Sunsets at Haneul Park (하늘공원) in Seoul

I ended up going to Haneul Park (하늘공원) in Seoul completely by chance. It wasn’t scheduled or on our itinerary, but it ended up being one of my favorite (and most photogenic) parts of Korea during my trip. On our second day, we had some time to kill while waiting for the rest of our group to arrive. So C’s aunt decided to take us to the park, which was nearby. As we drove closer and closer, my eyes grew bigger and bigger. Seeing the unexpectedly beautiful foliage absolutely made my breath catch. Before coming to Seoul, everyone mentions the food and the fashion, but no one described how beautiful fall is here. So, it was quite the pleasant surprise when I went to Haneul Park, where (man-made) nature was in abundance.

Built on a landfill (yes, a landfill), Haneul Park was originally built to celebrate the 17th FIFA World Cup. Upon entering, you climb up 291 stairs (MORE STAIRS), to be greeted with captivating views of Seoul. I literally stopped every 20 steps just to take a picture— the views were endless!

The park is humongous. From stone paths to grassy fields to a metal structure reminiscent of Burning Man to love locks, the park has something for everyone. With all the lovers taking strolls through the park, I suspect that it’s definitely a hot spot for couples.

Oh hi, it’s me! I couldn’t resist getting a picture in the fields. To be frank, I really wish I was twirling around a la the Sound of Music. If I did, I probably would’ve been kicked out.

We only had a short period of time to enjoy the park and barely touched on its surface. For those who may get tired from walking, there’s also a shuttle to take you back down to the parking lot if you don’t want to trek down the stairs.

Absolutely breathtaking. An amazing view of the city and all the people in it! If you’re a photographer, this is definitely a great spot for an epic photo shoot. In general, I would recommend it as a must-see destination if you’re in the area, whether or not you’re a photographer :).