Published Date : Jun 25, 2019 / Edited Date : Jun 12, 2023
The weather is slowly starting to heat up as June approaches! And for many of us who can’t travel far due to it not being vacation season, it’s great to know that there are many alternative activities in Seoul to try out to fight against the incoming heat. Located in places that are easily accessible to those living in the city, here are some great activities to try out this summer.
Gwangjin-gu, Ttukseom Hangang Park
Hangang River has always been a great getaway for residents of Seoul. Sparkling with the sun’s reflection during the day and glittering with starlight at night, Hangang River is a magnificent sight to behold, even as you’re casually looking out the window of the subway cars crossing over a bridge. Although there are many places along the Hangang River offering water sports and activities, there’s none other like Ttukseom Hangang Park when it comes to having a wide variety of water sport and activities.
Get off Ttukseom Resort Station (Line 7) to access Ttukseom Hangang Park. To enjoy water sports, you must walk some distance along the river to reach the facilities offering such programs. As you get closer, you’ll see people windsurfing in the river. An activity which requires people to use the sail and wind to float across the waters, windsurfing is currently only offered at Ttukseom Hangang Park. For those new to windsurfing, they must take classes with instructors to learn how to do it freely. However, there are also 1-day programs available for those just looking to get their feet wet.
Address 247-6 Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
Inquiry +82-2-3780-0521(Hangang Park Information Center)
Transportation Ttukseom Resort Station (subway line 7) exit 2, 3, Roughly 15 min. on foot
Fee Wind Surfing 1-Day Program 100,000 won, Sunset Kayak 30,000 won
Tip How to Participate in Program
Search for “Hangang Windsurfing” and “Hangang Kayak” to find various agencies offering these programs. There are many different companies operating watersport activities near the Hangang River, leaving visitors with plenty of options.
Jungnang-gu, Youth Experience Forest
Many people aren’t very familiar with Youth Experience Forest . However, many people are very familiar with Jungnang Camping Forest. Once an unused plot of land, Seoul Metropolitan Government redeveloped the site into Jungnang Camping Forest, a natural experience zone and park for locals. In order to preserve the park's natural habitat and ecology, the park was built in a non-invasive method using the minimum of man-made materials, thereby becoming a popular attraction for camping enthusiasts.
Jungang Adventure Zone (formerly Youth Experience Zone) is the only place in Seoul where visitors can partake in outdoor activities like zipline or natural obstacle courses. Various wire structures and obstacle courses are also constructed between trees. Participants can enjoy this activity by moving across the treetops like Tarzan. At first, participants are taken through a beginner’s course to allow them to get used to the feeling of being several feet above ground. Or visitors can try out the zipline through the park. Jungnang Adventure Zone is open to elementary students, teenagers, and adults.
Address 74 Mangu-dong, Jungnang-gu, Seoul (Jungnang Adventure Zone : Youth Experience Forest Facility)
Inquiry +82-2-432-2567
Transportation Yangwon Station (Gyeongui-Jungang Line) exit 2, Roughly 10 min. on foot
Fee Adult 10,000 won, Youth 7,000 won, Child 5,000 won
Search for “Jungnang Camping Forest” to bring up its official website. On the website’s main page, click on the right side to access the page for Jungnang Adventure Zone : Youth Experience Forest where you can book and reserve spots in the program. Please note that children must be at least 140 cm tall to participate in the program.
Songpa-gu, Kart Experience
Jamsil Sports Complex usually bring to mind Seoul Olympic Stadium or baseball stadiums. Most people don’t even know that there’s also a kart track nearby the area. Starting from the western gate of Jamsil Sports Complex, head towards the direction where Tancheon Stream meets Hangang River to arrive at the kart track. As you arrive to the attraction, it’ll feel as if you found a special hideout.
In front of the tracks, select and put on a helmet from the helmet rack. Visitors are not allowed to ride without a helmet for safety precautions. After putting on a helmet, the staff will assist you by showing you how to drive the cart and explaining the course layout. Because the tracks aren’t that big, it’s hard to put too much speed behind your driving. However, there are various curves and straight courses throughout the track, making it a fun experience for visitors to drive their kart through.
