Six swimming pools open across Seoul's Han River parks

Food & Travel

Published: 20 Jun. 2024, 13:42 Updated: 20 Jun. 2024, 19:50

Six swimming pools open across Seoul's Han River parks

A child comes down a water slide at an outdoor pool at the Jamsil Hangang Park in Songpa District, southern Seoul, during the pool’s opening event held on Wednesday, one day prior to the official opening of six river park pools run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. [YONHAP]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Tuesday that it will officially open six outdoor pools at Han River parks across Seoul. [YONHAP]

Six outdoor pools opened Thursday across the Han River parks in Seoul.

Swimming pools at the Ttukseom, Yeouido and Jamwon Han River parks, and wading pools at the Jamsil, Yanghwa and Nanji Han River parks, will operate through Aug. 18, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Tuesday.

The pool at Mangwon Hangang Park will not open this season due to construction at the northern end of Seongsan Bridge. Gwangnaru Hangang Park’s pool will also be closed because it is undergoing renovations to become an "eco pool park."

An eco pool park is a year-round outdoor recreational space that includes wading pools and trails located among riverside nature, according to the Seoul government.

A father and daughter enjoy the outdoor pool at the Jamsil Hangang Park in Songpa District, southern Seoul, during the pool’s opening event held on Wednesday, one day prior to the official opening of six river park pools run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. [YONHAP]

A father and daughter enjoy the outdoor pool of the Jamsil Hangang Park in Songpa District, southern Seoul, during the pool’s opening event held on Wednesday, one day prior to the official opening of six river park pools run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. [YONHAP]

The city's first eco pool park is among the six pools that opened Thursday, opening at Jamsil Hangang Park in Songpa District, southern Seoul. With an area of 28,000 square meters (6.9 acres), it reportedly has the largest pool at a Han River park.

For the safety of swimmers, the Seoul government said it installed LED boards displaying real-time water quality and dispatched 65 lifeguards to all the Han River pools. It also will be monitoring for price gouging at nearby snack stands and diners.

The Han River pools are open throughout the week without off days from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The new Jamsil eco pool park opens until 8 p.m. Operating hours, however, may alter following meteorological conditions, and the changed times will be announced on the Seoul Hangang Park Headquarters’ website. Visitors are also advised to check the weather through the Korea Meteorological Administration’s official website prior to making plans.

Aerial view of the new eco pool park at Jamsil Hangang Park in Songpa District, southern Seoul [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The outdoor pool of the Jamsil Hangang Park in Songpa District in southern Seoul is filled up with water, ready to greet citizens hoping to cool down this summer. [NEWS1]

Entry fees for Han River swimming pools are 3,000 won ($2) for children, 4,000 won for adolescents and 5,000 won for adults. For wading pools, it is 1,000 won for children, 2,000 won for adolescents and 3,000 won for adults. Those under the age of six are allowed in for free.

The Han River pools collectively saw 215,325 visitors last year, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]