Free in Yongsan-gu 36

Library · Myeongdong Stn. / Hoehyeon Stn. (Line 4)

A library atop a stairway on the slopes of Namsan. Read a book, then walk straight on to Namsan Park and N Seoul Tower on a free route.

Culture space · Hangangjin Stn. (Line 6)

A music library with some 10,000 vinyl records and rare albums. An Itaewon hotspot you can enjoy free with a card or just the DIVE app.

Museum · Ichon Stn. (Line 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

Korea's largest museum, with all permanent galleries free. The spacious lobby and Reflecting Pond garden are good for a rest, and Wednesday and Saturday evening openings are quieter.

Art gallery · Hangangjin Stn. (Line 6) Exit 1

The Samsung Foundation of Culture's flagship museum. The best tip: see the traditional art permanent collection, full of national treasures, for free.

Park · Nodeul Stn. (Line 9)

A music and arts complex in the middle of the Han River. Free sunset-watching on the lawn, indoor lounge, bookshelves and exhibitions, with free concerts on summer weekends.

Museum · Sinyongsan Stn. (Line 4)

The exhibition floor traces Yongsan's urban transformation and the Yongsan disaster through material collected on the Yongsan base

Museum · Ichon Stn. (Line 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

※ Closed for one year for renovation.

Museum · Sookmyung Women's Univ. Stn. (Line 4)

Opened on 10 June 1971 around some 300 artefacts collected and held by Sookmyung Women's University, the museum covers culture, art and antiquities.

Museum · Sookmyung Women's Univ. Stn. (Line 4)

Dedicated to raising appreciation and awareness of embroidery and textile art, the museum has exhibition halls, a library, a dyeing conservation lab, classrooms and an information centre for display, education and research.

Museum · Hangangjin Stn. (Line 6)

Museum · Sinyongsan Stn. (Line 4)

Housed in the former Yongsan Railway Hospital, a century-old modern building preserved as intact as possible, the museum was reborn as a local museum telling the urban history and cultural diversity of Yongsan.

Museum · Namyeong Stn. (Line 1)

The new Democracy Movement Memorial Hall (37 Hangang-daero 71-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul) occupies a former state torture facility.

Museum · Hyochang Park Stn. (Line 6, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

Closed for exhibition hall renovation: 21 October - 31 December 2024 (scheduled).

Museum · Sookmyung Women's Univ. Stn. (Line 4)

The first museum specializing in the Japanese colonial period, recording and exhibiting the history of imperial Japan's plunder, the crimes of collaborators, and the proud history of the anti-Japanese resistance. This precious historical and cultural space

Park · Seobinggo Stn. (Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

Wide lawns and ponds give this park a Western feel. Japanese troops used the ground as a supply base during the Imjin War (1592-1598), Qing soldiers occupied it during the Imo Incident (1882), and during the Gapsin Coup

Library · Samgakji Stn. (Lines 4, 6)

A reading room on the second floor of the War Memorial of Korea, known for window seats looking out to Namsan, with a specialist archive on the Korean War.

Library · Namyeong Stn. (Line 1), Samgakji Stn. (Lines 4, 6)

A large, quiet public library on a hilltop. Fully heated and air-conditioned, it's a free refuge in midsummer and midwinter.

Park · Ichon Stn. (Line 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

A quiet stretch of Han River park connected directly to Ichon Station. Wide lawns and tree shade, with drinking fountains and toilets. Good to combine with the National Museum of Korea.

Park · Hyochang Park Stn. (Line 6, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

A historic park holding the graves of independence activists. Large shade trees and quiet walking paths, with good drinking fountains and toilets.

Museum · Samgakji Stn. (Lines 4, 6)

The free outdoor display of tanks, fighter jets and warships is a huge hit with children. The indoor permanent galleries are free too.

Library · Namyeong Stn. (Line 1)

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

Library · Seoul Stn. (Lines 1, 4, AREX)

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

Study & youth space · Namyeong Stn. (Line 1)

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

Sports facility · Yongsan Stn. (Line 1, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

Free outdoor basketball court in a Hangang riverside park.

Sports facility · Ichon Stn. (Line 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

Free outdoor basketball court in a Hangang riverside park.

Sports facility · Hyochang Park Stn. (Line 6, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

Free outdoor basketball court in a Hangang riverside park.

Sports facility · Sookmyung Women's Univ. Stn. (Line 4)

Public indoor pool in Yongsan-gu with a 5-lane, 25m adult pool. Open swim 5,000 won per session. Session times change monthly, so check before you go.

Sports facility · Hyochang Park Stn. (Line 6, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

Public indoor pool in Yongsan-gu with a 4-lane, 25m adult pool. Open swim 5,000 won per session. Session times change monthly, so check before you go.

Sports facility · Ichon Stn. (Line 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

Public indoor pool in Yongsan-gu with a 5-lane adult pool and a toddler pool. Open swim 4,000 won per session. Session times change monthly, so check before you go.

Sports facility · Hyochang Park Stn. (Line 6, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

Public indoor pool in Yongsan-gu with a 4-lane, 25m adult pool and a toddler pool. Open swim 3,000 won per session. Session times change monthly, so check before you go.

Sports facility · Ichon Stn. (Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

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

Sports facility · Hyochang Park Stn. (Line 6)

Outdoor badminton court in Yongsan-gu. 1 court. Open 24 hours.

Culture space · Noksapyeong Stn. (Line 6)

An entire subway station turned into a garden and art space. A glass dome in the ceiling drops daylight all the way down to the fourth basement level.

Park · Seobinggo Stn. (Gyeongui-Jungang Line)

The first section opened from the returned US military base. You can walk through the former officers' housing Complex 5 just as it was.

Park · Sinyongsan Stn. (Line 4)

A wide lawn garden opened on the returned US military base. Free, but advance reservation is required.

Art gallery · Hangangjin Stn. (Line 6)

The Seoul branch of the global gallery, in the Le Beige Building at Hangangjin. Curated shows by world-renowned artists, free to view.