“Here is the information about the tourist attractions in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, summarized from a travel blog.”
Solbat Geunlin Park in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
The Solbat Forest Park is a natural forest with over 1,000 lush pine trees, some of which are over 100 years old, creating a beautiful urban forest. It is one of the main attractions in Gangbuk-gu, located near the eastern side of Bukhansan Mountain, serving as a starting point for hiking. Acting as a green link between the forest and the city, the park is easily accessible, with a subway station (Solbat Park Station and one more nearby). It offers various spaces for people of all ages, including the lovely Aesol Plaza, Baduk Pavilion, Pine Tree Courtyard, and sports facilities for recreational activities. In addition, there are ecological ponds with aquatic plants like water lilies, as well as scenic spots with bamboo groves and lush grasslands, creating a picturesque natural landscape, especially during the blooming season of the bamboo groves.
• Address (location): “561 Samyang-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul Special City (Uido-dong)”
• Hours of use: Open all year round
Odong Forest Experience Center in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
“Odong Neighborhood Park Children’s Forest Experience Center is a facility located within Odong Neighborhood Park, which opened in 2013. It is a place where children can experience the forest and nature close to home. Odong Neighborhood Park is a large-scale park spanning five neighborhoods in Gangbuk-gu – Bung-dong, Mia-dong, and Wolgok-dong in Seongbuk-gu. It features two peaks, Opae Hill (123m) and Beokosan Hill (135m), forming hills with well-preserved green forests, creating a natural habitat. As you follow the path in the forest experience center, you will encounter various plants such as oak trees, pine trees, azaleas, and camellias growing naturally. There are also experiential play facilities like a pond, mud play area, forest playhouse, play deck, rope course, forest classroom, and walking trails. For children, it serves as a place for nature learning and a forest playground.”
• Address (location): “17-14 San, Beondong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Yoon Geuk-yeong House in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
“In Seoul, valuable treasures with cultural significance for future generations are selected and managed as ‘Seoul Future Heritage’ among the modern and contemporary cultural assets. Notable sites include the National 4.19 Democracy Cemetery and the Moon Ik-hwan House, but the Yoon Geuk-young House holds special meaning as the first to be designated. Yoon Geuk-young, active in the 1920s and 30s, composed popular children’s songs such as ‘Half Moon,’ ‘Lunar New Year,’ ‘Three Umbrellas Together,’ and ‘Frost.’ He is also known as ‘Grandpa Half Moon’ for creating Korea’s first children’s songbook, ‘Half Moon.’ The house where he lived is now used as the Half Moon Cultural Center, warmly welcoming visitors. The space displaying Yoon Geuk-young’s belongings, layered with the marks of time, creates a comforting atmosphere reminiscent of visiting a grandfather’s home. The soft melodies of his children’s songs gently evoke memories of childhood. Nearby, you can visit the National 4.19 Democracy Cemetery and the Solbat Forest Eco-Park.”
• Address (location): 5 Insu-bonggil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Suyu-dong)
• Hours of use: – Operating Hours:
– Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
– Sunday/Public Holidays 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Seoul Gangbuk District ‘Laundry Valley’
“In the area of Suyu-dong in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, there is a village known as Ppallae-gol, derived from the abundant and clear water in the valley east of Samgaksan Mountain where it was once used for laundry and resting. This area corresponds to the valley of Kalbawi Ridge, which extends down from Bukhansan Mountain towards the city. Inside the valley, there is a rock cave called Samsungam, and on the left side of the mountain slope stands a unique tombstone marking the grave of Gongcho Imsang-sun, a revered teacher. Since 2016, the ‘Old Laundry Valley Festival’ has been held here, and the name is still widely recognized. You can easily reach Ppallae-gol by taking the No.03 bus from Exit 3 of Suyu Station on Line 4 of the subway and getting off at the Ppallae-gol terminus, which is about 200 meters inward.”
