Ilsan Lake Park

Ilsan Lake Park was created when the Ilsan new town was built: planners filled a stretch of empty land with water to make an artificial lake. The park covers about 1.03 million m², of which the lake alone takes up about 300,000 m², with walking and cycling paths running all the way round. Every spring it hosts the Goyang International Flower Expo.

A lake poured into place

Built alongside the new town over about three years, from January 1993 to December 1995, the park opened on 4 May 1996. One of the officials who led the new-town plans later recalled that the idea of filling a large plot of purchased land with water to make a lake seemed absurd at first. Today it is Goyang's best-loved green space, with some 200,000 trees and around 100 species of wildflowers.

What to see

• Dalmaji Island and Wolpajeong: the pavilion Wolpajeong stands on Dalmaji Island in the middle of the lake, reached by bridges from both sides.
• Singing Fountain: a musical fountain at the north end, whose jets change strength and rhythm to follow the music. Evening shows run seasonally, so check the schedule before you go.
• Metasequoia avenue and theme gardens: a straight avenue of metasequoias, gardens recreating styles from different countries, a herb island and a nature-study area are spread around the shore.
• Cactus and toilet-culture exhibition halls: small exhibition buildings by the lake give you something to see on a rainy day.
• Hanul Square: the large square in the middle of the park, often used for concerts and events.

Smaller sights around the lake

If a walk alone feels too little, drop in on the lakeside facilities: an artificial waterfall, a bird-watching area, playgrounds, a small library and a boating area are spread around the park. There are exhibition buildings too, including a flower hall and the Goyang 600th Anniversary Hall, though the flower hall opens only during the expo. Some of the gardens created by Korean and international garden designers for the 2024 expo stayed on afterwards as permanent gardens. When festivals such as the Goyang Lake Arts Festival are on, the shore turns into an open-air stage.

Flower Expo and seasons

The Goyang International Flower Expo takes place in the park every spring; in 2026 it ran from 24 April to 10 May. During the expo the flower halls and show gardens are ticketed, while the rest of the year the whole park is free to wander. Cherry blossoms line the shore in early April, and lotus flowers bloom in summer.

Tripto tips

• Time: a full lap of the lake takes 1 to 1.5 hours on foot. The dedicated cycle path is about 4.7 km long and loops through the park.
• Opening: the park is open 24 hours and free. There are car parks, but they fill up on weekends and during the expo.
• Best time: a popular plan is to watch the sunset over the lake and then walk the illuminated park after dark.
• Getting there: Jeongbalsan Station on Subway Line 3 is about a 5-minute walk away, and Madu and Juyeop stations are also within walking distance. Airport bus 7300 stops near the park.
• Nearby: the La Festa and Western Dom streets next to the park are full of restaurants and cafés.