Dream Forest

In Gangbuk-gu, northern Seoul, Dream Forest (Buk-Seoul Kkumui Soop) was created on the site of an old amusement park called Dreamland. At about 660,000 m² it is one of the largest parks in Seoul, with cherry-blossom avenues, a maple forest, a pond and waterfall, and the hanok shrine of a royal son-in-law. The free observatory looks out to Bukhansan and Dobongsan, making it a good half-day walk for visitors as well as locals.

From amusement park to forest

The park spreads over the slopes of Opaesan and Byeogosan. When the area was designated Odong Neighbourhood Park in 1987, Seoul's first theme park, Dreamland, opened on its southern part. It was northern Seoul's biggest amusement park into the 1990s, but money troubles and competition from large theme parks around the capital left it run-down. In 2007 the city announced plans to turn the land into a park, and after two years of work Dream Forest opened on 17 October 2009.

What to see

• Wolyeongji Pond and Wolgwang Falls: the large pond at the heart of the park, with a 7 m waterfall and the Aewoljeong pavilion, the most photographed corner.
• Changnyeongwigung Jaesa: a shrine house built in memory of Princess Bogon, daughter of King Sunjo, and her husband Kim Byeong-ju, listed as a Registered Cultural Heritage in 2002. Kim's grandson Kim Seok-jin refused a Japanese peerage after Korea lost its sovereignty and took his own life in protest. A pond, pavilion and waterfall around the hanok are laid out like a traditional garden.
• Observatory: part of the art centre building, 49.7 m high, with an indoor viewing hall and a rooftop deck facing Bukhansan, Dobongsan, Suraksan and Bulamsan. Free; closed on Mondays.
• Cherry avenue and maple forest: cherry trees line the main path and maples fill the northern woods. There are also earthen forest trails, a deer enclosure and a forest play area for small children.
• Great lawn: about twice the size of Seoul Plaza, ideal for a picnic on a fine day.

Traces of the amusement park and the art centre

The slope by the south-west entrance was Dreamland's sledding hill. It is now home to an art centre with two 300-seat performance halls, a multipurpose hall and a gallery, with the observatory rising beside it. From the observatory, 139 m above sea level, you see Bukhansan, Dobongsan and Suraksan to the north and, on clear days, Namsan and the Han River to the south. Pair a walk with a show or exhibition for a full day out. The main paths are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, which makes the park easy for families.

Tripto tips

• Best time: early April for cherry blossoms and late October to early November for autumn colours.
• Admission: the park and observatory are free. With 17 entrances, you can walk in from almost any side.
• Time needed: 90 minutes to two hours for a loop linking the pond, the shrine house and the observatory.
• Getting there: the nearest subway station is Miasageori on Line 4. From exit 1, buses 147 or 100 go to the east-gate visitor centre; from exit 2, local bus Gangbuk 05 goes to the west gate near the observatory.
• Parking: there is a car park, but space is limited, so public transport is easier.
• Combine it with: Jeongneung, the royal tomb of Queen Sindeok, and Gilsangsa temple in Seongbuk-gu are about 15 minutes away by car.