[One Day Walk] Romance on the Han River Strolling Across Gwangjin Bridge

Editor's NoteAsia Economy provides walking-friendly courses for subscribers of the ‘Harumanbo Harucheonja’ newsletter. The Harumanbo content is organized daily and monthly around themes, featuring courses recommended by Asia Economy, the government, local authorities, experts, and subscribers.

Gwangjin Bridge 'Bridge of Light'
Photo by Gwangjin-gu Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwanju] The Han River, which runs through Seoul, spans about 1 km in width. It is rare to find a major city in the world with a river of this scale. Therefore, the bridges crossing the Han River themselves make excellent walking courses. The course introduced today centers around Gwangjin Bridge, which connects Gwangjin-gu and Gangdong-gu.

Gwangjin Bridge is the only Han River bridge in Seoul that is not classified as a ‘Daegyo’ (large bridge). The bridge, 1,056 meters wide, carries only two lanes of vehicle traffic in both directions. The remaining space is dedicated to pedestrian paths, bicycle lanes, and observation decks. Vehicle traffic is relatively light compared to other bridges, and except for the railings, there are no obstacles blocking the view of the Han River. With greenery planted along the bridge, the nickname ‘Walking Bridge’ fits perfectly. Especially at night, the ‘Bridge of Light’ event is held, where colorful sculptures sparkle and shine, immersing visitors in their beauty.

The area beneath the bridge, Gwangjin Bridge 8th Street, is also a unique attraction. Various cultural performances and exhibitions take place there, and there is an observation deck overlooking the Han River, making it a worthwhile stop when visiting Gwangjin Bridge. However, it is not open during winter, so it is best to check in advance.

After strolling across Gwangjin Bridge and heading toward Gangdong-gu, you can enter Gwangnaru Hangang Park. Following the park’s walking trail upstream for about 1.4 km leads to Amsa Riverside Ecological Park. This ecological park, covering a total of 162,000 square meters, features reed and silver grass colonies as well as wildflowers, offering a unique atmosphere. Along the way, there is also a small forest created by fans of singers Youngtak and Ha Sungwoon, which will be especially delightful for fans.