How to do Han River Park Like a Local

Hangang (한강) Park is the go-to picnic spot in Seoul—especially for students and young people. On sunny days, the riverbanks come alive with laughter, music, and the smell of delicious street food. With its wide-open green spaces and peaceful views of the Han River, it’s no wonder it’s a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Today was one of those perfect April days—sunny, breezy, and too beautiful to spend indoors. As soon as my Korean language class ended, I dropped off my textbooks at the dorm, met up with some friends at the main Yonsei University gate, and we hopped on the subway.

Once we arrived, our first stop was to rent a waterproof picnic mat (about 5,000 won)—one was plenty for the three of us to lounge comfortably. We were really hungry, so we strolled around, checking out the food stalls before settling on some mouthwatering chicken skewers and spicy tteokbokki (떡볶이), or rice cakes.

Pro tip: Bring your own water bottle or grab some at a convenience store before entering the park—most food vendors won’t sell bottled water.

After our snack, we kicked back and watched the sun begin to set. The view was incredible: golden light spilling over the river with the silhouette of the mountains in the distance. It was one of those peaceful, picture-perfect moments that makes you feel lucky to be right where you are.

As we folded up our mat and navigated around a few oversized quad bikes, we treated ourselves to some strawberry tanghulu—sweet, crunchy, and the perfect end to a relaxing afternoon.

We took the bus back to Sinchon and grabbed dinner nearby, still full of bright lights and good vibes.

After months of chilly weather, days like this are such a welcome shift. Spending a late afternoon and early evening at Hangang Park in the spring feels like the best kind of midweek reset.