Treehouse, Campfire Zone, and More: Urban Healing Retreats
Coffee and Accommodation for an LP Record... An Emotional Event
Nowon-gu, Seoul, will officially open "Surak Hyu," the city's first natural recreation forest, on July 17, 2025. Located in Dongmakgol on Suraksan Mountain, Surak Hyu is a unique space where visitors can enjoy both nature and relaxation within the city. Even before its opening, it has attracted significant interest from the local community and citizens.
Surak Hyu is built on a site of approximately 9,800 square meters (about 3,000 pyeong) and features a visitor center, individual lodges, a treehouse, a restaurant, and a cafeteria, among other facilities. With a total of 25 rooms, it can accommodate up to 105 guests per night. The treehouse, constructed 14 meters above ground, offers a unique experience, such as stargazing through a skylight above the bed.
Unlike typical recreation forests, the rooms do not have TVs, and instead, LP turntables are provided to emphasize an emotional and relaxing atmosphere. Instead of a barbecue area, guests can enjoy healthy seasonal dishes at the restaurant "Season Seoul by Hong Shinae," operated by renowned culinary researcher Hong Shinae. Outdoor facilities include a campfire zone and hammock zone, offering healing spaces rarely found in the city.
Surak Hyu is also highly accessible, located just 2 kilometers from Bureamsan Station (formerly Dangogae Station) on Seoul Subway Line 4. Various programs will be offered, including forest trails, nature experience programs, and family-oriented forest activities.
In anticipation of next month's opening, Nowon-gu is hosting an LP record donation event. Residents who donate their LP records will be entered into a drawing, with 10 winners receiving weekday accommodation experiences during the trial operation period. All donors will also receive a coffee coupon for the Surak Hyu restaurant "Season Seoul by Hong Shinae."
The event will be held from June 9 to 13, and participation is possible by visiting the Surak Hyu operations office (108 Deokrung-ro 145-gil, Nowon-gu) or by mail (shipping costs borne by the sender). There is no limit to the number of records donated, but each person is eligible for only one set of gifts and one entry in the accommodation drawing.
Previously, a call for stories to participate in the accommodation trial drew over 10,000 applications, prompting organizers to increase the number of winners from 10 to 20. Winners include a working mother raising a child with disabilities, newlyweds, a family known for attending cultural events, and an elementary school student who dreamed of staying in a cabin in the woods. These winners will experience Surak Hyu during the trial operation period.
Reservations can be made through the Korea Forest Service's "Forest Nadeul-e" website. The first official reservations for Surak Hyu will open on June 16, but Nowon-gu residents can book in advance at a 10% discount from 2 p.m. on June 12 to 6 p.m. on June 14.
Oh Seungrok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, "I am grateful to the residents who have waited so long for the first and best natural recreation forest to open on Suraksan Mountain. I hope that Surak Hyu, now opening its doors, will be filled with even more special stories and memories from our residents."
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