Seoul’s Han River on an iPhone – A Cyclist’s Weekend View

 

Capturing Seoul’s Han River on an iPhone – A Cyclist’s Weekend View

The Han River is one of the best places in Seoul for cycling. Both the north and south banks are lined with dedicated bike paths that stretch not only across the city—from the eastern edge of Seoul to the far west—but even beyond its borders, connecting seamlessly to neighboring satellite towns.

Across the river, standing tall at one end of Yeouido, is the iconic golden-glass tower known as 63 Building. Once the tallest building in Seoul, its name reflects its 63 floors—a symbol of ambition and modernity when it first opened. Now owned by Hanwha Group, the 63 Building still holds a special place in the city’s skyline, a shimmering reminder of Seoul’s rapid rise and bold aspirations.

Now that summer is in full swing, the city’s air feels thick with heat. Early mornings are the only real chance to ride without melting in the sun. Still, it’s during those sunny hours that the views along the Han River truly come to life.

These photos were taken while biking mostly along the northern path of the river. Instead of writing long captions or explanations, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves—sometimes the best way to experience Seoul’s riverside is simply to see it.

The lush green island just off the shores of Yeouido is Bamseom, a small, uninhabited islet that has become a thriving ecosystem for wild birds. Covered in dense greenery, Bamseom offers a rare pocket of untouched nature in the heart of the city, quietly sustaining its role as a vital bird sanctuary amid Seoul’s urban sprawl.

The riverside spaces along the Han River weren’t originally designed just for recreation—they were built with flooding in mind. Given the sheer size of the river and the many tributaries that feed into it, the Han River can rise dramatically during heavy rainfall or the monsoon season, especially in Korea’s central region.

That’s why certain areas are designed to be submerged when the water level rises. A good example? Jamsu Bridge, whose name literally means “submerged bridge,” got its name because it goes underwater whenever it rains heavily. The Han River may be calm and scenic most days, but its scale and unpredictability are never forgotten in the way the city has planned around it.

Unlike riverside cities like London’s Thames or Paris’s Seine, you won’t find buildings tightly packed along the banks of the Han River. That’s largely because of the Han’s dramatic fluctuations in water level—it simply wouldn’t be practical or safe to build so close. But in a way, that’s what makes the Han River so unique. Its openness and scale create a sense of space that’s rare in a city as dense as Seoul.

There was a time when sightseeing cruises operated on the Han, but due to its vast width, you don’t quite get the cozy, postcard-like views you'd expect from a boat ride in Paris or London. Instead, what you get is something else: a wide, gently flowing river that still feels authentically natural.

If you're looking to reconnect with nature in Seoul, it’s simple—head to the mountains, or just follow the river. Both are always close, and always waiting.