The riverside lawns
Picnics by the water.
kallerna — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Raki_Man — CC BY 3.0 · Bohao Zhao — CC BY 3.0 · Ox1997cow — CC BY-SA 3.0
The best-known and liveliest of the parks along the Han River, stretching along the northern shore of Yeouido island, Seoul's financial and parliamentary district. Its broad lawns at the water's edge are where city people love to spend their free time: families with small tents, cyclists, and friends having food delivered to the grass. In early April cherry blossom fills the road beside the park and the grounds around the National Assembly, and a spring festival draws hundreds of thousands. In autumn the Seoul International Fireworks Festival is held over the river here, one of the city's biggest shows, and the park fills hours before it starts. River cruises leave from the Yeouido pier, including evening trips beneath the lit bridges. Public bikes can be hired from many stations along the bank, and the cycle path runs for tens of kilometres beside the river. The park is free and always open. The best time is sunset, when the sun goes down behind the bridges and the lights of the towers reflect on the water.
Picnics by the water.
Lit bridges at night.
An autumn festival on the river.
Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu; Yeouinaru Station (Line 5), exit 2 or 3
Usually in early April, with a spring festival around the National Assembly and the road beside the park. The dates shift a little each year with the weather.