Seonyudo Park is a free public park on a small island in the middle of Seoul’s Han River, at 343 Seonyu-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 선유로 343). It’s open every day from 06:00 to 24:00 and there’s no admission fee. Because the gates stay open until midnight, you can still wander in well after sunset, and it’s one of the spots Seoul counts among its best places for night views.
What Is Seonyudo Park?
Seonyudo is a small island that rises from the middle of the Han River. Its scenery once drew painters and poets, but the original look of Seonyubong Peak was lost during the Japanese colonial period. From 1978 to 2000 the island housed a water treatment plant that supplied tap water to southwestern Seoul.
After the plant shut down, the site reopened in April 2002 as an eco-friendly park. Ivy now covers the pillars of an old filtration basin whose roof was taken off. Koreans call this spot the “garden of green pillars” (녹색기둥의 정원). You’ll also find a water-purification garden, an outdoor amphitheater, and a greenhouse full of plants. The old water pump room is now Seonyudo Iyagigwan (선유도 이야기관), an exhibition hall about the island’s history and culture.
Can You Visit Seonyudo Park at Night?
Yes. The park stays open until 24:00 every day of the year, so evening and late-night visits are no problem. The Seoul Metropolitan Government includes it among the city’s night-view spots, which makes it a good place to watch the Han River after dark.
The indoor exhibition space at Seonyudo Iyagigwan closes in the late afternoon, though. To see everything, tour the exhibition hall and gardens during the day, then come back for an evening walk around the park.
Seonyudo Park Opening Hours and Admission
| Area | Hours | Closed | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seonyudo Park | 06:00–24:00 | Open year-round | Free |
| Seonyudo Iyagigwan | 09:00–18:00 (winter 09:00–17:00) | Every Monday | Free |
| Park programs | Varies by program | — | Separate fee per program |
Entry to the park itself is free. Only the programs held in the park charge their own fees.
How to Book Seonyudo Park Programs
Programs are booked online on a first-come, first-served basis through the Seoul Public Service Reservation website (서울특별시 공공서비스예약). Booking for the next month’s programs opens on the 25th of each month. For example, August programs open for booking on July 25.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to book | Seoul Public Service Reservation website, online, first-come, first-served |
| Booking opens | The 25th of each month (for the following month’s programs) |
| Group size | Up to 4 people per booking (no group bookings) |
| Cancellations | Via the reservation website or the management office (02-2631-9367) |
Getting to Seonyudo Park from Seonyudo Station
The closest subway station is Seonyudo Station on Line 9, about a 10-minute walk from the park. Dangsan Station, served by Lines 2 and 9, is about a 15-minute walk away.
| Transport | Get off at | To the park |
|---|---|---|
| Subway Line 9 | Seonyudo Station | About 10 min on foot |
| Subway Lines 2 & 9 | Dangsan Station | About 15 min on foot |
| Blue trunk buses 602, 603, 604 | Seonyudo bus stop | Short walk from the stop |
| Green branch buses 5712, 5714, 6712, 6716, 7612 | Seonyudo bus stop | Short walk from the stop |
Sources don’t agree on which exit to use at Seonyudo Station. Visit Seoul, the city’s English tourism site, says the park is about 782 m from Exit 3. Check the exit signs inside the station when you arrive.
Parking at Seonyudo Park
Regular cars can’t park inside the park. The only exception is a car with a disabled parking permit carrying a passenger with a mobility impairment.
| Vehicle | Where to park |
|---|---|
| Car with a disabled parking permit (carrying a passenger with a mobility impairment) | Inside Seonyudo Park |
| All other cars | Parking Lot 3 at Yanghwa Hangang Park (양화한강공원) |
Tips for Visiting Seonyudo Park
- Take public transport. Regular cars have to use Parking Lot 3 at Yanghwa Hangang Park, so walking over from Seonyudo or Dangsan Station is usually easier.
- Seonyudo Iyagigwan is closed on Mondays. If you want to see the exhibition hall, skip Mondays and arrive before closing time (18:00, or 17:00 in winter).
- Split your visit between day and night. The park is open until midnight, so you can see the exhibition and gardens by day and come back after sunset for a walk and the night views.
- Remember the 25th. Next month’s programs open for first-come, first-served booking on the 25th of each month, with a limit of 4 people per booking.
- Double-check the exit on site. Sources give different exit numbers for Seonyudo Station, so follow the signs in the station.
Seonyudo Park at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 343 Seonyu-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 선유로 343) |
| Phone | 02-2631-9368 |
| Management office | 02-2631-9367 |
| Hours | 06:00–24:00 (open year-round) |
| Admission | Free (programs charge separately) |
| Website | Seoul Parks – Seonyudo Park |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Seonyudo Park’s opening hours and admission fee?
The park is open daily from 06:00 to 24:00, and admission is free. It’s open year-round, and only the programs held in the park charge their own fees.
Can I visit Seonyudo Park at night?
Yes, you can enter until midnight (24:00). The park is on the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s list of night-view spots, and many people come here for an evening walk.
Can I park at Seonyudo Park?
Regular cars can’t park inside the park. Only cars with a disabled parking permit carrying a passenger with a mobility impairment may park inside. All other cars should use Parking Lot 3 at Yanghwa Hangang Park.
Which subway exit should I use for Seonyudo Park?
The park is about a 10-minute walk from Seonyudo Station on Line 9. Visit Seoul says it’s about 782 m from Exit 3, but sources give different exit numbers, so check the signs in the station. From Dangsan Station (Lines 2 and 9), the walk takes about 15 minutes.
Is there a bus to Seonyudo Park?
Yes, get off at the Seonyudo bus stop. Blue trunk buses 602, 603, and 604 and green branch buses 5712, 5714, 6712, 6716, and 7612 all stop there.
When is Seonyudo Iyagigwan closed?
It’s closed every Monday. On other days, you can visit from 09:00 to 18:00 (09:00 to 17:00 in winter).
How do I book a program at Seonyudo Park?
Book online through the Seoul Public Service Reservation website on a first-come, first-served basis. Booking for the next month’s programs opens on the 25th of each month. Group bookings aren’t accepted, and each booking is limited to 4 people.
How do I cancel a program booking?
You can cancel through the reservation website or the management office. The management office number is 02-2631-9367.
