Where Family Love Blooms in May
A Spring Outing for Nature and Culture
on the Paths of Uijeongbu
In May, when the warm sunlight and lush greenery fill the air, Uijeongbu is the perfect destination for families seeking outing spots to enjoy together during Family Month. Uijeongbu boasts a variety of attractions throughout the city, including garden-style parks, walking trails, cultural facilities, and experiential spaces. Uijeongbu City (Mayor Kim Donggeun) introduces family outing destinations where you can spend a special day enjoying nature and relaxation close to home.
▒ Where Art Meets Everyday Life: Baek Youngsu Art Museum and Uijeongbu Culture Station Eum
Baek Youngsu Art Museum, the first private art museum in Uijeongbu, is a space that fully embodies the artistic world of Baek Youngsu, a master of Korean abstract painting. After many years of working in Paris, Baek returned to Korea in 2011 and continued his creative work in Uijeongbu until the end of his life. The museum is scheduled to be reborn as a municipal art museum in the future. Located on the fourth floor of Uijeongbu Station, "Uijeongbu Culture Station Eum" is a complex cultural platform that combines exhibition, performance, and creative spaces, making it an ideal place for those seeking artistic inspiration in their daily lives.
▒A Place Filled with Warmth: Uijeongbu Jeil Market
Uijeongbu Jeil Market, the oldest traditional market in northern Gyeonggi Province, retains the lively charm unique to markets, alongside modernized facilities. With fresh ingredients, a variety of daily necessities, and snacks like street food and fish cakes, it is a place where everyone, regardless of age or gender, can enjoy browsing. Share stories of the old market with your parents, or let your children try snacks on the spot to experience simple pleasures different from everyday life. Having supported the local community for many years, Jeil Market is a space that creates special memories for the whole family.
▒Skating and Curling: Unique Ice Experiences
Uijeongbu Indoor Ice Rink and Curling Stadium are located side by side, making them perfect for family sports experiences. Everyone, young and old, can have an exciting time enjoying both skating and curling. The Indoor Ice Rink hosted the World Women's Curling Championship in March 2025, further establishing Uijeongbu's reputation as a premier city for ice sports. The Camp Red Cloud (CRC) access road leading to the area is a path that opened to citizens after being closed for 70 years, symbolizing Korea-U.S. cooperation. Walking along the forest trail between the former U.S. military base buildings, such as the headquarters and barracks, visitors can feel the unique atmosphere where past and present coexist.
▒A Pause in the Urban Forest: Jail Forest Bathing Area
Jail Forest Bathing Area, the first forest recreation facility in Uijeongbu, is a healing spot in the city that preserves the green forests within a restricted development zone. Visitors can experience nature up close in the pine forest, on the decked walking trails, at the picnic area, and in the forest shelters. The involvement of citizens in its creation adds to its special character. It is an ideal place to stroll through the woods with children and for families to gather and enjoy relaxation away from daily urban life. Spend a quiet day with your family in this forest retreat that reflects Uijeongbu's philosophy as an ecological city.
▒Neighborhood Parks Embracing Nature: Jikdong and Chudong Neighborhood Parks
Jikdong and Chudong Neighborhood Parks are representative family-friendly spaces where you can fully experience nature within the city. Jikdong Neighborhood Park is divided into zones such as Cantavilla Garden, Picnic Garden, and Cheongpawon, and features a variety of walking trails and rest areas, making it popular among family visitors. Recently, unused military facilities were removed and a new entrance plaza was created, connecting the park to Hoeryongcheon and making it an even more pleasant space. Chudong Neighborhood Park, the largest park in Uijeongbu, features spaces such as Haenal Plaza, Dodang Flower Garden, and Pine Forest. Its transformation into "Chudong Forest Garden" is underway, drawing attention as a key space leading the city's green landscape.
▒A Tranquil Garden Walk: Songsan Temple Site Neighborhood Park
Songsan Temple Site Neighborhood Park, which enshrines the memorial tablets of six loyal retainers from the late Goryeo period, is a special place where history and gardens harmonize. This park preserves the traditional garden style, featuring water facilities, ponds, streams, crape myrtle gardens, and walking trails that create a serene landscape. It is perfect for leisurely strolls with children while sharing historical stories or for moments of quiet reflection. Recently, the addition of a green parking lot has further improved accessibility.
▒Nature-Filled Jungnangcheon Walking Course: Cheongbori-gil, Balmeul Rest Area, and Barefoot Trail
Stretching along Jungnangcheon, Cheongbori-gil, Balmeul Rest Area, and Barefoot Youth Trail are healing walking courses where you can fully experience nature in the city. After passing through the soft green Cheongbori-gil and the photo zone at Balmeul Rest Area, a dedicated barefoot trail continues. Uijeongbu City has created 10 barefoot trails so far, including the Minlakcheon Red Clay Trail, and plans to add 13 more this year, expanding the total to 23. Walking barefoot with your family allows you to feel nature seep into your daily life.
▒The Joy of Leisurely Walking: Uijeongbu Sopunggil
Uijeongbu Sopunggil is a representative forest trail consisting of nine sections and totaling 78.1 km. Its name was inspired by the late poet Cheon Sangbyeong's poem "Return to Heaven," which likens life to a picnic. The trail offers various courses along Jungnangcheon and Buyongcheon, as well as through the forests of Hongboksan and Buyongsan, with varying levels of difficulty and distance, making it ideal for family trekking. On a leisurely spring day, it is a path where you can escape everyday life and walk quietly in contemplation.
▒Where Tradition Meets Nature: Hoeryongsa and Mangwolsan
Hoeryongsa and Mangwolsan, representative temples of Uijeongbu, are tranquil spots where you can experience both traditional culture and nature. Hoeryongsa, associated with Yi Seonggye, founder of the Joseon Dynasty, and the legendary Buddhist monk Muhak, is a symbolic place reflecting the origin and identity of the Uijeongbu name. Mangwolsan, the oldest temple in Uijeongbu, houses various Gyeonggi Province-designated cultural assets. Walking slowly along the mountain paths, families can share peaceful scenery and meaningful moments together.
▒Panoramic Views: Suraksan Dojeongbong Overlooking Uijeongbu
Suraksan Dojeongbong is a representative hiking course offering panoramic views of Uijeongbu. In particular, the view of Dojeongbong from the nearby Gichabawi is considered one of the "Eight Scenic Views of Uijeongbu" for its outstanding beauty. Gichabawi, which was closed due to rope damage, reopened in October 2024 after safety improvements, and has since become a new hotspot for hikers. It is also gaining popularity on social media, attracting visitors seeking beautiful scenery. However, as Suraksan Dojeongbong is a demanding hiking course, visitors should be properly equipped with hiking shoes and gear, and pay attention to safety, considering the weather and their physical condition.
Mayor Kim Donggeun said, "I hope that, during Family Month in May, you will walk through Uijeongbu's natural and cultural resources, and experience both the importance of family and the relaxation of daily life," adding, "We will continue to discover more spaces where citizens can enjoy relaxation and rest within the city, and create a refined urban environment."
Meanwhile, Uijeongbu City is promoting various tourism revitalization projects to enable citizens and tourists to enjoy local attractions more closely. The "Uijeongbu City Tour" offers urban tourism courses themed around history, culture, and cuisine, encompassing major attractions such as Baek Youngsu Art Museum, Uijeongbu Jeil Market, and the Curling Stadium.
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