Songpa-gu, Seoul, is a place where you can experience Korea’s modern and colorful culture. This area is home to various restaurants and shops, with traditional hanok and modern commercial facilities coexisting. Songpa-gu is also famous for enjoying beautiful natural scenery and various leisure activities around the Han River. If you want to experience Korean culture and nature at the same time, visit Songpa-gu, Seoul!
Seoul Songpa-gu ‘Seoul Pungnab-dong Toseong’
“Hanam Wirye-seong is believed to be the first settlement of King Onjo, the founder of the Baekje Kingdom. While the exact location remains unknown, traces of Baekje’s capital city period are evident in places like Pungnap Toseong, Mongchontoseong, Bangi-dong Baekje Ancient Tombs, and Seokchon-dong Baekje Early Jeokseokchong. Pungnap Toseong faces the Han River to the west and connects to Mongchontoseong to the south. Looking northwest, you can see Acha Mountain Fortress across the Han River, while in the southeast, Namsan Mountain Fortress can be spotted in the distance. Pungnap Toseong, located next to the southern end of the Cheonho Bridge over the Han River, is an ancient Baekje site. Originally a large fortress with a circumference of 4km, it lost some parts due to a major flood in 1925, leaving about 2.7km remaining today. On the eastern side, remnants of four suspected entrance gates are still visible, with archaeological findings dating back to prehistoric times up to the Three Kingdoms period, indicating human habitation since before the Baekje era. Recent excavation efforts suggest that this site may have been a Baekje royal palace.”
• Address (location): “72-1 Pungnap-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Bangi-dong Ancient Burial Mounds in Songpa-gu
“In Seoul’s Bangidong Ancient Tombs, discovered during the land reorganization project in Jamsil District in 1975, you can explore ancient burial sites dating back to the Baekje Kingdom. From 1975 to 1976, eight tombs were excavated and later restored in 1983 to create a beautiful park. Originally, the area of Bangidong was a hilly terrain with an elevation of 30 to 50 meters, but it has since been transformed into a flat land due to urban development. Tomb numbers 1 to 6 are located on the same hill, while tombs 7 and 8 are situated on a slightly separate hill nearby. Each tomb features a circular mound. Inside the tombs, stone chambers with square or rectangular shapes were built on top of tamped earth, with slight variations between each tomb. Although most tombs were looted in the past, some artifacts such as green-glazed pottery and jars have been excavated. Initially thought to be from the Baekje period, these artifacts are now believed to belong to the Unified Silla period. Located just 600m away from Exit 3 of Songpanaru Station on Seoul Metro Line 9, Bangidong Ancient Tombs offer a fascinating glimpse into Korea’s ancient history. Nearby attractions such as Olympic Park and Seokchon Lake can be easily enjoyed in conjunction with a visit to the tombs, making it a delightful experience for tourists.”
• Address (location): “219 Ogeum-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul Special City (Bangi-dong)”
• Hours of use: April to October: Monday to Sunday 06:00 to 20:00 November to March: Monday to Sunday 09:00 to 18:00
Seoul Seokchon-dong Ancient Burial Mounds
The dolmens here were excavated for the development project of the Jamsil area. Due to severe damage, the overall scale could not be confirmed, but Dolmen No. 3 is a table-style dolmen of Goguryeo tomb type that has been appearing since around the prehistoric period. This tomb was constructed by flattening a slightly elevated terrain, encircling it with very large and long stones at the bottom edge, and building up in three tiers with natural stones forming steps. It resembles the large general dolmens in the Manchuria region of ancient Goguryeo, with dimensions of 49.6m east-west length, 43.7m north-south length, and 4m height. Therefore, this tomb is believed to be the tomb of an early leader when the Goguryeo people came south and established Baekje in the Han River basin. Dolmen No. 4 is square-shaped, similar to Dolmen No. 3 in its construction method. Many fragments of early Baekje pottery were unearthed here, and a gold-made Sae Hwan-style earring was found near this tomb. Dolmen No. 5 has not been fully excavated, but it is estimated to have a similar structure to Gaknak-dong Tombs No. 1 and 2. Among them, Dolmens No. 3 and 4 are designated as cultural assets. These dolmens, estimated to be from the early Baekje period, hold a valuable position in the study of the external relations of the prosperous 4th century Baekje or the cultural aspects of the Three Kingdoms era. Comparing them with Goguryeo dolmens, we can infer the early strength of Baekje in the Three Kingdoms era. At the same time, we can also speculate that the ruling class of Baekje had connections with Goguryeo lineage.
