Gyeongui Line Forest Park

When the railway went underground, a long, narrow park 6.3 km in length appeared on top of it. Gyeongui Line Forest Park is a linear park running from Yeonnam-dong in Mapo to Wonhyo-ro in Yongsan, and the Yeonnam-dong stretch near Hongik University Station is nicknamed "Yeontral Park", a play on New York's Central Park. With lawns, shady trees and traces of the old tracks, it is a walk that links the neighbourhoods of western Seoul.

Background: a park on top of a railway

From 2005, the Yongsan Line, part of the Gyeongui Line that ran at ground level, was moved underground. With the Gyeongui commuter line built about 10 to 20 m below the surface and the Airport Railroad deeper still at 30 to 40 m, a long strip 10 to 60 m wide was left above ground and turned into a park. Work began in 2009, sections opened one by one, and the whole route was completed in 2016. An agreement between the railway land owner and the Seoul city government let the land be used free of charge, turning tracks that had long divided neighbourhoods into a space that connects them.

The park is looked after by a non-profit group set up in 2015, with volunteers for each neighbourhood such as Yeonnam-dong, Hongdae–Wawoo Bridge and Daeheung–Yeomni. Since the park opened, cafés and restaurants have multiplied in the surrounding alleys.

What to see

• Yeonnam-dong section (Yeontral Park): the busiest stretch, with wide lawns, a stream and benches; on fine days it fills with people relaxing on picnic mats.
• Ttaengttaeng Street (Changjeon-dong section): named after the "ding-ding" of the level-crossing bell when trains passed. Look for preserved rails and the crossing scene.
• Gyeongui Line Book Street: a book-themed street opened in October 2016 on the old rail land near Hongik University Station, with small bookshops and exhibition spaces.
• Daeheung-dong and Yeomni-dong sections: a quieter stretch through residential areas near Gongdeok Station, where locals walk and cycle.

Nearby

• Hongdae: the youth culture district south of the park, with busking, clubs and shops.
• Yeonnam-dong alleys: small cafés, restaurants and shops fill the residential lanes on both sides of the park.
• Ansan Jarak-gil: a loop trail around Ansan in Seodaemun-gu, if you want more forest walking.

Tripto tips

• Getting there: Yeontral Park starts right by Exit 3 of Hongik University Station (Line 2, Gyeongui–Jungang Line, AREX). The Daeheung–Yeomni sections are close to Gongdeok and Daeheung stations.
• Access: the park is always open and free. Gyeongui Line Book Street opens 11:00–20:00 and is closed on Mondays.
• Time needed: about an hour for the Yeonnam-dong section; allow two hours if you walk on to Gongdeok.
• Best time: spring blossom and fresh green, or autumn colours. On weekend evenings the Yeonnam-dong stretch is crowded and can be noisy late, so remember people live right alongside.