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#1 Gil-dong Ecological Park [Gangdong-gu]

The Gil-dong Ecological Park is an environmentally-friendly park that was created as a part of a five-year initiative to expand park green areas. With a land area of as much as 80,000 m2, the park is home to several different habitats under various themes that include a plaza zone, reservoir zone, grassland zone, forest zone, wetland zone, and rural zone. Two hours is all you need to venture around the park at your leisure! The most appealing zone of the six is the forest zone with its expansive deck walkway that stretches out beyond sight!

Make advanced reservations online as the number of park visitors permitted for entry are limited!

#GildongEcologicalPark #SafeTouristSpot #Nature #Park

#2 Gilsangsa Temple [Seongbuk-gu]

Located at the foot of the southern end of the Samgaksan Mountain in Seoul, the Gilsangsa Temple was founded in 1997 when Kim Younghan (a.k.a. “Gil Sanghwa,” a Buddhist name given by the Venerable Beopjeong), who had been operating the approximately 23,000 m2 luxury Korean restaurant, Daewongak, had donated the restaurant to the Venerable Beopjeong (a renowned Buddhist monk in Korea who practiced a life of non-possession). The Gilsangsa Temple currently runs a variety of experiential programming from temple life and learning about Buddhist doctrines, to temple retreats and more. For a temple located in the heart of the city, it provides an ambiance that is far more quaint and peaceful than you could ever imagine! Once every month the temple holds a special retreat titled, “Clear & Fragrant.” Even for visitors that may not necessarily hold Buddhist beliefs, the Gilsangsa Temple offers the chance for everyone that stops by for some quiet healing time within nature to experience a cleansing of the mind.

#GilsansaTemple #SafeTouristSpot #SeoulTemple

#3 Metasequoia Forest Park [Mapo-gu]

If you go from the stairs of Haneul Park toward the Nanji Trail, you’ll come upon the beginnings of a dirt path, which is part of the Metasequoia Forest Park! Once you enter the trail, the noisy traffic zipping by on the adjacent Gangbyeonbuk-ro, or Gangbyeong Expressway, gradually subsides. The tall metasequoia trees lining the soft, dirt path provide a gentle surrounding for passers-by. Despite being slightly let down by the relatively short length of the path, you’ll likely find yourself walking at a slower pace to enjoy it to the fullest. Perhaps it was in order to compensate for its short length, you can also find chairs and tables galore all along the trail for visitors to stop and relax.

#MetasequoiaForestPark #HealingTouristSpot #ForestPark #Walking

#4 Hwarangdae Railroad Park [Nowon-gu]

Once having been operated as a way station connecting Seoul and Chuncheon, Hwarangdae Station has now been transformed into the Hwarangdae Historical Museum. The museum provides rental services for 1970s and 80s-style clothing and hats for visitors to take a commemorative snapshot. Feel free to visit the Bandisanghoe Café inside of the train car for a warm sip of coffee that is sure to make you feel as if you’re on a train ride. After 6 p.m., the Nowon Light Garden lights up the dark of evening. With a total of 10 uniquely-themed settings, including the light garden and secret garden, visitors will get swept back in time to the romantic vibe of the Hwarangdae Station of yesteryear.

#HwarangdaeRailroadPark #HealingTouristSpot #Hwarangdae #Nightscape #Nightview

#5 Sebitseom Island [Seocho-gu]

Officially known as Sebitseom Floating Island, the artificial island is comprised of three islets, just like the “Sebit” of Sebitseom refers to that of the “three colors” of red, blue, and green. Sebitseom Island was created with the intention to illuminate the Hangang River and the night sky of Seoul as a cultural space that sits floating upon the river waters. Located at the southern end of the Banpodaegyo Bridge, the three islets, Vista, Viva, and Terra, are each made up of characteristic media art galleries. The island lights up just after dusk, giving color to the nightscape of Seoul. Many people often visit during the spring and autumn seasons to enjoy a leisurely stroll around the area.

