Seoul, Korea, has a variety of recreational and educational parks and attractions for both residents and tourists of the area. Throughout the city are ancient palaces that you can tour most days. City parks as well as parks attached to museums and palaces are open to visitors who wish to explore, work out or even do research. Many of these attractions charge no admission, though it is important to confirm this before heading out, as some palaces do charge an entrance fee.
Olympic Park
Built for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the Olympic Park area lies over the site of the ancient Mongchan Toseong Fortress. It is made up of stadiums that still host sporting events, fields, gardens and walking paths. Visitors to the park can utilize the swimming pool, tennis courts and gyms, with classes being offered in swimming, aerobics and table tennis. Particular points of interest within Olympic Park include the World Peace Gate, the Olympic Museum, over 100 sculptures and commemorative monuments, and the Gommal bridge. The park is open to guests on weekdays from sunrise to sunset, and admission is free (as of 2010).
88 Bangi-dong
Songpa-gu
Seoul
Korea 138-749
+822 410 2111
Hongneung Arboretum
Established in 1922, this first-generation arboretum contains nine different gardens, including the garden of conifers, the ornamental garden, three different botanical gardens and an aquatic garden. The Forest Science Exhibition Hall located within the arboretum grounds contains exhibition halls with information and artifacts on forests, forestry and the forest industry. Hongneung is open to the public for free admission on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. during March through October and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. during November through February (as of 2010). Researchers can gain admittance to the arboretum during the week except on Mondays.
Hongneung Arboretum
Seoul-si Dongdaemun-gu
Cheongnyangni2-dong
Seoul
Korea
+822 961 2551
Changdeokgung Palace Complex
One of the best preserved of the five remaining palaces built in the 15th century, the Changdeokgung Palace was commissioned by Emperor T'aejong and originally included several residential and official buildings as well as gardens. Visitors now can see a royal family residence building, a public palace area and the rear garden, which includes a pond, a pavilion and a tree that has been there for over 300 years. Visiting hours to the palace complex are from Tuesday through Sunday and change throughout the year. From April to October it is open 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., from December through February it is open 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and in November and March it is open from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Admission costs around $3 (3,000 won) for adults over 19 and around $1.30 (1,500 won) for children ages 7 to 18 (as of 2010).
Changdeokgung Palace Complex
Seoul-si Jongno-gu
Yulgong-no 99
Seoul
Korea
+822 762-8261
Dosan Park
Opened in 1973, this park was created when the tomb of Dosan Ahn Changho was moved here from Manguri. Dosan Ahn Changho organized the New People's Association in 1907, based around Korean Christians who followed the traditions of the Independence Club. The park area includes a statue of Dosan Ahn Changho as well as a Memorial Center that is home to pictures, diaries and archival material from his life. Admission to Dosan Park is free, and visitors are welcome from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. every day except Mondays, the Lunar New Year and the Harvest Moon Festival.
Dosan Park
649-9 Sinsa-dong
Kangnam-gu
Seoul
Korea
Dosan.org
