Seonam Lake Park

Seonam Lake Park lies in the middle of Nam-gu, Ulsan, around Seonam Reservoir, which once supplied water to the city's factories. Fenced off with barbed wire for more than 40 years, the lake opened to the public in 2007, and today a walking path of about 4 km circles it under cherry trees and seasonal flowers. A rest area with a tiny temple, church and chapel, each big enough for just one person, is something you will only find here.

From industrial reservoir to park

Under Japanese rule a small irrigation pond, Seonamje, stood on this site. After Ulsan was named a special industrial zone in 1962, the pond was enlarged in 1964 into Seonam Dam to feed water to the factories, and high barbed-wire fences went up around the lake. The earth dam is 22 m high and 331 m long, and holds up to 2 million m³ of water.

When it was no longer needed for industrial water, Nam-gu District took down the fences and spent KRW 5.3 billion between December 2005 and November 2007 turning the reservoir into an ecological lake park. Locals now call it the "water garden in the heart of the city".

Flowers for every season

Cherry trees line the lakeside path, making it one of Ulsan's best-known spots for spring blossom. The waterside flower beds bloom with daffodils, freesias and crocuses in spring, and in summer irises, hydrangeas and tree peonies follow the path. In autumn the theme rest area turns red with red spider lilies. A pavilion stands over a pond filled with lotus leaves, and a rose tunnel, a wildflower garden and an aquatic ecology area are spread along the way.

The world's smallest places of worship

In the theme rest area stand the Buddhist Anminsa, the Protestant Lake Church and the Catholic St Peter's Prayer Room. Opened in 2011, each is just big enough for one adult, so while one person prays inside the next waits outside. In 2012 Anminsa was certified by the Korea Record Institute as the smallest Buddhist temple in the country, and even this tiny hall has a Buddha statue, a moktak wooden bell and an incense burner.

Other facilities

A water wheel that grows icicles in winter, the Rainbow Playground with its mini train, a climbing centre, a football pitch and an outdoor stage make it easy for families to spend a long time here.

Tripto tips

• When to go: cherry blossoms usually peak in late March or early April, and red spider lilies around September. The lake is calmest in the early morning and around sunset.
• Time needed: allow 1.5–2 hours for a full loop of the lake.
• Opening and services: the park is always open and free. The information centre in the management building is staffed 09:00–21:00 (052-257-0070) and lends pushchairs and wheelchairs free of charge if you leave an ID card.
• Parking: five car parks around the park offer 445 spaces, all free.
• Getting there: city buses 106 and 415 stop at Yaeum Lotte Castle, and buses 206 and 426 at Yaeum Market. Village bus 976 runs via the Express Bus Terminal to the Lake Park Football Ground stop.
• Rules: cooking, fishing and bringing in anything flammable are not allowed in the park.