When I first got back from Seoul, everyone I met—from my boss and coworkers to my closest family and friends—would inevitably open with curious questions like, “You went to Seoul to run?” “Is Seoul better for running?” “Did you do anything in Seoul besides run?” This was especially true of my “face-friends” (note: Facebook friends. It’s a new term I just learned. To those who’ve never heard it before… I’m on a different level from you now. *hair flip*). It was as if travel were merely my cover, while my true identity was that of a runner. (Actually, nobody meant that at all, did they? Who brainwashed me?)
After conducting a thorough investigation (*strokes beard, crosses legs*), it appears these photos I posted on Facebook were the culprits—deceptivephotos that made this Seoul trip look like one glamorous destination training camp. But take a look at my previous post, “A Story of Four Days and Four Nights of Independent Travel in Seoul” (if you haven’t read it yet, come on, hurry over there!). The itinerary was, in fact, a genuine sightseeing trip. We ran “only” twice. After some deep analysis, I suspect that while my legs were cooling down after each run, my hands had nothing to do—so every check-in happened after running. All I can say is that I successfully used Facebook tomanufacturethe misleading impression that I was a runner. (Anyone feeling guilty?)
[ Truth, lies, lies, lies, truth, truth—the rest is up to you to discern. ]
But why would anyone go running in Korea? She was living a perfectly good life, so why on earth did she go running in Korea?
The explanation isn’t long. Ever since running invaded my life, I’ve started enjoying scheduling a run whenever I visit a new city.Other people collect souvenir stamps at attractions; I leave my footsteps behind with NIKE+.Not only does this let me collect a unique route map on Nike+, but the most amazing part is that I canexplore the city while I run.！We always say that walking a city’s streets ourselves is the best way to delve into its alleys and understand its culture. Running takes that sightseeing to another level: covering a kilometer in only 6–7 minutes—more than twice as fast as walking—is like switching on turbo mode, letting you explore faster and more efficiently while reaching places far, far away. If you can run a full 42K marathon, reaching the next city shouldn’t be a problem either. (Getting back, however, might be.)
[ A confession about manipulating the media. But look at the second photo—they actually have four legs each, don’t they?! (Am I really confessing here?) ]
Running in the same place twice is another matter, though. The reason I returned before the place had even become an old haunt was… I was carrying out the noble training mission of preparing for my first half marathon at WE RUN TPE. (For details, see| Errand-Running Girl | NIKE #WERUNTPE Brings Local Athletic Girls Together). (That’s two article plugs in a row.) It was like insisting on going out to play during summer vacation even though I hadn’t finished my homework.If I was going to play hard, I also had to work hard to finish my homework.And the more weeks of my half-marathon assistant coach’s program I completed, the less willing I was to quit. Fortunately, this enormous riverside park offered different routes and scenery even on my second run—perfect for a difficult person like me who gets tired of seeing the same views extremely quickly.Before I knew it, sightseeing as I ran had carried me to a successful new personal distance record at the time: 16 kilometers.I also got a relaxed and thoroughly satisfying running trip out of it.
[ Even after finishing that 16K, I felt like I still had energy to keep going. Any farther, though, and I could have stayed to see the night view. ]
Tired of your usual running route? Go somewhere else! Want to try a different, more efficient way of sightseeing? Go for a run!
* Of course, Seoul has plenty of other good places to run, such as Cheonggyecheon in the city center. This time, I chose somewhere near our accommodation so I could easily go back, wash up, and head out for more fun.
So what exactly is there to see at Yeouido Hangang Park?
Wow—we’re finally getting to the actual article! (Everyone who had their firecrackers ready has already fallen asleep.)
Recommendation 1: Witness the Legendary Shadowless Hands
Did hearing that you have to run to see the sights fail completely to convince you, and instead make you give up on visiting Yeouido Hangang Park? No problem! Let me immediately introducea must-see attraction right by the entrance that requires neither running nor cycling!Presented by the local ajummas and ajeossis: their unique “Shadowless Hands” flyer-distribution stunt.Within 5 seconds of receiving your first flyer, ten flyers will have appeared in your hands.(If only stocks had the same magical ability to multiply from one into ten.)
[ Here, you can admire not only the Shadowless Hands but also the nimble footwork of the ajummas as they instantly teleport to their next target. A little incentive really does make a difference! ]
Recommendation 2: An Urban Campsite
After urban beaches—there’s one in Brisbane, Australia—this is another groundbreaking fusion of city and countryside. You don’t need a designated picnic day or a trip deep into the mountains. You can pitch a tent in a city park and spend an afternoon with your own private space, water views, and greenery right outside. Of course, as tourists, how could we possibly bring a tent along and join in? (But if you really do blend in with the locals at Hangang Park like this, you absolutely must send me a photo!) Still, hunting for creatively designed tents is a fun activity in itself.
