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A Tour of Seoul's Streetside Architecture (4): A Special Walking Path in Downtown Seoul, Yeonnam-ro

Published Date : Nov 16, 2021 / Edited Date : Jun 12, 2023
멋길따라 서울건축여행 / VISIT SEOUL X archibear

A Unique Park Area Located Downtown

At first glance, parks do not seem to serve any special function. However, as a space where we can be with nature in a complex city, it adds vitality to our lives as a place for rest and relaxation. As such, the park does not belong to any of the functional components that make up the city as business, commercial, and residential spaces do. However, it is perhaps the most necessary space.

Mapo-gu in Seoul has a one-of-a-kind park located at its center in the neighborhood of Yeonnam-dong. Coined using a combination of the neighborhood name and Central Park of New York City, Yeontral Park was completed in 2016. The park is beloved by many tourists, as well as local residents. Let’s take a walk and find out how Yeontral Park has become a special space and what architectural elements it features.

From Railway to Urban Green Space

#Yeontral_Park

When you come out of exit 3 of Hongik University Station, you will see a row of small shops lined up along a green park. The exact name of this place is Gyeongui Line Forest Park. Trains used to be one of the main modes of transportation, but railroads gradually lost their shine with the advent of automobiles and subways. Such is the case with the Gyeongui Subway Line. However, the railroad itself was harboring the local identity and sparking feelings of nostalgia of the old Yeonnam-dong. With this sensibility, Seoul recreated this old railway over the course of about eight years into a forest park where the long-standing memories of locals, history, and culture come alive.

Gyeongui Line Forest Park is a lengthy *linear park of about 6.3 km, running from Yongsan Culture and Sports Center to Gajwa Station. The last section located in Yeonnam-dong is commonly referred to as “Yeontral Park,” which runs a total length of 1.31 km from Hongik University Station to Gajwa Station. The Yeonnam-dong section is the most popular area along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park with a great deal people coming and going from within the Hongik University Station area and its easy access. The Gyeongui Line Forest Park, consisting of a total of four sections, has a different theme for each section. This Yeonnam-dong section may provide an experience of healing in nature with the motif of a green space that serves as a respite from downtown Seoul where nature and people coexist.
* Linear park: A park formed in that of a straight line
  • Gyeongui Line Forest Park Yeonnam-dong Section
  • Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (From Hongik University Station to Gajwa Station)
  •  
  • #Yeonnamdong #GyeonguiLineForestPark #YeontralPark #LinearPark #CulturalWalkingPath





A Park with Architectural Detail

#Yeontral_Park #Architectural_Detail

Yeontral Park starts from the gate wall that surrounds the sloping greenery. The railways used to be higher than its adjacent streets. As if to show that the topographic features have not been deformed as much as possible along with the motif of the railway, the diagonal gate wall made of rusty railway materials marks the beginning of the park.
Given the nature of a linear park, a long line of greenery areas can make it a boring place. The pedestrian paths, which are lined with ginkgo trees, were designed to change the movement and gaze by drawing diagonal lines on the paths rather than creating a straight line following the shape of the original rail tracks left on the ground. People naturally enjoy the inside of the park along these diagonal paths while relishing a break in the lawn between the paths. In other words, the park itself really attracts a crowd.
The benches in Yeontral Park are a little more unique. These benches are made of stones and wire meshes, which are materials that symbolize a railroad. They become an architectural element called a sitting wall. Like an ordinary bench, these benches offer a function for sitting and resting on its own while naturally separating the space between cars and people at the same time. They are mainly installed in the part facing the road and near the plaza where people gather around. These sitting walls give us a sense of comfort within the space.
After crossing the intersection, the first water of this park, the pond, comes in view. It is in a triangular shape of about 35 meters in width, with a part of the train rails crossing in the water. This pond becomes a point that captures the history of this area. It is said that the architect who designed this pond wanted to place the pond in the location where a clear stream called Songjangnae used to be, and create an image of a train passing over the pond. The pond, which reflects the sound of a cool fountain and the scenery of the seasons like a mirror, has established itself as one of the spaces loved by citizens on Gyeongui Line Forest Park.
If the bench you saw first was a resting place that plays the role of a wall, there is also a pagoda, another resting place that plays a formative role. If the previous path was a space with a dynamic feeling of walking and moving passages, the place where this pergola is located creates a static feeling as a place to stay. It is a place where you can enjoy another relaxation in the park where you can sit comfortably, bask in the sun, drink a cup of coffee, read a book, or enjoy some chit-chat.
Next to the restored railways, a colorful tile mural catches people’s eyes as the most popular photo spot in Yeontral Park. The printed tile mural is an important symbol of how the park was created with neighboring residents. The paintings drawn by residents capturing their wishes were made into tile murals, adding color to the park. It is also a space that shows all the interests and efforts that were given to create this wonderful park by not only the architects who designed the park, but also public officials, residents, and various experts.
  • Gyeongui Line Forest Park Walking Path
  • Gyeongui Line Forest Park, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
  •  
  • #DiagonalRoad #Bench #Pagoda #Pond #Mural #TileMural #CitizenParticipation





