Seoullo 7017 – Stunning Skygarden in Seoul
One of Seoul’s newest, biggest, and most beautiful attractions is Seoullo 7017.
Originally a highway, the structure was found to be dangerous and engineers deemed it unsafe for use in 2006.
The plan was to destroy the highway, however, when the new mayor was elected, the plan was changed to instead ‘renovate’ the highway.
The number 7017 represents the year in which the highway was created (1970), and the year it was turned into Seoullo 7017, 2017.
While also providing some stunning night views, and being a nice place to hang out in summer, Seoullo is also a prime example or recycling and what it should be.
One of the biggest trends in city design in the past few years has been green-spaces. While Seoullo isn’t the most ‘green’ space out there, it is a location that has been transformed to include nature and to provide a public area for the citizens of Seoul.
This structure is often referred to as Seoullo, Seoul Skygarden, and also Skypark.
How to Get to Seoullo 7017
Seoullo 7017 is located in central Seoul – just outside Seoul Station. Since the structure is so big, you can exit from exit 6, 7, or 8. Directly above you will see a highway – that is Seoullo.
To get to the Seoullo Skygarden, you can either take staircases or an elevator. The highway pillars hold these staircases and elevators and provide an easy way to reach the walkway.
Alternatively, you can enter the structure from where the highway ends, close to Namdaemun Gate.
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Seoullo 7017 Attractions
Seoullo itself is just over 1 kilometre long. While the walk itself is nice and relaxing, there are a few other activities that you can do while exploring the skygarden.
There are multiple cafes located along the walk, and they specialise in coffee, ice cream, and small snacks. In Korea, you really can’t escape cafes!
There are two cafes located in the Seoullo Skypark, and both offer some interesting menu items.
There are also a few sweet food stores. If you like bingsu, (sweet) bread, or other sweets, you are in luck! There are a few different speciality stores selling these.
Finally, there is also a bibimbap restaurant if you want something a bit heavier. The 7017 Seoul Bibimbap store sells not only bibimbap but also craft beer!
On top of this, there are also many seasonal activities. For example, in summer there are a lot of foot-pools available for visitors to rest their feet in.
Trampolines are often set up in the warmer months also, and this provides a great way to entertain children while you enjoy the scene or some coffee.
Skygarden
The bridge itself is covered in different types of plants and flowers. With over 24,000 plants, this bridge has quickly become a green area of the city.
Seoullo actually acts as a nursery, providing plants and trees for other areas of the city as they grow. This is fantastic for visitors as it means that no two visits will ever be the same!
In terms of variety, there are currently over 200 different species located on the bridge! These species come from both Korea and elsewhere.
Every fifty or so metres the theme seems to change. In some sections, you will find bamboo, and bamboo plants line the side of the path.
In other areas, further along, you will find other themes like flowers, or trees. The days that I have visited weren’t too busy, but Seoullo is lively enough that it feels like a place that has been welcomed and is appreciated by locals.
In many of these images, you can see the green path that Seoullo cuts through the otherwise bland cityscape of buildings.
The plants and nature, although in a totally artificial environment, add so much life and variation to the area around Seoul Station.
There are a lot of sitting areas surrounding the plants meaning that it is a great place to stroll along and enjoy in your free time.
I love the circular design of the bridge, and the plants really fit in… It is a great, and truly unique blend of nature and urban environments.
As well as the many green plants, there are also lots of different pots containing flowers of all sorts. From roses to lavender, everything is here! While sitting down and enjoying the view of the city, I noticed the bees crawling all over the flowers. Bees do exist in Seoul!
Skypark at Night
Although the skypark is a beautiful location at day, it’s also fantastic after dark. At night, you get the see the contrast between the natural and urban environments – something that really stands out.
After dark, however, the highway becomes a totally different place. Thankfully, the designers thought ahead and the whole area is very well lit. Whether you are visiting at day or night, Seoullo is made to have visitors.
I love visiting at night for the fantastic views of the city that you get. While the view is also good at daytime, there’s something about night city-scapes. They just appeal to me!
The biggest downside of visiting at night is the weather. If you are visiting at any time other than summer, make sure that you have warm enough clothes to enjoy the sights!
Seoullo Skypark Views
While the bridge provides some amazing views itself, it also provides amazing views of the city! You get two very different and distinct views of the city from the opposite sides of the bridge.
On one side you can see the trains and mostly undeveloped spaces, whereas on the other side you can see a multitude of bus stops and the organised chaos of traffic.
