[K-TRAVEL ②] Seonyudo... Enjoy a walk on the gem-like island of the Han River

*This content was translated by AI.

As the flow of Hallyu has grown, the number of travelers from around the world visiting various parts of Korea has increased significantly, and K-travel is also establishing itself as a new trend. StarNews introduces travel destinations where you can fully experience Korea's unique charm and beauty without the crowds. You can gather your own precious charms and memories of Korea.

[K-TRAVEL ②] Seonyudo of the Han River

Seoul's Han River features several easily accessible and beautiful islands, making it possible to enjoy a unique island trip along the river without traveling far.

Opened over 20 years ago this year, Seonyudo Park is Korea's first recycled ecological park that utilizes the former Seonyu Water Purification Plant facilities beneath Yanghwa Bridge. The site spans a total area of 114,000 square meters, offering a clear view of the Han River's history and diverse plant life, delighting visitors' eyes. Reinforced steel bars, cement, concrete pillars, and other structures from the former water treatment plant now coexist harmoniously with various green trees and plants, having been reborn into a magnificent park that welcomes summer visitors to the Han River. Faded concrete, old storage tanks, and weathered spaces remain, as if telling stories of bygone years. It feels as though life has been breathed back into the abandoned facilities of the old water treatment plant.

If you visit Seonyudo while enjoying a walk or cycling in the Han River Park, you can double your enjoyment of the Han River. Crossing Seonyu Bridge, which connects Han River Park to Seonyudo, leads directly to the island.

Seonyudo was originally a peak rising along the banks of the Han River and was named Seonyubong, meaning "the mountain where immortals played," due to its beautiful scenery. Appearing in the painting "Yanghwa Hwando" by Jeong Seon from the 1740s during the Joseon Dynasty, Seonyubong also served as a military stronghold in that era.

One of Seonyudo's main attractions is the aquatic plant garden, where visitors can directly observe various aquatic plants, including those from tropical regions and evergreen species from southern Korea. The water purification garden, repurposed from a former chemical sedimentation basin, allows visitors to observe the growth and purification processes of aquatic plants that clean the water. Metasequoia trees stretching high toward the sky sway in the Han River breeze throughout the island, offering a refreshing sight even just by looking at them.

A garden featuring green pillars, perfect for capturing photos, was created by removing the concrete roof of the former water reservoir and leaving only the pillars, which are now covered with ivy, creating a unique landscape. The Garden of Time is also decorated with sections such as the Directional Garden, Vine Garden, Color Garden, and Sound Garden, allowing visitors to view the beauty of nature in the city from a fresh perspective. At the westernmost end of the park, four circular spaces have been reborn by repurposing former agricultural tanks into an environmental play area, an environmental classroom, an amphitheater, and restrooms. Among these, the environmental classroom allows children to learn through stories, drawings, and crafts about what they saw and felt in the park, making it ideal for family visits.

Inside Seonyudo, there is also a café where you can enjoy a cup of tea while taking in views of the Han River, Seoul's cityscape, and even North Korea in the distance, adding to the charm. Walking around and exploring Seonyudo takes at least two hours. After crossing Seonyu Bridge, you can continue your Han River journey with another experience at Yanghwa Han River Park. Benches are scattered throughout the area, and convenience stores are nearby, allowing visitors to enjoy a leisurely meal of Han River ramen or food they brought along. The bicycle path and walking trail of the Han River Park connect seamlessly, making it common to see people cycling, strolling, or jogging, ensuring the area is always full of energy. You can fill your eyes and heart with the full energy of the Han River.

A bus stop is located at the entrance of Seonyudo Park, and it takes about 20 minutes to reach Seonyu Park from Seonyudo Station on Line 9. You can also use the third parking lot of Yanghwa Han River Park.

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*This content was translated by AI.