[One Day Walk] The Nation's Largest Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market and Sejong's Beloved Son... Garak Market Station

Editor's NoteThe subway is a transportation method that anyone can easily access and travel safely, and it is also an important point for daily walking. We introduce pleasant walking spots around subway stations.

The course introduced this time is Garak Market Station, a transfer station between Seoul Subway Line 3 and Line 8. The station is named after Garak Market, the largest agricultural and marine products wholesale market in the southeastern region of Seoul, located right in front of the station. There are two main theories about the origin of the name Garak. One is that it comes from Garakgol during the Joseon Dynasty, and the other is that after the great flood of the Han River in 1925 (Eulchuk Year) submerged the Songpa-dong area, displaced residents moved here and named it 'a land truly worth living in.'

Garak Market, which opened on June 19, 1985, celebrates its 38th anniversary this year. Situated on a vast site of about 540,000㎡, it handles an average daily volume of approximately 7,500 tons, boasting the largest transaction volume in the world. In particular, it accounts for 49% of Seoul's demand and 40% of the total transaction volume handled by 32 public wholesale markets nationwide, earning it the title of the 'heart' of Korea's agricultural and marine product distribution. Fresh agricultural and marine products can be purchased here at prices lower than those in general markets, and the early morning auction scenes are full of vitality.

Graveyard of Prince Gwangpyeong. [Photo by Gangnam District Office]

If you walk a little toward Tancheon from Garak Market, you will come across Gwangpyeonggyo Bridge. In the past, Tancheon was literally 'black water,' but now, through ecological projects, the water quality has greatly improved, making it a resting place for local residents. Gwangpyeonggyo Bridge crosses Tancheon, connecting Gangnam-gu and Songpa-gu. The road from Suseo Station to Suseo Catholic Church is lined with ginkgo trees and is called 'Ginkgo Tree Road.' The yellow autumn foliage is beautiful. This neighborhood is called Gungmaeul, named after the burial site of Prince Gwangpyeong’s son, Prince Yeongsun, located here. Prince Yeongsun’s three sons settled here, and their house was called 'Samgung,' which led to the area being named Gungchon or Gungmaeul.

Passing Suseo Catholic Church, you will immediately reach the Gwangpyeongdaegun Tomb Site. Prince Gwangpyeong was the fifth son of King Sejong and died young at the age of 20 in 1444. He was known as a favored son of King Sejong, and historical records state that after Prince Gwangpyeong’s death, King Sejong stopped eating royal meals and suspended state affairs for three days, deeply mourning him. Originally, the tomb site was near present-day Samseong-dong but was relocated to its current location in 1495. The tomb site includes the double tombs of Prince Gwangpyeong and his wife Lady Shin, as well as the tombs of Prince Muan Lee Bangbeon, son of King Taejo Yi Seong-gye, and his wife Lady Wang. The Gwangpyeongdaegun Tomb Site is regarded as the best-preserved royal tomb site near Seoul.

Main Stops: Garak Market Station - Gwangpyeonggyo Bridge - Gwangpyeongdaegun Tomb Site

Course Distance: 2.5 km Time Required: 41 minutes