and then head outside to see what you were just walking through. It’s a very cool space that seems bypassed by most to the area.

Another highlight of the park is the massive wall that is covered in trumpet vines in the summer. While trumpet vines are growing throughout the city of Seoul, this is by far the biggest wall of them and honestly, it’s so big, I couldn’t even get it all in one photo to do it justice. You really need to see it to believe it. The flowers are stunning and despite the summer heat, it’s worth the walk to see them.

Set at the most westernmost point of the park, it’s about a 15 minute walk from the station. The flowers can be rather fragile and should the monsoon rains begin, they’ll be gone before you know it. I actually missed them the year before because it rained earlier than I expected. If you’re a flower hunter like me and you’re in Seoul, make sure you check out this post with a ton of spots I recommend for great flower spotting.

Ttukseom Park is also home to some awesome amenities and water sports. If you’re interested in getting on the water and trying kayaking or paddle boarding, check out the fun to be had with awesome instructors that will help you get suited up and out on the water in no time. Get some awesome water photos in this safe atmosphere perfect for adults and children ages three and above. There are certain hours this is available and it changes depending on the month/season, so do check out the availability before you hope to go and book a time in advance to ensure you can get out on the water. There is a place there to change clothes and store things and then you can have two hours of fun free time out on the water! It’s a blast and a half.

J-Bug

• Hours: 10:00am ~ 10:00pm
• Music Fountain: The park also features a music fountain that operates every day from May to October.
• Fountain Operating Hours: May, June, September, & October: weekdays 12:00pm, 8:00pm, 9:oopm; weekends: 12:00pm, 5:00pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:00pm; July & August: weekdays 12:00pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:00pm; weekends: 12:00pm, 5:00pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:00pm, 9:30pm
• Directions To The Park: Ttukseom Resort Subway Station, exit 2 & 3. Both exits enter straight into the park.
• Amenities: 2 soccer fields, 4 basketball courts (including 2 for the disabled), 4 tennis courts, 4 gateball courts, 5 badminton courts, 1 foot volleyball court, and 13 fitness centers, a fishing hole, motor boat and water ski facilities, a swimming pool, a cruise dock

---

Ichon Han River Park (이촌한강공원)

Located between Jungnyang Stream Bridge and Wonhyo Bridge and south of popular spots like the National Museum of Korea and the closest Han River Park to the Novotel Ambassador Yongsan a great central spot to stay in the city.. The park is home to playgrounds for children, basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, gateball courts and more for recreation as well as water sport rental facilities.

The highlight for me was visiting the artworks which were just added in under the Han River Art Project. Keep an eye out for pink penguins, bright yellow snails, and hot pink flamingos among other eye-catching pieces at the westernmost end of this park.

Most visitors seem to stick to the eastern end of this long park which is where most of the recreational facilities are, but head to the westernmost end and you’ll find where these awesome artworks and more have been installed. The government took a part of the park that didn’t feature anything all that interesting and definitely made it a great spot to take a walk. I would have loved it with or without my daughter, but she definitely got a kick out of finding a bunch of pink penguins, giant yellow snails and cool pink flamingos among other things.

If you visit, also head over to Hangang Bridge and go up to the observatory for a great view from above. This end of the park also features a great sandy kids playground so perfect for families that want to play, take a stroll, and maybe have a picnic.

• Directions To The Park: Ichon Subway Station, exit 4. Walk straight for about 800 meters.
• Amenities:  2 soccer fields, 2 basketball courts, 3 volleyball courts, 2 foot volleyball courts, 8 tennis courts, 1 woodball course, 1 youth square, gateball court, 1 X-game area, and 1 inline skate rink, a fishing hole, kayaking, canoeing, inline skating rink (concrete and urethane-coated), Hangang Daegyo Observatory

---

Mangwon Han River Park (망난한강공원)

Mangwon district is one of my favorite in the entire city and the Han River Park in this area just adds the cool factor. Visit the numerous cafes, restaurants, or the local farmer’s market to pick up food for a picnic and then head through a tunnel to this awesome park. Situated between Wonhyo Bridge and Seongsan Bridge, this park has some great features including one of the riverside swimming pools that is super popular in the summer as well as windsurfing, water-skiing, and motor-boating facilities. There is bike rental and if you want something unique to this park to check out, do NOT miss the gigantic ship and submarine that have been permanently parked alongside the riverside in the Seoul Battleship Park.

