Ichon Hangang Park

Ichon Hangang Park runs along the north bank of the Han River in front of Ichon-dong, Yongsan. In 2017 the concrete blocks along its shore were removed and the wetlands restored, so today you can walk along a riverbank of earth and water plants instead of concrete. It shares Ichon Station with the National Museum of Korea, so it is an easy place to get some river air after a museum visit.

A riverbank without concrete

After a two-year restoration project, the City of Seoul reopened a roughly 1.3 km stretch between the northern ends of Hangang Bridge and Wonhyo Bridge in December 2017. The concrete blocks lining the river were taken out, replaced with stone and soil, and planted with waterside species such as silver grass and sedges. The cycle path was moved from the water's edge to the inner side of the floodplain to leave room for birds and fish, and perches for resting birds were set up along the bank.

What to see

• Riverside and rice-paddy wetlands: next to the riverside wetland is a small rice-paddy wetland. With help from Changnyeong County in South Gyeongsang, 4,600 wetland plants such as sweet flag, cattail and wild rice were brought in from the Upo Wetland and planted here.
• Observation deck: a boardwalk leads out to the water for a closer look at the wetland and the river.
• Eco playground: ten kinds of play equipment, including swings and seesaws, built from eco-friendly materials, make it a good stop with children.
• Autumn riverbank: silver grass blooms in autumn, and in some years large cosmos beds are planted on the floodplain.
• Nodeulseom: you can walk along the Hangang Bridge footpath to Nodeulseom, the island in the middle of the river. Hangang Bridge stands where the first footbridge across the Han was built in 1917, and from its pavement you can look back at Ichon and across to Yeouido.
• Cycle path: the Han River's north-bank cycle path runs through the park, west towards Mangwon and east towards Banpo Bridge and Ttukseom.

Watching the fireworks from across the river

Ichon Hangang Park faces Yeouido, so during the Seoul International Fireworks Festival in autumn many people gather here to watch from the opposite bank. It tends to be less crowded than Yeouido, but on festival day spots fill up from the afternoon, so go early.

Tripto tips

• Getting there: from Exit 4 of Ichon Station (Line 4 and Gyeongui–Jungang Line), it is about 800 m to the river. The same station also connects directly to the National Museum of Korea.
• Hours and fees: the park is open 24 hours and free. The car park (about 669 spaces) is paid, and traffic may be restricted on event days such as the fireworks festival.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours is enough for a wetland walk and a rest by the river. See the National Museum of Korea in the morning and head down to the river in the afternoon for an easy half-day.
• When to go: September–October, when silver grass and cosmos are in bloom, is best; June–July, when the wetland plants are lush and green, is also good.
• Combine with: besides the National Museum of Korea, the War Memorial of Korea is close by, making a good Yongsan day out. You can also walk across Hangang Bridge to Noryangjin Fish Market on the south bank.
• Watch out: stay on the boardwalks and paths rather than stepping into the wetland. During the monsoon season the floodplain can flood and access may be closed.