Along the bridge, there are also many buildings that house things like cafes that I mentioned earlier.
However, another cool aspect of these little ‘towers’ is that you can walk up the staircases and get to the top… Which is usually covered in flowers and provides yet another great view! Just be careful, as these little towers can be blocked off later in the evening.
There are a lot of different views from Seoullo and all of them are stunning and unique. If you are into photography, then this is a must-visit spot! If you aren’t, it’s well worth visiting anyway!
Should You Visit Seoullo 7017?
I can safely say that creating Seoullo 7017 was a far better idea than scrapping the whole highway.
Instead of being wasteful, they have managed to turn something that was deemed worthless into an amazing place not only for the citizens of Seoul but also Seoul’s many tourists.
Seoullo is something that makes Seoul unique from every other city out there. While some cities have similar sights, Seoullo is something that can only be found in Seoul., something that I recommend everyone visits at least once!
Since Seoullo is so central, it’s very easy to visit. Just add an hour after you visit Namdaemun Market! When you find yourself near Seoul Station, come and visit Seoullo!
I was already here in Seoul when that bridge was still being used by buses and cars. I was surprised when the rerouting was done when it was closed and we waited for years before it was finally opened to the Seoullo 7017 it now is. Urban planners here are very good at transforming “useless” facilities into useful aesthetics. This and the Oil Tank Culture Park beside the World Cup Stadium are 2 great examples.
Totally! I think people are finally beginning to see the need for more ‘green’/natural places within these big urban metropolises. I am hoping to see more things like this pop up over time and I am sure they will help make Seoul a more desirable place to live. We need to begin recycling and reusing, and things like this are the perfect example!
I’m glad they didn’t scrap the whole thing and were able to reuse the idea, turning into something that can be usable to the public. Good use of the Renew and Reuse parts of the Eco initiative!
I 100% agree. We have to being to recycle and reuse more often and I think this is a prime example of that.
I recommended this place to visit at very late afternoon, night or early morning. Because the area is too long to walk, it is better to spend it when the sun is not strong. There are also few restaurants on top that will quench your thirst. Better to visit during spring and summer for the events and good time to attend the Seoul Walking Tour as well. Few or dull flora during late autumn (and of course winter), but if you want the night street view still good to visit. An escape from Seoul Station to Namdaemun, sharing my entry as well [https://ruffeecola.blogspot.com/2017/11/seoullo-7017.html].
I visited in both summer and winter, but unfortunately I missed spring. I hadn’t heard about the Seoul Walking Tour before now actually. Another thing to check out! I will read your post when I get home! 🙂
I’ve been there exactly a year ago. I tried the Pebble Foot Pool, and the peeping holes. The cafes are not yet opened that time because it was newly built. I honestly feel bad for the locals who were affected by the construction of the bridge. It lengthened their travel time from one side of the railway to the other side. The government didn’t fulfill their promise that there will be ramps. The sales of the local shoemakers were decreased by at least 60 percent. There were groups opposing the Seoullo 7017 for the past months. The local businesses are afraid that they will be evicted just like what happened to the vendors in Cheonggyecheon.
Oh, I never knew about the problems surrounding it actually. If that is the case I also feel bad for the people who were adversely affected by the creation of it… Especially if the government made promises about it. I had seen small protests around there before (related to Seoullo), but I had no idea what they were about… thanks for informing me.
I think I need to go back now that it’s had time to grow in a bit. I went after it just opened and the places for flowers and plants were just a bit too bare though the installation at the Malli-dong end was amazing. I’m surprised you don’t have that pictured. That was my favorite part hahah
It seems to change seasonally too, so it is definitely worth going back to! Malli-dong end… is that the end where it splits, or the other end?
I was at this location a year ago to attend a modeling shoot. We found at that time that there really wasn’t much shade and the afternoon sun was very hot. From your pictures, it seems that they’ve installed some awnings for shade, so that’s great. Overall, it is a lovely walk.
I didn’t realize they had changed it and added so much actually. I didn’t visit it until it was a few months old already, so it’s interesting to hear what it was like when others visited! Thank you for your comment.
You’ve actually seen a suicide off of this bridge? Thats terrible! I hope that higher railings will help someone to rethink their actions, instead of affecting thousands of people related and unrelated to them.
I didn’t see it, but I did arrive there when there were police and security everywhere… they blocked a large portion of the area. But yes, I really hope the barriers will help. I have have heard they are doing well so far.
Tbh there are so many rooftops you can access in Seoul if you just ask nicely (and in Korean)