Mangwon Han River Park is quite long and thin so you could easily rent a bike and ride around the entire thing to see what there is to see here. It’s not the biggest of parks on the Han River but has always been one of our favorites for picnics and sunsets. From here you can get a great view of the beautiful orange iron Seongsan Bridge.

• Directions To The Park: Mangwon Subway Station, exit 1. Go right out from the exit and find the bus stop for the local maeul bus (short neighborhood bus). Take the bus #09 seven stops to the Hangang Park Entrance stop. From the stop walk straight the same direction the bus was headed to find a roundabout. Go through the tunnel to find the park.
• Amenities: 1 soccer field, 5 basketball courts, 4 volleyball courts, 6 tennis courts, 1 baseball field for children, 1 lawn bowling green (for the disabled), 2 gateball courts, 1 multipurpose field, and 11 fitness centers, fishing hole, swimming pool

---

Nanij Han River Park (난지강강공원)

The Nanji riverside is an area that has seen a lot of cleanup in the past decade and personally, I was stoked to see it since I’ve lived in the area for a decade. When I first road my bike along the river and got to Nanji, things started out good and ended in tons of debris and trash. Little by little the area has been reclaimed by nature and the clean up complete through the Hangang Renaissance Project.

There are some awesome hidden gems in this area and tons of space to have more of a quiet escape. While some parks along the Han River can be utterly packed in the summer, this one never has been in my experience and this has been our go-to for years.

Situated between Hongjecheon Bridge and Nanicheon Bridge, the park backs up to and has access to the gigantic World Cup Park which means you could go for a wander from forests and metasequoia trees to riverside all in one day.

There is an amazing budget friendly infinity pool in this park that is our go-to in the summers. It doesn’t get deep enough for laps so people looking for that and easier access often head to Mangwon swimming pool, but if you want some more shallow fun with awesome views, Nanji Water Playground is the spot. This is a spot that’s very popular with families because it’s shallow so keep that in mind but if you want some beautiful photos without tons of kiddos, just get there early and you’ll be fine. Most fams rock up a bit later in the day.

Nanji Han River Park also features a camping ground that is next to an ecological wetland with awesome huge reeds and a perfectly circular path that looks pretty cool when seen from above. Head to the park in the spring and autumn and you can also find fields of cosmos and other flowers in bloom. It’s one of our favorite getaways to be sure and it’s always possible to find a great place to get away. Visit the fountains to get wet in the summer or the camp grounds for some fun in the autumn. See the ice covered Han River in the winter and then see more flowers in the spring. It’s just stunning year round.

This park is really long and to see it all, you really need to have a bike but not to worry, there are bike rental facilities.

• Directions To The Park: This park is one of the most difficult to get to if you don’t have a car and for that reason, it’s much less crowded. For public transportation, go to Mapo-gu Office Subway Station, exit 7. Find the path/staircase that leads down to the Hongjecheon Stream and walk south. It takes about 15 minutes, but the path comes out to the river. Where the path comes out, is the separation between the Mangwon Han River Park and the Nanji Han River Park. Go right for the Nanji Han River Park. If you want to enter the park in a more central region, go to Dangsan Subway Station, exit 8 and make a u-turn to find the bus stop. Take bus 9707 and get off at the Nanji Hangang Park stop.
• Amenities: Campsites, extreme sports grounds for inline skating and BMX, swimming pool, parking, riverside stage,
• Campsite Information:
• Hours: 11:00am ~ 10:00am the next day
• Fees: Campers with their own tents: W15,000 for 4 people (You still need to make a reservation); Family Tents: W28,000 (includes 1 tent, 4 mats, admission fees, set up and maintenance) There are also pavilion tents, cabin tents and Mongolian tents for up to 20 people!
• Reservations: To make reservations, visit their website for more information.

---

Did You Know

The Han River is not used for any industrial purposes and has no commercial boat traffic. This is because of its close proximity to North Korea. Because the river also flows in North Korea, the river has been zoned for recreational purpose use only which means Seoul citizens and visitors reap the rewards. There is a ton to do ON the Han River too! If you don’t want to just hang out in the parks, but you want to get on the water, check out this post: 10 Ways To Enjoy The Han River

---

Parks on the south side of the river starting from the west and heading east.

