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Photo by Dwi Astini

After living in Seoul for years, sometimes it feels like most of the city has already been seen and explored. Yet somehow, Seoul always finds a way to surprise with something new. Recently, there are three spots that gave us completely different views of the city: Gyeongchun Railway Bridge Music Fountain, Yongmasan Skywalk and 63 Sky Picnic.

One revives an old railway bridge with water and lights. Another leads you from the buildings into the forest, where the city gradually opens up below. The last takes you high above the Hangang River from one of Seoul’s most iconic buildings. Three places, three different moods, and another reminder that there are still many undiscovered ways to see Seoul.

1. Instagram@film_joon / 2, 3. Instagram@henryjoo3

Gyeongchun Railway Bridge Music Fountain

Seoul always has a way of giving old places a new life. The Gyeongchun Railway Bridge Music Fountain (경춘철교 음악분수) in Nowon-gu is one of them. Once part of the old Gyeongchun railway, the bridge has now become a summer night attraction where water, music, lasers, and colorful lights come together above Jungnangcheon Stream.

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From Railway to Night Attraction

The bridge was once used by trains running along the old Gyeongchun Line. Today, the surrounding railway has been transformed into the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, while the bridge remains as part of the area's history.

Instead of trains passing by, we can now enjoy the colorful fountain around the bridge, synchronized with music and laser effects. The reflections on Jungnangcheon make the scene even more beautiful after sunset and at night time.

The fountain includes different formations, such as the Twister Fountain, inspired by the movement of train wheels, and the Big Arch Fountain, creating large curves of water across the bridge.

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A Colorful Summer Evening in Seoul

The unique part about this place is that it doesn't feel like central Seoul. We can walk along the old railway, enjoy the greenery around the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, and slowly make our way toward the bridge before the show begins. The railway bridge itself leaves a lasting impression, while the fountain, lasers, and reflections create completely different moods once the sky gets darker.

Nearby, there’s a Nowon Gyeongchun Maru (노원경춘마루), a train-shaped café overlooking Jungnangcheon, making it easy to spend a slow afternoon here before watching the fountain at night.

Gyeongchun Railway Bridge Music Fountain

 224-3, Wolgye-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul (Gyeongchun Railway Bridge) / 서울 노원구 월계동 224-3

 20:30~20:50 (May-August) / 20:00~20:20 (September) / 19:00~19:20 (October), once daily, about 20 minutes per show

 Subway Line 1 Wolgye Station Exit 4, 731m

Yongmasan Skypark : Seoul Between the Mountains and the City

Seoul has many famous observatories, but sometimes it is more rewarding to walk a little farther for a quieter view. There are plenty of places to see the city from above, but mountain views always feel different.

Yongmasan Skypark (용마산 스카이파크) is one of Seoul’s newer viewpoints, surrounded by forest on Yongmasan in Jungnang-gu. Instead of elevators and tall buildings, getting here means walking through the mountain first, and somehow that makes the view feel more rewarding.

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A Walk Above the Forest

The highlight is the Yongmasan Skywalk, a wooden walkway stretching around 160 meters through the forest. At its highest point, the deck sits around 10 meters above the ground, giving you an open view without having to climb all the way to Yongmasan’s summit.

From the viewpoint, Seoul spreads out between the surrounding mountains. On a clear day, you can spot Namsan, Bukhansan, Dobongsan, and layers of the city in between.

For me, this is the kind of view of Seoul is what I prefer, greenery in the foreground, mountains in the distance, and the city sitting somewhere in between.

Come for the Sunset

If possible, then come to visit in the late afternoon. The walk from Sagajeong Park to the skywalk is around 2.4 km and takes roughly 50 minutes (depends on your pace), so give yourself enough time before sunset. Once the light gets softer, the whole view starts to change. Stay a little longer to watch the city lights slowly appear below.

Yongmasan Skywalk Observatory

 Yongmasan Skywalk Observatory, located within Section 4 of the Seoul Dulle Trail (Mangwoo and Yongmasan), 

          Myeonmok-dong, Jungnang-gu, Seoul / 서울 중랑구 면목동 서울둘레길 4코스(망우·용마산) 내 용마산 스카이워크 전망대

 Tuesday–Sunday during the warmer months, Best Time to Visit: Evening, when the lights and fountain come alive

 Subway Line 7, Sagajeong Station, Exit 4, 2.4 kilometers

63 Sky Picnic : Seeing Seoul from a Different Height

Photo by Dwi Astini

More Than Just an Observatory

63 Sky Picnic starts on the 60th floor, around 250 meters above the ground. Instead of just having windows overlooking Seoul, the space combines the city view with mirrors, media art, an immersive theater, exhibitions, and a café. But more importantly, the most interesting part is higher up.

The 63rd-floor rooftop, previously used as a helipad, has finally opened to the public after being closed for 16 years. Up here, there’s no glass window between you and the view, just an open panorama of Seoul and the Hangang River. And that makes a big difference.

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Come for the Sunset, Stay for the Night

Come a little before sunset, spend some time exploring the indoor spaces, then head up to the rooftop when the light starts getting softer. From here, we can see the Hangang River stretching across the city, bridges slowly lighting up, and Seoul changing from golden hour into its night view. One location, but completely different moods within an hour that anyone can enjoy, from clear blue skies, golden sunset, then city lights.

Sometimes we don’t need to travel far to find a new perspective.

63 Sky Picnic may not give us the highest view in Seoul, but that’s not really the point.

It’s the open rooftop, the Hangang River below, and watching how the city changes with the light from above in one surreal experience.

1. Photo by Dwi Astini / 2. Instagram@henryjoo3

63 Sky Picnic

 63 Sky Picnic 60F, 63 Hanwha Life Insurance Building, 50 63-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

         서울 영등포구 63로 50 (여의도동, 63한화생명빌딩) 63스카이피크닉 60F

 10:00–22:00 (Ticketing starts at 09:50 / Ticketing closes at 21:30)

 Subway Line 1, Daebang Station, Exit 7, use Yeongdeungpo Bus No. 11

         Subway Line 5, Yeouinaru Station, Exit 1, use City Bus No. 261, 5633, 5634, or Yeongdeungpo Bus No. 11

         Subway Line 5, Yeouido Station, Exit 5, use City Bus No. 261 or Yeongdeungpo Bus No. 11

         Subway Line 9, Saetgang Station, Exit 3, use City Bus No. 5633 or 5634