The deer enclosure
Sika deer up close.
CartoonChess — CC BY-SA 4.0 · WANGYIFAN2024 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · CHO woohyuck — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christian Bolz — CC BY-SA 4.0
A large park on the north bank of the Han River, opened in 2005 on land that was a royal hunting ground in Joseon times, then a water purification plant, a golf course and a horse-racing track. Today it is one of the city's biggest parks, planted with hundreds of thousands of trees. The park is divided into sections: an arts and sports plaza with lawns and a fountain, an ecological forest with an enclosure of sika deer you can see up close, a butterfly and insect garden, and wetlands with boardwalks and water birds. Cherry blossom and tulips bloom in spring, and in autumn the ginkgos turn yellow along the paths. It is a favourite with families: cycle paths, playgrounds and space for picnics on the grass. Next door is Seongsu, a district whose old factories and warehouses have become cafés, shops and small galleries, and one of the liveliest parts of Seoul. Entry is free and the park is open all day. The best visit is a half day combining the park with Seongsu.
Sika deer up close.
Boardwalks and birds.
Old factories turned cafés.
Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu; Seoul Forest Station (Suin-Bundang Line)
Yes: it has a deer enclosure, a butterfly garden, playgrounds, cycle paths and lawns for picnics, and entry is free.