.png){kind=small}
Seoul Grand Park 서울대공원
▶
-
free to walk around the park. admission fees apply to attractions.
-
Seoul Grand Park Station (line 4, exit 2). Exit direct to park.
Seoul Grand Park is a large park that encompasses many interesting and fun attractions (i.e. Seoul Zoo, Theme Garden and Seoul Land Theme Park) around the beautiful Gwacheon Lake.
Besides the popular seasonal festivals (e.g Cherry Blossom Festival, Seoul Land Winter Festival), there are also easy walking/hiking trails (i.e. Zoo Trail and Forest Trail) for the nature lovers to further explore the beauty of Seoul Grand Park.
Located in Gwacheon City (Gyeonggi Province) near Seoul
Though named as Seoul Grand Park, the park is actually located in Gwacheon City of Gyeonggi Province instead of Seoul. However, it can be easily accessed on Seoul Subway Line 4 (same line as Myeongdong Station & Dongdaemun Station) in about 26 mins from Seoul Station.
Being so near to Seoul City, the scenery is surprisingly picturesque the moment you step out Seoul Grand Park Station. There are no tall buildings in sight. You can see the beautiful Cheonggyesan Mountain far ahead. If you look back to the subway station, you can see the majestic Gwanaksan Mountain.
Subway Station's Exit - Scenic View & Nearby
a) Seasonal Flowers
Beautiful seasonal flowers can be seen upon station's exit and around the park too.
b) Art Sculptures
You can also see interesting art sculptures from station's exit and around Seoul Grand Park.
c) Street Stalls
On festive seasons and weekends, you may come across street stalls set up near the subway station's exit, bringing a joyous mood to the park.
d) Other Eateries & Convenience Stores
Attractions Overview
Getting Around Seoul Grand Park
Leisure Walk ✦ Sky Lift ✦ Elephant Tram
a) Leisure Walk
You can have a leisure circular walk around the park (free admission) leading to Seoul Zoo, Theme Garden and Seoul Land Theme Park.
b) Sky Lift
Sky Lift Line 1 (near subway station ⇄ outside the zoo)
-
Mar (9:30-18:30)
-
Apr-Oct (9:30-19:00)
-
Nov (9.30-18:00)
-
Dec-Feb (10:00-17:30)
-
1-way: 10 mins
Sky Lift Line 2 (inside the zoo ⇄ top of zoo)
-
Mar (9:30-18:00)
-
Apr-Oct (9:30-18:30)
-
Nov (9:30-17:30)
-
Dec-Feb (10:00-17:00)
-
1-way: 15 mins
Operating time subject to change due to weather conditions.
1 Ride / 2 Rides / All Day Unlimited Rides / Zoo + 1 Lift Ticket + 1 Elephant Train Ticket
-
Adult (age above 18): ₩7,000 / ₩13,000 / ₩17,000 / ₩12,000
-
Youth (age 13-18): ₩4,500 / ₩8,000 / ₩11,000 / ₩7,000
-
Child (age 3-12): ₩4,000/₩7,000/₩10,000 / ₩6,500
The Sky Lift is a highly recommended ride for visitors to Seoul Grand Park. The ride is fairly long and you can enjoy scenic panoramic view of Seoul Grand Park, cherry blossoms in Spring and the mountain range beyond as you ride across Gwacheon Lake.
Sky Lift - Lines & Platforms
There are 2 lines operating at Seoul Grand Park's Sky Lift:
-
Line 1 is located outside Seoul Zoo. It starts from Sky Lift Main Building (towards the right after you exit from Seoul Grand Park Station exit 2) to the entrance (North Gate) of Seoul Zoo.
-
Line 2 is located inside Seoul Zoo (i.e. Seoul Zoo admission ticket required & you will need to alight at Line 1 to transfer to Line 2). It starts from inside Seoul Zoo near the entrance (North Gate) to the top end of Seoul Zoo.
-
There are a total of 4 platforms (2 at each end of the line) to get on/drop off from Sky Lift.
-
Each line operates in both directions (i.e to/return). Each direction between the 2 platforms is considered 1 ride.
Sky Lift - Line 1 (Outside Seoul Zoo & Across Gwacheon Lake)
Once you ride past Gwacheon Lake, you can enjoy view of the Theme Garden and Children's Zoo where the lovely alpacas are located.
Sky Lift - Line 2 (Inside Seoul Zoo)
The sky lift ride located inside Seoul Zoo is another worthy ride across the zoo and its forest with scenic views of the zoo below and mountain range beyond.
c) Elephant Tram
Elephant Tram Stops
Stop 1 (General Information Center near Seoul Forest Subway Station)
-
9:00-1hr 10 mins prior to Seoul Land closing time
Stop 2 (in front of Seoul Zoo - main entrance)
-
Mar-Apr & Sep-Oct (9:00-18:10)
-
May-Aug (9:00-19:10)
-
Nov-Feb (9:00-17:10)
Stop 3 (Seoul Land - main gate)
-
9:00-15 mins after Seoul Land closes
-
Adult (age above 18): ₩1,500
-
Youth (age 13-18): ₩1,000
-
Child (age 6-12): ₩1,000
Elephant Tram is a great option especially for those travelling with kids or seniors, to go around the big park effortlessly.
