Nakseongdae-Nakseongdae Station
Nakseongdae is a historical site at the Nakseongdae station exit number 4. From the exit, take the shuttle bus (Ma-eul bus, in Korean) number 2.
This gracious site is labeled, Important Cultural Property No. 4 in Seoul. Inside, there are several stone structures to commemorate General Gang Gam-chan of the Goryeo dynasty who successfully defended our nation against enemies. As you pass through the red gate doors of Nakseongdae, you will comment on its beautiful garden, which perfectly matches the antique buildings of olden times.
Outside of the doors of Nakseongdae, there is a basketball court where a statue of General Gang stands firm, as if ready to jump out with sword in hand should an invader appear.
There are stands which rent bicycles and badminton courts which are open for use. Food and snacks are available at the restaurant and the convenience store right next to the basketball court. This site is recommended for family picnics or short dates.
Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine-Hapjeong Station
Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine is just a 15 minute walk from exit no. 7 of Hapjeong Station. The way to the Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine is not different from any other streets in Korea, but the shrine at the end of the road makes it unique among other city streets.
Next to the shrine is a museum that shows the history of Catholicism in Korea and the people involved in it. Various Catholic religious items such as rosaries, robes, gloves, miters, rings, letters and books are all part of the big collection. From April to November, museum hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. while from December to March, it closes 30 minutes earlier. Mondays, however, are holidays and from lunch breaks are from 12 to 1 o'clock.
The Jeoldusan Shrine is good for meditation or prayers, but is not suitable for loud activities since many Catholics come here to pray. It is also cool and refreshing as breeze flies in from the Han River right next to the shrine.
Seokchon Lake-Jamsil Station
Seokchon Lake was actually a part of the Han River in the past. However, after engineers piled on top of an existing sandbar to form a high ridge, it became isolated from the river and is now a small lake. One can find this lake by walking down from exit no. 2 of Jamsil Station.
This lake is actually divided into two sides, an east side and a west side. The east side of the lake is peaceful and quiet to let stressed out workers to release their sorrow into the blue sky by breathing the cool lakeside breeze. It is also good for family picnics and box lunches. On the west side of the lake, there is the Seoul Nori Madang stage where various traditional art performances take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 in the afternoon.
A 4-leaved clover means luck; while a 3-leaved clover means happiness. But maybe line 2 is like a 3-leaved clover that can bring happiness to our daily lives by allowing us to drop in at various interesting places on the way home for a short but remarkable time.
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