This is the description of the travel destination in Seoul’s Seocho-gu area. Discovering Montmartre Park and Other Tourist Attractions
Guryong Mountain (Seoul)
“Kuryongsan Peak, standing at an altitude of 307.7 meters, is a mountain located in the Yeomgok-dong, Naegok-dong, Yangjae-dong areas of Seocho-gu, Seoul, along with Gaepo-dong in Gangnam-gu. Legend has it that a dragon was ascending with its nine offspring when a pregnant woman passing by shouted in surprise, causing one of the dragons to fall and die, leaving only nine to ascend to the sky. The traces left by the nine dragons as they ascended led to the mountain being named Kuryongsan, and the spot where the dragon couldn’t ascend and died turned into a stream called Yangjaecheon. In reality, the mountain is comprised of nine valleys. The main peak of this mountain, lower than the summit, is called Guksubong, which has been known since the Joseon Dynasty for having a signal beacon to protect the nation, hence the name. There is a rock cave dwelling called Guksubang where the signal beacon guards resided. It is recorded in the ‘Yeoji-doseo’ that it is located 30 li south of Gwanak. Near Naegok-dong, Sejong the Great’s tomb, Youngneung, was originally located at the foot of Kuryongsan, but was moved to Yeoju in 1469 (1st year of Yejong). The National Intelligence Service is now located at the original burial site in Naegok-dong. Guksubong Observatory, the second peak of Kuryongsan, offers a panoramic view of Seoul, Gangnam, Gangbuk, and the downstream and upstream areas of the Han River in Gyeonggi Province. It is a perfect location for day and night views. With a height of about 300 meters, it is suitable for family hikes due to its easy accessibility and manageable terrain. Kuryongsan is home to Nunginseonwon and Jarungsa. On September 13, 2015, the world’s largest Medicine Buddha statue was enshrined at Nunginseonwon and named “Seoul Medicine Buddha.” The mountain is covered with thin-barked birch trees that resemble strips of paper, as well as other tree species like Japanese snowbell, fir trees, and akashi trees. It is connected to mountains such as Gwanaksan, Che
• Address (location): “Yeomgok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul Special City, and Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu”
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Maehun Citizen’s Forest
“The Maehun Citizen’s Forest is a park that introduced the concept of a forest for the first time in Korea, creating a lush forest in the city that is rarely seen. It was established in 1986 to improve the environment around the Yangjae Tollgate, which was a gateway to Seoul at the time of the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Olympics. In the north section along Maehun Road, you can find Maehun Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall, a ground fountain, and a playground for children. The park is beloved by citizens for its beautiful scenery in all four seasons, perfect for a leisurely stroll. In the south section, there are attractions like the Monument for the Korean White Horse Troops, the Memorial Tower for Korean Air Flight 858 that was bombed by North Korea over the Andaman Sea in 1987, the Memorial Tower erected in 1995 to comfort the victims and families of the Sampoong Department Store collapse, and a monument to honor the victims of the Umyeon Mountain landslide disaster.”
• Address (location): 99 Maheon-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul Special City (Yangjae-dong)
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Yangjaecheon Ecological Park
“Yangjaecheon Ecological Park is a 3.5km park created from Yeongdong 2 Bridge to the confluence of Tancheon in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Along the riverside, there are sports facilities, resting areas, walking paths, bike lanes, and stone bridges. By planting trees and grass, it has transformed into an ecological park. This has helped prevent flooding, created shade along the riverside for temperature control, and brought back fish and birds that were not seen before. Birds now inhabit the area, restoring the food chain of the river ecosystem, making it a beloved resting place for citizens. Well-installed lighting makes it enjoyable for nighttime walks, and the restrooms scattered throughout are clean and pleasant. From around Gaepo-dong to Yeongdong 5 Bridge near Daechi Bridge, various exercise equipment can be found in the park well set up around the river. Between Yeong 4 and 5 Bridges on the south side of Gaepo-dong, there is a rice farming experience field, which serves as a frog breeding ground in spring. The nearby bike path is designated as a frog protection zone. In winter, it is used as an ice sledding area. The Yangjaecheon swimming pool, open only in summer, is located at 126-1 Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. While parking is available at Yangjaecheon Riverside Park, it’s recommended to use the temporary parking lot just before entering. Parking at the temporary lot is free.”