Seoul Zoo 서울동물원
Getting Around ✦ Land Animals ✦ Marine Mammals & Birds
Mar-Apr & Sep-Oct (9:00-18:00)
May-Aug (9:00-19:00)
Nov-Feb (9:00-17:00)
Last admission 1hr before closing.
-
Adult (age 19-64): ₩5,000
-
Youth (age 13-18): ₩3,000
-
Child (age 6-12): ₩2,000
-
Senior (age above 64) & Child (age below 6): free
Opened to the public in 1984, Seoul Zoo is the largest zoo in South Korea. It houses animals from African grasslands, the sea to the rare endangered animals around the world.
The zoo takes pride as a 'healing zoo' where animals are taken care of and feel happy living in an environment closest to nature. In 2019, Seoul Zoo acquired the international AZA certification for its excellence in overall zoo operations that includes animal welfare, conservation research, ecological education, breeding and safety management.
Getting Around Seoul Zoo
You can walk around the zoo at your own pace or take the Sky Lift (recommended) to the top of the zoo or use the free Shuttle Bus.
The Sky Lift line runs inside the zoo near North Gate Entrance, bringing visitors on a scenic ride to the top of Seoul Zoo in about 15 mins.
a) Sky Lift (line 2)
b) Free Shuttle Bus
There is also a Seoul Zoo Free Circulation Electric Shuttle Bus for visitors to get around the zoo easily.
▶Operating Hours: 10:00-12:00 & 13:00-18:00
▶Frequency: 30 mins (subject to change base on park’s condition or visitor numbers)
▶Bus Route (2.5km, 7 stops):
Seoul Zoo (main entrance) ➔ Botanical Garden/Lion House ➔ Oriental Pavilion ➔ Tiger/Bear House (top of the zoo) ➔ South Amierca/Marine House ➔ Tripical Bird House ➔ Rhino House (last stop & all passengers must alight)
Land Animals
The land animal zones include:
-
African Pavilion (giraffes, zebras, ostriches, gemsboks, antelopes, hippopotamus, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, ostriches, sheep, etc)
-
Ape Pavilion
-
Australian Pavilion (kangaroos, wallaroos, emu, etc)
-
Large Herbivores Pavilion (elephants, rhinoceros, water buffalo, bison)
-
Nocturnal Wildlife Pavilion
-
Lesser Panda Enclosure
-
Puma & Jaguar Enclosure
-
Coyote Enclosure Camel Enclosure
-
Oriental Pavilion (monkeys, turtles, tortoise, snakes, etc)
-
Wolf & Fox Enclosure, Carnivore Enclosure (tigers, leopards, etc)
-
Bear Enclosure
-
Deer Enclosure
-
South American Pavilion (ant bears, sloths, lamas, etc)
Marine Mammals, Birds, Insects & Botanical Garden
Other zones in Seoul Zoo include:
-
Flamingo Pavilion
-
Large Waterfowl Aviary
-
Tropical Birds Hall
-
Stork Village
-
Birds of Prey Enclosure (owls, eagles, hawks, condor, etc)
-
Peafowl Village
-
Insectarium
-
Marine Pavilion (sea lions, seals)
-
Botanical Garden
Seoul Land 서울랜드
Rides & Attractions ✦ Entertainment & Performances ✦ Seasonal Festivals & Events
경기도 과천시 광명로 181 | 181 Gwangmyeong-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
10:00-21:00
varies according to season/month, refer to Seoul Land website for the latest updates.
All Day Park Pass (1 Day)
-
Adult (age 19-64): ₩49,000
-
Youth (age 13-18): ₩46,000
-
Senior (age above 34) & Child (age 3-12): ₩43,000
-
Child (age below 3): free
Night Park Pass (entry from 16:00)
-
Adult (age 19-64): ₩42,000
-
Youth (age 13-18): ₩39,000
-
Senior (age above 34) & Child (age 3-12): ₩36,000
-
Child (age below 3): free
The park pass is only valid for admission and use of amusement facilities, excluding experience facilities (i.e. Skyex, Paddle Boat, VR Gate & Ninano Go-kart) and some seasonal facilities.
Seoul Land is the first large-scale theme park in Korea with over 40 rides and games for all ages.
Rides & Attractions
There are five theme zones in the park, namely World Plaza, Adventure Land, Character Town Fantasy Land, Tomorrow Land and Samchulli Land.