Koreans are actually pretty clever.Replacing picnic blankets with tents gives them a groundsheet and shade while creating a private space at the same time. They’re ideal for couples on dates, gatherings with friends, family bonding, or enjoying an intimate relationship with complete strangers.
Recommendation 3: Modern Little Details
Hey, I’m not adding “little” just to sound cute. Hangang Park may not have any famous, monumental attractions, but everything—from smaller things like chairs and toilets to larger facilities like restaurants and the small harbor—contains thoughtful “little” design touches. It isn’t just some ordinary, uninspired park. Even the construction carts left beside the path look deliberately placed to create an industrial-chic vibe. We came in the morning both times, but there are fountains and architectural installations at night, making it an even better place for evening views!
These sights are scattered throughout the park’s vast grounds, though. If you want to see them, you can take a stroll or open NIKE+ and go for a run. Bicycles are also available for rent. You’ll see plenty of pelotons in skintight cycling gear everywhere, but judging from how almost everyone we saw running was an ajumma or ajeossi, cycling seems much more popular than running in Korea.
[ Photos of the fountains at Hangang Park at night look beautiful, but we didn’t get the chance to see them this time. Otherwise, I really might as well have brought a tent and stayed here. ]
Recommendation 4: Feast on Budae-jjigae and Freshly Cooked Shin Ramyun
After a big run and a big sweat, naturally the next thing to do is take big bites of delicious food(shouting)! (Although I usually eat more calories than I burned…) (voice becomes extremely quiet). Besides, during the golden hour after a run, eating carbs won’t make you gain weight! Tell me this isn’t the perfect moment for carb-heavy Korean dishes like budae-jjigae or Shin Ramyun.
With Google’s recommendation, we foundan incredibly delicious local budae-jjigae restaurantright by the entrance near Yeouido Hangang Park Station. You can reach it after your run, just before hunger makes you lose your mind and turns the whole thing into The Hunger Games.(Full details will have to wait for my Seoul food article.) (The procrastination returns.)
If you get so hungry after running that you can’t take another step, set your finish line near the refreshment kiosk with the giant MINI SHOP sign. It’s like a small Taiwanese convenience store, selling ready-to-eat hot fish cakes, microwave meals, and—coolest of all—“freshly cooked Shin Ramyun.” Because Shin Ramyun needs to be cooked over heat, you can’t really enjoy it properly if you’re staying at a hotel without a kitchen; pouring hot water over it won’t do the job. But this place actually provides cookers and foil pans, so you can instantly prepare a fragrant bowl of Shin Ramyun that makes every passerby jealous. Of every 10 people sitting here, 7 or 8 were eating it.If you’ve gone so far as to “bring” running overseas with you, then once you’ve burned those calories, you can smugly ignore your conscience!
Recommendation 5: Check In and Get Online Without a Worry
This is the most important point! Even in a place full of flowers and greenery like Yeouido Hangang Park,you can actually get free WIFI! You can get free WIFI! You can get free WIFI!(It’s important, so I said it three times.) Whether you want to check in and post after sightseeing or upload photos from your run, you’ll have no problem. (It probably isn’t available throughout the entire park, though. I found it near the freshly cooked Shin Ramyun kiosk mentioned above.)
After all that, I still haven’t actually talked about exercise. (*flips table* Hahaha.) Hangang Park is basically what we in Taiwan call a riverside park, except vehicles are prohibited here, including scooters, of course. That means adults and children alike can play and exercise freely throughout the park. Besides walking, running, and cycling, you’ll also see rollerblading, skateboarding, and all sorts of other activities. Bicycles are available for rent too—a single bike costs 3,000 won per hour. It really is a wonderful place for exercise and recreation! Next time you visit Korea, try traveling in a different way!
★ So where exactly are all these attractions scattered around the park?
Ta-da~ Being the incredibly thoughtful person I am, I’ve marked all the little attractions and shops on the map. (Where did this shameless creature come from?) I also spent ages searching for a map that could clearly show where I’d been while still looking nice. Then inspiration struck! Hadn’t NIKE+ recorded my entire running route while I ran?! The numbers 1–16 in black boxes mark each kilometer. Isn’t it, isn’t it super~ cool~? My very own map of my grand tour is my running map!Let my footsteps show you around. (Click the image to enlarge.) ↓
Yeouido Hangang Park (여의도한강공원)
Transportation: Seoul Subway Line 5 to Yeouinaru Station (No. 527), toward Exits 2 and 3
Admission: Free
Bicycle rental: ID required as a deposit. Single bicycle—W3,000; two-person tandem—W6,000; parent-child bicycle—W6,000
[ Station No. 527—destined to be Yeouido Hangang Park~ ]
