[One Day Walk] Hangdong Cheolgil Reborn as a Pleasant Walking Path Along the Railway

Editor's NoteAsia Economy provides walking-friendly courses for subscribers of the ‘One Day Ten Thousand Steps, One Day Thousand Characters’ newsletter. The One Day Ten Thousand Steps content is organized by daily and monthly themes, featuring courses recommended by Asia Economy, government, local authorities, experts, and subscribers.

Hangdong Railway Track, Guro-gu, Seoul [Photo by Guro-gu Office]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Today's ten-thousand-step course is the Hangdong Railway Track in Guro-gu, Seoul. This place was transformed into a walking path for citizens after train operations on the Oryu Line, which branched off from Oryu-dong Station on the Gyeongin Line and led to Gyeonggi Chemical and other locations, were temporarily suspended.

The recommended starting point for this course is Exit 3 of Cheonwang Station on Seoul Subway Line 7. Although the Oryu Line itself starts at Oryu-dong Station, many sections are either poorly maintained or access is restricted. After exiting Exit 3, walk about 400 meters northeast to Gwangdeok Intersection, then cross the crosswalk diagonally to see Jigucheon School, an alternative elementary school for multicultural family students. Right next to it is the official beginning of the railway track.

The entrance to the railway track is a residential area. Here, you can walk along the railway track right next to the houses or take a walking path through a street park planted with pine trees beside it, allowing you to choose according to your preference. As you continue walking, the houses gradually disappear, leaving only trees and scenery. The open landscape along the path begins to energize your steps.

Along the railway track, grass grows here and there, and depending on the season, you can see beautiful flowers such as cosmos blooming. While enjoying the scenery, there is also a photo zone where you can take pictures. A simple station sculpture named ‘Hangdong Railway Station’ has been created to evoke nostalgic memories of the railway track.

Walking a bit further, you will find the Blue Arboretum, which is linked like a bonus to the Hangdong Railway Track. It is the first municipal arboretum established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Harmonizing with the existing Hangdong Reservoir, it allows visitors to enjoy over 2,100 species of various plants and 25 themed gardens. It is an ecological learning site equipped with educational facilities such as a small library and a forest education center. It is open year-round from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. free of charge, making it convenient to visit anytime.

As you enjoy walking along the railway track and surrounding scenery, you will eventually face Seohaean-ro, a major road. The railway track crosses the road and continues into Bucheon City, Gyeonggi Province. If you want to continue walking along the railway track, you may cross the road, but since the area is not yet developed as a park, it is not ideal for walking. How about turning back and taking a bonus stroll through the Blue Arboretum?