The Olympic Bridge night view is a free light display on the Han River bridge that links Guui-dong in Seoul’s Gwangjin-gu with Pungnap-dong in Songpa-gu. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the lights come on 30 minutes after sunset and switch off at 23:00. The closest subway stop is Gangbyeon Station (Line 2), Exit 1, on the bridge’s north side. From there it’s about a 21-minute walk.
What Is Olympic Bridge?
Olympic Bridge is a 1,470m Han River crossing with six lanes, three in each direction. It opened on November 15, 1989, and was designed to commemorate the 24th Seoul Olympic Games. That theme shows up all over the structure. The main tower stands 88m tall, a nod to the “88 Seoul Olympics.” Its 24 stay cables run along the bridge’s center line, 12 on each side of the tower.
A torch-shaped symbol sits on top of the tower, held up by four pillars that represent the four seasons and the four directions. It costs nothing to visit the bridge.
When and How to See the Olympic Bridge Night View
Han River bridges first got decorative lighting in 1999, and Olympic Bridge was the first to have it. The bridge’s lighting is called Saecheonnyeon Bit (새천년 빛), meaning “New Millennium Light.” It also honors the Seoul Olympics, recreating the flame of an Olympic torch sculpture and the five colors of the Olympic rings.
You can see the lights any evening from 30 minutes after sunset until they go off at 23:00. Because of high oil prices, Seoul is cutting energy use, and the city says lighting hours may be adjusted as conditions change. If you’re planning a late visit, it’s worth calling ahead to confirm.
Olympic Bridge Lighting Hours & Admission
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Lights on | 30 minutes after sunset |
| Lights off | 23:00 |
| Admission | Free |
| Address | 250-1 Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul |
| Lighting information | 02-2040-0367 |
| Olympic Bridge information | 02-2133-1954 |
| Seoul Road Planning Office (서울시 도로기획관) | 02-2133-1660 |
| 120 Dasan Call Foundation (Seoul helpline) | 02-120 |
Older sources list seasonal hours, with lights off at 23:00 from November to April and at 24:00 from May to October. The current official Seoul listing has no seasonal split. It gives a single year-round window: 30 minutes after sunset to 23:00.
How to Get to Olympic Bridge (Gangbyeon & Gangdong-gu Office Stations)
You can walk onto Olympic Bridge from either end: the north side in Gwangjin-gu or the south side in Songpa-gu. Expect a fairly long walk from the subway, so leave yourself plenty of time.
| Side | Transport | Get off at | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Subway Line 2 | Gangbyeon Station, Exit 1 | About 21 min on foot |
| South | Subway | Gangdong-gu Office Station, Exit 4 | About 37 min on foot |
| North | Bus | Prime Apartment stop (프라임아파트앞) | Walk from the stop |
| South | Bus | Pungnaptoseong West Wall stop (풍납토성서성벽) | Walk from the stop |
Gangbyeon Station Exit 1 has the shortest walk. We couldn’t confirm directions from Seoul Station or Incheon International Airport, taxi fares, or parking details in official sources, so they’re not included here.
Tips for Seeing Olympic Bridge at Night
- Time it to the lights. The lights come on 30 minutes after sunset, so check that day’s sunset time before you leave.
- Get there before 23:00. The lights go off at 23:00. To catch the view, you’ll need to be near the bridge sometime in the 22:00 hour at the latest.
- Allow for the walk. It takes about 21 minutes on foot from Gangbyeon Station and about 37 minutes from Gangdong-gu Office Station.
- Look up at the tower. The 88m tower, its torch-shaped symbol and the 24 cables were all designed to commemorate the Seoul Olympics.
- Hours may change. Seoul adjusts lighting times to save energy. To be sure, call the lighting information line at 02-2040-0367.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time are the Olympic Bridge lights on?
The lights come on 30 minutes after sunset and switch off at 23:00. Seoul says lighting hours may be adjusted as part of its energy-saving measures.
Is it free to see the Olympic Bridge night view?
Yes, it’s free. There’s no entrance or viewing fee.
Which station should I get off at to see the Olympic Bridge night view?
For the north side, the closest is Gangbyeon Station (Line 2), Exit 1, about a 21-minute walk away. On the south side, it’s about a 37-minute walk from Gangdong-gu Office Station, Exit 4.
Where do I get off if I take the bus?
Get off at the Prime Apartment stop (프라임아파트앞) for the north side or the Pungnaptoseong West Wall stop (풍납토성서성벽) for the south side. Both require a walk from the stop.
What do the Olympic Bridge lights mean?
The lighting is called Saecheonnyeon Bit (새천년 빛), “New Millennium Light,” and commemorates the Seoul Olympics. It recreates the flame of an Olympic torch sculpture and the five colors of the Olympic rings. It was installed in 1999, the first decorative lighting on any Han River bridge.
What does the 88m height of the Olympic Bridge tower mean?
The 88m height commemorates the “88 Seoul Olympics.” The 24 stay cables on either side of the tower stand for the 24th Olympic Games, and the four pillars beneath the torch-shaped symbol represent the four seasons and the four directions.
Who can I contact about the bridge lighting?
Call the lighting information line at 02-2040-0367. You can also reach the Olympic Bridge information line at 02-2133-1954, the Seoul Road Planning Office at 02-2133-1660, or the 120 Dasan Call Foundation at 02-120.
