6 more Han bridges to be illuminated in push to develop ‘nighttime tourism’

Seoul’s already brilliant night sky will soon become even more vibrant: By year’s end, six more Han River bridges will be festooned with colorful lighting.
When this 9-billion-won ($7.6 million) project is completed, 15 of the 21 bridges traversing the Han in Seoul will boast nighttime illumination.
“Seoul citizens will be able to enjoy the splendor of the bridges,” says Ahn Jae-hyuk, Seoul City View team leader. “We also wish to attract more foreign tourists.”
The city held a contest to select the best designs for the Yanghwa, Dangsan and Gwangjin bridges and chose design companies Nuriplan, Crilux and Isola among the 23 submissions.
In addition to those three, which will be completed by year’s end, the Banpo, Hangang and Jamsil bridges, to which lights have already been added, will be illuminated, beginning in October, from sunset to midnight.
A blue-hued white light was selected for the Yang-hwa bridge to accentuate the flower pattern on its railing. In addition, 192 orange sodium lights will be included to promote a warm atmosphere. Both styles of lighting have been carefully selected to match the illumination at nearby Seonyudo park. By year’s end, the park’s outer wall will also receive new lighting.
Green lights will line Dangsan bridge, matching the stripes on the subway line that traverses the bridge as well as to project an image of safety. Travelers aboard the ferries cruising the Han River will be privy to an even brighter set of lights found on the bridge’s underside
Twinkling yellow lights will illuminate the Gwangjin bridge’s six balcony-type observation towers. In addition, alternating blue and green filters will create a wave-like rhythmic feeling.
Construction on these three lighting setups will begin in September.
The city of Seoul harbors plans to eventually light all 21 Han River bridges to beautify Seoul’s nighttime sky. Also, key city nightspots such as Sinchon, Itaewon and Yeongdeungpo are slated to become nighttime lighting hotspots. Street lights and tree lights are also on the way. Even underwater lights are planned to embellish Cheonggye stream once that waterway is restored.
Such construction will precede legislation requiring all public buildings and large private buildings to enhance outdoor lighting so that by 2010, nighttime tourism will settle in Seoul.

by Shin Eun-jin