The Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain runs along the sides of Banpo Bridge, right by Banpo Hangang Park (반포한강공원) at 647 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul (서울 서초구 반포동 647). It’s free to watch. To save energy, the fountain runs only three times a day in 2026, at 19:30, 20:00 and 20:30, and each show lasts 20 minutes. The official season runs from March 15 through October, so there are no shows from November onward.
What Is the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain?
Jets of water shoot from both the upstream and downstream sides of Banpo Bridge over a 1,140 m stretch, arcing down into the Han River. The bridge has 380 nozzles, and the shape of the water changes in time with music. Once the sun goes down, the bridge’s decorative lighting comes on too.
Construction began in June 2007, and the fountain had its opening ceremony in April 2009. In between, on November 7, 2008, Guinness World Records listed it as the “World’s Longest Bridge Fountain.” The Han River here is about 700 m wide, and the water pours from the full length of the bridge. That makes it an easy add-on to an evening walk in the riverside park.
Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain Show Times: Evening Schedule
The Seoul Metropolitan Government cut the fountain from five shows a day to three in its “Notice on Operating Changes to Public Water Facilities for Energy Saving” (as of June 1, 2026). The 12:00 and 21:00 shows you may see in older guides don’t exist in 2026.
| Show | Time |
|---|---|
| 1st | 19:30–19:50 (7:30–7:50 PM) |
| 2nd | 20:00–20:20 (8:00–8:20 PM) |
| 3rd | 20:30–20:50 (8:30–8:50 PM) |
All three shows run in the evening, so you’ll see the fountain with the bridge lights on. The official page notes that, under the “2026 Hangang Park Water Facilities (Fountain) Operation and Maintenance Plan,” times can change when the fountain runs alongside an event or during test runs. Call the fountain operations office (02-3780-0578~9) before you go.
Season, Admission and Closures
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Season | March 15 – October (peak season July–August) |
| Closed | November – December (the Korea Tourism Organization’s English guide lists January–March and November–December as closed, subject to weather) |
| Show times (2026) | 19:30, 20:00, 20:30 (three shows a day) |
| Show length | 20 minutes |
| Admission | Free |
When the Fountain Doesn’t Run
The fountain stays off under any of these conditions:
| Condition | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Wind | Wind speed of 7 m/s or more |
| Rain | Rain forecast during show times |
| Han River water quality | Turbidity of 15 NTU or more |
Getting to the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain: Subway, Bus and Parking
The nearest subway station is Express Bus Terminal Station (고속터미널역) on Lines 3, 7 and 9. Leave through Exit 8-1 or 8-2 and walk from there. From Exit 8-1 the walk takes about 20 minutes.
| From | How | Stop / Where | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Bus Terminal Station (Lines 3, 7, 9) | On foot | Exit 8-1 or 8-2 | About 20 minutes from Exit 8-1 |
| Seocho Station / Express Bus Terminal | Bus 143 or 401 | Banpo Hangang Park stop or Banpo Bridge South End Hangang Park Entrance stop (반포대교남단 한강시민공원 입구) | Not available |
| Other routes | Bus 405 or 740 | Banpo Hangang Park stop or Banpo Bridge South End Hangang Park Entrance stop | Not available |
| Car | Banpo Hangang Park public parking lot | Banpo Hangang Park | Not available |
Banpo Hangang Park Parking Fees
| Duration | Fee |
|---|---|
| First 30 minutes | 1,000 KRW (~$0.75 USD) |
| Each additional 10 minutes | 200 KRW (~$0.15 USD) |
| Day before, day of and day after the Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean harvest festival) holidays | Free |
There are no parking spaces set aside for drivers with disabilities.
Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain Tips
- The fountain is off from November. The official season runs from March 15 through October, so check the official website for next season’s plans.
- Ignore older timetables. There are no 12:00 or 21:00 shows in 2026. Plan around 19:30, 20:00 or 20:30.
- Check the forecast. The fountain doesn’t run when winds reach 7 m/s or more, or when rain is forecast during show times.
- Leave time for the walk. It’s about 20 minutes on foot from Exit 8-1 of Express Bus Terminal Station, so set off well before the show starts.
- Each show runs 20 minutes. Shows start 30 minutes apart, so if you miss the first one you can still catch the next.
Contact
| Who | Contact |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Fountain operations office | 02-3780-0578~9 |
| Banpo Information Center | 02-3780-0541~4 |
| Seoul Metropolitan Government, Waterfront City Division (수변감성도시과) | 02-2133-3809, 02-2133-3773 |
| Official website | https://hangang.seoul.go.kr/www/contents/856.do?mid=849 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain run?
In 2026 it runs three times a day, at 19:30, 20:00 and 20:30. Shows were cut from five a day to three to save energy, so there are no 12:00 or 21:00 shows.
How late in the year does the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain run? Is it on in November?
No, it doesn’t run in November. The official season is March 15 through October, and the fountain is closed in November and December.
Does the fountain run on rainy or windy days?
It may not. The fountain stops when winds reach 7 m/s or more or when rain is forecast during show times. It also stays off when the Han River’s turbidity is 15 NTU or higher.
What’s the nearest subway station to the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain?
Express Bus Terminal Station on Lines 3, 7 and 9 is the closest. Leave through Exit 8-1 or 8-2 and walk; it takes about 20 minutes from Exit 8-1.
Is there parking near the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain?
Yes, you can use the Banpo Hangang Park public parking lot. The first 30 minutes cost 1,000 KRW (~$0.75 USD), then 200 KRW (~$0.15 USD) for every 10 minutes after that. There are no parking spaces set aside for drivers with disabilities.
Is there an admission fee for the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain?
No, it’s free. Anyone can watch from Banpo Hangang Park.
How long does each fountain show last?
Each show lasts 20 minutes. The 2026 shows run 19:30–19:50, 20:00–20:20 and 20:30–20:50.
Why is the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain famous?
On November 7, 2008, Guinness World Records listed it as the “World’s Longest Bridge Fountain.” It has 380 nozzles along a 1,140 m stretch on the upstream and downstream sides of Banpo Bridge.
