KOREA ON CUE · ISSUE 10 · HANGANG

Down to the Hangang: Riverside Parks, Seoul Forest and the Botanic Park

Yeouido, Banpo and Mangwon are three of the Hangang parks along the river, each reached from a different station. Upstream, Seoul Forest opens onto the river from Seongsu; downstream in Magok, Seoul Botanic Park leads from its glasshouse to the water.

Read the first story
Beyond a wide grassy riverbank, a blue river and a city of flats and office blocks on the far bank. People small and distant. No lettering. Editorial image.

Recommended reading order

  1. Yeouido Hangang Park: One Minute from the Station to the Park Centre, by the Official Count — Elena Comes Up from Exit 2 of Yeouinaru Station to the Riverside and Sorts On-Screen Han River Scenes into What Survives on the Street and What Was Only a Condition of the Screen01Yeouido Hangang Park: One Minute from the Station to the Park Centre, by the Official CountFrom Exits 2 and 3 of Yeouinaru Station on Line 5, Yeouido Hangang Park’s centre is a one-minute walk.SEOUL · 19 min read
  2. Banpo Bridge: Waiting on the Riverbank for the 7.30 p.m. Fountain — Maya Walks Down to the River from Express Bus Terminal Station, Passes the Late-Afternoon Lawn and the Lower Bridge, and Waits for the First Evening Show of the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain02Banpo Bridge: Waiting on the Riverbank for the 7.30 p.m. FountainIn October the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain runs for 20 minutes at noon and at 7.30, 8, 8.30 and 9 p.m. To see the bridge that pours out water in every video she has saved, Maya walks down to the river from Express Bus Terminal Station and waits for the first evening show.SEOUL · 19 min read
  3. Mangwon Hangang Park: One Spot by the River for a Friend — Lulu Walks from Exit 1 of Mangwon Station to the Mangwon Underpass Entrance and, Between the Lawns and Seoul Battleship Park, Picks a Place to Sit with a Friend Arriving Next Month03Mangwon Hangang Park: One Spot by the River for a FriendMangwon Hangang Park stretches along the north bank of the Hangang beside Mapo-gu, linking broad lawns and riverside paths with the retired naval vessels at Seoul Battleship Park.SEOUL · 17 min read
  4. Seoul Forest: The Waterworks You Only Notice the Second Time — Rina Walks 202 Metres in from Exit 4 of Seoul Forest Station and Goes Looking, in Turn, for the Frames of an Old Water-Treatment Plant, a Mirror Pond Three Centimetres Deep and a Horse Sculpture That Remembers a Racecourse04Seoul Forest: The Waterworks You Only Notice the Second TimePart four of “Hangang.” The Seoul Metropolitan Government writes that Seoul Forest was once a royal hunting ground, then Seoul’s first water-supply source in 1908, and later a racecourse and a golf course. On an evening walk through Seongsu, Rina only crossed the far edge of this park. This time she comes in daylight and looks for what those earlier lives left behind.SEOUL · 8 min read
  5. Seoul Botanic Park: Out of the Greenhouse and Down to the River — Rina Steps Straight from Magongnaru Station into the Open Forest, Passes Through a Greenhouse of Twelve Cities and an Old Drainage Pumping Station, and Walks On by the Lake and the Wetland to a Deck Facing the Hangang05Seoul Botanic Park: Out of the Greenhouse and Down to the RiverPart five of “Hangang.” Seoul Botanic Park describes the exhibition greenhouse in its Themed Garden as the world’s only greenhouse shaped like a concave dish. The first time Rina came, she saw that greenhouse and went home. This time she walks out of it, past the lake and the wetland, to where the park meets the Hangang.SEOUL · 9 min read
  6. Seoraeseom: In by One of Three Small Bridges, Out by Another — Rina walks along the river from Dongjak Station, crosses onto Seoraeseom by one bridge, follows the water’s edge under the willows, and leaves by another bridge as the sun gets low06Seoraeseom: In by One of Three Small Bridges, Out by AnotherA new piece for the Han River issue.SEOUL · 8 min read
  7. The Hyundai Seoul pop-up guide: queues, floors and bag storage — Hina takes the underground walkway from Yeouido Station and plans a half-day around the pop-up, the queue, bag storage and a place to rest07The Hyundai Seoul pop-up guide: queues, floors and bag storageEach pop-up at The Hyundai Seoul has its own floor and entry system.SCENE · 18 min read
  8. Seonyudo Park: one photo with a K-drama feel — Mali walks from Dangsan Station’s Exit 4 via Yanghwa Hangang Park and Seonyugyo Bridge, then frames her day among the pillars and walls of a former water treatment plant08Seonyudo Park: one photo with a K-drama feelSeonyudo Park is an island park on the Han River, built by reusing the buildings and structures of an old water treatment plant.SCENE · 17 min read
  9. Mangwon Market: read the unit on the price tag first — Ethan checks what each price covers and how much food he will get, then chooses a meal for now and a snack to take to the river09Mangwon Market: read the unit on the price tag firstAt Mangwon Market, shops selling ingredients stand alongside stalls selling food to eat.SCENE · 17 min read

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