Hangang River flows through the middle of Seoul. It is one of the biggest rivers in Korea. โHanโ means great in Korean and Gang means river in Korean. So basically Hangang is the Great River of Korea.ย There are various Parks and rest areas alongside the river. These parks are popular hangout spots for the residents of Seoul. One of the most popular places to hang out or have a picnic in Seoul is Yeouido Hangang Park. One can find lots of people not only on weekends but on weekdays as well. Like many other Seoul residents, Yeouido Hangang Park is one of my favorite places in Seoul to hang out with friends or go there alone.ย
Every season and any time is perfect to visit this park. But I love to visit this park during golden hours and make sure to stay there until sunset. The place looks really beautiful bathed in golden sunlight and slowly changing sky into golden red color is really mesmerizing. The place does not only has a beautiful view of the river and skyscrapers, but it also has various facilities and a big space making it a perfect place to have a picnic with friends. So why donโt you head to Yeouido Park on your next trip to Seoul. It might turn out to be a perfect place to have a picnic for you as well.ย
If you end up going for a picnic to Hangang River Park you can bring your mat to sit down on the grass. Donโt worry if you forget to bring a mat for the picnic. There are lots of Ahjummas who rent mats there. Also, these Ahjummas and Ahjussi are ready to hand over the food flyers as soon as one turns towards the park. You can bring your own mat or tent or rent it here. Donโt forget to order your ChiMaek (Chicken and Beer) or Ramyeon for the picnic. My Korean friends always say one cannot go to Yeouido Hangang Park and not have either one of these. Whenever I visit Hangang I make sure to have Ramyeon or Chicken. I donโt why, but somehow eating these two at Yeouido makes it more delicious :p You can order Chicken online through various delivery services or through these flyers. If you are planning to have Ramyeon there, the convenience store is nearby to get Ramyeon. But sometimes the convenience store tends to be really crowded.
This place also has one of the famous I.SEOUL.U sign sculptures to click pictures with. So donโt forget to click a picture of your with the I.SEOUL.U sign sculpture with Hangang in background.ย
This is also a favorite place to ride a bike along the river. One can rent ๋ฐ๋ฆ์ด (Ttareungyi) bicycle or rent from some other private agent providers. I personally prefer to ride Ttareungyi. Ttareungyi is an initiative of the Seoul Metropolitan Government to provide bikes throughout Seoul. One can rent a bike from any nearest bike station in Seoul and leave it at any other nearby station. To use Ttareungyi bike you can download the app and rent the bike. Please check out the website given below for more details regarding the Ttareungyi bike and how to rent it and use it. The website provides details in four languages i.e. Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese.ย
Website: www.bikeseoul.com:457
Make sure to check on the app beforehand to see how many bikes are left on the bike station. Sometimes famous bike stations are out of bikes, especially during rush hours. You donโt want to go all the way there to ride a bike just to find nothing to ride and get disappointed.
Yeouido Hangang is also famous for the view of the Hanhwa Seoul Firework Festival which is organized every year in October. On the day of the firework festival, millions of people gather at Yeouido Park to see fireworks. Various other events also take place at Yeouido Park throughout the year.ย
Yeouido is also considered as a financial and political place. Because the national assembly of Korea is situated here and various other businesses. The famous 63rd building is also there. Earlier it used to be the highest building in Korea. One can go to the observation deck of the 63rd building and look at the beautiful scenery of Seoul from the 63rd floor. One can also go to various restaurants in the neighborhood. The place is full of tourist hotspots. So why donโt you visit this place on your next trip to Seoul?ย
Reaching there
It is easily accessible via public transportations. I find the subway faster and more convenient. If you are taking the subway. Take subway line 5 and get down at Yeouinaru station. Take exit 2 or 3 to get to the Park. Some people get confused and get down at Yeouido station instead of Yeouinaru station. So make sure not to get confused with the station.ย
Address:ย 330, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