• Address (location): 21 Garak-ro 7-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul Special City (Seokchon-dong)
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Seoul Seokchon-dong Ancient Tombs
Located in Seokchon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, the Seokchon Ancient Dolmen Park houses five preserved relics from the early Baekje period, including dolmens and stone chamber tombs. These tombs belonged to kings, royal family members, and nobles who lived during the Baekje era. Among them, the 3rd and 4th dolmen tombs are designated as cultural heritage site No. 243, with the surrounding area of 5,000m² transformed into a cultural park. Visitors can easily access the site using Seokchon Station on Line 8 or Seokchon High Point Station on Line 9.
• Address (location): 21, Garak-ro 7-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul Special City (Seokchon-dong)
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Shin Seon-kyung and Ryu In-ho Memorial Cemetery
“Shin Seon-kyeong and Ryu In-ho Mausoleum is the burial site of Shin Seon-kyeong and his son-in-law Ryu In-ho from the early Joseon Dynasty. Shin Seon-kyeong was a prominent figure during the reign of King Sejo, holding various positions such as a royal secretary and a court official. He was also the father of Queen Soo’s father, from the Deokjong era. Ryu In-ho, his son-in-law, served as a court official during the reigns of Seongjong and Jungjong. Adjacent to the joint tomb of Shin Seon-kyeong and his wife Lady Han, you can find the combined tomb of Ryu In-ho and Lady Shin from Geochang. In front of these tombs, there is the burial site of their descendant, Ryu Jang-gu. Shin Seon-kyeong’s tomb features a grave marker, a memorial stone, and a literary stone, while Ryu In-ho’s tomb has a grave marker, a memorial stone, and a wishful stone. The mausoleum of Shin Seon-kyeong and Ryu In-ho showcases the burial customs of the early Joseon Dynasty. The mausoleum of Lady Shin from Geochang reflects the societal norms of the time when the tombs of in-laws and grandchildren were created together, hinting at the practice of fairly dividing wealth among family members. Located just 650 meters from Exit 1 of Gaerong Station on Seoul Subway Line 5, this site is easily accessible for visitors to explore and appreciate the historical significance of these tombs.”
• Address (location): 263 Dongnam-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul Special City (Ogeum-dong)
• Hours of use: “24 hours”
Signiel Seoul Retreat in Songpa-gu, Seoul
“Visible from anywhere near Seoul, the Signiel Seoul perched on the 86th floor houses the Retreat Signiel Spa, a sanctuary where you can experience the healthy beauty in your daily life by incorporating the essence of Korean philosophy and sophisticated sensibility. The spa features renowned brands such as L’Institut by La Prairie, Chantecaille, and Isaribi, offering a tranquil space for relaxation and rejuvenation.”
• Address (location): “86th floor, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul Special City.”
• Hours of use: “0:00 AM to 10:00 PM”
Hanbang Spa Yeongyangguk
“Yeoyoungkuk was inspired by the novel ‘Yeoyoungkukjeon’ from the Joseon Dynasty, which emphasizes the idea that ‘a woman’s care for her face is akin to a king managing the country.’ In Yeoyoungkuk, the focus is on individual constitution, recognizing that each person has a unique body type. Since everyone has different constitutions, there are limitations to achieving results through standardized massage techniques or herbal remedies. It is important to apply herbal remedies and massage methods tailored to each individual’s constitution to see the desired effects.”
