Seonyu Island Park
Hangang Bike Path
Learn about an island with a purification plant turned recreation park.
Seonyu Island (Seonyudo; 선유도; map; aerial view) sits in the middle of the Han River in Seoul just off the banks of Yanghwa Hangang Park.
- A small peak (선유봉) once sat upon the island. During their occupation of Korea (1910~1945), Japan shaved away the hill and used its contents to pave roads and dam up the Han.
- From 1978 to 2000, a water purification plant occupied Seonyu Island. It supplied purified drinking water for Seoulites.
The Seonyu Island connects to the mainland via the Seonyu Bridge (선유교; map), a pedestrian overpass that shoots over Olympic Boulevard, Yanghwa Park, and the Han river (road view). Cross it and discover Seonyu Island Park (선유도공원; map).
Free to all, Seonyu Island Park opens from 6 AM to midnight. It transformed the island’s old water purification plant into a 11,400-square-meter ecological park.
Glance at a map of the park. Find nine unique spaces, each with a theme:
- The Time Garden — raised gardens made from recycled sediment.
- Four Circular Spaces — treatment towers converted into cultural spaces.
- Garden of Green Columns — support pillars wrapped by verdant ivy.
- Water Purification Garden — a hydroponic flora inhabiting old filtration basins.
