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[sojusucks]

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2923842

Lights, cafes and action along the Han

July 29, 2010

A group of loungers relaxes on the south side of the Han River near Banpo District in Seoul. Lighting installations, a crop of new cafes and a series of fountains have drawn an increasing number of people to the waterside this summer, following a city restoration project launched in 2006 to revitalize the 41.5-kilometer river. By Kim Sang-seon

In the heat of the summer, Seoulites longing for a respite from the heat head for the Han River, where couples can be found lying on the grass and the studious can be seen reading on benches. There are elderly gents taking naps, kids biking and amateur athletes climbing a rock wall at night under floodlights. There is so much to do, it is hard to know where to start.

This year, the 41.5-kilometer long river (25.8 miles), stretching from Gangil-dong to Gaehwa-dong in Seoul, is becoming busier by the day as restoration projects continue as part of the Han River Renaissance Project, which launched in 2006.

There are 27 bridges on the Han River, and 24 of them are in Seoul. All of the bridges have special lighting, and each bridge has a different pattern and combination of lights.

The bridge lighting installations are not the only improvements on the Han River. On the Banpo Bridge, the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain has water that shoots from the sides of the bridge and cascades into the river. It is the longest fountain installed on a bridge in the world. In addition to the fountain, there are nine scenic riverside cafes that also serve as lookout points.

Here are a few highlights of what�s new along the river.


From left: The Cloud Cafe, near Dongjak Bridge; the Ttukseom Culture Complex near Ttukseom Station

Scenic Cafes

One cafe after another has opened since last July, and now there are nine cafes on bridges overlooking the river. The cafes provide cool drinks and a spectacular view, but the prices are relatively cheap compared to the restaurants nearby.

Some cafes are more popular than others, however. The Cloud Cafe on the Dongjak Bridge, where the rooftop observatory provides a view of the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain on the Banpo Bridge; the Cafe Aritaum Seonyu in the popular Seonyudo Park near the Yanghwa Bridge; and Riverview 8th Avenue, where exhibitions and performances are often held, are among the most popular spots.

Riverview 8th Avenue is one of three observation decks in the world located under a bridge. The cafe is located under the 8th pier of the Gwangjin Bridge, and the floor is made of tempered glass, which makes a glance down dizzying but also thrilling. The cafe is famous for its affordable yet high-quality performances on weekend evenings.

The cafe is open until 9 p.m. and reservations for performances can be made by calling (02) 476-0722 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (02) 476-0722 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Though not a cafe, the Ttukseom Culture Complex is also a popular destination. It has earned the nickname �inchworm� due to its shape, which is narrow and circular. Inside, there is a retro lounge with various beverages for those who stop by the area for cultural performances and exhibitions.

Colorful Fountains after Sunset

The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain on the Banpo Bridge provides one of the most beautiful night views of the Han River. It is registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest fountain in the world with a length of 1,140 meters (3,740 feet) and a height of 20 meters. The fountain, which is illuminated by colorful lights at night, is much prettier in the evening than during the day. The fountain is always on during the day, but at night the fountain operates at 8 and 9 p.m. on weekdays and every hour from 7 p.m. on weekends.

There are three main spots where you can best enjoy the view of the fountain: from the top of Dongjak Bridge, from either end of Banpo Bridge and on Jamsu Bridge, which is underneath Banpo Bridge. The Jamsu Bridge experience is especially refreshing, with colorful streams of water falling over your head as you gaze at the river.

The Han River has eight water fountains in all, and the operating times of each fountain vary. The Hangang Park Web site has specific information on fountain operating times. The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain is the only one that operates on Mondays.


From left:A campsite in the Banpo District; and the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain on Banpo Bridge

Nighttime along the Han

Even when darkness falls on the banks of the Han, the bicycles keep going. Bicycle lights add shine and glitter to the bike paths.

Hangang Park strongly recommends the eight-kilometer long bicycle path connecting Yeouido Hangang Park to Yeouido Ecological Park. There are bicycle rental outlets on the southern sides of the Mapo and Wonhyo Bridge, and bike rental is only 3,000 won ($2.53) per hour for a regular bicycle.

Those looking for a challenge can try the climbing wall in the Ttukseom District. The area near the climbing wall is brightly lit, and climbers stay on the wall even at midnight.

Motorboating, waterskiing and other water sports close around 30 minutes after sunset, but duck boats are available for rental late into the evening if there are customers.

