Ankara Park

Right next to Saetgang Station in Yeouido, this small park was created to mark the sister-city partnership between Seoul and Ankara, the capital of Türkiye. Ankara House, modelled on a traditional Turkish vineyard farmhouse, displays more than 800 folk objects donated by the city of Ankara. It is a pleasant spot to rest in the shade of the pines and remember the bond with Türkiye, which fought alongside Korea in the Korean War.

A park born of a sister-city link

Seoul and Ankara became sister cities on 23 August 1971, and Ankara opened its own Korea Park first, in October 1973. The park in Yeouido was laid out as a theme park showing Turkish culture; sources differ on when it opened, giving either 1973 or 1 May 1977. At about 1.65 ha it is compact, but plenty of pine trees keep it shady. For years it was officially called Sister Neighbourhood Park, until Yeongdeungpo District, after consulting residents and a place-name committee, switched the name back to Ankara Park in February 2026. The aim was to emphasise the sister-city tie and to thank the Turkish troops who served in the Korean War.

What to see

• Ankara House: a two-storey building of 169.53 m² built in 1992 in the style of a traditional Turkish vineyard house. More than 800 folk objects donated by Ankara are on show, from household and farming tools to furniture and kitchenware used on a vineyard farm.
• Pine walk: around 80 pines were planted during the 2009–2010 renovation, so the short paths feel like a small pine wood. Benches sit under wisteria arbours.
• Water garden and barefoot path: in 2024 a water garden fed by groundwater seeping out of Saetgang Station was added, along with a 120 m barefoot walking path.
• Turkish sculptures: works of art donated by Ankara and monuments to the friendship between the two countries are dotted around the park.

A partner park in Ankara

Ankara has its own Korea Park, opened in 1973, with a monument to the Korean War. Between September 2023 and July 2024 it was thoroughly renovated: the old caretaker's building was rebuilt as a hanok, and a new octagonal pavilion called the House of Friendship was added. Both were made in Mungyeong in Korea, shipped to Türkiye and put up over two weeks by Korean carpenters. So Seoul has a Turkish house, and Ankara has a Korean pavilion.

Tripto tips

• Visiting Ankara House: the interior was refreshed under an agreement signed with the Turkish Embassy in June 2024, and Turkish staff welcome visitors from Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00–17:00. The schedule may change, so check with Yeongdeungpo District before you go.
• Tickets: walking in the park is free.
• Time needed: 30 minutes to an hour, including Ankara House.
• Getting there: the park is right outside Exit 3 of Saetgang Station (Line 9).
• Combine it with: the Saetgang Ecological Park paths, Yeouido Park and the 63 Building are close by. In spring, pair it with the Yeouido cherry blossom streets for an easy half-day.