Address 1168-4 Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Inquiry +82-2-420-3886
Transportation Sports Complex Station (subway line 2, 9) exit 5, Roughly 10 min. on foot
Fee 1 rider: 10 min 17,000 won, 2 rider: 10 min 22,000 won
Hours 10:00 - 18:00, Closed Monday
Tip How to Participate in Program
There's no need for reservations. Simply head towards the kart tracks to participate in the program. However, it’s important to note that kart programs are not available on days with motor sport events. Check for event schedules on Korea Kart’s official website. Children must be at least 145 cm or taller to ride the carts. Kindergartners can ride together with parents or guardians in a 2 person kart.
Dongjak-gu, Boramae Park Climbing Wall
There’s a rock-climbing wall located in Boramae Park. In the past, it was pretty hard to access this type of activity, but these days, with various rock-climbing centers popping up all around the city, it has become easier to try out this sport. Boramae Park Climbing Wall is a great place for beginners to try out rock climbing. While there are many methods to rock climb, beginners use a top roping method to climb the walls. Top rope climbing is climbing method in which the climber is securely attached to a rope which then passes up, through an anchor system at the top of the climb, and down to a belayer at the foot of the climb. It's a safe method for visitors wanting to try rock climbing for the first time.
It can be hard to place your feet on the wall for beginners. In fact, using your fingers to support your body weight to climb can be extremely hard. Although climbing is difficult, it can be a thrilling experience for novices to just hang on the wall.
Address 33 Yeouidaebang-ro 20-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul
Inquiry +82-2-2181-1192
Transportation Boramae Station (subway line 7) exit 2 or Sillim Station (subway line 2) exit 6, Roughly 20 min. on foot
Hours 10:00 - 20:00 (Apr~Oct), 10:00 - 18:00 (Nov~Dec), Closed every first Monday of the month (Closed Jan - Mar)
How to Participate in Program
No reservation required for rock climbing at Boramae Park Climbing Wall. However, children under ages of 6 are prohibited from participating in this program.
Jongno-gu, Hwanghakjeong (Archery Field)
Hwanghakjeong was built in Gyeonghuigung Palace by Emperor Gojong back in 1899 to revive Korean archery. The field received its name Hwanghakjeong (literally meaning "Golden Crane") due to how the emperor in his imperial golden robe shooting an arrow looked like a crane. Damaged during Japanese imperialism, Hwanghakjeong was relocated in 1922 to an old archery practice field and continues to exist there in the present. Near Hwanghakjeong is Hwanghakjeong Korean Archery Gallery , where historical relics relating to archery are on display.
Hwanghakjeong Korean Archery Gallery offers visitors many experience programs like bow-making and archery experience. Together with the bow they crafted, visitors are also given arrows made with pheasant feather to take home as a souvenir. Once visitors are finished with making their bow, they can test it out by shooting arrows at the target practice inside the exhibition hall. Aiming and pulling the string isn't an easy thing to do for novices. After taking a deep breath and practicing for some time, visitors are sure to be charmed by how much fun they're having with archery.
Address 15-32 Sajik-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inquiry +82-2-722-1600
Transportation Gyeongbokgung Station (subway line 3) exit 1, Roughly 15 min. on foot
Fee Arrow Making Experience 25,000 won (Free admission to Hwanghakjeong Korean Archery Gallery for participants of Arrow Making Experience.) Hwanghakjeong Korean Archery Gallery Admission Fee: Adult 2,000 won Youth 800 won Child 500 won
Click on Jongno Foundation for Arts & Culture’s website to purchase and book the “Arrow Making Experience Program” and call the representative of the program to check the schedule.
본 코스는 보행약자(거동이 불편한 고령자, 장애인, 유모차 이용자 등)를 위한 코스입니다.
보호자를 동반하지 않을 시 이용이 불가능 합니다.※ 보행약자 1명당 보호자 최소 1인 이상 동반 ※ 전동보장구(전동휠체어, 전동스쿠터 등) 사용자의 경우 보호자 1인당 보행약자 최대 4인까지 동반 가능
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.
미세먼지 비상저감조치 발령 및 기타 기상악화(폭염, 태풍, 폭우 등)로 인해 도보관광 운영이 어려운 경우 모든 예약은 일괄 취소됩니다. (관광일 전날 기준)
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.
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)