Refreshing forest ideal for a rest

Before Seoul Forest, Yangjae Citizen’s Forest was the largest man-made forest in Seoul. It is located in the southern part of Seocho-gu. Seocho-gu has served as the starting point for those who left Seoul for every corner of the country and the gate to Seoul for those who traveled to Seoul. The area around Yangjae-dong, where the Citizen’s Forest is located, used to be called as “Maljukgeori (馬粥巨理)” and this name signifies the history of the area. The reason this area was dubbed as Maljukgeori (horse-feed street) was that people on their business trips have stopped there to feed their horses and take a rest at a tavern since early in the Joseon Dynasty. Some say that the area was so-named because horses sent from Jeju-do were fed and groomed there before they arrived in Seoul. 

The name of the forest in Yangjae-dong, the entrance to Seoul from the south, is Citizen’s Forest. It opened in 1986 to create a forest in downtown Seoul. Due to its 24-year history, the forest is well stocked with 10,000 trees of 45 species such as pine, zelkova, metasequoia, maple and ash trees giving off fresh oxygen to the air and providing cool shade. Meanwhile, 52,000 shrubs and small trees of 15 species, such as rhododendron, azalea, winged euonymus, beauty berry and rose vines fill the forest with different colors and scents in every season. The forest provides a habitat for small wild animals, such as Korean squirrels, squirrels, great tits and brown-eared bulbus. With its trees, shrubs and animals, Citizen’s Forest constitutes a well-harmonized ecosystem. 

Walking along the trail in the forest is the most special experience you can have in Citizen’s Forest. Since most of the park (an area of 258,992㎡) is forest, it provides fresh air and a relaxing atmosphere to Seoulites who are exhausted from the hazy air and their busy life. That’s why the forest attracts an average of 4,000 visitors a day and 1.6 million visitors annually. Of course, these figures are not the absolute standard with which to evaluate the value of the forest, but, an increasing number of visitors to the forest gives us a hint about the value of Yangjae Citizen’s Forest.

In the forest, there is a barefoot park where you can take off your shoes and walk barefoot on the wooden trail, pebbles and red clay trail. Walking barefoot in the deep forest makes your body and mind refreshed. The water fountain and small man-made stream in the middle of the forest are loved by children. From the beginning of spring with its warm sunshine through the hot summer, you can see children playing with water on fine days.

Metasequoia trees cast shadows in the deep forest and people unfold picnic mats on the lawn under the trees. Fresh air flows through the trees and people take deep breaths of fresh air sitting or lying down on the mats. An old gentlemen reading a book at a bench under a tall tree or a couple in love whispering under a tree are familiar scenes in the forest. The pure smiles of children running around in the forest may be due to the enchanting power of the forest. 

Citizen’s Forest also serves as a huge classroom for studying nature. The Children’s Forest Class, started in 2004, has taught children about how precious Mother Nature is and how we can keep nature healthy. From April thru October, you will see children in yellow vests every Saturday. They are spending a day at the forest classroom. The class is about the story of the forest, flowers in the forest, tree observation and crafts using materials from nature. The class is only for elementary school students and the maximum number of students per class is 25. It is free of charge and reservations are required through the website (http://parks.seoul.go.kr). When a reservation is for less than 10 per class or there is a more than 60 percent chance of rain, the class is cancelled. For information, call at (02) 575-3895.

At the south part of the Forest, there is the Patriot Yun Bong-gil Memorial. The memorial is to pass on the history of Yun Bong-gil’s efforts for the independence of Korea for posterity and recognize his will and purpose. On the first floor of the memorial, his relics and the stories of his life are exhibited. The second floor is dedicated to photograph exhibits which illustrate the independence movement. A video theater on the second floor plays the biography of Yun and educational films.

