Seoul Forest (서울숲)

Seoul Forest is a major public urban park in eastern Seoul, set on the slopes and flat ground along the Hangang River that was once horse-racing-and-water-treatment land before being redeveloped as a large central-Seoul green space in 2005. The park spans about 1.2 million square meters and includes themed zones — an ecology forest with wild deer in open enclosures, a children's play park, an art park with public sculptures, marshland bird observatories, and Hangang riverside walking paths. The park is one of Seoul's most cited modern public-space successes, providing a substantial green respite within the dense urban grid. Programming includes seasonal cultural festivals and community events. Best in spring for cherry blossoms, summer for the dense canopy shade, and autumn for the broad color, paired with the surrounding Seongsu-dong creative-design neighborhood.