Digital scavenger hunt aims to draw hikers to Namsan Park

Residents walk through Namsan Park in central Seoul. Courtesy of Seoul Yongsan District Office

Lace up for a May to remember: Yongsan District is turning the slopes of Namsan Park — the forested mountain that divides the capital’s historic core from the Han River — into a monthlong scavenger hunt.

Starting Tuesday, the district’s “Walking Stamp Tour Challenge” invites hikers to track their progress along trails with sweeping views of the old city walls to the north and the skyline of Yongsan District to the south.

The “Springtime Namsan Walk” challenge will run from May 1 to 31. Participants can use the Walk On app to collect digital stamps at 10 designated locations across Namsan Park.

The stamp sites include Namsan Library, Waryongmyo Shrine, Jamdubong Observatory, Hanyangdoseong Fortress Observatory, N Seoul Tower, Pildong Rest Area, the rest area in front of Namsan Seoul Tower Hanbok Culture Experience Center, Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden rest area, the entrance to the meditation garden known as Sesaek-ui Gongwon (translated as the Park of Three Colors) and the National Theater of Korea.

To participate, users download the WalkON app, select the Namsan Park Stamp Tour Walking Challenge and tap the participation button. With location services enabled, stamps are collected automatically upon arrival at each site. Participants who collect five or more stamps become eligible for a prize draw.

A total of 150 winners will be selected by lottery from qualifying participants and receive a mobile coupon valued at 10,000 won.

"I hope this challenge gives residents and workers a natural opportunity to incorporate walking into their daily lives and take care of their health," Yongsan District head Park Hee-young said.

"We will continue expanding programs that encourage physical activity in everyday life."

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.