Seoul Forest is considered one of former Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak's signature achievements, along with the Cheonggyecheon Stream restoration. [Photo = Reporter Lim Yo-hee]

While South Korea is a mountainous country, with approximately 63-70% of its land composed of mountainous terrain, it surprisingly has few forests.

Here, "forest" refers to forests established on flat land. Flat forests are ideal for people of all ages to enjoy walking and breathing in phytoncides due to their lack of inclines, and are also perfect for relaxing by laying down a mat under the shade of trees.

In this regard, the existence of Seoul Forest is exceptionally special. Seoul Forest is a flat forest, a rarity in urban areas, and it forms a vast urban forest in conjunction with the Jungnangcheon Stream, Eungbongsan Mountain, Dalmajigongwon Park, and Ttukseom Riverside Park.

Opened in 2005 under the initiative of President Lee Myung-bak

Opened in 2005, Seoul Forest is a massive urban forest covering an area of approximately 145,000 pyeong (490,000 m²), consisting of five categories: Culture and Arts Park, Eco-Forest, Nature Experience Learning Center, Wetland Ecological Garden, and Hangang Riverside Park.

Seoul Forest's April, which begins with cherry blossoms, peaks in mid-April with tulips. [Photo = Reporter Lim Yo-hee]

Seoul Forest is considered one of former Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak's signature achievements, along with the Cheonggyecheon Stream restoration. During his tenure as mayor of Seoul, former President Lee Myung-bak pursued the creation of Seoul Forest with the goal of building urban forests similar to New York's Central Park or London's Hyde Park.

At that time, the Seoul Metropolitan Government sold three prime apartment land plots in Seongdong-gu for 1.2 trillion won to fund the creation of Seoul Forest. While this was a considerable sum even then, the land's value has continued to rise, reportedly exceeding 8 trillion won today.

Ironically, it is Seoul Forest itself that has driven up the land's value. Thanks to Seoul Forest, apartments in Seongsu-dong have gained a "forest-adjacent" premium, and the streets of Seongsu-dong have become one of Seoul's hottest spots.

Seoul Forest is also renowned as a prime location for enjoying spring blossoms. In particular, April, which starts with cherry blossoms, culminates in mid-April with tulips.

Within Seoul Forest, the areas near the Mirror Pond, encountered after passing the General's Statue in the Culture and Arts Park, and around the Water Playground and Family Plaza, are considered prime tulip viewing spots. Here, approximately 100,000 tulips of about 30 varieties, including pink, red, purple, orange, yellow, and white, bloom, creating a vibrant spring atmosphere.

Enduring a bleak winter to bloom most magnificently

Although tulips have an extremely simple appearance, consisting of a flower head and stem, they are not to be underestimated. This is because bulbs planted in the fall endure the cold winter to finally succeed in blooming.

The patient sentences silently written eventually bloom into petals, much like an artist's creation or our own lives. [Photo = Reporter Lim Yo-hee]

Tulip bulbs need to be exposed to low temperatures of around 0-10 degrees Celsius for over 50 days to form flower buds. As the temperature drops, the starch in the bulbs converts into glucose. This process increases the solute concentration, lowering the freezing point. This is why tulip bulbs do not easily freeze even in sub-zero temperatures. And in return for such hardship, tulips are given the role of the protagonists of spring.

Is it only flowers that are rewarded with splendor for enduring hardship? The patient sentences silently written eventually bloom into petals, much like an artist's creation or our own lives.

We are currently passing through a tunnel of persecution and oppression, but at its end, a magnificent reward that will more than compensate for all the suffering awaits. For those who have silently prepared their time even in darkness, spring will surely come.

Seoul Forest has many benches and a large lawn, making it a great place to spend leisurely time with simple snacks.

Seoul Forest is currently busy preparing for the 2026 Seoul International Garden Show. From May 1st to October 27th, for approximately six months, a "Seoul Grand Garden" will be created in Seoul Forest and the surrounding Seongsu-dong area, themed "Seoul, Green Culture," encompassing Seoul Forest, the Hangang River, Seongsu-dong, and Ttukseom.

"Seoul Grand Garden" is a large-scale spatial expansion project that extends beyond the existing boundaries of Seoul Forest to connect the alleys of Seongsu-dong, the Hangang River banks, and the grand garden of Ttukseom into one. It weaves together flowers, cities, industry, and the Hangang River under the single keyword of "Green Culture."

This festival is expected to be even richer in sights and experiences, as it will be the largest in scale to date, covering 150,000 pyeong, surpassing the scale of Ttukseom (60,000 pyeong) in 2024 and Borame (120,000 pyeong) in 2025.

Reporter Lim Yo-hee