There is a campsite on Nanji Island that not only provides camping equipment, including tents, but also allows barbecue parties. The facility is open throughout the year. The only drawback is that it can be difficult to secure a reservation because the site is so popular. For more information, visit www.nanjicamping.co.kr or call (02) 340-0031 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (02) 340-0031 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

There are also free movie screenings on the Ttukseom Water Screen. Screenings are held from 8:30 p.m. on weekend evenings and are subject to cancellation in the event of rain.

For Couples

Seonyudo Park is definitely the place for couples. Seonyu Island on the Han River used to be an abandoned industrial complex, but was transformed into a park as a part of a millennium commemoration project. Today, it is almost impossible to find traces of the old plant.

Seonyudo Park is especially pretty in the evening, and the sunset is not to be missed. The park is open until midnight, which is good news for couples looking for a place to go in the evening.

Seonyu Bridge, which connects the parking lot near Yanghwa District�s Hangang Park with Seonyudo Park, is very pretty, but also be sure to visit the area underneath the bridge, where there is a 500-meter long trail with the river on one side and reeds on the other.

Yeouido�s 63 City is another favorite among couples. Among the attractions in 63 City, 63 SkyArt - which claims to be the highest art museum in the world - is another must-see. The Love Elevator, which operates from 8 to 10 p.m., takes two people on a one minute and 20 second trip up to the gallery. A combined entrance fee of 33,000 won for two includes admission to the 63 SkyArt and to the Love Elevator.

For more information on the Han River, visit the Hangang Park Web site at http://hangang.seou.go.kr or call (02)-120 during the day or (02) 3780-0777 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (02) 3780-0777 end_of_the_skype_highlighting at night.


By Son Min-ho [[email protected]]

__________________________________________________________

Riverside Relaxation
Posted by 10 Media on August 12, 2010
http://10magazine.asia/6335/riverside-relaxation


Take a look at the link. How about some ORIGINALITY, 10 Magazine? How about finding a story about Seoul on your own? A story, with pictures, is published 14 days earlier, but, OBVIOUSLY, you need to find an ORIGINAL subject. Oh, please, tell us you thought of this idea just 14 days after another English language media outlet published an article about the same subject?

[Lost]

I can be bothered to read either. Go whine somewhere else. Tell someone who cares. If you haven't noticed.....all the English rags/ mags in Seoul fail to write anything intelligently or original. Generally they just use travel sites or write about those who advertise in their mags. Waste of time.

[northway]

Meh, they're still writing about Korean movies that were released two or three years ago, so they aren't exactly the go-to place for new and exciting info. It's more like, "Hey, I'm at RMT, my friends haven't showed up yet, and I'm tired of playing word games on my iPod. Oh, look, 10 Magazine..."

[Joe Boxer]

[Underwaterbob]

Personally, I'm surprised that magazines are even published anymore since the advent of the Internet. I haven't bought one in years now.

[itaewonguy]

its a Korean magazine dude, do you honestly expect originality?

[busanhaps]

I think it is hit or miss on content with magazine start ups the world round. I have been putting Busan Haps together for a year now and have been fortunate to get some great contributors. It is inevitable that there will be a media overlap of coverage, that's just the nature of the beast when your focus is on one place.


We have only been going at it a year so there is a ton of new stuff to write about. I imagine there will come a time when I will recycle stories, too.

Bobby
www.busanhaps.com

[NYC_Gal]

[hogwonguy1979]

that 10 magazine is one of the worst expat rags out there, articles are so poorly written it makes the korea times look like the new yorker (heck they couldnt even correctly get the right name for the rest. district in siem reap right even when there are huge signs that identify it), they run surveys on their site but when somebody wins they dont like they scrub the results.

its good for one thing...

[sojusucks]

[itaewonguy]

groove, 10 and eloquence, its all just for advertisers to try and win customers! everything else in the mag are just page fillers...

they should just leave out the stupid stories and go full marketing..lol

[davcarruth]

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

[davcarruth]

Tiberious aka Sparkles wrote:

[toonchoon]

I think Seoul Selection, or possibly another English language publication (magazine, or newsletter) did a story on Hangang bridge cafes about a half a year ago. Additionally, I've seen such information/article posted somewhere else as well about 4-5 months ago.

What I am saying is that this the same information has been published and/or posted in at least 4 different English language publications/magazines/newsletters in the last half year.

This isn't the first time this has happened. About a year ago, articles about that Seoul expat comedian Brian Aylward (sp?) popped up in 3-4 English language magazines in a 3-4 month period. More of the same.

Yes, articles get recycled, the same topics published in different magazines by different contributors. It happens everywhere, including here in Seoul.

Does it really matter?