Oil Tank Culture Park & Getting There | KoreaToDo

Oil Tank Culture Park 문화비축기지

서울특별시 마포구 증산로 87 | 87, Jeungsan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Open all year round. Exhibition Hall Closed on Mondays.

Free

World Cup Stadium Station (line 6, exit 2). 10 mins walk.

parks.seoul.go.kr

Oil Tank Culture Park, surrounded by Maebongsan Mountain near Seoul World Cup Stadium is a transformed eco-friendly cultural multiplex with rich history.

The remodelled public park retains the unique qualities of oil tanks and its historical significance, offers visitors a memorable cultural experience.

Oil Tank Culture Park - Sangam Social Box

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History of Oil Tank Culture Park

The culture park was once a petroleum reserve base of five oil storage tanks built in 1976-78 after the oil crisis in 1973. Designated as a top security facility, the identity of the tanks remained unknown even to the locals.

Each of the five tanks are 15m high and 15-38m wide. Storing 69.07 million litres of oil, the tanks held enough oil reserves to power the South Korea's capital city, Seoul for a month if needed.

The oil depot was closed in December 2000 for safety reasons due to its proximity to the stadium before the 2002 World Cup, jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea.

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The Urban Regeneration Project

For more than 10 years, the tanks were left abandoned (and forgotten) until the Seoul Metropolitan Government decided to transform it into a cultural reserve base through a public idea contest for oil tank utilisation in 2013.

The work, ‘Time Written on Land’ was selected in 2014 and became the basis for building an environment-friendly cultural space that utilises the spatial characteristics of the petroleum oil tanks.

Oil Tank Culture Park - Information on T3

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The Opening of the Once Hidden Oil Tank Reserve Base as a Culture Park

This strictly controlled area to the public for 41 years was finally open to the citizens in September 2017.

The Culture Plaza (T0), an open cultural courtyard located in the middle of the site has the size of 22 soccer fields with six tanks around it.

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The Transformation of the Oil Storage Tanks

Four of the five exiting oil storage tanks were transformed into Glass Pavilion (T1), Performance Hall (T2), Cultural Complex (T4) and Story Hall (T5).

One original oil storage tank (T3) is preserved. Community Center (T6) was newly constructed.

T1 - Glass Pavilion

At T1, the tank that used to store petroleum was dismantled and installed with glass walls and roof. Through the glass wall, one can enjoy panoramic view of Mt. Maebongsan.

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T2 - Performance Hall

The oil tank is now converted to an outdoor stage with concrete walls that used to surround the tank. The lower part of the tank is an indoor performance stage.

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T3 - Original Oil Storage Tank

The original form of the oil tank, a valuable cultural heritage is preserved at T3.

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T4 - Cultural Complex

The internal of the oil tank was restored for cultural performances and exhibitions.

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T5 - Story Hall

Walk through the history of the oil depot to the present Oil Tank Culture Park at the T5's Story Hall.

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T6 - Community Center

A new tank (T6) was constructed on recycled steel plates dismantled from Tank 1 and Tank 2 and established as a Community Center with cafeteria, conference rooms and multipurpose lecture halls.

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Cafe TANK 6 is a large artistically designed cafe that offers a relaxing break from the walk around the oil tank park. There are various large size teddy bears in the cafe that you can drink coffee and take photographs with.

Oil Tank Culture Park - T6 - Cafe Tank 6

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Oil Tank Culture Park - T6 - Floor Guide

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On the second floor is a round opening rooftop with view of the sky and a cosy 'Eco-Lounge' library.

Oil Tank Culture Park - T6 - 2F Roof Top

Oil Tank Culture Park - T6 - 2F Community Center

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Maebongsan Walking Path

Oil Tank Culture Park, located at the base of Mt. Maebongsan has a 1.35km (30 mins) trail that goes around part of the circumference of Oil Tank Culture Park.

The trail offers visitors a good nature experience of Maebongsan Mountain. The trail entrances are located near the park's entrance towards T1 (Glass Pavilion) or Tank 5 (Story Hall).

Oil Tank Culture Park - Sign to Maebongsan Walking Path

Oil Tank Culture Park - Maebongsan Walking Path

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Sangam Social Box

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Attractions around Oil Tank Culture Park

Walking distance to Oil Tank Culture Park are the four ecological parks of World Cup Park, namely Pyeonghwa (/Peace) Park, Noeul Park, Nanjicheon Park and Haneul Park.

Of which, Haneul Park has gained much popularity with foreign visitors over the years especially for its annual Silver Grass Festival and other trending flower fields like Pink Muhly Grass and Kochia Broom Cypress.

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Map

Map to Oil Tank Culture Park from Subway Station & Attractions nearby

Getting to Oil Tank Culture Park & Location Map | Seoul, South Korea

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