Seoul Forest is a big park within Seoul’s Seongsu-dong area open to the public. It is an excellent spot to spend quality time resting in a calm space away from the city. In the spring, Seoul Forest is amongst the most incredible places to take in the beauty of the growing cherry blossom trees. In the autumn, it is a spectacular sight to see the changing hues of the trees. Particularly striking are the bright yellow ginkgo plants. Seoul Forest is delightful at any time of year. Read more about the best things to do in Seoul Forest park here.
Information on Seoul Forest Park
- Phone: 02-460-2905
- Website: www.seoulforest.or.kr/english
- Address: 273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Direction: Take the Suin Bundang line to Seoul Forest station, and exit out of number three. After that, walk for around 5 minutes.
- Seoul Forest Entrance: Free
- Opening hours: The Park is open for 24 hours. Some areas of the park, although, are closed during night hours.
Things To Do in Seoul Forest Park
Catch the Cherry Blossom Show in Spring
If you’re in Seoul during early to mid-April, Seoul Forest turns into a pastel pink wonderland. Seriously, it’s magical. The walkways are lined with blooming cherry blossom trees, creating a dreamy tunnel of petals. Bring a picnic blanket, grab some snacks, and just sit under the trees watching petals flutter in the breeze—it’s such a vibe.
Even if you’re not into taking a million selfies, it’s hard not to get swept up in the beauty of it all. It’s a bit quieter than other cherry blossom hotspots like Yeouido, so you get all the views without the huge crowds.
Soak in the Golden Colors of Autumn
Fast-forward to October and November, and the forest transforms again—this time into a cozy canvas of reds, oranges, and golds. The autumn foliage in Seoul Forest is next-level beautiful, especially around the lakes and walking trails. The crunchy leaves, the warm light filtering through the trees, and the crisp fall air—everything just feels extra nostalgic and comforting.
Tip: head to the ginkgo tree paths or maple-lined sections for those picture-perfect fall shots. It’s honestly one of the best places in the city to slow down and take in the seasonal change.
Butterfly garden
There are many different types of butterflies in this garden. It is possible to see, among several other things, the many phases of the metamorphosis of butterflies! The hours of operation for this section of the park are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Insect garden
Located immediately adjacent to the Butterfly garden, you may enjoy a section to see insects of various types. You can see turtles, beetles, frogs, and much more. Perfect for youngsters.
Picnic enjoyment
Seoul Forest has a large open area popular for picnics, but it is also a great place to bring your dog and play with him. There are several convenience shops in the vicinity of Seoul Forest, so you can quickly pick up some snacks while you’re out exploring. A picnic inside the park is the ideal activity on warm days! Choose a tree under which to lay out your picnic meal and enjoy a peaceful day in Seoul’s forest park.
Relax at the lake
In addition to the picnic area, there’s also a wonderful lake where you may relax and take in the scenery. If you wish to relax and sunbathe, there are also some long wooden chairs by the lake to accommodate you.
Enjoy the Culture and Art Park.
The most important part of the Seoul forest is the Culture and Art Park. Ample parking is available at the park’s main gate. If you are traveling by public transportation, you will almost certainly begin your journey here.
A striking sculpture of a horse racing horse greets you as you enter the building. It refers to the history of Seoul Forest. Indeed, this land was formerly used as a horse racetrack back in 1954.
Deer at the Eco Park
Seoul Forest is home to many deer, which may be a surprise. They don’t roam freely inside the wild, but they have a huge enclosure where you can get up and personal with them when visiting the park. It would be best if you first crossed the pedestrian bridge on the other side of the major road from where you are. Seoul Forest has many parks, with the deer residing in Eco Park, situated closer to the Han River.
Enjoy the children’s garden.
In the Seoul forest, the children’s park is close to the park’s main entrance. There are miniature wooden buildings, small tunnels, and entertaining programs for children.
Ride the Bike
Riding a bicycle through Seoul Forest is a pleasurable experience. You may rent one at the park or via Seoul Bike, near Exits 2 and 5, which operates a bike-sharing service for those who don’t have a bicycle. There are many bike rental shops that carry couple-bikes, single bikes, helmets, and more.
Brunch at BimBom
In Seoul Forest, you’ll find BimBom, among the finest brunch cafes in town. The site faces the forest and has a patio if you wish to dine outdoors, which is ideal for brunch.
