[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Pack up that hamper, it's picnic season

K-campus

Published: 31 Mar. 2023, 09:22 Updated: 31 Mar. 2023, 09:24

[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Pack up that hamper, it's picnic season

Picnicking is a popular spring activity in Korea. [KIM DONG-EUN]

No matter how busy your week is, you always deserve some leisure time on the weekends. The best way to take a break as the spring starts to warm up is lying under the sun on a picnic blanket with no worries in the world and hopefully something to eat as well.

Pollution permitting, spring in Korea is the perfect time for picnicking as the flowers bloom and the summer humidity is still months away. You won't have to go far either, with nature-friendly spots scattered throughout the metropolitan area.

So pack up your hamper (or tote bag), pick up a few drinks and head out to one of these Seoul picnic spots.

Han River

People spend their afternoons resting in the sun at Banpo Hangang Park. [YONHAP]

The Han River is the number one spot to take in the capital city. Running directly through the heart of Seoul, the river is surrounded with parks perfect for picnicking, with busking performances and night markets offering something extra to see.

Mid-March to mid-June is the time the Han River gets the most love as the temperature is on point. Yeouido, Ttukseom and Banpo Hangang Parks are some of the most favored places for picnics. If you visit on the weekends, you will be surrounded by friends and families hanging out on picnic mats or in pop-up tents.

Banpo Hangang Park at Seocho District, southern Seoul, runs a night market along the bridge and runs the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain water show every half an hour in the evening. The water of the fountain is lit up in the glowing colors of the rainbow and highlights the night view of Han River. Each fountain show lasts approximately 20 minutes, starting around 7:30 p.m. and finishing at 9:30 p.m.

Hangang ramen is a popular treat when visiting the Han River. [KIM DONG-EUN]

Located near Gangnam District, people pick this area for its accessibility. If you enjoy being a part of the crowd, why not spend one of your weekends at the Han River? You don't even need to bring a picnic with you — fried chicken can be ordered directly to the river and there are numerous convenience stores selling beer and ramen.

Banpo Hangang Park
40 Sinbanpo-ro 11-gil, Seocho District, southern Seoul
Phone number: 02) 3780-5943
Website: https://english.seoul.go.kr/service/amusement/hangang/6-banpo/

Seoul Forest

Children enjoy a day out under the cherry blossoms at Seoul Forest. [YONHAP]

Seoul Forest is an increasingly popular spot to hang out, offering an exciting blend of nature and city life. Located in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul, Seoul Forest is gaining plenty of attention from young Koreans looking to spend a trendy and laidback afternoon.

Seoul Forest can be approached from many directions as long as you are up to walking and sightseeing. You can stride along the path from exit four of Seongsu Station or exit eight of Ttukseom station, both on line No. 2. Depending on where you come from, it takes 10 to 20 minutes to reach the forest on foot, but the walk passes plenty of cafes and shops. If you wish to minimize the distance, start from Seoul Forest Station on the Bundang Line to reach the forest right away.

Seoul Forest covers 119 acres and includes four different parks — Culture & Art Park, Educational Experience Park, Eco-forest Park and Riverside Park. Among these, the Eco-forest Park is where you can see deer and some other wild animals. You can also spot wild cherry blossoms during the spring and gingko trees in autumn.

Tulips are a large part of the tourist attraction at this time of year, so be prepared to see large flowerbeds hidden here and there, not to mention a huge crowd and dogs out for a walk with local residents. Fetch your picnic gear and get ready to find a spot near the trees for a pleasant day out at Seoul Forest.

273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong District, eastern Seoul
Business hours: Open 24 hours except for some facilities (Eco-forest Park: 5:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m)
Phone number: 02) 460-2981
Website: https://seoulforest.or.kr/english

Ilsan Lake Park

Visitors at Ilsan Lake Park enjoy the sunny afternoon by the lake. [GOYANG CITY]

Ilsan Lake Park, located to northwest of Seoul in Goyang, Gyeonggi, can be reached with a 10-minute walk from Jeongbalsan Station on line No. 3. It is home to one of the biggest artificial lakes in Asia and has become a major nature-friendly spot to visit in Goyang, with famous attractions including “Spectacular Musical Fountain,” rose garden and Hanul Square. The musical fountain conducts a water nozzle show with music and LED lights, of which the schedule is uploaded daily on the maintenance website.

The musical fountain performs a music show in Ilsan Lake Park. [GOYANG CITY]

@goyangcity
595, Hosu-ro, Ilsandong District, Goyang, northwestern Gyeonggi
Phone number: 031) 8075-4313
Official Website: https://www.goyang.go.kr/park/index.do
Spectacular Musical Fountain: https://www.gys.or.kr/music/

Olympic Park

Visitors take pictures with the Lone Tree in Olympic Park. [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

Olympic Park is a 20-minute walk from Jamsil Station in Songpa District, southern Seoul, and less than five minutes away from Mongchontoseong (World Peace Gate) Station and Hanseong Baekje Station.

Many Seoulites gather here for skateboarding, biking and especially for the concerts at the stadiums in the park. You can frequently come across groups of excited fans in their matching T-shirts. Built for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, the park welcomes you with the grand World Peace Gate along with the Flag Plaza flaunting different flags from past competing countries. Since it was made for the Olympics, it contains numerous sports-related facilities as well as historical and art museums.

Around the warm weekends, people of all ages flock to the park to get a spot to spread their picnic mats. There are sometimes attractions built by certain companies and the district in collaboration, such as the four-meter-tall (13 feet) replica of giant doll Younghee from “Squid Game” (2021).

A famous attraction is the Lone Tree. It is a large beautiful arborvitae tree standing 10 meters above a gentle slope. Alone in the middle of a large field, it creates a dramatic vibe. As monumental as it is, visitors sometimes line up in front of the huge tree to take a picture. If you are feeling impatient with the line, just spread out your picnic mat nearby and wait until the queue shortens.

@olympicpark
424 Olympic-ro, Songpa District, southeastern Seoul
Phone number: 02) 410-1114
Website: https://www.ksponco.or.kr/olympicpark/english