Hugging the Han River north-west of Seoul, Ilsanseo-gu is a sprawling district in South Korea. It centres around a large, manmade lake and a naturally-inspired green space and boasts a family-friendly aquarium and an innovative automobile centre.
Things to do in Ilsanseo-gu
In the heart of Ilsanseo-gu is Ilsan Lake Park, which was laid out in the 1990s around one of the largest artificial lakes in Asia. It’s ringed by walking trails and a scenic cycling path and is home to an octagonal pavilion on the island of Dal-ma-ji. Watch the locals skateboarding in Han-ul Square and admire the park’s landscaped flower beds or coincide your visit with the annual Goyang International Flower Festival.
At the western end of Ilsan Lake is AquaPlanet ILSAN, which is home to more than 300 aquatic and terrestrial species from around the globe. Get up close to sand tiger sharks and jellyfish in the large aquarium, then see ring-tailed lemurs and capybaras in the Jungle exhibit or attend one of the daily animal feedings. Artistic diving shows are held in the performance arena.
Car enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to the Hyundai Motor Studio Goyang, which offers a fascinating insight into how cars are manufactured and function. Join a guided tour to learn about the history of Hyundai and discover the future of automobile manufacturing while interacting with industrial robots. A highlight of the complex is the Design space, which features a kinetic sculpture that brings to life the company’s design philosophy.
Getting around Ilsanseo-gu
Ilsanseo-gu is around an hour by train from Seoul Station and 1.5 hours from Incheon International Airport. Trains travelling along Seoul Subway Line 3 stop at Juyeop and Daehwa stations and buses travel throughout the district.