World Cup Park 월드컵공원

World Cup Park is located near the Seoul World Cup stadium, and is made up of five smaller parks including Peace Park 평화의공원, Haneul Park 하늘공원, Noeul Park 노을공원, Nanjicheon Park 난지천공원, and Nanji Hangang Park 난지한강공원. I made it to first three on the same day, climbed uphill, stairs and descend approximately 900 steps just to get a glimpse of these beauty of nature in Seoul. 

Totally worth it, I must say.

Peace Park 평화의공원

Referred to as Pyeonghwa Park 평화의공원 to locals, this park is closest to the Seoul World Cup Stadium, and within the vicinity holds a pond and children’s playground. On a good day, visitors can enjoy clear blue skies and wind, and a view of the pond and waterfront walks. In addition, as the relaxation space are mostly shaded by trees, locals usually come to this park for picnic (one of Korean's favourite past time).

Haneul Park 하늘공원

Haneul means sky in Korean. Of the five World Cup parks, Haneul Park is at the highest elevation and it is a grassy heaven that reaches out to encapsulate the sky. Once a mountain of garbage, it is now a green hill with 22 lookout points offering breathtaking views of Seoul City. Since year 2000, more than 30,000 butterflies were released around park which help pollinates plants in the park.

291 steps to Haneul Park. If it's too difficult walk up, shuttle service is available for a small fee. There is a connecting bridge from Peace Park that brings you to this stairs.

Halfway to 'heaven'

Just five more steps ....

View of World Cup Stadium from the stairs

View of Hangang and Seoul city from the stairs

After the stairs, just follow the pathway and then climb uphill a little (another 10mins or so) to reach Haneul Park.

Finally here!

The park's caretaker tending to their plants

Blue skies make me happy

Blue skies make me very, very happy! :)

Observatory platform

View of Hangang Park and Han River from observatory platform

Seongsan Bridge 성산대교.

This deck on Haneul Park is called 'Bowl Embracing the Sky' which was designed to represent the act of embracing nature, human and art together.

Climbing 291 steps to get to the park a daunting task for me, but after coming here personally, looking down at Hangang and getting a view of Seoul's cityscape from the park's observatory platform was the best return I got. On the peak of this barren land, I felt freedom.

Noeul Park 노을공원
Local and non-locals alike come to Noeul Park (which means Sunset Park in Korean) to see the most beautiful sunsets in park. Noeul Park, which has the largest land space compared to other World Cup parks, contains a 9-hole golf course and has a camping site within its vicinity.

Just in time for sunset

Love the sunset glow

Love the sunset glow

Sunset and Hangang. This shot was taken when I was descending the stairs from Haneul Park on on my way to Noeul.

Getting Here

[Peace Park]

From the World Cup Stadium station (Subway Line 6, exit 1). From exit 1, cross the main road using pedestrian crossing and walk towards a Fisheries Market. Walk a little further and you will see a parking area. Turn left and walk till the end to reach Peace Park. Walking time: 15minutes.

[Haneul Park]
From the World Cup Stadium station (Subway Line 6, exit 1). From exit 1, cross the main road using pedestrian crossing and walk towards a Fisheries Market. Walk a little further and you will see a parking area. Turn left and walk till the end to reach Peace Park. There is a bridge that connects Peace Park to Haneul Park via Haneul Stairs. To get to the bridge, go pass the convenience store at Peace Park, go straight, cross a mini stream and you'll see the bridge. Walking time: 30minutes to reach Haneul Stairs.

[Noeul Park]
Descend the stairs from one of the observatory platforms at Haneul Park. Cross the road and you will see entrance to Noeul Park.