Giheung Lake Park

Right beside the Gyeongbu Expressway in Giheung-gu, Yongin, lies a reservoir covering 2.58 km². Built in the 1960s to supply farm water, Giheung Reservoir has become Giheung Lake Park, with a 10 km loop trail busy with walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers. The hour when the light on the water changes at dusk, and the lit-up footbridges at night, are worth staying for.

History: from irrigation reservoir to lake park

The reservoir was built by the Korea Rural Community Corporation to supply irrigation water, with work starting in 1957 and finishing in 1964. It is also known as Singal Reservoir and is counted, with Gosam and Idong reservoirs, among the big reservoirs of Gyeonggi-do. For a while its water was too polluted even for farming, but expanded sewage treatment and new sewer lines have gradually improved it.

Its life as a public park is recent. Yongin drew up a plan for a loop trail in 2016 and completed the 10 km circuit in six phases by 2023, then added an 8.7 km short course. Between 2016 and 2025 the city built five footbridges across arms of the lake, plus rest areas, so walkers no longer have to make the long detour round the Gongsecheon stream.

What to see

• Loop trail: the path circles the lake on boardwalks and footbridges over the water. The eastern shore has a well-developed cycle path.
• Bird hide: the lake is shallow and full of water plants, attracting herons, ducks and other waterbirds. A wooden hide lets you watch them quietly. Fishing is not allowed.
• Maemisan and Cheongmyeongsan: pine-covered Maemisan on the west side and Cheongmyeongsan across the upper lake have trails with views down over the water.
• Dog park and sports facilities: the park has a dog playground, a 14-hole park golf course and a rowing course, all busy with locals at weekends. The Giheung Respia sewage works by the lake reuses its treated water to run a small generator.
• Dusk and night: when the western sky turns red the sunset is mirrored in the lake, and after dark the illuminated bridges give it a different character.

Tripto tips

• Access: the park and trails are free and open at all times.
• Time needed: around 3 hours to walk the full loop; the 8.7 km short course takes a little less. 1 hour is enough to walk one section and catch the sunset.
• Best time: spring, for pleasant walking, and autumn, when the reeds along the shore turn golden. Time your visit for late afternoon on a clear day to see the sunset.
• Getting there: the nearest rail station is Giheung Station (Suin-Bundang Line and Yongin EverLine), but the middle of the lake at Gongse-dong is about 4.5 km away as the crow flies, so change to a bus or taxi. Drivers can use the designated car parks around the shore.
• Combine with: the Korean Folk Village is about 3 km north-east of the lake, making an easy day out together.