• Address (location): Seocho-gu Bawoolo 12-gil, Seoul Special City, Yangjae-dong
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Heoninreung Ecological Landscape Conservation Area (Duck Forest)
“Hyeonin Forest Ecological Conservation Area is a forest of over 17,000 square meters located below Hyeoninreung on the southern slopes of Daemosan Mountain. Thanks to the underground water flowing from the vast watershed of the southern slopes of Daemosan Mountain, the water level is high and the land is deep, providing excellent environmental conditions. This has led to the rare occurrence of a large cluster of duck oak trees in Seoul. In various areas where duck oak trees grow, remnants of water puddles and small streams can be found, allowing for the flourishing of diverse wetland plant species. The area is rich in biodiversity, with protected species such as the colorful mandarin duck, swallows, kingfishers, and woodpeckers calling it home. Various wetland plants like duck oak trees, yellow water lilies, water arums, and irises thrive here, with wooden decks provided for easy observation of the plant life in the wetlands. To enter Hyeonin Forest, visitors must go through the entrance gate. As an ecological conservation area, all activities that harm the ecosystem, such as capturing wild animals or collecting rocks, are strictly prohibited within the area.”
• Address (location): 34 Heonin-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul Special City
• Hours of use: March to May and September to October: 09:00 – 18:00 – June to August: 09:00 – 18:30 – November to January: 09:00 – 17:30 * Ticketing closes 1 hour before the specified time.
Hyoryeongdae-guni Tomb Complex
“Hyo Ryung Dae Gun and His Wife Memorial Site is the final resting place of Hyo Ryung Dae Gun (1396-1486) and his wife Lady Haeju Jeong (1394-1470). The site consists of twin tombs, with Hyo Ryung Dae Gun’s tomb located to the west and Lady Haeju Jeong’s tomb to the east. There is a shrine called Cheonggwonsa where their ancestral tablets are enshrined. Hyo Ryung Dae Gun was the second son of King Taejong, the third monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, and the older brother of King Sejong the Great, the fourth monarch. In 1737, under the decree of King Yeongjo, a shrine was built at the tomb and named Cheonggwonsa, and in 1789, King Jeongjo bestowed the current nameplate on the shrine. The tombs and stone structures are believed to be of early Joseon Dynasty origin. In front of the tomb, there is a stone lantern in the center and two memorial tablets on each side. Below, there are the tombs of the descendants of the 7th and 8th generations of the early Joseon Dynasty Dae Gun, showcasing the customs and scale of the Dae Gun tombs at the time. Cheonggwonsa holds an annual memorial service for Hyo Ryung Dae Gun on the 11th day of the 5th lunar month and for Lady Haeju on the 25th day of the 8th lunar month. Located just 200m from Exit 4 of Bangbae Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, this historic site is easily accessible for visitors.”
• Address (location): “135 Hyoryeong-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul Special City (Bangbae-dong)”
• Hours of use: “10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.”
Seoul Seocho-gu ‘Gwanmunsa Temple (Seoul)’
Located below Mount Umyeon in Seoul, Gwaneumsa Temple serves as the gateway to the capital region’s Cheontae Buddhism and the hub of Buddhist education. Nestled amidst the natural beauty of Cheonggyesan, Umyeonsan, and Yangjaecheon, this temple was established by Uicheondaesa to unify and correct the confusion surrounding Goryeo Buddhism in the 6th century. Umyeonsan, where the temple is situated, earned its name from its resemblance to a reclining cow, symbolizing good fortune. Covering an area of 6,700 square meters with four underground floors and seven above-ground levels, the temple seamlessly blends modern and traditional Buddhist architectural styles. Inside the buildings, advanced facilities support various cultural, academic, and religious activities for both domestic and international visitors. Through diverse programs, the temple helps modern individuals find peace of mind by letting go of their struggles and seeking inner tranquility. Shuttle buses to Gwaneumsa Temple are available from Gangnam Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 and Yangjae Station on Line 3, making it easily accessible for visitors.
