[One Day Walk] Primal Forest in the Urban Jungle... Yeouido Saetgang and Hangang Park Circular Course

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 daily and monthly around themes, featuring courses recommended by Asia Economy, the government, local authorities, experts, and subscribers.

If you enjoy walking for your physical and mental health, how about exploring unique spots within the city this time? There is a path where you can experience walking through a primeval forest, reminiscent of the movie ‘Kim’s Drifting’ (2009), while alternating views of skyscraper forests and the Han River on either side. This is a large circular course around the edge of Yeouido in Yeongdeungpo-gu.

The walking course starts at Yanghwa Hangang Park in front of Dangsan Station. It is very convenient for transfers between Subway Lines 2 and 9 and buses, making it an ideal starting point for people of all ages. Heading toward Yeouido, you will reach the confluence of the Han River and Saetgang Stream. Yeouido Saetgang is a tributary of the Han River flowing between the island of Yeouido and the neighborhoods of Dangsan-dong, Yeongdeungpo-dong, and Singil-dong in Yeongdeungpo-gu. Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park is a wetland that had been neglected for a long time and was established on September 25, 1997, as Korea’s first ecological park created to preserve the natural environment.

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Experience a primeval forest in the heart of Seoul's Saetgang

Although located amid the skyscraper forest in the heart of Seoul, the park features fields blooming with various wildflowers and the Saetgang Stream inhabited by fish such as minnow, medaka, and crucian carp. As Korea’s first ecological park, it is home to rare flora and fauna including the natural monument, the common kestrel, as well as the spot-billed duck, heron, violet, marsh fern, and minnow. It truly offers an experience of a “primeval forest” right in the middle of Seoul’s skyscraper jungle.

Hangang Park panoramic view

Walking along the Saetgang Stream toward the confluence of the Han River and Saetgang in front of the 63 Building, you will pass under many bridges. The atmosphere created by the sound of cars speeding along the bridges and Olympic-daero and the tranquil scenery of the primeval forest offers a unique experience. It is also highly recommended to occasionally venture deep into the Saetgang Ecological Park. It can be a special experience where you feel completely alone in a deep mountain forest.

After walking through the primeval forest, enter Yeouido Hangang Park. From the confluence of the Han River and Saetgang in front of the 63 Building, turn left to see the 63 Building.

From here to Seoul Marina behind the National Assembly Building, on your left unfolds the landscape of buildings and apartments that signify the center of Korean politics, economy, and culture. On your right, the blue Han River flows gently alongside your steps, cutting through the heart of Seoul.

Yeouido is a sandy land formed by sediment deposits from the Han River. During the Goryeo Dynasty, it was a horse breeding ground, and in the Joseon Dynasty, it was used as pastureland. Later, in 1916, a military airfield was established, and to prevent frequent flooding and develop modern residential land, the 7,533-meter-long Yun Jung-je (a ring embankment) was constructed in July 1968 and completed in November of the same year.

Subsequently, a plaza of about 0.388 square kilometers was created, and government offices began to be established, leading to full-scale development. Today, Yeouido has become a new center of Korean politics, economy, and culture. Notably, institutions such as the National Assembly Building, the Federation of Korean Industries, various financial companies, Korean Broadcasting System, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, Dong-A Ilbo (annex), and the Yoido Full Gospel Church have been established, transforming Yeouido into a ‘new city’ within Seoul. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom profusely over Yun Jung-je, creating a spectacular circular frame around Yeouido.

The large circular course around the edge of Yeouido has almost no slopes, making it a course anyone can challenge. Also, being located in the city center, accessibility is excellent. We highly recommend the Yeouido Saetgang and Hangang Park circular course where skyscraper forests and primeval forests coexist.

[Walking Course] - Approximately 9 km (about 2 hours)

Start at Yanghwa Hangang Park in front of Dangsan Station (toward Yeouido) → Turn right at the Han River and Saetgang confluence (enter Saetgang direction) → Pass under Yeoui 2 Bridge → Pass under Seoul Bridge → Pass under Yeoui Bridge → Turn left at the Han River and Saetgang confluence in front of the 63 Building (enter Yeouido Hangang Park) → Pass under Wonhyo Bridge → Pass under Mapo Bridge → Pass under Seogang Bridge → Turn right at the Han River and Saetgang confluence in front of Seoul Marina (toward Dangsan Station) → Arrive at Yanghwa Hangang Park in front of Dangsan Station (end)