• Address (location): 60 Insubong-ro 23-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul Special City (Suyu-dong)
• Hours of use: Open all year round
Seoul Gangbuk-gu National 4.19 Democracy Cemetery
“The National April 19 Cemetery at the foot of Samgaksan (Bukhansan) honors the 224 people who sacrificed their lives during the April 19 Revolution in 1960, standing up against the corrupt power that held the March 15 election. A memorial tower is erected to commemorate them, with an inscription honoring those who died justly. The cemetery spanning 135,901m² is beautifully landscaped with pine, fragrant olive, maple, and other trees, creating a serene atmosphere. The memorial hall, covering 1,652.9m², and the tranquil Yuyoungbong Anso, housing portraits, are housed in traditional Korean wooden structures spanning 330.58m². Additionally, there are symbolic sculptures like the Gate of Democracy, Flame of Justice, and a pond, along with a well-paved walking path and outdoor seating. In May, when cherry blossoms bloom, gazing at Samgaksan (Bukhansan) from the park evokes a cozy and splendid feeling, akin to being embraced by a mother’s warmth. The sunset view is truly magnificent.”
• Address (location): “17, 4.19 Road 8-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: Operating Hours of Tourist Attractions: – Summer Season (March~October) 06:00~18:00 – Winter Season (November~February) 07:00~17:00 Memorial Hall / Visitor Center: – Summer Season (March~October) 09:30~17:30 – Winter Season (November~February) 09:30~16:30
Seoul Gangbuk District ‘Baekryeon Temple (Seoul)’
“Baekryunsa Temple is a Korean Buddhist temple belonging to the Taego Order, located on Mt. Samgaksan in Suyu 4-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul. Nestled among the lush mountains of Bukhansan, many temples can be found. Some have a long history, while others are only known by name as their ruins remain. However, whether the temple’s history is ancient or recent, its purpose remains unchanged as a place of worship for Buddha. Along the hiking trail that leads from the 4.19 National Cemetery to the main gate, a small temple called Garam stands. While Baekryunsa may seem like just a small temple that hikers pass by on their way up the mountain, it was founded with great devotion by Eunsoonyeosa over 80 years ago in 1930. Since then, many people have stayed to practice and spread the teachings of Buddhism. Today, it quietly continues to uphold the Buddha’s teachings in that very spot, seemingly unnoticed yet ever present.”
• Address (location): “142, 4.19 Road, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul Special City, South Korea (Suyu-dong)”
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Seoul Gangbuk District ‘Bogwangsa Temple and Bogwang Hermitage (Seoul)
“Bogwangsa Temple is a temple affiliated with the Sunhakwon foundation, located at 76-19 Uidong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul. As you walk through the pine forest that forms the Uidong Pine Park, following the paved path, you will reach Bogwangsa located on the foothills of Samgaksan Mountain. Years ago, this place was deep in the forest, but now it is right next to the city, making it hard to feel like you have climbed a mountain. Bogwangsa was originally founded in 1788 (during the reign of King Jeongjo) by Ven. Wondam, who practiced asceticism at Mt. Geumgang and established Sinwonsa Temple. Destroyed during the Korean War, only a few buildings remained, barely continuing the Buddhist practice. In 1979, Ven. Jeongil of Namsandang established the foundation of Dharma teaching here and started the Buddhist practice, renaming it Bogwangsa in November 1980. Since then, the monks have worked diligently to shape it into what it is today, holding regular services to impart the teachings of Buddha and guide people on the right path. In this way, Bogwangsa has firmly established itself as a place of spreading Dharma teachings. Ven. Jeongil, who dedicated himself to public education, passed away in 2004 after a lifetime of service. Since then, the people at Bogwangsa have been carrying on his legacy, striving for further progress and development.”
