Everything is beautiful in its time and autumn is when Haneul Park reveals its most beautiful side. If you’re going to Korea in Autumn, Haneul Park is one of must visit place in Seoul. During our #FoodInLoveKOREA trip in early November 2016, we visited Haneul Park which located near Seoul World Cup Stadium.

For complete guide and list of 30 things to eat in Seoul, please read [KOREA] FOOD GUIDE – What to Eat in Seoul

Guide to the best destinations to enjoy Autumn in Seoul, please read [KOREA] AUTUMN IN SEOUL – Fall Foliage Destinations and Places to Visit

Need more info to plan your daily itinerary in Seoul? Check our itinerary guide [KOREA] ITINERARY TRAVEL GUIDE – Top Places to Visit in Seoul

How to go to Haneul Park

Haneul Park can be easily reached by Subway from Seoul city center. Just get off at World Cup Stadium Station (Seoul Subway Line 6) and take Exit 1. It takes around 45 minutes from Myeongdong. Anyway, we had got confused after coming out from the subway station. We didn’t know which way to go from exit 1 and got distracted by the lovely foliage. Fortunately, there is a big map of Seoul World Cup complex and then we follow the direction on google maps.

Around the world cup stadium, there are beautiful surroundings like the plaza, park, and pedestrian with lovely foliage. It’s really good to enjoy the autumn vibes and take a lot of pictures.

Back to the direction to Haneul Park. From Exit 1, just turn right and go around the stadium. Follow the big road and turn left to cross the street at the 4-way intersection. You’ll see the Haneul Park signage at the parking lot like the photo below. In parking lot area, there is a shuttle bus station that you can use to the top. We buy a ticket from the ticket counter which costs KRW 3,000 for round trip. Alternatively, you can take the zig-zag stairway, which precisely 291 stairs to finally arrive at Haneul Park if you have more time and energy.

As we mentioned before, World Cup Park is located near Seoul World Cup Stadium and is made up of five smaller parks: Pyeonghwa (Peace) Park, Haneul (Sky) Park, Noeul (Sunset) Park, Nanjicheon Park, and Nanji Hangang Park. Surprisingly, we found out later that the World Cup Park was once a 15-year-old landfill that held over 92 million tons of garbage.

Haneul Park was once a landfill. Originally, this place was a low flatland where peanuts and sorghum grew. However, it eventually became an enormous mountain of garbage. After it reached capacity and finally stopped operation in 1993, the Seoul Metropolitan Government decided to turn this area into an ecological park. We think that Haneul Park is a good example that shows how a barren disposal site can be transformed into a beautiful place when nature is allowed to reclaim the land. What a great job from Seoul metropolitan government!

What to do in Haneul Park

Like its name Haneul, which means sky in Korean, Haneul Park is situated at World Cup Park’s highest point where visitors can enjoy fantastic views of Seoul and Han river. Haneul Park has 22 lookout points offering breathtaking views of Seoul’s main landmark, including the N Seoul Tower, Bukhansan Mountain, and Hangang River.

After arrived at Haneul Park, we just explore the park and strolling around to enjoy the silver grass field since it’s very beautiful and dramatic. You’ll feel like drowning in a dreamy land which covered with eulalias and wild flowers in their most natural state.

There is 5 windmills spin slowly and quietly among the silver grass field. It’s actually the wind-powered generators that provide power to the park and the park’s maintenance office.

Another great spot is observation platform. It offers a stunning aerial view of the whole park which covered with silver grass and Seoul city view. While enjoying the views, you can relax in cozy rest areas at the edge of the park. There are some bench and viewing point that facing Han River and Seoul city.

At the east side, there is also a viewing point that facing the Seoul World Cup stadium with bench and leafless trees. We also can see the aerial view of silver grass from the other angle. It’s the real autumn vibes, isn’t it?

For the best experience, we strongly recommend you to come here in the afternoon because when the sunset shines on the Miscanthus, the golden sprinkles are absolutely amazing and it truly reflects the soul of autumn.

Overall, Haneul Park is definitely a must visit place in Seoul, especially in Autumn. With the highest point in Seoul World Cup Park, it offers a breathtaking and spectacular view of Seoul. Walking among the silver grass field in Autumn will surely be an unforgettable experience.

KOREA ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE:

• [KOREA] FOOD GUIDE – What to Eat in Seoul
• [KOREA] AUTUMN IN SEOUL – Fall Foliage Destinations and Places to Visit
• [KOREA] ITINERARY TRAVEL GUIDE – Top Places to Visit in Seoul

Korea Travel Series:

• [KOREA] NAMI ISLAND (NAMISEOM 남이섬 종합휴양지) – Travel Guide
• [KOREA] SEOMHYANGGI (섬향기) – Korean BBQ in Nami Island
• [KOREA] HANEUL PARK (SEOUL WORLD CUP PARK) – Travel Guide
• [KOREA] N SEOUL TOWER / NAMSAN TOWER (남산서울타워) – Travel Diary
• [KOREA] EWHA WOMANS UNIVERSITY – Travel Diary
• [KOREA] BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE (북촌한옥마을) – Travel Diary
• [KOREA] NAMSANGOL HANOK VILLAGE (남산골한옥마을) – Travel Diary
• [KOREA] SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL 2016
• [KOREA] SULBING (설빙) KOREAN DESSERT CAFE – Seoul
• [KOREA] SOFTREE ICE CREAM – Itaewon, Seoul
• [KOREA] LINE FRIENDS STORE & CAFE – Seoul
• [KOREA] OSULLOC TEA HOUSE 오설록 티하우스
• [KOREA] HANCHU (한추) – Gangnam, Seoul
• [KOREA] BHC CHICKEN – Seoul
• [KOREA] CHICKEN & CURRY GOON (치킨앤 카레군) – Hongdae, Seoul
• [KOREA] TOSOKCHON SAMGYETANG – Seoul
• [KOREA] MYEONGDONG KYOJA (명동교자) – Myeongdong, Seoul
• [KOREA] GOGUNG (고궁) – Myeongdong, Seoul
• [KOREA] JAEDONG SUNDUBU (재동순두부) – Seoul
• [KOREA] SAEMUL SIKDANG / NEW VILLAGE KOREAN BBQ RESTAURANT (새마을식당) – Hongdae, Seoul
• [KOREA] GIMGANE – Myeongdong, Seoul
• [KOREA] BUKCHON SON MANDU 북촌손만두 – Seoul
• [KOREA] ME? STEAK! Steak & Beer in a Cup – Hongdae, Seoul

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Haneul Park

487-48 Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea

Phone: +82-2-300-5501/2

Website: http://parks.seoul.go.kr

Operating Hours:
Everyday (9 AM – 6 PM)

Entrance fee: No entrance fee

Length of Visit: 2-3 hours

How to getting there:
By subway: Take exit 1 of World Cup Stadium Station (Seoul Subway Line 6). Turn right and go around the stadium. Follow the big road and turn left to cross the stree at the 4-way intersection

MAP

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