Olympic Park in the Mongchon area of eastern Seoul is one of the largest parks in the city, built for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. It has vast green lawns, over 200 outdoor sculptures, the historic Mongchon earthen fortress walls, a major K-pop concert venue (KSPO Dome and SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium), rose gardens, and cycling paths. It is genuinely large enough that most visitors only see a portion of what it contains.
Quick Answer: Olympic Park: Large park in Mongchon, eastern Seoul, built for the 1988 Olympics. Green lawns, outdoor sculpture park, Mongchon Fortress ruins, rose garden, and major concert venue. Free entry. Subway: Line 5 (purple) to Olympic Park Station (exit 3) or Mongchon Toseong Station (exit 1). Allow 2 to 3 hours minimum.
Getting to Olympic Park
Line 5 (purple) to Olympic Park Station (exit 3) for the main entrance near the World Peace Gate. Alternatively, Line 8 (pink) to Mongchon Toseong Station (exit 1) for the northern Mongchon Fortress entrance. From Gangnam guide Station: approximately 15 minutes by subway on Line 2 to Jamsil, then Line 8 to Mongchon Toseong.
What to See in Olympic Park
World Peace Gate
The monumental gate at the main entrance was built for the 1988 Olympics. Its curved roof and painted murals are distinctive examples of 1980s Korean architectural expression. The plaza in front is a popular photo spot.
Mongchon Fortress (Mongchon Toseong)
Earthen fortress walls dating from the Baekje Kingdom period (3rd to 4th century AD) are preserved within the park. Walking the fortress walls gives elevated views over the park grounds and is one of the more quietly educational experiences the park offers.
Outdoor Sculpture Park
Olympic Park has over 200 permanent outdoor sculptures by Korean and international artists installed across the grounds. The sculpture walk through the park’s open meadows is one of the finest outdoor art experiences in Seoul.
Rose Garden (Jangmi Gwangwang)
A dedicated rose garden with thousands of plants that bloom in May and June. One of the best locations in Seoul to see roses in quantity. The rose season is also one of the busiest periods for the park.
Mongchon Moat Lake
The lake within the fortress grounds is used for paddle boating (rental available in summer) and is a pleasant walking circuit. The surrounding willows and the fortress walls reflect in the water.
KSPO Dome and Concert Venues
Olympic Park is one of Seoul’s primary large-scale concert and event venues. KSPO Dome (formerly Olympic Gymnastics Arena) hosts major K-pop concerts, as does the SK Handball Gymnasium. If you are visiting Seoul for a specific concert, Olympic Park is likely the venue. See the K-pop tourism guide for Seoul more broadly.
Wildflower Hill (Nari Kkot Dongsan)
A hillside within the park is planted with wildflowers that bloom throughout spring and summer. The hill is one of the park’s most photographed spots in May when the pink muhly grass and cosmos flowers are in bloom.
Best Time to Visit Olympic Park
Spring (April to May)
Cherry blossoms in early April, rose garden in May, wildflowers through spring. The park is at its most colourful and most visited in spring.
Autumn (October)
The cosmos and pink muhly grass (which turns the hillsides silvery-pink) bloom in October, making the park one of Seoul’s most-photographed autumn destinations. See the autumn in Korea, especially in Seoul, in October.
Year-Round
The park is large enough and offers enough to see that any season, except for a very cold winter, a weekday is worth a visit.
Nearby Guides
- Seokchon Lake guide
- Lotte World guide
- Gangnam guide
- Seoul day trips
- Things to do in Korea
- K-pop tourism guide
- Seoul travel guide
- Seoul in 3 days
FAQ
Is Olympic Park free to visit?
Yes. Entry to the park grounds is free. Some indoor facilities within the park (sports halls, certain museums) may charge an entry fee. Concert events obviously require tickets.
How long should I spend at Olympic Park?
2 to 3 hours for a comfortable walk covering the main areas (World Peace Gate, Mongchon Fortress, sculpture walk, rose garden). A full afternoon with cycling rental and the lake gives a more complete experience.
Can I combine a visit to the Olympic Park with a visit to the other World?
Yes. The Lotte World guide and Seokchon Lake guide are approximately a 15 to 20-minute walk or a 5-minute subway ride from Olympic Park (Line 8 from Mongchon Toseong to Jamsil). Combining both makes a good full-day eastern Seoul itinerary.
