Seoul Olympic Park

A vast park built for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, preserving within its grounds the earthen walls of Mongchon, a relic of the early Baekje kingdom's capital from roughly 2,000 years ago — modern Olympics and an ancient kingdom overlap in one space.

The park holds Peace Plaza, an Olympic sculpture garden, a rose garden, and an outdoor musical fountain, and the former gymnastics arena, KSPO Dome, is now one of Korea's largest K-pop venues. Weekdays bring walkers and joggers, while weekends draw family picnics.

Honest tips: the park is very large, so plan a route anchored at the Peace Gate — seeing it all takes half a day or more. On KSPO Dome event days nearby traffic seizes up, so arrive early. The course linking the 88 Lake and Mongchon walls is scenic, with lovely spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage. Mongchontoseong station connects directly and Olympic Park station is nearby, so access is good.