A wasteland reborn as a natural haven
Korea Herald
This is the 48th in a series of articles highlighting tourism spots in Seoul. The guide for planning weekend trips in the capital city will help readers rediscover Seoul. - Ed.
By Jung Bo-sang
Nanjido, an island at the very end of the Han River, got its name from its many orchards and plants. But in the 1970s this once beautiful island became a dumping ground for the garbage disposed by Seoul’s ever-increasing population. With time, an enormous mound of garbage developed. Just 15 years after trucks first began dumping waste here, Nanjido had become a 100 meter high mountain of garbage.
The 2002 World Cup was the turning point for the island, and Nanjido was reborn as an ecological park. Sangam Stadium, main Korean venue for the World Cup, was built right next to Nanjido. Concerns about the huge pile of garbage next door - and the headaches it caused - meant Nanjido had to be transformed at the same time. As part of the preparations Nanjido was covered over and developed into Haneul Park, along with five more parks near the World Cup Stadium - the Peace Park, Nanji River Park, Nanji Han River Park and Sunset Park.
Nanjido’s garbage mountain had two peaks. A park was made on each by laying foundations and planting grass and trees on top, and a plant was built to process the contaminated water that flows out of the mountain. Sunset Park was developed on the eastern mountain, and Haneul Park was created on the west.
Haneul Park is proof of how nature can be revived. The old image of Nanjido, infested with garbage, has been replaced with one of butterflies flitting around a grassy area. Haneul Park is a large field, with the northern and southern sections filled with tall grass, especially pampas grass, to create a space filled with romance.
There are two ways to reach the top of Haneul Park - a 1.5 km road and the Haneul Stairs. It takes 10-15 minutes along the road from the entrance of the Haneul Park to the summit. The Haneul Stairs, takes about 5 minutes less, but you face 291 stairs on the way. However, there are about 10 places where visitors can rest while climbing up the stairs. These areas offer great views of the Han River and the areas that lie on the other side. Once the you arrive at the Haneul Park summit, there are 14 observatories where visitors can appreciate the view of different parts of Seoul while enjoying the refreshing breeze. From here, you can see Bukhansan to the North, Namsan to the east, and the 63 Building and the Han River in the south.
Haneul Park is at its most attractive during the sunset. The ambience created by the combination of the sunset and the pampas grass is unique.
Bear in mind, though, that the summit closes at sundown.
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The red and orange of the sunset paints a warm glow across the pampas grass. These scenes are truly unforgettable. Once the sun sets behind the far away Gyaeyang Mountain in Incheon, the sky turns slowly purple.
Haneul Park looks most beautiful in Autumn, with the pampas grass billowing in the wind against a clear blue sky. This scene is unlike anything else in Seoul. Although the dates differ each year, a pampas grass festival is held every October when the pampas grass flowers are out. This year too, the 8th festival was held during five days from Oct. 10 to 14. Shows like the “Pampas Grass Family Concert” were held, along with walks around the park with famous people, but the most popular event is the illumination show that unfolds on the pampas grass field. Haneul Park usually closes at night but during the festival it stays open for a lantern festival. Silk-covered lanterns light up the Haneul Stairs, conveying a warm feeling, while at the top there are elegant illuminations.
Because the park was built with the goal of recovering the ecological environment, there are not many convenient facilities. There are no stores, and visitors should bring their own drinks and snacks. Rest rooms are available at the information center, and there are a few more at key locations.
World Cup legacy
Sangam-dong World Cup Seoul Stadium is where the opening ceremony for the World Cup was held. It is now the home ground for FC Seoul, but international matches are often held here. Sangam-dong, which was heavily polluted before the Nanjido garbage mountain was transformed, has become an environment-friendly suburb, and its various parkes are ideal for a day out.
Sangam-dong World Cup Seoul Stadium has an interesting design. When the stadium viewed from above, it is shaped like a traditional Korean kite, which symbolizes hope for the victory and the wish to spread the image and culture of Korea and for Korean reunification and peace.
The Wall of History, and the Wall of Incompletion here commemorate the 50th anniversary of the republic of Korea. At night, the roof is lit up to resemble a colorful bangpai kite made with traditional Korean paper, accompanied by 800 lights installed elsewhere.
In the PR center, there is a display giving details about the construction of the Seoul World Cup Stadium, the history of the World Cup, the 100-year history of soccer in Korea, and featuring World Cup-related exhibits. The center, which is located on the 2nd floor below the western stand of the World Cup Stadium displays the photos of dignitaries who visited the stadium, their notes in the visitors’ ledger, and a model of the stadium.
If you leave the stadium coming out toward the Han River from the Sangam Stadium, you will see the World Cup fountain. This fountain, erected near the Seongsan Bridge, is the highest in the world. The water show - centered around the 202-meter main fountain and 21 additional fountains - is full of grandeur and elegance. Rainbows in the spray add to the show.
2009.10.16
Daily quizzes called “beopgang” were carried out three times a day, while “hoegang,” lectures and exams that were conducted in front of the seoyeongwan (tutors), the king himself and other government officials, were held every month.
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