Seoul’s First Urban Forest Retreat
"Leading the Way as a Premier Healing City"
Nowon District in Seoul (District Mayor Oh Seungrok) has achieved the distinction of being the only district in the country to win an award for five consecutive years at the "2025 Korea National Land Awards," hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Celebrating its 17th year, the Korea National Land Awards is a prestigious event that evaluates and recognizes exemplary cases of enhancing the nation’s land, cities, and landscapes under the slogan "Dignified Land, Beautiful Landscape."
This year, the district received the Prime Minister’s Award for its "Suraksan Urban Forest Retreat - Surakhyu" (Surakhyu) project. As the first urban-style forest retreat to be established in Seoul, Surakhyu has attracted significant attention, and its value and level of completion in terms of urban landscape have been recognized as being of the highest standard, befitting its status as a first-of-its-kind project.
Surakhyu boasts exceptional accessibility, located just 1.6 kilometers from Buleamsan Station on Subway Line 4, making it possible for guests to check in after work and check out the next morning before heading to work as usual, even on weekdays. While there are over 200 forest retreats nationwide, most require traveling far outside the city. In contrast, Surakhyu offers a new option for Seoul residents, who previously could only enjoy the forest through day hikes or camping trips.
Another point of pride is the high quality of its accommodations. Unlike existing forest retreats, where the quality of guest rooms often lagged behind the beauty of the surrounding nature, Surakhyu features hotel-level architecture, interior design, and amenities, down to the smallest detail. The 25 guest rooms, including three signature treehouses perched above the forest, have elevated guest satisfaction by offering the experience of a boutique hotel in the woods.
Surakhyu also stands out for boldly removing elements that could disrupt relaxation. Instead of TVs, rooms are equipped with premium LP players and speakers, and barbecue and cooking facilities have been replaced with a nature-inspired restaurant. The design maximizes harmony between the rooms and the surrounding forest, and a 600-meter barrier-free forest trail allows for the most comfortable walks in nature. Additionally, a remodeled children’s forest experience center is set to open soon, and the creation of a forest healing center is also underway.
Nowon District stated, "This award for Surakhyu marks the only five-year consecutive win in the country, and it is especially meaningful as the district has received the highest honor, the Prime Minister’s Award, among the five years."
Since the seventh popularly elected administration, Nowon District Mayor Oh Seungrok has pursued projects under the motto of a "healing city," bringing the benefits of nature closer to residents’ daily lives. Since 2021, projects such as Buleamsan Healing Town, Hwarangdae Railroad Park, Danghyeoncheon Riverside Cultural Space, and Choansan Healing Town have all been recognized at the Korea National Land Awards.
Mayor Oh stated, "Surakhyu is a space where we have devoted meticulous attention to even the smallest details in order to realize our belief that 'everything comes from the forest.' Through Surakhyu, we aim to lead a new paradigm in forest recreation and deliver operations worthy of its high-quality facilities."
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