Experience the thrill of the popular Black Hole 2000 roller coaster at 100km/h, the Double Loop Coaster with 2 consecutive big rounds at 85km/h or Shot Drop from its 52m tall tower!
At Jurassic Land, check out the 18m high giant dinosaurs and visit the Dinosaur Lab where dozens of dinosaurs are assembled.
Entertainment & Performances
Enjoy the blockbuster family musical (i.e. Animal Kingdom), Mardigras, Photo with Character friends or stay late to catch the Lunar Laser Show, Luna Lake, Moon Photo Zone, etc.
Seasonal Festivals & Events
Join in the fun of seasonal festivals and events held at Seoul Land throughout the year.
Popular festivals include:
-
Winter Festival (early Dec - late Feb)
-
Anime Character Cultural Festival (mid Mar - early Jun)
-
Summer Water Wars (late Jun - Late Aug)
-
Halloween Celebration (mid Sep - late Oct)
-
Christmas Party (early Nov - late Dec)
Theme Garden 주제정원
&
Children's Zoo 어린이동물원
Mar-Apr & Sep-Oct (9:00-18:00)
May-Aug (9:00-19:00)
Nov-Feb (9:00-17:00)
Last admission 1hr before closing.
-
Adult (age 19-64): ₩2,000
-
Youth (age 13-18): ₩1,500
-
Child (age 6-12): ₩12,000
-
Senior (age above 64) & Child (age below 6): free
The Theme Garden is located near the main entrance of Seoul Zoo. Besides the different beautiful flower zones (roses, peonies, canola flowers and herbs), the Children's Zoo is interestingly located within the Theme Garden as well.
Rose Garden
Peony Garden
Fruit Garden
Healing Garden
Children's Zoo
The Children's Zoo is an open nature learning space to develop children's love for animals and nature. If you take the Sky Lift across Gwacheon Lake, you will get to see good sections of the Children's Zoo from above.
For fans of the adorable and popular Alpacas, you don't have to travel far to Alpaca World (Animal Farm) in Gangwon Province for them. Besides Alpacas, other animals at Children's Zoo include sheep, squirrel monkeys, rabbits, donkeys, goats, dogs, etc.
Gwacheon Lake
Located at the core of the Seoul Grand Park is the magnificent Gwacheon Lake, surrounded in nature beauty with views of the mountain ranges.
Besides, taking the recommended Sky Lift across the lake, you are highly encouraged to take a relaxed walk or have a lovely picnic near the edge of the serene lake.
💡Ironically, the lake is not named on the park's official guide map. Other maps refer to it as 'Gwacheon Reservoir' or 'Gwacheon Seoul Grand Park Lake'; and the signboard at the park refers to it as 'Cheonggye Lake'. 'Gwacheon Lake' is used in this guide as the name is referred by Gwacheon City on their Gwacheon Vision 2040 plan.
Zoo Trail & Forest Trail
Mar-Apr & Sep-Oct (9:00-18:00)
May-Aug (9:00-19:00)
Nov-Feb (9:00-17:00)
Last entry 1hr before closing.
free
There are 2 walking/hiking trails, namely Zoo Trail and Forest Trail at Seoul Grand Park where hikers used to pay admission fees to Seoul Zoo in order to gain access to the trails. However, starting from 1 January 2021, the park has opened up both trails for free entry and thus Seoul Grand Park has gained much popularity as a hiking destination as well.
Overview of Zoo & Forest Trails
Both Zoo Trail and Forest Trail start at the same point near the main entrance of Seoul Zoo to loop around the zoo and connect again at the finishing point near the zoo's North Gate Entrance.
▶ Zoo Trail (4.5km, 1.5hrs) - Also referred as Zoo Dulle-gil. The trail goes around the border of Seoul Zoo on a vehicle access-controlled road. Tall trees lined both sides of the road.
▶ Forest Trail (7.0km, 2.5hrs) - Also referred as Forest Bathing Path. It starts from the back of the Australian Pavilion and wraps around the far end of the zoo along the ridge of Cheonggyesan Mountain.
From Seoul Grand Park Station (subway), follow the signs and walk towards the Sky Lift Main Building. Continue on the path towards the bridge, crossing Gwacheon Lake towards Seoul Zoo's main entrance. Turn right at the sign before reaching the zoo. At the end of the road, turn left to the start of the trail.
💡If you wish to 'conserve' your energy, you can take the Sky Lift (line 1) to alight at Seoul Zoo's North Gate Entrance (outside the zoo) or the Elephant Tram to Seoul Zoo's Main Entrance Stop.