Gangseo Han River Park (강서한강공원)

Gangseo Han River Park is primarily a wetland eco park. Set between Gayang Bridge and the Seoul-Gimpo border, the park is one of 30 top ecotourism attractions in Seoul. Because it is meant to be eco-friendly and natural, aside from the bike path, much of the paths in and out have been left as soil.

There are times throughout the year that the paths are actually closed to protect the wildlife that comes in as they’re moving north or south so be conscious of signs and heed all warnings. Respect the nature as much as you can whenever you visit this and any other park.

This is a great park to visit if you’re looking for a more off the beaten path adventure. The paths were empty when we visited and bicyclists zoomed by without stopping. We enjoyed the adventure through the tall reeds to find the platforms to sit on and the benches to eat on. This is something a bit different from the other more curated parks around the city. Since you’re so close though, the more curated and huge Seoul Botanic Park is just up the road from here so visit both in the same day!

• Directions To The Park: Banghwa Subway Station, exit 1. Make a u-turn and walk around the building and turn left to find a bus stop. Take local bus #07 and go three stops to the Ecological Park stop and walk straight in the same direction the bus was headed to find a round-about and entrance to the park.
• Amenities:  fitness equipment

---

Yanghwa Han River Park (양화한강공원)

To be honest I haven’t spent much time in this park because one of the best things about it is the direct access it provides via a walking bridge to Seonyudo Island (More info about Seonyudo Island later in this post). But, having now read about some highlights, it’s definitely a park worth checking out… as they all are really.

This park sits between Yeouuido Saetgang Tributary and the Gayang Bridge. One of the things that looks the most interesting are the old fashioned Korean boats that you can take from the park to Seonyudo Island which are free every July and August during the Hangang Summer Festival. You can check out the pics of that, here.

• Directions To The Park: Dangsan Subway Station, exit 3 or 4 and do a u-turn to walk about 500 meters to the park.
• Amenities: 1 soccer field, 2 basketball courts, and 2 volleyball courts, Yanghwa Daegyo Observatory

---

Yeouido Han River Park (여의도한강공원)

The Yeouido Han River Park is one of the most promoted of the parks but to be perfectly honest, it’s not my favorite. I’ll explain why, and certainly don’t let my sentiments detract if it’s a spot you truly want to see, but do know what you’re in for. Because this park is so trafficked, it’s really just not as nice as the others with spacious green lawns, activities and forests to get lost in. So many picnickers each weekend mean the grass can really be brown and downtrodden in some areas and there is a lot more trash in this park than I have noticed in other parks.

There are some highlights though so let me get into those before it gets too negative around here. The Yeouido Han River Park is home to one of the, if not the, largest I Seoul U sign in the city. There are signs scattered around the city in various parks and downtown, but this is the LARGEST one I’ve seen and it is pretty photographic so if you’re looking for that hot Instagrammable spot in Seoul, this is a good one.

Like the Ichon Han Riverside, this park also holds some art installations under the Han River Art Project. I liked the art installations at the Ichon Park a bit more just because they were a bit more whimsical, but that is also something to look out for in this park.

It’s from this park that you can also take a Han River Cruise which I highly recommend. It’s a different way to experience the city and see the cityscape. I love being on the water so if you’re like me, head to the river and get your cruise on! The ELand Han River Cruise company is the only company operating these tours and for English speakers, you can’t book directly through their site (unless you can read Korean) so the easiest way to do it, and it’ll get you a discount, is to book through Klook. The cruises are awesome. We took the dinner cruise which includes a buffet dinner and I’ve also been on the lunch buffet cruise. Personally, I thought the ones without food were just too short, so I opted for the ones with a meal to make it more of a trip worth getting out for.

Yeouido is a good park to pass through to get to some of the awesome water activity spots on the river. If I were to take people to the park myself, I’d walk through briskly seeing the highlights in order to get to the Eland Cruise Port or to the yacht cruise docks. When would I spend a bit more time here? Probably in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom. Yeouido is definitely at its most beautiful when it’s hosting the Yeouido cherry blossom festival. When you go there, also make sure you stop into nearby Sky Farm for a beautiful view from above.

