Seoul Forest

Seoul Forest is a large park in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, where the Han River meets the Jungnangcheon stream. It opened on 18 June 2005 and covers about 1.16 million m², making it Seoul's third-largest park after World Cup Park and Olympic Park. In the middle of the city you can meet sika deer and visit a butterfly garden and insect greenhouse set up in old water-treatment buildings.

History: from royal hunting ground to public forest

The area was known as Ttukseom. From the reign of King Taejo it was a royal hunting ground, and a general's banner called dokgi was raised when the king came. Because it was surrounded by water and looked like an island, it became known as "the island where the banner was raised", which is said to be the origin of its name. In 1908 Korea's first water-treatment plant was built here, followed by the Ttukseom pleasure ground in 1940 and the Seoul Racecourse in 1954. It became a sports park in 1986, and after the racecourse moved to Gwacheon in 1989 the land was used for a golf course and other purposes.

The decision to create a park was made in 2003, construction began at the end of that year, and Seoul Forest opened in 2005. It is regarded as Seoul's first park created and run with citizen participation. It celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025. There were once plans for a domed stadium on the site, but they were dropped, partly because of cost. A civic foundation ran the park from 2016, and the City of Seoul has managed it directly again since 2022.

What to see

• Culture and Art Park: wide lawns near the entrance with the horse statues and a forest playground. On your first visit, pick up a map at the visitor centre.
• Eco Forest and deer enclosure: woodland designed so wild animals and plants can live together. The sika deer that can be seen up close are a favourite.
• Butterfly Garden and Insect Botanical Garden: both are housed in former water-treatment facilities. More than ten species, including swallowtails, fly in the butterfly garden, while the insect greenhouse, once a rapid-filtration building, has insects, tropical plants and reptiles. Caterpillars and pupae on display let you follow the whole life cycle of a butterfly.
• Wetland Eco Park: a former storm-water basin for household sewage turned into wetland, with a bird hide and rice-paddy wetland.
• Han River waterside park: with a cycle path and a Han River cruise pier, it links easily to a riverside walk or bike ride.
• Ginkgo forest and Hill of Wind: the ginkgo trees turn yellow in autumn, and the Hill of Wind by the Han River has fields of silver grass.

Tripto tips

• Getting there: walk from Seoul Forest station (Suin–Bundang Line) or Ttukseom station (Line 2).
• Admission: the park is free.
• Butterfly Garden: open May to October only, 10:00–17:00, closed on Mondays.
• Time needed: about 1.5 hours for one route, about 3 hours to include the butterfly garden and wetlands.
• When to go: spring tulips, the deep green of June and the autumn ginkgo forest are highlights. Many visitors combine the park with the streets of Seongsu-dong nearby.