Ice Cream in an Urban Forest

#Pietra #Must_Eat #Yeonnamdong

Around the lengthy Yeontral Park are unique shops and cafes. As you walk towards the end of Yeontral Park in the warm sunlight, you’ll see a small building that attracts visitors like an oasis. A gelato ice cream shop called Pietra stands out with its roof that looks like it’s been sliced in half. Its blue and white exterior juxtaposes with the fresh plant life all around the surrounding area.
“Pietra” means stone in Italian. It is said that a lot of efforts were made to express the color, material, and shape of the stone in the space, with this meaning as its underlying concept. The large glass window brings the green light of the small garden in front of the stairs leading to the park and the rooftop right in front of the shop into its space. It creates a feeling as if the park has been moved into its space with the stones, trees, and lights naturally harmonized.
Go up to the rooftop through the stairs, and you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Gyeongui Line Forest Park. Furniture that looks like it was made of stones on a sandy beach blends in naturally with the surroundings. As we wrap up our little trip through the Gyeongui Line Forest Park, why not stop by and enjoy a gelato ice cream with a selection of naturally-derived flavors you’ve never tasted?
  • Pietra
  • 62, Seongmisan-ro 23-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
  • Instagram @gelateria_pietra
  •  
  • #Pietra #Gelato #YeontralPark #GyeonguiLineForestParkEnd




Our architectural walking course is here!

Visit Seoul × ArchiBear

Buildings and architecture form a city, and cities come together to form a country. And that’s why architecture reflects the history and culture of a city as a component of the city. Seoul X Archibear’s A Tour of Seoul’s Streetside Architecture was designed to provide a fresh perspective on the city by sharing the anecdotes of architectural culture while traveling around South Korea’s capital.

Well-built and distinctive architecture can serve as a piece of art carved in our city. And in Seoul, which is rich with diverse history and characteristics, there are beautiful buildings that are worth paying a visit. We hope that this special series helps promote Seoul as an ideal travel destination and invite everyone to experience the hidden architectural beauty in Seoul’s everyday life.

A Tour of Seoul’s Streetside Architecture series was produced by Visit Seoul in collaboration with ArchiBear, a brand created by the architectural culture and travel content company, Haas Studio.

Curious to get more information on architectural tourism in Seoul?
Tags

#Pietra #VisitSeoulXArchiBear #SeoulRailroad #Seoul #HAASStudio #YeontralPark #Yeonnamdong #GyeongguiLineForestPark #TileMural #SeoulPark