Another great time to visit the park? The autumn. Each year the Seoul International Fireworks Festival attracts visitors from all over the city to come to this park to sit and watch as the fire flowers (as they would be literally translated from Korean) light up the sky. Just a tip if you’re interested in seeing the fireworks, DO NOT go to Yeouido or Yeouinaru subway stations unless you want to be packed in like sardines. If you want more tips and tricks for seeing the ‘works, check out my post from our visit to see the massive Yeouido fireworks festival.

• Directions To The Park: Yeouinaru Subway Station, exit 2 or 3. Both exit right to the park.
• Hop On/ Hop Off Bus: If you’ll be traveling via the Seoul City Hop On/Hop Off Bus, know that it also stops here. You can buy the ticket for this bus here. And to get more information about the bus, here is a guide to the Hop On/ Hop Off Bus In Seoul.
• Amenities: Inline skating rink, gateball court, golf course, and traditional wrestling (ssireum) ring, Fishing hole, culture garden, swimming pool, cruise docks

---

Banpo Han River Park (반포한강공원)

This park has become especially popular because the bridge seen from the park lights up and the longest fountain in the world can be seen spouting water into the river. It’s a performance that many seek out when they come to Seoul. If you’ve got time for only one picnic by the Han River, you might want to make it here. The Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain is a must-see show in Seoul. Most popular in the summer in Korea, but running from spring through autumn, head there for a show, a night market for good eats, and more.

After the show, explore Some Sevit, 3 manmade islands on the Han River or take a walk along the boardwalk like the locals do. From Some Sevit (also known as Sebitseom), you can also get out onto the water if you want to add more fun to the day. Drift out atop the Han River on 6 seater party boat or yacht. If you’ve already seen the city from the shore, take advantage of the time to see it from this iconic river.

Another great event hosted in Banpo Han River Park each summer is Bamdokkaebi Night Market where you can find a ton of food and souvenir vendors. Get your eats from the many food trucks that offer a huge range of options. Do be prepared for lines though. This night market can get super popular in the summer. It’s fun though. 

• Directions To The Park: Take bus 405 or 740 to the Banpo Hangang Park/SebitSom Stop.
• Amenities: 1 soccer field and 2 basketball courts, Dongjak Daegyo Observatory
• Moonlight Rainbow Fountain Times: April ~ June & September ~ October: Weekdays: 12:00pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:00pm; Weekends: 12:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:00pm; July ~ August: Weekdays: 12:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:00pm; Weekends: 12:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:00pm, 9:30pm

---

Jamwon Han River Park (잠원한강공원)

Located between Youngdong Bridge and Banpo Bridge, this park is accessible from popular places in the city like Sinsa-dong and Apgujeong-dong in Gangnam. There is a large grassy field here that features beautiful pink muhly in the autumn and other flowers throughout the spring and summer that is an attractive draw to most visitors to this park. Stop into the “Jamwon Nature Learning Center” to learn more about the silkworm and wildflowers they’re drawn to. This park is famous for attracting a lot of butterflies, so if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spot some!

• Directions To The Park: Sinsa Subway Station, exit 5 or 6 and walk straight OR Apgujeong Subway Station, exit 1. Make a u-turn out of the station and then turn right and walk straight to the river.
• Amenities: 4 basketball courts, 5 tennis courts, 1 track, 4 fitness centers, 2 volleyball courts, and 1 soccer field, a fishing hole, water ski facilities, swimming pool, yacht facilities, canoeing, rowing and windsurfing, the Hannam Daegyo Observatory, Silkworm Culture Learning Center

---

Jamsil Han River Park (잠실한강공원)

This park is popular with families due to the large swimming pool as well as the numerous recreational facilities in the area. There are 279 species and 50,000 different plants in this park as well as pinwheel gardens, an aquatic plant island, and a walking trail near the river that attracts visitors during breeding season when fish suddenly swarm the river.

The park is in the area of Lotte Amusement Park and the Seoul Sky Observatory and you can see a gorgeous view of this Han River park and all the rest from the tallest building in Korea, Sky Tower. Make a day of it if you go here because there are plenty of things to do in Jamsil that are awesome. If you’re looking for the tallest place to stay in the country, don’t miss the Signiel Hotel.

