This is a summary of tourist attractions in the Nowon-gu area of Seoul, South Korea, introducing the cultural features of this region, including Bulamsan Butterfly Garden.
Seoul Nowon District ‘Jeongamsa’
“Jeongamsa is a temple located within the Buhwasan Mountain on the border of Nowon-gu in Seoul and Byeolnae-myeon in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. This temple belongs to the Taego Order of Korean Buddhism. Although Jeongamsa is designated as Seoul City Cultural Heritage No. 54, Amita Seven-Story Stone Pagoda, and No. 322, Memorial Amita Buddha Statue, it is currently managed by the Cultural Heritage Administration for various reasons. Unlike other temples, Jeongamsa does not have a main gate. With Daewoongjeon at the center, the temple overlooks Mount Buhwasan to the left, Jaunbong of Dobongsan to the right, and the downtown area of Nowon-gu in front. Inside the Yongsindang, which enshrines a dragon god who controls rain and water, there is a Medicine Buddha statue and drinking water available. If you hike up the mountain path behind Daewoongjeon, you will find a rounded rock cave with a Mountain Spirit Hall and a Guanyin Hall. You can visit Jeongamsa while climbing the Buhwasan hiking trail.”
• Address (location): 127 Deokneung-ro 94-gil, Junggye-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul Special City
Seoul Nowon-gu, ‘Hakdoam’
“Hakdoam is symbolized by a massive statue of Avalokitesvara, standing at a towering height of 13.4m on the large rock face behind the temple. This majestic statue, sculpted in 1870 during the reign of King Gojong by Empress Myeongseong, gazes upon all living beings with a compassionate smile, making it a cherished landmark not only in Hakdoam but also in Nowon-gu. While stone-carved Buddhist figures can be found throughout the country, statues of Avalokitesvara are rare, with Hakdoam’s statue being among the most prominent and well-preserved. With its breathtaking scenery and the largest Avalokitesvara statue in the nation, Hakdoam holds a special significance as a precious cultural treasure, where visitors can offer incense and flowers beneath its serene gaze.”
• Address (location): 89 Junggye-ro 14da-gil, Nowon-gu, Seoul Special City
• Hours of use: “07:30~18:00
Pinofamirea in Nowon-gu, Seoul
PINOFAMILIA, standing tall in the heart of the city, was designed by renowned Korean minimalist architect Moon Hoon and opened its doors on September 29, 2016 after two years of construction. Visitors can meet Pinocchio and his family, who transform over time, as the story goes that lying makes your nose grow longer. The birth of a unique architectural whale allows guests to gauge its size with their own eyes. Pinofamilia Art Experience Center offers distinctive content, including a themed art experience center for Pinocchio’s girlfriend, Pinokia, born in Korea. This multifaceted cultural space embodies culture, experiences, symbols, and healing, connecting people through diverse cultures. Through Pinoflatfrom, one can experience a happy and fun life, fostering the spirit of creation. From toddlers to the elderly, all generations can enjoy Pinocchio culture, providing children with creativity, youth with dreams, young adults with hope, and adults with healing and happiness in a space for enriching experiences.
• Address (location): 131-17 Junggae-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul Special City
• Hours of use: from 07:30 to 18:00 for visitors to enjoy.
‘Nohae Sports Park’ – A Cultural Oasis in the Heart of Seoul
Nohae Neighborhood Park is a community sports park established in 1989, located at the heart of Nowon-gu’s residential area. It is a beloved spot among local residents. Although compact, the park is well-equipped with various facilities, including a sports field, jogging track, inline skating track, basketball hoop, foot volleyball court, badminton court, walking trails, children’s playground, and wellness fitness equipment.
The Nowon-gu Sports Center is also nearby, making it even more convenient for visitors. The children’s playground features a sand play area, and the spacious sports field provides plenty of room for activities.
Within the park’s wooded area, you’ll find a foot volleyball court, a reflexology walking path for health benefits, and beautiful sculptures on display.
In the morning, the park hosts free exercise classes, including a morning workout session and Taekkyeon (a traditional Korean martial art) class for Nowon-gu residents. Everyone is welcome to join, so feel free to participate without any hesitation!
