Seonyudo Island Park

October in Seoul has passed, which means that the weather has cooled down preparing for the oncoming winter season. This is the last and perfect time to go and visit one of many Seoul’s wonderful parks; avoiding the extreme heat of summer and right before the extreme cold of winter. For this week, I’ll introduce you to Seonyudo Park! (선유도공원)

The park is actually an island that exists on the Han River, next to the famous Yeoido Island. In 2000, the Seoul Government invested 16.4 billion won to change the island, which was a sewage treatment facility, into a wonderful park. It opened in 2004, and now has become one of the most popular parks in Seoul.

Picture credit: http://discoveringkorea.com/090616/seonyudo-island-and-a-hangang-river-renaissance/

And there is no surprise why this park is so popular amongst the Korean citizens and foreign visitors. The park is gorgeous. With the famous aquatic gardens that are filled with beautiful flora and fauna, Seonyudo Island is the perfect park to go for a daytime or nighttime stroll. One can see the popularity amongst couples, since everywhere I went there was a lovely duo holding hands and walking the trails.

And the park also features other things to see. There is the Han River Exhibition all, where one can learn about the history of the Han River and it’s flora and fauna. There is also the greenhouse that holds a variety of plants that differ from the ones outside.

The Seonyu Bridge, also known as the Rainbow Bridge, is also beautiful to take pictures and walk across, especially at night. The bridge is arched, in the shape of a rainbow, and it lights up with multiple colors in the evenings. Many professional photographers was seen setting up their equipment to take pictures of the river and skyline from this bridge, highlighting the moon and the stars in the background.

Seonyu Bridge

You can also sit and rest while enjoying a short coffee break or a picnic at the many places to rest, like this traditional Korean pavilion or one of the many benches in the park. Seonyudo Island also has pianos all around the park, where you can find children, regular citizens, or couples sitting as they play their favorite piano pieces.

Traditional Korean Pavilion

There is also an outdoor amphitheater, located in the heart of Seonyudo Island. I was lucky to go on a day where there was a performance going on, a mixture of classical music featuring composers like Mozart and also modern K-pop music. People came and sat, listening to the music as they rested their feet from their walk to enjoy both the weather and the atmosphere.

Outdoor Amphitheater

If you want to enjoy this picturesque park yourself, head over to either Hapjeong Station (합정역) or Dangsan Station (당산역) or Seonyudo Station (선유도역). I suggest going on right before sunset around 5, with a book, a camera, and some drinks and snacks so that you can see the beauty of the park both during the daytime and the evening.

From Hapjeong Station: take exit # 8 and take bus #604, #5712, #6712, or #6716 and get off at Hanshin Apt. Then cross over the Seonyudo Bridge.
From Dangsan Station: take exit #1 and take bus #605, #6623, #6631, #6632, #6633, and get off at Hanshin Apt. Then cross over the Seonyudo Bridge.
From Seonyudo Station: take exit #2 and walk strait till you reach the Seonyudo Bridge entrance.