Seoul's parks ready to entertain visitors over Lunar New Year holiday

Children play yunnori, a traditional Korean board game, at Seoul Botanic Park in southwestern Seoul's Gangseo District. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Various activities, including traditional games, explorer guide programs and exhibitions, are set to take place at major parks in Seoul during the Lunar New Year long weekend.

Traditional family-friendly games anyone can enjoy will be offered at nine of Seoul's major parks, including Seoul Forest Park, Seoul Botanic Park and World Cup Park.

Among the featured games are yunnori, a traditional Korean board game popular during the Lunar New Year holiday, and jegichagi, or Korean hacky sack.

The games will be available to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Friday to Monday at Seoul Forest Park, Maheon Citizen's Forest, Gildong Ecological Park and Seoul Botanic Park.

Namsan Park, Naksan Park and Yongsan Family Park will also host events for visitors on the same days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

World Cup Park has a program of events centered on traditional Korean games scheduled for Friday to Sunday, running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oil Tank Culture Park will hold events for visitors from Friday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

These programs include quizzes related to each park and guide programs.

Dragons made of silver grass are on display at World Cup Park in western Seoul's Mapo District. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Special exhibitions showcasing art, history and media content will also be held at World Cup Park, Oil Tank Culture Park and Seoul Botanic Park during the holiday season.

At Seoul Botanic Park, visitors can make an illustrated plant book with stamps.

Seoul Children's Grand Park will serve free rice cake soup and blue dragon-shaped cookies to 500 older adults and foreign workers on a first-come, first-served basis to celebrate the Year of the Blue Dragon.

On Saturday, the day of the Lunar New Year, an experience zone featuring five traditional Korean games is scheduled to open at 11 a.m. in Seoul Children's Grand Park.

Information on programs and park-related activities during the holiday can be found on the parks' social media accounts or through their management office.

However, the city's official websites will be shut down from 6 p.m. on Thursday to 11 a.m. on Monday for maintenance work at the Seoul data center.

The city government conducted a facility inspection from Jan. 17 to 26 to ensure the safety of people using the parks by examining their trails and security cameras.

The city plans to work in close coordination with fire and police authorities in case of emergencies at recreational facilities over the long weekend.

"We have prepared an array of programs, encompassing traditional games and activities to ensure families can enjoy delightful times at Seoul's parks during the Lunar New Year holiday," said Lee Su-yeon, head of the Parks and Recreation Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

"Looking ahead, the city government will implement even more diverse programs, fostering a garden leisure culture."