Did you know there was this much greenery right next to Seoul? A walking tour of Gwangmyeong, home to 300,000 residents
When you want to escape the suffocating city, a day trip to Gwangmyeong with a light heart is just what you need.
Let me introduce you to this city
Located right next to Seoul, it's a place you can easily visit anytime by subway or bus. Tucked away like a hidden gem amidst bustling apartment complexes housing 300,000 people, it features ecological parks, lush mountains, and a food village overflowing with delicious aromas, making it the perfect weekend getaway spot.
The path this city has walked
Gwangmyeong was originally a small farming village in Siheung-gun. As the number of people commuting to Seoul increased, large-scale housing districts were built, rapidly transforming it into a city. While the once-abundant fields have been replaced by a forest of apartments, it has steadfastly preserved old place names and traces of nature like Dodeoksan Mountain and Anteo Village, growing into today's self-sufficient city of 300,000.
Must-visit places
If you want to fully experience nature in Gwangmyeong, be sure to keep these courses I visited in mind. They are the perfect spots to step away from the concrete jungle, breathe in the scent of grass, and finish the day with delicious food.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βA place where you can encounter salamanders and rare aquatic plants right in the middle of the city. Walking along the wooden boardwalk path will calm even your mind.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βAs comfortable as a neighborhood backyard mountain, but climbing to the summit gives you a panoramic view of downtown Gwangmyeong. The artificial waterfall and suspension bridge add a subtle touch of fun.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βSightseeing comes after eating! A place where delicious aromas fill the alleys, making it the ultimate spot to fill your empty stomach after walking all day.
Nature surrounding the city
Gwangmyeong is not just a gray city filled with asphalt. Charming mountains and downtown ecological parks harmonize, allowing you to encounter greenery at any time. Spring brings yellowish-green sprouts, and autumn brings colorful foliage, dressing the city in different clothes every season.
Dodeoksan Mountain (λλμ°)
A compact mountain standing 205m above sea level that anyone can climb without burden. The recently built suspension bridge is surprisingly thrilling.
Anteo Ecological Park (μν°μν곡μ)
A miraculous wetland park that returned a former landfill site to the embrace of nature. It's also great for ecological learning with children.
The taste and style of this city
On weekends, the people of Gwangmyeong head to Bamil Village with their families. Restaurants are gathered here in such numbers that you can find everything from Korean cuisine to health-restorative dishes. Local foods that take care of your health are especially well-developed, such as hearty Chueotang (loach soup), savory tofu dishes, and fresh Ssambap (wrapped rice).
Local favorite restaurants
These are Gwangmyeong's local restaurants that I personally waited in line for and fell in love with. I've curated only foolproof menu items, so you should come with an empty stomach.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βIf you order their Chueotang, which boasts a rich and deep broth flavor, boiled pork slices (suyuk) come as a complimentary side. It's great for a hearty health meal priced in the 10,000 KRW range.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βA place where fresh wrapped vegetables are refilled endlessly. Pair it with snail soybean paste (urong ssamjang) and stir-fried spicy pork, and you'll easily finish two bowls of rice.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βYou can taste hot pot (jeongol) and bossam set menus made with homemade savory tofu. It's also a very neat place to take your parents.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βA place where you can grill plump and chewy freshwater eels over charcoal until golden brown. It's the exact right place to visit when your energy is running low.
νκ΅κ΄κ΄κ³΅μ¬Search βThe go-to place when you crave sweet and spicy braised pollock. Thanks to the seasoning that keeps you reaching for more, it's a true rice thief.
Things to know before traveling
Because Seoul Subway Line 7 (Cholsan Station, Gwangmyeongsa-geori Station, etc.) passes through Gwangmyeong, it's really convenient to travel by public transportation. However, restaurant streets like Bamil Village might have longer bus intervals, so we recommend using a taxi or checking the schedule in advance via a map app.