Last weekend I went on a near Seoul tour with my cousin, who visited from L.A. Koreans often say, “The darkest place is under the candlestick.” Although being raised in Seoul for most of my life, I had never visited the upper Han river area. It’s one of those places you can vividly picture without visiting, thus making it a less attractive option. But the lotus field (Semiwon) in Doomoolmoree was a scene worth visiting, especially if you plan to visit the east coast.
[Summary]
Transportation: by car, or 10min walk from Yangsoo station (Joongang line)
Duration: 1 hour from Coex (by car), 1 hour to look around
Cost: Semiwon entrance fee KRW 3,000 / person
When: Mar ~ Oct 9:00 to 18:00, Nov ~ Feb 9:00 to 17:00, every Monday is closed! (p.s. the lotus blossoms from late June to the end of July)
Who: People who plan to drive to the east coast should drop by on the way, people who want to visit the outskirts of Seoul
[The classic Korean landscape]
If you are looking for a classic Korean scenery, look no further. Doomoolmoree means “the place where two rivers meet.” It is where the famous Han river, which flows through Seoul, begins. Embedded in the mountain ranges, Dommoolmoree area offers not only picturesque landscape coveted by many photographers but also a beautiful lotus park named Semiwon.
Koreans have historically emphasized using both the mountain and rivers to their advantage. Their ancestors highly valued locations with mountains in the back while having water in your front, one of the reasons Seoul is where it currently is. Back in the Chosun dynasty Doomoolmoree served as a small port. People from the East would drop by on their way to Seoul, grab a meal or stay overnight during bad weather. Ever since the construction of the Paldang dam (and the distribution of cars), the once prominent port has lost its function and changed into a tourist attraction. Nowadays only five families remain living in this area.
[Loti world Semiwon]
The elaborate miniature in Semiwon
If you walk 5 minutes from the parking lot, you will see the entrance to the Semiwon. Although you can still enjoy loti from the free park around the parking area, Semiwon has a much bigger loti farm. You can also enjoy small trimmed trees and artwork using plants. In one of the vinyl houses, you will find a vividly designed Jurassic-Park-like miniature set. There are several photo spots within Semiwon. I recommend you grab a drink from a stand and enjoy the scenery from the bench.
Doomoolmoree is home to many Korean advertisements and movies. While I would not recommend a trip solely to see this area, it is conveniently located near the highway that leads to the east coast. If you go on a outer Seoul tour, definitely drop by and enjoy the classic scenery.