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예약 전 안내사항
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  • 예약확인을 위해 도보관광 사무국(02-6925-0777)에서 확인 연락이 진행됩니다.
    (최소 5일~한달 전)3회 이상 전화통화가 이뤄지지 않을 시 예약이 취소될 수 있습니다.
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    ※예약 당일 기상특보를 상시 확인 바랍니다.
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Read before Reservation
  • Reservations must be made at least three days prior to the tour date.
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  • Reservations for the following month are available from the 15th of the current month.
  • Please refrain from participating in any tour programs should you be experiencing any symptoms, including fever, coughing, congestion, muscle pain, stuffy nose, and/or sore throat.
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Read before Reservation
  • Reservation shall be made at least 1 week before the tour day.
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    ※ At least one assistant shall accompany a tourist with mobility problem
    ※ In case of electric assisting device users (electric wheelchair, electric scooter users), one assistant may accompany up to 4 tourists with mobility problem
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    (At least 5 days~1 month before tour day) Reservation may be canceled when Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office cannot reach you for more than 3 times.
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  • All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
    ※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
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  • 本コースは、移動弱者(移動が不自由な高齢者、障害者、ベビーカー利用者など)のためのコースです。
  • 補助人(或いは同行人)を伴わない場合は利用できません。
      ※歩行弱者1人当たり少なくとも1人以上の補助人を伴う
      ※電動補助具(電動車椅子、電動スクーターなど)使用者の場合、補助人1当たり歩行弱者最大4人まで同伴可能
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  • 解説を進行する時に発生する安全事故に対し、徒歩観光事務局とソウル文化観光解説士は
    責任を負いません。
  • 気象特報(猛暑、台風、豪雨、PM2.5)によりウォーキングツアーの運営が難しいと判断された場合、全ての予約は中止とさせて頂きます。(発効後直ちにキャンセルを行う)
    ※ 下記のリンクにてご予約当日の気象特報をご確認ください。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/ja/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
预约前说明事项
  • 观光日基准最少3日前方可进行预约。
  • 最多可申请10人。
    (※ 景福宫, 昌德宫, 昌庆宫是例外 最多可申请20人)
  • 在已登记的预约团体中,只接待不超过预约人数的团体,可在前一天17时前追加预约。
  • 下个月的预约可从前一月15日开始。
  • 如有发热或呼吸道症状(发烧、咳嗽、痰液、肌肉痛、鼻塞、咽喉痛等),请避免参与解说活动。
  • 无保护者随同的未满14岁儿童游客,会在现场取消解说活动。
  • 气象特报(酷暑、台风、暴雨 、雾霾 等)导致徒步观光项目暂停时,所有预约将一律被取消。(发布紧急措施时立即取消)
    ※ 请在以下网站上随时确认预约当天的气象特报。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/zh/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
  • 对于解说活动中发生的安全事故,首尔徒步解说旅游事务局和首尔文化观光解说社不予负责。
预约前说明事项
  • 观光日基准最少1日前方可进行预约。
  • 本线路是为了行动不便者(行动不便的高龄者、残疾人、婴儿车利用者等)的路线。
  • 无辅助人员(或同行人)伴随时,不可利用。
    ※ 步行不便者1名至少需要1名以上的辅助人员陪同。
    ※ 电动辅助器具(电动轮椅、电动独轮车等)使用者时,每一位辅助人员最多可陪同 4名步行不便者。
  • 希望观光的日期及线路上无解说员时,预约有可能被取消。
  • 为了确认预约,徒步观光事务局(02-6925-0777)会致电进行确认。
    (最少5日~一个月前) 3次以上无法连接时,预约将被取消。
  • 进行解说时,对于有可能发生的安全事故,徒步观光事务局和首尔文化观光解说员概不负责。
  • 气象特报(酷暑、台风、暴雨 、雾霾 等)导致徒步观光项目暂停时,所有预约将一律被取消。(发布紧急措施时立即取消)
    ※ 请在以下网站上随时确认预约当天的气象特报。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/zh/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
預約前說明事項
  • 最晚請於預約日期3天前完成預約。
  • 最多可申請10人。
    (※ 景福宮, 昌德宮, 昌慶宮是例外 最多可申請20人)
  • 已完成預約的團體若人數超過限制,可於前一天下午5點前追加預約。
  • 每月15日將開放下個月的預約。
  • 若有發燒或呼吸道症狀(發燒、咳嗽、咳痰、肌肉酸痛、鼻塞、喉嚨痛),請避免參與本活動。
  • 未有保護者同行的未滿14歲兒童遊客,會在現場取消參與資格。
  • 氣象特報(酷暑、颱風、暴雨 、霧霾 等)而導致徒步觀光無法進行時,將一律取消所有預約。(發布限令時將立即取消)
    ※ 請在以下網站上隨時確認預約當天的氣象特報。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/zh/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
  • 進行解說時,對於有可能發生的安全事故,首爾徒步解說觀光事務局和首爾文化觀光解說員概不負責。
預約前說明事項
  • 觀光日基準最少1日前方可進行預約。
  • 本線路是為了行動不便者(行動不便的高齡者、殘疾人、嬰兒車利用者等)的路線。
  • 無輔助人員(或同行人)伴隨時,不可利用。
    ※ 步行不便者1名至少需要1名以上的輔助人員陪同。
    ※ 電動輔助器具(電動輪椅、電動獨輪車等)使用者時,每壹位輔助人員最多可陪同 4名步行不便者。
  • 希望觀光的日期及線路上無解說員時,預約有可能被取消。
  • 為了確認預約,徒步觀光事務局(02-6925-0777)會致電進行確認。
    (最少5日~壹個月前) 3次以上無法連接時,預約將被取消。
  • 進行解說時,對於有可能發生的安全事故,徒步觀光事務局和首爾文化觀光 解說員概不負責。
  • 氣象特報(酷暑、颱風、暴雨 、霧霾 等)而導致徒步觀光無法進行時,將一律取消所有預約。(發布限令時將立即取消)
    ※ 請在以下網站上隨時確認預約當天的氣象特報。
    (https://www.accuweather.com/zh/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)