If it’s been too long since you looked at the center of a sunflower, it’s time to get down to Seonyudo Park. Located in the middle of the Han River along one of its bridges, Seonyudo is a chance to see an ecologically-friendly side of Seoul.

It takes a bit of a walk to get here from the subway (assuming you don’t want to be lazy and use the bus, which is also possible). Seonyudo is the forest-looking area of trees across the river. Cross the road so you’ll be on the correct side, then turn right towards the park.

Finally reaching the entrance – er, one of them. Once upon a time, Seonyudo was a naturally beautiful scenic place. In 1925, a flood hit the Han river; after the flood, rocks were collected from the area, which led to the area being degraded somewhat. A bridge and a water purification plant were built in 1965 and 1978, respectively, making this area far removed from the area it once was.

In 2001, the plant was moved, and the next year the area began its transformation into a park. Such a beautiful story – in other words, Seoul began to realize that its park areas were worth reclaiming – more so than water purification plants at least. The welcoming sign notes that the area “will be reborn as nature reasserts itself, creating a green island of tree [sic] as it once was, revealing a future harmony rather than of destruction.”

A nice collections and plants and cacti inside a greenhouse open to the public.

Called 수련 (suryeon) or nymphaea in Latin, the small pond only held this one kind of plant.

A scaled-down model of the park inside an unmanned Information Center. Not pictured inside was a nice selection of photos showing the area’s early years.

I’m not sure if the water falling over the edge serves a practical function, or just serves to look pretty.

An unusual meeting of rock and park – and a chance for kids to get in the water.

Two roads diverged in the woods… OK, this isn’t quite the same, but the road to the left continued around the park.

A nice overview of the area – every species of plant having its own area.

I’m not sure what these two were up to, but they reminded me of guy flirting with a girl at a bar… And having about the same success…

At a little cafeteria in the park with a nice view of the city, this little one (called a 참세, or chamse) was happy to pose for the camera.

The aforementioned cafeteria in the park with a nice view of the city. Try to ignore the brownness of the Han river while you grab a beverage (draft beer? Suuurre, why not?) or snack (the usual convenience store selection of chips, ramen, and candy). A two-story restaurant just behind the counter had a more extensive menu of pretty standard Korean foods.

Although there wasn’t any signs describing the growth or system in place, I can only guess there’s an entire ecosystem at work here.

Me getting fancy with the camera again… I love bringing in the main part of the subject into focus and blurring everything else out… No alterations, by the way – that’s exactly the way I shot it.

A pedestrian bridge crossing about half the Han river to the mainland and the Hangang Park nearby. Though still far from the subway, you’ll have a nice walk back there if that’s your cup of tea.

Another view at the variety of plants and areas with plenty of water. Why so many? I don’t know! Again, no signs – just tiny (think business-card) things showing the species names and a description in Korean… and I’m not a horticulturist…

Entering the Design Seoul Gallery – a little odd to see in the middle of everything, but interesting nonetheless. Offering some Photoshopped professional photography of the area, along with a sign of things to come, this area might be worth the trip alone once it’s completely finished.

A nice display showing the path of the Han river, and all the parks nearby it. Push one of the blue buttons on bottom to see it light up on the map and the wall.

Some pumps, still connected as though they’re doing some work, but they weren’t making any noise. Can pumps this large be that quiet, or were they just off during my visit?

An interesting map of Seoul from the old days – the circle in the center represents Seoul’s fortress wall, which only exists in pieces now; the thicker ribbon at the bottom may indicate the Han river, though with just Chinese characters to go by it’s hard to be certain.

An intriguing idea – sit in the chair, push the button, and have a 360 degree view of your face, thanks to the cameras around you.

An unfinished section of the exhibit on the top floor – look through the two holes for the View-Master like experience. A construction worker was working elsewhere in the room, and the room as a whole was unfinished compared to the rest of the exhibit – definitely an intriguing place to see what’s happening in Seoul.

If you’re familiar with Yeouido Park, it feels very similar, right now to the ‘natural but constructed’ feeling. It’s worth the afternoon to visit, but budget a little extra time to get here unless you happen to catch the right bus. Once here, it’s green, quiet, and peaceful. There’s very little information about the park except for the one ‘about the park’ sign when you enter, so if you’re curious about what that plant was you’ll have to learn on your own.

Directions to Seonyudo Park: Take line 2 or 9 of the Seoul subway station to the Dangsan station. Take exit 1 (from line 2) or exit 13 (from line 9) to street level, then catch bus 5714 at the nearby bus stop. The bus will turn right and make a stop about halfway across the bridge – that’s Seonyudo across the street to your left. Bus 5714 also stops at the Guro and Yeongdeungpo stations on line 1, the Sindorim, Hapjeong, Hongdae, and Ewha stations on line 2, the Yeongdeungpo Market station on line 5, or Cheolsan or Namguro stations on line 7. Whew, this bus gets around.

You could also walk it if the bus is taking too long – it’s about 1 1/2 kilometers away. At the first bridge you come to, cross the road, THEN turn right so you’re actually crossing in a safer place. Free admission to the park; stroller and wheelchair-friendly.