Boramae Park

Boramae Park covers about 41 hectares across Dongjak-gu and Gwanak-gu in southwest Seoul, on the former site of the Korea Air Force Academy. Between the wide lawns, ponds and musical fountain stands the "Air Park", a group of retired military aircraft, so a stroll here keeps turning up traces of the academy years. With three subway stations nearby, it is also an everyday park that local residents use all the time.

From air force academy to city park

The Air Force Academy was based here from 1958. When it moved to Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province in 1985, the Seoul city government took over the land, and the park opened on Children's Day, 5 May 1986. "Boramae" means a young hawk, after the symbol of the academy. A 2003–2008 makeover added the musical fountain, a wildlife pond, an artificial-turf football pitch, an extreme-sports area and a climbing wall, giving the park its present shape. In 2025 it hosted the Seoul International Garden Expo from May to October. More than 110,000 trees and shrubs, including ginkgo, zelkova, pine and royal azalea, give it different colours in every season.

What to look for

• Air Park: a display of retired aircraft honouring the academy era. You can walk right up to fighters such as an F-4 Phantom, as well as helicopters, which makes it a hit with children.
• Seongmudae: a monument built in 1962 with donations from academy graduates. As the academy's emblem, it is the most direct reminder of the park's past.
• Former Air Force Academy chapel: designed in 1964 by architect Choi Chang-gyu, its steeply pitched roof and soaring interior broke with the church architecture of the time, and it was registered as national cultural heritage in 2019. It now serves as an exhibition space, the Dongjak Art Gallery.
• Ponds and fountains: the two ponds are planted with aquatic plants and ringed by paths, and in summer children crowd around the floor fountain and the musical fountain.
• Sports facilities: a jogging track around the park, an artificial-turf football pitch, tennis courts, an extreme-sports area for inline skating and BMX, and a climbing wall keep the park busy at weekends. There is also a dog playground and a forest play area for young children.
• Boramae Safety Experience Center: a free disaster-safety training centre inside the park. Book in advance on its website.

Tripto tips

• Hours and tickets: the park is open 24 hours, all year, and free.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours for a loop past the Air Park and the ponds.
• Getting there: Boramae Park Station on the Sillim Line sits right beside the park; Boramae Station (Line 7) and Sindaebang Station (Line 2) are within walking distance. The main-gate car park is paid and small, so public transport is easier.
• Best time: May for spring flowers and fresh leaves, and early November when the ginkgo trees turn yellow. Summer evenings around the fountains get busy.
• Combine with: Noryangjin Fish Market to the north and Yeouido Park by the Han River are close, making an easy half-day in southwest Seoul.