Free in Nowon-gu 34

Stream & walk · Nowon Stn. (Lines 4, 7)

A flat 14km streamside path from Gunja to Sanggye. Spring cherry blossoms and canola, with the Nowon Dumulmaru rest area a highlight.

Historic site · Hwarangdae Stn. (Line 6)

Taereung, tomb of Queen Munjeong, and Gangneung, tomb of King Myeongjong. Beautiful pine forest paths plus the Joseon Royal Tombs Exhibition Hall.

Culture space · Nowon Stn. (Lines 4, 7)

A raised platform in the lobby of Nowon-gu Office, floating between the first and second floors, where you can sit and look down on the vertical garden, with an LP listening room alongside. The lobby holds about 2,500 books you can read without checking them out, plus the Nowon 437 book cafe.

Museum · Bonghwasan Stn. (Line 6)

Korea's only museum specialising in military history, devoted to collecting, preserving, exhibiting and researching military cultural heritage.

Art gallery · Nowon Stn. (Lines 4, 7)

Art gallery · Hagye Stn. (Line 7)

An art space showing contemporary art, giving the university community and local residents a chance to enjoy culture.

Art gallery · Wolgye Stn. (Line 1)

The first registered art museum established at a two- or three-year college in Seoul (Seoul No. 28), Ajeong Art Museum works under the vision of "diversity and coexistence in art," covering painting, craft, design and installation.

Mountain & trail

Bulamsan marks the boundary between Seoul and Namyangju in Gyeonggi-do and neighbours Suraksan across Deongneung pass. Being a sandstone mountain it is not thickly wooded, but its ridges are strung with odd-shaped rocks, and in spring the azaleas turn it into a flower garden

Mountain & trail

One account says Suraksan is named for the water that tumbles down the rock walls in the valleys around Naewonam; a legend holds that the name came from the clear valley water falling as the Geumnyu, Eunnyu and Ongnyu waterfalls...

Museum · Hagye Stn. (Line 7)

Korea's first science center for young people, in Nowon. Permanent exhibitions are free to view, with hands-on experiments and lecture programmes.

Culture space · Gongneung Stn. (Line 7)

A multipurpose cultural space supporting young artists in Nowon-gu. Set midway along the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, it slots easily into a walk and hosts free exhibitions and programs by young artists.

Library · Sanggye Stn. (Line 4)

Nowon's flagship district library. The general reading room stays open until 10pm, making it ideal for studying or reading.

Museum · Taereung Stn. (Lines 6, 7)

A free museum recreating Seoul household life from the 1960s to the 1980s. The old classroom, barbershop and "my car" era displays are favourites.

Art gallery · Hagye Stn. (Line 7)

A free art museum with a wide lawn and a children's gallery. Well suited to a family outing.

Park · Hwarangdae Stn. (Line 6, Gyeongchun Line)

A free railway-themed park with the old whistle-stop station, a narrow-gauge train and a tram on display. The evening light garden is the highlight.

Park · Hwarangdae Stn. (Line 6)

Gongneung-dong's best-known forest path, built on a disused railway. Old Hwarangdae Station trains and a cafe street, with the Street of Light lit up in the evening.

Library · Nowon Stn. (Lines 4, 7)

Public library in Nowon-gu. Free entry and reading, with heating and air conditioning.

Library

Public library in Nowon-gu. Free entry and reading, with heating and air conditioning.

Library · Suraksan Stn. (Line 7)

Public library in Nowon-gu. Free entry and reading, with heating and air conditioning.

Library · Hagye Stn. (Line 7)

Public library in Nowon-gu. Free entry and reading, with heating and air conditioning.

Library · Wolgye Stn. (Line 1)

Public library in Nowon-gu. Free entry and reading, with heating and air conditioning.

Library · Hwarangdae Stn. (Line 6)

Public library in Nowon-gu. Free entry and reading, with heating and air conditioning.

Study & youth space · Nowon Stn. (Lines 4, 7)

A lounge, study and community space free for all young people, part of the Seoul Youth Center Orang network.

Sports facility · Sanggye Stn. (Line 4)

Public indoor sports facility (swimming, gym, table tennis and more).

Sports facility · Gwangwoon Univ. Stn. (Line 1)

Public indoor pool in Nowon-gu. Five-lane adult pool plus a toddler pool. Open swim is 4,300 won per session. Open swim time slots change monthly, so check before you go.

Sports facility · Hwarangdae Stn. (Line 6)

Public indoor sports facility (swimming, gym, table tennis and more).

Sports facility · Junggye Stn. (Line 7)

Free outdoor basketball court in a Han River park setting.

Sports facility · Junggye Stn. (Line 7)

Municipal youth center in Sanggye-dong, Nowon-gu, with a gym for badminton and a swimming pool.

Sports facility · Buramsan Stn. (Line 4)

Outdoor badminton courts in Nowon-gu. 7 courts.

Sports facility · Hagye Stn. (Line 7)

Outdoor badminton courts in Nowon-gu, with 13 courts.

Sports facility · Nokcheon Stn. (Line 1)

Outdoor badminton courts in Nowon-gu, with 10 courts.

Sports facility · Gongneung Stn. (Line 7)

Outdoor badminton court in Nowon-gu. 4 courts. Open 24 hours.

Sports facility · Hagye Stn. (Line 7)

Outdoor basketball court in Nowon-gu. 1 court. Open 24 hours.

Sports facility · Gongneung Stn. (Line 7)

Outdoor basketball court in Nowon-gu. 1 court. Open 24 hours.