🌊 Exploring Hangang River: Seoul’s Urban Oasis
Whether you're looking for peaceful nature, exciting water sports, or a late-night picnic, Hangang (한강) offers a refreshing escape from the city buzz. Stretching across Seoul, it’s not just a river — it's a lifestyle!
🛶 What is the Hangang River?
The Hangang River flows through the heart of Seoul, with over a dozen riverside parks offering space to relax, ride bikes, eat, or watch the sunset. It’s where locals jog, couples date, and friends gather with fried chicken and picnic mats.
📍 Basic Information
- 📍 Location: Across Seoul —most popular parks include Yeouido, Banpo, Ttukseom, and Hangang Park Mangwon
- 🕒 Opening Hours: 24/7 (some rentals vary)
- 💵 Admission: Free
- 🚇 Subway Access:
- Yeouido: Yeouinaru Station (Line 5), Exit 2
- Banpo: Express Bus Terminal (Line 3,7,9), 15-min walk
- Ttukseom: Ttukseom Resort Station (Line 7), Exit 2
- Mangwon: Mangwon Station (Line 6), Exit 1, 10-min walk
🌟 Top Things to Do by the Hangang
- 🧺 Picnic by the river — rent a mat or order delivery (yes, delivery to the park!)
- 🚲 Rent a bike and explore the riverside trails
- 🎡 Banpo Bridge Moonlight Fountain Show (spring–autumn)
- 🛶 Water activities — kayaking, SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), duck boats
- 🐟 Fish or feed seagulls by the railing
- 🎶 Night concerts & festivals — often held in Yeouido and Ttukseom
📸 Best Photo Spots at Hangang
- 📷 Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain
📍 Banpo Hangang Park
💡 Tip: Go during sunset and wait for the light-up fountain show (8–9 PM spring to fall)
- 📷 Sebitseom (Floating Islands)
📍 Near Banpo Bridge
💡 Tip: Visit at night for colorful lighting reflections on the water
- 📷 Yeouido Hangang Park Lawn
📍 Yeouinaru Station
💡 Tip: Great for drone shots, skyline pics, and spring cherry blossoms
- 📷 Ttukseom Hangang Park Graffiti Wall
📍 Under the bridge
💡 Tip: Funky street art with bikes or skateboards make edgy photos
🌳 Nearby Hangang Parks – Where to Go Based on Your Travel Style
The Han River has 11 major parks along its banks, but here are the 4 most popular and accessible ones, perfect for sightseeing, relaxing, or snapping great photos:
🏞️ 1. Yeouido Hangang Park (여의도한강공원)
The most iconic Hangang park — ideal for first-time visitors and families
- 📍 How to get there: Yeouinaru Station (Line 5), Exit 2
- 🌸 Famous for spring cherry blossoms and canola flowers
- 🧺 Large grassy areas for picnics — chicken & beer delivery available
- 🎶 Outdoor concerts and weekend events often held
- 🚲 Bike rentals, picnic mats, and tents available on-site
- 🐟 Near Han River Cruise Terminal
🔎 Best for: First-timers, relaxed sightseeing, family & couple photos
🛶 2. Ttukseom Hangang Park (뚝섬한강공원)
Trendy and sporty — great for water sports and youthful energy
- 📍 How to get there: Ttukseom Resort Station (Line 7), Exit 2
- 🛶 Water activities: kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)
- 🎤 Live busking performances on weekends
- 🎨 Graffiti wall where you can write or take edgy photos
- 🌞 Summer waterplay zones and music events
🔎 Best for: Active travelers, Instagram lovers, local vibes
🧺 3. Banpo Hangang Park (반포한강공원)
Romantic evening spot — famous for its night views and rainbow fountain
- 📍 How to get there: Express Bus Terminal Station (Lines 3, 7, 9) → 15-min walk
- 🌉 Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain (evenings, spring–fall)
- 🌆 Night views of Sebitseom floating islands
- 🧃 Great for calm picnics and sunset strolls
- 🚲 Bike trail runs through the park
🔎 Best for: Romantic dates, nighttime photos, couples
🌿 4. Mangwon Hangang Park (망원한강공원)
A calm local favorite — peaceful and less touristy
- 📍 How to get there: Mangwon Station (Line 6), Exit 1 → 10-min walk
- 🍱 Close to Mangwon Market — grab local snacks for a riverside picnic
- 🧒 Popular with local families and morning walkers
- 🧘♀️ Great for jogging, yoga, and relaxation
- Spacious playgrounds and wide grassy fields
🔎 Best for: Chill solo travelers, peaceful vibe, local scenery
🍽️ Must-Try Hangang Picnic Food
- 🥡 Chimaek (Chicken & Beer)
• Order delivery from local chicken chains — GS25 and BBQ zones are everywhere - 🍜 Instant RamyeonRamyeon in a convenience store machine
• Add water, press the button — enjoy riverside ramyeon magic - 🍢 Street snacks from nearby vendors
• Tteokbokki, odeng (fish cake), and gimbap for a quick riverside bite
💡 Tips for First-Time Visitors
- 🧺 You can rent picnic mats or tents at most parks
- 🛵 Delivery apps like Yogiyo or Baemin can deliver right to your picnic spot
- 🚫 No swimming allowed (except at designated summer pools)
- 🧻 Public toilets are available but may be busy on weekends
- 🌅 Best time to go: Sunset or evening
📸 Pro Traveler Tips:
- What to bring: A picnic mat, portable speaker, sunscreen in summer, hot packs in winter
- Seasonal treats: Sweet corn in spring, bingsoo (shaved ice) in summer, roasted chestnuts in autumn, hot fish cake soup in winter!
