Nodeul: Fish Market to the National Museum
An auction hall, an island in the river and Korea's largest museum
≈4.2 km · ≈60 min walking · Moderate · Yongsan-gu · Start: Noryangjin station · End: Ichon station
Pick a fish downstairs and have it served upstairs at Noryangjin, hop on a bus across Hangang Bridge to Nodeul Island in the middle of the river, ride on to the north bank at Ichon and end at the National Museum of Korea.
Stops
- Noryangjin Fish Market (노량진수산물도매시장)
Seoul's main seafood wholesale market, in a new hall since 2016. Buy fish at a stall downstairs and pay a restaurant upstairs a small fee to cook it. - Nodeul Island (노들섬)
An island under Hangang Bridge, reopened in 2019 as a music and culture venue with a lawn, a hall and a bookshop. The terraced roof looks west to the 63 Building at sunset. - Ichon Hangang Park (이촌한강공원)
A green stretch of the north bank with long lawns and the floating stage of the Hangang Bridge, quiet on weekdays. - National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)
Korea's national museum, opened in Yongsan in 2005: a long stone building cut by a huge open-air void framing Namsan. Entry to the permanent collection is free.
Best time: A clear day from spring to autumn. Arrive at the fish market for lunch; the museum is open late on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Tips
- Buses stop on the island itself; if you'd rather walk, the Hangang Bridge footpath is on both sides and the west side gets the sunset.
- The museum is closed on 1 January and Chuseok and Seollal days.
Access
The fish market has wet floors. Nodeul Island is reached over Hangang Bridge's pavement, with lifts down onto the island. Ichon Hangang Park and the National Museum of Korea are level.