Greeted by one fine morning, I rushed my way to a park called Haneul Park. And by rushing, I was literally racing with the sun before they rise. I lose only by several minutes before I reached Haneul Park. Seeing the navigation from Google maps and seeing it in reality is really different in term of hiking (or if the location have any bit of elevation). Just like my experience of hiking in Zermatt, I was once again fooled by Google maps. I didn’t expect the 200-something stairs that I have to climb before reaching the Haneul Park.

I was in a state of excitement where I can climb half of the stairs fairly fast. But then I have to stop in the middle because cramps lol. I reached the actual Haneul Park around 6-7 am. Okay, it was a long time ago and I forgot the time, but I remember the sun had this soft light. You can see the World Cup Stadium from the stairs too.

How to Get to Haneul Park?

I only use public transport such as train and metro, during my time in South Korea. I chose the nearest metro station to Haneul Park and get off from there. The nearest station to Haneul Park is the World Cup Stadium station, Line 6. I suggest you to download a subway map app in your phone or just take/download picture of the whole subway map. I find Seoul subway very useful and easy to navigate. It probably took me about one or two times using the subway before I really understand the system and get used to it. If you can read Hangul (Korean alphabet), it will be even more useful!

What to Do in Haneul Park?

Honestly, just do whatever you want as long as you follow the rules there. You can read books, listen to music, ride a bike, sightseeing, picture-hunting (this is me), or anything you want. I was (and still am) a budget traveler and prefer spots where I don’t have to pay for the entrance. Unless it is a national landmark like Namsan Tower, where I don’t mind to splurge a bit. Other than that, I prefer free entrance locations.

I went to Haneul Park during autumn (just in time for autumn foliage), and I’m not sure if the eulalia’s (the yellow, brownish plants) will be there all-year round. I know for sure the sunflowers not gonna be there all season. You still can have the view of Seoul from above. I also think getting to Haneul Park is like an achievement after all those climb. Although there is a small transportation to Haneul Park, it’s a good time to exercise.

Did I mention about sunflower? If I haven’t, well here you go. There’s a sunflower field and other pink flower that-I-don’t-know-the-name field in Haneul Park. Since it’s almost the end of autumn, some of the flowers are withering. But I was lucky enough to see some of the sunflowers that haven’t withered yet.

You can also find a “sculpture” (at least that’s what written in the infoboard) called Growing Sculpture. It is a bowl-like structure covered with plants. You can see small locks hanging in the upper part of the structure, probably some people locking their promises of love/friendship (I mean, what else could it be?). If you climb up from the inside, you can have a spectacular view of Haneul Park. It might not be as tall like Namsan Tower, but it’s enough to see the overview. Well, Haneul Park itself is already high enough (not that kind of high).

Haneul Park 하늘공원

If you don’t know yet, Haneul means sky in Korean and this park is literally above the ground (but still attached). Based from the Official Korea Tourism website, Haneul Park was once a mountain of garbage (insert a shook emoji face). Now it is a beautiful park with the highest elevation, with breathtaking view of Han River, Bukhansan, and N Seoul Tower. You can also see some wind turbines along the park. If you see the fog in some of my pictures, it’s because I took it before the sun really shines.

A little tips from me if you want to visit Haneul Park. Go in the early morning, about when the sun is rising just like I did. Why? Because you literally will have the park for yourself. No one at all in the park. I can take pictures without any human in it. Or I have to see other people while I do weird poses taking shameless selfies.I also went during weekdays, that’s also probably why it’s very quiet. I unexpectedly spent 3-4 hours in Haneul Park, forgetting the time because I was having too much fun taking pictures (and doing Insta stories).

I went downhill from Haneul Park not by stairs this time. It is a slope hill to the almost nearby to the main street. But guess what I found? Another little park along the main street. So it’s like a long forest covering the pedestrian street with tall trees. Since it was weekday and still morning, I got decent pictures with any human it in. See it yourself below and tell me it’s not beautiful, I dare you.

What to do after Haneul Park? I suggest it’s cafe time. Let me teach you how to cafe hunting and where all the best cafes in Seoul.