Stand on the pedestrian "street of culture" in Sanbon New Town, also known as Rodeo Street, and you are in the middle of Gunpo's commercial heart: restaurants, bars, clothing boutiques and noraebangs, with a large fountain at its centre and a stage that often hosts small concerts and performances on weekends and during festivals. The downtown area stretches from Sanbon Station to Geumjeong Station, and the base of Surisan rises close by.
Gunpo suits travellers who want a day of low-key city streets mixed with mountains, reservoirs and seasonal flowers, and who are happy to move around by subway. Lines 1 and 4 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway connect the city to its neighbours and to Seoul, and six metro stations serve Gunpo.
This guide covers the sights and experiences named in the source material, from the azalea hills and the cherry blossom path to the temple and forest on Surisan, plus a one-day plan that strings the best of them together.
Top things to do in Gunpo
1. Royal Azalea Hill
Planted with 90,000 azaleas and 27,000 wild grasses, Royal Azalea Hill is in full bloom from late April to early May every year. Time your visit to that window, and check the festival programme, which is held at the time of the blooms and includes concerts, exhibitions, experience events, love letter writing and sketch contests.
2. Banwol Lake Park
Banwol Lake Park at 92 Hosu-ro is a lakeside park around Banwol Lake, known for its quiet scenery and sunset views. It has a walking path around the lake and is a popular place for walking and relaxing, and it is open 24 hours, so you can plan your walk around the sunset.
3. Cherry Blossom Path of Gunpo
Built near Geumjeong Station, the Cherry Blossom Path of Gunpo is the city's great pride, lighting up the hearts of citizens and visitors each spring while the surrounding countryside is adorned with vibrant flowers. Cherry blossom plugs decorate the area around the station, so combine the walk with a stop at the station itself.
4. Surisa Temple
Surisa Temple at 329 Sokdal-dong was founded in the southwest region of Mount Surisan during the reign of King Jinheun of the Silla Dynasty. It burned down during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592 and during the Korean War, then was rebuilt by Chungwoon in 1955, and it is part of the Yongjusa Temple, the regional headquarters for the Jogyejong branch of Buddhism.
5. Taeeulbong Peak
Taeeulbong Peak is a place where the forest is still very well preserved. You will find public facilities for exercising and relaxing, as well as hiking trails, making it a straightforward way to spend time on Surisan.
6. Dang Forest of Deokgogae
Located in Deokgogae in Daeyami, this forest was selected as the grand prize winner in the '3rd National Beautiful Forest Contest'. It holds 100- to 200-year-old trees, including oriental oaks, white oaks and beech trees standing on both sides, and its beauty is best enjoyed when you visit during the autumn leaves.
7. Chomak-gol Eco-Park
Chomak-gol Eco-Park in Sanbon-dong is an eco friendly forest path in the middle of the city. There are public restrooms and a café inside the park, and note that there is no trash bin, so plan to carry out what you bring in.
8. Galchi Reservoir
Galchi Reservoir is located near 75 Sokdal-dong in Jeongjandeul in the northern part of Daeam. On weekends or holidays, many people spend time here fishing, so it is a good choice if you want a slower stop away from the downtown streets.
9. Rodeo Street and Sanbon New Town
Sanbon New Town is Gunpo's central hub, and immediately adjacent to Sanbon Station the pedestrian "street of culture", also known as Rodeo Street, is a bustling commercial district full of restaurants, bars, clothing boutiques, noraebangs and other typical fixtures of a Korean city. In the middle of Rodeo Street is a large fountain, and a stage is often erected nearby to host small concerts and other performances on weekends and during festivals.
10. Sanbon Market and the wider downtown
Beyond Rodeo Street, a larger downtown area stretches from Sanbon Station to Geumjeong Station and includes Sanbon Market and the Cherevil apartment towers. It is bordered to the east by the Anyangcheon, and it makes an easy add-on to a walk along Rodeo Street.
11. Royal Azaleas Festival
Held at 1152-10, Sanbon-dong at the time of the royal azalea blooms, the Royal Azaleas Festival consists of various events, including concerts, exhibitions, experience events, love letter writing and sketch contests. These provide many opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Royal Azalea Hills, so check the timing against the bloom period.
12. Surisan Drawing Contest
The Surisan Drawing Contest is held every October. If your visit falls in that month, it is a way to see the mountain through the eyes of local participants.
13. Forest Concert
The Forest Concert runs once a week from June to October. Pair it with an afternoon outdoors on Surisan or in one of the city's green spaces.
14. Citizen's One Mind Hiking
The Citizen's One Mind Hiking festival is held once quarterly. If your dates line up, joining a group hike is a simple way to get onto the trails around Surisan.
15. A film at a Sanbon or Geumjeong cinema
For an indoor break, Gunpo has Lotte Cinema Sanbon FITIN at 485 Beonyeong-ro, CGV Sanbon at 505 Beon yeong-ro in Sanbon-dong, and Megabox Geumjeong Ak Plaza at 143 LS-ro. Any of these works well as an evening option after a day on the trails.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start on the pedestrian "street of culture" in Sanbon New Town, also known as Rodeo Street, beside Sanbon Station, and walk the downtown stretch towards Geumjeong Station, taking in the fountain and Sanbon Market. If you are visiting in spring, walk the Cherry Blossom Path of Gunpo near Geumjeong Station while the blossoms are out.
Afternoon: Head to Surisan for Surisa Temple at 329 Sokdal-dong and, if you want more time on the mountain, the trails and public facilities at Taeeulbong Peak. In late April to early May, swap the mountain for Royal Azalea Hill, which is in full bloom then, and check whether the Royal Azaleas Festival events are running.
Evening: Finish at Banwol Lake Park at 92 Hosu-ro, which is open 24 hours and known for its sunset views, and walk the path around the lake. If the weather turns, one of the cinemas in Sanbon or Geumjeong makes an easy alternative.
Frequently asked questions
When should I visit Royal Azalea Hill?
The azalea hills are in full bloom from late April to early May every year. The Royal Azaleas Festival is held at the time of the blooms and includes concerts, exhibitions, experience events, love letter writing and sketch contests.
What can I do in Gunpo in autumn?
Visit the Dang Forest of Deokgogae in Daeyami, where the beauty of the forest is best enjoyed during the autumn leaves. The Surisan Drawing Contest is also held every October, and the Forest Concert runs once a week from June to October.
Is there anywhere to walk by water?
Yes. Banwol Lake Park at 92 Hosu-ro is a lakeside park around Banwol Lake with a walking path around the lake, known for its quiet scenery and sunset views, and it is open 24 hours. Galchi Reservoir near 75 Sokdal-dong is another option, and on weekends or holidays many people spend time there fishing.
How do I get around Gunpo without a car?
Gunpo is connected to its neighbours and to Seoul by lines 1 and 4 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, and the city has six metro stations. Sanbon Station and Geumjeong Station anchor the downtown area, and the Cherry Blossom Path of Gunpo is built near Geumjeong Station.
Pick your season, check the bloom and festival dates against your dates, and start mapping your day around Sanbon Station.