Uijeongbu City Selects Top 5 Romantic Winter Spots for the Year-End Season
"Lighting Up the Darkness and Wrapping in Warmth" at Star Light Road, Observatory, Ice Rink, and More
Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Donggeun) announced on December 16 that it has selected the "Top 5 Romantic Winter Spots in Uijeongbu," where families, couples, and neighbors can spend special moments together ahead of Christmas and the year-end holidays.
This selection of romantic spots was organized under the theme "Uijeongbu, Lighting Up the Darkness and Wrapping in Warmth." Moving away from simply introducing glamorous tourist attractions, the focus was on reinterpreting familiar everyday spaces and revitalizing overlooked areas, offering a new perspective on the value of urban spaces.
The city selected five locations, each with its own unique "romance" theme: Happiness Nuri Park, Uijeongbu Observatory, Uijeongbu Indoor Ice Rink, Uijeongbu Jeil Market, and the Beautiful Stroll on Star Light Road in front of City Hall.
The most eye-catching spot is Happiness Nuri Park (near Hoho-dang No. 2 in Ganeung-dong), themed "Unexpected Romance." Located beneath the elevated tracks of Subway Line 1, this area will host the "Happiness Nuri Gift Tree" event for seven days from December 19 to December 25.
With sculptures created by residents and warm lighting, the space under the elevated tracks will be reimagined as a scenic winter spot where visitors can experience romance. In addition, on December 19 at 10 a.m., and on December 20 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., there will be a craft-making and exhibition program involving local daycare centers and citizens, further enhancing the meaning of "space regeneration."
Uijeongbu Observatory, where you can experience the "Romance of Innocence," is also a great place to visit in winter. The season offers clearer skies, making it ideal for celestial observation. The observatory operates daytime solar observation programs (10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and nighttime stargazing programs (after 7 p.m.). On the last Wednesday of every month, a late-night observation program is also held, attracting citizens who love to gaze at the stars.
If you are looking for the "Excitement of Romance," the Uijeongbu Indoor Ice Rink is the perfect choice.
Boasting ice quality at the level of a national training center, the rink operates from 10 a.m. to 5:50 p.m., and anyone can enjoy skating at an affordable price. However, it is closed on the last Monday of every month and during national holidays.
Uijeongbu Jeil Market is a place where you can feel the "Romance of Everyday Life."
As the largest traditional market in northern Gyeonggi Province, it offers a unique atmosphere and a variety of foods during the winter season. The tteokbokki alley, hotteok, fish cakes, and other street foods allow visitors to naturally experience the daily life of the market.
Lastly, the "Beautiful Stroll on Star Light Road," themed "Romance of Comfort," is a nighttime scenic space in the heart of the city.
Operating until February next year, lights are installed on the street trees in front of City Hall, adding visual delight to the winter nighttime walking environment. The golden lights illuminating the dark streets deliver a quiet message of comfort to citizens who have had a busy year.
Park Hyekyung, Director of Urban Design, said, "These five winter spots show that you can find happiness close to home and among neighbors, without the need for extravagant trips," adding, "We will continue to experiment with various spaces throughout the city so that the warmth of citizens can permeate places like the Happiness Nuri Gift Tree."
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