• Address (location): “1 Gongneung-ro 22-gil, Nowon-gu, Seoul, South Korea”
• Hours of use: “00:00 ~ 24:00”
Seoul Nowon District ‘Pine Tree Community Park’
“Dengnamu Community Park is located right next to Seoul’s Buk Seoul Museum of Art. By crossing the rainbow-shaped bridge, you can transition to Junggye Community Park across the street. As you stroll along the park’s pathways, you’ll encounter various sculptures with descriptions to help you understand the artwork. Even the water fountains within the park are beautiful pieces of art. With exercise facilities and octagonal pavilions inside the park, you can take a rest after a workout. During the summer, the ground fountains operate, and there are plenty of shady spots with multiple benches for relaxation. Nearby, you’ll find outlets and large supermarkets for shopping, along with various food courts to explore.”
• Address (location): “Seoul Special City Nowon-gu Dongilo 1238 Seoul Museum of Art, North Seoul”
• Hours of use: All-day
‘Bulamsan Butterfly Garden’ – A Hidden Gem in South Korea’s Capital
“Located within the NoWon-gu Bulamsan Healing Town project area, this garden is a place where you can see butterflies all year round. The first floor of the butterfly garden building houses breeding rooms, a nursery, and a butterfly greenhouse, while the second floor is dedicated to an insect learning center. Here, visitors can view various insect specimens and insect-related materials, including endangered species like the Water Tiger Beetle and the Two-Spot Stag Beetle designated by the Ministry of Environment. Group tours require advance reservations for a delightful and educational experience.”
• Address (location): 51-27 Hangul Biseok-ro 12-gil, Junggye-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul Special City
• Hours of use: Peak Season (March to October) 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Last admission at 5:30 p.m.) – Off-Peak Season (November to February) 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Last admission at 4:30 p.m.)
“Sagat Bongneulim Park in Nowon District, Seoul
“Sagat Bongneulim Park is a charming park where people of all ages can enjoy a leisurely stroll. The park is equipped with exercise equipment along the walking paths and plenty of shady seats under the trees for resting after a walk or workout. The playground for children is made with soft rubber flooring for safe play. There is a ground fountain, and during the summer, a temporary air bounce water play area operates six times a day from 10 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. (with a 10-minute break each time). As there is no nearby parking, it is recommended to use public transportation.”
• Address (location): “Nowon-gu Children’s Library, 346 Hangulbiseok-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, South Korea”
• Hours of use: all-day
Hagye Children’s Park in Nowon-gu, Seoul.
“Haegye Children’s Park is located right next to the Gyeongchun Line Forest Road in Haegye-dong, Nowon-gu. The Gyeongchun Line Forest Road is a newly developed tourist attraction from a city regeneration project that transformed the old railway where the ‘train to Chuncheon’ used to pass through. Walking along this path will lead you to Haegye Children’s Park. It is just a 5-minute walk from Haegye Station on Line 7. In this park, there is a 15m high ‘Giant Tree Playground’ with over 70 features, including a rotating slide, butterfly transformation, tree age matching, and listening to the sounds of nature that you might have seen in Disneyland. The Giant Tree is equipped with a slide and a cloud bridge to create a playground with various stories. There are also low-height mini climbing walls, dragonfly-shaped swings, and a sandbox. Handwashing facilities are available for a quick wash after playing.”
• Address (location): “273-3, Haegedong 2-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: “Open all day”
Seoul Nowon-gu ‘Hwarangdae Railway Park’
“Hwarangdae Railroad Park is a luminous garden located within a 400m section of Hwarangdae Station in Gongneung-dong. It is situated at the final stretch of the Gyeongchun Line Forest Road, transforming the former Hwarangdae Station, Seoul’s last small station, into a park. Featuring actual trains that used to run, the park offers a variety of attractions such as the Luminous Garden, a railroad and time museum, a train cafe, and more. The Luminous Garden consists of 10 courses of various nighttime landscape sculptures, including the Secret Garden, Light Tunnel, Garden of Music, Sky Light Garden, Tree of Life, Fantasy Train Station, Milky Way Garden, Fairy Tale Land in the Forest, and Firefly Garden.”
• Address (location): 608 Hwarang-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul Special City
• Hours of use: “Open at all times”