Seoul's Gwanak District announced on the 14th that it will invest 14.1 billion won to create accommodations, cafes, gardens, and other facilities on Gwanak Mountain, developing it into a natural recreation forest by 2027.
According to Gwanak District, the Korea Forest Service announced on the 13th that a total of 216,333 square meters (about 65,555 pyeong) of nine plots in the Sillim-dong area of the Gwanak Mountain Urban Natural Park area will be designated as a natural recreation forest.
Gwanak Mountain is one of the top 100 famous mountains selected by the Korea Forest Service. In 2023, it was also the most visited forest-type park by Seoul citizens. Gwanak District plans to provide forest recreation services to citizens by utilizing the natural environment of Gwanak Mountain.
The Gwanak Mountain natural recreation forest will include 27 rooms of the accommodation 'House in the Forest,' a 'Forest Cafe,' a 'Welcome Garden,' forest experience facilities, and a visitor center, forming the forest experience infrastructure. It is also planned to offer forest experience programs such as forest bathing, meditation in the woods, and Gwanak Mountain trekking, along with forest leisure content.
Gwanak District is currently in the process of commissioning a service to establish the basic plan for the natural recreation forest. The detailed design will be carried out in the second half of this year, with construction expected to start in the first half of next year and be completed by 2027. A budget of 10.7 billion won from Seoul City will also be secured by next year.
Park Jun-hee, the district head, noted that, "We have been preparing for a long time to ensure that residents can enjoy forest recreation services without having to venture far, and we will develop it into a high-quality resort complex."