One of the most Instagrammable places in Seoul, Yongma Land has become a photographers heaven over the years. Yongma Land originally opened in 1980 as a functioning amusement park. Eventually it closed down in 2011, leaving the entire park, and it’s rides, abandoned. Now a local business man runs the operation, allowing locals and tourists alike an opportunity to pose with the broken down rides. While a creepy, rusted amusement park might not sound appealing at first, I promise you it’s worth a visit.
Price:
The cover charge to enter Yongma Land used to be ₩5,000 {approx. $5.00 USD}, as recently as February 2018. The price has increased, however, to ₩10,000 {approx. $10.00 USD}, which seems a bit ridiculous considering you can’t actually do much at the park. Basically, you are paying $10.00 to rent space for a photo shoot… along with the rest of the photographers there.
Getting there:
Yongma Land is quite off the beaten path in terms of things to do in Seoul. While not centrally located by any means, it’s easy enough to get to from the city center. I personally took a bus from Myeongdong, which got me to Yongma Land in approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. If you decide to take the subway, the closest station is Mangu Station. From there it’s about a 10 – 15 minute walk.
Many people online suggest taking a taxi to Yongma Land {from Mangu Station} due to it’s inconspicuous location. While I did go down a few wrong turns, I eventually made my way there via my own two feet. Ultimately it’s up to you.
English: 69-1 Mangu-dong, Jungnang-gu, Seoul {MAP}
Korean: 서울특별시 중랑구 망우동 69-1
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What to expect:
Upon arrival, you may or may not see the owner of the operation. He has left his phone number in case you miss him, but I personally don’t have a functioning phone number here in Korea. Luckily for me, he was there and more than willing to take my money. I hadn’t expected the price increase when I arrived. But unfortunately as the amusement park grows in popularity, the price will reflect the demand. Plus, I couldn’t very well argue with the man when my Korean consisted of a few phrases.
I visited Yongma Land back in early October. I was given a four day weekend from work, and therefore took advantage by visiting during a weekday. On a Monday morning at 10:00 AM, there were still a fair amount of people at Yongma Land. While I wouldn’t consider it crowded by any means, I definitely wasn’t alone. In fact, a K-Pop group was shooting a music video at the abandoned amusement park while I was there.
It’s a popular destination for artists and photographers alike. Another shoot I witnessed was that of a Korean ballerina. Yongma Land allows you to unleash your creativity and gather inspiration from those around you. It was a peaceful environment, even with people scattered around the grounds, and always felt eerily quiet.
You are allowed to climb all over the rides, take as many pictures as you please, and basically use the park as your very own playground. My suggestion is to grab some gal pals, bring a few costume changes, and go all out on a photo shoot. There are endless opportunities, and the funky rides give an edgy look to any photo.
Related: Ikseon-dong: The Trendiest {Tourist Free} Neighborhood in Seoul
What to bring:
A tripod. While there are plenty of photographers and locals present, Yongma Land isn’t technically a tourist destination. Therefore, don’t expect to interrupt someone’s shoot in order to ask them to take a photo for you like you would at the Eiffel Tower. There are so many different locations throughout the park, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Many of them lack ledges of any kind to prop up a camera. A tripod is absolutely necessary, especially if you are traveling alone.
Cash. The owner will only accept cash so make sure you have enough to pay the entrance fee.
Snacks. If you are planning to take full advantage of the park and stay awhile, I suggest bringing snacks and water. The park doesn’t offer much shade in summer and snacks are totally lacking in general. Plus it’s remote location means having to walk at least 5 – 10 minutes to the nearest convenience store.
Patience. As you can imagine, everyone there is hoping to get the best shot possible. Therefore, you may be waiting your turn in certain areas. While you would never have to queue up per say, it might be the case that you skip a busy location and return to it later on. There are plenty of broken rides to go around folks.
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Overall I had a great afternoon shooting at Yongma Land. Would I recommend it to the average tourist in Seoul? Perhaps not. However, if you are looking for an ‘off the beaten path’ thing to do in the bustling city, Yongma Land is a great option. My next vlog features my return to Seoul, including Yongma Land, Myeongdong, Gangnam, and Itaewon.
