Seoul's Nodeul Island waterfront cultural space, reopened on the 18th after a year of renovation, drew more than 100,000 visitors within 10 days.
The city said on the 30th that cumulative visitors to the waterfront cultural space totaled about 104,000 as of the 28th. Families, couples and tourists visited the island over the Chuseok holiday to rest, walk and enjoy cultural programs close to the Han River, the city said.
Two weekends alone accounted for 50,120 visitors. The first weekend, on the 19th and 20th, drew 26,472 people, while 23,648 visited during the Chuseok holiday on the 26th and 27th. That means roughly half of all visitors came on weekends.
The newly opened waterfront space is the first phase of the city's Nodeul Global Art Island project. Rather than waiting for the entire project to be completed in 2030, the city is opening completed sections to the public in stages. Seoul plans to develop Nodeul Island into a cultural, artistic and ecological space linking the waterfront, ground level and elevated areas.
The renovated island features an ecological garden with Han River views, a play garden for children and a grass garden. A 1.5-kilometer circular walking path around the island also offers river views.
The city operates the NODEUL: NEXT SCENE augmented-reality glasses experience zone, allowing visitors to preview the island's future form. With visitor numbers rising quickly, the city is also launching a campaign to keep the island clean with residents' participation.
The Seoul Light Han River Festival will run from the 2nd to the 11th of next month, featuring media art programs including laser art and Donghaeng Light. A photo and short-form video contest documenting the renewed island runs through the 30th of next month.
An Dae-hee, director general of future space planning at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said: "Drawing 100,000 visitors in just 10 days shows how much residents have looked forward to a space where they can rest, walk and enjoy culture close to the Han River. We will manage facilities and programs carefully so that visitors stay longer and come back."
Seoul's Picks for Han River Sunset Spots
Nodeul Island is also included in the Han River Sunset Map the city released recently. The city divided Han River park attractions into four zones: Gangseo-Nanji-Mangwon-Yanghwa; Yeouido-Ichon-Nodeul Island; Banpo-Sebitseom; and Seoul Forest-Ttukseom-Jamsil.
In the Gangseo-Nanji-Mangwon-Yanghwa zone, visitors can watch the sun set toward the western horizon beyond Han River bridges near the Han River Bus pier at Mangwon Han River Park, around Seonyu Bridge at Yanghwa Han River Park and near the Seoul Water Leisure Center at Nanji Han River Park.
In the Yeouido-Ichon-Nodeul Island zone, the western side of Nodeul Island and the observation deck at Ichon Han River Park offer views of the sun setting behind Yeouido buildings such as the 63 Building. Near Yeouido's Mulbit Plaza, visitors can see the sunset reflected on the water alongside the floating fountain.
At Seoraeseom in the Banpo-Sebitseom zone, the sunset can be viewed from close to the river's surface. Around Jamsu Bridge, visitors can take in the sunset together with the lights of the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain.
The Seoul Forest-Ttukseom-Jamsil zone includes the Seongsu Cloud Bridge, the area under Cheongdam Bridge and the Jamsil pier. The Seongsu Cloud Bridge offers views over the city and the river, while the area under Cheongdam Bridge lets visitors watch the sunset along with subway trains crossing the Han River.
On the Han River Bus water route, sunsets can be viewed along the waterway passing Nanji Han River Park, Worldcup Bridge, Mapo Bridge, the National Assembly Building, Dongjak Bridge, Seongsu Bridge and Cheongdam Bridge.
