[One Day Walk] Seoul Botanical Garden and Performance Hall, Traditional Hyanggyo... Magoknaru Station

The subway is a transportation method that anyone can easily access and travel safely with, and it is also an important point for daily walking. Here are some walkable spots around subway stations.

The course introduced this time is Magoknaru Station, a transfer station between Seoul Subway Line 9 and Incheon International Airport Railroad. Located at the center of the Magok district, the station's users have been increasing every year along with the start of several companies moving into the Magok district. It is especially noted as the center of the pharmaceutical, bio, and healthcare industries, which have recently gained attention as new food sources. Around Magoknaru Station alone, there are Ostem Implant, Handok Future Complex, Genexine Progen Bio Innovation Park, and Daewoong Innovation Cube (DIC) being built by Daewoong Pharmaceutical. Expanding to the entire Magok district, research centers and headquarters of many bio companies such as LG Chem, Samjin Pharmaceutical, and Shinshin Pharmaceutical have been established. The Magok district, which is rapidly growing into a cutting-edge business area, is expected to become a new driving force for Seoul.

LG Arts Center Seoul exterior. [Image source=LG Arts Center]

There are many sights and attractions in the newly developed Magok district. The Seoul Botanic Park, opened in 2019, is a notable spot in Magok. The botanical garden, covering an area of 500,000㎡, which is more than 70 soccer fields, is divided into four major zones: Open Forest, Lakeside Garden, Wetland Garden, and Themed Garden. Each zone has its unique characteristics, allowing visitors to experience four different atmospheres. The exhibition greenhouse located in the Themed Garden is the world's only concave dish-shaped greenhouse, where you can see native plants from 12 cities located in tropical and Mediterranean climates. The admission fee is 5,000 KRW for adults, and inside there are convenience facilities such as restaurants and cafes, as well as a plant-specialized library and exhibition halls, so if you have time, it is good to fully enjoy the Seoul Botanic Park.

Another attraction of Seoul Botanic Park is the LG Arts Center. Designed by the renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, the building creates a fusion space where art, science, and nature harmonize. Since its official opening in October last year, it has become a venue where contemporary performing arts trends can be observed at a glance, and where contemporary artists and audiences breathe together. Various performances such as plays, symphonies, and dance will be held in the second half of this year as well.

Yangcheon Hyanggyo Exterior View. [Image Source=Gangseo-gu Office]

Heading northeast from Seoul Botanic Park, you will find Yangcheon Hyanggyo, the only remaining local Confucian school in Seoul. Established in 1411 during the reign of King Taejong of the Joseon Dynasty, it is a historic hyanggyo that reportedly never missed a memorial rite even under Japanese oppression during the colonial period. Nowadays, various educational programs are operated, including etiquette education, classical Chinese poetry, calligraphy, and Chinese language. Right behind Yangcheon Hyanggyo is Gungsan, a local hill with an elevation of 74.5 meters. It has long been known as a place where scholars enjoyed cultural pursuits, appreciating the beautiful view overlooking the Han River. Now, it is well maintained as a neighborhood park and serves as a resting place for local residents.

Main stops: Magoknaru Station - LG Arts Center - Seoul Botanic Park - Yangcheon Hyanggyo - Gungsan Neighborhood Park

Course distance: 3.0 km Estimated time: 50 minutes