Escaping the City: Hiking Culture in Seoul

Transcription

1 Freeman East Asia Scholarship Experience Abroad Aaron Rule Escaping the City: Hiking Culture in Seoul Author: Aaron Rule Date: Since Seoul is such a densely populated, the people only have to find refuge from the city life in a much more open space. Hangang Park located on the Han River is this space. It is the best example of a park dedicated to it s people. It is one of the few green areas in all of Seoul. Summary: With Seoul being the second largest metropolitan city by population coming in at roughly 26 million people, it becomes increasingly difficult to find public space within the city. Since it is difficult finding spaces within the city, people in Seoul leave the bustle and stress of urban life and head to the outskirts of the city. Seoul is known as a city completely surrounded by mountains. These mountains have been a significant part of Korean tradition and folklore. The mountains have been referred the Guardians of Seoul since they provide a natural defensive perimeter. In the 15th century, the Seoul Fortress Wall was constructed atop the mountains to keep enemies out of the city. Today, these paths along the wall create great trails for hikers. Korean hiking brings upon producing its own type of culture. These weekend warriors dress head-to-toe in high-end hiking gear. Since most trails can easily be traveled within a day, hikers also fill their backpacks full of rice wine, soju (a popular alcoholic beverage), kimbap (Korean rice rolls), and of course: kimchi. Once reaching the top of the mountain, the groups of hikers will sit and enjoy all of these delicious items and have a picnic with family and friends. Hiking becomes a way to escape the complexities and busy workload Korea is known for. Since Koreans work incredibly pressurefilled lives consisting 60 hour workweeks and some of the most stressful schooling in the world, many Koreans want to get out of the concrete jungle from which they live in and escape to find nature and experience the great outdoors. We have found the weekends to be a perfect time to get out of the city and hike. It is a great way to experience a part of Korean tradition and current trends to enjoy nature outside the urban metropolis. Along with a great form of exercise, hiking in Korea holds a great sense of community. Clusters of hiking groups full of family and friends get together over the weekend to enjoy a fun bonding experience. Overall, hiking the mountains of Seoul has not only been healthy for the body, but for the soul. The amount of peace in nature and fresh air is the reason why I enjoy the hiking culture in Seoul. Figure 1. Seoul City Skyline Figure 2. Hikers Figure 3. Top of Mt. Bukhansan 1

2 Freeman East Asia Scholarship Experience Abroad Aaron Rule Hangang Park Han River Author: Aaron Rule Date: Hangang Park located on the banks of the Han River is one of the best public spaces in Seoul. Located in the center of the city dividing the old Seoul from new, it provides a perfect area for a large space for recreation for the entire city population of over 25 million. Living in such a congested city, personal space is an issue, so this park is a wonderful solution for the citizens. Summary: The Han River is quite literally the center of Seoul dividing the north and south part of the city. The Han nowadays becomes the center of athletic training and recreation. There are many different scenes within the everyday use by the citizens of Seoul. There is a constant flow of bike clubs zipping by on their decked-out carbon fiber bikes blasting their favorite tunes from a Bluetooth speaker attached to the water bottle holder. Joggers and runners also share the same space as the cyclists. There will be both a steady amount of cyclist and joggers until 10 or 11PM at night on average. Every time Austin and I go down there to run at night, there are always cyclists to avoid getting run over by. During the daytime, there are families and couples camped on the lawns before the rivers waters watching their favorite Korean dramas and enjoying a large picnic. Food and drink is such a big part of Korean culture and community. There are also teenagers running through the park playing Frisbee with their good friends (and maybe even some friends they just made). Down by the rivers water, there will be older Korean men relaxing on a Saturday afternoon out with their buddies drinking Soju and beer while fishing both hoping to catch the next big fish. Within the water and its calm nature, people will be kayaking, wind surfing, or jet skiing. The Han in essence becomes one of the best public spaces within the city. With there being many miles of riverfront park real estate, it becomes one of the few places with expanses of grass and dedicated spots for sport and recreation with bike and running paths located the entire distance. Seoul has been working vigorously to get the Han River cleaned up both for the environment purposes and for the people to be able to use the river once again for sport. It has now become a very important landmark in the middle of such an urban mecca to escape from the complexities of the work and school life and to also be able to enjoy the little time you have with friends, families, and love ones. Figure 1. Biking down the Han Figure 2. Urban Campers Figure 3. Han River at Dusk 2

