Located on the north bank of the Han River, Ilsandong-gu is a lively district north-west of central Seoul. It’s home to a sprawling arts complex and an immense lake that provides a setting for recreational pursuits, as well as a vibrant commercial district packed with malls, department stores and nightlife venues.
Things to do in Ilsandong-gu
Spend an afternoon relaxing in Ilsan Lake Park, an urban green space centred around the largest artificial lake in Asia. You can take advantage of the walking and cycling trails, admire the pavilion on Dal-ma-ji Island or coincide your visit with the annual Goyang International Flower Festival, which showcases flowers from across the globe.
Need a retail fix? Head to one of the department stores clustered in the commercial district surrounding Lake Park or discover the hundreds of fashion, accessories and cosmetics stores in the market-inspired Western Dom mall. It’s also home to an abundance of restaurants, bars and nightclubs that stay open until the early hours of the morning.
One of Ilsandong-gu’s most important cultural attractions is the Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex, which officially opened in 2004. You can see Korean classical operas, musicals and ballets at the Aram Theater, attend an orchestral performance at the Aram Concert Hall or check out the art exhibitions taking place at the Aram Art Gallery. The complex also boasts an extensive library dedicated to the performing and visual arts.
Getting around Ilsandong-gu
Ilsandong-gu is around an hour by train from Seoul Station and 1.5 hours from Incheon International Airport. Both the Red and Blue subway lines travel through the district, as do several bus routes. Most of the district’s attractions are within walking distance of a subway station.