BBQ area of Yangjae Citizen’s Forest

The BBQ area has emerged as a new attraction of Citizen’s Forest since it was opened in 2009. As it was recently reported by the media, the number of visitors has increased. From 2010, the park established a reservation system so that more people would be able to enjoy the BBQ area. The covered BBQ area allows people to enjoy a picnic regardless of weather. However, if there is a dry-weather warning, it may be closed. The reservation is for three hours per family. Considering preparation and clean up time, you will be able to use the place for about 2.5 hours. Since there are no sinks available, you should take everything home with you, including food and utensils. Please bring a bag to take away your garbage. The BBQ area is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., from March through November,
Reservation: via internet or telephone (02) 575-3895
Website: http://parks.seoul.go.kr/citizen
Six outdoor tables and sic BBQ grills
Three hours per table (9 a.m./12 p.m./3 p.m.)
Storage: No storage for BBQs; all food, charcoal (sold at the park stall) and grills should be brought by visitors.
Fee: Free


Culture and Arts Park

The east end of Citizen’s Forest meets Gyeongbu Expressway. Across the expressway, there is another forest, which is Culture and Arts Park. It seems as if the expressway divides the forest into two parts. However, the expressway was built earlier than the forest. The Culture and Arts Park was built in Zone 3 of Citizen’s Forest in 1994. Near the forest, the Children’s Transportation Safety Education Park and Seoul Education Culture Center are located.

Culture and Arts Park is like a huge outdoor gallery where forests and sculptures are harmonized. Sculptures of various materials exhibited along the walking trail are well matched with the calm and peaceful atmosphere of the forest. There is an outdoor stage, too. An auditorium constructed of steel and wood matches the steel roof of the stage, creating a modern look. The stage is suitable for small-scale performances.

Right next to the center plaza, there is a special exhibition area where sculptures are located. The sculptures are the works of representative modern sculptors. These sculptures deliver various aspects of life to visitors of the park. It is quite good to walk quietly in thought while viewing the artwork.

There are various species of trees growing in the Culture and Arts Park. The most recognizable tree is the metasequoia tree. The Metasequoia tree-lined road, one of the most famous things in the park, is an exotic sight. You may feel a cozy and romantic atmosphere while you walk through the metasequoia trees.

Yangjaecheon (stream)

Yangjaecheon, rising in Gwanaksan and Cheonggyesan and flowing through Gwacheon-si to Gangnam area of Seoul, is one of the branch streams of the Hangang. Until the mid-’90s, Yangjaecheon was seriously polluted by household waste water. Then, no fish or birds could live in Yangjaecheon. Thanks to a continuous environmental recovery project for 15 years, the stream was restored to become the most successful eco-river where more than 20 species of fish live and birds such as red-crowned cranes and mallard ducks often visit. 

At the downstream of Yangjaecheon in Gangnamgu, there is an eco-park named Hangnyeoul Eco Park. The name Hangnyeoul means rapids in a stream where cranes come. The park area was restored to be a nature-like stream environment. Gangnam-gu created an eco-learning center and started environmental education programs. The program provides lectures about animals and plants in Yangjaecheon and onsite learning to give participants opportunities to think about the importance of environmental conservation. Reservations are required to participate in the environmental education program. For more information, call Flood Control & Disaster Prevention Division of Gangnam-gu (02) 445-1416. The program is offered twice a day, 10-12 a.m. and 2-4 p.m., from Monday to Friday.

Seocho-gu also provides the “Yangjaecheon Eco-exploration Program” every Wednesday during April-June and September-October. The exploration course is Seocho Culture and Arts Park→Environmental Education Center→Yangjaecheon Water Treatment Facility→Yangjaecheon. For two hours, participants observe the ecosystem of streams and the forest with a professional instructor. The program starts with a lecture about the forest ecosystem at the Culture and Arts Park.


Yangjaecheon Outdoor Swimming Pool

An outdoor swimming pool located between Yeongdongyo of Yangjaecheon and Yangjae Citizen’s Forest has become a haven for children in this hot and humid summer. The forest behind the children’s pool provides a natural parasol and a 5-meter-high sun shade above the adults’ pool allows swimmers to avoid direct sunlight.

The Yangjaecheon outdoor pool was opened in 2007 after renovating the waterfront area to international standards. The pool is also equipped with a water slide for kids, sun-beds, shower rooms and other convenience facilities. In particular, the children’s pool is only 30cm deep and equipped with various fountains, thus it is safe and fun for kids. 

Seoul YMCA is an operational agency of the pool. The pool opens 9 a.m.-8 p.m. until Aug. 30. During the high season from late July to early August, the hours of operation will be extended until 10 p.m. Admission fee is 5,000 won for an adult (over 19 years old), 4,000 won for a youth (13-18). 3,000 won for a child (4-12). Men of national merit, the disabled, beneficiaries of national support, the elderly over 65 years old and Seocho-gu residents get a 50 percent discount. Groups of 10 or more (children) will also get a discount, 1,000 won per person. For information call (02) 2155-6754.