A Spacious Day in Songpa, Where Baekje Earthen Fortifications Meet the 1988 Seoul Olympics

Mongchontoseong and Baekje’s Defense Line, Restored Through Park Development in 1986

Olympic Park was developed for the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympics, but the early Baekje archaeological site of Mongchontoseong remains at its center. Excavation and restoration took place during the park’s development, and the moat terrain around the earthen fortress was also incorporated into the park’s design. Mongchontoseong is described as a defensive earthen fortress built to prepare for invasions from the north.

The park covers approximately 1.45 million square meters, while the Mongchontoseong walking trail alone is about 2.3 km long. The varying heights and slopes of the fortress walls may feel unexpected to visitors expecting only a flat urban park, so athletic shoes are suitable when combining the Hanseong Baekje Museum and Mongchontoseong in one day. Mongchontoseong is introduced as a Baekje historical site built around the 3rd to 4th centuries.

A 9-Scenic-Spots Route Beginning at Kim Jung-up’s 62-Meter World Peace Gate

Entering the park from the Peace Plaza side, visitors encounter the World Peace Gate designed by Kim Jung-up. This structure measures 62.0 m wide, 24.0 m high, and 37.0 m long. Construction began in January 1987 and was completed around August 1988. It is a symbol commemorating the 1988 Seoul Olympics and expressing wishes for world peace.

The official nine scenic spots are arranged in the following order: World Peace Gate, The Thumb, Mongchon Moat Music Fountain, the sculpture “Dialogue,” the Mongchontoseong walking trail, Lone Tree, Lake 88, Wildflower Hill, and Rose Plaza. Connecting the entire route takes about three hours, so if you have around 90 minutes, it is more practical to focus on one area, such as the World Peace Gate–Mongchon Moat–Mongchontoseong section or the Wildflower Hill–Lone Tree–Lake 88 section.

A Walking Section Along the 1,800-Meter Mongchon Moat and 12,700-Square-Meter Lake 88

Mongchon Moat is an artificial lake with a circumference of 1,800 m and a total area of 53,500 square meters. It connects the image of the moat from the Baekje archaeological site with the park landscape. The waterside walking section links the route between Peace Plaza and Mongchontoseong, making it an option for visitors who want to avoid the fortress-wall trail, which has many stairs.

Lake 88 is an artificial lake covering 12,700 square meters and holding approximately 15,000 tons of water. Around 13 sculptures are located nearby. To see the lake scenery together with Oryunjeong, an octagonal pavilion, it is advantageous to arrive before sunset. Cooking and the use of fire are prohibited inside the park, and smoking is prohibited throughout the entire area.

Wildflower Hill in May–June and September–October; Rose Plaza’s 18,500 Roses Across 165 Varieties

If you are planning a visit around seasonal plantings, it is best to check the timing for Wildflower Hill first. According to the official information, spring flowers such as poppies, baby's breath, and cornflowers can be seen from May to June, while fall flowers such as Sensation cosmos and yellow cosmos bloom from September to October. Flowering times may vary depending on the weather and maintenance schedule, so check the park notices before setting out.

Rose Plaza is located between K-Art Hall and Olympic Hall and opened in June 2010. With 18,500 roses from 165 varieties planted across an area of 13,260 square meters, it is a good place for a brief visit before or after attending a performance. If roses are your sole purpose, it is better to plan your route around the entrances near Olympic Park Station and the performance venues rather than crossing the entire expansive park.

A Hill with a Single Oriental Arborvitae and 201 Outdoor Sculptures

The sixth of the nine scenic spots, Lone Tree is an approximately 10-meter-tall oriental arborvitae. Its distinctive composition—a single tree standing on a broad hill—means that visitors should allow for uphill walking and travel time even if they are visiting only to take photographs. If you want to see it together with the Mongchontoseong section, it is best to allow at least 30 minutes.

Olympic Sculpture Park displays 201 works by 155 artists from 66 countries. César Baldaccini’s bronze work “The Thumb” measures 3.6 × 2.7 × 6.0 m, while Mohan Amara’s granite work “Dialogue” measures 6.0 × 1.8 × 3.3 m. Mauro Staccioli’s “88 Seoul Olympics,” also known as the Nike, and Nam June Paik’s “Coubertin” can also be seen in the park.

Choosing Between Olympic Park Station on Lines 5 and 9 and Mongchontoseong Station on Line 8

When heading toward the park’s southeast side and the performance venues, Exits 3 and 4 of Olympic Park Station on Subway Lines 5 and 9 are useful reference points. The official transportation information also lists Exit 1 of Mongchontoseong Station on Line 8 and Exit 2 of Hanseong Baekje Station on Line 9. If Mongchontoseong and the Hanseong Baekje Museum are your priorities, Mongchontoseong or Hanseong Baekje stations fit the route better; for KSPO DOME and Olympic Hall, Olympic Park Station is more convenient.

By bus, Seoul trunk and branch routes run toward East Gate 1 and Olympic Park Station. The official information lists Route 3214 as connecting Namhansanseong Entrance and the area in front of Techno Mart. International visitors can use the park information centers. The Peace Plaza Information Center can be reached at 02-2180-3564~5, and the Meeting Plaza and East Gate 1 Information Center at 02-2180-3566.

• World Peace Gate and Peace Plaza: toward Exits 3 and 4 of Olympic Park Station on Lines 5 and 9
• Mongchontoseong and Hanseong Baekje Museum: toward Exit 1 of Mongchontoseong Station on Line 8 or Exit 2 of Hanseong Baekje Station on Line 9
• KSPO DOME: a one-minute walk from P5 Parking Lot; use Olympic Park Station on Lines 5 and 9

Free Admission from 05:00 to 22:00: Why the Subway Is Better Than Driving on Performance Days

Olympic Park is open year-round, and admission is free. Pedestrian and bicycle access is available from 05:00 to 22:00, with plaza areas open until 24:00; vehicle access is from 06:00 to 22:00. For safety, access to the park interior is restricted after 22:00, except for Peace Plaza and Meeting Plaza. The main telephone number is 02-410-1114, and the official website is https://www.ksponco.or.kr/olympicpark.

Parking is available, but congestion is expected on days with major performances or events, so the operating organization also recommends using public transportation. Compact vehicles cost 600 won per 10 minutes, with a daily maximum of 20,000 won. Large vehicles—24 seats or more, or 2.5 tons or more—cost 1,200 won per 10 minutes, with a daily maximum of 24,000 won. Vehicles with preferential cards for compact cars, persons with disabilities, low-emission vehicles, national merit recipients, or families with two or more children receive a 50% discount. Exiting within 10 minutes is free, but normal charges apply when re-entering after leaving.

Guidelines for Planning Wheelchair Access and Performance Attendance Together

Official Seoul tourism information states that Olympic Park’s information center services include guidance on accessible restrooms, accessible parking, accessible pedestrian paths, and wheelchair rentals. However, the fortress-wall paths at Mongchontoseong and the hill leading to Lone Tree may include sloped and nearly unpaved sections, so wheelchair and stroller users are advised to prioritize relatively level areas such as Peace Plaza, the surroundings of Mongchon Moat, and Lake 88.

Advance permission is required for commercial photography and video filming in the park; inquiries can be made at 02-2180-3542. If your purpose is to visit a performance venue such as KSPO DOME, free admission to the park and performance tickets are separate. Except for some performances, ticket sales are handled through Interpark Ticket. If a performance ends late, check both the park’s pedestrian access restriction time and the last subway train.