• Address (location): “176 Samyang-ro 145-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul Special City (Uido-dong)”
• Hours of use: 09:00~17:00
Seoul Gangbuk District ‘Bongwonjeongsa (Seoul)’
“Bonwonjeongsa is a temple belonging to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located on Samgaksan Mountain in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul. It is said that a wooden statue of Jijang Bosal, which was relocated here from Taego Temple during the Korean War, is enshrined at Bonwonjeongsa. Jijang Bosal is a bodhisattva who guides sentient beings in the era between the Buddha and Maitreya, especially known for entering hell to teach and save those suffering there. In the early 1980s, Ven. Wonsung, the head monk at the time, was inspired by the statue and vowed to follow the teachings of Jijang Bosal, leading to the renaming of the temple as Bonwonjeongsa. Since then, Bonwonjeongsa has been evolving into a sanctuary capable of healing both the physical and mental afflictions of sentient beings in this world. It serves as an open and serene place for Seoul citizens and Buddhists to find peace and engage in prayer. Bonwonjeongsa stands majestically as a sanctuary where one can rest their busy minds and connect with their spiritual selves.”
• Address (location): Seoul, Gangbuk-gu, Samgaksan-ro 1 (Suyu-dong), Seoul Special City
Seoul Gangbuk District ‘Odong Neighborhood Park’
“Located in Seoul’s Gangbuk and Seongbuk districts, Odong Park spans across Gangbuk’s Bundong and Miadong areas, as well as five other neighborhoods, and Seongbuk’s Wolgok-dong. This large-scale park boasts well-preserved natural landscapes. Odong Park offers a shelter, a community gym, an artificial turf soccer field, tennis courts, earthen walking paths, and hiking trails. Serving as a rest area for residents living in nearby housing complexes, the park is a popular spot for locals to relax and engage in physical activities.”
• Address (location): 49 Deokneung-ro 42-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul Special City (Beondong)
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Seoul Gangbuk District ‘Uido Meeting Square’
“Ui-dong Manam Square is a scenic walking park located below Bukhansan Mountain with a valley. This park features playgrounds and walking paths, making it a perfect destination for families to enjoy together. Visitors can explore the surrounding valley and take a leisurely stroll along the well-designed paths. At Ui-dong Manam Square, you can find the Bonghwangak Pavilion, established by Son Byeong-hee, a leader of the March 1st Movement who aimed to train Cheondoism leaders. The square also houses the 6.25 Memorial honoring 88 soldiers from Gangbuk-gu who participated in the Korean War. Additionally, it offers a stunning view of Bukhansan Mountain near Wangsanbong Peak, perfect for capturing picturesque moments. You can also access the Bukhansan Circuit Trail from here. A cozy café at the entrance allows visitors to enjoy a quick cup of coffee or tea. Please note that there is no designated parking at Ui-dong Manam Square. It is located approximately 500m from Exit 2 of Bukhansan Ui Station on the Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line, providing easy access for transportation.”
• Address (location): 186-5 Uidong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul Special City
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Seoul Gangbuk-Gu ‘Uireung Forest Culture Village’
“The Uireung Forest Culture Village, nestled at the foot of Bukhansan Mountain, is a place that boasts picturesque natural surroundings and a preserved old-world charm. Located within a 1.2km stretch towards the Uireunggil from Bukhansan Uijeongbu Station, the village has become more accessible since the opening of the U Line subway, attracting a growing number of visitors.”
• Address (location): 101 Samyang-ro 181-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul Special City (Uido, Uido Park Amusement Park area)
• Hours of use: Operating hours may vary by establishment.
Seoul Gangbuk-gu ‘April 19 Student Revolution Memorial Tower’
“The 4.19 Revolution Memorial Tower is located at the center of the National 4.19 Democracy Cemetery, made up of seven granite tower bases standing at a height of 21 meters. In honor of the spirit of sacrifice of those who fought against injustice and dictatorship in April 1960 during the 4.19 Revolution, the Memorial Tower Construction Committee, representing people from all walks of life, was established within the Rebuilding National Movement Headquarters on March 23, 1962. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 21, 1962, with contributions from the public and government support, leading to the official opening ceremony on September 20, 1963. (Source: National 4.19 Democracy Cemetery Website)”
• Address (location): 17, 4.19-ro 8-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul Special City, South Korea (Suyu-dong)
• Hours of use: Operating Hours of a Tourist Attraction [4·19 Cemetery Management Office]
– Summer Season (March to October) 06:00~18:00
– Winter Season (November to February) 07:00~17:00