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A Nice Day for a Walk

Published Date : Oct 27, 2022 / Edited Date : Jun 07, 2023

A Nice Day for a Walk, Seoul Architecture Tour / A long passage under a bridge, with trees standing on both sides



A walking space in the heart of the city



Amidst the warm sunlight, the gentle breeze, and the chirping of birds, your worries fade away, at least a little. Downtown Seoul has many parks, large and small, where you can enjoy a walk. Although these parks are set in nature, their meaning as a resting place comes alive when they are seen together with architecture. It is the job of architecture to contemplate how to create a space where people can rest freely alongside nature, or how to create a space that fully embraces nature. Today, let's take a tour of walking spaces that embody architectural concerns to heal members of the city.




The Hangang River on the right, and Seonyudo Park with densely planted trees on the left.



Where Time Comes to a Halt

#SeonyudoPark #GardenOfTime


The Hangang River, spanning a width of over 1 km, runs through the city center of Seoul. The parks of the Hangang River located along the riverside are particularly popular among the various parks in Seoul. This is because it feeds of the energy being seated along the water. There are as many as 27 bridges that cross the Hangang River that connect the north and south regions of town. As you cross one of them, the long Yanghwa Bridge, you will find a secret space hidden by a thick forest surrounding the island. This island that branches off of Yanghwa Bridge is Seonyudo Park, which occupies the entire island.



A view of a water purification garden with various aquatic plants.


Until 2000, the Seonyudo Park was used as a water purification plant to supply tap water to Seoul. Today, it has been reborn as an eco-friendly ecological park, but traces of the water purification plant still remain. The settling pond, which was once used to settle impurities mixed in the water, was reborn as a botanical garden and is now home to various aquatic plants; and the large barrel containing wastewater was transformed into a play area. Seonyudo Park, which reused the water purification plant that fulfilled its role without destroying the plant itself, is a museum that contains the history of the water purification plant and is a truly natural park in harmony with nature.



Vines growing on the many grooves of the old bridge.


When you walk along the traces of the water purification plant, you encounter the ‘Garden of Time’ where time seems to have stopped. This place, which was once a settling pond, is dented and broken here and there, and it is quiet as if unsought by anyone. The rough surface of the bridge, which seems to have preserved the passage of time, and the thick vines; the serene atmosphere created by the sunlight shining through the gaps invites you to enjoy a walk in a mystical mood, not unlike a scene in a movie.



Address              343 Seonyu-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

Operating Hours  Daily 06:00 ~ 24:00 KST (Confirmation required for Story of Seonyudo exhibition hall)




Trees lined to the left and right along the walkway



A Walkway alongside History

#NamsanYejangPark #JoseonGovernor #GeneralYuguSite


The Namsan Yejang Park is a geographically open space located on the road toward Namsan Mountain, but historically it was isolated for a long time. This place was a training ground for soldiers during the Joseon Dynasty, the residence of the Residency-General during the Japanese occupation, and the location of the Central Intelligence Agency, which conducted torture investigations during the military dictatorship. A place located in the middle of downtown Seoul, but not easily accessible in the past, has now become a park that embraces a painful chapter of Korea's modern and contemporary history.



Sunlight shining through the buildings and casting shadows on them.


The Namsan Yejang Park is a park with thick trees and a hidden, underground space that boasts architectural beauty. The underground space where the Yejang Madang and the Lee Hoi-young Memorial Hall are located is surrounded by gray concrete walls, creating a static and calm atmosphere. The high floor height and wide-open space make the underground space relatively less dark and stuffy. The long corridor leading from the Yejang Madang to the Lee Hoi-young Memorial Hall has an open ceiling, even giving the space a sense of openness. One of the pleasures of taking a walk here is watching the shadows of trees swaying in the light and wind on the outer wall, cast by the sunlight coming through the gaps in the building.



Traces of the remains of the residence of the Japanese Government-General of Korea during the Japanese colonial period.


Unlike the underground space that is blocked on all sides, the natural space aboveground is open all around. Although the size of the park is relatively small, the winding trail with Namsan Mountain in the background is a good course for a leisurely stroll. The contrast between the busy cars on the main road adjacent to the park, and the citizens taking a stroll highlights the tranquility of the park. Historical spaces, such as Memory 6, which has reproduced the torture chamber of the Central Intelligence Agency in one corner of the park, and the Yugu Site*, which has preserved the site of the residence of the Japanese Government-General of Korea as it is, reveals the time that the park has lived through.


*Remains : Traces of the structure and style of civil engineering in the past.



Address              5-22 Juja-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

Operating Hours  Open 24 hours (Confirmation required for Lee Hoi-young Memorial Hall)




Flags of all nations lined up behind a large memorial sculpture.



Embraces Sports, Culture and the Arts

#OlympicPark #SculpturePark #ArtGallery&Museum


Created for the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, Olympic Park is equipped with a stadium, as well as various sports spaces for the public to enjoy their leisure time. Assuming the Olympic spirit of world harmony, Olympic Park aimed to contain not only sports but also the arts, such as performing arts, in one space. Thus, Olympic Park became a walking space where you can see, hear, and feel various forms of culture in a vast natural space.



A large art sculpture placed on a vast lawn.


As you walk through Olympic Park, artworks placed here and there catch your eye. From large sculptures that are similar in size to neighboring buildings to works that are shorter than a person's height, the variety of works created by domestic and foreign artists from 110 countries around the world blend in with the landscaping, providing a pleasant stroll. Groups of twos and threes relax on their picnic mats spread out next to the lawn sculptures, with a view of colorful things to see in the art park.



