A perfect weekend for Lee Jeong-eun, a 35-year-old office worker, is not about striding in shopping malls to grab the last summer dress on sale, having her nails done or watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster in an air-conditioned movie theater.
All she has to do is to go to a campsite in Jamsil Park, one of 12 parks open on the banks of the Hangang River. A book, a bottle of Chilean red wine, some pork for an outdoor barbecue and a couple of good friends are what she needs to recharge.
Thanks to the camping gear rental offered by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Lee and her friends can sleep on the riverside without having to worry about bringing all the heavy stuff from grill to tent.
“If I lay down on the mat, watch the river flow and see children laughing and running around the green area, I feel much lighter in my spirit,” said Lee who works for a media firm downtown.
“And it only costs 20,000 won ($18) to be there,” she said referring to the cost of renting a tent.
Crossing the heart of Seoul, the Han River has played a central part in the city’s history, politics, industrialization and culture. Though it is still seen as the symbol of the nation’s economic miracle in the modern era, the mighty river has become a vital place for recreation, sports and dining for many struggling to catch a break in the bustling megacity.
The river, which runs a total of 500 kilometers from source to sea, is lined with parks, bike paths, riverside coffeehouses and restaurants on both sides of the river. Geographically, the river splits the nation’s capital into south and north sections. But it is crossed by more than 20 bridges ― including Banpo Bridge, which turns into the world’s largest bridge fountain in the evening.
“You can find small parks in the inner city to rest, but there you can’t enjoy the spectacular skyline of the city while sipping a beer and eating fried chicken on the grass. It is also quite safe to have your kid run around,” said Cho Young, the mother of a 2-year-old daughter.
The popularity of the Hangang River as a convenient outdoor site for family feasts is growing, partly due to heavy competition among food delivery chains. From black bean noodles to pizza, most takeout food can be delivered to customers in the park in less than an hour.
The Hangang River also becomes a perfect getaway in the summer time. A variety of festivities including outdoor concerts, movie screenings and water activities are scheduled starting from mid-July, offering rich cultural experiences without having to travel outside of the city or book tickets.
Not only on the weekends but also weekdays, the river is filled with health-conscious people ― from enthusiastic runners to cyclists ― trying to refresh themselves on a daily basis.
Hangang also instills a sense of reverence for nature with its ecological parks conserved at stand-alone islands along the river ― offering a glimpse of the forgotten past of Seoul before its rapid and massive urbanization.
By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)