🚴 The Complete Guide to Cycling the Han River (Seoul)

1. Where do I rent a bike?

① Han River Park rental shops
Popular parks (Ttukseom, Yeouido, Banpo, Mangwon, Jamsil, etc.) have rental shops where you borrow and return on the spot.

• Single, kids', and tandem (2-person) bikes available; an ID may be required

• You usually return to the same shop, so it's easiest to make your start and end point the same

② Seoul Public Bike "Ttareungi" (Seoul Bike)

• Foreigners can buy a short-term pass (e.g., 1-day) in the app and pay by credit card

• Docking stations are everywhere, great for one-way rides (return at any station)

• Requires app sign-up & payment; English is supported

💡 For a long one-way ride, use Ttareungi; for round trips or tandem bikes within a park, the rental shops are easier.

2. Recommended routes

Distance/time vary by speed and breaks — just a guide.

• 🌇 Beginner (about 5–10km): Yeouido → toward Mapo Bridge → back to Yeouido (about 1 hour, flat, skyline views)

• 🌉 Night view: Ttukseom/Jamsil → toward Banpo Han River Park (Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain + night views)

• 🌅 Scenic & relaxed: Mangwon → Yanghwa (sunset, cafés, quieter; popular with locals)

• 🚴 Long distance (about 25–30km): Jamsil → Banpo → Yeouido (passes the main parks; a full-day route)

3. 🌉 5 Han River bridges you can cross by bike

Seoul has more than 30 Han River bridges, but only 5 official bridges have bike paths. Use them to cross between the north and south banks for richer routes!

• Mapo Bridge — Yeongdeungpo-gu ↔ Mapo-gu (Yeouido Park ↔ Mangwon Park). Built in the 1970s, about 1.4km. Easy entry via the south-end ramp. Famous as an Avengers filming location.

• Hangang Bridge (old & new) — Dongjak-gu ↔ Yongsan-gu (Banpo Park ↔ Ichon Park). A historic bridge built in 1917; enter via the elevator under the bridge.

• Banpo Bridge / Jamsu Bridge — Seocho-gu ↔ Yongsan-gu (Banpo Park ↔ Ichon Park). Cyclists use the lower Jamsu Bridge. The upper Banpo Bridge's Moonlight Rainbow Fountain is a Guinness-record fountain.

• Jamsil Railway Bridge — Songpa-gu ↔ Gwangjin-gu (Gwangnaru Park ↔ Ttukseom Park). Two-way traffic, with separated pedestrian and bike lanes — safe and pleasant.

• Gwangjin Bridge — Gangdong-gu ↔ Gwangjin-gu (Gwangnaru Park ↔ Ttukseom Park). One of the oldest Han River bridges (1930s), with dedicated bike lanes and viewing decks on both sides.

💡 Use these bridges to build a loop across the north and south banks. e.g., Yeouido → Mapo Bridge → Mangwon → (north bank) → loop back!

4. Han River parks worth a stop

Banpo — night views & the fountain / Yeouido — picnics & wide lawns (spring cherry blossoms) / Ttukseom — cycling & water sports / Mangwon — sunsets & scenery / Jamsil — Lotte World Tower views

5. Must-try while riding

• 🍜 Han River ramyeon: Buy instant noodles at a convenience store and cook them at a store with a noodle-cooking machine. (Not all stores have one.)

• 🧺 Picnic: Spread a mat and enjoy chicken & snacks — a classic Seoul pastime. (Delivery works too!)

• 🌉 Night views: The Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain and the Han River at night are the evening highlight.

6. Etiquette & safety

• Stay in the bike lane and slow down in pedestrian areas.

• Keep a safe gap when passing, and signal with a bell or your voice.

• Riding with earphones in both ears is dangerous.

• Never ride after drinking!

• At night, front/rear lights help; a helmet is recommended.

• Surfaces can be slippery right after rain — slow down on bridge bike paths too.

7. What to bring

• Sneakers, water, sunscreen, hat

• Phone power bank, transit card (T-money)

• (For Ttareungi) a usable credit card + the app

8. 💡 Local tips

• Weekday mornings and around sunset are the most pleasant.

• Weekend afternoons can get crowded.

• Spring (cherry blossoms) and autumn (foliage) are the most popular seasons.

• Convenience stores, restrooms, and water fountains are spread throughout, so long rides are comfortable.

✅ Quick checklist

• 🚲 Rental shop or Ttareungi (app + card) ready

• 📍 Decide start/end park (round trip for rental shops)

• 🌉 Plan a north–south loop using the bridges

• 💧 Water, snacks, sunscreen

• 🌇 Start near sunset for the best scenery

• 🍜 Han River ramyeon & a picnic!

🟦 A guide from the CultureHub team.
📅 Updated: 2026 · ⚠️ Rental fees, hours, Ttareungi usage, and bridge access (ramps/elevators) may change. The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain runs on a seasonal schedule — check before you go.