[K-TRAVEL 10] Seoul Forest… A lush forest and a large-scale green park with themes

*This content was translated by AI.

As the trend of K-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 one can fully experience Korea’s unique charm and allure without being overly crowded. Visitors can gain their own Korean charm and memories.

[K-TRAVEL 10]Seoul Forest

There is a term called "forest zone." There is also the term "station zone," which means that if there is a station such as a subway station nearby, transportation convenience improves, thereby increasing added value. A forest zone refers to an area where forests such as mountains or parks are located nearby, providing a comfortable environment and thus potentially improving the quality of life.

Seoul Forest (Seoul Forest, Seongdong-gu, Seongsu-dong, Seoul) is a theme park that offers the best forest zone benefits more than any other place in Seoul. Moreover, with the presence of Jungnangcheon Stream, Eungbongsan Mountain, Dalmaegi Park, Han River (Seongsu Bridge), and Ttukseom Recreation Area nearby, it forms a vast green space, making it no exaggeration to say that it provides the best forest zone in Seoul.

Modeled after Central Park in New York City or Hyde Park in London, the area was developed as an urban green space on a vast site of approximately 350,000 pyeong (about 1.16 million square meters), featuring various trees, flowers, grasses, ponds, walking paths, rest areas, and play facilities. Today, it has gained popularity as a large-scale forest park frequented not only by residents of nearby apartments and Seoul citizens but also by foreigners.

Seoul Forest is designed with five main themes. First, centered around the central lawn plaza of Seoul Forest, various large and small corners with diverse themes are arranged in all directions. Breathing in phytoncides emitted from a variety of tree species while enjoying each corner and taking a leisurely walk would make for an unparalleled healing tour. Wetland ecosystems are also located throughout the park, adding to its natural beauty.

The entire park is divided into five themed areas: Seoul Forest Plaza, Ttukseom Ecological Forest, Nature Experience Learning Center, Wetland Ecosystem Park, and Han River Park, offering unique sights and experiences for each theme.

Seoul Forest Plaza consists of a wide lawn, family courtyard, flower beds, "Story of Seoul Forest," skate park, outdoor stage, waterside rest area (convenience store, community center), forest clearing, forest playground, and water play area.

The largest area, Ttukseom Ecological Forest, was once where Han River waters flowed. It has been recreated as a natural ecological forest connecting the Han River and Jungnangcheon Stream. It serves as a habitat for wildlife, with 114 animals of eight species, including deer, living there. Walking bridges have been installed to allow observation of wild animals, making it especially popular as a family outing spot for those accompanied by children.

The Nature Experience Learning Center was built using recycled structures from the former Ttukseom Water Treatment Plant, featuring a butterfly garden and an insect plant garden, along with gallery gardens, bee gardens, experience courtyards, and citizens' forests. The Ttukseom Water Treatment Plant was Korea's first water treatment plant, completed in 1908.

In the Butterfly Garden, various butterflies such as the Seoul city-designated protected species, the mountain swallowtail, along with yellow butterflies and tiger butterflies, flutter around to welcome visitors. The Insect Plant Garden operates as a botanical garden and butterfly experience hall, where small animals like turtles and frogs also live. Additionally, aquariums containing carp, arapaima, and paddlefish are displayed, along with preserved specimens of butterflies and other insects. Visitors can also see beetles such as stag beetles and rhinoceros beetles. Though the botanical garden is compact, seeing the large leaves of tropical or subtropical plants gives one the feeling of being in a Southeast Asian natural setting.

The Wetland Ecosystem Park utilizes the existing natural environment of the retention pond to create a wetland ecosystem management center, environmental playground, outdoor nature classroom, bird-watching deck, wetland flower garden, and water purification plant garden.

Han River Park is located along the southwestern bank of the Han River within the park, providing natural embankments at the confluence of the Han River and Jungnangcheon Stream, waterside parks, piers, and rest areas. Accessible via a pedestrian observation bridge, the sunset viewed from here creates a magnificent spectacle, making it a popular photography spot for photographers.

Other convenience facilities include a convenience store. A part-time student working there said, "On weekends, visitors to Seoul Forest are about half foreign and half Korean, and sometimes there are even more foreigners than Koreans." Announcements inside Seoul Forest are broadcast not only in Korean but also in English, Chinese, and Japanese, giving visitors the feeling of being at a famous tourist destination.

Other facilities include the Arisu Water Treatment Center and the Cheonggyecheon Water Supply Point, but access is restricted for security reasons. However, the Water Supply Museum located in one corner of the treatment center is open to free visits during operating hours. It features detailed exhibits on the tap water supply process along with guided explanations.

Recently, the Seoul International Garden Expo has been held at Seoul Forest, making the sights and experiences even more diverse. The expo runs from May until October 27 this year, featuring over 160 large and small themed gardens created by world-renowned garden designers, companies, citizens, and students. Various programs are underway, including diverse garden artworks, a small-scale theme tour called "Garden Docent" for in-depth exploration of gardens, a treasure hunt program called "Garden Hunters," and a farmer's market.

The site of Seoul Forest was originally home to the racecourse "Let's Run Park Seoul," which had been relocated from Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, along with sports parks and golf courses. Upon entering Seoul Forest, visitors will see sculptures of a jockey and horse galloping toward Gyeongju at the entrance. Some tourists may wonder, "Why is there a horse racing theme in a park?" However, knowing this history makes it easier to understand. To the right of the forest, sports facilities such as volleyball courts and tennis courts have been built, allowing citizens to be seen engaging in active exercise daily.

Seoul Forest features various greenery paths, including metasequoia forests, ginkgo tree alleys, and cherry blossom roads, offering a rich variety of green tours. However, since Seoul Forest is divided into several sections by roads such as Ttukseom-ro, visitors are advised to study the map at the entrance beforehand to efficiently explore every corner without missing anything.

Although Seoul Forest has its own parking lot, it becomes congested on weekends, so nearby Ttukseom Retention Pond Parking Lot can be used instead. The Seoul Forest Station on the Suin-Bundang Line leads directly to the forest. From Seongsu-dong Cafe Street, a popular spot for foreigners, it takes less than 30 minutes by public transportation, making it an excellent option for tours combined with cafe street visits or local restaurants. Additionally, there is a Han River bus terminal leading toward the Han River, allowing access by boat as well.

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*This content was translated by AI.