[AREX NUMBER] Dive into Nature in the City at Seoul Forest

There is a place where you can gain

a healing experience away from the sun.

It’s Seoul Forest located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.

1. What kind of place is Seoul Forest?

Seoul Forest is divided into three uniquely themed zones:

Culture & Arts Park, Experiential Learning Park, Eco Forest, and Wetland Ecological Field.

Situate adjacent to the Hangang River, it presents a wide array of facilities for cultural and leisure activities.

What’s unique about Seoul Forest is that

it is the first-ever park created and run by citizens.

2. Butterfly Garden and Insect Garden 

The Butterfly Garden was re-opened on May 1 after undergoing renovation.

The Butterfly Garden created at an old water purification facility

 presents exhibits of some 1,000 butterflies of 6 different species and demonstrates the metamorphosis of butterflies.

This is why it is especially popular with young children.

(Seoul Forest Butterfly Garden is closed on Mondays from May to October.

 It is operated on 2F of the Insect Garden during the closing season (Nov.~April).

Visitors can enter between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., free of charge, and there are diverse tour programs available.)

The Insect Garden is a greenhouse set up at the former water purification facility.

It showcases some 100 species of tropical plants as well as insects, amphibians and reptiles. Because it’s indoors,

 it is cool in summer and warm in winter, making a popular attraction throughout the year.

(Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Mondays)

3. Animal Friends 

When you turn right at the large block behind the entrance of Seoul Forest,

 you will encounter the deer out on an open field.

At the entrance of the open field, there is an animal feed vending machine, 

where you can obtain the food that can be given to the deer.

Walk about 10 minutes and you will reach the Small Animal House,

where there are countless adorable rabbits.

(It costs 1,000 won to obtain food from the animal feed vending machine. 

/ Do not feed the rabbits.)

4. Enjoy Nature Inside an Urban Environment  

In summer, Seoul Forest looks especially striking early in the evening 

when the sun is about to go down.

Although it is an urban park,

you will feel as though you are in the mountains,

and it is a perfect place to take a stroll and heal your heart and soul. 

5. Seoul Forest Trail 

Amidst the dense forest of trees and lush vegetation

is the Seoul Forest Trail where you can enjoy a pleasant escape from the

 hustle and bustle of city life.

In addition to many delightful things to see,

there are rest areas, nursing rooms, and other amenities at Seoul Forest.

You can see the thought and care that went into

designing and creating this park,

which was made possible with citizen participation.

6. How Can I Get to Seoul Forest?

Take the subway from Seoul Station and get off at Eungbong Station.

Walk about 17 minutes from Exit #2

and you will be able to reach Seoul Station.

Did you enjoy this post on the diverse things to see and experience at Seoul Forest?!

Enjoy a pleasant respite from the pressing heat this summer

under the shades at Seoul Forest!

Get more details about AREX from the AREX homepage.

​

(https://www.arex.or.kr)

Great travels brought to you by AREX.​

An Exciting Trip with AREX! The Hangang Mongttang Summer Festival 2019

The Top 3 Attractions at the Hangang Mongttang Summer Festival

that will help you chase away the heat this summer in Seoul!

Top 3 Attractions

at the Hangang Mongttang Summer Festival

1. Hangang Summer Swimming Pool

There is a place where you can take a dip in the water

and cool down! It’s the Hangang Summer Swimming Pool.

It’s close and inexpensive, and anyone regardless of age

will be able to enjoy themselves here! 

Outdoor swimming pools at Ttukseom, Gwangnaru, Jamsil, Jamwon and Yeouido

 and water parks at Yanghwa and

 Nanji will be in operation from June 28 to August 25.

So don’t miss out! :)

 [The Mangwon Outdoor Swimming Pool will not open this year due to construction.]