#SebitseomIsland #HealingTouristSpot #HangangRiver #Nightscape #Nightview

#6 Eunpyeong Hanok Village [Eunpyeong-gu]

The Eunpyeong Hanok Village is a modern-day hanok village built by the Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation in 2010. As most of the hanoks were completed in 2017, each structure captures the harmonic balance of tradition with a cozy interior. Excluding a few commercial facilities, the village is actually residential. In fact, some hanok residences permit a tour of the interior upon permission given by the owner. The foot of Bukhansan Mountain seemingly cradles the rear of the village, while the neighboring area is full of sights and sounds from the Bukhansan Mountain valley to the Jingwangsa Temple, also known as the “1000-year temple,” and more! The outside courtyard of the Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum also has a roof tile kiln site intact that dates back to the Unified Silla Dynasty.

#EunpyeongHanokVillage #HealingTouristSpot #HanokVillage #JingwansaTemple #BukhansanMountain

#7 Wooiryeong Road [Gangbuk-gu]

Wooiryeong Road runs between the northern end of Dobongsan Mountain and the southern end of Bukhansan Mountain. Despite the uplifting fragrance of vegetation in the air, the road is actually home to a tragic past. In 1968, it was the route used by invading armed guerrillas from North Korea and had been closed off to the public ever since. About 40 years later in 2009 upon its reopening, visitors were once again able to traverse the Wooiryeong Road where you may occasionally run into anti-tank obstacles, guerilla training areas, and other army camp facilities.

Make advanced reservations online as the number of park visitors permitted for entry are limited!

#WooiryeongRoad #HealingTouristSpot #Trekking

#8 Mongchontoseong Fortress [Songpa-gu]

Formerly having served as a city wall during the Hanseong Baekje Dynasty that utilized the natural undulating topography of the land, the Mongchontoseong Fortress area is now home to Olympic Park, providing a public rest area for passers-by. Upon being designated as the site for building the athletic facilities for the Seoul 1988 Olympics, the land underwent excavation as many as six times from 1983 to 1989. During the process, a countless number of relics and artifacts were recovered that went on to include earthenware, jade ware, pottery, goods made from metal, wood, bone, and more! Once within the boundaries of the fortress walls, the rolling grassy hills and trees are sure to remind you of playing a round of 18! It's one of the more relaxing places to visit in Seoul!

#MongchontoseongFortress #HealingTouristSpot #HistoricalTouristSpot #OlympicPark

#9 Seonyudo Park [Yeongdeungpo-gu]

Seonyudo Park is Korea’s very first “recycled” ecological park. After being created into an island following the launch of development of the Hangang River in 1968, it served as the location of a main purification plant until 1978. It was then shut down in 2000 before opening itself to the public once more two years later as a self-regenerating ecological park. The park’s general theme is irrevocably “water,” and has led to the formation of a green-pillared garden that is named for the ivy-covered pillar, which is all that remains of the open reservoir area. Ever since then, this pristine park once used to house water purification facilities has now been reborn into an aquatic botanical garden that provides a natural habitat for all kinds of aquatic vegetation.

#SeonyudoPark #HealingTouristSpot #HangangPark

#10 Baeksasil Valley [Jongno-gu]

Baeksasil, the origin of Baeksasil Valley, was once the summer home of Minister Lee Hangbok, who is renowned for his literary work, “Ohseong and Haneum.” However, all that remains within the valley are the sites of the pavilion and pond area. If you follow along the Bugaksan Mountain Trail passed the café at the corner of the foot of the mountainside, which took to fame following its appearance on the hit K-drama, Coffee Prince, you’ll come upon the entrance to the valley area. Travelers trekking along the path are greeted by the Salamander Protection Area sign. As a primary indicator species, these Korean salamanders demonstrate the pristine nature of the Baeksasil Valley.

#BaeksasilValley #HealingTouristSpot #Valley #BugaksanMountain