A view of the Soma Museum of Art.


In addition to the sculpture park with sculptures placed outdoors, Olympic Park includes other spaces to enjoy works of art. For example, Soma Art Museum and Hanseong Baekje Museum. With wide glass windows, Soma Art Museum brings the nature of the park and outdoor sculptures into the interior space throughout the museum. The Hanseong Baekje Museum, which by embodying the earthen fortress of the Baekje Dynasty serves as an observatory and walkway, won the Excellence Award at the 2012 Korean Architecture Awards. Taking a walk in Olympic Park alongside an art space with outstanding architectural beauty, you can savor the atmosphere of culture and art.



Address              424 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Operating Hours  Daily 05:00 ~ 22:00 KST (Vehicles can enter and exit daily from 06:00 to 22:00 KST)


Tags

#NamsanYejangPark # Memorial6 #SeonyudoPark # YejangMadang # TraceSite #LeeHoe-yeongMemorialHall #Seonyudo #SculptureGarden # RegenerationSpace # HangangPark #Eco-FriendlyEcologicalPark # TheTimeGarden # SomaMuseum # PeaceGate # SeoulBaekjeMuseum # OlympicPark

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  • 기상특보(폭염, 태풍, 호우, 미세먼지 등)로 인해 도보관광 운영이 어려운 경우 모든 예약은 일괄 취소됩니다.(발효 즉시 취소처리)
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  • 해설 진행 시 발생하는 안전사고에 대해서 도보관광 사무국과 서울문화관광해설사는 책임을 지지 않습니다.
  • 기상특보(폭염, 태풍, 호우, 미세먼지 등)로 인해 도보관광 운영이 어려운 경우 모든 예약은 일괄 취소됩니다.(발효 즉시 취소처리)
    ※예약 당일 기상특보를 상시 확인 바랍니다.
예약 전 안내사항
  • 예약은 관광일 기준 최소 1주일 전까지 가능합니다.
  • 덕수궁의 경우 복지카드를 지참한 관광객에 한하여 무료입장이 가능합니다.
    ※ 중증(1~3급) 동반인 포함 2명 무료
    ※ 경증(4~6급) 장애인 본인 1인만 무료
  • 본 프로그램은 수화해설 중심으로 진행되며, 수화가 불가능한 경우 이용이 불가합니다.
  • 희망하시는 날짜 및 코스에 활동가능한 해설사가 없는 경우 예약은 취소될 수 있습니다.
  • 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.
  • 해설 진행 시 발생하는 안전사고에 대해서 도보관광 사무국과 서울문화관광해설사는 책임을 지지 않습니다.
  • 기상특보(폭염, 태풍, 호우, 미세먼지 등)로 인해 도보관광 운영이 어려운 경우 모든 예약은 일괄 취소됩니다.(발효 즉시 취소처리)
    ※예약 당일 기상특보를 상시 확인 바랍니다.
예약 전 안내사항
  • 예약은 관광일 기준 최소 1주일 전까지 가능합니다.
  • 본 코스는 보행약자(거동이 불편한 고령자, 장애인, 유모차 이용자 등)를 위한 코스입니다.
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    희망하시는 날짜 및 코스에 활동가능한 해설사가 없는 경우 예약은 취소될 수 있습니다.
  • 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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Read before Reservation
  • Reservations must be made at least three days prior to the tour date.
  • Additional reservations, one or two days before the tour starts, are only allowed for the tour that is already fixed.
  • In the case of group tour, more than 10people, please contact us by e-mail.
  • 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.
  • Reservations for tourists 14 years & under without an accompanying adult or guardian shall be canceled on site.
  • 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.
    (https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
  • The Seoul Guided Walking Tour administration office and tour guide affiliates are not responsible for any accidents that happen to occur during the tour program.
Read before Reservation
  • Reservation shall be made at least 1 week before the tour day.
  • The course is for tourists with mobility problems (Senior, people with disability, stroller user).
  • You may not use the course without an assistant (or companion)
    ※ 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
  • Reservation may be canceled when a guide is unavailable on the desired date and course.
  • Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office (02-6925-0777) will contact you to confirm reservation.
    (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.
  • Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office and Seoul culture and tourism guide are not liable for the safety accidents during the Seoul Guided Walking Tour.
  • 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.
    (https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
予約前の案内事項
  • 予約は観光予定日を基準に3日前までとさせて頂きます。
  • 個人予約:最大10名
    ※京福級、昌徳宮、昌慶宮は20名様までご予約頂けます。
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  • 翌月のご予約は前月の15日から可能です。
  • 発熱または呼吸症状(熱、咳、痰、筋肉痛、鼻づまり、喉の痛みなど)がある場合は、解説プログラムへのご参加はお控えください。
  • 保護者を同伴しない14歳未満の児童観光客は、現場でキャンセルとなります。
  • 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)
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予約前の案内事項
  • 予約は観光日を基準として少なくとも1週間前まで可能です。
  • 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
  • ご希望の日付及びコースに活動可能な解説士がいない場合、予約はキャンセルされることがあります。
  • 予約を確認するため、徒歩観光事務局(02-6925-0777)で確認のための連絡が行われます。
    (少なくとも5日~1ヶ月前)3回以上電話が通じない場合、予約が取り消されることがあります。
  • 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)