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High above the rush of buses, taxis, and commuters near Seoul Station, a long ribbon of greenery floats over the city. This is Seoullo 7017 (서울로 7017), Seoul's beloved sky garden, where an old concrete overpass has been transformed into a walkable arboretum. What was once a strip of automotive infrastructure now blooms with thousands of plants, draws curious travelers, and links some of Seoul's most iconic landmarks on foot.
From Overpass to Sky Garden: Seoullo 7017's History
Seoullo 7017 began its life in the 1970s as an elevated highway that vaulted over the train tracks beside Seoul Station. Built to ease the city's growing traffic congestion, the overpass eventually fell into disrepair and was closed for safety reasons. Rather than tearing it down, architects and city planners reimagined it as a public sky garden, and in 2017 it reopened to pedestrians.
The name itself tells the story. "Seoullo" can be read as "towards Seoul" or "Seoul Street," while the numbers stand for two key years: 70 marks 1970, when the original highway opened, and 17 marks 2017, the year of its rebirth as a park. The result is a walkway that stretches nearly one kilometer from Malli-Dong (만리동), passes over Seoul Station, and continues toward Namdaemun (남대문).
An Arboretum in the Sky: 24,000 Plants
Seoullo 7017 is often described as an "educational arboretum and nursery for future species," and the numbers back that up. The garden holds around 24,000 plants representing 228 species of trees, shrubs, and flowers, drawn from both Korean and international flora. Walking the elevated path feels less like crossing a bridge and more like wandering through a long, narrow botanical collection.
The mobile flower pots that line the walkway shift with the seasons, so each visit looks a little different. Spring brings cherry blossoms and azaleas, summer delivers fragrant herbs and fruiting plants, and autumn paints the trees in deep oranges and reds. Even in winter, the layout of the planters and evergreens keeps the structure feeling alive.
Activities and Entertainment Along the 1km Walk
The kilometer-long stroll across Seoullo 7017 is rarely just a quiet walk. Along the way, you will pass information centers, foot pools, and two open gathering spaces called Rosa Square and Magnolia Square, where small concerts and performances are often held. Guided tours and food-themed tours leave from the park as well, so you can dig deeper into the surrounding neighborhoods with a local.
Pop-up stands and small kiosks sell handmade clothing, shoes, accessories, and snacks made by local vendors, giving the walkway the feel of a slow-paced street fair in the sky. It is a relaxed place to people-watch, snack, and rest on a bench between bursts of greenery.
Nearby Attractions Just a Walk Away
One of the best things about Seoullo 7017 is how it connects to the rest of central Seoul. The park has 17 pedestrian passageways linking it to surrounding streets and landmarks, so you can roll several stops into one outing. Just steps from the walkway stands Sungnyemun Gate (숭례문), often called Korea's number one national treasure and one of the historic four great gates of the old city wall.
From there, a short walk leads into Namdaemun Market, the country's largest traditional market with more than 10,000 retailers selling everything from clothing and accessories to street food and souvenirs. Culture Station Seoul 284, housed in the beautifully restored old Seoul Station building, sits at the other end as a museum and exhibition space. And if you want to keep wandering, the subway from Seoul Station takes you straight to Myeongdong (명동) in just a few minutes.
Planning Your Visit to Seoullo 7017
Seoullo 7017 is open 24 hours and free to enter, which means you can plan your visit around your own pace. Spring and autumn are the most photogenic seasons, but summer evenings and crisp winter afternoons each offer their own charm. After sunset, soft blue lamps light the path and the planters glow, turning the entire walkway into a calm, slow-moving night view.
The most convenient entry points are at Seoul Station and Hoehyeon Station, both served by Subway Line 1 and Line 4. From there, you can explore the walkway, dip down into Namdaemun Market for street food, swing by Sungnyemun Gate for photos, then hop on the subway toward Myeongdong, all without ever needing a car. Seoullo 7017 ties this entire stretch of central Seoul together in a single, walkable loop.
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