Oil Tank Culture Park is a culture park at 87 Jeungsan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 마포구 증산로 87). It sits on the slopes of Maebongsan Mountain (매봉산), right next to Seoul World Cup Stadium. The outdoor park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and admission is free. From Exit 2 or 3 of World Cup Stadium Station on Subway Line 6, it’s about a 10-minute walk.
One thing to know before you go: the former oil tanks, T1 to T6, have been rebuilt as cultural spaces, but since April 2025 you can’t go inside them on a regular basis. For now, a visit is mostly about the outdoor park and its walking trails.
What Is Oil Tank Culture Park?
During Korea’s industrialization, this site was the Mapo Oil Reserve Base, where the country stored oil. The facility was strictly off-limits to the public. Through an urban regeneration project, it has become a culture park that anyone can wander into. Its Korean slogan, “Oil to Culture,” sums up that change.
Five of the original tanks were turned into cultural spaces. Steel plates from the tanks that were taken down went into a new building, T6, which serves as a community space. The empty land outside the tanks became an open plaza (문화마당) where children can run around. The existing woods were left as untouched as possible, and a variety of flowers and trees were added. On the trail that leads up Maebongsan Mountain, you might spot a wild rabbit or a red squirrel.
The park reopened in September 2025 after a renovation, and the parking lot grew from 42 spaces to 107.
Oil Tank Culture Park at Night: When to Go
Because the outdoor park never closes, you can walk in during the evening or late at night. Official sources don’t list lighting hours or recommend specific night-view spots, though.
The guided tours (14:00 and 16:00) and the audio guide rental (10:00–17:00) only run during the day. If you’d like to join those too, arrive in the afternoon and stay into the evening. Drivers pay for parking between 09:00 and 22:00.
Oil Tank Culture Park Hours and Admission at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Outdoor park | Open 24 hours, every day of the year |
| Park admission | Free |
| Inside Tanks T1–T6 | Not open for regular visits since April 2025 (the operator says it plans to introduce paid programs) |
| Cafe Tank6 (T6, B2) | Sources differ: “open year-round” or “10:00–19:00, closed Mondays” |
| Audio guide rental (information center building) | Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–17:00; closed Mondays |
| Guided space tour with a docent | Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 14:00 and 16:00 (twice a day) |
| Parking | Paid (see the parking table below) |
Before You Go: Tanks T1–T6 Are Closed for Regular Visits
- What’s affected: Regular visits inside Tanks T1–T6
- Since: April 2025 (no end date has been announced)
- Why: T1–T6 are now leased out under a commercial use permit and run by a private operator, The Moon Entertainment (㈜더문엔터테인먼트). For tank use, rentals, or filming, call 02-508-2205.
- The outdoor park is still open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Sources also list different hours for Cafe Tank6, so check before you go.
Exploring with a Guided Tour or Audio Guide
| Program | Schedule | How to Book / Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Guided space tour with a docent | Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 14:00 and 16:00 | Search “문화비축기지” on Seoul Public Service Reservation (yeyak.seoul.go.kr) |
| Audio guide | Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese / rentals Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–17:00 (closed Mondays) | Information center building |
| Tactile tour | For visually impaired visitors and their assistants; every Wednesday (other days can be arranged), up to 5 groups per session | 02-376-9340 |
If you don’t speak Korean, you can rent an audio guide in English, Japanese, or Chinese and listen as you walk around the park.
How to Get to Oil Tank Culture Park: Subway, Bus, and Parking
Subway
| Line | Station | Exit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 6 | World Cup Stadium Station | Exit 2 or 3 | About a 10-minute walk |
Bus
Two bus stops are close by. Seoul’s own park pages list slightly different route numbers, so check before you board.
| Bus Stop | Routes |
|---|---|
| World Cup Stadium West Side · Oil Tank Culture Park (월드컵경기장서측·문화비축기지) | 571, 710, 760, 6715, 7019, 7715, 9711 |
| World Cup Park Entrance · Oil Tank Culture Park Entrance (월드컵공원입구·문화비축기지입구) | 271, 6715, 7011, 7019, 7715, 8777, Mapo08 (마포08) |
Parking
The lot has 107 spaces. It’s tight and gets busy on weekends, so public transportation is the better choice.
| Vehicle | Fee | Charged Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger car | 150 KRW (~$0.11 USD) per 5 minutes | 09:00–22:00 |
| Mid-size vehicle | 300 KRW (~$0.22 USD) per 5 minutes | 09:00–22:00 |
| Discount Eligibility | Discount |
|---|---|
| People with disabilities, national merit recipients | 80% |
| Compact and low-emission vehicles | 50% |
| Multi-child families (two children) | 30% |
| Multi-child families (three children) | 50% |
Address and Contact
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 87 Jeungsan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 마포구 증산로 87) |
| Park inquiries | 02-376-8420 |
| Main number | 02-376-8410 |
| Tanks T1–T6 use and rentals | 02-508-2205 (The Moon Entertainment) |
| Website | https://parks.seoul.go.kr/template/sub/culturetank.do |
Tips for Visiting Oil Tank Culture Park
- Plan around the outdoor park and trails. You can’t go inside Tanks T1–T6 on a regular visit. Build your route around the open plaza and the trail that leads up Maebongsan Mountain.
- Take public transportation. The parking lot has grown to 107 spaces, but it’s still cramped and crowded on weekends. From World Cup Stadium Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk.
- Rent a foreign-language audio guide. Guides in English, Japanese, and Chinese are available Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00, at the information center building.
- Book the guided tour ahead of time. Tours run Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 14:00 and 16:00. Sign up through Seoul Public Service Reservation.
- Check for big-event notices. On days with large events, access to the park or the parking lot may be limited. Look at the news section of Seoul Parks (서울의 공원) before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an admission fee for Oil Tank Culture Park?
No, the park is free to enter. Parking is not free, though: passenger cars pay 150 KRW (~$0.11 USD) per 5 minutes.
Can I go inside the tanks at Oil Tank Culture Park right now?
Not on a regular visit. Since April 2025, Tanks T1–T6 have been leased out under a commercial use permit and run by a private operator. For tank use, rentals, or filming, contact The Moon Entertainment (㈜더문엔터테인먼트) at 02-508-2205.
Can I visit Oil Tank Culture Park at night?
Yes. The outdoor park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The guided tours and audio guide rentals only run during the day.
How much is parking at Oil Tank Culture Park, and how many spaces are there?
There are 107 spaces, and passenger cars pay 150 KRW (~$0.11 USD) per 5 minutes. Mid-size vehicles pay 300 KRW (~$0.22 USD) per 5 minutes, and fees apply from 09:00 to 22:00. People with disabilities and national merit recipients get 80% off, and compact and low-emission vehicles get 50% off.
How long does it take to walk from World Cup Stadium Station to Oil Tank Culture Park?
It’s about a 10-minute walk. Take Exit 2 or 3 at World Cup Stadium Station on Subway Line 6.
How do I book a guided tour of Oil Tank Culture Park?
Search “문화비축기지” on Seoul Public Service Reservation (yeyak.seoul.go.kr) and sign up there. Tours run twice a day, at 14:00 and 16:00, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Is Oil Tank Culture Park open on Mondays?
Yes, the outdoor park is open on Mondays. Audio guide rentals are closed that day. Sources list different closing days for Cafe Tank6, so check before you go.
Is English-language guidance available?
Yes, you can rent an English audio guide. Audio guides come in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese, and you can rent them at the information center building Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00.