- 1F, 685-456 Seongsu-dong 1-ga, Seoul
- (02) 466-8790
- Open: Tues-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Monday closed
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bimbomcafe/
Things to do in Common Ground
Common Ground, operated by Konkuk University, is one of Seoul’s very well attractions, with many visitors each year. Exit 6 of the Konkuk University Station leads to Common Ground. There are two portions of Common Ground, and both sections are linked.
Events, exhibits, and concerts are held in the central plaza regularly. In addition, Common Ground is a great spot to eat and hang out since it has food trucks on the market ground and restaurants from all over the city on the third-story terrace.
Kondae Rodeo Street is at the Common Ground’s rear alley. Three major shopping malls are within walking distance of Konkuk University Station exit 5, including the Lotte Department Store and bright Discount Store.
There are cafés, restaurants, dessert stores, and apparel stores within walking distance of this location. One half mainly offers clothes, but the other side has various brands. The whole design of this space is constructed from 200 shipping containers to provide a unique experience for people who come for the first time. This ship also holds the global record for having the leading container ship architecture in the world.
Shopping area
Most concept malls, which are tiny and crowded areas for attempting to accommodate as many merchants as possible, have vast spaces. The Common Ground is similarly well planned, making shopping a true joy strolling excursion. Common Ground major brands are carefully chosen. Both in terms of the brand name and the product quality, so that you may be confident in your purchasing decisions.
K-pop products
K-pop enthusiasts shouldn’t miss Common Ground since several vendors offer merchandise featuring their favorite Korean idols. Discs, clothing, fans, postcards, and even posters are some of the available items for purchase. The first level is a haven for shoppers for apparel, accessories, and cosmetics. In contrast, the second floor is a haven for people who like stationery, imaginative toys, and eye-catching technological items. Sometimes it’s as plain as a pen or a book but what occurs on the Common Ground is very different from what appears in other locations.
Outdoor space
Because of its “great” look, Common Ground is the most popular virtual backdrop among young people in Seoul. Outdoor containers seem to be straightforward, but when seen in person, they are breathtakingly gorgeous. You may wear it with any of the styles shown in the photo; it is pretty acceptable. Even humorously, it is said that if you visit Seoul and do not take a picture with the fabled blue container, you would be considered a failure!
Food paradise
Many restaurants are on the rooftop area. The bakery eatery, the coffee shop, and the restaurant are all relatively modest, but the food and drinks are excellent. It isn’t easy to find anything to criticize. On chilly nights, get a portion of nasi goreng with a glass of fruit beer. Enjoy your meal while enjoying the flood of people below you on the street.
Things to do near Seoul Forest
Seoul Forest Cafe Street (서울숲 카페거리)
Let’s be real—no trip to Seoul is complete without at least one café stop, and Seoul Forest Cafe Street (서울숲 카페거리) is the place to do it. This stylish little area just outside the park is packed with beautifully designed coffee shops, brunch spots, dessert cafés, and even a few wine bars and concept stores.
The whole street has a trendy, creative vibe with industrial-chic interiors, plants everywhere, specialty brews, and art-inspired desserts. Some places even have rooftop terraces or floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the park or street below.
For more detail, check out our post “Best Cafes and Restaurants in Seoul Forest Cafe Street”
Ttukseom Hangang Park
Just a short walk from Seoul Forest, you’ll find yourself along the banks of the famous Hangang River. This area of the riverside, often referred to as the Ttukseom Hangang Park section, is the perfect place for a leisurely walk or a bike ride with the wind in your hair and the river by your side.
There’s a wide path for cyclists and pedestrians, plus open grassy spots for picnics and sunbathing. On sunny days, locals come here to chill out with drinks, play frisbee, or just watch the boats drift by. You’ll also find bike rental stations, so even if you didn’t bring wheels, you can easily hop on and explore more of the Hangang trail.
If you’re lucky enough to be here around sunset, the views over the water are stunning—especially with Seoul Forest’s trees or Eungbongsan’s silhouette in the background. See more details at “All About Ttukseom Hangang Park 뚝섬한강공원”
Eungbongsan Mountain
If you’re up for a short climb (nothing too intense!), Eungbongsan Mountain (응봉산) is just a stone’s throw from Seoul Forest and totally worth the detour. It’s one of those lesser-known local spots that somehow offers some of the best panoramic views of Seoul, without the massive crowds.
From the top, you get sweeping views of the Hangang River, Seoul Forest, bridges, and the surrounding skyline. During spring, this place bursts with forsythia flowers, turning the mountain bright yellow. In fall, the trail is lined with rich autumn colors. And when the cherry blossoms bloom nearby, it’s a beautiful blend of floral and cityscape.
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