3 Seoul, SK Seoul is completely surrounded by mountains. Hiking culture is very important in Seoul as a means of recreation as well as getting out of the busy and congested city. It also had some of the best views on a clear day. Hiking was one of my favorite activities while living and working abroad. Hiking Seoul UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS FREEMAN EAST ASIA SCHOLARSHIP EXPERIENCE ABROAD

4 This was a view down the street we lived on. The congested nature of families living nearby and sheer amount of apartments was amazing. Every building on this block had parking underneath and living above. UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS View down our Residential Street. FREEMAN EAST ASIA SCHOLARSHIP EXPERIENCE ABROAD

5 Hangang Park running alongside the Han River was the main source of exercise and recreation while living abroad. Here there was a 25-mile bike path on both sides of the river with parks running the entire length. Here there was everything from urban camping, to Frisbee tossing, to jogger/ runners. It is the second best place of refuge from the congested city nature and a wonderful area to relax after a long day at work. UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Hangang Park : Han River FREEMAN EAST ASIA SCHOLARSHIP EXPERIENCE ABROAD

6 Once the site of an unattractive elevated highway, this public park/ stream is one of the most active parts of the city where friends, families, and couples gather to enjoy each others company. The sound of rushing water calms the busy city noise creating a very peaceful space. UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Cheonggyecheon Stream FREEMAN EAST ASIA SCHOLARSHIP EXPERIENCE ABROAD

7 The Gyeongbokgung Palace is the oldest palace in Korea and the site of the oldest dynasty in Korea. It is a very important landmark of the country. Gyeongbokgung Palace Main Palace UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS FREEMAN EAST ASIA SCHOLARSHIP EXPERIENCE ABROAD

8 The Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the best examples of traditional houses of the old dynasty. The interesting fact is that people still live in these ancient structures and are very expensive to live in. It is a very beautiful area filled with great examples of what the city use to be feel like. Bukchon Hanok Village Traditional Korean Village UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS FREEMAN EAST ASIA SCHOLARSHIP EXPERIENCE ABROAD

9 Seoul City Hall/Plaza is the stage for democracy for Seoul. Here is where they had many demonstrations and concerts. Every weekend there was something different going on. This picture was South Korea s Independence Day from Japan. Seoul City Plaza is in essence the center of Seoul. Seoul Plaza Seoul City Hall UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS FREEMAN EAST ASIA SCHOLARSHIP EXPERIENCE ABROAD

10 From the N-Tower, one can have a 360 degree view of the city. The N-Tower is at the highest part of Seoul. UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Nighttime View of Seoul from the N-Tower FREEMAN EAST ASIA SCHOLARSHIP EXPERIENCE ABROAD

11 Being abroad in Seoul means we where close to some of the largest cities in the world. I was able to go to Japan twice (one with my roommate and one with my mom). Going to Tokyo was an amazing change of place. After living in Seoul for three months, traveling to the largest city in the world was just as incredible. UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Tokyo, Japan Tokyo Skytree FREEMAN EAST ASIA SCHOLARSHIP EXPERIENCE ABROAD

12 Being able to travel was one of the most rewarding parts of this trip. I was able to travel to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka, and Beijing. Without the help from the Freeman East Asia Scholarship, I would have never been able to fully embrace my academic potential in Asia. It came to be the most rewarding part of my educational career. Kyoto, Japan Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS FREEMAN EAST ASIA SCHOLARSHIP EXPERIENCE ABROAD