• Address (location): “111 Bawu-ro 7-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul Special City”
Seoul Seocho District ‘Guryongsa Temple’
“Located in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Guryongsa is a Seoul branch temple run by a urban temple practicing Buddhism in the city center. Covering an area of 2,314 square meters, this 7-story building houses a Mangbulbojeon hall on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors, while the 1st floor is home to a cultural center and kindergarten. Operating a Buddhist university, the Guryong spring water drawn from 160 meters underground serves as holy water for nearby residents and Buddhists.”
• Address (location): “31-11 Nonhyeon-ro 5-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul Special City (Yangjae-dong)”
Daesungsa Temple (Seoul)
“Baekje saw the introduction of Buddhism in the year 384 (during the reign of King Chimryu). It is said that an Indian monk named Marananta crossed the sea from Dongjin (Eastern Jin) and arrived in Han Mountain (modern-day Seoul), where the king welcomed him into the palace and ordained 10 Baekje people as monks the following year. During his journey to Baekje, Marananta suffered from illness due to the unfamiliar food and climate, but he was healed after drinking water from Mt. Umyeon. He then moved from the palace to Mt. Umyeon and established the ‘Daeseongchodang’ there, which later became known as Daeseongsa, the sacred site where Buddhism first took root in Baekje. Notably, during the March 1st Movement for independence in 1919, the venerable monk Yongseong, who participated as a representative of the Buddhist community, dedicated himself to fighting against the shame of Japanese colonial rule and for the independence of the nation. Despite its rich history, Daeseongsa remained largely unknown to the public until recently, partly due to the atrocities committed by the Japanese military who destroyed the temple in retaliation for Yongseong’s involvement in the independence movement. However, under the guidance of the Dharma heir of Yongseong, Ven. Bulsimdomun, Daeseongsa was rebuilt as the sacred site of the early propagation of Buddhism in Baekje. This restoration reflects the spirit of one of Yongseong’s ten principles, which emphasized the importance of nurturing the sacred sites of early Buddhism in Baekje.”
• Address (location): “49, Nambo Sunhwan-ro 328-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: Operating Hours: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Seoul Seocho-gu ‘Sparray’
Located in Jamwon-dong in Seocho-gu, Sparae is a high-end women-only jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) and spa where you can experience a traditional Eastern European atmosphere. Spanning basement levels 1 and 2, as well as the 3rd floor, Sparae offers a variety of facilities including a wellness event bath, clay sauna, themed jjimjilbangs like the charcoal room and steam room. In addition, there are convenient amenities such as nail art, skincare services, Korean and snack restaurants, internet room, and bath facilities, making it easy for women to enjoy this exclusive jjimjilbang experience.
• Address (location): “5 Gangnam-daero 107-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul Special City (Jamwon-dong)”
• Hours of use: “Open All Day”
Seoul Seocho District ‘Montmartre Park’
“Mongmareut Park is located above Seorae Village, where many French residents live. The park was named Mongmareut Park due to the large French population in the nearby Seorae Village, and it is as artistic and romantic as its name suggests. Although not large in size, Mongmareut Park is filled with poems and sculptures left by French poets. Additionally, visitors can see sculptures of prominent French artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, and Pablo Picasso. There is also a memorial space for the famous pop singer Yimija, and playground facilities for families to enjoy picnics together. At the end of Mongmareut Park, there is a bridge, Nue Bridge, connecting to Suripul Community Park. Visitors can take a leisurely walk across Nue Bridge to enjoy various flowers depending on the season at Suripul Community Park. The park is located 600m from Exit 6 of Seocho Station on Line 2 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway.”
• Address (location): “Near Banpo-dong, 59 Banpo-daero 37-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: “Open year-round”