Seongdong-gu Operates 'Vinyl House Hwangtotgil' Safe from Cold Waves

From November 26, a 170m section of Cheonggyecheon Hwangtotgil will have vinyl houses installed to block snow, rain, and cold winds, allowing use regardless of weather... Scheduled for removal after February when the cold eases, enabling barefoot walking along the waterfront without concerns about frozen ground or frostbite safety hazards

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced that it has installed vinyl houses to allow safe and warm use of the Cheonggyecheon Loess Trail even during winter snow and rain, and began full-scale operation from the 26th.

The Loess Trail is designed for walking barefoot to feel the natural texture with the whole body, and it is popular among residents for its benefits such as promoting blood circulation, strengthening foot muscles, and alleviating depression.

In particular, the Cheonggyecheon Loess Trail, created near the 5th Sewol Bridge close to Hanyang Elementary School (213 Yongdap-dong), spans 250 meters (2 meters wide) and is adjacent to a riverside with excellent accessibility, allowing residents to enjoy the waterfront scenery, receiving great response from the community.

Despite residents' demand, there are many restrictions on using the Loess Trail in winter due to concerns about surface freezing and frostbite accidents. Accordingly, the district installed vinyl houses over a 170-meter section of the Cheonggyecheon Loess Trail so that residents can continue to use the trail during winter. The vinyl houses block snow, rain, and cold winds, enabling residents to walk barefoot on the Loess Trail regardless of the weather.

The vinyl houses are scheduled to be dismantled after February when the cold eases, and the foot washing stations will not be operated separately due to the risk of freezing.

In addition to the Cheonggyecheon Loess Trail, the district operates a 630-meter Loess Trail along Songjeong Embankment, a 45-meter circular Loess Trail at Eungbong Neighborhood Park (Daehyeonsan), and a 25-meter Loess Trail at Muhakbong Neighborhood Park.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “The Loess Trail inside the Cheonggyecheon vinyl houses will be a healing space where residents can freely enjoy barefoot walking even in winter,” adding, “We will make more meticulous efforts to enhance residents’ satisfaction in daily life without inconvenience.”