Getting to the Starting Point of Zoo & Forest Trails
Scenic Lake View (Detour Trail)
💡Just before crossing Gwacheon Lake on your walk from Sky Lift Main Building, look out for a sign to 'Scenic View Lake' on your right. The trail provides good view of the lake, bridge and sky lift, particularly beautiful in Autumn. At the end of the scenic lake view trail, turn left at the road. Walk along the road to reach the starting point of the Zoo/Forest Trail. Alternatively, you can walk back for the bridge course towards Seoul Zoo.
The vehicle access-controlled point marks the start of the Zoo Trail. This is also the same trail towards Forest Trail's entrance.
Starting Point of Zoo Trail
Forest Trail - Starting Point & Highlights
About 10 mins on the walk along the road, you will reach the split of Forest Trail and Zoo Trail near Seoul Zoo's Australian Pavilion. There is a toilet nearby and the stairs leading up to Forest Trail (i.e. entrance of Forest Trail).
💡Seoul Grand Park recommends having the forest bathing walks between 10am and 12pm for maximum natural health benefits from the forest ('phytoncides').
There are direction signs along Forest Trail stating the distance to both ends (i.e. Australian Pavilion 호주관 and North Gate Entrance 북문입구) and the next nearest trail highlights.
The Forest Trail passes through 11 themed forests on gentle slopes with wonderful forest scenery. There are cool spring water and rest areas throughout the forest bathing path where you can take a break and listen to the sound of the forest.
Highlights along the Forest Trail Course in the order from entrance (i.e. Australian Pavilion) to exit (i.e. North Gate Entrance):
🌳Forest with Fairy Pond
🌳Acacia Tree Forest
🌳Forest with Nature
🌳Ice Valley Forest
↝ South American Pavilion Byway (0.2km, 6 mins)
🔭Observatory
🌳Thinking Forest
🌳Resting Forest
🌳Mandarin Duck Forest
↝ Reservoir Byway (1.1km, 18 mins, Forest Reservoir)
🌳Reading Forest
🌳Chestnut Forest
↝ Carnivore Enclosure Byway (0.4km, 7 mins)
🌳Forest of Friendship
🌳Pine Trees Forest
💡There are three byways (i.e. South American Pavilion Byway, Reservoir Byway, Carnivore Enclosure Byway) along the Forest Trail, allowing hikers to link back to Zoo Trail on a different/shorter course.
About an hour into the walk, you will come across an Observatory with panoramic view of Seoul Grand Park.
You will complete the hike on the descend to Seoul Zoo's North Gate Entrance.
💡From here, you can also take the Sky Lift back for a different scenic view of Gwacheon Lake and Seoul Grand Park.
Forest Reservoir (Detour via Reservoir Byway)
If you take the Reservoir Byway after the Mandarin Duck Forest, you will come across the tranquil Forest Reservoir and complete the remaining course on Zoo Trail.
Cherry Blossoms & Annual Cherry Blossom Festival
Seoul Grand Park is a popular destination for Cherry Blossoms in Spring. It held the annual Cherry Blossom Festival when the flowers are in full blooms with performances, flower path with pianos, experience activities (e.g. spring flower face painting, flower bean bags) and night viewing.
a) Cherry Blossoms Trail: Seoul Grand Park Station (subway) to Sky Lift Main Building
b) Cherry Blossoms Trail: Seoul Zoo (North Gate) to Seoul Land
c) Picnics under the Cherry Blossoms (near Seoul Land)
d) Cherry Blossoms Trail: Seoul Land to Seoul Grand Park Station (subway)
Autumn Foliage
With the free entry to both Zoo and Forest Trails, Seoul Grand Park has gained much popularity over the years for its spectacular autumn foliage, particularly the view from the top of Sky Lift rides across Gwacheon Lake (line 1) and extended towards the top of Seoul Zoo (line 2).
a) Gwacheon Lake & Sky Lift
b) Scenic Lake View Trail
c) Within Seoul Zoo & Zoo Trail
Guide Map of Seoul Grand Park
Guide Map of Seoul Zoo @Seoul Grand Park
Guide Map of Seoul Land @Seoul Grand Park
Guide Map of Theme Garden @Seoul Grand Park
Guide Map of Children's Zoo @Seoul Grand Park
Guide Map of Zoo Trail & Forest Trail @Seoul Grand Park
KoreaToDo TOP PICKS - Tours, Activities & Discount Tickets
➥ Handpicked experiences by KoreaToDo for their uniqueness, value, popularity, price competitiveness and at times, tedious to reach by public transport.
♔ KoreaToDo recommends Klook.com, Asia leading in-destination service provider.
☃️SEASONAL HOT PICKS☃️ Handpicked Experiences from Seoul
Other KoreaToDo Collection that you may like:
-
Lotte World - A popular theme park in Seoul near to Jamsil Station (line 2/8)
-
Yeouido Hangang Park - Affordable daily cruises, Bicycle rental, Cascade children water playground, etc
-
Seoul Forest - A large park near Seoul Forest Cafe Street with seasonal flowers and a deer corral