Festival period: June 28 (Fri.) to Aug. 25 (Sun.), 2019

Locations: Ttukseom, Gwangnaru, Jamsil, Jamwon and Yeouido outdoor swimming pools and Yanghwa an Nanji water parks

Fee: Free for children up to 5 years of age / Adult: 5,000 won (swimming pool) and 3,000 won (water park) 

 (Swim cap is required) 

Directions:

Ttukseom Outdoor Swimming Pool: Hongik University Station – Transfer to Subway Line No. 2 – Transfer at Konkuk University Station 

– Get off at Ttukseom Resort Station – 6-min walk from Exit #2 

Gwangnaru Outdoor Swimming Pool: Seoul Station – Gongdeok Station Transfer – Cheonho Station Transfer – Amsa Station Exit- Exit 3 and walk 15 minutes.

Jamsil Outdoor Swimming Pool:Hongik University Station - Transferring Line 2 - Exit 6 of Jamsil Saenae Station and Walk for 10 Minutes

Jamwon Outdoor Swimming Pool: Seoul Station – Transferring to Chungmuro Station – Exit 4 of Jamwon Station and walk for 15 minutes

Yeouido Outdoor Swimming Pool: Gimpo Airport Station - Transfer on Line 9 - Exit 1 of the Capitol Station - Walk for 12 minutes

Yanghwa Water Playground: 15 minutes walking from Gimpo Airport Station - Transfer of Line 9 - Exit 2 of Sunyudo Station

Nanji Water Playground: Hongik University Station - Transfer on Line 2 - Exit 8 of Dangsan Station - Take 9707 at the stop of Dangsan Station, Samsung Raemian Apartment 

– Exit 8 of Nanji Han River Park – Walk 8 Minutes

Home page: https://c11.kr/881m

2. Hangang Night Walk 42K

The Hanggang riversides are always crowded

during the summer season,

with countless people trying to avoid the sun and the heat.

The Hangang Night Walk 42K is

Korea’s one and only full-course walking race

offering three different walk routes: 42km, 25km and 15km.

Sign up with your family, friends or significant other

and enjoy how the beautiful Hangang River changes from night to morning,

in addition to experiencing the fun and excitement of a non-competitiveness long-distance walk. :)

There will also be souvenirs in store for the participants!

So join the Hangang Night Walk 42K

and enjoy a healing, rejuvenating walk along the river.

Festival period: July 27 (Sat.) ~ 28 (Sun.), 2019

Venue: Hangang Park, Yeouido Hangang Park Nogeumsu Square (meetup)

Time: 5:00 p.m. ~ 8:00 a.m. (next day)

Fees and Souvenirs

Directions:

Seoul Station – Transferring Gongdeok Station – Exit 3 of Yeouido Station – walk 10 minutes

Home page: https://c11.kr/881m

3. Film Festival Under the Hangang Bridge 

Watching a movie outdoors

while feeling the cool breeze against your face

 on a hot summer night is truly a special experience.

The Film Festival Under the Hangang Bridge

will offer a different kind of fun and pleasure

from watching a movie at a cinema.

Be sure to check out the cool and unique movie theater

near the Hangang River this summer!

A wide variety of movies will be screened, free of charge,

at the Film Festival Under the Hangang Bridge!

Festival period: July 20 (Sat.) ~ Aug. 17 (Sat.), 2019 [movie screened every Saturday]

Screening time: 8:00 p.m. ~

Admission fee: Free

Directions:

Gwangnaru: Seoul Station – Gongdeok Station Transfer – Cheonho Station – Amsa Station Exit 
– Exit 3 on foot for 15 minutes

Ttukseom: Seoul Station – Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station – Transferring to Geondae Station
- Get off at Ttukseom Yewon – Exit 2 on foot for six minutes.

Yeouido: Seoul Station – Transferring Gongdeok Station – Exit from Yeouido Station
- Exit 4 and walk 10 minutes.

Telescope Seoul Ship Park: Seoul Station – Gongdeok Station Transfer – Telescope Station Exit
-Get out of Exit 1 and walk to the stop of Mangwon subway station –Mapo09 Bus ride
- Exit at Hangang Park Station – 7 minutes on foot

We just took a look at some of the most exciting festivals

taking place in Seoul this summer!

So are you ready to escape the sweltering heat? :)

We’ll be back with more updates! 

Get more details about AREX from the AREX homepage.

​

(https://www.arex.or.kr)

Great travels brought to you by AREX.​