[Modern Seoul] Seoullo 7017: The Floating Skygarden Born from an Abandoned Highway
Hello, urban explorers and night walkers! It’s Bitna. In our last journey, we experienced the majestic 600-year history of Sungnyemun Gate, South Korea’s National Treasure No. 1.
If you walk just past the back of that ancient stone gateway, you will see a massive concrete pedestrian bridge stretching across the busy streets toward Seoul Station. Today, we are stepping onto Seoullo 7017 (서울로 7017). Similar to Cheonggyecheon Stream, this place is a prime example of Seoul's incredible Urban Regeneration (도시 재생). It's a place where a noisy highway was transformed into a peaceful, floating forest in the sky.
🚙 The Story Behind "7017"
The name "Seoullo 7017" holds a fascinating historical secret.
- "70" stands for 1970, the year this structure was originally built as an elevated highway for cars to boost economic growth.
- "17" stands for 2017, the year it was reborn as a public pedestrian park, featuring 17 unique intersecting walkways.
For decades, millions of cars drove over this overpass. However, due to safety concerns, the city was going to tear it down. Instead of destroying it, Seoul took inspiration from New York City’s famous High Line. They repurposed the aging concrete structure into a 1,024-meter-long linear park filled with nature, art, and cafes.
🌿 Walking Through a Living Plant Library
Seoullo 7017 isn’t just a regular walkway; it is a giant, living botanical library.
As you walk along the path, you will pass by over 24,000 plants and trees representing more than 228 species native to Korea. Everything is planted in large, circular concrete pots arranged alphabetically in the Korean alphabet (Hangeul).
You can find everything from blooming roses and fragrant herbs to towering pine trees. There are even small, glass-bottomed viewing holes cut into the concrete floor where you can look directly down at the cars rushing by beneath your feet!
🌙 The Highlight: A Cyberpunk Night Walk
While it is lovely during the daytime, Bitna highly recommends visiting Seoullo 7017 after dark.
When the sun sets, the entire concrete skygarden lights up with a soft, ethereal blue illumination. The deep blue LED lights are intentionally designed to be gentle on your eyes, allowing you to clearly see the surrounding city.
📸 Bitna's Top Photography Spots:
- The Seoul Station View: Stand over the middle of the bridge to look down at the massive, multi-lane roads surrounding Seoul Station. The red and white light trails left by rushing buses and cars create a mesmerizing, cyberpunk-like photo.
- Culture Station Seoul 284: Look down to see the old, beautifully lit historic Seoul Station building (built in 1925), standing in sharp contrast against the glittering modern glass skyscrapers behind it.
💡 Practical Travel Tips from Bitna
- How to Get There: From Sungnyemun Gate, simply walk toward the Namdaemun Underground Shopping Center and look for the elevator or staircase labeled "Seoullo 7017." Alternatively, take the subway to Seoul Station (Line 1 or 4, Exit 2 or 8), which connects directly to the skygarden via escalators.
- Admission: 100% Free! The walkway is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Accessibility: The path is completely flat and equipped with multiple glass elevators, making it incredibly friendly for wheelchairs, strollers, and travelers with heavy luggage.
Seoullo 7017 perfectly shows how a fast-growing city can pause, look at its concrete past, and turn it into a green, sustainable future. It's the ultimate place to enjoy a cool evening breeze while watching the busy world go by from a peaceful distance.
Feel the majesty and beauty of South Korea's National Treasure No. 1 at Sungnyemun Gate. Then, take a few steps over to this skygarden to experience the future of Seoul.
Thank you for traveling with me today, and I hope this guide helps you find your own peaceful moment high above the city lights.
See you in the next post!
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