• Directions To The Park: Jamsilnae Subway Station, exit 6. Walk straight about 1 kilometer.
• Amenities: 1 track, 1 youth square, 6 gateball courts, 1 foot volleyball court, 2 volleyball courts, a swimming pool, cruise dock (open from March to November), bike rental, a nature learning center, the Jamsil daegyo Observatory

---

Gwangnaru Han River Park (광나루한강공원)

This park is the furthest east of the parks and heading toward it, visitors will likely feel as if they’ve just left Seoul city limits. This park seems to have quite a few facilities that are rather unique to the park and due to the trek to get there, it’s bound to be quieter than the other parks near the Han Riverside. While I haven’t stopped in this park, I’ve seen it numerous times on my way out of the city an always thought it looked appealing exactly because it’s so far out of the way.

The park features special amenities like a remote controller airplane strip. If you’re an RC aircraft flyer, there is a sizable runway in the park that is free to use. While there aren’t planes to rent, if you bring your own, you can use the airstrip. This park is especially popular with cyclists who are following the 4 Rivers Trail along the Han River. There is also a BMX track that is free to use if you want to practice some tricks and dips. If you’ve got children, this park also features a biking ‘fun zone’ that has all sorts of bikes, trikes, an more that kids can play around an test out. There is even a bike with square wheels… so maybe a good spot for a little experimentation and discussion on movement.

• Directions To The Park: Take Cheonho Subway Station, exit 1 and walk straight for about 10 minutes until you pass over the highway. Take the steps own to the park on the other side.
• Amenities: A bike playground, Gwangjin Bridge Observatory, 3 soccer fields, 4 volleyball courts, 6 basketball courts, 2 tennis courts, 2 fitness centers, inline skate rink, 4 gateball courts, 1 x-game area, a swimming pool, bike lanes and pedestrian lanes

---

Did You Know

There are also islands on the Han River that you can visit. While Yeouido is an island on the Han River, it is so connected by streets and transportation that makes it rather unnoticeable that you’re on an island. There is one island that really feel like an island on the river that you can visit and that’s Seonyudo Island.

If you like islands, don’t miss an easy day trip out to nearby Nami Island. It’s one of the most popular daytrips from Seoul for good reason.

---

Seonyudo Island

While Seonyudo is not considered a Han River Park, I think it’s worth mentioning because it is an island that is in the middle of the Han River. The entire island, which was once home to a water treatment plant, has now been given back to nature and is an awesomely big park that is only accessible by walking, biking, or bus. The aqueducts are still there but instead of bringing water to be cleaned, they are water features that are home to lily pads and other water loving plants.

The park features a beautiful greenhouse as well as the Seoul Design Gallery an has a playgrounds and fun for kids too. To learn more about the park, check out my guide to Seonyudo Park.

• Directions To The Park: From Hapjeong Station, exit 5 or 10, take bus 603, 760, 5714 or 7612 in the central bus lane and get off at Seonyudo Park Bus Stop. .Just one next stop from Hapjeong Bus stop. The bus will drop you at the east side of the island. Otherwise, 20 minutes walking distance along the Yanghwa Bridge.
• Amenities: playground, cafe, restrooms
• Hours: 6:00am ~ 12:00am

---

Bonus Han River Stops

Hangang Museum (한강뮤지엄)

While the name says “museum”, it’s more of an art gallery and cafe with an epic rooftop. Purchase an entrance ticket on the first floor and walk through a gallery floor and then head up to another gallery floor and cafe to purchase drinks.

Go up one more floor to chic seating in a modern white interior and then if you want to find this Hangang sign and get all of the views, keep going on more floor up to the rooftop. It’s a great stop if you’re headed in or out of the city or if you want to hang out on the Han Riverside in the area.

• Address: 30 Gyeonggang-ro 926beon-gil, Wabu-eub, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 남양주시 와부읍 경강로926번길 30)
• Hours: Every day: 11:00am ~ 11:00pm

---

There is a ton to see and on the banks of the Han River. From adventure and biking to learning and fun, there’s something for everyone. Find the park closest to you… or the one that speaks to your needs and go go go!

Did you like this post? Pin It!