Junggu Donghwa-dong Seoul's First Monorail Becomes Local Landmark 100 Days After Opening

The monorail, the first of its kind to open in Seoul, located in Donghwa-dong, Jung-gu, has become a ‘landmark’ of Jung-gu in just over 100 days.

Starting operation on February 15, the monorail runs daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. back and forth along a 110-meter track from Sindang Hyundai Apartments to Daehyeonsan Reservoir Park. Residents who previously had to climb steep stairs to reach the park can now comfortably ascend in 3 to 4 minutes by riding the free monorail.

Four safety personnel work in shifts to thoroughly ensure the safety of passengers. Additionally, every third Wednesday of the month is designated as a regular safety inspection day, during which operations are paused to inspect the equipment.

As of May 18, the monorail has served 51,340 passengers, averaging 570 users per day. On weekdays, an average of 504 people used the monorail, while on weekends and holidays, the average was 721 passengers traveling to and from Daehyeonsan Reservoir Park.

A user survey conducted from June 9 to 11 showed that women (60%) used the monorail more than men (40%), and those aged 60 and above (56%) used it more than those under 50 (44%). On some weekday mornings, over 80% of passengers were aged 60 or older.

On holidays, the proportion of passengers aged 10 and under was 11%, higher than the 6% on weekdays. This increase is attributed to more children accompanied by guardians visiting the park with strollers.

Jung-gu plans to survey usage monthly and analyze statistical data to check for any inconveniences and to consider how to link the monorail with other projects such as health programs.

There are also increasing cases of residents from nearby areas taking the monorail down towards Sindang-dong to shop at Sinjungang Market. Witnesses report scenes in the afternoon where the monorail is filled with shopping bags.

It is common to see disabled and elderly people, who found climbing steep stairs difficult, enjoying fresh air at Daehyeonsan Reservoir Park with the help of caregivers, residents walking their dogs, and young people creating memories by riding the monorail after a food tour in the ‘Hip’ Dang-dong area.

Recently, the monorail received a ‘boost.’ On May 26, the district opened the Eungbong Friendly Forest Trail, accessible to everyone. This trail connects Daehyeonsan Reservoir Park monorail, an observatory with views of Namsan Tower, Bukaksan, and Bukhansan, a barefoot clay path where visitors can feel the earth’s energy, and leads all the way to Namsan.

Kim Gilsung, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, “The monorail has become a reliable and strong support for residents’ knees beyond expectations,” and added, “We will work harder on park and green space development so that the ‘monorail effect’ can extend all the way to Namsan.”