Little America in the center of Seoul
Olga
8 months ago
Is it possible to be in the center of Seoul and suddenly find yourself in the suburbs of America? It's possible if you visit Yongsan Park. Take the Gyeongui Jungang Subway Line, get off at the Seobinggo station, Exit 1 and walk about 10 minutes across the street. You'll see a high fence and wide gates ahead.
This is Yongsan Garrison (Yongsan Park Partially Open Site) - a previous residence for US military officers. After the fall of Japanese Empire, the US military stationed in Yongsan and reffered to the area as "Camp Seobinggo", borrowing the name from a region with historical significance. Following the Korean War Armistice Agreement, the US 8th Army relocated here, renaiming it "Yongsan Garrison".
Since August 2020, the area has been open to visitors, offering a unique opportunity to see the closed military area where American officers and their families lived.
Immediately upon entering the territory it is noticeable that not long ago this was a restricted and closed area. This is reminded by the barbed wire on top of the fence and numerous prohibitory signs.
What attracts visitors to the Yongsan Park Partially Open Site the most? First of all, the area is made in the style of a traditional American town. As if from the center of Seoul we suddenly moved to rural America! Right at the entrance there is a classic red brick house in the American style, like in the movies.
There is an information center in the building. Here you can look at the map on the wall, leave your things in the storage room, drink some water and get the necessary information from the staff. To go further, you need to go through the information center.
You can take with you a booklet with a map of the territory, including one in English.
If it starts raining, you can take an umbrella for free. Great idea!
Walking through the information center, I felt like I was in an American town. Everything is so realistic: the streets, the houses, the recreation areas. For a moment, you forget that you are in Korea.
All the houses are two-story, built in the classic American style. This was probably done so that American officers and their families would feel as if they were in their homeland. Now in these houses offering various hands-on experiences through exhibitions and programs.
There are many flowers and beautiful trees on the garrison territory. Many people come here during the flowering period, when magnolias and cherry trees are blooming all around. Unfortunately, I was already at the end of the flowering period.
It is very pleasant to walk along the "American streets" on a sunny day, listening to the singing of birds. It is very pleasant to walk along the "American streets" on a sunny day, listening to the singing of birds.
But the fact that this is still a former military base is constantly reminded by signs and special house numbers.
If you go straight after the first row of houses and come out onto the second street, you will find yourself next to another row of American houses. There are Youth Longe, a program space, dedicated to activities for young people, and Shared Kitchen for Youth.
This place is interesting because there are photos from the history of the garrison displayed in front of the houses. You can see interesting shots from the past of Seoul that you won't see anywhere else.
Then you can go to the right, ahead there is a row of houses with a playground in the middle where children can run and play freely. In one of the houses there is a children's library featuring natural elements within the urban environment, and. This is a great place to spend the day with kids.
Further the path leads us to the very center of the garrison. In the middle of it there is a lawn with green grass and a photo zone.
In one of the houses there is a cafe where you can buy a cup of coffee and traditional American cookies and pastries. I chose Americano and brownie, it was very good. You can sit with a cup of coffee in the cafe itself or on the numerous benches and gazebos on the park territory.
The American Lounge is also located in the same building.
After a rest and a cup of coffee, you can continue your walk. Walking along the path, another row of houses opens up. There are Senior Lounge, a program space aimed at enriching the daily lives of seniors, and Shared Kitchen for seniors.
Further on the territory there is a photo zone for everyone who wants to take beautiful photos. It shows the past and present of the garrison. An old telephone booth and a post office are located here. Especially atmospheric photos are taken during the Christmas period. But be prepared for the fact that there are always queues of people wanting to take photos!
And finally, my favorite place in the park is the Open house. This is a house that has retained all of its original furnishings and is open to visitors. You can come in and see with your own eyes the life and daily routine of officers' families.
It's very nice and touching that a space capturing the stories of American families who once lived here. The walk through the house is accompanied by an audio guide that broadcasts the memories of family members who lived in this house.
Then I went up to the 2nd floor by the stairs. On the wall of the stairwell hang photographs of the garrison residents.
There are also several rooms on the 2nd floor. One of them is dedicated to the resident of this house Thomas S Vandal, former 8th Army commander, and his family. It is very interesting to learn about these people and go back in time, thanks to this the house seems alive and real.
They also tell the memories of other families, including those who lived in the garrison as children.
At the very end of the park there is an Exhibition hal - a space to explore and understand the past while offering insights into the present and future.
At the exhibition you can learn about the history of Yongsan Park, see its model, and take a 3D tour.
To exit the park, you need to go back to the information center building.
You can spend a lot of time in the park, especially on a warm sunny day. I have visited it several times in different seasons, and it is always beautiful. Entry is free, so the park can become a favorite place for walks. It is very exciting to be transported for a short time from noisy Seoul to a quiet American town, sitting with a cup of coffee on the terrace and imagining the lives of its past residents.
