Leisure Activities
Find out lots of leisure activities you can enjoy at Seoul
Parks in Seoul
1. Hangang parks
Many parks are located near the Hangang River. There are a total of 11 Hangang Parks, in Gangseo, Yanghwa, Mangwon, Nanji, Yeouido, Ichon, Banpo, Jamwon, Ttukseom, Jamsil, and Gwangnaru.
2. World Cup Park
World Cup Park, located near Seoul World Cup Stadium, was once a 15-year-old landfill. This landfill was transformed into a large-scale ecological park named World Cup Park to commemorate the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup Games and the new millennium. World Cup Park consists of four parks: Pyeonghwa Park, Haneul Park, Noeul Park and Nanjicheon park. (Location : 84, Haneulgongwon-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
3. Olympic Park
Olympic Park was built to commemorate the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Summer Olympics. It is now loved by many citizens as an urban rest area and used for a variety of purposes such as sports, culture, arts, history, education, etc. (Location : 424, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul)
4. Seonyudo Park
Seonyudo Park is an ecological park and a water park, repurposing a former water purification plant. The park consists of a Water Purifying Botanical Garden, Aquatic Botanical Garden, Eco-friendly Water Playground, etc.
Visitors can see a variety of aquatic plants and enjoy the ecological forest.
(Location : 343, Seonyu-ro, Yeongdaeungpo-gu, Seoul)
5. Seoul Forest
Seoul Forest opened in June 2005. The former Ttukseom Sports Park was transformed into an urban forest, just like Central Park in New York. Visitors can enjoy a walk around large trees. The park includes an outdoor stage, plaza, artificial ponds, etc. (Location : 273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul)
6. Songpa Naru Park
Songpa Naru Park, also known as Seokchon Lake Park, is located near Seokchon Lake, Jamsil. As an amusement park, department store, and other attractions are near the park, the park is loved by many student and families.
(Location : 136, Samhaksa-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul)
Sporting Facilities
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Sports Centers
Each Gu of Seoul has sports centers. Sports centers have a wide range of exercise equipment for weight training and cardiovascular exercise. Sports centers operate a variety of sports programs such as fitness, swimming, basketball, yoga, badminton, kendo, etc. Programs vary depending on sports centers.
2. How to book a sports facility
You can book a sports facility via the website of Reservation for Public Service (yeyak.seoul.go.kr [Korean and English]). In addition to sports facilities, you may enroll in a program or rent a place or facility. You need your alien registeration certificate to use the services.
Cultural Assets & Cultural Facilities in Seoul
Traditional Markets in Seoul
Tongin Market
Tongin Market consists of about 80 stores. A majority of the stores are foods stands and restaurants, and the rest are green grocers, fish shops, clothing stores, etc. In January 2012, Tongin Market opened the "Lunch Box Cafe Tong". It has been well received by Korean and foreign tourists. You can exchange money for yeopjeon (brass coins) as much as you need and buy a variety of snacks and dishes with this yeopjeon in the market. You can bring the food to the cafe and enjoy it. Tongin Market is located near Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3). Visit the website of Tongin Market (tonginmarket.modoo.at) for further information.
Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market is a wholesale market sellign fabric, hanbok, women's clothing, subsidiary materials for clothing, vintage imports, bedding, etc. If you are interested in hanbok, accessories, or home accessories, you should visit Gwangjang Market. After enjoying shopping, don't miss the street food. Many people visit Gwangjang Market just to enjoy mini gimbap, also known as mayak gimbap, and mung bean pancakes with makqeolli. The market is near Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1 and 3) and Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1). Visit the website of Gwangjang Market (www.gjmarket.org) for the map and information on business hours, etc.
Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market has a 600-year history and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Seoul. About 10,000 stores are concentrated in the market. The stores sell about 1,700 kinds of daily necessities, such as clothes, accessories, kitchen appliances, folk crafts, foods, and sundries. As Namdaemun Market is near the Bank of Korea, Jeongdong-gil, Myeong-dong, N Seoul Tower, and Namsangol Hanok Village, the market is very popular with foreigners. Namdaemun Market is located near Hoehyeon Station (Line 4). Visit the website of Namdaemun Market (www.namdaemunmarket.co.kr) for further information.
Mangwon Market
Mangwon Market, located in Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, sells vegetables, fruits, fish, daily necessities, and street food just like many other traditional markets. Mangwon Market consists of about 30 stores and is located near Mangwon Station (Line 6).