• Address (location): 60 Seokchonhosu-ro 12-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul Special City
• Hours of use: “10:00 AM to 8:00 PM”
Lotte World Aquarium
“Explore a special encounter with marine life in 13 diverse themed zones that replicate the five major oceans of the world. From rivers to coastlines, and coastlines to the sea, follow the flow of ecosystems and experience the wonder of nature as you stroll through Lotte World Aquarium, home to over 650 species and 55,000 marine animals. From Han River freshwater fish to the Arctic beluga whale, a plethora of marine life coexists here. Additionally, specially designed spacious tanks resembling the sea provide a comfortable habitat for our friends to call home in the largest habitat tank in the country.”
• Address (location): Address of the tourist destination: B1, Lotte World Mall, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul Special City, South Korea. (Shincheon-dong)
• Hours of use: Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Last Entry at 7:00 PM)
Lotte World Adventure
“Lotte World is a theme park established and operated by the Lotte Group to provide leisure activities for the public and attract foreign tourists. It consists of indoor theme park Lotte World Adventure, lakeside park Magic Island, shopping malls, folk museum, ice rink, hotels, department stores, and more, offering a large-scale integrated living space where tourism, leisure, shopping, and culture can be enjoyed in one place. Lotte World Adventure is the world’s largest indoor theme park, featuring state-of-the-art rides, fantastic parades, various video systems, laser shows, performances, and a variety of international cuisines available year-round. The Folk Museum showcases Korea’s five thousand years of history and folk culture through history exhibitions, model villages, playgrounds, and traditional streets for easy and enjoyable exploration. Lotte World Garden Stage serves as the central stage for various seasonal musical shows, public broadcasts, and diverse events, while Lotte World Star Avenue is an experiential entertainment facility known for creating Hallyu star experiences.”
• Address (location): 240 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul Special City
• Hours of use: Monday to Thursday, Sunday: 10:00am – 9:00pm – Friday to Saturday: 10:00am – 10:00pm * Ticketing and entry close 1 hour before closing time. * Please refer to the website for possible changes in operating hours.
Park Habio Water Kingdom & Spa
“WATERKINGDOM is a water park located in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, allowing you to enjoy water fun right in the heart of the city without the need to travel far. Operating indoors, it’s a popular destination for many citizens as you can enjoy the water park all year round regardless of the weather. Experience thrilling rides with high waves and strong currents, the indoor Torreto River stretching 370m, as well as various water attractions like tubes, balls, body slides, and racing slides. You can also relax and rejuvenate in the sauna and spa facilities. ◎ Discover the charm of Hallyu through travel information – Variety Show In a special episode featuring a ‘proxy vacation’ where the Running Man members escape the summer heat for a vacation, they can be seen enjoying swimming in a refreshing pool and riding slides. This refreshing vacation spot for them is WATERKINGDOM & SPA in Songpa Park Habio. This indoor water park offers a fun space where you can enjoy water activities regardless of the weather, all year round. After a day of water fun, you can relax and recharge your energy in the sauna. Get ready for a delightful and exciting water adventure!”
• Address (location): 111 Songpa-daero, Songpa-gu, Seoul
• Hours of use: Water Park: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Sauna Spa: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Macheon Park
“Macheon Park is a neighborhood park located in Macheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Although the park is relatively small in size, it is well-equipped with facilities such as a management office, restrooms, a children’s playground, and walking paths. The park is great for walking exercises on the asphalt paths around the sports field and playground. As you walk up the side, you can enjoy a scenic view with many trees. The sports field is quite spacious with artificial turf. There is a community center on one side and exercise equipment in the front. Macheon Park is a space that provides relaxation and promotes health for both local children and adults.”
• Address (location): 12 Seongnaecheon-ro 23-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”