🎑 🎑 Seasonal Guide for Visiting Hangang Parks
🌸 Spring (March–May)
Best for Flowers, Fresh Air, and Outdoor Picnics
- Yeouido Hangang Park
→ Don’t miss the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival (early to mid-April)
→ Fields bloom with yellow canola flowers — perfect for dreamy spring photos
→ Bring a picnic mat and enjoy the breeze with coffee or fruit tea
- Mangwon Hangang Park
→ Less crowded, but lined with cherry blossom trees — more peaceful experience
→ Nearby Mangwon Market offers great spring picnic snacks (rice rolls, fresh fruit)
☀️ Summer (June–August)
Best for Water Activities and Night Views
- Ttukseom Hangang Park
→ Water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding (SUP), and wakeboarding available
→ Evening food trucks and local concerts — great youthful energy
→ Sunsets over the river make for stunning golden-hour photos
- Banpo Hangang Park
→ Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain Show runs nightly (June–October)
→ Sebitseom (floating islands) light up beautifully — ideal for night strolls and pics
→ Late-night chicken-and-beer delivery by the river = must-do summer experience
🍁 Autumn (September–November)
Best for Fall Colors, Photography, and Calm Weather
- Yeouido Hangang Park
→ Golden ginkgo trees and red maple trees line the riverbanks
→ Ideal for photography, biking, and slow walks with a hot drink
- Mangwon Hangang Park
→ Fewer tourists, lots of cozy autumn ambiance
→ Great for journaling, reading, or quiet moments with the foliage
❄️ Winter (December–February)
Best for Snowy Views, Quiet Mornings, and Lights
- Banpo Hangang Park
→ Beautiful contrast of frozen river and city lights
→ Ideal for couples walking at dusk with city views
- Seoul Forest (near Ttukseom)
→ Not technically a Hangang park, but nearby
→ Winter trees, quiet trails, and deer watching — peaceful photo ops
🎬 K-Dramas & Films Shot at Hangang
The Han River has served as a dramatic backdrop in many Korean films and dramas. Some notable examples include:
- The Host (괴물, 2006)
- My Love from the Star (별에서 온 그대)
- Vincenzo (빈센조)
- Start-Up (스타트업)
- Hospital Playlist (슬기로운 의사생활)
- It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (사이코지만 괜찮아)
- The Heirs (상속자들)
🧭 Nearby Attractions
📍 From Yeouido Hangang Park
- IFC Mall (10 min walk) Google Maps
- 63 Building & Aquarium (15 min by taxi) Google Maps
- Yeouido Park – cherry blossoms in April Google Maps
📍 From Banpo Hangang Park
- Central City Terminal & Shinsegae Department Store (15 min walk) Google Maps
- Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil (10 min taxi) Google Maps
📍 From Ttukseom Hangang Park
- Seoul Forest (15 min walk) Google Maps
- Seongsu-dong cafes (10 min taxi) Google Maps
✔️Click to get more info on Seongsu-dong cafe street Seongsu-dong cafe street
🔗 Useful Links
- A Complete Guide to all 12 Hangang ParksCreatrip.com
- Enjoy the Hangang River to the FullestVisit Korea
- Rental Services for BikeDdaruengi